Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

In the same month, the Jiaozhi envoys came to Beijing to pay tribute. Defang was discussing matters with Zhenzong and Wang Dan in the Chongzheng Hall. Zhenzong gave Defang a booklet, "Emperor Brother, Prime Minister, this is the book written by Shangshu Zuochengzhi Wang Qinruo, a member of the Privy Council. Take a look." .”

Defang took it over, looked at it, handed it to Wang Dan, and said, "Your Majesty, what does this matter have to do with Wang Qin?"

"Wang Aiqing felt that such an arrangement was inappropriate, and he believed that the Taiwei should be in charge of this matter."

It turned out that Zhenzong wanted to bury the dead Empress Zhuangmu and Queen Guo in the northwest of Yongxi Mausoleum according to the opinion of Zongzheng Temple. It's not right to lead the ministers, so I raised this matter with Zhenzong.

Defang said, "Your Majesty, there has been a precedent for reporting the posthumous title to the ancestral temple in the early years. I think it is not wrong for the minister of Zongzheng Temple to lead the group of officials."

Wang Dan also cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I agree with the words of the eight virtuous kings. Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, there have been precedents. The posthumous title of the Empress Zhaoxian was given by the Taiwei who led all civil and military officials to report to the ancestral temple, while the posthumous title of Empress Xiaoming , it was reported to the ancestral temple by the Minister of Zongzheng Temple, and now Queen Guo's posthumous title is reported to the ancestral temple, just like Empress Xiaoming, and it is not wrong for the Minister of Zongzheng Temple to lead the officials."

Zhenzong nodded, "Since there is a precedent, I can rest assured, then the Minister of Zongzhengsi will be responsible for this matter."

"Your Majesty" Wang Dan also submitted a note, "This is a report from the Privy Council. The traitors in Yizhou have been arrested."

"Okay, we must reward those who capture Chen Jin."

"Your Majesty, the person who captured Chen Jin was Lu Chengjun who was crowned king by Chen Jin. It is a grace of heaven to spare him the death penalty."

"Alas" Zhenzong waved his hand, "The imperial court has already issued an edict. As long as the rebels surrender to the imperial court, they will be exempted from all crimes. Those who capture Chen Jin will be rewarded. I can't break my promise, and this matter is not Lu Chengjun's original intention. Zhizhou Liu Yong often punishes his subordinates severely. Chen Jin of the military academy used this resentment to encourage soldiers to kill the magistrate Lu Cheng and make him the king of Nanping, occupying the city to fight against the imperial court, but the soldiers were only in a momentary mood, and within a few days someone in the city reported to the imperial court."

De Fang nodded, "What your Majesty said is that the imperial court sent the Zhongzhou Inspector Cao Yong and others to lead the army to crusade, and the army besieged the city. They had nowhere to escape, but His Majesty was merciful and ordered that as long as the soldiers in the city captured Chen Jin and surrendered to the imperial court, they would be killed." The crime of rebellion can be avoided, and Lu Chengjun led the people to surrender. Now the city has not been lost, the people have not been disturbed, and the military chaos has been quelled without bloodshed. This is the best."

"Yes." Zhenzong put down the booklet and said, "This is also a lesson. The prime minister, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued documents to all military and state capitals. It is necessary to take this as a warning. There is nothing wrong with strict officials and law and discipline, but you must not bully the soldiers and the people."

"Yes, I obey the order"

Zhenzong opened the class book and said, "Hangzhou Zhizhou Xue Ying's term of office is about to expire, and I plan to select a talented person from the court to take over. I have looked through the class book these days and think that Sun Zhi and Wang Ji are both temporary choices, but I don't know who It's more appropriate, what do you two think?"

Wang Dan listened to this and looked at Defang. Sun Weiwei was indeed capable as an official, but Wang Ji had served in a local area and had a good political record, while Sun Ji lacked experience in this area. In comparison, Wang Ji was better, but Sun Zhi is a disciple of the Son of Heaven who Defang took the exam, and also served as an envoy to Liao on the mother's birthday. Now there are two choices. Wang Dan doesn't know whether Defang will recommend Sun Zhi to take office, so it is hard to say anything first.

Defang also looked at Wang Dan and knew what he thought, so he said to Zhenzong, "Your Majesty, Sun Zhi has outstanding talents and profound Confucian attainments. Since Wailang presided over the Criminal Court, he has never made any mistakes, and all court officials approve of it."