I studied in modern times

Chapter 767 I Don’t Want to Hurt the Virtue of My Grandmother

As soon as Zhao Xu finished speaking, Feng Jing was the first to react. He knelt down in front of him with a plop, then kowtowed and cried, "Everyone, please don't do this!"

He was really crying!
I cried so hard!

I was just crying because I was scared!
Because, if Zhao Xu really went to the two palaces to apologize, the two palaces would definitely skin him alive - in the physical sense of the word!

Not to mention, going to Jingling Palace to apologize.

If that happens, all the ministers will tear him to pieces!
After hearing Feng Jing's howl, the other ministers present reacted instantly.

They all knelt down. At this moment, their minds were extremely clear - they couldn't let the emperor really go to the two palaces to apologize, let alone Jingling Palace!
No matter what, what is the emperor’s intention?
They all have to give a step up.

The truth is simple and clear - if the emperor wants to emulate Duke Zheng, then they should cooperate in acting.

If the emperor does not have that intention, they should persuade him to stop.

Lu Dafang, who was the fastest to react, almost immediately advised: "Your Majesty is a wise and sage, and follows the example of the previous king. He is tolerant of the universe and lenient to his ministers. I would like to congratulate the whole world!"

First of all, of course, we must affirm that the emperor’s behavior is absolutely correct!

"Of course, since ancient times, only sons have suffered from their fathers' faults, and ministers have been sick for their rulers!"

“I have never heard of a father taking the place of his son’s sin, or a ruler taking the place of his minister’s illness!”

"Besides, who is the prince consort?!"

"Is Your Majesty going to apologize on my behalf?"

"Your Majesty loves the Prince Consort, but I am afraid that he is not blessed enough to bear the burden, so I beg Your Majesty to be cautious at the risk of my life!"

Zhao Xu listened, hesitated for a moment, and sighed: "Your words are good, but..."

"The Prince Consort is guilty, but am I not at fault?"

Lu Dafang was suddenly speechless.

Although, he was already used to Zhao Xu's way of giving himself reflection coupons when encountering problems.

But he still didn't find a solution.

no way!
Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, the Zhao officials have always been the kind of kings who are good at talking tough.

The main point is to be stubborn and refuse to admit mistakes.

It was the first time that the literati of the Song Dynasty had encountered a king like Zhao Xu, who would often reflect on himself, admit his mistakes, and then put his ministers in a position to force them to do things according to his ideas. It was the first time that the literati of the Song Dynasty had encountered such a king. They were not used to it for a while!
However, as soon as Zhao Xu said these two sentences, the situation eased.

It is better to reflect than to rush to the two palaces, or even to Jingling Palace.

Fan Chunren, who was kneeling beside Lu Dafang, suddenly had an idea and bowed, saying, "Since your majesty ascended the throne, you have been benevolent and kind to your ministers and have brought blessings to the world! This is witnessed by the court and the people, and by the world!"

"Now, Your Majesty has attributed the fault of the Prince Consort to the body of a saint..."

"I, your humble servant, would like to ask: What virtue and ability does the prince consort have to deserve such an honor?"

"Your Majesty is indeed benevolent and holy, but if Your Majesty really apologizes to the two empresses and our ancestors for the matter of the prince consort..."

"I am afraid that the prince consort will have a hard time dealing with the overwhelming public opinion! The princess is also afraid that she will be criticized by the public opinion!"

That is for sure!
Emperor Zhao Xu, don’t even think about going to Jingling Palace.

He went before the two palaces and apologized for the matter concerning the prince consort.

Once this happens, everyone will force the prince consort to die!

Even the princess could not escape the blame.

But the problem is - afterward, even a fool could see it.

This is the imperial power forcing the prince consort to be killed!

If it were the Han and Tang dynasties, they would have just killed him.

The key point is that the Song Dynasty is different from the Han and Tang Dynasties!
As a dynasty that was inherently lacking in certain things, the Zhao Song regime had to compromise in many areas.

Including but not limited to, governing the world together with scholars and officials, and sharing wealth and honor with military officials and nobles.

Therefore, top-level relatives such as the Prince Consort must have a talisman and cannot be killed easily.

Last time, when Zhao Xu forced the Wang family to kill Wang Shen, at least he had an excuse and reason.

Wang Shen also had his own way to die.

And it wasn't him who did it!
It was the Wang family themselves who did it!

It’s different now. In public, a prince consort was forced to death because of some not-so-significant mistakes.

This would seriously dampen the enthusiasm of other military officials and nobles for marriage with Emperor Zhao.

If the prince consort could be forced to death because of a mistake or crime.

So, why did the military officials strive so hard to form a marriage alliance with Emperor Zhao?
Can this amulet still keep them rich and prosperous?
If not, then why should Wu Chen suffer and work hard for you, Emperor Zhao? And also have to endure your anger?
Once, marrying into an official family cannot guarantee your life and property, or the wealth of your descendants.

Then, the consensus that Taizu reached with the military group by giving up military power over a cup of wine would be gone.

This group of military officials is likely to quickly transform into what they originally were - warriors!
Warriors of the late Tang and Five Dynasties!

So, Zhao Xu understood what Fan Chunren meant.

Like civil officials and prime ministers, in the Song Dynasty, the imperial concubines and duwei, who represented the ultimate form of military officials, could only be punished if they were guilty of treason, and there was solid evidence of treason.

Otherwise, don’t even mention killing him.

Even when sentencing someone to a crime, one must carefully consider the impact it will bring!
Because the other military officials are watching!
Even so, Zhang Dunli did not come from the group of military officials and nobles.

But his identity as the son-in-law of the emperor was real.

Of course Zhao Xu understands!
At the beginning, he was just acting.

The purpose of his performance was both to vent and to clear himself.

Because, in addition to Fan Chunren and other civil officials, there are also companions from the group of foreign relatives and nobles in the court today.

Although these people are very young, they are generally around thirteen or fourteen years old, or at most fifteen or sixteen years old.

But they have been with Zhao Xu for more than two years.

After more than two years of training, apart from other things, the ability to read people's expressions and judge the situation has been developed.

Therefore, this is a performance for the external relatives, nobles and military officials to see - I have not broken my promise.

I moved against the prince consort only because he touched something he shouldn't have touched.

So, when Fan Chunren finished speaking, Zhao Xu pretended to be in deep thought, then stepped forward to help Fan Chunren up, and sighed: "It's my fault, sir. I almost killed the princess and her husband today!"

Fan Chunren moved his lips, but seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Zhao Xu knew what he wanted to say. He sighed and said, "Let's stop here for today!"

"I hope you will give me some face..." He looked at the others: "You have not heard anything today, and you don't know that I have read the note, right?"

All the ministers bowed their heads in silence.

Some people are confused, but for others, their minds are as clear as a mirror.

Zhao Xu looked at their appearance and bowed slightly: "No matter what, please keep this secret for me!"

"It's really a shame that family disgrace should not be made public!"

"It is true that the Empress Dowager has shown great kindness. I dare not make her sad, let alone hurt her virtue!"

Even the emperor is like this.

The only thing the ministers could do was to bow their heads and say, “Yes!”

……

Yang An was a companion sent to the palace by the Yang family.

As descendants of Empress Dowager Yang of Baoqing, the Yang family had already declined and was gradually marginalized after the Renmiao Dynasty.

If the Cao family had not been willing to take them out to play, the Yang family would probably not even be able to stay in Bian Jing now.

Therefore, since entering the palace, Yang An has been closely following Cao Ye of the Cao family, like a follower, always at his side. Naturally, if there is anything, Yang An will consult Cao Ye first.

Today was the same. When the emperor left the Jiying Palace, Yang An took the opportunity to pull Cao Ye's sleeve and whispered, "My dear..."

"Hmm?" Cao Ye turned around and looked at Yang An.

"What happened today?"

"Hush!" Although Cao Ye is only fifteen years old, he has been kept by his grandfather Cao Yi since he entered the palace. He has been taught day and night and has received various special training from the emperor. He has already matured precociously.

Yang An quickly shut up.

Cao Ye lowered his voice and said to him, "Don't say a word about it when you go home... If you do, you will be guilty of a crime before the Emperor!"

"But, you need to keep your family away from the Zhang family..."

"Lest..." Cao Ye raised his eyelids: "When the thunder strikes, it hits me!"

Yang An swallowed and nodded solemnly.

……

Fan Chunren, Lu Dafang and Cheng Yi walked out of the Jiying Hall.

The three most common imperial lecture officials in the Jiying Hall looked at each other.

Even Cheng Yi, who had no sensitivity to politics, breathed a sigh of relief at this time.

"The emperor's heart is as deep as the sea!" Cheng Yi still hasn't figured out the purpose of the emperor's actions today.

Fan Chunren and Lu Dafang looked at each other and read something from each other's eyes.

After all, these two are more than just well-read scholars.

He is also a minister who has been in the officialdom for a long time.

They easily understood the purpose of the official's performance in front of them today.

Just let them be witnesses!
This proves that the emperor is kind-hearted and full of love for his son-in-law.

Just like Duke Zheng to Duan Shu, and like Emperor Wen of Han to King Li of Huainan.

……

In the evening, Cao Yi returned home with the help of his son Cao You.

Behind him followed a large group of relatives and nobles.

The current heads of the Yang and Liu families follow suit and are as respectful to them as their own sons and nephews.

Besides his son Cao You, there was another person beside Cao Yi.

A merchant dressed in silk, named Cao Yue, had been the gatekeeper of the Cao family in the time of his grandfather. Therefore, he was deeply trusted by Cao Yi, who trusted him even more than his sons.

Today, all of the Cao family’s industries in Beijing are managed by Cao Yue.

Today is the opening day of the Metropolitan Pawnshop.

Prime Minister Lu Gongzhu personally visited Kaifeng Prefecture and presided over the public announcement of the pawnshop purchases.

These relatives who had received the news early on naturally banded together, pooled their money, and formed a buying group by competing for the right to buy.

Naturally, they won't go straight off the field.

If that were the case, it would be too conspicuous and too easy for the literati to catch and beat me.

Therefore, Cao Yi chose Cao Yue as the merchant who would make the purchase openly at an early stage.

Let Cao Yue take charge of the future operation of the pawnshop on behalf of the Cao family and other families.

This is the magic of the Dou Niu system.

It is done by signing a contract in advance to agree on the investment ratio and profit distribution ratio, and stipulate the dividend method. Then the investors can choose to take turns to manage the business, or they can choose to designate a representative to be responsible for the management.

This is very similar to the board of directors of a modern joint-stock company!
After everyone entered the inner house, Cao Yi was about to order his servants to close the doors and windows when he saw his grandson Cao Ye standing at the door with a serious look on his face.

"Grandfather!" Cao Ye stepped forward and bowed.

Then he bowed to the others: "Uncle... uncles..."

Cao Yi looked at Cao Ye calmly and said, "What's the matter, Ye'er?"

Cao Ye said: "Today I was studying in the Forbidden City and came across a passage in the classics. I don't understand the meaning of it. I beg grandfather to teach me!"

When Cao Yi heard it, he immediately understood.

This is the secret code between them, grandparents and grandchildren. Once Cao Ye says such words, it means that something big has happened in the Forbidden City.

"Everyone..." Cao Yi laughed and bowed to everyone: "This kid is studious..."

"Let me go and give you some advice, and then I'll come back and tell you all about what happened today!"

Everyone complimented him: "The prince has such a virtuous grandson, and there will be someone to carry on his legacy!"

Cao Yi bowed and thanked him again, then took Cao Ye into his study and closed the doors and windows.

Then, Cao Yi pulled Cao Ye and walked to the bookshelf, and deliberately spoke loudly: "What is it that Ye'er doesn't understand? Please explain it to me in detail!"

But his man had already picked up a pen and started writing on a blank piece of rice paper: [If it involves the affairs of Jiying Palace, you don’t need to say anything].

Then he handed the pen to Cao Ye.

Cao Ye took the pen and wrote only two words on the paper: [Mizhou].

Cao Yi's expression suddenly became serious.

Michigan?

It is definitely not a place name, but refers to someone.

And the answer is obvious - Zhang Dunli, the son-in-law of the emperor and the governor of Mizhou.

So what did he do wrong?

Cao Ye bowed and said, "Grandfather, I was reading today and came across a sage's words: Only women and villains are difficult to raise! If you get close to them, they will be disrespectful; if you keep them away, they will complain!"

"My grandson doesn't understand, so I beg grandfather for guidance!"

Cao Yi's expression changed drastically!

Should we stay away from Zhang Dunli just as we stay away from villains and women?
In the end what happened?
Cao Yi no longer cared and he didn't want to ask any more questions.

He directly picked up the piece of paper and put it in the brazier in the study, watching it burn to ashes. Then he turned around and scolded Cao Ye: "You rebellious grandson, you even want to ask me such a simple scripture! It really makes me angry!"

"From today on, I will be grounded!"

"Except for attending imperial lectures in the palace, you are not allowed to leave your house!"

"All descendants of the Cao family should be punished together!"

"From now on, you must study at home with me!"

"If anyone dares to leave without permission, I will break his legs!"

For Cao Yi, the best solution to a problem is never to solve it or face it - the Cao family has developed to this point and no longer needs any merit or honor.

What the Cao family needs to consider is how to secure the profits, make a safe transition, and pass the test!
Therefore, the best solution for the Cao family is to stay out of anything!
Not making mistakes is the greatest success!

The best thing would be that everyone treated the Cao family as if they were air and did not exist!

Only in this way can the Cao family slowly wash away the halo of being a relative of the emperor over time and become trustworthy and reliable again in the eyes of the royal family.

"Yes!" Cao Ye bowed again respectfully: "I am an unfilial grandson Ye, and I will follow your teachings!"

As long as you don't go out, no trouble will come to you!
Just like if you don't do anything, you won't make mistakes.

And this is the way of survival that Cao Yi set for his descendants.

(End of this chapter)