I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 576 Extra 9: The Debate in the Harem: Empress Cao VS Concubine Zhang

In the spring of the third year of Huangyou, there was the third year of the reform throughout the Song Dynasty.

The weather is good and trade is booming.

Inside and outside the city of Bianjing, water and land merchant caravans continued to increase like mushrooms after a rain, and people's lives became more affluent.

Along with the booming trade market, the book industry is also heading towards unprecedented prosperity.

On this day, inside the Chuigong Palace.

Zhang Maoze, the chief of the inner court and the director of the Imperial City Administration, had a solemn expression on his face and walked quickly to Zhao Zhen with a stack of folk tabloids in his hand.

Zhao Zhen knew from Zhang Maoze's expression that the content of the tabloid was unusual, so he immediately took the tabloid and started reading.

Lean slightly.

Zhao Zhen's face gradually became gloomy.

"Snapped!"

Zhao Zhen slammed the folk tabloid he had read on the imperial desk.

"Who is so bold as to slander the queen!" Zhao Zhen said angrily.

The main content of this tabloid's front-page article is:

Empress Cao controlled the harem, Cao Cong, the head of the Cao family, commanded the imperial guards of the three yamen, and most of the Cao family’s children were generals of the imperial guards.

The emperor's uncle, Cao Yi, was a wealthy man in Bian Jing and could influence the Song Dynasty's commerce with a wave of his hand.

Most of the court officials are on good terms with the Cao family, especially Su Liang, who is very likely to become the future prime minister of the Song Dynasty, and is very close to the Cao family.

This led to the Cao family becoming powerful and threatening the imperial power.

Some years later.

If the legitimate prince Zhao Jun ascends the throne, the world will surely become the world of the Cao family.

Empress Cao is thoughtful and power-hungry.

Even if it is difficult to become the next Wu Zetian, it is possible to become the next Empress Dowager Zhangxian Mingsu (Liu E).

The imperial court should immediately reduce the power of the Cao family in order to ensure the stability of the Zhao Song dynasty in the future.

……

The target of this article seems to be the Cao family, but in fact it is Queen Cao.

Zhao Zhen didn't believe a word of this rumor.

Empress Cao, who came from a military family, had no love for power at all. She could neither become Wu Zetian nor the first Empress Dowager Zhangxianmingsu to rule the Song Dynasty.

He believed in Queen Cao.

Zhao Zhen knew better than anyone how much the Cao family had contributed to the reform of the entire Song Dynasty and how much Empress Cao had paid for the stability of the harem.

And Su Liang is here.

Empress Cao would never be able to hold power.

Zhao Zhen looked at Zhang Maonze and asked, "Can you find out where this article came from?"

"Yes... yes... it's Concubine Zhang." Zhang Maoze said anxiously.

call!
Zhao Zhen let out a long sigh.

If the mastermind behind this is Concubine Zhang, then everything makes sense.

At the end of last year, Concubine Zhang's uncle Zhang Yaozuo retired due to impeachment by his ministers. At the beginning of the year, he was forced to return to Henan Prefecture to retire. Since then, Concubine Zhang has had no one to rely on.

She has been suffering from paranoid delusions because of her daughter's death.

She complained to Zhao Zhen more than once that the officials in the court were biased, hated her uncle, and favored the Cao family.

She did so.

He was afraid of falling out of favor and being persecuted, and he was also worried that the Cao family would persecute the second prince Zhao Han.

At this moment, Zhao Zhen frowned.

If this matter were handled according to the law, Concubine Zhang would probably be stripped of her title of concubine or even banished to the cold palace.

"Mao Ze, immediately confiscate all tabloids with articles like this. Do not let them circulate on the streets, and do not let the officials in the court know about it!"

"I have ordered the Imperial City Department to do so, but... but this tabloid has already been published, I am afraid it cannot be hidden from the censors. Besides, the emperor's uncle has already seen it!"

"what?"

Zhao Zhen's face turned pale and he was very depressed.

If Cao Yi, the uncle of the Emperor, knew about this, then Empress Cao and Cao Cong would certainly know about it soon. With their abilities, it would be impossible for them not to find out that Concubine Zhang was the mastermind behind this.

This matter involves the reputation of the Cao family and the future stability of the court. The Cao family will inevitably demand severe punishment for the rumormongers.

And if the censors knew about this, it would be even more impossible to cover it up.

He can only be punished according to the law, otherwise it would be too unfair to the Cao family and Queen Cao.

Zhao Zhen didn't want to make a big deal out of this matter.

At present, he is no longer so mindless in doting on Concubine Zhang, but the second prince Zhao Han is only three years old after all.

If Concubine Zhang is punished, the Second Prince will have to live with other concubines, and the Second Prince will most likely not be able to bear it. Concubine Zhang will also be very likely to be unable to get over it, because the Second Prince is everything to her.

Zhao Zhen paced back and forth, thinking about how to deal with this matter.

Lean slightly.

He said to the eunuch beside him, "Imperial Censor Xuansu."

……

A quarter of an hour later, Su Liang arrived at the Chuigong Hall.

Zhao Zhen handed the tabloid to Su Liang and asked, "Does the censor know about this?"

Su Liang glanced at the tabloid.

"The censors have known about this, and the ministers of the two palaces have also known about it, and they have found out that this was instigated by the imperial concubine."

The ministers of the two governments and the censors were no less concerned about popular news than the Imperial City Bureau.

Zhao Zhen looked helpless.

"If everyone knows about this, why hasn't anyone reported it?"

Su Liang scratched his head and said, "Everyone is waiting for the government's punishment decision."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhen became so angry that his face turned blue.

"If I handle this impartially, this matter will be over. If I am biased, will you all rush forward and advise me against this?"

Su Liang nodded slightly.

"You guys...you guys...are inflexible at all."

"You are all aware of the Imperial Concubine's temper. Of course, it is also because I favor her too much, and Zhang Yaozuo's departure from the capital was a big blow to her."

"If I punish her severely, I will have to depose the Imperial Concubine and separate her from the Second Prince. The Imperial Concubine is also pitiful. I think this matter should be treated as a minor matter and handled as a family matter."

Zhao Zhen was the first to express his ideal punishment decision.

Once it is treated as a family affair in the harem, the nature of the matter is not so bad.

Su Liang cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I know that the Imperial Concubine is pitiful, but the nature of this matter is so bad that I cannot show any mercy to her!"

"If this article really causes Empress Cao to lose her position as empress, or if all the officials in the court target the Cao family, then who will pity Empress Cao, who will pity the Cao family?"

"During the period of the Reform Movement of the Song Dynasty, those who spread such information should be severely punished. On behalf of the censors and ministers, I beg the emperor to severely punish the concubine!"

Zhao Zhen looked at Su Liang unhappily.

"Su Jingming, I summoned you here to relieve my worries, not to let you represent the two governments and the censors to anger me! I don't want this matter to get out of hand, so you must quickly come up with a win-win plan for me. If you can't, don't even think about leaving Chuigong Palace!"

Zhao Zhen would sometimes act like a rogue when facing Su Liang.

In fact, after Su Liang learned about this, he began to think about how to handle the matter more appropriately.

Su Liang relaxed and gave a faint smile.

"Your Majesty, what I said just now represents the voices of the ministers of the two governments and the censors. If it represents myself, I have a plan."

"Hurry up and tell me!" Zhao Zhen glared at Su Liang.

"It is impossible to treat this as a family affair. However, the affairs of the harem should be handled by the queen. I suggest that this matter be handed over to Queen Cao, and the emperor can just keep silent. According to Queen Cao's wisdom, she will definitely punish the imperial concubine lightly!"

"In this way, the Cao family has saved face, the imperial concubine has been punished, and even if Empress Cao is punished lightly, the court officials will not object."

Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "It's feasible, but...but, what if the queen wants severe punishment?"

Zhao Zhen looked at Su Liang, his face eager for an answer. At this moment, Su Liang plucked up his courage and rolled his eyes at Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen understood instantly and said, "No, no. The Queen knows the importance of things and the general situation. I don't need to give her any instructions. She will naturally know what is the best solution."

Hearing this, Su Liang nodded in approval.

Even if we ignore family background and rank, a hundred Imperial Concubines Zhang cannot defeat Empress Cao.

The former's head is filled with love, himself and family; the latter's head is filled with family, country and the world.

Zhao Zhen thought for a moment, and then said, "I will leave this matter to the Queen. I will not participate in any decision-making. You should also inform the two governments and the censors that before the results come out, do not discuss this matter. You should still focus on the reform."

"I understand." Su Liang bowed and then stepped back.

……

A quarter of an hour later.

Zhang Maoze came to Queen Cao's Kunning Palace.

He presented the tabloid to Empress Cao, explained the situation, and finally said: "Empress, the Imperial City Department has found out that this matter was indeed instigated by Concubine Zhang. The emperor asked you to handle this matter, and he respects any decision you make."

Queen Cao nodded slightly.

"Please rest assured, I will handle this matter properly!"

Then Zhang Maze bowed and left.

Not long after, Cao Yi, the uncle of the Cao State, came to Kunning Palace in a hurry.

As the younger brother of Queen Cao.

With Zhao Zhen's special permission, Cao Yi could enter the palace at any time during the day to pay his respects to Queen Cao.

Cao Yi came into the hall with a tabloid in his hand and an angry look on his face.

"Sister, take a look at this tabloid first."

Empress Cao took the tabloid, glanced at it, and took out an identical tabloid from the side, saying, "I've seen it. Just now, Zhang Duzhi came here with the tabloid, informing me that the mastermind behind the scenes was Concubine Zhang. The emperor asked me to handle the matter with full authority."

Cao Yi suddenly became excited.

"Great! The government... the government is not partial this time!"

"How dare you! The emperor has never been partial to you. If you continue to speak without restraint, you will have to kneel in the ancestral hall when you go home!" Empress Cao said sternly.

Cao Yi scratched his head and said, "I said something wrong. I admit my mistake. I admit my mistake."

Then, Cao Yi's face was filled with joy again.

"Sister, Concubine Zhang has slandered our Cao family so much. Now is the time to punish her severely. I suggest that you at least strip her of her title of Concubine. If the gentlemen continue to advise, it is not impossible to banish her to the cold palace. Over the years, you have suffered too much injustice!"

Cao Yi had a very good relationship with Queen Cao.

Over the years, Concubine Zhang became arrogant because of her favor, enjoyed the treatment of a queen, and did many things that violated the rules of etiquette.

Relying on Zhao Zhen's favor, she often mocked Empress Cao. The situation did not improve until Empress Cao gave birth to a prince.

All the sufferings that Empress Cao suffered were caused by Concubine Zhang.

"Sister, you can punish her severely. Even if you banish her to the cold palace, we are still in the right. My uncle said that she must be punished for slandering our Cao family. If the government wants to punish her lightly, we in the Cao family will definitely appeal. This time, we must not let her go..."

"Enough!" Queen Cao interrupted Cao Yi.

"Since the emperor has handed this matter to me, it is considered as a matter of the harem. If the emperor does not participate, we of the Cao family should not participate either."

"Go back and tell my uncle that no one in the Cao family should discuss this matter anymore. Especially you, don't think of using public opinion to put pressure on the emperor. This matter is a royal scandal and must not be spread outside!"

"You will know after I handle this matter. No matter how I handle it, you can't have any objections, understand?"

"Yes." Cao Yi nodded helplessly.

As the saying goes, an elder sister is like a mother. Cao Yi was closest to Empress Cao, and also the one he feared the most.

……

afternoon.

Concubine Zhang’s bedroom, Qixiang Palace.

Concubine Zhang was sewing boots for the second prince when a palace maid came to report that Empress Cao would be arriving soon.

"Why is she here?" Concubine Zhang asked with confusion.

It has long been no secret in the harem that Concubine Zhang and Empress Cao are not on good terms.

Concubine Zhang always suspected that Empress Cao was the murderer who caused her daughter's death, and felt that Empress Cao had taken away Zhao Zhen's favor for her.

Over the years, Empress Cao only accompanied Zhao Zhen once, when Concubine Zhang gave birth to a child.

Concubine Zhang did not go out to greet her, but stood up when Empress Cao walked in.

Empress Cao looked around and said majestically, "I have something to say to the imperial concubine. You all should go out!"

All of a sudden, all the maids in the palace walked out.

Although Empress Cao was very low-key, she was still very strict in managing the harem. Except for Concubine Zhang, no one in the harem dared to disobey her orders.

In the blink of an eye, only Empress Cao and Concubine Zhang were left in the palace.

"Sister, sit down!"

Empress Cao sat down opposite Concubine Zhang at the table and placed the tabloid in front of Concubine Zhang.

When Concubine Zhang saw the tabloid, her face suddenly changed, but she quickly recovered.

She knew that she must never admit that she was the mastermind behind the incident, otherwise she would be severely punished.

She also sat down slowly, feeling a little nervous.

"Sister, there is actually no conflict between us. I can never take away the love that the official family has for you, but you will never be able to sit in my position. Do you understand?"

Concubine Zhang nodded slightly.

Empress Cao was chosen by the Empress Dowager and recognized by all the civil and military officials in the court.

Empress Cao was most favored when she had no children. She could not seize the position of empress then, let alone now.

"I can tolerate your willfulness, your disobedience to the rules, your clinging to the emperor every day, and your occasional violations of etiquette, but I cannot tolerate you doing anything that is harmful to the country."

"You wish you were Yang Guifei, but you absolutely cannot be Emperor Minghuang of Tang. Do you understand?"

Concubine Zhang frowned slightly. What she hated most was being taught a lesson.

"Why do you, the Cao family, get all the benefits? We are both foreign relatives, and my uncle is also a Jinshi. Why should he be forced to retire? In the future, your Cao family will be in danger of chaos!"

Queen Cao smiled faintly.

"Why?"

"Based on the fact that our Cao family had made great military achievements when the country was founded, and based on the fact that all the merits of our Cao family members were earned on the battlefield, and based on the fact that the entire court, both civil and military officials, and the people of Song Dynasty, cannot find any flaws or wrongdoings in our Cao family members!"

Empress Cao looked at the tabloid.

"Sister, I will not punish you severely for this matter. It's not because I'm kind, but for the sake of the emperor and the country of Song, I must keep the harem stable."

"Be a good concubine and stop discussing state affairs. If something like this happens again, I will never let you off easily!"

After saying this, Queen Cao left.

Concubine Zhang leaned back in her chair, tears glistening in her eyes.

Empress Cao had never warned her so seriously.

She knew that Empress Cao always kept her word, and the emperor would no longer protect her without asking why.

……

The next day, all the officials in the court heard Empress Cao's decision to punish Concubine Zhang.

Reflect on your mistakes for ten days.

If Zhao Zhen punished in this way, within half a day, the imperial desk in Chuigong Hall would probably be piled with memorials of opposition.

This is what Queen Cao decided.

Some officials still expressed confusion, believing that the punishment was too light and not in line with the order.

But in the end, Queen Cao's words made all the officials shut up, and they unanimously decided to let the matter go.

What this means is: All trivial matters should give way to the overall reform of the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Zhen was also deeply moved after hearing this.

He was very fortunate that when the whole Song Dynasty was undergoing reforms, he not only had a group of virtuous ministers, but also a virtuous queen who relieved him of all worries.

(End of this chapter)