Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

[Chen Shu: Zi Zhongyan, from Nanchang, Hongzhou.When he was young, he worked as a county official. Later, he changed his old habits and studied angrily.Jinshi in the second year of Taiping Xingguo.Liguan Dali judges affairs, judges Lizhou, Daizhou magistrate, official election, salt and iron envoy, gives affairs, participates in political affairs, total envoy, official minister, Zhitong Jinyintai seal refutation division, judge Yuan, Shangshu Zuocheng, and Quanzhi Kaifeng Mansion.In the second year of Chunhua, he was a political adviser, ranked as the deputy prime minister, and was in charge of finance for more than ten years.Chen Shu is strict in politics and discipline, decisive in handling affairs, strong in government, and well-known as an official.Worshiping salt and iron envoys, reforming the system, and doing everything possible to get rid of the old disadvantages, Taizong personally inscribed on the pillars of the palace saying: "True salt and iron, Chen Shu". "Song History" praised him as "the head of capable officials".In June of the first year of Jingde, he died of illness at the age of 59.Zhenzong mourned for three days when he abolished the dynasty, and presented it to the Minister of the Ministry of Officials.The eldest son Chen Chun was ordered to become an official, but Chen Chun was finally defeated by bribery.Son: Chen Zhizhong, the official went to Tongzhong Shumen to make peace.Zhigu to Yubu member Wailang; Zhifang, Zhili, and Prince Zhongshe. 】

"Brother Huang, since the beginning of spring, there has been a drought in the capital, and the heat has continued. From last month to now, several people have died in the capital. Although Yao Piao was ordered to go to Beiyue to pray for rain last month, there has been no rain. Alas. "Zhenzong sighed, "Since the beginning of the year, too many things have happened inside and outside the palace. From the royal family to the common people. Now the Liao people are also waiting for an opportunity to invade the south, but there are frequent earthquakes and droughts everywhere. Brother emperor, what should I do? ? Could it be that God punished me for my incompetence?"

"Your Majesty must not think like this. The situation is unpredictable, human life is determined, and everything has its own destiny. The earthquake and drought are caused by the current situation. There must be a big war between Song and Liao. Your Majesty's concern for the country and the people must have been inspired by heaven. , I think, it is better to send officials to Beishan to pray for rain, and at the same time, send medical officials from the Imperial Medical Office to the capital to diagnose and prescribe prescriptions for the people."

"Okay, I will send a few regular counselors to Beiyue and Sidu to pray for rain." Zhenzong said to Zhou Huaizheng, "Let the Zhizhi order Chen Yaozi to draft the edict, and the permanent counselors Wang Yizhi, Weng Cai, Lu Zhidong, Pan Hongxi, Three days later, Liu Duoshi went to Beiyue and Sidu to pray for rain, and appointed the imperial servants Wang Di, Qi Zhong, and Fang Guangfeng as the envoys, who were responsible for dispensing medicine at the temple in Beijing, and ordered the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Office to diagnose diseases for the people in Beijing. , choose a prescription for treatment, this edict is published on Qulu, and announced to the world."

[Sidu: Yangtze River, Yellow River, Huai River, Jishui]

"Yes, Your Majesty" Zhou Huaizheng withdrew from the main hall, and Zhenzong patted the memorial. "Brother Emperor, Prime Minister Li has submitted the memorial, and I beg you to become an official."

"The minister visited the Prime Minister's mansion the day before yesterday, and Li Xiang's illness has not improved at all. Now the heat is hard to dissipate. Li Xiang eats less, sometimes falls asleep, and his health is not as good as before."

Zhenzong sighed and stroked his forehead, "I haven't approved Li Xiang's request yet, but Li Xiang recommended me a candidate for the phase."

"May I ask Your Majesty, whom does Prime Minister Li recommend?"

"Kou Zhun, envoy of the Third Division, and Bi Shi'an, Minister of the Ministry of War."

Defang nodded, "Kou Zhun has both loyalty and righteousness, and is good at judging major issues. He is indeed a prime minister. Bi Shi'an is upright, diligent in government affairs, rigorous in his studies, knows people well, and is strict with himself and lenient to others. He has the measure of a prime minister. Excellent choice."

"Bi Shi'an is quite satisfied. As for Kou Zhun." Zhenzong sighed, "He has a straightforward temperament, unrestrained behavior, speaks without thinking, and has made many enemies."

Hearing this, De Fang asked, "Then what does His Majesty mean. Mr. Kou is not suitable?"

"No, Kou is indeed talented. If you want to get a good job, you need to be restrained."