Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

"There is no name, but it records the official positions of the officials ordered by the emperor at that time, and the privy secretaries have all agreed." Kou Zhun said

"All the privy officials in the first year of the Dao Dynasty accepted the decree." Defang thought for a while, "Isn't that the current commander in front of the palace, Wu Binxian?"

"Yes, that's him." Kou Zhun and Zhao Zongting nodded

"My lord, Kou has found something else, maybe the lord can find something too."

"Lone King? Tell me, what did you find?"

Kou Zhun approached him again, and said softly, "According to the records, Wang Youguang was a general under the command of the prince's father-in-law Di Taiwei in his early years. He followed the Taiwei for decades and made many military exploits. When he regained control of the military, Wang Youguang was transferred back to the capital by the Ministry of War, and Wu Binxian was also a general of Di Taiwei in his early years. For unknown reasons, he was transferred to Beijing as an official. , the official was promoted to the position of guarding the army, and now he is the commander of the front of the palace."

Defang was a little surprised. He was in charge of the imperial guards and knew Wu Binxian very well, but he had never heard him mention his father-in-law Di Jixun who had followed him, so he said, "It really surprised the lonely king. According to what you said, These two people are the generals of the father-in-law of the lonely king, the lonely king should have heard about it, even if the lonely king has not heard of it, the empress should know, but no one has mentioned their names."

"My lord," said Zhao Zongting, "I have heard a little about these two people."

"Oh? Zong Ting knows?"

"Yes, my lord." It turned out that Zhao Zongting had handled a case when he was the general judge. There was a dispute between more than a dozen soldiers, which caused injuries to the people. These soldiers were Wang Youguang and Wu Binxian's subordinates. The petitioner claimed that Wu Binxian connived at the soldiers to rob the people of food, wounded many people, and colluded with the government to accept bribes. Wang Youguang sent people to investigate, but unexpectedly the two sides met and fought. After the personnel were brought back, Wu Binxian even The lobby was full of abuse and clamor, while Wang Youguang reprimanded Wu Binxian in the hall. Zhao Zongting was under a lot of pressure during the trial of the case. All the witnesses refused to admit that they knew Wu Binxian, and the evidence was burned by unknown fire. After the trial, Zhao Zongting had to adjudicate Wu Binxian not guilty. However, Wang Youguang wrote a letter to the imperial censor. Soon after, both of them were transferred from their original posts. However, because Wang Youguang had made a lot of military achievements, he stayed in the capital to serve, but he did not have a real hand. However, Wu Binxian was promoted step by step and was appreciated by the late emperor.

Defang stroked his beard, "So, there is a conflict between Wang Youguang and Wu Binxian, and the case was investigated by Wu Binxian, so there must be something in it?"

"It is very possible that Wu Binxian was very arrogant back then, and he didn't pay attention to his ministers at all. It seems that he must have someone to support him in the court." Zhao Zongting said

"Prince" Kou Zhun asked, "Do you know who recommended Wu Binxian back then?"

Defang thought for a while, "If the lonely king remembers correctly, it should be Wang Jien."

"Wang Ji'en?" Kou Zhun and Zhao Zongting looked at each other. Wang Ji'en was the servant of the imperial palace during the Taizu's time, that is, the person who summoned Defang into the palace in the name of Empress Song. Emperor Taizong, and then wanted to repeat the same mistakes before the death of Emperor Taizong. He supported Yuanzuo as emperor, but was stopped. Zhenzong demoted him when he ascended the throne, and died the next year.

Defang waved his hand, "Don't mention this person. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, Wu Binxian wrote a letter to list Wang Jien's crimes and was commended by His Majesty. In addition, Wu Binxian was appreciated by the late Emperor, so His Majesty appointed him as the Commander of the Front Palace."

"A villain," said Kou Zhun, "first he used Wang Jien to climb to the official position, and then he fell into a well to save his own life in order to gain a higher position."

"Isn't that the case in the officialdom?" De Fang said, "Wang Ji'en's death is not worth mentioning, but Wu Bin has yet to be found out. If he really bent the law for personal gain in Wang Youguang's case, the lonely king will definitely punish him."

"But the lord" Kou Zhun looked at Defang secretly, "Wu Binxian was a person favored by the late emperor, and now he is an official in front of the palace to command envoys, I'm afraid it will be difficult to investigate and deal with it."

"What are you talking about! Don't say that there are all commanders and envoys in front of the palace, even if the grand master and privy envoys commit such a serious crime, the lonely king will never sit idly by!" Defang was a little annoyed. do things like that.

Kou Zhun nodded, "It's still the prince who is upright and not afraid of power."

Hearing this, Defang suddenly understood something, so she turned her head and frowned and looked at Kou Zhun, "Kou Zhun! Why does the lonely king feel more and more that he has been fooled by you? Tell the lonely king clearly, this matter will not happen. It was your idea from beginning to end, right?"

Kou Zhun didn't speak, Defang looked at Zhao Zongting again, "Zongting, you two have already discussed it, right?"

Zong Ting smiled wryly, "Master Kou said that only in this way, the lord will support the investigation of Wu Binxian, because Lord Kou has long known that this person has committed serious crimes, and he has no excuse to do it. It just happened that Wang Zhihua's matter happened, so he..."

Defang looked at Kou Zhun angrily, "Kou Zhun! You're playing tricks on the lonely king again!"

"My lord, calm down, my lord, calm down, it won't be too late to punish Kou after the matter between Wang Zhihua and Wu Binxian is settled," Kou Zhun said.

"Yes, my lord," Zhao Zongting also said

Defang pointed at Kou Zhun, "You said this, remember it clearly for the lonely king!" Kou Zhun and Zhao Zongting smiled