Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

"Yes, the cultivation of a scholar-bureaucrat must match his name and reality. Because I heard that Chen Ruozhuo is quite talented, I specially entrusted him with a heavy task so that he can do more for the people of his family and country. How could he be so greedy for high officials and rich salary? I must severely reprimand you." Zhenzong said, "Brother Emperor, I never use closeness as the criterion when employing people. If the court officials can devote themselves to their duties and establish themselves, why not worry about their fame and status."

"Your Majesty's words are very true. Officials are honest and honest, and they care about the people of the country. This is the right thing to do. How can you threaten the imperial court for promotion and salary because of minor achievements? This can also make the court officials take this as a warning. .”

"Brother Huang said that when Chen Ruozhuo returns to the capital, if he still refuses to accept, then I will revoke the edict and let him return to Chuzhou."

"Your Majesty, isn't this the same as demoting an official?"

"I just want to demote his official position! If he has another objection, I will dismiss all his official positions!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Chen Ruozhuo's book is indeed inappropriate, but he has no evil intentions. Please also ask Your Majesty to retain talents for the court and let him do more for the people."

"Why don't I want to be like this? Forget it, let's discuss this matter when he returns to Beijing." Zhenzong sighed, and took another thicker book. The list and the brief description are all below the sixth rank, brother Huang will take a look on my behalf and make arrangements for them."

Defang took the book and said, "Your Majesty, I will arrange this matter as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, there is no urgent need for personnel in the six divisions. Brother Huang, take your time. I hope they can take up the most appropriate official positions."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will handle this matter well."

Zhenzong stood up and stretched his arms, "Brother Emperor, you may not have entered the palace for a long time, and it is not easy to come here, hehehe, let me walk to the palace garden with you."

"Your Majesty was joking, it seems that the subject should often enter the palace."

"Hey, Brother Huang also has his sister-in-law's grandson to accompany him. Hehehe, it's fine to come as soon as three or five days. It would be even better if he could bring his sister-in-law and grandson with him."

"Yes, I will bring my wife and grandson to the palace often."

Zhenzong patted Defang's arm with a smile, and the two chatted for a long time in Gong Yuyuan. Defang returned to Nanqing Palace around noon. The sedan chair team arrived at the gate of the palace, and the gatekeeper came down to greet him, "See you, my lord."

Defang got off the sedan chair and looked at it, "Whose sedan chair is this?"

"Go back to the lord, it is an adult named Du Wenkai who is asking to see the lord."

"Du Wenkai?" Defang looked at Baili, "Do you know who it is?"

Baili thought for a while, "The villain has never heard of this name."

"My lord," said the goalkeeper, "I heard that he was just transferred to the capital."

"Oh?" Defang opened the folder in his hand, "There is really such a person, Du Wenkai, from Linjiang, who was appointed as an assistant teacher in Qingxi in the seventh year of Taiping Xingguo, promoted to Sima and Chief Bookkeeper, and was a magistrate of Laizhou Prefecture before entering Beijing."

Baili stretched out his head to look, "My lord, why did this eighth-rank official come to the palace to beg to see you, my lord?"

"That's right, apart from people he knows well, how could a small official like him who was transferred to the capital come to the palace?" Defang looked at the goalkeeper, "Guangxiang, where is this person?"

"Already in."

"Go in? Who let him in?"

"It was the empress who told him to let him in."

Defang nodded upon hearing this, "So it's Madam, Baili, let's go and see what Du Wenkai is here to do."

"What else can I do, I must ask for an official."

"An eighth-rank official came to the Nanqing Palace to beg for an official? Then he is quite courageous."

"My lord, if you don't see him, I will send him away."

"Oh, I didn't hear that it was the empress who let him in. If you don't give him face, you should also give empress face, hehe, let's go and have a look."