Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

Defang nodded, "The evidence in this case is convincing, I don't know why it ended like this?"

"Returning to your lord, the lower officials were supposed to preside over the case, and the evidence was sufficient, but they were replaced halfway through. Wang Canzhi also visited the Shangshu Zheng adults many times to discuss this matter. The official didn't know about it, and I thought the prince had high hopes for the subordinate, and the subordinate felt ashamed, so he came here to plead guilty to the prince." He Zhikai got up and bowed.

"Master He doesn't need to be like this, this matter is not Lord He's fault, the lonely king already knows it well." Defang looked at He Zhikai, "Since this case is already like this, there must be no better solution, as long as this matter does not get involved It's good to go to Mr. He, and there is no need to mention this matter again."

"Thank you for your sympathy" He Zhikai took his seat

The goalkeeper came to report again, "Report to the lord, Mr. Kou asks to see you"

Defang thought for a while, "Please Mr. Kou to the study"

The goalkeeper was ordered to leave, and Defang talked to He Zhikai again, and He Zhikai left.

Defang came to the study and saw Kou Zhun, and Kou Zhun stepped forward and asked, "My lord, but Mr. He from the Ministry of Punishment is here to visit?"

Defang nodded, "Exactly."

"My lord, can you tell me why this case ended like this?"

Defang told Kou Zhun what He Zhikai said, and Kou Zhun was very angry, "I knew it would be Wang Mian's fault, it's really disgusting!"

"This case is already like this, I think let it go"

"My lord, once this example is established, there will be more imitators in the future." Kou Zhun was very worried.

"The lonely king also knows this, but what can he do?"

"Kou is going to see the driver"

"Lord Kou, it is not a good opportunity to meet you at this time. Now that the party Xiang Li Jiqian has surrendered to the Liao Kingdom, resulting in constant border frictions, His Majesty is worried about this matter, and Shenzhi Wang Mian is assisting in handling government affairs. If you mention this case at this time, Wang Mian will definitely excuse his younger brother, and His Majesty will give Wang Huai a light sentence because of his need for Wang Mian now, so don't you lose more than you gain, Lord Kou?"

Kou Zhun thought about it, shook his head vigorously, and sighed, "Hateful! Hateful!"

"Master Kou is the heart of the country, how can the lonely king not know, but this is definitely not the time" Defang patted Kou Zhun

"Hey, my lord, although this is the case, as long as the time is right, Kou Zhun will definitely punish Wang Mian and Wang Huai, and never let them go unpunished."

Defang nodded, "The Gu Wang also believes in Lord Kou's integrity, what's more, His Majesty admires Lord Kou very much, and I believe that the emperor will use him in the future to make contributions to his family and country."

"Yes, my lord, Kou Zhun will live up to high expectations," Kou Zhun bowed

In April, Zhao Pu resigned due to illness many times, Taizong approved, and Wang Mian, a political adviser, began to take power.

In May, the imperial court issued a decree to change the system of no salary for officials, and all of them will be given half salary this year.

[Spring of the second year of Chunhua (991)] Kou Zhun came to Nanqing Palace to visit Defang again, and the two talked in the garden

Defang sighed, "This year there was a severe drought, the farmers had no harvest, and many people died of starvation. It is really a sigh."

Kou Zhun didn't speak, Defang looked at him and asked, "What is Mr. Kou thinking? Doesn't Mr. Kou care?"

"My lord" Kou Zhun stood up, "Please come to the palace with Kou to meet you."

Defang was taken aback, "Why do you see me at this time?"

Kou Zhun pulls up Defang, "My lord, you will know when you enter the palace"

Defang was dragged out of the palace by Kou Zhun and came to Chongzheng Hall. At this time, Taizong also summoned his close officials to inquire about the gains and losses of current affairs.

A minister said, "Your Majesty, this natural disaster is purely accidental. Your Majesty need not worry."

"That's right, the natural calamity forecast is not due to your majesty's current affairs being wrong, please rest assured your majesty," a minister echoed.

At this time Kou Zhun stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that natural disasters are caused by man-made disasters."