Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

"Your majesty was refused by His Majesty, and you were reprimanded by the prince. This time, your majesty ordered the prince to rectify the Hanlin Academy, so I... I implore the prince to be merciful."

"Master Zhang, are other official positions not good? You can also be loyal to Song Dynasty."

"My lord, forgive me for speaking bluntly. A scholar in the Imperial Academy is an important first choice for being promoted to a counsellor. Although I am not talented, I still want to make a difference."

"Master Zhang, why does the lonely king let a surrendered minister who has lost his integrity and bowed his head to the eunuch to stay in the Imperial Academy?"

"The lower officials have fulfilled their duties and loyalty to the former monarch. They were reborn with the grace of the Emperor Taizu. They are Song officials. The lower officials are all loyal to the country. However, it is difficult to be an official. They bowed under the eunuchs, and they never wanted to be an official. Fearing the holy power and bluntly saying that he is waiting for death, but now he has fallen into such a situation, the lower official is not willing to do this, and I hope the prince will give the lower official a future."

"Then tell me, if the lonely king keeps you in the Imperial Academy, what will you do?"

"Xiaguan can do one thing for the prince tomorrow."

"What? Do something for the lonely king?" Defang and Concubine Di looked at each other, but didn't understand what it meant

Zhang Ji got up and asked, "Can the lower official come forward and speak?"

Defang looked at Zhang Ji, and then said to Xiaopeng, "Xiaopeng, ask Chongming Shangen to close the door of the teahouse, and no one can come near."

"Yes" Xiaopeng ran out to confess, and Defang said, "Master Zhang, what do you want to say to the lonely king? What does the lonely king need you to do?"

"Returning to the lord, the day before yesterday, His Majesty received a report from Zhang Yong, the prefect of Yizhou, saying that it was difficult for Wang Ji'en to restrain the deployment and connive at the lawlessness of the soldiers. Sichuan and Sichuan have just stabilized, so there may be turmoil after the withdrawal of the imperial army, so I request Your Majesty to send a general." Control the imperial army."

"The lonely king already knew about this matter, but why did Mr. Zhang say to do something for the lonely king?"

"Returning to the prince, your majesty still wants to send eunuchs to Shu, but the officials can help the prince to recommend capable ministers to take over. In this way, Wang Jien can be restrained, urged to continue to crusade against the rest of the rebel army, and then divide his military power."

"It's your duty to recommend capable ministers. How can you help the lonely king?"

"Doesn't your lord want to recommend someone you think is capable to take up the post to restrain Wang Ji'en?"

"Can't the lonely king himself recommend capable ministers to His Majesty?"

"Prince" Zhang Ji looked up at Defang slightly, "You have recommended Mr. Kou and Mr. Zhang Yong to His Majesty before. Although His Majesty appreciates the talents of the two, if the prince too frequently recommends ministers and examiners who are similar to him The disciples of the Son of Heaven may cause His Majesty to worry."

"Bold! Zhang Ji, you dare to provoke the relationship between the lonely king and His Majesty!" Defang was very angry when she heard this

Zhang Ji knelt down, "I don't dare to be an official."

"Your Majesty is the uncle of the lonely king, a close relative of the royal family. How could your majesty doubt the loyalty of the lonely king just because he recommended a capable minister!"

"The lower officials have absolutely no such intentions! The lord, let me tell you!"

"What else do you have to say!"

"This action is also for the sake of the lord and capable officials. Although the words of the official are inappropriate, they are sincere words. I implore the lord to think twice!"

Defang looked at Zhang Ji and knew in his heart that what he said was indeed true. Although Taizong had always expressed to his ministers that he would try his best to recommend capable ministers for the country, he was not an ordinary courtier after all, but the son of the late emperor. He will definitely be more guarded against himself, and it will also be detrimental to these capable ministers, so he looked at Concubine Di, not knowing how to make a decision, Concubine Di thought for a while and said, "My lord, Mr. Zhang is also a kind person. In order to make the Great Song Dynasty prosper, as long as the minister can take the appropriate position, it doesn't matter who is recommended? Now Mr. Zhang is willing to do the work for the prince, which is also an act of loyalty."