The first-class concubine of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 45
On the morning of the second day of the competition between Liu Wei and Shen Tan, the officials of the court and China still commented on yesterday's competition from time to time.

Zhao Kuangyin was very happy, because the officials talked about this matter, which showed that the matter of the prison had attracted their attention, which would be helpful for the reform of the prison in the future.

But at this time, King Jin suddenly stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I had a lot of emotions in the competition yesterday, so I have something to say about it."

King Jin was the Governor of Kaifeng at the time, and he was also a prince, quite prestigious in the court. When he opened his mouth like this, the rest of the officials were all curious. Even Zhao Kuangyin smiled lightly and said, "What is there for you, brother?"

The King of Jin said: "Yesterday in the competition, Concubine Liu solved the case without using torture. From this, I thought, must torture be used in the trial? If a person is wronged, wouldn't using torture make him suffer for nothing? My brother also heard that many local officials use torture before trying cases, so that not many people dare to beat the drums to complain, isn't this putting the cart before the horse?"

When the King of Jin said this, all the officials in the court echoed him again and again, and Zhao Pu stood aside with a faint smile on his face.

"For this reason, I feel that the prisons of the Song Dynasty should be improved. As for Liu Wei, I think he is quite capable in this regard. For this reason, I want to ask the emperor to order Liu Wei to come to Kaifeng. government office."

As soon as King Jin's words came out, it immediately caused an uproar in the court, and the reform of the prison was supported by the ministers of the court, but it was a bit inappropriate to ask Liu Wei to work in Kaifeng Mansion.

Throughout the ages, there have been many ways to become an official. The imperial examination is one, Meng Yin is another, and the recommendation of the ministers is also one. However, after the Five Dynasties Rebellion, it is not common to be an official after the recommendation of the ministers. It is inevitable to form a party for personal gain because of the recommendation of the Minister of the Central Committee. In order to avoid this situation, the way to become an official is generally the imperial examination.

Only those who pass the Jinshi examination can be appointed by the imperial court. Now the King of Jin has proposed to ask Liu Wei to serve in Kaifeng Mansion. How can this be possible?The rules cannot be broken. If it is broken once, then the next time the minister wants to find an official position for his family, wouldn't he be able to do the same?

As the discussion started, Zhao Kuangyin's expression became slightly condensed. He knew very well the disadvantages of the ministers in the court recommending people with no reputation to become officials. The reason why the Niu and Li factions intensified in the late Tang Dynasty was because they all wanted to rely on their status in the court to make arrangements. Officials, so that the government was chaotic, and the flourishing Tang Dynasty fell into a slump. After Zhao Kuangyin became emperor, he had thought deeply about the demise of the Tang Dynasty.

Otherwise, based on his liking for Liu Wei, he would have been assigned a position long ago.

While Zhao Kuangyin was thinking, Xue Juzheng, the political counselor, stepped forward and said: "Although what the King of Jin said is reasonable, it is absolutely impossible to ask Concubine Liu to serve in Kaifeng Mansion. Once this precedent is set, the chaos of the late Tang Dynasty should be repeated!"

Shenzhizhengshi is the official name of the deputy prime minister. Xue Juzheng is over 50 years old, and he is upright. Wang frowned slightly, but he was not in a hurry to argue, he had already made a decision on this matter, and the ministers of the court objected, and Su Tongjian also expected it.

Zhao Kuangyin looked at the ministers in the hall, hesitating for a while, but at this moment, Zhao Pu suddenly came out and said: "Your Majesty, I feel that King Jin's words are reasonable, and the punishment and prison should be reformed. As for Liu Wei's appointment to the Kaifeng Mansion , I also agree that Liu Wei, as a son-in-law, has the title of Captain, so it's not that he doesn't have the qualifications to be an official."

Being reminded by Zhao Pu, everyone was taken aback. Yes, besides being a businessman, Liu Wei is also the son-in-law of Princess Ruyi, and the son-in-law has the title of captain. He was originally a court official, and now he is asked to come There is nothing wrong with serving in the Kaifeng government.

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin was overjoyed, and said: "It is reasonable to say that, so, pass on my will and order Liu Wei to come to Kaifeng Mansion to be a famous official."

After retiring from the imperial court, the King of Jin and Zhao Pu went out of the palace together, and the King of Jin smiled indifferently at Zhao Pu: "Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for your righteous words today."

Zhao Pu responded with a smile and said: "What the prince said there is nothing more than the imperial court. If the reputation of Kaifeng Mansion is not good, it will be inconvenient to manage this land of Gyeonggi!"

After finishing speaking, Zhao Pu saluted again, walked quickly into the sedan chair that had been parked outside, and left straight away; King Jin was stunned for a moment, Zhao Pu had expected what they were thinking, although the two sides had different purposes, but For the great Song court, they still walked together.
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When the imperial decree came to the princess' mansion, Princess Ruyi was a little surprised, and took the imperial decree to Liu Weiwei: "Why did the sage suddenly order you to be an official in Kaifeng mansion?"

Liu Wei smiled lightly: "Actually, if you think about it carefully, it's easy to understand. My son-in-law competed with Lord Shen of Kaifeng Mansion and won. This made Kaifeng Mansion feel ashamed. Neither King Jin nor His Majesty wanted to see it. In this situation, King Jin has to rely on the prestige of Kaifeng Mansion to support his own prestige, while the Holy Majesty wants Kaifeng Mansion to manage the capital, if Kaifeng Mansion is not trusted by the people, how can he manage the capital?"

When Liu Wei said this, Princess Ruyi suddenly realized, and threw the imperial decree into Liu Wei's arms: "So, it's a good deal for you."

Liu Wei smiled: "It's not cheap, don't you think the princess thinks that if my son-in-law goes to take the imperial examination, he will definitely be the number one scholar in high school?"

Princess Ruyi sized Liu Wei up and down, and said, "Are you really going to take the No. [-] Scholar exam?"

Liu Wei shrugged his shoulders: "No such plan, now that I am the promoted official of Kaifeng Mansion, why do I need to go for the No. If you are admitted, you will definitely mock behind your back, the mouth of a scholar is better than that of Fangchuan!"

Hearing what Liu Wei said, Princess Ruyi smiled slightly and said, "I see, you are afraid of being blocked by those scholars blocking the door of the house."

Thinking of the situation when Liu Wei was blocked by those scholars because of his reputation as the number one talented scholar, the two couldn't help laughing.

But they said that while the two were laughing, a yamen servant from Kaifeng Mansion brought Liu Wei the official clothes. The clothes were bright and bright, and he looked very energetic after wearing them. There are left and right halls, and each hall has an official. This Detective Shen is the official in the left hall, and the son-in-law is the official in the right hall. It's just that the official, the son-in-law, will make Mr. Shen look very uncomfortable. "

Princess Ruyi couldn't help frowning slightly when she heard Liu Wei's words: "In the officialdom, it's not good to offend too many people. It's better not to continue this competition, lest the two of you will see each other awkwardly in Kaifeng Mansion in the future."

Liu Wei smiled and shook his head: "The whole city knows about the competition, so how can you say that if you don't compare it, you won't compare it? The princess can rest assured, this son-in-law can handle it."

The imperial decree was issued early in the morning, and it was before Sishi when Shen Tanjin learned about it in Kaifeng Mansion. Kaifeng mansion, but heard the news, which made him very angry.

"My lord, I just had a competition with Liu Wei. It's hard to say who is stronger and who is weaker. Why did you arrange him in the Kaifeng mansion?" Shen Tan never dared to talk to King Jin like this before, but today he really I was shocked and angry.

The King of Jin smiled lightly and said, "I am very clear about what Mr. Shen thinks, but asking Liu Wei to enter the Kaifeng Mansion has no effect on Mr. Shen. Although Liu Wei is an official, he is not often in the mansion, so I beg him for orders." , it’s just because of concern about Kaifeng Mansion’s face.”

Hearing this, Tan Shen was slightly taken aback, worried about Kaifeng Mansion's face?Shen Tan is a smart person, so he naturally understands what's going on. It turns out that the prince is afraid that he will lose to that Liu Wei.

This made him feel worse than hearing that Liu Wei entered the Kaifeng mansion.

"My lord, my subordinates are confident that they can defeat Liu Wei." Shen Tan's expression was condensed slightly, implying that he fully understood King Jin's thoughts, but King Jin didn't take it seriously, for someone as superior as him , he didn't have to worry about the thoughts of his subordinates, especially a small pusher like Shen Tan.

Su Tongan, who was next to him, hurriedly stood up to smooth things over, pulled Chen Tan to sit down, and said, "Master Shen, don't get angry, it's not that the lord and I don't trust Mr. Shen, but it's for the sake of the overall situation, and we have to do it as a last resort. I hope Mr. Shen can understand." The difficulty of the prince."

Listening to what Su Tongkan said, Shen Tan was a little more relaxed. He also knew that King Jin was the one who did great things, and he also knew that everything about him was in the hands of King Jin. I won't say any more, so I cupped my hands to King Jin and said: "Just now, my subordinate was too reckless, please forgive me, my lord."

Seeing this, the King of Jin waved his hand and said, "It's okay, I still trust Lord Shen very much. You have taken care of many things in Kaifeng Mansion these years. You should work hard. After the new year, I will find you a Great job."

"Thank you, Lord!"

At this time, Tan Shen was already feeling much better. Although he still had some grievances in his heart, he firmly believed that as long as he defeated Liu Wei in the next two trials, then Liu Wei would be considered an official in Kaifeng Mansion. I have to walk with my head down. In this world, only successful people have the right to speak.

And just when Shen Tan was thinking this way, there was a sudden burst of drumming outside the Kaifeng mansion.

King Jin frowned slightly, and was about to get up when a yamen servant hurried over from outside, shouting as he ran, "My lord, someone has reported the case, this time the case is a homicide case, even... even the dead body is brought gone."

Hearing that it was a homicide case, Shen Tan was overjoyed. In his heart, Liu Wei was a frail scholar who had seen corpses there, and he was born in a family of writers, so it was commonplace to examine corpses.

"Since there is a case, then send someone to invite Liu Wei!" Although he was not very optimistic about Liu Wei, King Jin still ordered.

(End of this chapter)