Kou Ji whispered with red eyes.

Zhao Zhen's face was full of tears, but he didn't say anything, just quietly looked at the Empress Dowager Li who was sleeping soundly on the dirty bed.

Behind the two of them, the eunuch and the palace lady knelt on the ground.

Zhao Zhen didn't dare to disturb Empress Dowager Li, and so did Kou Ji.

Kou Ji waved his hand at the eunuchs and palace ladies behind him.

The eunuchs and palace ladies hesitated, and after hesitating again and again, they withdrew from the cold palace.

In the end, there were only three people left in the cold palace: Kou Ji, Zhao Zhen and the sleeping Empress Dowager Li.

Zhao Zhen suddenly withdrew his gaze towards Empress Dowager Li and glanced at Kou Ji.

Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, sighed secretly in his heart, arched his hand, and withdrew from the cold palace.

Out of the door of the cold palace, I saw Queen Cao and the crown prince Zhao Run hurriedly rushed to the gate of the cold palace.

Concubine Zhang Guifei, Concubine Zhang Xian, Concubine He De, and Concubine Zhou Shufei also rushed here with palace people one after another.

Koji stopped them.

"The official family wants to be alone with the Queen Mother for a while."

When Empress Cao and the others heard this, their faces were covered with a thick sense of worry, and they did not rely on their identities to embarrass Kou Ji.

Empress Cao asked worriedly, "How is the Queen Mother's health?" ”

Kou Ji glanced back at the cold palace behind him, and said bluntly: "The minister doesn't dare to assert it. The official family does not allow anyone to enter at the moment, and a few nobles can stay here.

It is best to summon the Imperial Doctor to wait here.

After dawn, the official family may summon him. ”

Empress Cao nodded solemnly and said, "The palace immediately sent someone to summon the imperial doctor." ”

Kou Ji arched his hand and said: "There is Lao Niangniang here, and the minister wants to go to the vertical arch hall to see the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty." It is not appropriate for the official family to go to the court today, and the ministers will go to talk to the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty. ”

Empress Cao nodded and said, "Then there is Lao Kouqing's family." ”

"Don't dare to ......"

Kou Ji gave up his hand again and left the cold palace.

After walking all the way out of the place where the cold palace was, Kou Ji let out a long sigh.

Although Kou Ji didn't know medical skills, he could still feel that Empress Dowager Li's life had come to an end.

Human life is like an oil lamp, and when Empress Dowager Li was in the cold palace in her early years, she had already consumed seventy-seven or eighty-eight of the lamp oil in the oil lamp.

After coming out of the cold palace, he has enjoyed almost twenty years of blessings, and he has already earned it.

lived more than ten years longer than in the history books.

The only pity is that she went later.

There is no one in the world who selflessly cherishes Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen has been in the royal family lack of family affection since he was a child, and every family affection is extremely precious to him.

For every point missing, he will be alone.

"An ordinary woman, an ordinary woman from a humble background...... Also a selfless mother......"

When Kou Ji left the location of the cold palace, he gave a very pertinent evaluation to the Empress Dowager Li.

In terms of scheming, means, talent, appearance, etc., Empress Dowager Li is undoubtedly an ordinary person.

In the palace in the land of tigers and wolves, people like her catch a lot of them.

She has survived until now not because the people in the palace pity her.

Instead, she made two choices.

The first is that she followed a strong enough nobleman, that is, Liu E.

The second is that she obediently handed over her son to Liu E at the most critical time.

It is precisely because of this that she can live.

If it weren't for that, she would have become the fertilizer of the Imperial Garden.

So Kou Ji commented that she was an ordinary person.

But her selfless and pure maternal love is unforgettable.

After Kou Ji left the cold palace, he went straight to the vertical arch hall.

When it came to the vertical arch hall, the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty had gathered in the vertical arch hall.

Seeing Kou Ji appear, they saluted together.

Kou Ji stood in the middle of the vertical arch hall and said lightly: "The queen mother is sick, and the official family must be filial piety by the queen mother's side." So drop out one day.

If you have any important political affairs, you can just hand the transcript to the council hall.

I'll deal with it then. ”

When the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty heard this, you look at me, I look at you.

A moment passed.

Fan Zhongyan arched his hands and asked, "Can Xia Guan and the others know the details?" ”

Kou Ji shook his head, "No! ”

Fan Zhongyan closed his mouth, and no one from the other civil and military ministers spoke again.

Kou Ji flicked his sleeves, "Let's disperse." ”

"......"

The Manchu Dynasty civil and military replied, and left the vertical arch hall in twos and threes.

Only Yang Wenguang, Fan Zhongyan, and Ouyang Xiu stayed in the three courtyards.

After the Manchu Dynasty was almost gone, Fan Zhongyan stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "What is the body and bones of the Queen Mother?" ”

Kou Ji sighed and said, "The imperial doctor said that there is no doctor in the medicine stone. ”

Fan Zhongyan's faces suddenly changed.

Kou Ji continued: "No matter what the queen mother's body is, I'm afraid the official family has no intention of ruling the government. The government will be handed over to the three of you for the time being.

If you can't handle the government affairs, you will send them to the council hall, and I will sit in the council hall in the next few days. ”

Fan Zhongyan and the three of them nodded and did not say anything more.

The three of them arched their hands at Kou Ji and left the Vertical Arch Hall.

Kou Ji only revealed a little bit to them, but he didn't tell them the details, and they didn't want to ask.

After the three of them left the Vertical Arch Palace, Kou Ji also left the Vertical Arch Palace.

Kou Ji returned to the cold palace again, and saw that there were only five people left at the gate of the cold palace: Empress Cao, Zhang Guifei, Zhang Xianfei, He Defei, and Zhou Shufei.

After Kou Ji stepped forward to give a salute, he took the lead in speaking without waiting for them to speak: "The civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty have already made arrangements. ”

Empress Cao nodded and said, "There is Lao Kouqing's family." ”

Kou Ji glanced into the cold palace and asked, "What's the situation inside?" ”

Empress Cao sighed and said, "The official family came out and let the imperial doctor in." Let the others go back, leaving only five of us sisters. ”

Hearing this, Kou Ji nodded slightly.

He arched his hand at Concubine Zhang Xian, "The lower officials have something to ask Concubine Xian, I don't know if Concubine Xian can move." ”

Concubine Zhang Xian was slightly stunned and nodded.

Zhang Guifei frowned slightly.

Kou Ji took Concubine Zhang Xian to a short distance from the gate of the cold palace, and after giving it up again, he asked, "Concubine Xian, do you remember a person named Zhang Bing?" ”

Concubine Zhang Xian said softly: "There is no need for the in-laws to be so polite......"

Kou Ji Zhengse said: "Etiquette cannot be abolished. ”

Concubine Zhang Xian smiled bitterly and said, "Zhang Bing, this palace remembers it." Fang Meiren's old acquaintance, taking advantage of Fang Meiren's relationship, climbed up to the palace and begged the palace to mention him.

Bengong didn't want to deal with him, but he prepared a generous gift and sent it to Bengu's mother's house.

Hongu's uncle accepted the gift.

Hongu couldn't force his uncle to return the gift, so he could only help lift him. ”

Kou Ji said with emotion: "Niangniang's promotion, there is one more fourth-grade official in the court." The fourth-rank official of Bianjing City can already be regarded as an important minister. ”

The smile on Concubine Zhang Xian's face was even more bitter, "He can serve as a main department under the military department, and it has nothing to do with this palace." It was those protégés of the in-laws, and he couldn't get used to the pedantic ministers in the court, as well as the people promoted by Lu Yijian, so he put him in the position of the main department of the military department.

Although he is not talented, he is also your protégé.

Your protégés take care of each other, that's also inevitable. ”

Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, and said in amazement: "Zhang Bingneng is the reason why I am the main department under the military division?" ”

Concubine Zhang Xian nodded and said, "Otherwise, how do you think a civil servant with no background can get into the circle of military ministers?" Even if he previously served as a supervisor in the army at the local level, after returning to Bianjing, whether he can enter the Privy Council or not, it is not up to him to decide.

It's not up to those ministers in the court to have the final say.

This palace said that it doesn't count.

That has to be said by Yang Wenguang, the head of the Privy Council.

Yang Wenguang saw that he was your protégé, so he turned a blind eye and let him enter the Privy Council. ”

Kou Ji said thoughtfully: "In this way, Zhang Bingneng's official residence is actually because of me?" ”

Concubine Zhang Xian nodded and laughed softly: "Your protégés are all over the court, and the people who come out of your family enter the court as officials, who dares not to give face?" ”

Kou Ji said in a deep voice, "This is not a good thing. ”

Concubine Zhang Xian smiled indifferently: "The in-laws will leave Beijing soon, and after you leave Beijing, naturally no one will be promoted under your banner." ”

Kou Ji shook his head and said, "This matter is put aside for the time being." Does Concubine Xian know how Zhang Bing transmitted the news to the palace? ”

Concubine Zhang Xian was stunned for a moment, and looked at Kou Ji in amazement.

Kou Ji said bluntly: "The fact that willow bark can treat fever was discovered in the Great Food Book. Except for the officials involved in translating the Great Food books, no one else knew about it.

And Zhang Bing happened to be one of the officials who translated the big food books with me back then.

Fang Meiren borrowed willow bark to treat fever, and must have been instructed by Zhang Bing. ”

Concubine Zhang Xian glanced at Kou Ji deeply, and said in a low voice: "Is the in-law suspicious of the palace?" ”

Kou Ji didn't hide it, and said very frankly: "Fang Meiren's death is full of suspicions behind it. Once what Fang Meiren has done is done. The ones who benefited the most were the concubines, the concubines, and the concubines.

Until the matter is clarified, the minister will be suspicious. ”

Concubine Zhang Xian sighed and said, "Among the three people you mentioned, there is no palace. Now that you are inquiring about this palace in private, it is clear that you are suspicious of this palace. ”

Kou Ji smiled indifferently: "Aren't the virtuous concubines and the noble concubines one and the same?" ”

Concubine Zhang Xian smiled bitterly.

"That's it, this palace is not only one with my sister, but also with your Kou clan. After all, if this palace commits some heinous crimes, you Kou clan will not be able to escape punishment.

It's understandable that you're staring at Hongu and Hongu's sister. ”

Kou Ji smiled and asked, "So does Niangniang know how Zhang Bing and Fang Meiren delivered the news?" ”

Concubine Zhang Xian glanced at Kou Ji, "Haven't you already found Tiewen Xiong?" Zhang Bing can't walk in the palace, but Tie Wenxiong, as the prince's husband, can walk in the palace.

It's easy to help them get the word across. ”

Kou Ji raised his eyebrows, he didn't expect that Tie Wenxiong, who committed suicide in fear of crime, would do so many things behind his back.

Kou Ji asked with a smile, "Does Niangniang know who Tiewen Xiong is?" ”

Concubine Zhang Xian shook her head and smiled: "Anyway, it's not the people of this palace and the sister of this palace." ”

Kou Ji arched his hand, "There is Lao Niangniang." ”

Concubine Zhang Xian smiled indifferently: "The in-laws are polite. ”

Kou Ji sent Concubine Zhang Xian to the gate of the cold palace, and invited Concubine Zhou Shu to the side to talk.

Concubine Zhou Shu and Kou Ji came to the side, and without waiting for Kou Ji to speak, she said bluntly: "This palace knows that you have found Fang Zhong. Fang Zhong didn't have much to do with this palace.

He is Fang Meiren's cousin.

Fang Meiren begged for Bengong's head, and Bengong saw that she was pitiful, so she didn't refuse, and asked someone to help Fang Zhong. ”

Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, and said in a deep voice: "The lower official found out that Fang Meiren helped Fang Zhong to be promoted, mainly to help his younger brothers solve troubles.

Before Fang Zhong appeared, Fang Meiren had already begged the nobles to help her brother solve his troubles.

There is a way that does not bother the two masters.

The one who helped Fang Meiren's younger brothers solve the trouble before, I'm afraid it was also the lady concubine. ”

Concubine Zhou Shufei said nonchalantly: "The official family said that the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. So Hongu doesn't have that ability. All the affairs are entrusted to Lu Aiqing by the palace.

Kou Qing had something to do, so he went directly to Lu Aiqing, he knew the whole story of the matter better than the palace. ”

Kou Ji stared at Concubine Zhou Shu and said, "Some trivial matters, you don't need to go to Qingtang to find Lu Yijian." Chen didn't care how Lu Yijian helped Fang Meiren's younger brothers solve their troubles.

Chen just thinks that Concubine Niangniang has helped Fang Meiren so much, which can be regarded as a great kindness to Fang Meiren.

If Concubine Fang wants Fang Meiren to do something, Fang Meiren shouldn't refuse, right? ”

Concubine Zhou Shu's eyes widened and she shouted, "Do you suspect that this palace instructed Fang Meiren to frame the prince?" ”

Kou Ji stared at Concubine Zhou Shu without saying a word.

Concubine Zhou Shu snorted coldly and scolded: "How can this palace be stupid enough to use the reputation of the women in the palace to frame the prince?" If this matter is really confirmed, this palace will also be criticized by the people. ”

Kou Ji said indifferently: "This is what you said, Niangniang, but the minister didn't say it." ”

Concubine Zhou Shu glared at Kou Ji viciously.

Kou Ji continued: "I wonder if Niangniang can know Tiewen Xiong? ”

Concubine Zhou Shu glared at Kou Ji again, and said angrily: "I know, Concubine De's sister's guest." often go to the palace of Sister Concubine De to explain some obscure things in the Taoist scriptures to Sister Concubine De.

Hongu has also been to listen to it once or twice.

Every time I get confused. ”

Kou Ji nodded and said to Concubine Zhou Shu: "There is Lao Niangniang." ”

"Humph!"

Concubine Zhou snorted coldly, flicked her sleeves and left.

Kou Ji returned to the gate of the cold palace and invited Concubine He De away again.

Concubine He De was quiet and elegant, and after walking aside with Kou Ji, she looked indifferent.

After Kou Ji bowed his hand, he asked, "Can Concubine De know Tiewen Xiong?" ”

Concubine He Defei did not answer Kou Ji's question, but said lightly: "Kou Qing's family is really hard-hearted. ”

Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, looking puzzled.

Seeing this, Concubine He De said faintly: "Does the Kou Qing family think that this palace is considered a beauty?" ”

Kou Ji said bluntly: "Niangniang's name moves the capital, and she is known as a fairy, how can she not be considered a beauty?" ”

Concubine He Defei sighed and asked, "That is, the Kou Qing family doesn't like beauties?" ”

Kou Ji frowned and said, "What do you mean by this?" ”

Concubine He Defei shook her head and said: "That stupid sister in this palace has the appearance of a captivating city, and she is infatuated with you, why did you keep her out of the door?" ”

Kou Ji didn't expect that to this day, Concubine He Defei was still thinking about this matter.

Kou Ji said without being salty or light: "There are three thousand weak waters, and the minister only takes one scoop." ”

Concubine He De sneered: "The Kou Qing family wants to say that they are infatuated people? ”

Kou Ji shook his head decisively, "The minister didn't mean that. ”

Concubine He De said coldly: "When I meet such an iron-hearted person as you, I am afraid that the poor sister of this palace will be lonely for the rest of her life." ”

Speaking of this, Concubine He Defei stared at Kou Ji and asked, "Back then, Kou Qing's family shouted and killed the Daomen. Directly or indirectly died in the hands of Kou Qing's family, as many as tens of thousands.

Today, the Taoist temples in the world are ten rooms and nine empty.

The idol inside has also become a place for animals to live in peace.

Now the degree of the imperial court's measures has been reduced three times a year.

Now there are only a few ancestral courtyards with incense, and the rest of the place is empty.

Is the Kou Qing family planning to exterminate the Daomen? ”

Kou Ji frowned, "The minister doesn't mean to punish the Dao Sect. I have also read many of the classics of the Daomen. It can be said that it has benefited a lot. ”

Concubine He Defei glared and asked, "Even so, why did the Dao Gate fall apart in the hands of the Qing family?" ”

Kou Ji said unceremoniously: "It's not the Daomen who are punished, but the selfishness of the Daomen disciples." If they are people in the Taoist sect who are bent on seeking the Tao or doing good deeds, the ministers will not only not harm them, but will also help them.

But in addition to some hermit masters and real sages, the rest of the Daomen are not only some inactive and greedy people.

Seeking officials and lords, intending to influence the imperial power with divine power, his heart can be punished.

He does not produce, and he does not know how to treat the people well.

Seek money and kill people, do everything.

Occupy people's land, secretly release Yinzi money, and defraud the people of money with various so-called elixirs and runes.

It has become a major tumor in the Great Song Dynasty, and it can't be eliminated if it is not removed. ”

Concubine He Defei gritted her teeth and said: "I am a person in the Dao Sect, I don't know how many good deeds I have done......

Kou Ji sneered: "The good deeds done by three or two people can offset the evil deeds done by a large group of people?" Credits and demerits offset that's what you say.

In my eyes, there are rewards for merit and punishment.

Never generalize. ”

Concubine He De gritted her teeth and sneered: "The reason why you targeted my Daomen is just because my Daomen has won the favor of the first emperor and does not pay taxes to the imperial court."

You are targeting my Daomen just to collect money for the officials.

Don't speak of yourself so noblely. ”

Kou Jile said, "So you don't do anything about production, but just move your mouth, or make some deceptive things to fool the people, take the fertile land from the people, and let the people plant it themselves."

In the end, the cheap is taken away, and the people who harm them sell their sons and daughters, are you justified?

You occupy tens of millions of acres of fertile land in the world, and you do not pay taxes to the imperial court, forcing the imperial court to oppress the people.

Are you more reasonable?

Is it the gods you believe in who teach you to accumulate virtue and do good deeds? That's what made you practice like this?

There are similar words in those Taoist texts, tell me, I'll go and read it? ”

Concubine He De was speechless by Kou Ji.

She stared at Kou Ji for a long time, and snorted coldly: "Our Daomen does not pay taxes, that is the grace of the first emperor, and Taizu and Taizong also allowed my Daomen to occupy a mountain and river.

Do you think Taizu, Taizong, and the first emperor did something wrong? ”

Kou Ji shook his head and said, "You don't have to use Taizu, Taizong, and the first emperor to suppress me. To err is human. Taizu, Taizong, and the first emperor also had times when they did wrong things.

There is no way to make up for the mistakes done by Taizu, Taizong, and the first emperor.

Therefore, our children and grandchildren have to find a way to make up for it and find a way to correct our mistakes.

We can't watch the mistakes continue and cause the Great Song Dynasty to be shattered.

These words were said by I, Kou Ji, and I admit it.

If you publicize this and let people impeach me for despising Taizu, Taizong, and the first emperor, I will not refute it.

As long as everything I do is beneficial to the Great Song Dynasty and all the people in the world, I will have a clear conscience and die without regrets.

Now, tell me if you know Tiewen Bear, right? ”

"Arrogance! If you rely on the favor of the official family, you will be arrogant. Once the official family loses favor with you, this palace wants to see what arrogance you have. ”

"I just want to know, do you know Tiewen Xiong!"

"I know, I know each other very well. In the past, when the palace settled outside Bianjing City, Tiewen Xiong was the guest of the palace. The palace also introduced Tiewen Xiong to several other sisters.

Tie Wenxiong was chosen as the prince's husband, and he was also the queen's sister. ”

Concubine He De said a lot in one breath, and finally even snorted coldly at Kou Ji and said, "But this palace has never instructed Tie Wenxiong to do anything. Everything he did was unofficial to this palace. ”

After saying this, Concubine He Defei flicked her sleeves and left.

Kou Ji stood in place, frowning and pondering.

After a long time, he said quietly: "Will human nature change?" Or are people good at hiding their true nature? A quiet and elegant man suddenly became so vicious; The ladies who came out of the scholarly family suddenly became so vulgar; There are also people who have always been quiet and silent, but they have actually learned to have a relationship with me.

Three mothers, are you acting too fake, too much. ”

Concubine Zhang Xian, Concubine Zhou Shu, and Concubine He Defei had a completely different attitude towards Kou Ji than they did on weekdays.

If there was one person who was different, Koji wouldn't feel anything.

But all three of them have become different, and then there is a problem.

More importantly, the three of them are not ambiguous about what should be admitted and explained.

They didn't say a word about what they shouldn't have admitted.

There is no mistake in the middle, and it is obvious that it has been discussed in advance.

"In this way, Fang Meiren's death, I'm afraid the three of you have interfered. Maybe one more Zhang Guifei ......"

"One of you is blackmailing the beauty of the house with kindness...... An official or other way to blackmail Tiewen Xiong...... The remaining one plotted ......"

"So you can make up the big picture. No matter how much others look into it, they can't get all the threads on one of you.

Three people, three lines, as long as the three of you don't admit it, no one can do anything about you.

It's really calculating. ”

“……”

Concubine Zhang Xian, Concubine Zhou Shu, and Concubine He De didn't say a word that shouldn't have been said.

But through their words, Kou Ji guessed a little, and roughly guessed the truth behind it.

Kou Ji had to admit that he had set up a good situation.

Three people, three lines, you can't find out the whole picture of the matter when you check it out.

Unless the three of them open their mouths together to admit it.

But people are not stupid, how can they open their mouths to admit this?

And the two most critical parties have already died with a whimper.

There are no witnesses, and there is no physical evidence, and it is impossible to find evidence from others.

With the identity of the three of them, Kou Ji couldn't use it.

"It's hard to ......"