Song Gexing

Chapter 44 - Here Comes Bao Heizi

As the remaining girls were sent out of the palace, the outside world knew that Zhao Fang had chosen four people. To his surprise, Zhao Pan'er and Song Yinzhang did not cause a dispute, but Li Yuhu and Lu Huayu became the focus.

He was a little confused at first, but after listening to Wang Zhongzheng's explanation, he realized that Zhao and Song were automatically ignored as handmaids, while Li and Lu were concubines, which were completely different.

To put it bluntly, it is what the concubine wants, so the courtiers will naturally pay attention to it, but the maid is actually an ordinary palace maid, and some of the family members of the convicts did not join the palace as servants.

Although there are not those who were born in Jiaofangsi, but now that Jiaofangsi itself is undergoing changes, they are all beneficiaries. They have regained their freedom and are no longer happy.

Originally, these women had to re-examine the crimes they had committed at home after changing their status. Those with misdemeanors or those with long-term convictions would be sent home directly.

Those who committed serious crimes or served for a short period of time in the Jiaofang Division would be sentenced to hard labor. Zhao Pan'er's years were not enough, so he was originally required to perform hard labor to supplement it. It was normal to serve in the palace.

On the contrary, Song Yinzhang, because it was a crime committed by her ancestors, could be released in her father's generation, and she is now free.

Both girls were young and virginal, so no one talked about joining the palace as maids.

That's right, what Yushitai wanted was a crime, and the matter between the two women can be explained, so there's no need to get entangled here.

But the two daughters Li and Lu are different. To put it bluntly, the prince's concubines are used for trial marriages. Although most of these women will be arranged separately after teaching the prince how to become an adult.

But there are no exceptions. If you become pregnant with the prince's child, your status will be different. Especially in the Song Dynasty, it has always been difficult for the royal family to have heirs. Pregnant women, whether they are concubines or maids, will be admitted to the harem.

Women in the past dynasties also had to purify themselves, losing fertility like eunuchs, but the emperors of the Song Dynasty were much more merciful, and starting from Zhenzong, women were not allowed to purify themselves.

Because that method was too cruel, much more cruel than eunuch purification, many women could not bear it and died violently, so the imperial palace of the Song Dynasty no longer used this method.

A woman's purification is completed by hitting her lower abdomen with a blunt object to cause infertility. As for what is going on, Mr. Lu Xun once wrote an article specifically speculating on this.

But that's just speculation. After all, no one has seen it. They only know that it hits the woman's abdomen, causing a high proportion of death. In short, it is very cruel.

And it is possible to get pregnant without purification. If these two become pregnant in the future and become concubines, the emperor will become a joke.

The Yushitai clings to this point, and the outer court has been very lively these days. The supporters argue that the two girls are still young ladies, while the opponents argue that they were born in the Jiaofang Division. In short, everyone has their own reasons.

Zhang Dexiang took the blame and went home to wait for help, but people forgot about him. Finally, Pang Ji wrote a letter asking the court to issue an order to reform the problem of redundant officials on the grounds of corruption in officialdom, so as to calm down the matter.

Not only were the courtiers' attention diverted, but all the officials in the world were staring at this matter nervously, and no longer had the energy to pay attention to what woman Zhao Fang wanted.

"The minister's impeachment policy is similar to that of Zhongshu's family!"

With Qian Mingyi's impeachment again, everyone in the court knew that the competition for the position of prime minister was about to begin.

Zhang Dexiang went home to wait for the ministers. The emperor did not remove him from the position of prime minister. If he wanted to ascend to the throne, he must make a final decision and let Zhang Dexiang go home completely.

Zhao Zhen also knew that Zhang Dexiang could not be saved, but how to return home was a big deal. It mattered a lot whether he would return home after becoming an official or resigning his position.

Therefore, Zhao Zhen refused to let go, saying that the prime minister was wrong, but the previous credits cannot be erased, and he must be dismissed and returned home. However, Wang Gongchen and others insisted that their fault was too great and they had to be resigned.Suddenly, they froze, and the court hall was noisy for several days. Zhao Fang was always paying attention to the court hall, but he was still in lockdown and couldn't get out to disturb them.

Just when the court was tense, Bao Zheng arrived belatedly and finally arrived in Bianjing.

That night, Wang Yaochen and Han Qi took him there, saying they wanted to clean him up and open a restaurant in Panlou.
"Brother Xiren, have you heard anything about Zhang Xiang these days?"

After drinking for three rounds, Han Qi spoke first, looking at him with burning eyes.

Bao Zheng's face straightened, he clasped his fists in the direction of the palace seriously and said: "I have read the newspapers along the way. My brother thinks that the Yushitai impeachment was wrong, and the empresses of the two palaces should be impeached. How can a prince choose an attendant?" , Judging from the rationale chosen by the Jiaofang Secretary, this matter is too ridiculous, and Zhang Xiang should have covered it up."

Wang Yaochen smiled bitterly and said: "Brother Xiren has a keen eye, but do you know why Zhang Xianghu came forward? Yushitai knew that this matter was fishy, ​​so why did he stop entangled the two palaces and instead targeted Zhang Xianghu?"

Bao Zheng was startled, "What's the explanation?"

As smart as he was, he immediately realized that Yushitai was not blind as soon as he was reminded. He could figure it out based on the newspaper even if he wasn't there. Could it be that they couldn't see through it?

Wang Yaochen recounted the cause and effect in detail, Bao Zheng finally understood the inside story here, and couldn't help frowning: "So, Wang Zhongcheng is trying to use this matter to fight for the position, so he deliberately stirs up the muddy water?"

"Not bad! But it's not that he's in the top position. His qualifications are not enough. I guess Mr. Xia is behind it."

Han Qi nodded in agreement and directly revealed the truth. Bao Zheng immediately slammed the table angrily and shouted: "Shameless! He did not hesitate to mess up the court for the sake of status. His heart is to be punished!"

Wang Yaochen held his forehead and sighed: "Brother Bao, Brother Bao, can you change your temper? The most important thing right now is to stabilize the government, and even more to stabilize the city of Tokyo. Your Kaifeng Mansion is in a key position, so don't act on your whim. yes."

Upon hearing this, Bao Zheng shook his head and said, "Brother, I can't change my temperament, but I support these two wise brothers in this matter."

Hearing him say that he supported himself, Han Qi laughed, and laughed and said: "If you don't change, you won't change. Brother Xiren, the bad-tempered king, said it. He even asked the officials if they really wanted Wei Zheng to lose face, hahaha..."

Wang Yaochen also laughed when he heard this. Bao Zheng was puzzled and hurriedly asked why. Han Qi happily told what happened when Zhao Fang recommended him.

Only then did Bao Zheng realize that it was because of Zhao Fang that he was promoted to such an important department.

He was stunned for a moment and asked: "Two worthy brothers, tell me what King Wei is like. From what I heard just now, he is a capable prince, but he seems to be only seven years old, right?"

Hearing this question, the two of them became serious. Han Qi glanced at Wang Yaochen and asked him to speak, which confused Bao Zheng.

In my impression, my second-placed student in the same department has always been more outgoing than the number one scholar, Wang Yaochen. Why did he give in today?

Wang Yaochen knew it as soon as he saw his expression and laughed loudly: "We haven't seen each other for many years. Brother Xiren still remembers Zhigui's temperament!"

After laughing, he explained: "Zhigui promised his second daughter to the King of Wei as a royal attendant, and she has already entered the palace. Therefore, he wants to avoid suspicion. He can only say good things about his son-in-law, and it is his younger brother who can do it."

Bao Zheng smiled and said: "I have heard about this for a long time. Although I don't know why Zhigui did this, I think there must be a reason for his ethics. There is no need to avoid suspicion among friends. After the gold list was named, how many of us We talk about poetry and essays together all day long, criticizing the world."

(End of this chapter)