In an instant, it seemed as if Zhao Jun had gained unanimous recognition from the entire court.

But in reality, Jia Changchao, Chen Yaozuo, Wang Gongchen, Zhang Dexiang, Song Xiang, Song Qi and others were all followers of Lü Yijian and Wang Zeng. For example, Jia Changchao and others were recommended by Lü Yijian, while Song Xiang and Song Qi supported Wang Zeng when Lü Yijian and Wang Zeng went to war.

The other ten or so high-ranking ministers of the first, second and third ranks, including Xia Song, the Minister of Punishments and Deputy Envoy of the Three Departments, Zheng Jian, the Co-director of the Privy Council, Fan Feng, the Chief Censor, Zhang Qi, the Privy Councilor, Cheng Lin, the Envoy of the Three Departments, Wang Deyong, the Deputy Envoy of the Privy Council, and Chen Yaozuo, the Signatory of the Privy Council, said nothing and watched the situation quietly.

Although many people here later united to fight against Fan Zhongyan's new party, it was because they had to form an alliance of interests to defeat Fan Zhongyan. Before the Qingli New Deal, they were also political enemies with Lü Yijian, Wang Zeng and others.

For example, Xia Song and Lü Yijian had a bad relationship, Zheng Jian impeached Lü Yijian and Sheng Du, Lü Yijian deposed Fan Feng, and Cheng Linju presented Empress Wu Zetian's "Empress Wu's Court" to Liu E, which disgusted Fan Zhongyan.

Therefore, they might not necessarily stand on the side of prime ministers such as Lu Yijian and Wang Zeng.

However, because the current situation is too strange, these old foxes dare not take sides easily, so they all remain silent.

Those who dare to speak out now are either the many censors or some stubborn and ignorant young people.

Such as Zhang Zongyi, Zhang Kui, Han Qi, Liu Yuanyu, etc.

At this moment, supporters clearly made up the majority, and with many court officials remaining neutral, these twenty or so opponents became a minority.

For a moment, the positions in the hall were clearly divided. There were at least thirty or forty supporters, and the remaining dozens of people did not step forward rashly and waited to see what would happen.

"Zhao Jun, what do you think?"

All opponents and supporters stood up, and only then did Zhao Zhen look at Zhao Jun.

He was looking forward to seeing how Zhao Jun would handle the current problem.

Hearing this, everyone's eyes naturally turned to Zhao Jun, including those in the prime minister's team who expressed their support for him, all of them looked confused.

Since he is to be the head of all officials and the leader of the literati of the Song Dynasty, he naturally has to demonstrate his abilities.

Zhao Jun stood up and walked to the bottom of Zhao Zhen's steps. With his back to Zhao Zhen, he looked at all the officials, looked around, and then looked at the opponent in front and asked, "What's your name?"

"Censor Zhang Zongyi!"

Zhang Zongyi held his head high and chest out, seemingly unafraid of the powerful.

Zhao Jun thought for a moment and said, "Why do you oppose my ruling?"

"How can a person of unknown origin like you be worthy of being the ruler of the Song Dynasty?"

Zhang Zongyi said.

Zhao Jun laughed and said, "I remember during the Tiansheng period, someone in your family forged a land deed to seize a clansman's land. They also claimed that this clansman was of unknown origin and not yours. You played dumb at the time, and it was only Dali Temple Cheng Zhangpin who solved the case. You immediately distanced yourself from your family, and now you're making it clear you're of unknown origin again. This is a relapse of your old habits, just like your family."

"you!"

Zhang Zongyi was furious.

Zhao Jun said, "The emperor knows my identity, and so do all the other ministers. Only you don't know. Who do you think you are? Dismiss me from my position!"

"Zhang Zongyi allowed his family to seize the clan members' land. Dismissed!"

Zhao Zhen said along the way.

Zhang Zongyi was horrified and quickly said, "Your Majesty, this is Zhao Jun's wanton revenge. I have never condoned my family."

"Pull it away!"

Zhao Zhen waved his hand. He would never treat officials like this before, but now he had to do so for the sake of his ancestors' kingdom.

Immediately, the imperial guards came up and dragged Zhang Zongyi, who looked as pale as death, away.

Then Zhao Jun looked at Zhang Kui and asked, "What's your name?"

"Palace Attendant Censor Zhang Kui!"

"Why are you against me?"

"It's to uphold the laws of the country!"

Zhang Kui raised his head and said, "You didn't enter the government through the imperial examinations, so according to the rules you can't take on this important task."

"I've heard of you. You're a good person. Some time ago, I asked the Imperial City Department to investigate those censors to see if they had any connections with the Ma or Han families. When they investigated you, they found that you were a very good official."

Zhao Jun said, "But you're wrong about one thing. Laws and regulations can change. There was no imperial examination in the Han Dynasty, only the imperial examination system. In a few decades, there may be no imperial examination, only the college entrance examination. Confucius also said that people should be quick to learn and not be ashamed to ask questions from those who are less knowledgeable than them. If someone's talent surpasses others, why can't he lead everyone towards a bright future?"

Zhang Kui was about to say something, but Zhao Jun waved his hand and said, "Don't get hung up on the rules. Rules are made by people, so they need to be applied flexibly. The same goes for being an official. A stubborn person won't get far in the officialdom."

Fan Zhongyan's face froze and he looked at Zhao Jun sadly.

After Zhao Jun finished speaking, he ignored Zhang Kui and looked at the next one.

The man stood up straight and said, "Wu Yu from the Taichang Liyuan."

"oh."

Zhao Jun looked around and asked, "Who is Liu Yuanyu!"

Liu Yuanyu stood up from the crowd and said, "I am Liu Yuanyu, the Deputy Commissioner of Salt and Tax of the Third Department!"

Zhao Jun said to Wu Yu, "You've lost your mind, haven't you? Liu Yuanyu falsely accused you of usury in Henan, oppressing the people, and ruining your reputation. And you're still joining him in opposing me?"

Wu Yu looked at Liu Yuanyu angrily and said, "So it was you, a villain, who ruined my innocence!"

When he was serving as the magistrate of Henan, he was supposed to be promoted due to his good performance, but he was impeached in the court and was repeatedly denied promotion. Because he had no one in the court, he didn't even know who had framed him.

It was only thanks to his outstanding political achievements that he was promoted to the Taichang Temple with great difficulty. Now that he knew the real culprit behind the scenes, Wu Yu was very angry.

Liu Yuanyu said dissatisfiedly, "So what? The censors can always report on rumors!"

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