Chapter 0004: The Upright and Unyielding Lord Kou

Kou Zhun was unwilling to use petty means to resolve the troubles caused by Kou Li, always feeling that it was beneath his dignity, yet every time Wang Shu thought of this matter, he felt as if there was a fishbone lodged in his throat

Wang Shu shook his head with a bitter smile

Kou Zhun is the kind of person who would not turn back even after hitting a wall.

Kou Zhun picked up the teacup, sniffed the aroma, took a sip, and exclaimed: "It is still your tea that best suits my taste..."

Kou Zhun spoke fiercely and harshly

Although Kou Zhun held the position of Prime Minister, his status was as precarious as floating duckweed in water

Both Kou Zhun and Wang Shu were taken aback, exchanging a glance with each other

When Kou Zhong mentioned the young master, Kou Zhun and Wang Shu instinctively thought of him

Kou Zhun furrowed his brow and remained silent

Kou Zhun lifted the teacup, drank it all in one go, and said with an arrogant expression: "If I truly wished to resort to those insidious tactics, would I have experienced such ups and downs? Having served as an official for several decades, I have long seen through the petty intrigues of the officialdom. I do not wish to sink to their level and become complicit with them.

Due to his merits, he was transferred to the court and appointed as a secretary.

Hmph

Kou Zhun let out a cold snort and said with displeasure, "As soon as you heard that I have returned to office, you hurried to Bianjing to enjoy wealth and nobility. The two of you truly share the same character!"

Kou Zhong understood Kou Zhun's temperament, and naturally did not dare to say much. He immediately cupped his hands in salute and exited the courtyard.

A figure of considerable importance in the court

If it were in the past, with Kou Zhun's position being stable and having some face before the emperor, such an incident might not have been thoroughly investigated by the emperor.

Kou Zhong saw Kou Zhun and Wang Shu staring directly at him, a faintly unpleasant smile appearing on his face, slightly bitter.

Due to the taboo associated with the name of Crown Prince Zhao Shouyi, he was also known as Wang Yuan

However, now the emperor is seriously ill, bedridden, and the affairs of state are difficult to discern

Wang Shu helped Kou Zhun by adding a bowl of new tea and advised, "As the saying goes, it is better to offend a gentleman than to offend a petty person. All the civil and military officials in the court are part of Ding Wei's faction. If they take advantage of this matter concerning Kou Li to create difficulties for you, even though you hold the position of Prime Minister, you will still suffer some damage, so you must be cautious."

As long as it is something that Kou Zhun believes to be right, he will charge ahead without hesitation, even if there is a wall in front of him.

There is a popular saying in folk culture that goes, one does not turn back until one hits the southern wall

Kou Zhun set down the teacup and disdainfully said: "A treacherous scoundrel, an ignorant woman, how could I possibly fear them? I act with integrity and sit upright; the schemes of petty individuals are not worth fearing. The authorities will surely assist me in seeking justice."

This broad road, although fraught with difficulties, I firmly believe that righteousness will prevail over evil

Wang Shu looked at Kou Zhun and said with a smile, "In this regard, he is stronger than his father"

Wang Shu is reluctant to elaborate on the process by which Kou Li was deceived

Kou Li's actions undoubtedly provided a glaring handle to those who opposed Kou Zhun

He scolded Kou Liyu for being foolish, and that was a mild remark

Wang Shuduan lifted the tea bowl in front of him, took a sip, and pondered: "Father-in-law, the court is now filled with the faction of Ding Wei, and the inner court along with the empress is entirely in the hands of the queen. You have made enemies of both of them, and they have been devising ways to deal with you. Now, with the incident involving Kou Li, your situation in the court is quite precarious"

Wang Shuchen pondered: "The Kou Li family?"

Responsible for educating the Crown Prince and overseeing the national equestrian affairs

The small grinder crushed cardamom, salt blocks, tea cakes, and other items, mixing them together to form a pinch of gray powder. After being poured with boiling water and stirred rapidly, it soon transformed into a bowl of tea soup

This young master of the Wang residence was originally named Wang Yirou, with the courtesy name Shengzhi

Items bestowed by the Emperor, especially those of rare and precious nature, must be properly revered when taken home

Therefore, the son born to Wang Shu and the Wang Kou family cannot be considered the legitimate eldest son, and thus he has always been referred to as the young master in the residence

Although Kou Zhun had no sons throughout his life, he did have a daughter

Kou Zhun shouted with a glare and a puffed-up beard

Kou Zhong smiled wryly and asked, "Sir, will you see the young master or not?"

Some may think that doing this is foolish

Kou Zhun glared and scolded: "He insists on bowing to me, which is nothing more than wanting to solidify his grandson's name, so that he can leverage my status to go out and act arrogantly."

Even if he were to suffer a head injury and bleed profusely, he would not look back

If he wants to stand, then let him stand for as long as he wishes. I am quite curious to see how long he can keep it up.

Wang Shu heard that Kou Ji was determined to bow and pay respects to Kou Zhun, and he felt a bit intrigued, "It is rare that he still has this kind of thought."

What are you looking at! Just arrange a guest room for him to stay, and then send him back to Huazhou together with his father later.

Kou Li committed a foolish act, which angered Kou Zhun

However, Wang Shu does not think so

With the support of Kou Zhun, Wang Shuguan enjoyed a successful official career, successively holding the positions of Chief Clerk of Gong County, Judge of the Dingguo Army, Judge of the Three Departments, Doctor of the Grand Ritual, and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works.

As the son of Kou Li, Kou Ji happened to arrive in Bianjing City at this time, and naturally, Kou Zhun did not welcome him.

They refer to this behavior as integrity

Wang Shu and Wang Koushi have one son and three daughters after their marriage

Wang Shu also did not speak further; he picked up the small grinder and continued to assist Kou Zhun in making tea

In the third year of Chunhua, Wang Shu achieved the degree of Jinshi and was selected by Kou Zhun to be his son-in-law

A quality that is not possessed by an unworthy minister

Moreover, Wang Shu's early deceased first wife, Wang Shishi, left behind one son and two daughters

Kou Li committed a foolish act, which angered Kou Zhun

That all needs to be judged for its culpability

Kou Zhun reached out to pick up the tea bowl. Upon hearing Wang Shu's words, he paused, frowned, and said, "Are you suggesting that I should emulate them and resort to those insidious tactics?"

I have long understood the temperament of my old father-in-law thoroughly

What is strong?!

Under the allure of such quality, they are willing to follow in the footsteps of Kou Zhun, accompanying him to challenge the sunlit avenue that is filled with the southern wall.

He is a young master from Huazhou

Lost or sold off

Along with Kou Ji, he was also regarded as part of the same group of miscreants

After a pause, Kou Zhun gritted his teeth and said fiercely: "How could I have been so blind back then to accept a fool as my disciple"

When the bubbles finally dissipated, Wang Shu handed the teacup to Kou Zhun.

Wang Shuchang let out a long sigh and said with a bitter smile: "It is indeed somewhat foolish... just a trivial gambling debt, yet I was deceived into having the imperial gift of the Tongtian Rhinoceros Horn stolen to repay it..."

Wang Shushen looked at Kou Zhun with a complex expression, unsure of what to say

Due to his contributions to the governance of Shu, he was beloved by the people of Shu. Along with his contemporary Zhang Yong, he was honored as the "Front Zhang, Rear Wang," two renowned ministers of the two generations

Kou Zhong hesitated for a moment and said with a苦 face: "The old servant was just about to arrange a room for him to rest, but he insisted on waiting for you at the main hall entrance, saying he wanted to bow and pay his respects to you. Now he is standing at the main hall entrance, and judging by his demeanor, it seems he will not move until he sees you."

Kou Zhong nodded

Many who followed behind Kou Zhun and were willing to be at his service did not share this view

Kou Zhun was taken aback and angrily said, "Is he trying to pin this on me?"

Currently serving as the Crown Prince's Guest, Minister of State, Chief of the Pastoral Affairs, and Scholar of the Dragon and Diagram Pavilion, holding an official rank of third grade