Formerly, when Zhang Yong was in Chengdu, he told his men that Mr. Kou Zhun, who had been appointed as prime minister, was a talented person but pitifully lacking in knowledge. Later, when Kou visited Shaanxi, Zhong Yong had left his office and returned. Then Kou hosted a banquet for Zheng and treated him with a cordial welcome. When Zhang left, Kou escorted him all the way to the outskirts and asked him for more advice. Zhang said slowly, "You should read the biography of Huo Guang." Kou did not comprehend what Zhang said and took the book to read when he returned. He found it bearing a criticism of Huo Guang: unlearned and incompetent. He understood and smiled, "That is his evaluation of me."