《宋史·列传·卷一百四十六》
皇上想立即授予他馆职，赵鼎说： 就让他先任外朝官职，以培养他成才。 于是皇上授予他镇东军签判之职。
上欲即除馆职，赵鼎言： 且令历外任，养成其材。 乃授镇东军签判。
The emperor wanted to appoint him to a position in the imperial court, but Zhao Ding said, "Let him first serve as an official outside the court so that he can cultivate his talents." So the emperor appointed him as the judicial commissioner of the Zhen Dong Army.