Daming talker

Chapter 517 There can only be one voice!
Two important guests came to the east reception room in the courtyard of the Lin Mansion today. They are both from the same county.

But the atmosphere in the reception room was very cold. There was no communication or interaction between the two guests, and the occasional glances they gave each other were as sharp as flying knives.

This was the scene that the owner, Lin Tailai, saw when he walked in.

The two guests were Shen Mingchen and Tu Long, two giants of Zhejiang literary world. Just as Zhang Fengyi said, they hated each other like fire and water.

Looking more closely, Shen Mingchen was wearing a bright red robe. It is said that this is Shen Mingchen's symbol. No matter where he goes all year round, his clothes are always red.

Tu Long was drunk, with a beautiful woman in his arms. It is said that after Tu Long was humiliated and dismissed from office for "indulgence", he became completely dissolute.

Generally speaking, it is extremely rude to be a guest like this, but this is also Tu Long's signature behavior. Tang Xianzu, who was also in the opera circle, even wrote a poem to complain about it.

Very good and very individual, both have the fashionable style of celebrities.

After the guests and hosts greeted each other and took their seats, Mr. Lin made his opening remarks: "Suzhou and Zhejiang are adjacent to each other and are connected by mountains and rivers. Since ancient times, Wu and Yue have been in the same boat.

I have always been friendly with the scholars in Zhejiang. For example, the current Minister of State, Zhao Zhigao, is a close friend of mine regardless of age difference. I hope we can continue to maintain our friendship today."

Shen Mingchen: “.”

Have you forgotten the Zhejiang officials including the former Nanjing Minister of Personnel Li Shida who was killed by you, Lin Jiuyuan, the Minister of Justice Lu Guangzu whose family was attacked by you, and the Langzhong of the Personnel Selection Department Chen Younian who was repeatedly bullied by you?
Although Shen Mingchen is already seventy years old, his emotional intelligence is really not to be underestimated. He replied:

"I often hear my nephew say at home that Lin Jiuyuan is a rare talent. Today I see that his reputation is well-deserved."

The nephew Shen Mingchen was referring to was Shen Yikuan, now a third-rank official poet, who was currently visiting his relatives at home.

When two men of letters meet for the first time, they should not be too utilitarian. Mr. Lin started talking about literature again: "I really appreciate your poems, Mr. Juzhang, for example, 'In the narrow alleys where close combat takes place, killing people is as easy as killing grass without hearing a sound'.

It often reminds me of my glorious days as a ranger, and it is exactly the reflection of my past.”

Shen Mingchen: “.”

Oh no, Lin Jiuyuan is coming for my poems, how should I respond?

The line "Scholars compete for supremacy in the arena of martial arts, peach blossoms draw their golden spears on horseback" written by Xu Wenchang, a fellow villager from the same province, was forcibly taken over by Lin Jiuyuan!

The old celebrity didn't expect that chatting with Lin Jiuyuan would be so difficult, and he felt that his emotional intelligence was not enough.

Fortunately, Mr. Lin started talking to Tu Long again at this time. After all, as the host, he couldn't ignore other guests.

I only heard Mr. Lin say: "Zhang Fengyi from Suzhou recommended to me the opera legends written by you, Mr. Changqing, and I have read them all.

What I appreciate most is that all the male protagonists in Mr. Changqing’s works have large harems, wives and concubines, and finally achieve enlightenment together, and never abuse the protagonist. "

Tu Long laughed and said, "Jiu Yuan understands me! But I just can't stand those hypocrites who say one thing and mean another."

Mr. Lin was not making this up. This is indeed the biggest feature of the operas and novels written by Tu Long.

Among contemporary literati, Tu Long may be the one who can best adapt to the online literature model hundreds of years later.

After the opening greetings, it was time to get down to business. Mr. Lin coughed and said, "At this literary conference, many people did not understand my difficulties and thought that Mr. Wang was forced to step down by me, so there were many discordant voices.

I hope that the two gentlemen can provide more guidance in the province so that Zhejiang writers can have a correct understanding of the literary conference."

Then Lin Tailai was afraid that he had not expressed himself clearly enough, so he said bluntly: "I hope that the Zhejiang scholars who attend the literary conference can only have one voice, and that is the voice of support for me!"

Tu Long let go of the beauty in his hand and said seriously: "I am willing to support you, Lin Jiuyuan, but I will never be with Shen Mingchen. Either he or I."

Shen Mingchen glanced at Tu Long and said to Lin Tai tactfully, "Since Chang Qing said so, I have no other choice."

Lin Tailai emphasized again: "I just said that I hope that at this literary conference, Zhejiang will have only one voice."

At this time, Zhang Fengyi, a local celebrity in Suzhou who was entertaining guests nearby, tried desperately to wink at Tu Long. They were all acquaintances in the opera circle, so he would lend a helping hand whenever possible.

But Tu Long was confused and had no idea what Zhang Fengyi was trying to say.

Being dismissed from office on the charge of "debauchery" is a great shame and humiliation, and there is absolutely no possibility of reconciliation with the people involved.

So no matter what, he couldn't stand with Shen Mingchen and speak out together.

At this time, Shen Mingchen asked Tu Long: "What do you think of Lin Jiuyuan's intention?"

This was the first time Shen Mingchen spoke to Tu Long today.

Tu Long remembered another rumor that someone had just told him yesterday.

So he said to Lin Tailai, "I heard that Lin Jiuyuan has been in close contact with the wealthy people in Songjiang Prefecture recently?"

Mr. Lin answered very frankly: "It is true, and it is impossible to stop."

Tu Long stood up and said goodbye directly: "Although I have no ill will towards you, I am sorry that I cannot support you this time. Farewell!"

"Wait!" Zhang Fengyi shouted anxiously.

Tu Long didn't even turn his head, waved to Zhang Fengyi with his back to him, and walked out of the reception room with a graceful step.

He is a true gentleman who is free and unrestrained, doing what he wants.

The next moment, several big men suddenly jumped out from both sides and attacked together, directly pinning Tu Long to the ground.

Then the big men skillfully tied Tu Long tightly with cowhide ropes and stuffed a roll of cotton cloth into Tu Long's mouth to prevent him from shouting.

Before other people in the reception room could react, the big men had already carried Tu Long and disappeared into the moon gate at the side of the courtyard.

Others might not be surprised, but Shen Mingchen, an old scholar who was dealing with Mr. Lin for the first time, was shocked and subconsciously pointed outside, "Ah, this."

Mr. Lin, however, was like a repeater, saying to Shen Mingchen: "I said that Zhejiang can only have one voice. Now there is only your voice."

Just now, Shen Mingchen failed to correctly understand the meaning of "one voice" and also thought it meant "everyone unite and speak together."

Now he finally understood how to interpret the "one voice" emphasized by Lin Jiuyuan.

It turns out that by getting rid of the unnecessary people, there will really only be "one voice" left!

Seeing Shen Mingchen, who seemed to be a little sad, Lin Tailai comforted him, "Don't worry, Mr. Shen. We will just secretly transport Tu Changqing out through a side door and then load him on a ship and send him back to Zhejiang. Apart from that, we will not do anything to him."

Zhang Fengyi also said worriedly: "If Tu Changqing gets upset halfway, then the chief will be guilty of a great crime."

Lin Tailai replied: "I have arranged four more beauties on the flower list to help guard Tu Changqing along the way. If he still can't get over it, then I can't do anything about it."

Shen Mingchen was speechless. This human weakness of Tu Long was completely grasped by him. Gao Changjiang, who was standing behind the host, jumped out to clean up the mess and said to Shen Mingchen, "Today, one of you and Tu Long must be carried out and sent back to Zhejiang.

The other one can walk out safely, so congratulations to the old man!"

Mr. Lin turned around and shouted at Gao Changjiang, "What are you talking about? We are a society of scholars. Don't use the old social practices of society to scare Mr. Shen!"
What if I meet Mr. Shen's nephew Shen Yikuan in the Imperial Academy someday? How can I be embarrassed? "

Shen Mingchen: “.”

The greatest "friend" he has ever met in his life is Xu Jie. Now he suddenly wants to know, if Lin Jiuyuan and Xu Jie were in Xiyuan Zhilu at the same time, who would win in the end?

After seeing off the dazed Shen Mingchen, Mr. Lin was still very busy as he had to worry about strategies in other directions.

Yuan Hongdao, the magistrate of Wu County and the leader of the Gong'an faction, came to the Lin residence and reported: "We are almost 50-50 in Huguang."

Mr. Lin sighed, "After so many years, I have taken over the Suzhou literary world, but you Gongan faction can't even dominate Hubei, your base camp. I am really disappointed."

Yuan Hongdao defended himself by saying, "We in Hubei have Wu Guolun, a great veteran of the retro school, who is one of the seven masters who is as famous as the old leader Wang!

Although our Gong'an School advocates the liberation of the spirit and is popular among young scholars, older scholars still admire Wu Guolun, and there is nothing we can do about it.

In fact, Wu Guolun and Alliance Leader Wang have always been in agreement, and this time will be no exception.

As long as you can deal with the old leader Wang, you will naturally win the support of all the scholars in Huguang."

Mr. Lin was stunned and said, "I asked you to deal with Hubei, but you told me to deal with old leader Wang first?
If I can completely deal with the old leader Wang, then why do I need you to deal with Hubei?

Are you, the drunken and singing poets, too drunk to even understand your logic?"

Yuan Hongdao said with a guilty conscience: "Anyway, I have tried my best. I can't kill Wu Guolun, right?"

Mr. Lin gritted his teeth and said, "As long as you really have the courage, it's not a bad idea."

At this time, Master Feng Er also came over and said to Lin Tai: "Duke Yanzhou asked me to pass on a message, hoping that he can convene a meeting as soon as possible while he still has the energy, preferably within three days."

Lin Tailai immediately realized the problem, "Has the Duke of Yanzhou made a decision?"

At this critical moment, Master Feng II also reported without hesitation: "I heard that at the main meeting, they will work together to nominate Sun Jigao, the No. 1 scholar in the second year of Wanli, as the new leader, but this candidate will not be made public now."

Sun Jigao? Gu Xiancheng's teacher? After thinking for a while, Mr. Lin asked the guards on both sides:
"Do you guys have information that a seemingly low-key person recently entered Gusu Posthouse, but was able to mingle with Shen Li, Zhao Yongxian, Gong Nai and others for secret talks?
Now quickly go and tell the staff at Gusu Post to describe this man's height and appearance and report it to me!"

Mr. Lin had a hunch that the person who sneaked to Gusu Posthouse and secretly made suggestions was 80% likely to be Gu Xiancheng.

Then I saw my eldest brother-in-law Wang Fuzun hurried over and shouted, "I tried my best!"

Mr. Lin said unhappily: "The sentence I hate to hear the most now is that I tried my best!"

Previously, my brother-in-law’s mission was to conquer Shandong, but “I tried my best” meant that the mission was definitely not completed.

Wang Fuzun said helplessly: "What can I do? Gong Nai admires the Qingliu forces very much and worships the Qingliu gentlemen very much. No matter what I say, it will be useless.

This is the only heavyweight in Shandong's literary world, and there is no one who can compete with him."

Mr. Lin snorted coldly, "A man who doesn't even hold an official position, yet he respects the upright so much, he really has a heart of his own!"

He then pulled out his trump card and said, "It seems that the "Jin Ping Mei" will be written by someone from Shandong again?"

Wang Fuzun said quickly: "Gong Nai is only thirty years old now, you can't say that he wrote "Jin Ping Mei" when he was ten years old, right?"

It is a bit unscientific. Mr. Lin sighed and said fiercely: "Then I have no choice but to do it myself.

Elder Alliance Leader Wang has urged us to hold a meeting. We must deal with this Gong Nai as quickly as possible."

Then Mr. Lin ordered the left protector Zhang Wen: "Prepare a large boat! It should be a little more spacious!"

Then he said to Wang Fuzun: "Can you ask a few reliable Shandong scholars to come forward and invite Gong Nai to drink wine?

Gong Nai also needs to guide the public opinion of the scholars in this province, and he should not refuse such a gathering!"

Wang Fuzun replied doubtfully: "It's no problem to arrange people, but will this be useful to Gong Nai?"

The current social atmosphere is dissolute, and for scholars, drinking and having sex is not really a scandal, not to mention that Gong Nai is not an official yet.

Mr. Lin said impatiently: "If you can't do it yourself, then just follow orders. Why ask so many questions?"

Wang Fuzun, who was at a loss for words, left in disgrace and went to arrange tasks.

By the next morning, a large boat seemed to have lost control and was swaying sideways on the surface of the Xu River outside Xu Gate.

Gong Nai, one of the three great writers of Shanzuo and a representative of Shandong literary world, woke up from a hangover with a splitting headache.

He tried hard to recall how he got drunk last night, but he couldn't remember for a while.

Then he looked around and found himself in a cockpit, surrounded by four or five beauties.

This is nothing. I was drinking and having fun last night. It is normal and reasonable to have a beautiful woman around me after waking up.

But to Gong Nai's surprise, he found an acquaintance who was unconscious among the beauties opposite him!

This is Gu Xiancheng! Why is he here?

Gong Nai can be sure that Gu Xiancheng was not present when people were drinking wine yesterday!

You know, Gu Xiancheng is currently in mourning, and it is absolutely impossible for him to risk his reputation by going out to drink and have fun!

Who knocked Gu Xiancheng unconscious and moved him onto this flower boat?

At this moment, several boats suddenly surrounded the flower boat, and on the bow of one of the boats sat a strong and huge man.

Across the water, the sturdy giant called out, "Mr. Gong Nai, you don't want others to know that your most respected gentleman, Gu Xiancheng, drank with you during his mourning period?
Or, was it you who dragged Gu Xiancheng, who was in mourning, onto the boat to drink and have fun?"

Gong Nai: “.”

Having suffered such a huge change in such a hurry, his brain temporarily shut down and he was almost unable to react.

But the sturdy giant was very patient at this time, waiting quietly for Gong Nai to wake up.

The most advanced moves are so simple and unpretentious.

There are twenty or thirty menial servants arranged at Gusu Posthouse. Are they just there to eat and do nothing?
Shandong can only have one voice!
(End of this chapter)