Daming talker

Chapter 527: Jiu Yuan's Eastern Tour (asking for monthly tickets!)
The literary conference in the 17th year of Wanli finally concluded successfully. This will surely be a highlight in the history of Ming Dynasty literature!
But Lin Tailai, the legal successor to the leader of the New Literary League and the first deputy leader, could not lie down because the autumn harvest in the Jiangnan region was also over.

According to the custom of that era, most official projects were launched during the slack farming season after the autumn harvest in order to facilitate the conscription and recruitment of manpower.

Therefore, within the territory of Songjiang Prefecture, the project of dredging the old course of the lower reaches of the Wusong River has officially started in several sections.

In order to ensure the smooth progress of the construction and subsequent related matters, it is necessary for Mr. Lin to make a tour to the east and visit Songjiang Prefecture for the purpose of building good neighborliness and friendship.

So after the literary conference ended, Mr. Lin immediately began to prepare for his visit.

Feng Shike, secretary-general of the New Literary League and president of the Retro-style Research Association, would serve as the middleman for the friendship between Mr. Lin and Songjiang Prefecture. He would definitely accompany him throughout the trip and be responsible for the specific itinerary arrangements.

In addition, Mr. Lin would also bring his retainer Gu Bingqian to help share the pressure of socializing.

After all, Gu Bingqian was from Kunshan, which was close to Songjiang Prefecture and was familiar with the situation there. He was also a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, so he could maintain his reputation.

Upon hearing the news that the True Immortal Jiuyuan was on his eastern tour, Wen Yuanfa immediately sent Wen Zhenmeng to the Lin residence and said, "Let my son serve the Lord Jiuyuan and listen to your teachings morning and evening."

Wen Yuanfa knew very well that during Lin Jiuyuan's visit to the neighboring Songjiang Prefecture, he would definitely meet top local officials, and he would definitely make in-depth friends with them.

Having your son serve and bear witness by your side will definitely be beneficial in developing his network of contacts.

Although the old Wen family has failed the imperial examinations for generations and three generations have failed in the provincial examinations fifty times, they are still able to maintain their position as a leader in the Suzhou literary world. This is due to their acumen and judgment in the social field!
Mr. Lin couldn't help but sigh. To use the words of a chicken soup article, this is what they call your vision determines your upper limit.

In contrast, Feng Menglong was also a 16-year-old "genius boy", but his father, Dr. Feng, did not have this awareness.

This shows why in the original history, Feng Menglong and Wen Zhenmeng had such different development paths.

Everything was ready. After Feng Shike finished communicating with Songjiang Prefecture, Mr. Lin boarded the Shenwei Lieshui and set off.

Today, Songjiang Prefecture has three counties, the traditionally strong counties of Huating County and Shanghai County, as well as Qingpu County, which was newly established during the Jiajing period and restored in the early Wanli period.

Although most of the project is located in Shanghai County, Lin Tailai still plans to visit Huating County mainly.

First, Huating County is the capital of Songjiang Prefecture and also the main county of Songjiang Prefecture; second, the prominent families in Huating County of Songjiang Prefecture have the greatest power and their influence is enough to cover the entire Songjiang Prefecture.

Feng Shi can arrange everything, so Mr. Lin doesn't have to worry too much.

But when passing by Qingpu County, Mr. Lin said something inexplicably: "In the future, Hengtang College can open a branch in Qingpu County and call it Qingpu Class."

After he finished speaking, Mr. Lin laughed a few times in self-satisfaction, but his attendants had no idea what was so funny and could only smile foolishly along with him.

After entering Huating County, Feng Shike reported the final itinerary plan to Mr. Lin like a secretary general.

"After entering Songjiang Prefecture, go to the Minglun Hall of the Prefecture School"

"Wait!" Lin Tailai raised his hand to interrupt, "My visit to Songjiang Prefecture this time is a practical trip, and my focus is on the township officials of prominent families.

Although the provincial academy is very important to the local area, is there any practical significance for me to go there? "

Feng Shike explained: "The original intention of the school was to be a place for moral education, but the special thing about our dynasty is that the school system is completely tied to the imperial examination system.

Therefore, the phenomenon of scholars gathering in schools emerged, and the significance of schools has gradually changed in recent decades.

After all, the number of scholars is increasing, but the channels for advancement are still limited, so scholars can only devote more energy and enthusiasm to local affairs.

In our Songjiang Prefecture, the Minglun Hall of the Prefecture School is a place where local scholars actively participate in local affairs, and it is also the center of public opinion on local affairs. "

After listening to Feng Shike’s explanation, Mr. Lin asked, “Why isn’t it like this in Suzhou?
I really haven’t seen any scholars in Suzhou Prefecture School participating in and handling local affairs.”

Feng Shike: "."

Regarding the reason why Suzhou Prefecture School does not have the function of handling local affairs, why don’t you, Lin Tailai, look in the mirror?

The local affairs of Suzhou City are all under the firm control of your Lin Group, and others are still getting involved!
"I have no questions about going to Songjiang Prefecture School. Please continue!" Lin Tailai urged.

Feng Shike then reported: "As for the rural officials in Songjiang Prefecture, the first one to be contacted must be the Xu family."

The family of Grand Tutor Xu is the same Xu family as the former Prime Minister Xu Jie. After Xu Jie passed away six years ago, he was posthumously awarded the title of Grand Tutor by the court.

Therefore, at this time, the people of Songjiang Prefecture called Xu Jie "Grand Tutor Xu", and the Xu Mansion was also verbally referred to as the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Today, the Xu family is still the largest family in Songjiang Prefecture, without a doubt.

Feng Shike said: "You have a good relationship with the Xu family. After all, when you were in the capital, you avenged the great-grandson of Grand Tutor Xu."

This is about Xu Youqing, the eldest great-grandson of Xu Jie, who was bullied by Xing Shangzhi, the steward of Zhang Jing, the governor of the Eastern Depot, when he was working as a minor official in the capital.

At that time, Xu Jie had already passed away. His eldest son and grandson had retired in their hometown, and his great-grandson Xu Youqing was just a young official who had just been appointed by the emperor. His connections could not do anything to Zhang Jing, the governor of the Eastern Depot, for a while.

Then, Lin Tailai killed Xing Shangzhi directly in the "Night of Mingdi" in the first half of this year, avenging Xu Youqing and helping the Xu family regain face. Although Lin Tailai wanted Xu Youqing to help contact the Minister of War Wang Yi'e, isn't friendship something that can only be established by helping each other?
Feng Shike added: "Also, the Xu family is planning to move Grand Tutor Xu's Chong'enfang, and would like to ask you to preside over the ceremony and compose a poem to commemorate it.

This is treating you as a top celebrity. Not everyone is qualified to be treated like this by Master Xu's family."

Looking at Feng Shike's extreme envy and admiration for the Xu family, Mr. Lin was very dissatisfied.

After returning to Songjiang Prefecture, Feng Shike's stance was a bit improper.

Thinking of this, Mr. Lin snorted coldly: "What's so great about being posthumously awarded the title of Grand Tutor? I was once called Grand Tutor too!

Besides, as a Nine Yuan True Immortal, I support the Xu family. It is their honor, not mine!"

"Oh, yes, you are right!" Feng Shike is worldly-wise and very understanding of the temper of young people.

Then he continued, "The second person we must contact is the Gu family in Chedun, east suburb of the city."

Chedun Gujia? Lin Tailai, who loved watching movies in his previous life, was only familiar with the first two words, but not the last two.

The most famous Gu family in Jiangnan is all in Kunshan, and there is no record of the Chedun Gu family in historical records.

"Has this Gu family ever produced any great figure above the third rank? Is he worthy of me meeting him as the second person?" Lin Tailai felt that he had encountered a blind spot in his knowledge.

Feng Shike replied, "The previous generation had two Jinshi who were promoted to the position of Director of the Nanjing Ministry of Justice, but the current head of the family is only a student."

Mr. Lin felt that he had discovered the truth: "So the Gu family is your relative? Or is the Gu family the Chedun Film and Television tycoon?"

Unfortunately, the second half of the joke is so uncool that no one can understand it in this era.

Feng Shike quickly replied: "Gu Zhengxin, the current head of the Gu family, once did something great!
He felt saddened by the heavy taxes borne by the people of Songjiang Prefecture, so he donated 100,000 taels of silver and purchased tens of thousands of acres of land in various counties of Songjiang Prefecture, which he then used as charity land!

All the proceeds from the charity fields will be used to help the people pay their taxes, so as to reduce the burden on the people in the prefecture!"

Damn it! Even Mr. Lin, who had seen all the prosperity in the world, was shocked. This was an amazing thing.

Lin Tailai only knew how to work hard in the society back then, and had never thought of this method of controlling the place!
Of course, it was useless to know that because he didn't have 100,000 taels of silver.

The Gu family is really fucking rich! Without borrowing or embezzling, Lin Tailai can't even come up with 100,000 in cash!

Feng Shike felt that it was not easy to shock Lin Tailai once, and said with a smile: "So the Chedun Gu family is very important, but the Gu family also has something to ask of you.

He hopes that you can help their Gu family gain a reputation as a family of scholars."

Mr. Lin frowned slightly and said unhappily, "The Xu family asked me to be their spokesperson, and the Gu family wanted to use me to become famous. I feel like they are trying to gain some fame for me!
You know, over the past few years, I have always been the one using others to gain reputation!"

Feng Shike comforted him, "Things are different now, just get used to it! At least you are still worth being rubbed."

"Is there anyone else?" Mr. Lin stopped worrying about whether he was being taken advantage of and asked again.

Feng Shike continued, “The third person we must contact is the old man of the Lin family, Lin Jingyang.

This person was promoted to the third rank of Nanjing Imperial Household Department Minister. After returning to his hometown, he was enthusiastic about public welfare, actively participated in local affairs, and had a great influence. "

Mr. Lin understood immediately that this was the old cadre who always wanted to make use of his remaining energy after retirement.

Feng Shike warned: "You must not underestimate Lin Taigong. In the past, a governor wanted to levy an additional 1 tael of silver for every 70 mu of land in Songjiang Prefecture to assist in labor service, but it was because of Lin Taigong's opposition that the plan was abandoned.

Another time, the imperial court considered changing Jinshanwei in Songjiang Prefecture to Jinshanzhou.

Lin Taigong believed that this would lead to an increase in the number of government offices and officials, and increase the burden on the people of the prefecture, so he strongly opposed it. In the end, the matter of changing Jinshanwei into a prefecture came to nothing.

I heard that this time, Mr. Lin also opposed the dredging project of the old course of Wusong River. "

A retired cadre who always opposes? Lin Tailai sneered, "Opposition doesn't matter. The key is whether he is simply opposing or trying to gain benefits through opposition."

"How can outsiders know?" Feng Shike didn't know what to say.

Lin Tailai turned to the Zhang brothers, his left and right guardians, and ordered, "Send someone to the residence of this Grandpa Lin immediately to survey the terrain and layout of his house!"

Feng Shike was horrified and quickly stopped him, saying, "Don't! Don't! Grandpa Lin and Grand Tutor Xu's eldest son Xu Fan are in-laws, which means that his only son married Grand Tutor Xu's granddaughter!"

For people like this who have a strong network of connections, we cannot use decapitation operations or physical elimination!

After thinking for a while, Mr. Lin ordered his men, "Go investigate first. It's better to be prepared!"

Even if you are holding a carrot in one hand, you cannot let go of the stick in the other hand.

(End of this chapter)