Daming talker

Chapter 540 Before the Summon

Chapter 540 Before the Summon
In this spring season when flowers are blooming, Hanlin scholars especially like to gather in the Keting in the backyard to exchange ideas on work and academic matters.

When the mood strikes, they would temporarily turn it into an elegant gathering, drink some wine, and often recite poems and compose essays.

Today, a dozen top Hanlin scholars including Chen Yubi, Tian Yajun, Huang Fengxiang, Feng Qi, and the Right Vice Minister of Rites and Hanlin Academician in charge of Hanlin Academy are gathered in Keting to discuss the issue of compiling the emperor's lecture notes.

The so-called top Hanlin is a senior Hanlin who can be called a "Bachelor".

Although the imperial lectures would be stopped by the emperor every time and had actually come to a halt, the Hanlin Academy still had to continue compiling lecture notes and presenting them.

This kind of formalism may be the last stubbornness of the Hanlin scholars.

The scholars were talking happily when suddenly Chen Ju, the eunuch in charge of writing in the Imperial Household Department, arrived.

Eunuch Chen glanced at the scholars sitting in the Ke Pavilion and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

If I had the opportunity to study when I was young without having to enter the palace, I might also be sitting here.

The scholars were also a little surprised when they saw Chen Ju.

When eunuchs came to the Hanlin Academy, they were usually there to convey an imperial decree. The higher the eunuch's rank, the bigger the matter.

This time, a eunuch from the Imperial Household Department came. No one knows what has happened. Could it be that the emperor has come to his senses and is planning to reopen the imperial lectures?
Eunuch Chen nodded to Chen Yubei, the head scholar, and said calmly, "Pass the order! Is Lin Tailai, the editor of the Hanlin Academy, here? I didn't see him in the Champion Hall just now."

The scholars were in an uproar. The emperor actually sent a eunuch from the Imperial Household Department, who was equivalent to a grand secretary, to convey the emperor's orders to Lin Tailai?

Isn't this a bit too high? Even if Lin Tailai were to join the cabinet, the standard would not be much higher than this!
Scholar Tian Yijun stepped forward and said, "After Lin Xiuzhuan gave a speech to the new recruits this morning, he seemed to have gone to the Ministry of War."

Chen Ju was speechless. What kind of Hanlin was this? He was running around all day long.

Then Eunuch Chen said, "Call Lin Tailai back to receive the order!"

Seeing that it seemed to have nothing to do with them, the scholars watched Eunuch Chen from a distance and whispered to each other.

It was strange no matter how you looked at it, for a eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department to convey imperial orders to a "middle-level" bureaucrat like Lin Tailai.

Eunuch Chen knew that he had condescended and might have aroused suspicion from the Hanlin Academy, but he couldn't explain it clearly for the time being.

The emperor's decree was to "summon the four grand secretaries and Lin Tailai." The "four grand secretaries" were of high status, so Chen Ju, the eunuch in charge of writing, undertook the task of running errands and conveying the emperor's decree as a sign of respect.

As for the attached "He Lin Tailai", the eunuch Chen who was responsible for conveying the imperial edict could only run errands together.

In the front yard of the Ministry of War, people who came to do business were coming in and out, and it seemed that business was very busy.

Of course, there were also idle yamen workers like Lin Tailai, who squatted under the eaves with a few servants, as if waiting for something.

After an unknown amount of time, Zheng Guotai, the younger brother of the most favored concubine in the harem, Concubine Zheng Guifei, who was respected as the King's Uncle, was seen coming out of the inner courtyard of the Ministry of War in a unhappy mood. It was obvious that things were not going well for him.

A few months ago, Zheng Chengxian, the father of the prince, died. Zheng Guojiu was thinking about inheriting his father's position as a first-rank governor.

But unfortunately, I was rejected again by the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War today, and they even refused to submit a memorial for approval.

When Lin Tailai saw Zheng Guojiu, he stood up quickly as if he had seen prey.

According to the intelligence received from the Ministry of War this morning, the emperor's uncle Zheng Guotai came to the Ministry of War again, so he is here just to provoke Zheng Guojiu!

He, Lin Tailai, wants to announce to the entire capital - the personal feud between me and the Zheng family is irreconcilable, so I cannot possibly support Concubine Zheng's third son!

In the great catastrophe of the country, whoever dares to attack me, Lin Tailai, is a scum of the civil officials who support the Zheng family!
In the blink of an eye, a figure suddenly rushed out before Lin Tailai.

It turned out that this was a young official. He pointed at Zheng Guojiu and scolded him loudly, even almost insulting him.

"Zheng Guotai! Your family has been deeply blessed by the country and has made great contributions to the country. You should be content with your salary-earning position. How dare you be greedy and still want more!"

Lin Tailai looked at all this in surprise. Could it be that someone had the same idea as him and was waiting here to "swipe" Zheng Guojiu?

The young official turned around and looked at Lin Tailai with a slightly smug look.

Now Lin Tailai recognized him. This person turned out to be Xue Fujiao!
One of the Eight Gentlemen of Donglin in history, the grandson of Gu Xiancheng's teacher, and a Jinshi who was on the same list as himself last year!

Lin Tailai understood instantly that he had created hatred on the Zheng family too many times, and his tactics had been seen through and predicted!
Therefore, Xue Fujiao from the opponent's camp also came over to ambush Zheng Guojiu to counter him and weaken the effect of using the hatred of the Zheng family as a talisman!

What's even worse is that I was unintentionally beaten to the punch by someone else! If I try to swipe Zheng Guotai now, the effect will probably be greatly reduced.

Thinking of this, without any time to think about it, Lin Tailai had to rush out and shouted to Zheng Guojiu:

"According to the rules, the imperial concubine's family should not be given the title of governor-general. Your father was given the title because of the emperor's special favor!
What's more, your father Zheng Chengxian is a treacherous person who is eyeing the successor. He has frequent contacts with eunuchs and has made friends with hermits, sorcerers, monks and the like. His intentions are sinister!

So your father's death as a governor and vice governor is already a stroke of luck, and you actually want to inherit the position, which is even more wishful thinking!"

Xue Fujiao, who had gained the advantage first, was secretly feeling proud of himself, but at this moment he could not help but be shocked. You, Lin Tailai, even spared no dead person!

I was only criticizing Zheng Guotai himself, but you, Lin Tailai, started scolding Zheng Guotai's father directly!

Although Lin Tailai fell behind in the competition to mock the Zheng family, he still gained the upper hand with his strength!
As soon as he walked out of the lobby of the Ministry of War, Zheng Guojiu was raped over and over again, looking confused.

Is this brother of the favored imperial concubine a fake? Does anyone dare to step on him?

At that time, there was a man named Gu Yuncheng, who was the younger brother of the star official Gu Xiancheng. His essay in the palace examination offended Concubine Zheng, and he was finally stripped of his clothes and banished back to his hometown!
Zheng Guojiu's followers had to rush forward because of their duty when they saw their master being humiliated!

Xue Fujiao's two fists were no match for the multiple attacks, and he was hit by a barrage of punches and kicks in an instant, looking miserable.

Lin Tailai knocked down four or five people one by one with his punch, and even managed to distract himself and shout, "My hatred for your Zheng family is as deep as the sea, and we cannot coexist!"

Such a farce occurred in the front yard of the Ministry of War, and a large number of guards from the Ministry of War immediately rushed out and surrounded Lin Tailai.

Shi Xing, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, personally stepped forward to suppress the rebellion. At a glance, he knew who the culprit was as long as Lin Tailai was present, so he shouted sternly:

"Lin Tailai! How dare you disturb the important military base! I can't let you go easily today, no matter how hard anyone tries to intercede. I, Shi Xing, said so!"

Lin Tailai had a plan in place and was just about to say something harsh like "Does your Ministry of War want to protect the Zheng family?"

At this moment, someone suddenly stood at the gate and shouted, "Lin Xiuzhuan! Eunuch Chen, the imperial eunuch, wants you to go back and receive the imperial edict!"

Shi Xing: “.”

Oops! I just said too much. What should I do now?
Lin Tailai did not argue with Shi Shilang. As he walked out, he said to the guards of the Ministry of War, "Make way! I will go back to receive an imperial decree first!"

Getting out of the Ministry of War went more smoothly than expected, and Lin Tailai was in a good mood and returned to the Imperial Academy happily. In the suspicious eyes of the Imperial Academy, Eunuch Chen finally revealed the answer to the mystery and said to Lin Tailai: "The Emperor has ordered you to come to the palace to see the Emperor tomorrow!"

What? Lin Tailai was shocked. He was totally unprepared. He had never thought that he would be summoned.

As far as he could remember, there were two or three records of Emperor Wanli summoning cabinet ministers after he had given up on politics, and each time there were special reasons.

One of them did happen this year, but the records don't say that another little Hanlin would be added.

When the other Hanlin scholars heard the content of this decree, they were even more shocked than before!
The emperor hid in the deep palace, and the ministers had not seen him for another year. Even the ministers in the Hanyuan could not see his face!

It can be said that the sky is high and the curtains are far away, and the emperor’s palace is thousands of miles away!

However, this time the emperor took the initiative to summon Lin Tailai, which shocked others.

After Eunuch Chen delivered his decree, he was about to turn around and leave, but the head of the Hanlin Academy, Chen Xueshi, stepped forward and asked, "Did the emperor only summon Lin Tailai?"

Eunuch Chen replied: "There are still four grand secretaries!"

Four Grand Secretaries and Lin Tailai? This combination made the Hanlin scholars feel unwilling and confused. Everyone was thinking, why did Lin Tailai come here?
This combination can be four university scholars and the Minister of Personnel, four university scholars and the Minister of Rites, four university scholars and the President of the Hanlin Academy.
No matter which combination, it looks more reasonable than four grand secretaries and Lin Tailai.

Lin Tailai fell into deep thought and did not even go to the Ministry of Rites. He sat in the Champion Hall of the Hanlin Academy until the end of his get off work day.

He was only thinking about one question: what was the emperor's intention?
Combining historical materials with the current situation, it is relatively easy to guess the emperor's intention in summoning the four grand secretaries.

First, new public opinion questioned the emperor's cold and harsh treatment of his eldest son, and the emperor found it difficult to refute it in his memorial.

So they thought of summoning all the cabinet ministers to give "explanations" and hoped to influence public opinion through their mouths and eliminate this kind of public opinion in a relatively soft way.

Second, the emperor was annoyed by the repeated harassment over the past year regarding the foundation of the country.

So he thought of personally observing the attitudes of the cabinet ministers to see whether they were willing to act as a firewall to help him suppress or guide public opinion. It would be even better if they were willing to directly support the third prince.

Then the more crucial question is, what was the emperor's intention in summoning Lin Tailai?
There is no such incident in historical records, and there was too little contact with the emperor and a lack of sample analysis, which makes it really hard to guess.

After thinking it over again and again, Lin Tailai could only guess that the emperor might be trying to "win over" him.

It is just like when the emperor wanted to settle accounts with Zhang Juzheng, he deliberately promoted Li Zhi, Yang Keli and Jiang Dongzhi, three anti-Zhang Juzheng crazy people with super action ability.

And my current characteristics are super strong action and huge lethality.
Apart from that, it’s hard to guess anything else, we can only take it one step at a time.

The next day, before daybreak, four eye-catching figures stood outside the right gate of the imperial city of Chang'an. They were the four grand secretaries.

Since you have been summoned by the emperor, you must go to the palace as early as possible to wait for the audience. You can't let the emperor wait for the ministers, right?

After a while, when it was almost dawn, another tall and strong young figure appeared outside the doorway.

"Good morning, teachers and seniors!" Lin Tailai, editor of the Hanlin Academy and doctor of the Ministry of Rites, greeted the grand secretaries enthusiastically.

Teacher refers to the tutor of Xu State, and the title of senior refers to the rules for poets, who get along with each other as seniors and juniors.

The looks that the various university scholars gave Lin Tailai were all very different and magical.

Shen Shixing was also unsure in his heart. As the Prime Minister, he was definitely the one with the heaviest responsibility, and what he said would definitely appear in the official records in the future.

At this time, Prime Minister Shen subconsciously wanted to talk to Lin Tailai, perhaps to get some reference, or perhaps to relieve his mood.

But when he looked up, he saw Lin Tailai with his hands in his sleeves, standing respectfully behind the deputy minister Xu Guo.

"What are you doing there?" asked Prime Minister Shen.

Lin Tailai replied: "If a teacher is present, then one must serve the teacher with respect as a disciple."

Xu Cifu: “.”

How dare you remember the disciple's etiquette at this time? How come you didn't remember the disciple's etiquette when you were dominating Yangzhou?
When you labeled Wang Daokun a traitor in the literary world, why didn't you remember the etiquette of being a disciple?
Seeing Lin Tailai standing next to Xu Guo, Prime Minister Shen felt uncomfortable no matter how he looked at him, so he waved his hand and said, "Lin Jiuyuan, come here! I have a few words to ask you!"

Lin Tailai seemed to be serious about this and asked Xu Guo for instructions, saying, "I dare not leave without the teacher's permission. Please allow me to go."

Xu Cifu felt disgusted, but he said calmly, "No."

Let's disgust each other. Who's afraid of who?

"Yes, sir." Lin Tailai did not resist, and stood still, watching his heart and his eyes.

After daybreak, all the city gates opened.

The four grand secretaries and Lin Tailai walked into the right gate of Chang'an, and then continued through Chengtian Gate, Duanmen Gate, and Wumen Gate.

He walked all the way to the Huangji Gate outside the three main halls and continued to wait at the east corner gate of the Huangji Gate.

This is a default node. In many cases, imperial edicts, waiting for imperial edicts, and delivering memorials are all handed over at the East Corner Gate.

If there is no special mission or etiquette, ministers generally do not cross the East Corner Gate and enter the three main halls under normal circumstances.

After waiting for a while, the eunuch Chen Ju from the Imperial Household Department came out and said to everyone, "The Emperor is visiting the Yude Palace. Please follow me."

Then Chen Ju led the four grand secretaries and Lin Tailai through the three main halls and arrived at the Qianqing Gate.

Behind the Qianqing Gate is the real inner palace. Without special decree, ministers with official handles are absolutely forbidden to enter.

Throughout the Ming Dynasty, it was rare for ministers to enter the Qianqing Gate. Usually, it was only when the emperor passed away that the ministers went to the Qianqing Palace to attend the funeral.
The Qianqing Gate was guarded by the imperial guards affiliated with the Imperial Stables. Even if a minister was allowed to enter by imperial decree, he had to undergo a body search here to ensure the absolute safety of the inner palace.

The search revealed something: someone was wearing armor underneath his wide official robe.

It's just that because the person is originally big and the official robe he wears is also very loose, it is difficult to see if you only look at the appearance.

The guards at the gate were speechless. This was simply outrageous.

"The armor is not offensive at all and is not dangerous at all." Lin Tailai tried his best to explain to Chen Ju: "Besides, this is armor bestowed by the emperor. It has a special meaning and is equivalent to a formal dress."

Eunuch Chen: “.”

(End of this chapter)

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like