Daming talker

Chapter 543 Ming Pill!

When the emperor consulted his cabinet ministers, he would usually start with the prime minister and then go down in order.

But today was an exception. The emperor first asked the last of the four ministers, Wang Jiaping, and after Wang Jiaping made his position clear, he asked Xu Guo and Wang Xijue.

Finally, through the attitudes of the other three cabinet ministers, he forced the Prime Minister Shen Shixing to do so.

At this time, Emperor Wanli said to Prime Minister Shen: "I also know that Lin Tailai was a guest of Shen's mansion before he won the first place in the imperial examination, so Mr. Shen may not be easy to talk to.

If Mr. Shen intends to avoid suspicion, it is human nature and I can understand it. "

Shen Shixing was silent for a moment, feeling that he had faced the most difficult decision in his life.

Now the emperor's intention is very clear. He uses concessions on the issue of national foundation as bait to induce the cabinet to collectively give up their protection of Lin Tailai.

Under normal circumstances, no matter what the relationship with Lin Tailai is, as a civil servant, at this time, you must support Lin Tailai.

The reason is simple. If you don't support Lin Tailai this time, you may be the one who gets beaten up when you enter the palace next time.

But if giving up Lin Tailai could get the emperor to make concessions on the issue of national foundation, that would be very attractive.

From a public perspective, the issue of the country's foundation has been controversial for four years and has been a source of worry for civil officials and ministers.

The cabinet, sandwiched between the ministers and the emperor, was even more annoyed by this.

It feels like there is a sword hanging over your head. Who doesn't want to solve the problem once and for all?
Personally speaking, if any Grand Secretary could push for the resolution of the country's fundamental problems, even if it meant sacrificing Lin Tailai, his prestige among officials would surely increase greatly, and he might even surpass the Prime Minister.

After all, the Prime Minister has a special relationship with Lin Tailai, and he is inherently at a disadvantage when it comes to the Lin Tailai issue, unless the Prime Minister treats Lin Tailai more harshly than others.

What's more, if you already have a grudge against Lin Tailai, then it would be a win-win situation.

It can be said that the emperor's approach was very clever and was definitely the result of the wisdom of the eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department.

At this time, everyone looked at Prime Minister Shen, waiting for his statement.

Finally, Prime Minister Shen sighed and replied to Emperor Wanli: "Your Majesty is right. I should avoid suspicion when it comes to matters involving Lin Tailai."

He couldn't let Shen Shixing take advantage of Lin Tailai's misfortune.

First, he is not so cruel. Second, the interests of the Shen family and Lin Tailai are too closely tied together. If he turns against Lin Tailai, the losses will be huge.

However, it would be unrealistic and irrational to try hard to defend Lin Tailai.

Because doing so will not be able to save the situation, and it is possible that one will suddenly lose the position of Prime Minister when he is not prepared, which may lead to more serious consequences.

In addition, Prime Minister Shen always felt that the emperor would not give in so easily, and the seemingly sweet bait might actually be a trap.

So we can only quote the saying "avoid suspicion" and stay out of it.

After finishing speaking, Shen Shixing deliberately glanced at Lin Tailai, only to find that Lin Tailai's expression was still very calm, except that his eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about something.

Many people expected the Prime Minister's statement. After all, this is indeed the Prime Minister's usual style and habits.

At the same time, the Prime Minister’s statement also disappointed many people. Why didn’t Prime Minister Shen support Lin Tailai?

Seeing this, Emperor Wanli did not force Shen Shixing to do anything, but instead shouted at the ultimate target, Lin Tailai:

"Lin Tailai! All the gentlemen have found you guilty! Are you willing to plead guilty?"

As a person involved, Lin Tailai is more sensitive than others.

From the emperor's words, I could vaguely feel that the emperor's attitude towards me did not seem as malicious as it seemed on the surface.

If the emperor, who is supreme and has the power of life and death, really wants to convict someone, he can just arrest him directly.

There would be no nonsense like "Are you willing to plead guilty?" If the emperor wanted to punish someone, did he need to follow the law? And did he need a confession?
When in the presence of the emperor, one is generally not allowed to speak without authorization unless the emperor calls upon you or asks you a question. Otherwise, it would be considered impolite and disrespectful to the emperor.

Therefore, when the emperor was questioning the ministers one by one, Lin Tailai had to hold back no matter how much he wanted to say.

Finally, Lin Tailai was able to speak and said to the emperor:
"I have failed to live up to your grace and have committed serious crimes. I have no right to defend myself, but I have something to ask you, the elders. I beg your Majesty to grant me permission!"

Emperor Wanli weighed it in his mind and said, "Okay!"

I feel that this would be a good thing for promoting a break between Lin Tailai and cabinet ministers and even civil servants.

Lin Tailai turned to Xu Guo and Xu Cifu and said, "A year ago, it was you, teacher, who pointed me out and enabled me to enter the court.

You can also say, teacher, you are just a passerby in my court."

If it wasn't for the need to maintain his image in front of the emperor, the irritable Xu Ci Fu would have definitely yelled, "Fuck you, guide! We don't even know each other!"

Lin Tailai continued, "Today I have been in great trouble because I offended the Zheng family. Could it be that the teacher really has the heart to abandon the teacher-student relationship and sit back and watch me being punished?"

Hearing Lin Tailai's words, Xu Cifu wanted to get angry, but he suppressed his anger and said, "In the ethics of heaven and earth, the righteousness between the ruler and the subject is greater than the righteousness between the teacher and the student.

The fundamental issue of the country now is the righteousness between the ruler and his subjects. In order to fulfill the righteousness between the ruler and his subjects, I can only abandon the righteousness between teacher and student. From now on, we are no longer friends!"

Then Lin Tailai turned to the Third Assistant Wang Xijue and pleaded, "I and your Excellency are both from Suzhou Prefecture, so we have a fellow countryman relationship. Moreover, I was a classmate of your son at Suzhou Prefecture School for several months.

Do you think you will abandon your fellow townsmen and watch your fellow townsmen suffer because of offending the Zheng family?"

Wang Xijue answered very openly: "The way of a minister is to put public affairs first and private affairs second. Hometown friendship is a private relationship, how can it affect public affairs?"

Lin Tailai also said to the Fourth Assistant Wang Jiaping: "Others say that you are the most fair in dealing with things and are never partial or biased.

But today I was convicted because of the Zheng family, and you are the first to initiate the punishment. Where is justice?"

Wang Jiaping responded: "Confucius said to become a martyr, Mencius said to pursue righteousness, abandoning the small path and taking the big path is the true justice!

"It is obvious which is more important, which is bigger, which is smaller, between the country and you!"

They are indeed the top figures among the civil officials. Each of them can make their own logic, and they can justify themselves even if they betray others.

“Hahahaha!” Lin Tailai suddenly laughed out loud. “I, Lin Tailai, only regret that I should have kept Zhang Jing until today and colluded with the Zheng family earlier. I would have saved myself from having to face the mean faces of the three elders!”

Most people were puzzled and didn't know why Lin Tailai suddenly mentioned the original factory owner Zhang Jing and the Zheng family.

In fact, Lin Tailai had no other intentions. He just used Yongdou Zhang Jing and Zheng Jia as his background to express his anger at being betrayed.

Later, Lin Tailai said to Emperor Wanli: "Justice is in the hearts of the people. If I confess my guilt to Your Majesty, I am afraid that I will put Your Majesty in an unjust position!

Therefore, I dare not confess my guilt to Your Majesty! I would rather ask the three elders to judge my guilt!"

This proposal was very much in line with the thoughts of Emperor Wanli, whose original intention was to use civil officials to discipline civil officials. Then, as the emperor, he could show favor to Lin Tailai and win him over.

Emperor Wanli then issued an order to the three ministers Xu Er, Wang San, and Wang Si: "The three of you should discuss Lin Tailai's crime now and then report it to the emperor!"

The three ministers stood together and discussed for a while, then the fourth minister, Wang, who was the first to advocate the righteous cause, spoke the result and said:

"Lin Tailai came to the palace and committed violence and injured people, disturbing the emperor's presence. He is disobedient and has no respect for his subjects. He should be dismissed from all official positions and stripped of his clothes!"

Lin Tailai laughed again, "A coward like me knows that he is guilty. Why don't you punish me more severely? You don't even dare to beat me with the caning!"

All the ministers said in their hearts, "Pah!" Lin Tailai, don't even think about cheating the imperial caning! No way!

Emperor Wanli was quite satisfied with this and gently said "yes" to show his agreement.

Dismissal from office is good, and deprivation of clothing is also good. If the path of civil servants is blocked, then the only option is to take the path of military officers, right?

When Lin Tailai has lost everything and is in despair, he will be rewarded with a high-ranking official position in the Imperial Guard by imperial decree. Wouldn't Lin Tailai be filled with gratitude?

From now on, it will be a sharp blade in your hand!

At this time, Wang Si, the fourth cabinet minister, hurriedly asked, "Has Your Majesty reached a conclusion on the issue of the country's foundation?"

This is the issue that he cares about most. As long as he can solve the important national issues, he can enjoy the cheers and praises of officials all over the world!
The emperor just hinted and promised that as long as Lin Tailai was sold, he would make concessions on the issue of the national foundation.

This was the "deal" reached between the emperor and his cabinet ministers. Now that their cabinet ministers have sold out Lin Tailai, it is time for the emperor to fulfill his promise.

After a moment's hesitation, Emperor Wanli agreed and said, "My elder brother is weak, and I am hesitant. I will observe him for another year.

If there are no problems by next autumn or winter, then we will proceed with the ceremony of enthroning him!"

All the ministers shouted in unison: "Your Majesty is wise and wise! May the country be stable and peaceful forever!"

The national capital issue has been tormenting everyone for four years!
With the emperor's words, they could walk out of the inner palace with their heads held high.

Having accomplished an important historical mission, they have proved that they are not just people who come to do the work for nothing and can face all the court officials with pride!

At this time of celebration and excitement, a discordant voice that seemed to be from Lin Tailai suddenly rang out:
"Such an important national event can only be announced orally to a few cabinet ministers, which is not entirely satisfactory.

We also request that Your Majesty personally issue an imperial edict to announce the policy to the public at home and abroad so that all officials and civilians will be informed.

In addition, I have the audacity to request that when the Crown Prince is enthroned, the third son of the Emperor be enthroned as a king."

Emperor Wanli: "."

Damn it! Why didn’t I shut up this little bastard just now?
After Lin Tailai finished speaking, he looked at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose.

What he was betting on was that the emperor was fooling people!

It is clearly recorded in historical documents that the dispute over the national foundation lasted from the 14th year of the Wanli reign to the 29th year of the Wanli reign.

In other words, Emperor Wanli spent fifteen years arguing with his ministers over the issue of the crown prince before he had no choice but to "surrender."

This year is only the 18th year of the Wanli reign. How could the emperor, who is still very "spirited", easily compromise and agree to make concessions on the issue of the country's foundation?
So Lin Tailai’s judgment is that it is a delaying tactic and a deception!

As for linking the national foundation issue with Lin Tailai's serious crimes, it may be that he wants to use Lin Tailai's popularity to distract the attention of cabinet ministers.

At this moment, all the ministers suddenly fell silent, waiting for Emperor Wanli to respond to Lin Tailai's call.

They hoped that Emperor Wanli would become furious, kick Lin Tailai out of the Meridian Gate, and then further refine his promises!
But after waiting for a long time, no new words came from the throne.

Faced with the gradually losing trusting gazes, Emperor Wanli had no choice but to forcefully save his dignity by saying:
"There is no need for an imperial edict for now. Just pass it on orally. Your cabinet will just remember it. In the spring and summer of next year, you will start making your own preparations."

The result was counterproductive. After saving the emperor's reputation, the ministers were shocked! Their trust in the emperor was completely gone.
The emperor refused to leave any written evidence, which clearly showed that he wanted to deceive people verbally first and then find an excuse to shirk his responsibility!

As the emperor enjoys supreme privileges, who can force him to fulfill his promise?

The key point is that the emperor refused to even promise to enfeoff his third son as a vassal king!

That means the emperor still has the idea of ​​making the third prince the crown prince! It's bullshit to say that you're giving in on the issue of the country's foundation!
What’s even more ridiculous is that they, a bunch of old bureaucrats in their fifties and sixties, were actually deceived by an emperor who was less than thirty years old!

Could it be that he was confused by the filter of the emperor's profession, and subconsciously felt that the emperor, whose words were as sound as a stick, would not lie publicly?

Damn it! Even the emperor can lie openly. This Ming Dynasty is doomed!

Thinking of this, Wang Si couldn't help but lose his composure in front of the emperor, and angrily scolded: "Lin Tailai is a bastard!"

Lin Tailai: “?”

The emperor deceived you, and you were fooled by the emperor!

You either blame yourself or criticize the emperor, but why do you blame me, Lin Tailai? Where is your face?
So Lin Tailai was not polite and directly retorted: "Wang Si! It was you who betrayed me and convicted me, but now you are insulting me in return. How can that be justified?
You are a prime minister, but you have no manners whatsoever as a minister. You are a disgrace to the civil officials of the Ming Dynasty!"

Prime Minister Shen, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly became active again and shouted at Lin Tailai: "Say less!"

As an old politician who managed to become the Prime Minister, he had to admire Lin Tailai and admit that Lin Tailai's talent was superior to his own and that he had really grasped a brilliant entry point.

In fact, in the hearts of the ministers, the person they hate the most is not the emperor, but Lin Tailai.

Because Lin Tailai, this bastard, is really talkative!

Even if the emperor deceived them, so what?
If Lin Tailai hadn't said anything, even if they knew they were being fooled by the emperor, they could have pretended not to know!

Then they can continue to pretend that they have made significant progress on the issue of the national foundation and announce to the outside world that the dispute over the national foundation has been preliminarily resolved!

In this way, you can still get flowers and applause, and still be praised by officials all over the world!

As for what happened a year later, the responsibility lies with the emperor's change of mind, so they cannot be blamed!
Anyway, they have already got the flowers and applause, so it’s a win-win situation!

As long as you don’t think you are being cheated, then you are not being cheated!

But the possibility of self-hypnosis was exposed by Lin Tailai!

Lin Tailai directly shattered all illusions and exposed the emperor's deception, making it impossible for them to even pretend.

If everyone is drunk and you are the only one sober, then you are the most hateful person!

What’s even worse is that they betrayed Lin Tailai in exchange for the emperor’s concession on the issue of the country’s foundation!
If the emperor's promise turned out to be a lie and a joke, then how would people in the world view them for betraying Lin Tailai and getting nothing in return?

Prime Minister Shen, who stayed out of the matter, was also a little unsure about the situation. He could only say that Lin Tailai was worthy of being scolded by people from both sides.

(End of this chapter)