Daming talker

Chapter 578: Great Changes in the Ministry of Personnel
The Qingliu forces were obviously extremely dissatisfied with the court's recommendation of "Wang Shizhen as the main candidate".

But this is the result that has been drawn through the process. If you want to deny this result, you have to turn the table completely over.

But turning the table over requires courage, the courage to risk everything and die together.

Is it worth dying together with a fifth-rank official?
Secondly, you need strength. If you don't have the strength and just turn the table over, that's reckless and not shameful enough.

The Minister of Works, Song Xun, was not a particularly strong-willed person and was struggling in his heart.

But Sun Yu, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, could not help it. He stood up in anger and questioned Lin Tailai:
"Wang Shizhen and cabinet minister Wang Xijue are both from Taicang, and he and the chief minister are both from Suzhou. Is this appropriate?"

Others looked at Sun Yu in surprise, "Young Master Sun, do you really want to overturn the table?"

The problem of factionalism in the Ming officialdom did exist and was acknowledged in private.

But in most public occasions, it is difficult to say it openly, because everyone may be a member of the local party, and breaking the window paper would be like stabbing oneself.

Logically speaking, Sun Yu, as an old comrade in his sixties, should not be so immature.

But today, maybe he was really angry, his emotions were a little out of control, and he lost his mind out of frustration and helplessness.

It may also be that two or three months ago, Sun Shaositu was beaten up by military officers who believed the rumor of salary cuts, which made him lose face. He had been holding back his anger and needed to vent.

It is unbelievable that the subsequent impact of Sun Yu and Zhao Yongxian being killed by the rapid double team two or three months ago has continued to this day.

Everyone had different thoughts, but Lin Tailai just sneered disdainfully.

Then he shouted, "You, Sun Yu, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, were nominated by Chen Younian, the Doctor of the Ministry of Literature, right?
Chen Younian and you are both from Yuyao County. If you insist on talking about your fellow countrymen, you should first resign from your position as Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue to avoid suspicion!

Shao Bei, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, is also from Yuyao, do you want to depose him as well?
Also, Lu Guangzu and you are all from central Zhejiang. I heard that you, Sun Yu, Chen Younian and Lu Guangzu are known as the Three Sages of Central Zhejiang!

Is Chen Younian's nomination of Lu Guangzu invalid this time? Is your support for Lu Guangzu also invalid?
You should explain your own affairs clearly before you discuss whether others are your fellow countrymen or not!"

Sun Yu: “.”

No one spoke up for Sun Shao Situ. It wasn't because everyone was indifferent, but because Sun Shao Situ's behavior was too stupid, so stupid that it was completely unbelievable and almost mentally deficient.

Lin Tailai was still cursing, "Before you criticize others, check if your own bottom is clean!

Didn't you rely on your father to pass the imperial examination? Now you are old and nothing!"

Sun Yu's face turned red, but he couldn't utter a word.

This is the result of turning the table over without sufficient strength, which is no different from throwing oneself in the face.

Even if you intend to self-destruct, you won't be able to touch your opponent's clothes.

Perhaps Lin Tailai's curse was too harsh, and someone still interrupted indignantly:
"Young people should learn to respect the elderly! Don't insult them for the slightest mistake!"

Lin Tailai said without thinking: "Haven't you heard that Wang Shizhen's eldest son Wang Shiqi recently wrote a letter of breaking off the friendship with Wang Xijue's eldest son Wang Heng?

The relationship between the two families is so bad, and yet some people are still talking about the Erwang folks. Are they trying to put on a farce?
"You are so blind, deaf and blind, you should resign and retire as soon as possible! Don't embarrass yourself in the court!"

At the beginning, Lin Tailai instructed Wang Shiqi to spread the news that Wang Xijue and his son had framed Wang Shiqi for being a scholar.

It is at times like this that it can come in handy to shut others up.

Sun Yu's foolish behavior after he lost his temper wiped out the last bit of courage of the Qingliu forces to overturn the table.

Lin Tailai didn't bother to care what others thought. He waved his hand and announced: "If there are no other opinions, then adjourn the meeting!"

After the two procedures of ministerial discussion and court recommendation, the third step is the imperial judgment.

After the court recommendation was completed, the Ministry of Personnel reported the results to the emperor, with Wang Shizhen as the main candidate, and Lu Guangzu and Wu Shilai as supporting candidates.

In the operating mechanism of the mature period of the Ming Dynasty court, court recommendation was not only a game between ministers, but also a game between ministers and the emperor.

As long as there is no extreme distinction between likes and dislikes, or the emperor does not have a strong desire for control by nature, most of the time, the emperor does not mind the results of the court recommendation.

In the eyes of the emperor in the deep palace, what is the essential difference between Minister A and Minister B?
Therefore, if one wants to implement personnel deployment through court recommendation, the most important thing is not to select the most outstanding and most suitable person, but to select someone who will not disgust the emperor and who cannot be found to have any major faults.

Originally, the most classic court recommendation in the Wanli Dynasty was supposed to take place next year, which was the 19th year of Wanli.

The then Prime Minister Shen Shixing and the Second Prime Minister Xu Guo were both forced to resign because their secret memorials were leaked.

Before leaving, Shen Shixing recommended Zhao Zhigao and Zhang Wei as replacements for the cabinet.

Then the then Minister of Personnel Lu Guangzu jumped out and said angrily: "Cabinet ministers should be recommended by the ministers of the court. How can they be parachuted in from the inner court?"

There is some truth in what he said. It is indeed a bit against the rules for a minister to recommend another minister.

So Emperor Wanli issued an edict, asking the ministers of the outer court to nominate cabinet ministers.

The Minister of Personnel Lu Guangzu presided over the imperial recommendation, and the result of the imperial recommendation was Lu Guangzu himself.
This outrageous result immediately made Emperor Wanli furious, and he immediately ordered the Minister of Personnel Lu Guangzu to get out!

In the end, Zhao Zhigao and Zhang Wei, who were recommended by Shen Shixing, successfully entered the cabinet.

Therefore, the technical content of the court nomination is very high. It is not just about nominating a few people and voting on them. It contains deep psychology and game theory.

The candidate for the Minister of Personnel could only be decided by the emperor himself, so the memorial regarding the results of the court recommendation was placed directly before Emperor Wanli.

"I heard that Wang Shizhen is a literary giant who has served through three dynasties and dominated the literary world for thirty years. What has he been doing in recent years?" Emperor Wanli asked the eunuchs of the Left and Right Imperial Household Departments.

Zhang Cheng, the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department, replied, "I haven't heard of anything being done."

Tian Yi, who had been a garrison eunuch in Nanjing in the past few years, knew a little about it and also replied:
"Every year or two, Wang Shizhen would hold a literary conference in Jiangzuo. He would always argue with Lin Tailai over literary matters, and was so angry with Lin Tailai that he fell seriously ill several times."

The Wanli Emperor, who had been relatively quiet recently and in a good mood, laughed a few times and pointed at the imperial memorial and said, "It sounds less troublesome than Lu Guangzu. OK!"

As soon as the imperial edict came out, the officialdom was in chaos.

Although Wang Shizhen was a literary giant, he was just an old scoundrel in the officialdom.

From any common sense point of view, the old leader Wang and the Minister of Personnel have absolutely no connection at all!
But by going through three formal procedures that could not be more formal, the respected old leader Wang became a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Personnel.

It cannot but be said that it subverts cognition and violates common sense.
What is even more amazing is that the trader Lin Tailai was very disciplined this time and did not use any of those endless tricks.

He did not defeat ten skills with force, nor did he use martial arts to break the law, nor did he spread the truth that he was far ahead, nor did he call on the emperor for help, nor did he use the powerful weapon "Jin Ping Mei".

Lin Tailai got things done within the organizational framework and through organizational procedures.

I wonder if this is a coincidence or a sign of maturity?

Lin Tailai, who was being talked about by others, kept a low profile in the Hanlin Academy, hiding his achievements and fame.

He was twenty-three years old and had been an old bureaucrat who had been in the court for more than a year. He was past the age where he could be complacent.

Dong Qichang and Zhou Yingqiu came to the Zhuangyuan Hall to drink tea and report on the developments in the Hanlin Academy.

Seeing Lin Tailai sitting there in a daze, Zhou Yingqiu asked curiously, "What are you thinking about, Brother Jiuyuan?"

Lin Tailai replied: "The Ministry of Personnel's Examination Department and the Ministry of Rites' Department of Hospitality have been sorted out, and I have extra energy. I was wondering if I should take on more responsibilities?" Zhou Yingqiu: "."

Isn't it enough to hold three positions? Who knows which government office will be the next lucky one?
In fact, it would be better to just take on the cabinet duties and not have to worry about this anymore.

"By the way, Senior Zhong said that we should arrange a time for a gathering," Dong Qichang conveyed.

The "senior Zhong" that Dong Qichang mentioned was Zhong Zhenji, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, who supported Lin Tailai in the last court election.

Many years ago, Zhong Zhengji was the prefect of Songjiang Prefecture and presided over the prefectural examination.

The young Dong Qichang, who could have gotten first place in the exam, was demoted to second place by Prefect Zhong because his handwriting was so bad.

Only then did Dong Qichang work hard and start practicing calligraphy, which can be considered a great story in literature and art.

"There are a lot of people who want to meet me right now." Lin Tailai sighed, and then asked Zhou Yingqiu, "What do you think?"

After a brief thought, Zhou Yingqiu replied, "Minister Zhong, yes.

He is from Jiangxi. Although there are many Jiangxi officials in the current court, there is a lack of top leaders, so he has no better people to rely on and be won over.

Secondly, Minister Zhong is a senior figure from the 38th year of Jiajing, and Brother Lin lacks such seniority around him now.

If you don’t prepare in advance, you may not have anyone to use when you are faced with a hasty competition for qualifications.”

So Lin Tailai said to Dong Qichang: "Then you go and make the arrangements! You can try to develop Minister Zhong!"

After sending Dong Qichang and Zhou Yingqiu away, Lin Tailai continued to be in a daze.

Wang Shiqi, the head of the Ministry of War, came over again and asked, "Shi Xing, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, invited me to have a few drinks tonight. Do you want to go?"

Lin Tailai: "."

It's just a small matter, and you're bothering me?
"Just make the decision on your own. There's no need to ask me!" Lin Tailai held his temper and showed some respect to his son, who was about to take up the post of the official in the Ministry of Personnel.

After that, Lin Tailai continued to keep a low profile in the Hanlin Academy. He did not go to the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel today as he did not want to show off in front of others.

As the sun sets, it is almost time to get off work.

Lin Tailai stood up, called the servants outside the door, and prepared to go home.

At this moment, Wang Shiqi, the head of the Ministry of War, was seen running over in a hurry.

For the first time, Lin Tailai intuitively felt that the distance between the Ministry of War and the Hanlin Academy was a bit close.

Wang Shiqi shouted in panic: "Someone invited me to have a few drinks tonight! I came here to ask for your advice!"

Lin Tailai said impatiently: "Didn't I tell you before that you can make the decision on this matter yourself! You don't have to ask me about everything!"

Wang Shiqi continued, "But this time it was the Prime Minister who invited me!"

Lin Tailai was stunned for a moment. Could it be that Prime Minister Shen wanted to poach his people?

Then he regained his composure and said, "Even if it's the Prime Minister who invited me, there's nothing to be surprised about!

In my eyes, it is still a small matter! You can go or not! Anyway, this is how I always treat it! "

Wang Shiqi added: "In fact, not only the Prime Minister, but also the Second Prime Minister Wang Xijue has come to invite us!"

Lin Tailai couldn't help but sigh: "The water is too deep here, you can't control it yourself, so I'd better go with you."

Wang Shiqi nodded and said, "That's what I mean."

Lin Tailai nodded and said approvingly, "Very good, it seems that your awareness is improving very quickly.

I have passed the preliminary examination and have the qualifications to formally join the Renewal Society."

After the drama of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Heaven ended, the court became much duller, because there were not many major events that could move people's hearts more than the competition for the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Heaven.

Although the Ministry of Personnel is also short of people for the Left Vice Minister, they are not on the same level as the Ministry of Personnel's Tianguan.

The emperor did not use any of the candidates nominated by the Ministry of Personnel, but unexpectedly chose Liu Yukui, the Chancellor of the Imperial Household, as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

This unexpected candidate has sparked many versions of speculation among the public.

Everyone suspected that Liu Yukui, who was also from Shanxi, was secretly recommended by Wang Jiaping.

Some people say that the emperor did this for political balance.

The choice of Liu Yukui can balance Shen Shoufu in the cabinet, balance Lin Tailai in the Ministry of Personnel, and also take the balance between the north and the south into consideration, which can be said to kill three birds with one stone.

Others said that the emperor used the practice of purging the officials of the Zhanshi Mansion to hint to the Chinese and foreign countries that he would not establish the Crown Prince's Palace.

Lin Tailai, an official of the Ministry of Personnel, submitted a memorial to protest the appointment of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, claiming that according to convention, poets could not be directly transferred to become officials of the Ministry of Personnel, and requested that Your Majesty revoke the order.

As a result, Lin Tailai was severely reprimanded by Emperor Wanli and finally stopped.

The structure of the Ministry of Personnel, which has been in place since the 12th year of Wanli, has completely changed.

Over the past six years, no matter how the political climate has changed, the Ministry of Personnel has always been like this—

The good-natured official Yang Wei obeys the Prime Minister's orders. The middle-level Lang Office is completely controlled by the Qingliu, and the two vice ministers are just there to do the supporting roles.

But now the Ministry of Personnel has changed, and the chief official has been replaced by old bastard Wang.

No matter who Wang Laohunzi listens to, he will definitely not obey the Prime Minister completely like Yang Wei did in the past.

Lin Tailai broke the monopoly of the Qingliu forces on the middle-level offices of the Ministry of Personnel and had already established his own position.

After Chen Younian, the Selectman, leaves his post, I'm afraid there will be no one in the middle-level Lang Office of the Ministry of Personnel who can stop Lin Tai from coming.

The presence of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who has been playing a supporting role for most of the past six years, will definitely be greatly enhanced after Liu Yukui takes office.

After all, Liu Yukui was responsible for maintaining political balance.

Seeing the tremendous changes in the structure of the Ministry of Personnel, many people have a feeling that a new era is about to begin.

In the blink of an eye, it is June, the hottest season of the year.

But even in such a season, there are people who endure hardships, drag their old and frail bodies, and rush to work with a passion hotter than the scorching sun.

"What? Mr. Wang Tianguan has arrived in Tongzhou and will go to Beijing tomorrow?" Lin Tailai was shocked when he heard the news.

It’s only been one month since the imperial edict was sent to Nanjing, and Wang Lao Hunzi has already arrived in the suburbs of Beijing from Nanjing?

Are you traveling day and night? You don't care about your life, do you?

Wang Shiqi added: "My father said that there is no need to bother Jiuyuan to go and greet him. We can meet him when he arrives at the Ministry of Personnel."

Although Lin Tailai was too lazy to move, there would be many officials going to Dongjiao Pavilion to welcome Wang Shizhen tomorrow!
This is the first time in nearly twenty years that the world's literary leader has set foot in the capital, and all those who love literature are looking forward to it!
(End of this chapter)