Daming talker

Chapter 613 Times have changed
The emperor's "handling" of Lin Tailai's contributions naturally has different interpretations in different eyes.

When the cabinet met today to discuss state affairs, Prime Minister Shen Shixing looked dazed the entire time.

He never expressed any personal opinions on any matter and seemed to be in a bad mood.

This surprised the other ministers. Could it be that giving up is also a disease that can be spread from top to bottom?

The deputy assistant Wang Xijue couldn't help but ask, "Is the Prime Minister feeling unwell?"

Prime Minister Shen sighed. One falling leaf heralds the coming of autumn. The cabinet has begun to show signs of being marginalized. Are you big-headed people still unaware of this?

Maybe this is the way the world is. When the moon is full, it wanes; when the water is full, it overflows. The cycle of prosperity and decline is common sense.

A hundred years ago, the power of the cabinet began to grow, reaching its peak during the Jiajing period and reaching its peak during the Zhang Juzheng era.

After Zhang Juzheng, he was still able to maintain the power of the cabinet.

However, he did not see any ability in the people behind him to maintain the power of the cabinet or make it strong again.

Wang Er is a very smart man who always wants to be clever and play tricks on others, but who in the court is not a smart person?
Wang San is a person who doesn't know his own position. You are obviously a cabinet minister assisting the emperor, but you regard yourself as the spokesperson of the Qingliu Party. Your position and consciousness are completely torn apart. Can you do this for long?
Not to mention Zhao Si, who doesn't even have the status of an independent official and is ten years older than himself!
Thinking of this, Prime Minister Shen, who felt a little sad, said subconsciously: "Is there no one in the cabinet to follow?"

Wang Er, Wang San, Zhao Si: “???”

Prime Minister, you suddenly told me in a riddle. What do you want to express?
After Prime Minister Shen came back to his senses, he casually explained: "Last year, Lin Jiuyuan gave a speech at the Hanlin Academy, which was extremely impressive.

He used the literary world to metaphorically describe the political arena, saying that the center was constantly sinking and that the future would be the era of party-society.

Seeing the current situation, I feel that Lin Jiuyuan is right. The future of the cabinet is uncertain."

It may be that Prime Minister Shen’s realm is too high, and the other ministers don’t quite understand the deep meaning of it, but they are too embarrassed to ask for detailed advice, after all, they are all ministers.

So everyone could only pretend to be thoughtful and pretend that they understood.

Prime Minister Shen was too lazy to say anything more. These colleagues couldn't even see the signs of the cabinet being marginalized. What else could he expect?
When Prime Minister Shen returned home, even his eldest son Shen Yongmao could see that something was wrong with his father.

"Father wants to resign again?" Shen Yongmao asked tentatively based on his rich experience.

Shen Shixing glanced at Haodaer and deliberately answered, "So what?"

Shen Yongmao said in surprise: "Now our Xinxin Society is in a very good situation, why is father so depressed again?"

He felt that his father was a bit like the "dead hipster" that Lin Jiuyuan described.

There was no need to worry about talking to his son. Shen Shixing snorted coldly, "The cabinet is about to be marginalized, so why should I stay as the Prime Minister?"

Even most of the cabinet ministers could not see the trend clearly, so Shen Yongmao certainly could not see it clearly. He was at a loss after hearing his father's words.

Shen Shixing wanted to give his eldest son some advice, so he asked, "Who was fighting among the civil officials a hundred years ago?"

Shen Yongmao replied: "It is natural that there is a struggle for power between the cabinet and the six ministries, especially the Ministry of Personnel."

Prime Minister Shen asked again: "Who has been fighting over the past ten years?"

Shen Yongmao replied: "The Qingliu Party, mainly composed of censors and ministers, fought the most with the cabinet."

Finally, Shen Shixing asked, "Who has been fighting for power in the past two years?"

After a moment's thought, Shen Yongmao proudly replied, "The Qingliu Party members, with the censors and officials as the backbone, and Lin Tailai. No, with our Renewal Society!"

Shen Shixing said helplessly: "So you have also seen that the cabinet has unknowingly faded out of the main position in the power struggle.

As the Prime Minister, I and the Cabinet can only be forced to act as mediators time and again. Isn't this marginalization?"

Shen Yongmao had never thought about it from this perspective before, but today his father suddenly enlightened him and he felt that "it's terrifying when you think about it carefully."

Changes happened unconsciously, but I was unaware of it even though I was in the midst of the changes. Is this how small people feel in the great historical era?

Shen Shixing sighed, "Even the emperor has seen it now, so he didn't remove Lin Tailai's part-time jobs. This shows his intentional support.

Perhaps the emperor believes that the rapidly rising Lin Tailai can play a greater role than the cabinet."

Shen Yongmao corrected in a low voice: "It's our Renewal Society."

Speaking of this, Prime Minister Shen became even more depressed. To put it in a disrespectful way, he was like the ruler of a fallen country.

If his successors are characters like Wang Er, Wang San, and Zhao Si, the tradition of the powerful prime minister of the Ming Dynasty may end with him.

Shen Shixing had feelings for the position of Prime Minister. After all, his main position in history books in the future would be Prime Minister.

If the position of Prime Minister becomes rotten in the future, it will also affect the historical evaluation of Shen Shixing.

Shen Yongmao couldn't help but persuade him: "Maybe father is worrying too much, the situation is not that pessimistic."

Shen Shixing asked in confusion, "Why do you say that?"

Shen Yongmao answered with certainty: "Wouldn't it be enough to wait until Lin Tailai joins the cabinet in the future? If Lin Tailai becomes the Prime Minister, it will be just a matter of time before the Prime Minister's power is restored."

Shen Shixing: "."

What the eldest son said makes so much damn sense!

People have different joys and sorrows, but Mr. Shen Yongmao just wanted to pass on the news.

So after his father fell asleep, Mr. Shen hurried out of the door and headed straight for the Lin Mansion.

Even without any lighting, Uncle Shen could skillfully cross two alleys and accurately find the gate of the Lin Mansion.

"My father seems to be homesick again!" Shen Yongmao reported actively after entering the Lin Mansion.

Lin Tailai said "Oh" casually, still absent-minded, as if he didn't take it seriously.

Shen Yongmao then emphasized: "My father seems to want to resign again!"

Lin Tailai looked at Shen Yongmao strangely. It was not like he didn't understand what he heard, so was there any need to repeat it?

Then he replied, "If you want to resign, then do so."

Shen Yongmao was shocked, as if he heard thunder in the middle of the night!
Lin Jiuyuan actually didn't care whether his father stayed or left! Wouldn't his own value be greatly reduced? What should he do?

After thinking for a while, Lin Tailai instructed Shen Yongmao again, "You must comfort your father. If you can handle this huge thunder of the country, then handle it. If you can't handle it, it would be wise to retreat unscathed."

After sending the troubled Shen Yongmao away, Lin Tailai continued to ponder his own problems.

From the emperor's edict of reward, it can be seen that he has truly "passed the test" this time and can continue to do things with ease.

There are two major matters at present. One is the ceremony of presenting prisoners, and the other is the establishment of the Communications Department of the Ministry of War. Both are matters of great concern to the emperor.

As for the possible new climax of the national capital dispute, no one cares! What does it have to do with him, Lin Tailai?
After all, Lin Tailai was a pragmatic official who was not interested in forming cliques. The next morning, when Lin Tailai was about to leave, his left and right guards came to ask where he should go first.

For various reasons, Lin Tailai seldom announces his itinerary in advance, and always makes plans just before leaving on the day.

"Go to the Hanlin Academy first." Lin Tailai ordered.

When he arrived at the Hanlin Academy's Zhuangyuan Hall, Lin Tailai began to concentrate on writing a detailed plan for establishing the Ministry of War's Communications Department.

No one else can write this for me, so I have to do it myself.

Unlike in other government offices, whenever Lin Tailai sat in the Zhuangyuan Hall, his colleagues from the Hanlin Academy would often come to visit him.

In the same year, Dong Qichang was one of the most frequent visitors, but he recently discovered that the situation was becoming increasingly complicated.

It is difficult to chat with Lin Jiuyuan for more than half an hour as before.

You can't blame Lin Jiuyuan for not remembering the past, you can only blame the fact that there are too many slutty women who curry favor with the powerful.

Today Dong Qichang came to the Zhuangyuan Hall again to drink tea. Left Guardian Zhang Wen said to Dong Qichang outside the door: "Master Dong, please wait a moment. It is not convenient to go in now."

Dong Qichang said helplessly: "Who is inside?"

Zhang Wen replied, "It was the dean, Chen Xueshi, who dismissed everyone, including the two old champions Zhu and Tang."

Dong Qichang: "."

Could the situation get any more complicated? Why did Dean Chen come over in person to join in the fun?

In the Zhuangyuan Hall, Chen Xueshi said impatiently: "The censors have started to file petitions to make trouble for the country, why haven't you made arrangements for me yet?
You said you would go to the Ministry of Works or the Ministry of Justice, why is there no movement at all?"

Lin Tailai said calmly: "My name is Lin Tailai, Jinbu, and I am Jibu, a man of my word! I will definitely do what I promised you!"

Scholar Chen asked, "Can you explain how to deal with this matter? That way I can have a clear idea."

After thinking about it, Lin Tailai decided to reveal it to Chen Xueshi so that he wouldn't worry about it. "Didn't I strongly impeach the Left Censor-in-Chief Lu Guangzu and the Minister of Works Song Xun before, and forced them to resign?

Therefore, it is a good thing that someone is causing trouble in the country. The emperor will most likely dismiss one of Lu and Song from office first and divert the firepower of the Qingliu Party to that place.

After all, these two people are high-ranking members of the Qingliu Party, and the Qingliu Party must save them.

I predict that among these two people, the slightly weaker Minister of Works Song Xunxian is most likely to be dismissed by the emperor.

The Minister of Works was dismissed, so there will be a vacancy for the position of Minister of Works. If I push you to the Ministry of Works, who can compete with you in terms of qualifications?"

Mr. Chen was stunned and remained speechless for a long time.

You, Lin Tailai, have impeached so many people before, and attacked the Left Censor-in-Chief Lu Guangzu and the Minister of Works Song Xun until they resigned. You seem to be so cruel, but is this really useful?
No wonder everyone thinks that you, Lin Tailai, are too arrogant. You are a perfect example of “arrogant people will inevitably suffer misfortunes”, but you, Lin Tailai, don’t care at all!

It turns out that the essence of this matter is to provide the emperor with "materials for robbery".

No wonder the emperor was so indulgent towards Lin Tailai, even treating him like a minister and sending eunuchs to consult and question Lin Tailai all over the streets. There was a reason for that.

Scholar Chen vaguely felt that Lin Tailai seemed to be more useful to the emperor than the cabinet at the moment?

But Mr. Chen couldn’t understand why the times had become like this?

If you can't figure it out, just forget about it for now. Chen Xueshi brought up another matter: "Do you have any recommendations for the tutors of the Shujishi?"

Lin Tailai asked: "Can I recommend myself? Actually, I think I am quite suitable."

Bachelor Chen: "."

Stop it! The new people of this generation are all your peers, how can you be a teacher? Wouldn't this generational hierarchy be messed up?
Lin Tailai had no choice but to say, "Then let's ask the cabinet, lest our Hanlin Academy makes decisions on its own and the cabinet will be unhappy. After all, the cabinet is the nominal leader of the Ci Lin."

Chen Xueshi asked tentatively, "What if the cabinet proposes a candidate and you are not satisfied with it?"

Lin Tailai said as a matter of course: "Then please ask the cabinet to change someone. After all, the cabinet is the leader of Ci Lin. We must fully respect the cabinet's opinions and cannot make decisions on our own."

Bachelor Chen: "."

This is so respectful, it's the ultimate respect.

Just a few words can reveal what your mentality is towards the cabinet now, Lin Tailai.

After seeing off Mr. Chen and chatting with Dong Qichang for a few more words, Lin Tailai closed the door of the Zhuangyuan Hall and concentrated on writing a plan to set up the Communications Department of the Ministry of War.

In the afternoon, Lin Tailai was going to work in a different place as per his usual practice. After some consideration, he told his left and right guardians, "Go to Taichang Temple."

Zhang Wen, the left guardian, said in astonishment: "According to Mr. Gu's analysis, isn't your title of Junior Minister of the Ministry of Rites just an empty title?
It's just for the sake of rank and status, just to get a salary. You don't have to worry about the government affairs, so why go to the Taichang Temple?"

"What's the use of an empty title? Do you know what it means to make the empty one real?" Lin Tai said.

Everyone knows that on both sides of the south side of the imperial city, the Qinglong Street District on the east side is the civil government office, where most of the various departments are located; the Baihu Street District on the west side is the military government office, where the Five Military Commissioners' Office and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are located.

There is only one yamen whose location is the most special, and that is the Taichang Temple.

It is not located in the eastern civil service area, but in the west, sandwiched between a bunch of military governors' offices.

The location of Taichang Temple has always been like this, and Lin Tailai doesn’t understand why it was designed this way.

In fact, the political status of Taichang Temple is still very high. Apart from the six ministries, the Censorate, the Dali Temple, and the Tongzhengsi, the Taichang Temple has the highest political status.

After all, the ancients said that "the most important affairs of a country are sacrifices and wars", and the Taichang Temple is the government office responsible for the specific affairs of sacrifices and ceremonies.

Just when Lin Tailai was heading to the Taichang Temple, a series of imperial edicts were issued from the palace.

The emperor had a lot of sensitive memorials piled up before, but today he suddenly issued a lot of them.

The eight censors who impeached Lin Tailai had their memorials all rejected, four of them were transferred out of Beijing, and four were fined.

Sun Jigao, the Junior Secretary, Attending Academician, and Teacher of the Imperial Academy, was transferred to the Nanjing Imperial Academy and took charge of the supervision of the Nanjing Imperial Academy.

Ai Mu, the Minister of the Imperial Household, was ordered to retire due to his old age, stupidity and incompetence, and was granted the rank of fourth grade official.

The Minister of Works, Song Xun, was dismissed from office and ordered to return to his hometown and live in idleness.

After these imperial edicts were issued, the officialdom in the capital was immediately in an uproar.

Although I guessed that the emperor might favor Lin Tailai, I didn't expect him to be so biased!

The Qingliu Party, which had been gaining some momentum in the past year, was hit hard again in an instant!

Lin Tailai only used one title to exchange for so many "heads"!
(End of this chapter)