Daming talker

Chapter 627 Speak freely
Wang Tianguan finished knocking on the two assistant ministers, then waved his hand and said: "It's still these positions. If you have suitable candidates, please speak freely!"

Although at this time, no one except Lin Tailai can speak freely, but no matter what the details are, the scene must be done well.

Liu Yukui, the left assistant minister, said sarcastically: "How can we still have the qualifications to speak freely? Today we are just listening to one person speak freely!"

Everyone probably has similar ideas. What can anyone say today? In the end, we still have to listen to Lin Tailai's nomination.
Wang Tianguan was unhappy. He had just shown an attitude of warning, but Liu Zuotang still dared to do so. It was obvious that he was not willing to accept the warning.

So Wang Tianguan, who was at his wit's end, signaled Lin Tailai with his eyes, indicating that the rest was up to him.

Lin Tailai smiled and said to the Left Assistant Minister Liu Yukui: "Although Mr. Liu's nominations were rejected by the emperor last time, there is really no need to complain. I am still waiting for Mr. Liu to continue to speak freely today."

Liu Yukui did not dare to respond for the time being, so Lin Tailai spoke to everyone again:

"The Minister of Revenue is one of the most important officials, and his qualifications for the position are extraordinary. Will the Right Hall Prince speak first? Please speak freely, and don't feel pressured because your last nomination was cancelled."

The Right Vice Minister Wang Yongji was covered in dust and dirt and was sitting next to Wang Tianguan. He suffered a great blow this time.

Last time, he acted as a pawn of the Prime Minister in a ministry meeting. In the end, not only did he fail in his duty but he also brought shame upon himself, and also implicated the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, He Yishang. How embarrassing it was.

Wang Yongji looked up in surprise when he suddenly heard Lin Tailai calling his name. He was allowed to speak?

Could it be that Lin Tailai has a conscience and no longer wants to have the final say? Should he continue to let them speak freely?

It would be too embarrassing if I didn't dare to speak after being called, so Wang Yongji thought for a moment and said very cautiously:
"Except for the Minister of Personnel, the Minister of Revenue has a higher status than other ministers. The qualifications required to be the Minister of Revenue are very high and are generally limited to three sources.

The first is to be transferred from other Shangshu to the Ministry of Revenue; the second is to be the senior assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue; the third is officials such as the governor of the grain transport system who are closely related to money and grain. "

It's all professional stuff, without any unnecessary emotions.

"Well said!" Lin Tailai praised exaggeratedly, then said loudly: "According to the opinion of the Right Hall Prince, I think it is most appropriate for the Minister of Rites Yu Shenxing to be transferred to the Minister of Revenue."

Wang Yongji: "."

Isn't it a bit redundant for you, Lin Tailai, to specifically allow others to speak freely?

Lin Tailai then asked everyone: "According to the Right Hall Prince, the only people who are qualified to be the Minister of Revenue are other ministers, the Vice Minister of Revenue, and the Governor of the Grain Transport.

Now, there are two assistant ministers in the Ministry of Revenue. The left assistant minister Sun Yu made a mistake last year, which caused unrest among military officers. The last nomination of the right assistant minister Yang Junmin was invalidated. They are both unsuitable!
Zhao Huan, the Fengyang governor and governor-general of the Grand Canal, was promoted from the fourth rank to the third rank only last year. He still has little experience and is certainly not suitable.

So after looking around, it seems that only the Minister of Rites Yu Shenxing is the most suitable person to transfer to the Ministry of Revenue. Is it possible that the Minister of War Wang Yi'e, who is of great importance, should be used?"

Everyone just wanted to say: "Ah, yes, yes, what you said, Lin Tai, is right."

Lin Tailai asked everyone again: "Is there anyone better than Minister Yu?"

Everyone thought about it and felt that if they strictly followed the qualification criteria, it would be difficult to find someone more suitable than Yu Shenxing.

In fact, when selecting officials, most of the time they are not strictly based on the qualifications and requirements and "follow the rules".

But if a powerful person insists on doing things according to the rules, others cannot find fault with it.

Only Wang Tianguan frowned and asked, "Then the position of Minister of Rites is also vacant? Who will be nominated to replace him?"

Lin Tailai turned to the Left Assistant Minister Liu Yukui and asked sincerely, "Would you like to say a few words first, Mr. Zuo Tang Liu? Don't feel pressured, you can speak freely!"

Liu Yukui: “.”

Everyone is already lying down. Can you, Lin Tailai, be a little more simple and rough? Do you have to keep building memorials here?
As I said, if you don’t dare to speak even when you are called out, then you are too cowardly and that is too embarrassing.

So although Liu Yukui didn't want to speak, he still said: "The position of Minister of Rites is extremely noble. One must be a poet, and must be experienced and respected."

Also very professional, no unnecessary emotions at all!

Lin Tailai looked at Liu Yukui, as if he was lost in thought, which made everyone very puzzled.

After a moment, Lin Tailai suddenly slammed the table again and shouted to Liu Yukui: "I figured it out! It turns out that you, Mr. Liu, are the most suitable to be the Minister of Rites!"

Poof! Wang Tianguan, who was drinking tea, couldn't help but spit it out.

Everyone was stunned. Did you, Lin Tailai, really want to kill everyone? And turn the Ministry of Personnel into a family empire?

Lin Tailai continued, "Mr. Liu, you are a poet. You were previously the Chancellor of the Chancellery. You are a top poet with a great reputation!

Besides, Mr. Liu has been in the poetry world for twenty years and has rich experience, so he is the right person to be the Minister of Rites!"

His sincere expression and earnest words showed that Lin Tailai's words were obviously from the heart!
But Liu Yukui seemed to be greatly frightened, staring at him and saying, "I am not worthy!"

How could he give up his good position as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and step into the trap of the Minister of Rites?

Thinking of the powerful voice that Lin Tailai now holds, Liu Yukui became even more panicked.

Lin Tailai was distressed and said to everyone: "Mr. Liu, the left hall master, is a humble man, yet he actually said that he is not worthy.

But it is not easy to find another poet who has higher reputation and more experience than Zuo Tang Liu Gong.

I thought about it again and again, but couldn't think of a candidate. How about asking Mr. Liu to recommend one personally?
After all, Mr. Liu has been in the Cilin for more than 20 years, and he knows more about the situation than me, a newcomer of two years, so please speak freely! "

But Liu Yukui was reluctant. If he recommended someone else to be the Minister of Rites at this time, wouldn't that be making an enemy?

Before the issue of "establishing the Eastern Palace on the winter solstice" was resolved, being the Minister of Rites was like sitting on a fire pit.

Then Lin Tailai added, "If Mr. Liu can't think of a better candidate, then we can only nominate Mr. Liu."

Everyone looked at the Left Vice Minister Liu Yukui with great sympathy, as if they were watching a woman of good character being forced into prostitution.

Who among those who are qualified to be the Minister of Rites is not a potential stock? It can even be said that all of them have the qualifications to enter the cabinet. Lin Tailai is forcing Liu Yukui to offend the potential stocks.

Just now, when Minister Liu of the Left was scolded by Wang Tianguan, he should have accepted his fate, but he was sarcastic. Now it was Lin Tailai's turn to scold him.

Being beaten by Wang Tianguan only involves the face, but being beaten by Lin Tailai will touch the soul!

Feeling helpless after being squeezed out, Liu Yukui angrily said, "Isn't Chen Yubei, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Director of the Hanlin Academy, not good enough?"

Lin Tailai replied, "Back then, you were the director of the Hanlin Academy, and then you went to the Zhanshi Palace as the Zhanshi. Then Chen Yubei took over the directorship after you, and now Chen Yubei's position is also below yours. So according to the rule that poets pay attention to the order of precedence, if there is a chance for Chen Yubei to be promoted to the Minister of Rites, he will have priority after you, unless the emperor appoints him otherwise.

So Mr. Liu, please open your mind and speak freely. Recommend another one, otherwise I will have to nominate you in the end.”

Liu Yukui was helpless and recommended: "How about Huang Fengxiang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Academician? He was the runner-up in the second year of Longqing's reign!"

Lin Tailai was still not satisfied. "Huang Fengxiang's position is far inferior to Chen Yubi's, not to mention you, Mr. Liu!"

Everyone's sympathy for the Left Vice Minister Liu Yukui increased several times, and the four words "speak freely" suddenly became as heavy as a thousand pounds.

If Liu Yukui continued to recommend it like this, I don’t know how many people he would offend.

How could those who were recommended by Liu Yukui not hold grudges in their hearts even if their recommendations were not successful?
At this moment, Lin Tailai seemed to have transformed into a mentor who was patient and instructive. "Mr. Liu, think about it carefully. Is there anyone who has the same position as you, has the same qualifications as you, and has a very strong reputation?
If you really can't think of such a person, then there is nothing you can do but nominate you, Mr. Liu, to be the Minister of Rites."

It seemed as if there was a powerful pressure making Liu Yukui breathless. Was he really going to become the Minister of Rites to offer sacrifices to heaven?
After taking a few quick breaths, he finally thought of someone following Lin Tailai's words and almost shouted, "Luo Wanhua, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in Nanjing!"

Luo Wanhua was the top scholar in the second year of Longqing, and he was in the same class as Zhao Zhigao. His reputation and qualifications were definitely enough! He was currently the left assistant minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Personnel, and his position was equivalent to that of Liu Yukui!
If we have to find someone who is as good as Liu Yukui in every aspect, it would be Luo Wanhua.

Lin Tailai slammed the table and said, "The candidate nominated by Mr. Liu is a good one! I agree. Does anyone object?"

Everyone: "."

It's really hard for you, Lin Jiuyuan. You went through so much trouble to bring Luo Wanhua, who is far away in Nanjing, out to be sacrificed to the gods.

I heard that Luo Wanhua had always been at odds with the cabinet and was sent to Nanjing by Prime Minister Shen.

I'm sure the cabinet will be happy to see such a candidate, right?
Liu Zuoshilang was sweating profusely and slumped in his seat. For some reason, he felt as if he had escaped death.

Previously, he had been working as an official in the Hanlin Academy and the Zhanshi Mansion, where the work was light and the pressure was not that great.

But it was not until today that I personally experienced the dangers of officialdom.

If I hadn't finally reacted just now, Lin Tailai would have really dared to send me to the Ministry of Rites to offer sacrifices to the heavens!

Lin Tailai asked everyone with a smile and in a friendly manner: "After the free speech of the Right Hall Wang Gong and the Left Hall Liu Gong, the nominations for the two ministers of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites were finally finalized.

Regarding the nomination of Minister of Industry, does anyone else want to speak freely? "

Everyone lowered their heads to drink tea, not wanting to be called out.

Only Wang Tianguan met Lin Tailai's gaze and said fearlessly: "After several twists and turns, many nominations have been invalidated, and there are not many qualified candidates left.

I think we need to find a candidate from another source. We can nominate Chen Yubi, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the President of the Imperial Academy, to be the Minister of Works."

A while ago, Lin Tailai revealed to Wang Tianguan the news that Chen Yubi wanted to go to the Ministry of Works, so Wang Tianguan told it.

Everyone was shocked. Although it was an upgrade to send the poet to the Ministry of Works, this operation was indeed a bit rare.

Wang Tianguan’s imagination should not be so rich. This must have been instructed by Lin Tailai, right?

But after Lin Tailai frowned and thought for a while, he said, "The idea of ​​looking for a candidate from another channel is correct, but how can Chen Yubi, a top poet, go to the Ministry of Works?"

Wang Tianguan: “.”

Didn't you, Lin Tailai, say that you would arrange for Chen Yubi to go to the Ministry of Industry? Why are you going back on your word?

It doesn't matter if you regret it, but can you tell him, the Minister of Personnel, in advance so that he won't be behind the latest situation?
Others were all surprised. Lin Tailai was so ruthless that he even attacked his own people? Such an indiscriminate attack was really terrifying.

As others might not be able to guess what he meant, Lin Tailai had no choice but to build momentum and guide the others' thoughts:
“There are no suitable candidates in the court, so we should look elsewhere.

I think we can select the governors and governors-general who have made contributions recently, to show the court’s kindness to the meritorious officials.”

Wang Tianguan quickly answered, "Shaanxi Governor, Anti-Rebellion Governor-General Ye Mengxiong?"

Lin Tailai nodded, "Governor Ye Mengxiong deserves to be promoted to Minister of Industry for his contribution in suppressing the rebellion, right?"

After careful consideration, Lin Tailai decided to place his own people first!
If Wang Situ is not in mourning, it doesn't matter who the Minister of Works is; after Wang Situ is in mourning, it is better to put one of his own people as the Minister of Works, which is safer, so that there will be someone in the senior level of the ministry who can respond to Wang Tianguan.

As for the promise to Mr. Chen, I will just postpone it. Anyway, I didn't promise a time.
The six ministers of the six ministries have the same rank, but the threshold for the Minister of Works is actually the lowest, unlike the other ministers, who have more or less special requirements for their qualifications.

For example, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue were either transferred from other Shangshu or senior vice ministers of the department were promoted.

It would be best if the person in charge of the Ministry of Personnel had a background as a poet, and it would be best if the person in charge of the Ministry of Revenue had served as a governor-general in charge of finances and grain.

Not to mention the Minister of Rites, who must be a poet; the qualifications for the Minister of War are generally limited to the Governor-General of Xuanda or Ji-Liao; the Minister of Punishments is best promoted from a judicial official, but there are many exceptions.

Only the position of Minister of Works has no such threshold. Any governor of the third rank or above who is promoted to the Minister of Works has no qualification issues.

Lin Tailai looked at everyone with dissatisfaction and asked, "Is Ye Mengxiong, the governor of Shaanxi and the governor-general of the anti-rebellion movement, suitable? Please speak freely!
Regarding the nomination of the Minister of Industry, this is the third time recently! We in the Ministry of Personnel cannot make any more mistakes, otherwise it will become a joke! "

Everyone was speechless. Why were the previous nominations always "wrong" and invalidated? Don't you, Lin Tailai, have any idea?
Even Wang Tianguan felt that Lin Tailai was going too far. He coughed, turned to the Minister of Industry, and continued: "Next is the Minister of the Dali Temple."

Everyone subconsciously looked at Lin Tailai, wanting to hear how Lin Tailai, who had so many tricks up his sleeve, could "set the tone".

Lin Tailai was stunned for a moment, his expression extremely surprised, "Why are you looking at me? You don't want to nominate me, do you?
Although I am currently a fourth-rank official, it is too difficult for me to be promoted to a third-rank Dali Temple official. There is a huge gap in qualifications!"

Everyone: "."

Can this be opened properly?
Then Lin Tailai said: "If there is no other candidate, then nominate Yingtian Governor Zhou Jiqian as the Minister of Dali Temple."

After thinking about it, everyone understood that this was Prime Minister Shen's man, so it was considered giving the Prime Minister a little face.

At the same time, Zhou Ji and Lin Tailai have a good relationship and can be considered a candidate acceptable to both sides.

In this way, the positions of Minister of Revenue, Minister of Rites, Minister of Works, and Minister of Supreme Court, which are among the nine ministers, all have candidates.

When everyone thought about it carefully, they found that each candidate was very appropriate, and that they were all arrangements that made sense and were difficult to find fault with.

Generally speaking, it is difficult for someone who is not an old bureaucrat who has been immersed in the court for many years to have such super control and balance skills.

Who would have thought that under Lin Tailai's appearance of subduing people with force, his mind could be so delicate and sophisticated. It's really terrifying!
(End of this chapter)