Daming talker

Chapter 630 Untitled (Part )

As the saying goes, Duke Zhou was afraid of rumors, and Wang Mang was humble before he usurped the throne. Anyway, this is the way the world is.

In the first half of the year, Ye Mengxiong was just a power-grabbing target in Lin Tailai's eyes. How could he be polite to him when he had nothing else to ask for?
But now, Lin Tailai finally realized that he had no one to use. After research, Ye Mengxiong became a small and excellent figure with great value for united front work.

First, this person has a clean background. He was born in a small place in Guangdong and has no obvious factional color.

The most interesting thing is that when Ye Mengxiong was in Shanxi at the beginning of his career, he was very hawkish in foreign affairs and firmly opposed the "Longqing Peace Talks", for which he was demoted once.

Second, he has outstanding abilities. He has worked in Shanxi, Henan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Shandong, Yunnan, Guizhou and Shaanxi, and has been to eight of the thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty.

He often took first place in assessments and rose to the position of governor step by step based on his political achievements.

Moreover, he had lived in border provinces for a long time and had high military literacy. He had written military monographs and was well-versed in firearms and warfare.

Third, he has a good temper. When Lin Tailai looked through Ye Mengxiong's assessment records in previous years, he saw that an old superior had written a comment for Ye Mengxiong saying "he is modest and modest in his achievements."

Combining these three points, and the idea of ​​doing business with the familiar rather than the unfamiliar, Lin Tailai would make every effort to win over Ye Mengxiong, and giving him grand treatment was of course a basic operation.

It was also intended to be seen by outsiders, to clearly inform the officials in the capital who Ye Mengxiong belongs to.

After entering the city, Lin Tailai suddenly said to the others, "I want to send the Grand Marshal to his residence alone. We need to reminisce about the past on the way. Please help me."

The others were tactful and said goodbye and left.

Although Ye Mengxiong had not arrived in Beijing before, the Shangshu's residence had already been arranged by the Ministry of Works.

Lin Tailai also knew the place, so he rode with Ye Mengxiong and said, "I just found out from the list in the Ministry of Personnel that Mr. Ye and the master are of the same age."

Ye Mengxiong: “.”

Lin Jiuyuan, if you don’t know how to say hello, then don’t do it!
What do you mean by mentioning this relationship? Are you calling me your nephew? Wouldn't that make you a smart-aleck Yang Xiu?
Seeing that Lin Tailai had sent the two families' followers far away, leaving only his most trusted left and right guards to guard nearby, Ye Mengxiong quickly took the initiative to find a topic to ask, "Does Jiuyuan have any advice?"

Lin Tailai asked back: "Do you think that I invited you back to the capital just to make you the Minister of Works?"

Ye Mengxiong felt that Lin Tailai's words seemed to be quite meaningful, but he just didn't understand.

What else could I be returning to the capital for if not to become the Minister of Works?
Lin Tailai was about to explain further when suddenly someone blocked his way.

Shen Yongmao shouted to Lin Tailai through several servants, "Lin Jiuyuan! I've been looking for you for a few days! Are you free tonight?"

Lin Tailai pointed at Shen Yongmao and introduced him to Ye Mengxiong, saying, "This is the eldest son of Prime Minister Shen, and he is currently a deputy minister in the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War."

Ye Mengxiong: “.”

Then Lin Tailai said to Shen Yongmao, "The Minister of Works, Mr. Ye, is here! We are going to host a welcoming party for Mr. Ye today. We will have a party at my Lin residence tomorrow night. Come over again!"

After sending Shen Yongmao away, Lin Tailai said to Ye Mengxiong, "Tomorrow night is our little Renewal Society's secret gathering. It will be attended by outstanding people from all over the place. Senior Zhao, the fourth cabinet minister, will also be there. Mr. Ye may as well sit in as an observer."

Ye Mengxiong: “.”

I walked forward again, but just after passing one street corner, I was blocked by someone again.

Lin Tai looked ahead and introduced to Ye Mengxiong, "The person blocking the road is Senior Chen Yubei, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Director of the Hanlin Academy.

He originally wanted to go to the Ministry of Industry and asked me to plead for him, but after careful consideration, I finally gave priority to my senior.

He has been making trouble for me recently, which is really a headache for me."

Ye Mengxiong: “.”

Then Lin Tailai came to the front and, after much persuasion, finally sent Dean Chen away.

Ye Mengxiong felt that although he had just entered the capital city less than half an hour ago, it was really eye-opening.

The force field surrounding Lin Jiuyuan seemed to be able to distort all traditional official rules.

After sending away two groups of people in succession, Lin Tailai seemed to become tired and did not keep the secret any longer. He said to Ye Mengxiong calmly:
"Why did you choose to be the Minister of Works? Mainly because your resume fully meets the requirements for being the Minister of War."

Ye Mengxiong: “?”

I don’t know if I heard it wrong or Lin Tailai made a slip of the tongue, it seemed that he said “Minister of War”?
Then Lin Tailai repeated very affirmatively: "In fact, my original intention was not to invite you to be the Minister of Works, but the Minister of War!"

Ye Mengxiong: “.”

What? Really the Minister of War?

As someone who has just returned to the capital to serve as an official, he needs some adaptation time. He shouldn't be so nervous right away, okay?
Lin Tailai whispered to Ye Mengxiong, "The Grand Marshal Wang of the Ministry of War is old and ill. You should encourage him."

Ye Mengxiong was greatly shocked and didn't know how to respond, so he could only remain silent.

Historically, during the 18th and 19th years of the Wanli reign, there was turmoil in the government and the top leadership was almost completely replaced.

In addition to the great disaster that hit the country, there was also the fact that many important officials died of illness. Ministers such as Wu Shilai, Song Xun, and Wang Yi'e died of illness one after another.

Therefore, Lin Tailai selected Ye Mengxiong as the Minister of Works according to the standards of the Minister of War, in order to prepare for the successor of the Minister of War, Wang Yi'e.

However, others would never have thought of this calculation of taking advantage of the information gap. Lin Tailai just wanted Ye Mengxiong to be mentally prepared. After sending Ye Mengxiong back to the new mansion, Lin Tailai did not continue to disturb him, giving Ye Mengxiong time to rest and digest the information.

The next day, the Renewal Society held a meeting at Lin’s house in the evening.

Ye Mengxiong couldn't resist his damn curiosity and ran over to listen.

Somehow, Minister Ye, who had just arrived, felt a religious atmosphere when he sat in the flower hall of the Lin Mansion.

Lin Tailai sat alone on a podium high above the ground, and said to the crowd indifferently, "The first item on the agenda today is for me to give a recent situation report and my personal thoughts on the future situation."

“.Therefore, with the winter solstice as the node, the court will surely set off a new climax of the dispute over the foundation of the country.

The probability of the Minister of Rites being dismissed or resigning is over 80%, and the probability of at least one cabinet minister falling is over 60%.

Shen Yongmao, whom Minister Ye had met yesterday, asked in confusion, "Your Majesty is not too dissatisfied with anyone in the cabinet, so why would he want to replace the cabinet ministers?"

Lin Tailai replied: "It has been five years since the dispute over the national foundation began in the 14th year of the Wanli reign.

Perhaps His Majesty began to feel disappointed and impatient with the cabinet's inaction and had the idea of ​​replacing the cabinet ministers to give it a try.

Perhaps after His Majesty has been helpless in dealing with ministers of the outer court for many years, he will think of transferring the pressure to the cabinet, and problems will arise if the cabinet cannot bear it.

His Majesty may not be dissatisfied with a particular individual in the cabinet, but he will be dissatisfied with the cabinet.

Under such pressure, something could happen to everyone in the cabinet, including the Prime Minister.”

After answering the doubts, Lin Tailai pointed out from a high vantage point: "The development of any event has its inevitability and contingency; inevitability exists in countless possible contingencies, but contingency is also a manifestation of inevitability.

It is inevitable that something will happen in the cabinet, but it may be this year or next year; the person who may be in trouble may be the prime minister or other cabinet ministers, this is contingency.

In order to deal with the unexpected, we who are fully aware of the inevitability must always remain vigilant and prepared. "

Ye Mengxiong: “.”

Is this Lin Tailai with profound insight in front of him the same person as the Lin Tailai who was fighting for power and even wanted to ask for the Imperial Sword in the first half of the year?

Then Lin Tailai was heard to speak: "The situation report is finished, now let's talk about the specific arrangements.

In the next few days, please spread a rumor in various government offices.

There is a rumor that I, Lin Tailai, have used up all my cards and have run out of tricks. I have begun to fear the Qingliu Party and dare not take any more action!
When asked in detail, he said that although I was attacked and slandered along with the Prime Minister in the big-character posters, I was timid and afraid of trouble before leaving Beijing for my hometown, so I could only swallow my anger temporarily. "

Everyone: "."

I don't understand, what kind of reverse operation is this?
Lin Tailai briefly explained: "If there were no such rumors that belittled me, how could I, a young and hot-tempered person, justifiably and confidently take action again?"

Ye Mengxiong: “.”

Isn’t the bright and beautiful court a little too dirty?
Zhao Si, who had been silent, couldn't help but ask, "Who are you going to attack?"

Lin Tailai smiled and said, "I have all the names of officials from the third rank and above in Henan, Huguang and other provinces in my mind. It depends on who I will meet on my way back home."

Zhao Si sighed, "Why is it so?"

Lin Tailai sneered: "How can you guarantee your safety in the capital if you don't control the hostile forces from a distance?

After I leave Beijing, if they dare to make any small moves, I will retaliate along the way; if they dare to make any big moves, I will go to Wuxi and wipe them out in one fell swoop."

After a little thought, Lin Tailai gave everyone a serious and earnest instruction:
"When I was not in the capital before, you could count on the protection of the Prime Minister, but this time you must be self-reliant and self-reliant.

This is not to say that the Prime Minister cannot be trusted, but rather to focus on the long term and begin to practice the struggle for independence.

Besides, the position of the Prime Minister will not be stable in the next one or two years. We cannot rely entirely on him in the future, so it is good to prepare for a rainy day in advance."

After hearing this, everyone finally understood that the real theme of today's meeting was that the Renewal Society must prepare for the possible post-Prime Minister era and hone its ability to fight without the Prime Minister's support.

Zhou Yingqiu suddenly raised his arms and shouted: "Without the support of the Prime Minister, the struggle environment may be more difficult than before, but as long as we follow closely behind Brother Jiuyuan, we will surely achieve the final victory!"

Lin Tailai raised his hand and said in a resounding voice: "I can sum it up in one sentence. Although the road is tortuous, the future is definitely bright!"

Warm applause rang out and echoed in the flower hall.

Ye Mengxiong: “.”

Is this something I can listen to? If I don't join the Renewal Society, will I be silenced?

Shen Yongmao suddenly asked again: "When will Jiuyuan meet the Prime Minister? No, when will he meet my father?"

Lin Tailai replied: "The time is not right yet. We will see you when the Hanlin Academy needs to make personnel adjustments.

Otherwise, we won’t even have a common topic, and it will just be awkward when we meet.”

(End of this chapter)