Daming talker

Chapter 662 Just bring up Lin Tailai’s name
After the court offices were closed, government affairs basically came to a halt, and all kinds of overt struggles were also tacitly put on hold. After all, everyone had to celebrate the New Year.

In the last few days of the year, there is only one activity left in each government office, and that is the year-end official banquet.

Officials gathered together to drink and chat, and the most hotly debated topic was the selection of three new cabinet ministers.

It is expected that the three elders, Shen Shixing, Wang Xijue and Wang Jiaping, will submit memorials to recommend new people after the New Year to highlight the new people and the new atmosphere.

It seems that everyone can guess who the three lucky ones will be.

However, it is generally believed that the person nominated should still be an official who was a poet.

After all, the three former cabinet ministers were all beneficiaries of the Hanyuanfangju system of ci officials, and they would definitely continue to maintain this system. They would not be as wild as the outer court and come up with a gimmick of not limiting qualifications.

In this case, the range of candidates is much smaller, not to mention that there is currently a lack of young officials who were once poets.

Among the three people, the candidate that Shen Shixing will nominate is the easiest to guess.

Originally, Shen Shixing should have recommended Shen Yikuan, but Shen Yikuan was still in mourning, so the candidate would probably be Zhang Wei, the president of the Hanlin Academy.

Three months ago, Shen Shixing unexpectedly brought Zhang Wei back to power after being unemployed at home.
In charge of the affairs of the Hanlin Academy, it can be seen that Shen Shixing has a special liking for Zhang Wei.

This time, it is probably natural to help Zhang Wei get on the throne again and recommend him to join the cabinet. It is more difficult to guess who Wang Xijue and Wang Jiaping have in mind.

It is more difficult to guess who Wang Xijue has in mind, because Wang Xijue's inclinations are usually vague.

Some people also speculated that Wang Xijue might nominate Zhao Yongxian, the left vice minister of the Ministry of Rites. Although the two were in different camps, they were both from Suzhou and had the same year in the local exam. They had a good personal relationship and were close enough to be entrusted with his "future affairs."

When Zhao Yongxian opposed Zhang Juzheng's seizure of his love, Wang Xijue went to Zhang Juzheng's house to plead for Zhao Yongxian, which made Zhang Juzheng so angry that he almost committed suicide with a knife.

However, Zhao Yongxian's reputation was ruined after the uproar over his daughter's historical issue of breaking off an engagement, which is a problem.

At the same time, public opinion also believed that Wang Jiaping might also nominate Zhao Yongxian, because the Qingliu forces and the Shanxi-Shaanxi alliance camp did not have many available officials who were originally poets.

Wang Jiaping's fellow townsman and younger generation Liu Yukui was the most suitable in terms of qualifications, but Liu Yukui had two problems.

First, he was too young, and second, he was the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and could not leave this key position.

Although Shen Li, the founder of the Qingliu faction, has strong qualifications, he had lost the previous election in the outer court, so it would be difficult to nominate him again.

Otherwise, it would be easy for someone with ulterior motives to take advantage of the situation and accuse Shen Li of ignoring "public opinion"; at the same time, it would appear that Shen Li was thirsty for wealth and power, which would damage Shen Li's reputation.

So after excluding Shen Li and Liu Yukui, it seems that Wang Jiaping can only pick a general from the short ones and recommend Zhao Yongxian, the Left Vice Minister of Rites.

Because of the "broken engagement" scandal, Zhao Yongxian, who had kept a low profile for nearly two years, suddenly became the focus of attention again.

There is a lack of young and capable officials, and few people are available. At the same time, Zhao Yongxian may be recommended by two former cabinet ministers. Even if he is burdened with a scandal, there is a high probability that he will enter the cabinet.

In addition to the above candidates, Huang Fengxiang, the second place in the second year of Longqing, Wu Zhongxing, who took the lead in opposing Zhang Juzheng's seizure of his lover with Zhao Yongxian, Li Chun, the right vice minister of Rites and Shao Bi, the right vice minister of Justice, who were also poets, were also considered to be likely to be nominated.

The Hanlin Academy's public banquet at the end of this year seemed to be more lively than in previous years. Many officials from other government offices joined in, perhaps treating this public banquet as a sign of the times.

Those officials who were originally poets but had moved to other government offices also actively returned to the Hanlin Academy to participate in activities.

Those who had the potential to be nominated to join the cabinet became stars at public banquets and received more or less popularity.

Now there is only Zhao Zhigao in the cabinet, so only Chief Minister Zhao can represent the cabinet to attend the Hanlin Academy banquet.

Of course, Prime Minister Zhao was also very willing to participate. For him, this was like returning home in glory.

Zhao Shoufu was one of the top three officials in the imperial examination, but he became a marginal figure and was even promoted to the position of Tongzhi at one point. It was too shameful to recall the past.

Especially those who opposed Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Yongxian became famous and later gained both fame and fortune;

However, Zhao Zhigao worked hard in obscurity and gained nothing. If he had not had the support of a noble person, he would have returned home to retire long ago.

Now that Old Man Zhao has ascended to the position of Prime Minister, it is only natural for him to want to return to the Hanlin Academy to show off.

When they arrived at the Hanlin Academy, Zhao Shoufu sat at the chief seat, accompanied by Zhang Wei, the president of the Hanlin Academy, who was of the same age as Zhao Shoufu.

Then came the two younger figures, Zhou Yingqiu and Dong Qichang, who served behind the prime minister and publicly displayed their special close relationship with the new prime minister.

Zhang Wei, the president of the academy, had the hope of being recommended by Shen Shixing to join the cabinet. At this critical moment, he certainly would not offend Zhao Zhigao, so he said in a flattering manner:
“I heard that Brother Zhao was appreciated by the emperor for his New Year’s poem at the Hanlin Banquet, and was later promoted to the position of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, which became a good story at the time.

Regarding the poem for today's banquet, I would like to ask Brother Zhao to come up with a title to kick off the elegant event at the banquet."

Zhao Zhigao said with a smile: "Here I have a group of poems written by Lin Jiuyuan to welcome the spring. Please join me in writing poems. I will select the best ones and recommend them to the emperor for his perusal."

Everyone: "."

At the end of the year before last, Lin Tailai went back to his hometown to visit his relatives. At the end of last year, Lin Tailai was in the northwest. At the end of this year, Lin Tailai was still visiting his hometown to visit his relatives.

So at the end of the year in recent years, Lin Tailai was not in the Hanlin Academy. Why was Lin Tailai always present at every year-end public banquet?
Last year, we were asked to write frontier poems and send them to Lin Tailai, and this year, we were asked to write poems in response. It would be impossible to celebrate the New Year without Lin Tailai, right?

The Prime Minister and the President of the Academy have obviously been replaced, but it seems that the changes were in vain!

Faced with cultural hegemony, most people can only choose to endure it, but at this moment someone in the hall suddenly laughed out loud.

Those who could sit in the hall were all people of status. Everyone looked in the direction of the laughter and saw that it was Zhao Yongxian, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Someone nearby asked, "Why is Shao Zong Bo laughing?"

Zhao Yongxian replied loudly, somewhat pointedly: "I laugh at the ridiculous things and the ridiculous people!

I want to see how many more ridiculous people there are who will follow suit and do ridiculous things!"

Zhao Yongxian's performance was beyond most people's expectations.

One reason is that in the past two years, Zhao Yongxian, who was involved in a scandal, has been very low-key, contrary to his past flamboyant and aggressive style of doing things;

You know, fourteen or fifteen years ago, Zhao Yongxian dared to take the lead as a student to fiercely oppose his teacher Zhang Juzheng's seizure of his love.

After being beaten with a stick in the court, he immediately made bacon out of the broken meat and publicized his achievements, which made him famous all over the world. Secondly, other people who might be nominated to join the cabinet have been cautious in their words and deeds recently, fearing that they would be caught.

How dare he laugh and mock the Prime Minister in public like this, completely disrespecting him?

Zhou Yingqiu stood behind Prime Minister Zhao and said tentatively: "Zhao Yongxian did everything he could to get into the cabinet."

Zhao Zhigao looked back at Zhou Yingqiu and said with a hint of expectation: "If such a perverse and unconventional person were to enter the cabinet, I'm afraid the cabinet would never have peace."

Although it was to express his attitude, it was indeed what Prime Minister Zhao really thought. He did not like people like Zhao Yongxian to appear in the cabinet.

Given Zhao Yongxian's personality and style, he would definitely become a troublemaker if he entered the cabinet.

He can even use his teacher's face as a stepping stone, and even make bacon out of the flesh he lost when being beaten with a stick. Who would want to work with such a person?
Zhao Shoufu is a loyal person. He doesn't like those who are too ambitious and do things by any means necessary, except for the Immortal Jiuyuan.

After Zhou Yingqiu learned of Prime Minister Zhao's idea, he walked up to Zhao Yongxian and said:
"In poetry and literature, the most accomplished ones come first. Lin Jiuyuan is the leader of the current literary world and a master of poetry, and he is also a reader in the Hanlin Academy.

Therefore, it is only natural that the Hanyuan Literary Gathering revolves around Lin Tailai. What's wrong with that?
If it doesn't revolve around Lin Jiuyuan, does it have to revolve around you, Zhao Yongxian?

I really don't know what you are laughing at. I think you are just trying to attract attention."

They really fell out right from the start, because according to Hanlin rules, Zhou Yingqiu should call Zhao Yongxian "senior" and regard himself as a junior on this occasion.

So Zhao Yongxian said sarcastically, "Isn't this Zhou Shuchang, the number one lackey of the Lin family?

I heard that you usually flatter Lin Tailai and act as a servile as possible, just to ask Lin Tailai to give you some help, is that true or not?"

Zhou Yingqiu said calmly: "Why are you making fun of me? There is no essential difference between you and me. We are just like-minded people. Why do you have to laugh at me when I am only fifty steps away from you?"

Zhao Yongxian seemed to have heard the funniest joke, and he said with disdain, "Who is your fellow traveler? How can a flatterer like you be my fellow traveler?"

Someone nearby who wanted to curry favor with Zhao Yongxian chimed in, saying, "The Shao Zong Bo is known for his honesty, and you, Zhou Yingqiu, are known for your flattery. How dare you come and make random accusations against the Shao Zong Bo!"

Zhou Yingqiu ignored the others and only said to Zhao Yongxian: "You said that I relied on Lin Jiuyuan to make progress, I admit that, but aren't you the same?

Aren't you speaking so much here just to show your firm stance against Lin Jiuyuan and establish an image of being brave enough to oppose Lin Jiuyuan?"

Anyone who can enter the forestry academy is not a fool, and may even be the smartest person.

So Zhou Yingqiu just needed to say a few simple words and everyone understood what he meant.

That is to say, some people hope that there will be ministers in the cabinet who are firmly against Lin, and Zhao Yongxian wants to grab this ecological niche.

That's why Zhao Yongxian suddenly became aggressive again and ridiculed Lin Tailai in public.

The purpose is to cater to the ideas of some people and establish an image of daring to oppose Lin in order to gain opportunities for advancement.

Zhou Yingqiu said: "You may think that some people may see your courage to oppose Lin and will reserve the cabinet seat for you.

So in the final analysis, you also want to rely on Lin Tailai to make progress, but your method is different from mine. However, we are on the same path, so why can't we be called fellow travelers?"

Zhao Yongxian: "."

I really didn't expect that a person who only knew how to flatter and curry favor with others and had no bottom line would be so difficult to deal with!

Is your plot so obvious?
When the people around heard this, they felt that this did make sense.

Zhou Yingqiu did rely on Lin Tailai to get by, but wasn't Zhao Yongxian's intention of pretending to be against Lin Tailai also due to his reliance on Lin Tailai?
Zhao Yongxian was thinking about how to conceal or beautify his thoughts, such as saying a few harsh words like "If there is a thief in the court, everyone can kill him", but he was worried about backlash, so he hesitated for a moment.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Yingqiu rushed to continue, "What's even more ridiculous is that you are destined not to succeed. No matter what you do, it will be a waste of effort.

Because no one would have nominated you to join the cabinet. If you look back, you behaved like a clown!"

When the people who were originally standing by to watch the fun heard this, they suddenly became serious, and many of them were whispering to each other.

Everyone has a question: why do you, Zhou Yingqiu, dare to conclude that Zhao Yongxian will not enter the cabinet?
Zhou Yingqiu mocked Zhao Yongxian and said, "Have you forgotten that you are from Changshu County, Suzhou Prefecture?
Back then, you were expelled back to your hometown because you offended some powerful official. The reason why you were able to spend a few years in peace in your hometown was that the capital was too far away from Suzhou and some people were out of reach.

I won’t go into the rest of the explanation, after all, some things cannot be explained in too much detail!

But I dare say that any candidate with a bit of brains would not nominate you, Zhao Yongxian, to join the cabinet!

The more you show courage to oppose Lin Jiuyuan, the less likely you will be nominated to join the cabinet. Otherwise, it would be a waste of a precious nomination quota!"

Due to various reasons, Zhou Yingqiu was not able to explain it in too much detail, but the smart people here thought about it for a moment and immediately understood the meaning.

When you, Zhao Yongxian, were banished back to your hometown because of your opposition to Zhang Juzheng, you were able to live a peaceful and stable life. That was because Zhang Juzheng's power tentacles could not penetrate into the grassroots level of society in a distant foreign land and could not shake the foundation of your Zhao family in your hometown.

But Lin Tailai is different. As a local tyrant in Suzhou, he has the strength and means to mess with your Zhao family.

In other words, he has the strength and means to find something to hold against your Zhao family to deal with you, Zhao Yongxian.

Even if you, Zhao Yongxian, enter the cabinet under the banner of opposing Lin Tailai, can you stay in office safely? I am afraid that you will be driven out of office or forced to resign in a few days.

Therefore, anyone with a brain would not nominate you, Zhao Yongxian, to join the cabinet. It would indeed be a waste of the position.

It would have been fine if Zhou Yingqiu had not pointed it out publicly, but for those who still wanted to nominate Zhao Yongxian after Zhou Yingqiu had pointed it out publicly or issued a clear threat, isn't that tantamount to admitting to the world that they are fools?

It can be said that Zhou Yingqiu completely blocked Zhao Yongxian's hope of entering the cabinet with just a few words.

After figuring out the key, many people were stunned. Is this still the Zhou Yingqiu who was only known for his flattery?
Only members of the Renewal Society like Dong Qichang were relatively calm. They had seen many times that when Zhou Yingqiu let himself go and talked incessantly, he would occasionally even overshadow Lin Tailai.

Before they knew it, the people surrounding Zhao Yongxian gradually dispersed.

Zhou Yingqiu retreated behind Prime Minister Zhao and whispered, "Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission."

Zhao Zhigao glanced at Zhou Yingqiu, as if he was thinking about something, as if he had gained something.

When you encounter a difficult person, is it enough to just use Lin Tailai's name to suppress him?
I don't know how to be a good Prime Minister, so I'll practice in the cabinet.

(End of this chapter)