Daming talker

Chapter 668 New Spirit
When the "prepare for the Japanese" memorial from the Communications Department of the Ministry of War was questioned and criticized by a large number of civil officials, the military officers were basically just watching the fun.

The main reason, of course, is that the military attachés have no decision-making power, and also because they disregard the direction of North Korea.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the main enemy has of course been the northern barbarians. In other directions, even if someone said there were enemies in Annan and Myanmar, some people would probably believe it.

As for the direction of North Korea, it really leaves people completely confused. After all, there has been no war here in the past two hundred years.

Only Li Rusong, the Left General of the Rear Army Commandery, took the contents of the memorial to heart and pondered over it all day long.

The old general Li Chengliang, who was forced to retire, looked at his son who came to greet him but was absent-minded, and scolded Li Rusong severely on the pretext that today's greetings were insincere.

Then he asked, "What are you thinking about? Is it more important than greeting your father?"

Li Rusong replied: "I visited Ye Da Sima a few years ago to apply for a job and wanted to be a general. Ye Da Sima told me to wait for the right time.

Now when I see Lin Jiuyuan’s memorial to the emperor on how to prepare for the Japanese invasion, I wonder in my heart, could this be what Grand Marshal Ye was talking about as the right time?

If we really have to fight in Korea, our Liaodong Army will definitely be the main force. Who else can be the commander-in-chief if not our Li family? "

Since the Longqing Peace Agreement, the Liaodong Army may be regarded as the border army with the most combat experience.

After all, the Longqing Peace Agreement was aimed at the right wing of the Northern Tartars, while the left wing of the Northern Tartars where the Khan was located was still regarded as an enemy by the court, and the main border army confronting the left wing of the Northern Tartars was the Liaodong Town.

Li Chengliang, who had been in conflict with the left wing of the Northern Tartars for more than 20 years, had never thought about heading in the direction of Korea.

He questioned his son suspiciously, "You should have waited for the right time. A master like Lin Jiuyuan wouldn't fabricate enemy information just to let the Li family take charge of the army, right?"

Li Rusong replied: "If it is not fabricated, then Lin Jiuyuan is serious. Son, I tend to believe Lin Jiuyuan's prediction."

Li Chengliang said thoughtfully: "If I had believed it, I should have made preparations earlier. Fortunately, I left not long ago and can still contribute to the Liaodong Army."

Li Rusong asked: "How to prepare?"

Li Chengliang said viciously: "The first batch of troops sent out hastily must use the Liaodong Army. Prepare to lose the battle first, otherwise why would you use my Li family to return to Liaodong?"

Li Rusong: "."

He did not agree with his father's thoughts, but he could not persuade him, let alone spread the news.

General Li looked at his son again, snorted coldly, and his eyes were complicated.

If something really happens in North Korea, it seems that his son is his biggest competitor in returning to Liaodong?
When Lin Tailai, who was far away in Suzhou, exposed a flaw to the imperial court with his "Memorial on Preparing for War against the Japanese" and stirred up some troubled waters, the Hanlin Academy also began to get rid of the old and bring in the new.

There is a grand examination every three years, after which new people will be admitted to the Hanlin Academy. The top three and several Shujishi will enter the Hanlin Academy to work or study.

Given that the Hanlin Academy has not had much actual work in recent years, many people have suggested not to select new Shujishi this year.

After all, the main job of the Hanlin Academy, in short, is to interact with the emperor. Whether it is teaching classes, serving as an advisor, editing books, drafting imperial edicts, or writing poems in response to imperial orders, it is essentially interacting with the emperor.

But in recent years, the emperor has been hiding in the deep palace and has not come out. How much work can the Hanlin scholars do?

There is really no need to recruit so many new people. There will be nothing to do even if they come. Haven’t you noticed that even Lin Jiuyuan’s work focus has gradually shifted outwards?

However, the cabinet suggested that the Hanlin Academy could select Shujishi, but the number should be smaller, instead of selecting only twenty or thirty people as in the past.

Apart from the newcomers, the old ones were sent away, which was called "Sanguan". The most outstanding ones were kept as Hanlin, and the others were appointed as Jieshizhong and Yushi.

Han Shineng, who had been in office for less than two months, found that he had suddenly become a person with great power.

Whether it is selecting new scholars or arranging old ones, he has a lot of say and everyone from top to bottom respects his opinions very much.

This made the poor old Hanlin in his sixties feel a little bit elated, as if he had never enjoyed power so much in his life.

When I was in Suzhou years ago, I never imagined that life would be so simple after moving to Beijing.

Maybe it has something to do with the major reshuffle of senior officials in the Cabinet and the Hanlin Academy. The system of poets has little authority from top to bottom.

The two scholars Zhou Yingqiu and Dong Qichang were successfully retained in the Hanlin Academy and officially took up the posts as editors.

Then the two of them visited Han Shineng together and asked, "Are there any rules for selecting new Shujishi?"

Han Shineng was very surprised. What does the selection of Shujishi have to do with you two? You two have just gotten rid of your status as newcomers.

Dong Qichang explained: "In the past three years, Lin Jiuyuan has been very concerned about the teaching of the Shujishi and often gave lectures in the morning classes.

The two of us have compiled Lin Jiuyuan's speeches into a book, which can be used as a basis for selecting Hanlin Academy students. When new people come in, they can also be used as teaching materials. "

Instructor Han was instinctively disgusted and felt greatly offended. He acted like a senior and scolded them, "What has the selection and teaching of Shujishi got to do with you two?
Even Prime Minister Zhao of the cabinet and Mr. Huang, who was temporarily in charge of the affairs of the Hanlin Academy, did not interfere too much with me!

You two are only juniors who have been in the hospital for three years. How dare you point fingers in front of me!"

Dong Qichang shook his head. This old man might not have been in the court in recent years, so he was a little confused about the current situation.

If there had not been a lack of young poets in recent years and if this old man was not from Suzhou, he might not have been recommended to return to Beijing.

Zhou Yingqiu pushed the polite Dong Qichang aside, took a step forward, and sneered at Teacher Han:
"Have you ever thought about why Prime Minister Zhao and Master Huang don't interfere with you?
That’s because it is rumored that you almost entered the Lin Mansion as a tutor in Suzhou, but were sent to the capital by Lin Tailai!

So others think that you have a close relationship with Lin Jiuyuan, so they are polite to you!"

Han Shineng: “.”

Is this true? Why doesn't anyone tell themselves this?
With a "bang", Zhou Yingqiu threw a book on the table and continued:
"Since you have benefited from Lin Jiuyuan's help, don't shirk your responsibilities! You have to use this book "Lin Jiuyuan's Excerpts" whether you want to or not!
Lin Jiuyuan said, if you don't change your mindset, then change your person! Believe it or not, after I, Zhou Yingqiu, publicly cut ties with you, the first person to deal with you will be Zhao Shoufu?"

Dong Qichang still tried to persuade him kindly: "Senior Han! You don't want to return to Suzhou in disgrace without accomplishing anything, do you?"

Han Shineng silently put away the "Excerpts from Lin Jiuyuan's Instructions", and Zhou Yingqiu and Dong Qichang said goodbye.

Walking outside, Zhou Yingqiu sighed, "I don't know when Lord Jiuyuan will return to the court. It's not a long-term solution to always rely on people like us to scare people. Even if we are hiding our true colors, we are going too far."

Dong Qichang replied: "You have been in the court for three years and you are already so tyrannical. If you don't keep a low profile, what will happen to you?"

After waiting for a while, Han Shineng temporarily left the Hanlin Academy and went to Wenyuan Pavilion to visit the Prime Minister Zhao Zhigao.

The Hanlin Academy and the Cabinet were originally a whole, so other ministers generally did not visit the Cabinet, but senior Hanlin had no such concerns.

What's more, Han Shineng and Zhao Zhigao are of the same age, and both are older than their peers, so they have a lot in common.

In the central hall of Wenyuan Pavilion, Han Shineng showed "Excerpts from Lin Jiuyuan's Instructions" to Prime Minister Zhao.

He then asked, "Can we use this to select and teach scholars?" Zhao Zhigao replied, "Why not?"

"But isn't this too much?" Han Shineng asked.

Then Zhao Shoufu said to his old classmate gently: "If you really can't tolerate this, don't force yourself.

The post of Zhanshi in the Zhanshi Mansion is still vacant, you can transfer to become Zhanshi, and you can still shine and make contributions."

Han Shineng: “.”

Today I finally experienced what it means to say the coldest words in the warmest tone.

After sending Han Shineng away, Prime Minister Zhao summoned other cabinet ministers to a meeting.

Now that Zhu Geng has arrived in the capital from Zhejiang and all the cabinet ministers are in place, some things can no longer be delayed.

"You three have not been given palace titles yet. I want to make a petition to the emperor, but I don't know who should go first," said Zhao Zhigao.

Zhu Geng, who had just started working at Wenyuan Pavilion, said, "Actually, there are more important personnel matters in the court than our palace titles, right?

When I passed by Suzhou, Lin Jiuyuan also asked me why the position of Minister of Rites is still vacant.

Zhang Wei and Li Chun: "."

The first person to speak was Lin Jiuyuan. If I hadn't looked up, I would have thought it was Prime Minister Zhao who was speaking!

Zhao Zhigao explained to Zhu Geng: "Regarding the appointment of the Minister of Rites, I previously requested that he be directly appointed, but the emperor issued an order to let the Ministry of Personnel recommend someone."

Although the Minister of Rites is one of the six ministers, his attributes are somewhat similar to those of Hanlin Academy and Grand Secretary. Legally, he can be appointed directly by the emperor or recommended by the court.

Then Zhao Zhigao continued, "But Wang Tianguan of the Ministry of Personnel privately wrote to the cabinet, saying that now the high-ranking officials have their own needs, and it is difficult for the Ministry of Personnel to recommend a candidate.

If we force the nomination, we can only promote candidates above their level, but the power to promote officials should belong to the emperor, and the Ministry of Personnel dare not take it on its own."

Zhu Geng sighed and said, "In the past year, the number of poets has been frequently changed and there are not enough of them. The Ministry of Personnel is understandably in a dilemma. Lin Jiuyuan also foresaw that the appointment of a Minister of Rites would be difficult."

Among today's top senior poets, Zhang Wei, Zhu Geng and Li Chun have all entered the cabinet, Yu Shenxing and Chen Yubi have gone to other departments to serve as ministers, Huang Fengxiang is in charge of the Hanlin Academy, Shen Yikuan is in mourning, and Luo Wanhua has just been deposed.

As for Zhao Yongxian, the Left Vice Minister of Rites, his reputation was a little worse, and he only passed the imperial examination in the fifth year of Longqing's reign, so his qualifications were lacking compared to today's first-line poets.

Therefore, the Ministry of Personnel is not completely shirking its responsibility or being afraid of offending people. According to the rules and regulations, it is really impossible to find a suitable poet to serve as the Minister of Rites.

There are not enough high-level poets, unless they are promoted from second- and third-tier poets, the emperor can only make the final decision.

Zhao Zhigao always felt that Zhu Geng seemed to have something to say, and that he might have brought Lin Jiuyuan's latest spirit, so he took the initiative to ask, "What other opinions do you have?"

Zhu Geng replied: “I don’t have any opinion, but when I passed by Suzhou, I heard Lin Jiuyuan say that if there is really no suitable candidate, we might as well let the cabinet minister serve as the Minister of Rites.

This kind of thing is not without precedent, it can be used as a stopgap measure, and young people like Lin Jiuyuan are still active. "

In the Ming system, the Cabinet and the Six Ministries were separate and isolated in the physical sense.

However, in extraordinary times, there have been cases where a Grand Secretary served concurrently as a Minister, but it was extremely rare.

Zhao Zhigao seemed to understand something. He glanced at Zhang Wei and Li Chun and suddenly said, "Then I'll trouble you, Li Fushun."

Li Chun almost jumped up and blurted out, "Why?"

Only a fool would think of becoming the Minister of Rites when the country is still in great trouble! Even holding concurrent posts is not acceptable!
Zhao Zhigao patiently explained to Li Chun: "Mr. Zhang and Mr. Zhu were both directly promoted from the countryside and may not be familiar with the details of ministry affairs.

And you were previously the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and you are familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of Rites, so it is most appropriate for you to take charge of the Ministry of Rites.

There is really no one else I can recommend to the Ministry of Personnel, so I would like you to take charge of the Ministry of Rites for the time being.

I will report this to the Emperor, and it will be regarded as the common opinion of the Cabinet and the Ministry of Personnel."

Zhu Geng and Zhang Wei nodded in agreement, both praising the Prime Minister's brilliant ideas.

Li Chun: “.”

How did I suddenly force myself into a dead end, with no way forward or retreat?

If he concurrently holds the post of Minister of a Ministry, in order to avoid suspicion of monopolization, he would not be suitable to be the First or Second Assistant Minister, right?
Zhang Wei asked Zhu Geng half sarcastically and half teasingly: "What else did Lin Jiuyuan say when you passed by Suzhou?"

Zhu Geng replied: "It just so happened that Shen Wumen returned to Suzhou, and Lin Jiuyuan told Shen Wumen that it was not right for the Prime Minister to recommend cabinet ministers.

Shen Wumen said that this was a special permission from the emperor and he could do nothing about it.

Lin Jiuyuan also said that even if the Prime Minister recommended a candidate, in order to prevent autocracy, this person should not directly occupy the position of Prime Minister or Second Prime Minister.

Otherwise, ambitions will expand and the cabinet will be in turmoil. In the end, Shen Wumen remained silent. "

Zhang Wei: “.”

Wasn't he the candidate recommended by the former Prime Minister Shen Shixing? Did this mean that he had to avoid suspicion and was not convenient to be the second Prime Minister?

At this time, Zhao Zhigao also said: "That makes sense."

Finally, Zhang Wei angrily slammed the table and said, "Do you think that just based on Lin Jiuyuan's words, we should take it as the guiding principle?"

Zhu Geng concluded: "Lin Jiuyuan said that these ideas are all from the perspective of helping the emperor to relieve his worries. As long as the cabinet reports truthfully, the emperor will understand.

Otherwise, the cabinet would have delayed for two or three months and failed to determine the order of cabinet ministers or select the Minister of Rites, which would have been too incompetent.

It's better for him, a bystander, to see things more clearly!"

Zhao Zhigao acted like a prime minister and said, "We can't delay any longer! Lin Tailai said that we should first solve the problem of whether there is a product or not, and then solve the problem of whether it is good or not.

Therefore, you should decide on a style now. If it is not suitable, you can find an opportunity to adjust it later.

Today I will make a report to appoint Zhu Shanyin as the second assistant, Li Fushun as the third assistant and in charge of the Ministry of Rites, and Zhang Xinjian as the fourth assistant!"

Zhang Wei was speechless. He didn't say anything when Zhao Zhigao and Zhu Geng teamed up to trick Li Chun.

Now the two Zhejiang guys started to trick him, making him the last of the four assistants, but no one is speaking for him anymore.

(End of this chapter)