Daming talker

Chapter 673: Lin Jiuyuan has to take action
Three days later, Lin Tailai, who went to Xuanfu to appease the right wing of the Northern Tartars, dragged his tired body and was carried back to the capital by a horse.

Thanks to the Kingdom of Korea, whose situation seemed very urgent, otherwise I would have no excuse to leave Xuanfu and return to Beijing.

I had wanted to discuss the expedition in detail with my old acquaintance, Wanquan Right Guard Commander and Zhangjiakou Mashi Division Commander Hei Xiao, but in the end I didn't have much time.

He only instructed Heixiao to prepare as many elite soldiers as possible, but from what Heixiao said, he planned to give this opportunity to his adopted son Heifenghu.

Lin Tailai didn't care about this, as long as he could use as many familiar generals as possible. After all, Hei Fenghu, a military scholar in the 17th year of Wanli, was his "disciple".

As soon as Mr. Lin entered the city from Deshengmen, the news was discovered; when he entered his home, he received a notice that a court meeting would be held the next morning.

"What a hard life." Lin Tailai sighed.

Then he asked Zhang Wen, the left guardian who stayed behind in the Lin residence, "Has the left censor Lu Guangzu resigned?"

Zhang Wen replied: "He is still claiming to be ill and cannot go out. There is no other movement."

Lin Tailai said dissatisfiedly: "It's been three days, and Censor Wang didn't force him to fulfill the bet?"

Zhang Wen replied: "It is true that Censor Wang forced Lu Guangzu again, but many censors came out to persuade him.

They say we should respect the elderly and honor our predecessors, and that we should forgive others when we can. They also say that this is all for his own good and that we should pay attention to our reputation.

Censor Wang was too shy to stand up to the repeated dissuasion and could only hold his ground for the time being. "

"You are so shameless that you forced me to do it." Mr. Lin cursed while washing and resting.

Somehow, Mr. Lin remembered the old man who forced him to give up his seat in his previous life.

The next day, Lin Tailai went to the East Court Room outside the Meridian Gate and entered the imperial city from the Chang'an Right Gate first.

When Lin Tailai was registering with the gatekeeper, a figure suddenly jumped out and hugged his thigh before Lin Tailai could react.

This made Lin Tailai terrified! It wasn't that he was afraid of any danger, but he didn't expect that someone could get close to him so easily!
What does this mean? It means that I have become careless and lost my vigilance!
Throughout history, countless emperors and generals have been killed due to these minor negligence.

Therefore, even if you are in the imperial city, you must stay alert!
After silently admonishing himself, Lin Tailai lowered his head and looked carefully.

But he was wearing a blue-black robe that looked like an official robe. He was kneeling on the ground, holding onto his thigh tightly, crying bitterly, "I beg Immortal Lin to save my country!"

The other ministers who were about to enter the right gate of Chang'an saw this scene and sighed, "Envoy Yin has been crying at the right gate of Chang'an for three days. There are also loyal and righteous people in the East Country who are worried about state affairs to this extent!"

Lin Tailai suddenly realized that this person was the North Korean envoy Yin Zhuoran. He had met him several times three years ago. No wonder he looked familiar.

Then, in full view of everyone, Lin Tailai stretched out his hand, and Yin Zhengshi thought he was going to help him up, so he let go of Lin Tailai's thigh.

Unexpectedly, Lin Tailai directly picked up Yin Zhengshi and walked towards the right gate of Chang'an.

This sudden change was so sudden that Yin Zhengshi forgot to continue crying for a moment. He was stunned and was dragged away by Lin Tailai without any reaction.

This scene made the other ministers around stunned. Yin Zhuoran was a foreign envoy after all, and he cried at the palace gate because his country was destroyed and his family was ruined. Are you, Lin Tailai, too rude and disrespectful? Do you still have any compassion?
The gatekeeper at the right gate of Chang'an stopped Lin Tailai with difficulty. Yin Zhuoran was a foreign official and had no right to enter the palace without imperial permission.

Lin Tailai explained: "Today, there is a court meeting on North Korean state affairs, and we need Envoy Yin Zheng to be present to provide reference opinions. I am willing to guarantee Envoy Yin Zheng and be responsible for keeping him under guard."

Hearing this, Yin Zhuoran stopped struggling and obediently let Lin Tailai carry him.

If I could participate in the high-level decision-making of the Ming Dynasty, it would be more useful than crying outside the palace, right?

After a little thought, the gatekeeper asked Lin Tailai to write down the situation in a book and sign his name, and then let him go.

After entering the palace, Lin Tailai looked straight ahead, held his head high and walked with the gait of a dragon and a tiger. Passing officials all made way for him.

Yin Zhuoran, who was standing next to him, was shocked by the aura of Jiuyuan Zhenxian and kept saying nonsense like "I'll never forget you" and "I'll sacrifice my life for you".

After passing through the Duanmen Gate, Lin Tailai bowed in the direction of the Wumen Gate and then stepped into the East Courtyard.

Those who had arrived earlier stopped talking at the same time, and all the ministers looked over.

Lin Tailai raised his chin towards the Minister of Personnel Wang Shizhen and said calmly: "I don't have the habit of waiting for people recently, so let's start now."

The nominal host Wang Tianguan shouted "Start" and then disappeared into the corner to doze off again.

Yin Zhengshi stood behind Lin Tailai, silently observing the situation in Dongchao's room. He felt that he might have finally found the right person today.

The Ming Dynasty court is too complicated. None of the ministers in the cabinet are capable, and it is actually a fourth-rank official who is in charge of the overall situation.

Minister of War Ye Mengxiong took the initiative to say: "Jiuyuan Jun, please say a few words? The court is waiting for your wise opinion."

Lin Tailai asked Yin Zhuoran, "Your country used to be a strong country in the East, why did you suddenly fall to the Japanese pirates? I always find it suspicious."

This question is a bit difficult, Yin Zhuoran can’t answer it, but is there anything suspicious?
Lin Tailai then asked Ye Mengxiong: "Since North Korea has repeatedly asked for help, have you ever given a detailed explanation of the situation?"

Ye Mengxiong didn't understand for a moment, and asked back: "What kind of details?"

Lin Tailai gave an example: "For example, which road fell on which date, which battle took place on which date, how many soldiers were lost in each period, which generals died in battle, which ministers died for their loyalty, and so on and so forth."

Ye Mengxiong replied: "There is no explanation of these detailed situations, just an urgent request for help."

Lin Tailai's face gradually turned cold and he turned to look at Yin Zhuoran.

Envoy Yin Zheng hurriedly explained: "Our country is in chaos. We have no idea what is going on, let alone statistics on the situation."

Lin Tailai seemed to be talking to himself: "How can I gain people's trust without a detailed explanation of the situation?"

What does it mean that Yin Zhengshi did not know why and gained people's trust?
Lin Tailai continued, "Even ordinary people who seek to borrow money or food should explain in detail what difficulties they have suffered. Otherwise, how can others believe them and lend a helping hand?"

Not to mention Envoy Yin Zheng, even the other ministers did not understand what Lin Tailai was trying to express.

Lin Tailai sneered and said to everyone: "North Korea has been urgently seeking help, but it has been unclear and has not even given a detailed explanation!
I have reason to suspect that Korea and Japan are colluding with each other! They are pretending to ask for help from the Ming Dynasty in order to lure the elite troops of the Ming Dynasty into Korea and annihilate them!"

Yin Zhengshi: "."

Oh, Heaven, oh, Earth, was I hallucinating?

It was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, suddenly shaking the East Court Room, and all the ministers were dumbfounded!
Lin Tailai's train of thought is still so unique! How could you think like this?
Lin Tailai said loudly again: "When I was in Suzhou, I met some sea merchants who had been to North Korea!

They told me that they heard that Korea and Japan have had a lot of correspondence in recent years, and there might be a conspiracy!"

"Absolutely not!" Yin Zhengshi became anxious and shouted when he came to his senses.

Lin Tailai asked sternly, "How did the 5,000 elite Ming soldiers who entered your country last month get defeated?

Your country still can't even explain the enemy situation clearly, isn't it intentional?"

Plop! Envoy Yin Zheng knelt on the ground in desperation and tried to hug his thigh, but Lin Tailai dodged him. Envoy Yin Zheng could only lie on the ground and beg: "God's will is your witness! Although my country is in tatters, I have no intention of rebelling against the Ming Dynasty!"

It’s not that our country is intentionally concealing the truth, but the situation is so rotten that it’s all a mess and we can’t even explain it ourselves!

As for why the country was in such a mess, how could he, an envoy abroad, know?

No one spoke at this time, because all the ministers were confused by Lin Tailai and didn't know what to say.

As soon as Lin Tailai participated in the court meeting, the rhythm and style changed completely, as if it was a new version and a new way of playing.

Lin Tailai ignored Yin Zhuoran and asked the Minister of War Ye Mengxiong: "Where is the King of Korea? What is the situation now?"

Ye Da Sima replied: "Liaodong Governor Hao Jie reported that the Korean army was defeated and the Korean king and his ministers fled all the way to the other side of the Yalu River.

The king of the state requested to enter Liao. It would be inhumane to refuse him and difficult to accept him. Please advise the court on how to deal with him. "

Lin Tailai snorted coldly, "Could it be that the King of Korea intends to invade our Ming Dynasty first, and then bring the wolf into the house, acting as an insider to pave the way for the Japanese soldiers?"

All the ministers: "."

Lin Jiuyuan, that's enough for you. If the King of Korea really had such intelligence and courage, would his country be almost destroyed in less than two months?
Lin Tailai looked around at everyone and said, "Warfare is a game of deception! As long as doubts cannot be eliminated, we must be on guard!"

Envoy Yin Zheng didn't know how to defend himself, so he fell to the ground and cried bitterly, "What should the king and his ministers do to win the trust of the superior country?"

After thinking for a moment, Lin Tailai said, "Your king and his ministers fled all the way from Wangjing to Yizhou, and they must have brought a lot of property with them to restore their country.

You can send these properties, especially the royal properties, across the Yalu River first to prove that your country has no selfish motives towards the Ming Dynasty.

Only then can we allow your king to cross the river and temporarily live in the safe place of Liaodong, waiting for the heavenly soldiers to help restore the country."

Yin Zhuoran was confused. Did this mean that if the king and his ministers trapped in Yizhou did not pay protection fees, they would have no chance of crossing the river to survive?
Even if the Japanese soldiers came to attack Yizhou, the Ming army on the other side of the river would not come to rescue because of "doubts"?
The ministers were a little speechless. When it came to diplomatic work, it was you, Lin Tailai, who had to take action.

Lin Tailai warned Yin Zhengshi sternly, "No matter how quickly your country was defeated, or how vague your request for help was, or that you have been flirting with Japan without telling Ming in the past few years, it is all very suspicious!

But don’t say that I, the Ming Dynasty, will not give your country a chance to prove itself. For the moment, I can’t think of any other way to quickly eliminate your doubts.”

Yin Zhengshi couldn't help but cover his face and cry. He really didn't know how to report this condition to the king.

Lin Tailai said again: "There is nothing for you to do here for now, please go down first!"

Several Jinyiwei who were on duty came in and dragged Yin Zhengshi out.

At this moment, Yin Zheng was in a state of despair, like a walking corpse. He had thought that he had met a kind person and had the opportunity to participate in the high-level decision-making of the Ming Dynasty.
After watching Envoy Yin leave, Lin Tailai looked at Sun Yu and Yang Junmin, the two assistant ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, and sneered:

"The initial military expenditure should be settled. There is no need to discuss this issue today! The Ministry of Revenue should also shut up and stop crying poor!"

Sun Yu and Yang Junmin: "."

Lin Tailai looked at Shi Xing, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, and directly used high-end political rhetoric: "Are you seriously ill in the head, or are you a traitor to Japan?

How dare you send only 5,000 troops into North Korea to attack Pyongyang?

Shi Xing: “.”

Lin Tailai said without question: "There are eight provinces in Korea, and the two provinces bordering the Ming Dynasty are Pyeongan Province and Hamgyong Province.

Among them, there are 18,700 Japanese soldiers in Pyongyang, and Pyongyang is in Pyongyang. The number of Japanese soldiers stationed in Pyongyang should be around 10,000! How can we not be defeated if we only have 2,000 to 3,000 people from the Ming Dynasty to attack Pyongyang?
There were 22,800 Japanese soldiers in Hamgyong Province, which means that there were 40,000 Japanese soldiers in the two provinces adjacent to Ming Dynasty alone!

Including the Japanese soldiers distributed in the other six provinces, the number of Japanese soldiers entering Korea is at least over 100,000!"

This was the first time that the Ming court heard a relatively accurate number of Japanese soldiers since the Korean incident.

Unexpectedly, the first person to report the number of Japanese soldiers was not the Governor of Liaodong, nor the Kingdom of Korea, but Lin Tailai who was far away in Jiangnan.

The work performance of the Ministry of War’s Communications Department is so terrifying!
No one questioned Lin Tailai. It was impossible for him to lie in public at such a court meeting, let alone lie to the exact hundredth digit.

Even if I wanted to question it, I couldn't provide any evidence.

Lin Tailai looked around at everyone again, as if questioning everyone: "So is there a problem with my request to mobilize 100,000 troops? Even if 100,000 troops cannot be fully prepared at once, there should be 50,000 or 60,000 troops approved first, right?
The Japanese pirates are plotting against Korea, but their real intention is to attack China, and the Ming Dynasty is saving Korea in order to protect China, so we must send troops!"

The ministers were silent. At this point, anyone with a little political intelligence would understand that they should abandon the mentality of relying on luck and prepare for a big fight.

Ye Mengxiong, as the Grand Marshal, concluded: "If there is no objection to the military expenditure and manpower issues, then we should elect a capable minister to be responsible for managing Korea."

Wang Tianguan, who was dozing off in the corner, seemed to be activated by the word "election" and instantly flashed back to the center of the stage.

"Can anyone recommend someone to govern Korea?" Wang Tianguan forcefully took back the power and asked skillfully.

"I want to nominate a candidate!" Lin Tailai suddenly raised his hand and said.

All the ministers were collectively surprised. You, Lin Jiuyuan, just need to wait to be nominated. Why are you talking now?

Wang Tianguan was also a little confused, but he still asked, "Who do you recommend?"

Lin Tailai answered loudly: "I choose Lu Guangzu! He can lead my Ming Dynasty soldiers to attack Japan!"

Everyone: "."

Please spare Old Man Lu and stop killing him. He is already 70 years old, can he come back alive?
Wang Tianguan, who was familiar with election work, thought twice and decided to respect public opinion. He said:

"Lu Guangzu claims to be familiar with North Korea's situation and has always been concerned about North Korean affairs. Please raise your hands if you disagree with him."

Those who belonged to Lin's party looked at Lin Tailai and did not raise their hands; the neutral people would not be the first to stand out and were unwilling to raise their hands, after all, raising hands would be a conspicuous action.

The Qingliu Party members looked at each other in confusion. Some of them hesitated and then raised their hands to express their opposition.

Some people chose to remain silent amid the dilemma and did not raise their hands.

In the end, among the dozens of ministers present, only a dozen or so raised their hands to oppose, clearly a minority.

Wang Tianguan smiled and said, "It seems that there are not many people who oppose Lu Guangzu's strategy of governing Korea. We can report Lu Guangzu to the emperor."

Lin Tailai smiled and led the applause.

Everyone: "."

No way? Are you serious? Will the emperor agree?

Even if the emperor was blinded by greed and dared to agree, would Lu Guangzu have the face to accept it?
The court meeting, which was going smoothly and fruitfully, ended in a strange atmosphere.

(End of this chapter)