The Ming Dynasty's Spokesperson

In this era, not many people can live to over 80 years old. Therefore, it is rare for someone like Wang Situ to experience mourning in his 60s. Most people experience mourning in their prime.

Lin Tailai was also caught off guard when he heard the news that Wang Situ's mother, who was over 80 years old, had passed away.

For Lin Tailai, the biggest impact was that the Wang family members left their jobs to observe mourning.

There are many officials in the Wang family. Those with the character "Zhi" include Wang Zhiyuan, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Wang Zhiyou, the Reverend of Suzhou Prefecture, Wang Zhifu, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Revenue, and Wang Zhidu, who has passed the examination and is waiting for election.

Among them, Wang Situ, Wang Fuzun, and Wang Deputy Director all need to observe mourning, but Wang Zhidu does not have the same parents, so he does not need to observe mourning.

Others with the character "Xiang" are the grandchildren of the old lady. According to etiquette and law, if they are not the grandchildren of the old lady, they do not need to observe mourning.

Therefore, Wang Xiangqian, the Governor of Xuanfu, and Wang Xiangmeng, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel, can continue to stay in office.

But the departure of two key figures, Wang Situ and Wang Fuzun, gave Lin Tailai a headache.

Wang Situ was not only one of the six ministries, but also the most important pillar of Lin Tailai's power in the court, a pillar more reliable than Zhao Zhigao and Wang Tianguan.

Without Wang Situ, Lin Tailai's strength at the ministry level instantly became weak. If there was only Wang Tianguan, it would be difficult to make a difference alone.

Although Wang Zhiyou, the governor of Suzhou Prefecture, seemed to be very low-key in recent years, his importance to Lin Tailai was second only to Wang Situ, and he undertook the important task of escorting him in his hometown of Suzhou.

Especially in recent years, the Suzhou Lin Group has made frequent moves, and having a real person like Wang Fuzun in charge can save a lot of trouble.

If an outsider were to be the prefect, there would be a layer of separation, and Lin Tailai might not be completely relieved.

No matter how he thought in his heart, he had to face reality, and Lin Tailai slowly walked to Wang Situ's side.

Wang Situ had a very good relationship with his mother. After receiving the news of the death, his legs were so sad that he could not stand steadily, let alone walk. He was supported by the servants and sat in the hall.

"My condolences." Lin Tailai said simply.

Wang Situ raised his head and waved his hand at Lin Tailai, saying apologetically: "I don't want to talk at this moment. I am ready to leave for Shandong immediately. Jiuyuan, please do as you please."

According to the current rules, the moment a minister receives the news of the death, he must report the death to the court as soon as possible, and then stop working immediately and prepare to return home. There must be no hesitation.

Lin Tailai nodded and said: "Brother, please rest assured, I am still here in the capital."

When he walked to the gate, he met Wang Xiangmeng who was directing the servants to start working.

"You have to hold on, little uncle." Wang Xiangmeng said.

After spending two years in a core department like the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Xiangmeng became more and more sensitive to the direction of the court.

Now the Prime Minister is furious about Lin Tailai, but the most important person on the Lin Party suddenly leaves, and the situation deteriorates greatly.

Lin Tailai sighed deeply. The most critical point is that he was not prepared in advance. He felt like he suffered a black swan event and suffered heavy losses.

The iron triangle of Zhao Zhigao, Wang Tianguan and Wang Situ, which was originally as solid as a rock, suddenly faced the danger of collapse.

At this time, Lin Tailai finally understood why Prime Minister Shen liked to appoint old men so much.

Although the probability of the old man's death is very high, it is relatively predictable. As long as you see that this person is seriously ill, you can start planning for his funeral.

Unlike mourning, especially the news from the hometown, it is always very sudden, making it impossible to prepare in advance.

The most feared situation for many ministers is that they suddenly leave their posts and mourn at an inappropriate time.

After leaving the Wang family, Lin Tailai went directly to the Ministry of Personnel when he went out to work.

Outsiders may not know it yet, but close people like the left and right protectors around him have discovered the pattern.

When there is nothing important, Lin Zuoguan will most likely go to the Hanlin Academy to chat in the morning.

Once the situation becomes tense, Lin Zuoguan will most likely go to the Ministry of Personnel first.

There is no other way, Lin Tailai always has to communicate with Wang Tianguan about personnel issues first, hoping to make up for the huge loss of the Minister of Revenue and the prefect of Suzhou.

Wang Tianguan was sitting in the court. When he saw Lin Tailai, he said with a worried face: "The situation is not good."

Lin Tailai was also worried and said with deep sympathy: "The situation is very bad. Who would have thought that the Grand Tutor would suddenly be in mourning."

Wang Tianguan was surprised and said: "There is mourning? Did Wang Situ receive the death notice?"

"You don't know yet? I just received it this morning." Lin Tailai replied.

Wang Tianguan was worried again, "The situation is even worse."

Lin Tailai was very sensitive to the word "more", "Is there any other bad news?"

Wang Tianguan replied: "The imperial edict came from the inner court, promoting Dali Temple Minister Zhou Cai to the title of Minister of Works and Governor of Shou Palace Construction."

People outside the officialdom may not understand the connotation, and simply understand that Shen Shoufu continues to show off his muscles.

This title of Minister of Works is not one of the seven ministers, the Minister of Works who sits in the hall and manages the ministry, but a virtual title that symbolizes the rank and status, similar to the title of Minister of War for the Governor-General and the Chief Censor for the Governor-General.

So this does not need to be recommended by the court, and because the dispatch is the emperor's own Shou Palace affairs, it is reasonable for the emperor to issue an order directly.

But beyond the rationality, there must be something strange. Zhou Cai's appointment was obviously made by the chief minister.

First, the official Minister of Works is still vacant, but the chief minister has created another person with the title of Minister of Processing, which is a self-evident hint.

It doesn't take a blind person to see that the Prime Minister is supporting Zhou Cai to become the real Minister of Works at all costs.

Second, supervising the construction of Shou Palace was originally the job of Zeng Tongheng, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Works, and Zeng Tongheng was nominated as the Minister of Works last time with the support of the Qingliu forces.

This time, Zhou Cai was given the title of Minister of Works and was also the governor of the construction of Shou Palace, which was equivalent to directly taking away Zeng Tongheng's most important job.

Even through the palace walls, Lin Tailai seemed to be able to hear the sound of Prime Minister Shen slapping the Qingliu party members in the face.

In terms of the system, the Prime Minister and the cabinet cannot interfere in personnel selection and have no right to participate in court recommendations, but they can use off-site factors to exert influence, and the specific details depend on their own abilities.

Lin Tailai couldn't help but envy him, and said with emotion: "The Prime Minister has so many resources under his control. The Qingliu Party members have been beaten up this time.

Since Dali Temple Minister Zhou Cai has gone to the Governor's Shou Palace, the position of Dali Temple Minister is vacant, and it's time for our Ministry of Personnel to operate it again."

The Dali Temple Minister is not an ordinary temple minister, but the most important position under the Six Ministries and the Censorate. Together with the Six Ministries, the Censorate, and the Tongzhengsi, they are collectively called the Great Nine Ministers.

Wang Tianguan's eyes suddenly flashed with a trace of pity, "Right Assistant Minister Wang Yongji just came to me and said that he wanted to nominate Qi Shichen, the Junior Minister of the Taichang Temple and the Superintendent of the Four Barbarians, to be promoted to Dali Temple Minister, and at the same time nominate He Qishang, the Minister of the Honglu Temple, to be promoted to the Minister of the Taipu Temple!"

Lin Tailai was stunned. Was this all directed at him? It wasn't just the Qingliu Party members who were beaten?

Qi Shichen was the one nicknamed Qi Baoshan, an old party member of Prime Minister Shen. A few days ago, he sent a message through Zhao Zhigao, revealing his intention to defect to him.

He was nominated as the Minister of Dali Temple before he even took the test? Whose will did the Right Assistant Minister Wang Yongji represent in making the nomination?

Also, I had promised Zhao Qing, the Junior Minister of Taifu Temple, that after I got the black material to abolish Ai Mu, the Chief Minister of Taifu Temple, I would help promote Zhao Qing to the Chief Minister of Taifu Temple.

Now Wang Yongji nominated He Yishang, the Minister of Honglu Temple, to the Minister of Taifu Temple, so what about Zhao Qing whom I supported?

In addition, He Yishang had just threatened to die two days ago because of the location selection of the Communication Department.

In the blink of an eye, He Yishang was nominated for promotion and snatched the position of the Minister of Taifu Temple that I had planned. Who was he doing this for?

Wang Tianguan said with some admiration: "So the Prime Minister is not fighting against the Qingliu forces, but fighting against the Qingliu forces and you together."

Lin Tailai rarely encountered such a big headwind situation that was out of control, and said angrily:

"Wang Yongji, this traitor, as an official of the Ministry of Personnel, has lost his independent spirit and is willing to obey the instructions of the cabinet!

I heard that he admires Hai Rui the most, which is simply embarrassing for Hai Qingtian!"

Wang Tianguan has been working in Nanjing for many years, and he is relatively clear about some things in the Nanjing officialdom, so he explained a few words.

"He Yishang and Hai Rui were both imprisoned together, and Wang Yongji also admired Hai Rui when he was in Nanjing. I guess Wang Yongji and He Yishang must have a relationship.

So if the Prime Minister made the promotion of He Yishang a condition, then it is understandable that Wang Yongji helped the Prime Minister nominate Qi Baoshan to be promoted to the position of Dali Temple Minister.

Promoting He Yishang to the position of Taifu Temple Minister can suppress you and drive Wang Yongji, which is really killing two birds with one stone.

The operation method and the grasp of people's hearts are extremely delicate."

Seeing that Lin Tailai's face was getting worse and worse, Wang Tianguan quickly turned around and said: "With the power of the Prime Minister, , most of the time, you don't need to be so delicate.

But you, Lin Jiuyuan, can make Prime Minister Shen use the most delicate methods, which can also show your strength! "

Lin Tailai was not in the mood to show off, and said: "Now the position of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is also vacant, do you have any ideas?"

Wang Tianguan frowned deeply, "Now we are missing three top ministers of the nine ministers level, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, the Minister of the Ministry of Works, and the Minister of the Supreme Court, and we are also missing the Minister of the Imperial Household, which is very difficult to deal with."

Lin Tailai also agreed deeply. If only one position was missing, he might be able to concentrate all resources to make a full-scale attack.

But with so many positions missing at the same time, each position has many variables, and the coefficient of chaos in operation is multiplied.

This is a great test of the thickness of the resources in hand and the ability to dispatch.

Unfortunately, Lin Tailai's weakest link is his background. He does not have sufficiently mature disciples, nor does he have peers who have entered the middle and senior levels.

He has no available senior officials of the third grade or so, and he may not even be able to gather reliable candidates.

This is also the big problem that Lin Tailai is facing now. He can't even recommend a candidate to compete.

You can't be so naive as to think that Shi Xing, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, is actively preparing for the literary conference, and Zhong Zhenji, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Works, has expressed his intention to make friends through Dong Qichang, so he thinks that the two of them are reliable, right?

To be honest, even Lin Tailai dare not guarantee whether Wang Tianguan can be reliable in the adverse situation.

After all, Wang Tianguan's poor performance in the literary conference when he encountered adverse situations several times left a deep impression on Lin Tailai.

Lin Tailai just thought of the literary conference when he heard Wang Tianguan talking about the literary conference:

"Shi Xing, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, asked me whether this literary conference should be postponed?"

"Why should it be postponed?" Lin Tailai asked back.

Wang Tianguan felt that Lin Tailai was asking knowingly, so he reminded him, "The current situation is so unclear that many people who attend the meeting will inevitably make small calculations in their minds. If the scene is too ugly, it is better not to hold it."

Wang Tianguan meant that many people who wanted to attend the meeting before came for you, Lin Jiuyuan.

If your strength declines, I am afraid that many people who have scheduled to attend the meeting will not want to come.

No matter when, there will never be a lack of people who actively curry favor with the powerful and seek benefits and avoid harm.

Lin Tailai said without question: "The literary conference will be held as scheduled!

As the saying goes, the strong wind reveals the strong grass. Under normal circumstances, it is difficult to detect people's hearts.

I want to see who is scheduled to attend the conference but doesn't come!"

Wang Tianguan said with a somewhat unnatural look: "Otherwise, Jiuyuan, you go to Shen Shoufu to surrender?

Shen Shoufu will definitely not kill you. As long as you kneel quickly, everything will be fine."

Lin Tailai was speechless. Just now he was still thinking in his heart that Wang Tianguan's character is not suitable for adverse situations and he does not have that kind of tenacity.

As a result, after a few words, Wang Tianguan's weakness was indeed exposed.

"Are you scared?" Lin Tailai asked back.

Wang Tianguan was indeed a little frightened by the prime minister. The prime minister's strong interference in personnel affairs reminded him of the repeated disputes between the cabinet and the ministry.

Whenever the cabinet attempted to directly intervene in the affairs of the outer court, the Ministry of Personnel would represent the outer court to counter the invasion of the cabinet.

But Wang Tianguan felt that he could not defeat the Prime Minister Shen who was firing on all cylinders.

Prime Minister Shen had been in the cabinet for twenty years and had been Prime Minister for nearly eight years. He had only been in Beijing for a year. What foundation could he use to fight?

Originally, there was the tall Lin Tailai standing in front, but now Lin Tailai and the Qingliu forces were beaten by the Prime Minister, and Lin Tailai's relatives and friends of the Minister of Revenue were gone.

Having already lost the Minister of Revenue, Lin Tailai could not bear to lose the Minister of Personnel again, so he did not dare to scold Wang Tianguan, who was full of petty bourgeois weakness, and could only coax him and explain:

"Don't worry, I haven't fallen down. As long as I am still here, you can be safe!

Even if we ask for peace, we must show our strength first, otherwise what can we ask for peace with?"

Wang Tianguan was in a daze, feeling that he was respected by Lin Tailai for the first time in his life.

Is this a disguised way of saying that Lin Tailai is really weak?

Lin Tailai tried his best to cheer him up and said, "Besides, this is not just the Prime Minister's overstepping of power, but a dispute between the cabinet and the ministers. We all support you, the old prime minister!

Besides, the dispute between the cabinet and the ministers is a very sensitive issue. Prime Minister Shen would not dare to go too far after all!"

Wang Tianguan was speechless again. It was obviously you and the Qingliu Party members who were beaten by the furious Prime Minister. How did it become a dispute between the cabinet and the ministers?

I can only say that you, Lin Tailai, know how to find entries.

The topic of Wang Situ Dingyou became a hot topic in the officialdom of the capital in one day.

Not only because Wang Situ's position as the Minister of Revenue is extremely important, but also because of the special relationship between Wang Situ and Lin Tailai.

In addition to his own quality, Lin Tailai's rapid rise is also inseparable from external conditions.

First, the early marriage with the Wang family gave Lin Tailai's background the most stable cornerstone of Wang Situ.

No matter how others treat Lin Tailai, they must take the Minister of Revenue into consideration.

Second, because of the complete protection and connivance of Prime Minister Shen, Lin Tailai can magnify his own strength tenfold.

With this top-level protection, Lin Tailai can always be invincible in the face of any situation and can do things freely.

But now these two reasons have failed, and Lin Tailai's road to success has disappeared in an instant.

Some people assert that if there is no cornerstone of the Minister of Revenue and the complete protection from the Prime Minister, Lin Tailai in the 19th year of Wanli would probably regress five years and degenerate into Lin Tailai in the 14th year of Wanli.

As for whether the Lin Tailai in the 14th year of Wanli is strong or not, it depends on one's own opinion.