The Ming Dynasty's Spokesperson

The public banquet tonight ended in a strange atmosphere. Lin Tailai, who came from afar, was more like the host and more active than the officials of the province.

The next day, Lin Tailai had individual talks with officials of the province, which were not public.

The first person to talk was of course the governor Zhou Shixuan, after all, he was the top figure.

The tone of this kind of conversation was mostly plain, but it contained rich elements.

Lin Tailai put down the teacup and asked like a casual conversation: "In which year did Zhou Zhongcheng become the governor of Henan?"

Zhou Shixuan answered truthfully: "The 16th year of Wanli."

Lin Tailai recalled: "At that time, the Tianguan of the Ministry of Personnel was still Yang Wei, and the Ministry of Revenue was still Wang Situ, right?"

Then he seemed to make a joke: "I never thought that Zhou Zhongcheng still owed my wife's family a favor."

The inland governor was recommended by the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue. Zhou Shixuan was able to serve as the governor of Henan at the beginning, and it must have been nodded by Wang Situ, the then Minister of Revenue, so Lin Tailai joked like this.

Zhou Shixuan had to admit this and said helplessly: "Grand Tutor Wang has the demeanor of an ancient gentleman, and I still remember it."

Lin Tailai said: "When I was in the capital, I often heard Prime Minister Shen praise Henan Zhou Zhongcheng, saying that Zhou Zhongcheng was generous, indifferent to fame and fortune, and honest and capable."

Zhou Shixuan felt that it was meaningless to beat around the bush, so he said directly: "What can I do for you, Lord Jiuyuan?"

Lin Tailai said: "I really want to do something to warn some dishonest people in the capital, and I would like to ask Zhou Zhongcheng to help me."

Zhou Shixuan asked: "Who is dishonest?"

Lin Tailai replied: "Who doesn't come to talk to me today is dishonest."

Then Zhou Shixuan talked about another thing, "Today, a clan member came to I'm here to sue you. "

Lin Tailai asked back: "If the royal family breaks the law, can local officials execute it?"

Zhou Shixuan replied: "According to the ancestral precepts of Emperor Taizu Gao, they naturally have no right to punish. Royal family members who break the law must be sent to the capital, especially the princes and county kings, who must be reprimanded and judged by the emperor."

Lin Tailai said disdainfully: "That's it, you don't have the power to enforce the law, why do you care about them?

Since you can't care when they beat others, then you don't have to care when they are beaten.

If they really feel dissatisfied, they can write to the capital to file a complaint!"

Zhou Shixuan: "."

It has to be said that Lin Jiuyuan's quality of both civil and military affairs is really a natural nemesis of these royal family members.

After talking with Governor Zhou Shixuan, Lin Tailai continued to talk with other governors and officials.

When he saw Dai Guangqi, the right governor, Lin Tailai ordered his entourage to serve tea and boil water again, obviously preparing for a long talk.

As a time traveler, Lin Tailai always felt that the name "Guangqi" was too unlucky. One is Guangxu, the other is Tianqi, like the two merged into one.

"Dai Fangbo, I just entered Henan and heard that you were suspected of cheating in the provincial examination last month." Lin Tailai's tone was still like a casual chat.

Dai Guangqi responded: "Jiuyuan Jun just heard it from hearsay."

This means that there is no real evidence, and you can't punish officials because of some rumors, right?

Lin Tailai sighed: "But this matter is too ugly. Several people who passed the imperial examination talked nonsense in public after getting drunk, which has a really bad impact.

But think about it the other way around, they are all people who passed the imperial examination, and there is no reason to make up stories for no reason, right?"

Dai Guangqi kept silent. Although you, Lin Jiuyuan, are famous, you are not an imperial envoy who came to inspect, you are just passing through.

Lin Tailai suddenly said, "Although there is no evidence for this matter, if you can take the initiative to confess at an appropriate time, wouldn't it be considered as evidence?"

Dai Guangqi: "."

Is it you, Lin Tailai, who is crazy, or is he stupid? Who would take the initiative to confess?

Lin Tailai sighed and advised, "Dai Fangbo, you are the governor at your age, and your career has come to an end. What you are waiting for is retirement, right or not?"

Dai Guangqi remained silent, because what Lin Tailai said was right.

In the current system of the Ming Dynasty, the governor is a second-rank official, and the censor is a third-rank official, and the governor is above the censor.

But if you ask any official, they would definitely rather be a censor than a governor.

Because being a censor means that there are infinite possibilities in the future, and you can be transferred to a third-rank governor, and it is not impossible to think about being a minister.

But if you become a second-rank governor, there is basically no room for promotion, and you can only retire and wait for retirement.

In theory, the only position above the governor is the minister, but it is only in theory.

If an ordinary governor wants to be promoted to the minister, he must suppress more than 20 governors and more than 20 vice ministers in the north and south capitals at the same time, which is extremely difficult.

So the governor is really the most hopeless, and most of them are just waiting to retire.

But Dai Guangqi still doesn't understand why Lin Tailai said this? Could it be that he wants to threaten a governor with "retirement", isn't that funny?

Lin Tailai guided him earnestly, saying: "Since Fangbo will retire sooner or later, why not use retirement in exchange for something, such as the wealth of his descendants?"

Dai Guangqi raised his head, and doubts slowly appeared on his face. What is the connection between his retirement and the wealth of his descendants?

Lin Tailai emphasized, "I repeat, as long as you take the initiative to confess your guilt and admit that you cheated in the imperial examination at the right time, it will be fine.

The punishment imposed by the court at that time is nothing more than ordering you to retire. What loss will you have? For you, it is just a few years earlier.

But you can win the friendship of me, Lin Tailai, in exchange for the wealth of your descendants!"

Dai Guangqi was shocked and said in a lost voice, "Are you serious?"

Lin Tailai patted his chest and said: "I, Lin Tailai, live by integrity. People call me Jinbu. Bu is Jibu, who keeps his word!

Minister Wang of the Ministry of Personnel, Minister Yu of the Ministry of Revenue, Minister Ye of the Ministry of War, and Minister Chen of the Ministry of Works can all testify to this!"

At this point, the political reputation accumulated over the years finally came into play.

Dai Guangqi thought about it and gritted his teeth and said: "Although I don't know what Jiuyuanjun's ultimate goal is, I can plead guilty!"

Lin Tailai comforted him: "The original intention was not for you, but for the dereliction of duty of the censor."

This is a little bit of a revelation of the idea, so that Dai Guangqi would not have any more wild thoughts - the real purpose is the censor Zou Xuezhu, and you will not be severely punished. At most, you will be ordered to retire. You can rest assured!

After seeing off Dai Guangqi, Lin Tailai asked his attendants, "Has Zou Neitai been here?"

The attendants replied, "I have not seen him come to visit."

Lin Tailai asked again, "Has he sent a gift?"

The attendants replied, "I have not seen him send one either."

Lin Tailai snorted, "If he doesn't even know the rules, then don't blame others for punishing him!"

Party disputes are party disputes, but if you don't even send local specialties to others when they pass by, you deserve to be punished!

Then Lin Tailai continued to talk with the officials guarding the patrol road, including Yu Dazhen, the right councilor, Li Tingmo, the deputy envoy of the provincial procuratorate, but he didn't have much of a deep impression.

Finally, Lin Tailai called Li Weizhen, the left councilor, over and told him, "I will leave Kaifeng the day after tomorrow and continue to return home."

Li Weizhen was surprised. It seemed that he had just started something and hadn't accomplished anything. Why did he leave?

So he begged, "I hope Jiuyuanjun will help you get on the horse and send you off?"

Lin Tailai said, "I have pointed out the direction for you, paved the way for you, and greeted everyone I should have. The specific operation is up to you.

Once you overthrow Zou Neitai, you will naturally be promoted!

But if you still can't overthrow Zou Neitai with the cooperation of others, it means that you are indeed not qualified for promotion!"

After that, Lin Tailai didn't say much, and waved his hand to let Li Weizhen prepare on his own.

If you have to do it yourself to deal with an inspector, then the ministers of the ministry who fall into your hands are too worthless.

When the news that Lin Tailai was about to leave spread, all the officials in Henan Province were surprised.

Everyone could probably guess the purpose of Lin Tailai's detour to the south.

Originally, everyone thought that Lin Tailai would take advantage of the good situation and stay in Kaifeng for a few more days, but they didn't expect him to leave as soon as he said he would.

So after the welcoming banquet, only one day later, Governor Zhou Shixuan hurriedly organized a farewell banquet.

This is how official socializing is, tiring but necessary, and there are many emergencies.

After three rounds of wine, Zhou Shixuan asked: "Where is the next stop for Lord Jiuyuan?"

Kaifeng is a place with many connections, with roads in all directions, both water and land.

So Governor Zhou asked, Lin Tailai, which direction are you going tomorrow?

Lin Tailai said hesitantly: "I heard that the former Grand Master Shen Gong has retired to Guide, Henan, and I am considering visiting him."

The Shen Gong here refers to the former Minister of Rites Shen Li, the spiritual leader and founder of the Qingliu forces. He could not withstand the dispute over the foundation of the country two years ago, and used Lin Tailai as an excuse to run away.

Shen Li was from Guide Prefecture, and Guide Prefecture was to the east of Kaifeng. After arriving in Guide Prefecture, there was a road leading to Xuzhou, and then he could go south along the canal.

Zhou Shixuan was shocked when he heard that Lin Tailai was going to visit Shen Li, the leader of the Qingliu faction.

What kind of relationship do you have with the Qingliu faction, Lin Tailai?

The Qingliu faction organizational structure that Shen Li built eight years ago was torn apart by you, Lin Tailai!

Why do you want to visit Shen? Aren't you afraid of something going wrong?

Even if you, Lin Tailai, are not afraid of something going wrong, he, the governor, is afraid!

So Zhou Shixuan advised: "I heard that Mr. Shen is in poor health, so he usually doesn't see guests. Jiuyuan Jun doesn't have to worry about this."

Lin Tailai agreed: "Since Zhou Zhongcheng wants me to go south via Huguang, then I won't go to Guide Prefecture and continue to go south!"

Zhou Shixuan: "."

It's really tiring. Fortunately, this person will leave tomorrow! I just hope that this person will keep his word and really leave tomorrow!

At the end of the banquet, Zhou Shixuan sent Lin Tailai back to the posthouse.

Before leaving, Lin Tailai suddenly whispered: "Mr. Shen's seclusion in the wild is a loss to the court.

Zhongcheng, don't forget to recommend Mr. Shen to the court, especially when the position of Minister of Rites is vacant."

After another dawn, Lin Tailai continued to set off.

After all, it was under the name of returning home to visit relatives and fulfill filial piety. If he always stayed in one place for a long time, it would not be politically correct and easy to be criticized.

Following the post road and the terrain to the south, after passing Nanyang, he arrived in Xiangyang, which was considered to be leaving Henan and entering Huguang.

From Xiangyang, go down along the Han River to Wuchang City, the provincial capital of Huguang.

That night, Lin Tailai stayed in Xiangyang City. After accepting the hospitality of local officials, he prepared to rest.

At this time, there were uninvited guests who came to visit the post house.

There were many such uninvited guests along the way, and they were basically sent away after being screened by the retainer Gu Bingqian.

But this time Gu Bingqian did not send the visitor away. Instead, he entered the inner courtyard of the post house and called Lin Tailai out of bed.

"The governor of Huguang, Qin Yao, sent his staff to visit?" Lin Tailai was puzzled. "Why does it sound like a fake?"

When it comes to your Huguang territory, as the number one person, you can send someone to visit, and you can make it public.

I came to visit secretly in the middle of the night, but something seemed wrong.

Gu Bingqian replied: "After a few cross-examinations, it doesn't seem like he was faking it."

Lin Tailai said: "Then let's meet!"

Immediately, a middle-aged scribe with a long history of work was brought over personally by the left and right protectors.

The middle-aged scribe greeted him again and said, "I'm Shi Lun, and now the Huguang Procuratorate is in charge."

Lin Tailai said an indifferent "Huh" to indicate that he understood.

Then Shi Lun said again: "Shi Ce, the Minister of Honglu Temple, is my cousin, and I am honored to be photographed by Jiuyuan Public Relations!"

Shi Ce was originally a Shaoqing, but because he sold half of the Honglu Temple land, Lin Tailai elected him as a Zhengqing.

Lin Tailai said casually: "So you are Shi Honglu's cousin. If you have anything to say, please tell me!"

Shi Lun did not dare to be verbose and said directly: "Our boss Qin Zhongcheng has been impeached. The situation is critical and there is no guarantee. We hope that Lord Jiuyuan will lend a helping hand."

Lin Tailai didn't even ask about the actual situation, and said a little impatiently: "Qin Zhongcheng has no relationship with me, how could he think of me?"

Shi Lun explained: "My brother gave me advice and said that if our proprietor wants to get out of trouble, he can only go to Jiu Yuan Gong."

Lin Tailai responded: "People are impeached every day. If they all come to me for help, can I handle it?"

And there are some things that are hard to say out loud. In official circles, it is often more difficult to protect people than to win them over.

If you have the time and effort to protect someone you don't know and don't know, it would be easier and more cost-effective to wait for him to step down and then directly seize the position he leaves.

Shi Lun quickly continued: "Qin Zhongcheng, like me, is from Wuxi!"

Now Lin Tailai finally became interested, "Who is the person who impeached him?"

Shi Lun replied: "Guo Shi, the imperial censor! Fellow Zhao Nanxing!"

Lin Tailai burst into laughter and said to Gu Bingqian who was accompanying him: "There is actually internal strife in the circle of people who do not want to be a Qingliu influence. Fellow Zhao Nanxing is impeaching fellow Gu Xiancheng. It's interesting!"

Shi Lun argued anxiously: "Don't misunderstand me, Mr. Jiu Yuan, our proprietor and the Qingliu Party members have never been on the same journey!"

Only then did Lin Tailai ask: "On what charges did Guo Yushi impeach Qin Zhongcheng?"

Shi Lun answered truthfully: "The first is corruption and the second is being attached to the powerful."

Lin Tailai was very puzzled, "I have been in the imperial court for two years, and I know a thing or two about the imperial court.

Why have I never heard of which powerful person Qin Zhongcheng attached to? To the point of being impeached? "

Shi Lun helplessly replied: "It's Zhang Jiangling. Qin Zhongcheng was too attached to Zhang Jiangling when he was impeached."

Lin Tailai: "."

I can’t complain, it’s been 19 years since Wanli, how can I still talk about Zhang Juzheng?

Shi Lun angrily explained: "This is why there is no excuse to impose a crime! Zhang Jiangling is the master of our master Qin Zhongcheng. The king of heaven and earth is his master. Is it wrong for his disciples to pay respect to his master?"

Is it possible that the disciples only care about their own selfishness or personal reputation, forcing the teacher to resign? Is it morally right to force the teacher to resign? "

As he was talking, Shi Lun suddenly realized that Jiu Yuan Gong's face was not very pretty.

Next to him, Gu Bingqian couldn't help coughing heavily. Shi Lun suddenly realized and hurriedly made amends:

"I'm talking about Zhao Yongxian and Wu Zhongxing's gang! I didn't tell anyone, and I didn't tell anyone!"