The Ming Dynasty's Spokesperson

After thinking for a while, the eunuch Chen Ju, the eunuch Bingbi, the ceremonial supervisor, declined Lin Tailai politely:

"I'm just here to deliver a message, and whether to add more cabinet ministers has nothing to do with today's court discussion.

Why should I change the tune without authorization? You should submit a separate letter. "

He, Eunuch Chen, only served the emperor and did not want to get involved in the affairs between civil servants.

If you, Lin Tailai, really have any ideas, please submit a letter through formal channels and do not use him, Eunuch Chen, as a messenger.

The more times you help others spread the word to the emperor, the more risks you will take.

Lin Tailai frowned and said: "The emperor has been deceived by the cabinet. Reorganizing the cabinet or adding cabinet ministers are top priorities.

Those of you who work in the ceremonial department must think about the emperor at all times, and you must think ahead in everything!

If I were to be the celebrant, forget it, that’s not my ambition! "

Chen Ju was a little unhappy and snorted coldly.

Do you, Lin Tailai, think being an eunuch is easy? The competition in the palace is more cruel than that of your civil servants!

Also, you Lin Tailai, a foreign minister, do you know more about the emperor than their eunuch who is in charge of rituals?

If you, Lin Tailai, dare to "take advantage of yourself" and forcefully intervene in cabinet selection, you will be the first to be punished afterwards!

After Lin Tai finished speaking, he moved away from the door of the East Chamber. Eunuch Chen, who represented the emperor, left first and went to the inner palace to play.

Then Dongchaofang dispersed, and Lin Tailai walked out first.

But seeing Luo Sigong, the commander of Fusi in Jinyiwei North Town, was still outside, Lin Tailai asked: "Did eunuch Chen just give an order to arrest me and send me to prison?"

Luo Sigong replied unhappily: "No."

Lin Tailai looked left and right, and then asked: "Liu Qianhu was responsible for escorting me from Xizhimen to Dongchaofang in the morning. Now I should be escorted back."

But why didn't Liu Qianhu see him at this time? This is AWOL! This is dereliction of duty!

There are many censors in the Dongchao room, how dare he do this? "

Luo Sigong said impatiently: "Okay, okay! Let me escort you back! Don't make trouble over nothing!"

Lin Tailai immediately asked again: "Commander Luo, is he planning to use actual actions to protect Liu Qianhu?"

Luo Sigong: "."

Just do whatever you like! do not care! You, Lin Tailai, won’t run away anyway!

After seeing Commander Luo leave angrily, several people quickly approached Lin Tailai.

Wang Situ, the Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs, Zhao Zhigao, the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Rites, Zhao Huan, the censor of Zuo Qiandu, and others walked out of the palace together.

It would be really hard to talk if the Jinyiwei Official School was nearby.

Zhao Zhigao said with some worry: "Is it too hasty to propose additional cabinet ministers today?"

Lin Tailai said nonchalantly: "How can you call it too hasty? It's just right, just wait for progress!"

Having said this, Lin Tailai was quite pleased.

Starting from the burning of Lengzao in the thirteenth year of Wanli, it took nearly five years of hard work to finally train Mr. Zhao.

If "mature and prudent" is used as the criterion, the only candidates for the cabinet are Yang Wei, the Minister of Civil Affairs, and Zhao Zhigao, the left minister.

If Zhao Zhigao joins the cabinet, it will certainly be a good thing.

Even if Yang Wei enters the cabinet, Zhao Zhigao can also take over as the Tianguan of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which is no less than an ordinary cabinet elder.

Zhao Zhigao couldn't help but ask: "In your opinion, Lin Jiuyuan, which one is better between fish and bear's paw?"

This means, where should we work hard next? Bachelor of Arts or Minister of Civil Service?

Lin Tailai sighed: "To be honest, I am also very hesitant and don't know which choice is better.

So just leave everything to fate. Whichever one you get is the one you choose. Anyway, both choices are not bad. "

At this time, Emperor Wanli was in Yikun Palace, studying with Concubine Zheng in the room.

When Eunuch Chen Ju and Chen arrived, they stood in the front yard of the palace and waited. It wouldn't take long anyway.

Sure enough, after a while, the sage-like Emperor Wanli came out.

Eunuch Chen came forward to kowtow and heard the emperor proactively ask: "What was the result of the discussion?"

It can be seen that the emperor is still very concerned about it.

Eunuch Chen reported: "The court officials believe that Lin Tailai should be pardoned!"

Emperor Wanli said a little angrily: "I knew it! There is no punishment for those who criticize the emperor and father without being blocked!"

Eunuch Chen continued: "However, the courtiers agreed that the disaster came true when Lin Tailai was demoted and expelled.

Therefore, in order to eliminate the disaster, please pardon Lin Tailai. "

Emperor Wanli immediately turned from anger to joy, "Very good! Then Lin Tailai can be pardoned!"

This is the news that the emperor wants to hear most. Someone should take responsibility for the disaster and don't talk about his lack of ethics all day long.

Then Emperor Wanli said: "Since Lin Tailai has been wronged before, he can be promoted and rewarded."

Seeing that the emperor was in a good mood, Chen Ju also smiled and replied:

"Lin Tailai also requested today that His Majesty should recruit more cabinet ministers as soon as possible.

He also blamed me and other ministers for not thinking about His Majesty.

After all, he was still too young and impatient. "

Emperor Wanli did not comment, and then began to arrange the work.

"Publish the decree! Let the cabinet draft an edict to accuse me, then I will be deceived, demoted to Zhongliang, and will be warned by God."

At this point, Emperor Wanli suddenly realized something. He paused and then said hesitantly: "No one in the cabinet can issue an edict, right?"

According to the current system, all formal edicts (except for edicts, oral edicts, warrants, etc.) are first drafted by the cabinet, and then sealed by the emperor after confirmation.

But this time the emperor's edict contained content such as "I was deceived", but the people who deceived the emperor were the cabinet bachelors.

It sounds funny to ask someone who deceived the emperor to help the deceived emperor draft a self-incriminating edict.

The edict of sinner is not only for the people of the world to see, but also for heaven to see. The more superficial it is, the less it can really become a joke.

Thinking of this, Emperor Wanli sighed: "So what Lin Tailai said makes sense. It is indeed necessary to add more cabinet candidates, even if it is to draft an imperial edict."

Chen Ju: "."

Is he really not as good as Lin Tailai? Is Lin Tailai really more suitable to be a ceremonial eunuch than himself?

Thinking of this, Eunuch Chen decided to test it again and said:

"Lin Tailai also said that the current cabinet is too young and unstable, so someone who is mature and prudent and about 65 years old should be elected to the cabinet."

Emperor Wanli still nodded, "Lin Tailai has indeed thought everything through, as it should be. If he hadn't reminded me, I really wouldn't have thought of this."

If the cabinet team is too young, isn't it very likely that there will be cabinet ministers who will last for ten or twenty years and will never be replaced?

So if you add more people, it’s best to find someone older.

Eunuch Chen suddenly felt a little autistic, and he finally discovered the power of Lin Tailai.

This method cannot be regarded as judging the emperor's thoughts at all, but actively guiding the emperor's thoughts invisibly and letting the emperor think in the direction he needs.

Don't think this is very simple. People who don't have a very deep understanding of the emperor can't do this at all.

So Lin Tailai might be more suitable to be a eunuch than himself.

Immediately, Emperor Wanli no longer hesitated, and first sent an order to the Ministry of Personnel, ordering the Ministry of Personnel to recommend candidates to the cabinet.

Candidates are also required to be mature and prudent, and the age gap between them and existing cabinet ministers should be widened.

After this decree spread, all the government offices in the imperial court were speechless.

Earlier, Lin Tailai openly proposed that the cabinet must elect an old man, which seemed like a joke.

Generally, newcomers choose young people. How can there be any reason to choose old people as newcomers?

Unexpectedly, the seemingly playful request actually came true, and the emperor actually accepted this suggestion.

Under normal circumstances, once someone is selected to join the cabinet, the court will definitely be excited.

Countless people will cross the sea and show their magical powers, jumping up and down just to get a seat in Wenyuan Pavilion.

But this time everyone was very calm because they were not qualified to participate in the competition.

It is good for a person to live to be sixty-five years old, but it is even rarer for a person to live to be sixty-five years old.

There are very few people who can reach an advanced age to serve as officials and still have the qualifications to join the cabinet.

Not to mention the liquidation of Zhang Juzheng seven years ago, which liquidated many ministers of the older generation, resulting in that there are not many elderly ministers in the court now.

So it seems that the only candidates are Yang Wei and Zhao Zhigao.

Faced with this kind of recruitment pit, why should others join in the fun?

"So this is the situation now." Shen Yongmao introduced to his father at home.

"If the emperor wants to pardon Lin Tailai, he must first issue an edict to offend himself; to draft an edict to offend himself, he must first recruit new cabinet ministers, so he is waiting for the results of the election of new cabinet ministers."

Shen Shixing said quietly: "Did the emperor and the court forget something?"

After Shen Yongmao thought for a while, he said doubtfully: "What on earth has been forgotten?"

Shen Shixing suddenly became a little resentful, "You forgot to let me go back to Wenyuan Pavilion! I, the chief assistant, am still at home!"

Application: "."

After being stunned for a moment, Uncle Shen added: "It seems that these things currently have nothing to do with my father, right?

As a member of the old cabinet, it is impossible for you to draft the edict of sin.

As for the selection of new cabinet ministers and elders, it has nothing to do with you. It is impossible for you to publicly express your support for anyone.

The most important thing is that the emperor did not want to consult you secretly, and you have no ability to influence it. "

In this regard, Shen Shixing only said: "No matter what, I am still the chief assistant."

Shen Yongmao told the truth: "With or without you as the first assistant, it really has nothing to do with the overall situation.

Now it's not like there's no one taking the lead in these things, it's Lin Tailai. "

Shen Shixing asked unhappily: "Whose son are you?"

Shen Yongmao replied: "I just said a few words from an objective standpoint.

Lin Tailai wanted to give you the leadership, but you reached a tacit agreement with the Qingliu forces.

In order to so-called stabilize the overall situation, you ignored Lin Tailai's appeal and watched Lin Tailai be expelled.

So now that Lin Tailai has regained the leadership with his own ability, what can you complain about? "

Shen Shixing was speechless after being contradicted. No matter who was sitting in his seat at the beginning, he would not make any other choice.

Unless those who were superstitious about Lin Tailai, who would have thought that Lin Tailai, a criminal who was thrown into a border town, could come back and dominate the situation?

At this time, Menzi came to report that Yang Wei, the Minister of Civil Affairs, came to visit.

Shen Shoufu regained some confidence and said to Shen Yongmao: "It is impossible for the major affairs of the imperial court to be completely independent of my influence."

The relationship between the official minister and the chief minister has always been sensitive, and public visits are rarely seen. Yang Tianguan's visit this time shows his strong support for the chief assistant.

Shen Shoufu took Shen Yongmao to the second door to greet him in person, and invited Yang Tianguan to sit down in the private study.

"Old Heavenly Official, are you here tonight for the purpose of court promotion?" Shen Shoufu asked proactively.

"That's not true." Yang Tianguan replied: "I intend to resign and return home, so I informed Mr. Ge in advance."

Shen Shixing was instantly shocked and said subconsciously: "Why is this!"

Yang Wei, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was his most powerful assistant and the pillar of his foreign affairs. He was even a unique and irreplaceable pillar.

It is precisely because of his status as the Prime Minister and his control over the Minister of Personnel that he can exert great influence on the court despite the crazy suppression of the Qingliu forces.

If he loses the support of the Minister of Personnel, Shen Shixing's power structure will collapse immediately.

Yang Tianguan sighed: "It's too tiring to be in this position, and I am nearly 70 years old and can no longer support it."

The position of the Minister of Personnel is too important and too sensitive. He was originally sandwiched between the Prime Minister and the Qingliu forces, and was bitten by the Qingliu forces every day.

Now that the Lin Party is gradually taking shape, I am afraid that the Lin Party will be able to interfere with him in the future. Is this a life for people?

Moreover, the court is obviously getting more and more turbulent. He is an old man who is almost 70 years old and is in the most sensitive position. He really can't do it anymore.

You know, Yang Tianguan is a person on the same list as Li Chunfang and Zhang Juzheng. After more than 40 years in three dynasties, he is really tired.

Shen Shixing said somewhat reluctantly: "You have a chance to join the cabinet this time, don't you want to enjoy the honor of being a prime minister?"

Although Shen Shixing hoped that Yang Wei would continue to be the Minister of Personnel.

Yang Wei smiled bitterly and said: "I can see clearly that this time it is most likely that Zhao Zhigao will join the cabinet."

Finally, Yang Tianguan said: "I hope the Prime Minister will take care of himself in the future. I can't help you anymore!"

After seeing Yang Tianguan off, Shen Shixing had completely lost his confidence as the Prime Minister and sat in a daze.

Under the current situation, it is impossible to find a Minister of Personnel as obedient as Yang Wei.

As long as Yang Wei leaves the court, then Shen Shixing will be the one who suffers the most.

"Father? Go to bed early." Shen Yongmao advised.

Shen Shixing sighed, "If Yang Wei resigns, then I will resign as well, truly resign.

Without the support of the Minister of Personnel, I'd rather not be the Prime Minister!"

Shen Yongmao knelt down and kowtowed to the ground, shouting from the bottom of his heart:

"Father, think twice! The Ming Dynasty can't do without you! I can't do without you in the capital!"

During this period of time, Prime Minister Shen was choked by his son at home every day, and his blood pressure was much higher. Seeing this, he felt a little relieved.

He said with emotion: "So you also understand how important your father is to you."

Shen Yongmao replied: "Lin Jiuyuan said that I should stay at home to watch my father's movements and never let my father really resign."

"Get lost!" Prime Minister Shen cursed.

The next day, Prime Minister Shen just woke up and hadn't eaten breakfast yet, and saw his big son rushing to the door of the house.

Another report was heard: "Lin Jiuyuan has been waiting at the gate before dawn, asking to see father!"

Shen Shoufu: "."

Let Lin Tailai wait outside the gate before dawn for an audience, this must be the emperor's treatment, right?

"Father, you should meet him." Shen Yongmao advised.

Shen Shoufu snorted coldly: "I just realized that only I, who is ready to resign, can get your respect!"