The Ming Dynasty's Spokesperson

In the Wuxi County Mansion, Gu Xiancheng, a former member of the Civil Service Examination Department, was playing chess with Zhao Shenlu, the governor of Yingtian.

In May of the 17th year of Wanli reign of Gu Xiancheng, Ding You had to temporarily resign and return to his hometown to observe the system.

Theoretically, the twenty-seven months that need to be observed are over, and Gu Xiancheng can return to his normal life and resume his official career.

However, in a social context where filial piety is the most important principle, if you just wait for twenty-seven months and start jumping around impatiently, it will also affect your personal image.

Therefore, officials who pay attention to reputation usually have to wait for a few more months to express their filial piety and want to continue to do so even though they have not done enough.

This is probably why it is clearly stated as twenty-seven months in etiquette, but it is often said to last for three years.

Therefore, although the mourning period has expired, Gu Xiancheng still needs to hang out in his hometown for a few more months and cannot rush to Beijing.

Moreover, social activities such as eating and drinking are not convenient to arrange, so I can only play chess.

Of course, everyone's minds were not on the chessboard. Governor Zhao first praised Gu Xiancheng: "Mr. Jingyang is still very resourceful and makes suggestions for this court, all of which are based on the Lin family."

In fact, these are also the truth, not entirely flattery.

If it weren't for the guidance of a "local" like Gu Xiancheng who was familiar with the situation, how could Governor Zhao have lit up three fires in such a targeted manner just a month after he arrived?

But Gu Xiancheng did not show too much emotion, and only reminded: "I heard that Lin Tailai is about to return to Jiangnan, Zhongcheng should be careful."

To be honest, when Governor Zhao, who had just taken office, came to the door and asked for help in making plans to deal with Lin Tailai, Gu Xiancheng did not agree. He did not think it would succeed.

But this is the task of the "organization", and Gu Xiancheng cannot stay out of it and has to try his best to help.

Even from the beginning, Gu Xiancheng believed that he should not send his own people to serve as governor of Yingtian and prefect of Suzhou.

In Gu Xiancheng's judgment, sending these two people over was of little use.

But comrades far away in the capital could not withstand the huge temptation of the two positions of "Governor Yingtian" and "Prefect of Suzhou", and Gu Xiancheng had no choice.

While Gu Xiancheng and Governor Zhao were playing chess and talking, Lin Tailai, a Shaoqing of Taichang Temple, a student at the Hanlin Academy, and a doctor who corresponded with the host and guest of the examination, arrived in Wuxi County.

In the officialdom, being of the fourth rank is no longer considered low, let alone being a Beijing official of the fourth rank who has both real power and high hopes.

Therefore, Youzhi County of Wuxi County must go out of the city to greet him. This is the most basic official etiquette.

"What? Lin Taichang wants to enter the city?" You Zhixian was a little surprised.

Generally, officials transiting Wuxi live in Xishanyi outside the south gate for convenient transportation, and rarely enter the city to avoid their boats being blocked in the city's rivers.

Anyway, for cities in the south of the Yangtze River, the prosperity outside the city gate is no less prosperous than in the city.

Lin Tailai asked back: "What? Don't you welcome the Lord? There is my mother's temple property in your county. Shouldn't I, the son, donate incense?"

You Zhixian looked at the twenty or thirty boats on the river, as well as the hundreds of big men standing on the bows and banks, and felt his scalp tightening.

He could only try his best to explain: "There are so many people in such a hurry that it is difficult for the city to receive them."

Lin Tailai said lightly: "I heard that the mansion in your county is not small, so it should be enough to requisition the mansion."

You Zhixian said helplessly: "The county mansion has been requisitioned for Governor Zhao."

Lin Tailai glared at Youzhi County and shouted: "Your Excellency, you look down on me? The governor can use it, but I can't?"

You Zhixian, who felt that he was being offended everywhere, couldn't bear it anymore and immediately said, "That's the governor after all."

The worst case scenario is to resign and quit, don’t let this bad temper prevail!

Lin Tailai shouted again and asked: "What grade is this governor?"

You Zhixian hesitated for a moment and replied truthfully: "It's the fourth grade."

The governors of the Ming Dynasty were not customized. They ranged from fourth grade to second grade. It all depended on the title of the Metropolitan Inspector.

Governor Zhao only came back to power in the twelfth year of Wanli and became the governor in the seventeenth year of Wanli. At present, he only has the title of censor of Zuo Qiandu, so he is a fourth-rank governor.

Lin Tailai seemed to be very angry. He grabbed You Zhixian's collar with his hands and shouted: "You really look down on me, the official of the Sa family! They are all fourth-grade. The governor can use the county mansion, but I can't?"

When it comes to official status, the Sa family is a serious fourth-ranking official in Beijing, a Hanlin official, and a minister, while the governor is only an expatriate official in name! "

It seems a bit unreasonable to compare like this. Who makes Governor Zhao also a fourth grade?

You Zhixian let Lin Tailai catch him and closed his eyes without answering. When you are tired, destroy them all, whatever you love!

Lin Tailai did not let go of Youzhi County, and called to his servants: "Leave two hundred people here to guard, and the rest will come with me to the city! Seize the Bird Mansion!"

Immediately, a large number of people surrounded the magistrate, rushed into the south gate, and then fought to the mansion in Nancheng.

At this time, Gu Xiancheng and Governor Zhao were still talking, and the conversation became deeper and deeper.

Governor Zhao asked: "According to past practice, Lin Tailai will definitely mobilize gangsters and coerce the people to resist fiercely. How should this court word it when reporting to the court?"

Gu Xiancheng replied without hesitation: "If it really comes to that point, the words of the Prime Minister's report to the court must be strict and tough, without any euphemism!

Report the rebellion directly to the court, saying that it doesn't matter if the whole city is rebelling, and apply for mobilizing a large number of officers and soldiers to quell the chaos!

You can even use extraordinary measures to quell the chaos directly with Biaoying! "

Governor Zhao was taken aback and couldn't help but said: "It seems too much?"

Gu Xiancheng gritted his teeth and said, "As the saying goes, the bravest win when two meet in a narrow road! When facing Lin Tailai, it's all about who is more ruthless, and we must not be afraid of making things worse!"

Just then, he suddenly saw the officer in the standard camp leading County Magistrate You in.

County Magistrate You had no desire to live, and directly reported, "Lin Tailai brought hundreds of people and asked the governor to give up the mansion. He said that he has a higher reputation, so the governor should be humble."

For any governor, this request is tantamount to humiliation.

Governor Zhao was immediately furious and shouted at County Magistrate You, "Did you lead Lin Tailai here?"

County Magistrate You replied, "Lin Tailai took the initiative to specify that he wanted to use the mansion."

Governor Zhao slammed the table and stood up, "It's unreasonable! Are you afraid of him!" He ordered the officer in the middle, "Gather all the standard soldiers!"

What if you, Lin Tailai, gathered hundreds of people to block the door? I transferred a thousand official soldiers to the standard camp for the first time, wasn't it to prevent such things?

"Wait!" Gu Xiancheng stood up to stop him and advised Governor Zhao: "Don't clash with Lin Tailai!"

Governor Zhao: "?"

Mr. Gu just said "The brave wins when they meet on a narrow road" and "Who is more ruthless", and "I'm not afraid of making things bigger", how can you be cowardly?

Gu Xiancheng hurriedly explained: "Don't misunderstand Zhongcheng! I just think that the conflict between Zhongcheng and Lin Tailai must happen in government affairs!

Only in this way can it have political value to report to the court! Only in this way can it destroy the impression of Lin Tailai in the emperor's heart!

And it is extremely unwise to clash with Lin Tailai over such a small matter as the use of the residence!"

Governor Zhao pointed to the direction of the gate, "Let's not talk about other things first, Lin Tailai is standing outside the door now, what do you say we should do?"

Gu Xiancheng said decisively: "Avoid Lin Tailai and give up the mansion!"

Governor Zhao: "."

As a governor, doesn't he have face? Is it shameful to give up the residence to others?

Gu Xiancheng continued to persuade him earnestly: "Although Lin Tailai is reckless, he is definitely not brainless!

He did this obviously to deliberately find an excuse to provoke trouble, and then make a big fuss over a small matter, dragging you into the quagmire together!

This is a way to divert conflicts, limiting the conflicts to personal grudges! If Zhongcheng can't tolerate it, he will be fooled!

Please imagine for yourself, how would you feel if you had a fierce conflict with Lin Tailai over government affairs such as money and taxes, and a fierce conflict over the mansion? "

Governor Zhao clenched his fists tightly, his face uncertain. It is indeed the most difficult to be a local official in Jiangnan. Is it so cowardly to be a governor?

Gu Xiancheng shouted lightly: "When God sends a great man to this person, he must first make his heart suffer!"

"Then let it go!" Governor Zhao gritted his teeth and said, "Withdraw from the mansion in an hour!"

Lin Tailai, who was standing outside the gate and showing off his power, was very confused when he heard the news.

Why did the governor become such a coward? How could he cause trouble? Are enemies so difficult to deal with now?

Originally, it could be very simple. He could just start a conflict and then complain to the bad guys.

But the governor was so patient and tolerant. What should he do?