Daming talker

Chapter 733: Gu Strategy and Zhou Jue (asking for monthly ticket!)
When Gu Xiancheng returned from the government office that day, he saw his fellow villagers gathering at his home again.

Everyone was deeply moved and said, "Brother Gu could have protected himself, but he resolutely stood up for us, not caring about himself at all. He is very righteous like the ancients!"

Gu Xiancheng sighed, "Without the skin, where will the hair be attached? Without you gentlemen, what can I do?"

Qian Yiben said, "I was on the layoff list before, so it was difficult for me to talk.

Now I can't care about much anymore, I will just write a letter and speak frankly, and stand with Brother Gu!"

“Don’t! Don’t!” Gu Xiancheng quickly spoke to dissuade Qian Yiben, “No matter how big the relationship is, I will take care of it alone!
We can't all take risks, so Mr. Qian doesn't have to be dragged down! If something happens to me, my fellow countrymen will still need Mr. Qian to take care of them in the future!"

Qian Yiben still wanted to struggle, and said affectionately: "How can I bear to watch Brother Gu walk alone towards the cliff?"

Gu Xiancheng shouted angrily, "Shut up! Are you not willing to listen to my advice now?"

It's already this time, can you please stop trying to steal the limelight?

You have walked on an extremely thrilling track, so don't mess around if you don't have any money!
When Qian Yiben saw that Gu Xiancheng was aroused by the Samadhi True Fire, he remained silent.

Alas, I won't be able to catch the spotlight this time. But it's okay, at least I'm safe.

In the imperial court, doing anything at the height of a storm would be accompanied by huge risks, and not everything could be as safe and secure as impeaching Lin Tailai.

For a senior censor who has practiced hard for many years and is about to ascend to the realm of perfection, safety comes first and it is not wrong to seek stability.

On this night, most members of the Renewal Society also secretly gathered in the front hall of the Lin Mansion for a meeting.

Gu Xiancheng's act of overturning the table was completely unexpected, catching everyone in the Renewal Society off guard.

Everyone thought that everything would be fine if they could subdue the Qingliu Party members with their strength. Who could have thought that Gu Xiancheng, who was willing to risk his life, would appear?
Those people from the Qingliu faction are really useless, they can't even control their own backbones!

This style of fighting, which was like directly overturning the table, made everyone feel difficult.

Someone asked in confusion, "Gu Xiancheng submitted a petition. Is it true that it was his own action? Could it be that the Qingliu faction, the enemy, deliberately pushed him out to plot something?"

Wang Xiangmeng, a Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel, replied: "Today in the Ministry of Personnel, the Left Vice Minister Liu Yukui swore to me that Gu Xiancheng's memorial was a purely personal act and had nothing to do with them."

Everyone fell into deep thought again. This matter was indeed difficult to handle.

The Lin Party's inspection in Beijing this time was originally an open and aboveboard attempt to "use power to suppress others". The law of the jungle is very common in officialdom, and there is nothing much to say.

But Gu Xian became the first one to fight to the death with a large group of fellow villagers, and actually established a good image of "loyalty" in public opinion.

If we deliberately retaliate against Gu Xiancheng now, it will greatly damage the Lin Party’s popularity.

Zhou Yingqiu, secretary general of the Renewal Society, had no other ideas, so he subconsciously asked, "If Jiu Yuan Gong was in the capital, how would he handle it?"

Wang Xiangmeng said viciously: "Uncle Jiuyuan will definitely bring people to his house, destroy his house, beat his family, smash his car and sedan, and insult his poems!"

Zhou Yingqiu: "."

What he said was quite true. There were countless censors who had been treated like this by Lin Jiuyuan. Even the gate of the Censorate had been destroyed by Lin Jiuyuan.

But even if it is the truth, those present here really do not have the ability to imitate it.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yingqiu couldn't help but sigh secretly. It seemed that no one else could say anything.

But in order to consolidate my position, I have to say something.

Just as Zhou Yingqiu was thinking about how to speak, Gu Bingqian, a scholar who had just passed the imperial examination last year, said, "Why not start with the consequences?"

Hmm? Zhou Yingqiu, the "Pig Trotter General Constitutional Sun Wan Tianguan" in history, looked at Gu Bingqian, the "White Bearded Prime Minister", with a look of vigilance in his eyes.

Gu Bingqian was not affected at all and continued, "There is a possibility that the emperor will keep Gu Xiancheng's memorial and not send it out, and just downplay it.

This would be the best possible outcome, but I think it is unlikely.

You all know the emperor's character. After all, Lord Jiuyuan has analyzed it for us many times."

What kind of person was Emperor Wanli? He worshipped his grandfather, Emperor Jiajing, and was happy to see his ministers quarreling as long as it did not involve himself.

Regardless of whether his level was high or not, he did have the idea of ​​"checks and balances" in his mind, such as allowing the censors to attack and liquidate Zhang Juzheng.

Therefore, Emperor Wanli probably would not keep Gu Xiancheng's "On the Great Harms of the Court" in his palace, and would probably issue it for discussion.

Everyone understands the above logic, so Gu Bingqian does not need to elaborate, and continues: "If it is only sent to the cabinet, the impact is still controllable, but the probability is not high.

So it is very likely that it will be sent to various ministries and agencies for discussion. What kind of situation will then arise?
Whether it is our side or the opponent's side, no one will support Gu Xiancheng and will refute Gu Xiancheng!

Then in the eyes of the emperor, wouldn’t Gu Xiancheng’s image be that of a lonely minister?
If it works well, a lone minister can also achieve great things! For example, Zhang Fujing, the chief minister in the early years of Emperor Shizong's reign, started out as a lone minister. It took him only five or six years from passing the imperial examination to entering the cabinet! "

Everyone suddenly realized that this might really be Gu Xiancheng's idea!

The current court situation has evolved into a confrontation between the Lin Party and the Qingliu forces. Gu Xiancheng wants to take a desperate third path.

It's risky and it's very easy to get shattered.

However, if Gu Xiancheng still wants to make a difference in politics in the future, there seems to be no better choice at the moment.

Zhou Yingqiu frowned slightly. Sure enough, Gu Bingqian was his competitor in the same ecological niche.

He must perform well, otherwise the limelight today will be stolen.

So Zhou Yingqiu spoke decisively, "If Gu Xiancheng really has this idea, it is not impossible to restrain himself."

Everyone looked at Zhou Yingqiu again. Could it be that Zhou Yingqiu had come up with a countermeasure in such a short time?
Then I heard Zhou Yingqiu say: "It is not easy to be a lone minister. Zhang Fujing became a lone minister because he stood out in the Great Ceremony Debate!
Although there was no major ritual debate in the Wanli Dynasty, there was a dispute over the foundation of the country. It was not easy for Gu Xiancheng to be a lone minister!

As long as someone submits a petition requesting that the eldest prince be allowed to leave the palace to study and give lectures, and then quotes some of Gu Xiancheng's words, the fire will naturally be directed at him.

After all, Gu Xiancheng is known as a true Confucian of the right path. He has given lectures frequently over the years, and many of his words can be quoted at random!

At that time, the emperor will definitely ask Gu Xiancheng about his attitude, or wait for Gu Xiancheng's statement! "

Everyone has to admire you, Zhou Yingqiu, for being so ruthless that you actually thought of raising the issue of national foundation to attack Gu Xiancheng!

The meaning of letting the eldest prince go out of the palace to study and teach is actually to give him the treatment of the crown prince.

This is to force Gu Xiancheng to death and leave him no way out.

Wang Xiangmeng still had some questions, "Then who will petition to allow the eldest prince to study and give lectures, and be responsible for setting the pace?
You know, the person who submitted the petition will definitely bear the wrath of the Nine Heavens. Are we going to sacrifice our comrades here for the sake of the mad Gu Xiancheng?"

Zhou Yingqiu gritted his teeth and said, "Why should we send people? This is a problem with the enemy, not ours!

They failed to control Gu Xiancheng, so they have to take responsibility for the consequences! The solution was given to them, so they should do it!
Otherwise, it will be considered that Gu Xiancheng provoked the dispute between the two sides, and the two sides will go to war! "Everyone agreed, "That's right! The Qingliu forces should be responsible for dealing with Gu Xiancheng! There is no reason for us to contribute manpower!"

Anyway, a solution was finally found, and everyone felt relieved.

Wang Xiangmeng said with a smile, as if he were a senior official: "We have Zhou Yingqiu and Gu Bingqian in our Renewal Society, just like we have a Crouching Dragon and a Phoenix!

Today's discussion can also be called a careful and thorough decision, which really complements each other!"

Amidst the flattery, Gu Bingqian suddenly smiled bitterly and said, "In fact, I still have some misconceptions, but for the sake of the renewal of the society, I have to express them.

Although the method Senior Zhou mentioned is feasible, it is still not perfect. "

Everyone was stunned. Zhou Yingqiu's strategy was so vicious, and you still said it was not perfect?

Wang Xiangmeng first glanced at Zhou Yingqiu, and then said to Gu Bingqian: "Lin Jiuyuan said that comrades should be open and honest with each other. You can tell us first."

Gu Bingqian then spoke again: "Raising the issue of the country's foundation in the memorial is a matter of exposing the dragon's scales.

Successfully putting the blame on Gu Xiancheng was equivalent to taking advantage of the emperor. And the emperor must have realized that he was being taken advantage of.

Even if the plan succeeded and Gu Xiancheng was deposed, it would leave a big grudge in the emperor's heart. Just think about it, how could the emperor like the feeling of being used?

I don’t know whether this grudge can be eliminated or whether it will turn into a hidden danger. I must figure it out.”

Zhou Yingqiu asked expressionlessly: "Then what do you say we should do?"

Gu Bingqian replied: "Haven't you heard that the most threatening moment of a bow and arrow is when the arrow is on the string but has not yet been released?
As long as the emperor is informed in advance through some channels, the ministers may bring up the topic of the national foundation in order to attack Gu Xiancheng.

So in order to avoid trouble, the emperor probably wouldn't want to spend any more time on a mere Gu Xiancheng.

After all, Gu Xiancheng is only a Yuanwailang now, not an important official of the court, and his current value is very limited. "

Zhou Yingqiu continued to ask: "The emperor is in the ninth floor, how can we let the emperor know?"

Gu Bingqian continued to answer: "Let the Qingliu Party of the other party first ask the cabinet about the relevant situation in secret, and then let the cabinet elders disclose the situation to the emperor."

Zhou Yingqiu thought about it silently and felt that what Gu Bingqian said should be correct.

If it were someone like Emperor Jiajing, even if he was "reminded", he might still be stubborn and rebellious and continue to do things his own way.

But Emperor Wanli did not have such means and strong will. If he was reminded that it might cause trouble, he would most likely avoid the trouble and did not want to confront it head-on.

The next day, Wang Xiangmeng went to work at the Ministry of Literature and met Gu Xiancheng, a deputy minister. He could not help but persuade him, "Mr. Gu, please resign on your own. This will ensure peace in the court."

Gu Xiancheng, who had made up his mind to take this gamble, said proudly: "I have already put myself out of the picture."

Wang Xiangmeng shook his head and said nothing more.

A few days later, the eunuch Chen Ju, who was in charge of writing, suddenly came to the Ministry of Personnel to see Gu Xiancheng on imperial orders.

After dismissing his attendants, Chen Ju showed Gu Xiancheng a secret letter and said, "The emperor has sent you a secret letter to ask you a question. You should reply here, and then I will take it back to the palace to present it."

Gu Xiancheng took the secret letter and opened it to read it carefully.

Eunuch Chen shook his head secretly upon seeing this. He didn't know whether Gu Xiancheng was a talent or not, but he was definitely not as good as Lin Tailai.

Two years ago, Lin Tailai also encountered a similar thing, but he did not choose to open it and read it himself. Instead, he asked himself, the angel who delivered the order, to read it aloud. This shows how cautious he was.

If you read a written document, you need to answer in writing. If you hear a message, you only need to answer orally.

Gu Xiancheng looked at the secret letter, on which he wrote in his own handwriting: "In the past, I consulted Lin Tailai on the national foundation. He suggested that the Empress Yuan had no legitimate son and the future was uncertain.

Therefore, the three princes can be crowned kings first. If there is indeed no legitimate son in the future, the best one can be chosen as the crown prince.

Now, based on Lin Tailai's advice, what do you think we should do?"

After reading it, Gu Xiancheng felt bitter. Why did the emperor use such a big issue to question him?

Shouldn't you give yourself a smile and encourage yourself first?

He just asked me questions like this, leaving me no room to maneuver! I haven't gotten any benefits yet, how dare I express my opinion?

If you, the emperor, treat your subjects in this way, who would dare to risk their life for you?
I am not an important official or a senior official, so I cannot decide anything in this regard!

Eunuch Chen urged, "It's getting late today, stop being in a daze and write your reply!"

Gu Xiancheng stared at the name "Lin Tailai" on the secret letter and cursed in his heart, "Lin Tailai, you with thick eyebrows and big eyes, it turns out you are such a person in private."

Gu Xiancheng felt that the pen in his hand weighed a thousand pounds, and could not help asking, "Did Lin Tailai write a reply by hand?"

Eunuch Chen replied: "He answered orally."

Gu Xiancheng was overjoyed and asked quickly, "Can I also give a verbal answer?"

If you just express your opinion verbally without leaving any written trace, you can be much more flexible.

Ever since the leak of the Prime Minister's secret memorial at the end of the 19th year of the Wanli reign, no one trusted the emperor's integrity.

But Eunuch Chen refused flatly, saying, "No! It must be handwritten."

Gu Xiancheng questioned: "Why can Lin Tailai answer orally?"

Eunuch Chen said disdainfully: "What level are you? Can you compare with Lin Tailai?
Given Lin Tailai's status and achievements, as long as he does not openly oppose the third prince, the emperor will not make any other demands!

Besides, Lin Tailai has many important uses, and the emperor is unwilling to force Lin Tailai to express his position on the issue of the country's foundation!"

What this means is, what abilities and merits do you have to demand the same preferential treatment as Lin Tailai?

In the past seven or eight years, although Gu Xiancheng was tortured many times by Lin Tailai, he always kept a tight rein and was very patient.

But today, after hearing what Eunuch Chen said, my defenses finally broke down.

How could an emperor be such an emperor? A tyrant! A tyrant who cannot distinguish between loyalty and treachery!

"If there is a legitimate heir, the eldest son will be the heir; if there is no legitimate heir, the eldest son will be the heir. This is an eternal law that cannot be changed!" Gu Xiancheng shouted madly, as if venting some dissatisfaction.

Eunuch Chen: “.”

Fortunately, I deliberately tested him and found that this person is not suitable to be a lone minister and is not worthy of support at all.

(End of this chapter)