Daming talker

Chapter 766: Fall of the Stars
Since Lin Junhou returned to Suzhou, there was not much movement until the Chinese New Year. His life was filled with reunions, ancestor worship, audiences, and gatherings.

In a blink of an eye, the Chinese New Year was over and it was already February of the 22nd year of the Wanli reign. Lin Tailai convened a meeting of middle-level and above cadres of the Lin Group.

At the conference, Lin Tailai delivered a work report entitled "Changing the Extensive Development Model, Deepening Innovation and Demanding Efficiency from Quality."

The report suggests that in the next five years, the Lin Group should shift from a quantity-oriented to a quality-oriented approach, focus on consolidating the foundation, fine management, and tapping internal potential. It should seek development based on quality, while concentrating on solving old hidden dangers brought about by extensive development.

After the group meeting, all the implementation work was put aside, and Lin Tailai began to think about his personal plan for this year. What should he do?
Sitting in the hall and counting on his fingers, Lin Tailai discovered that this year was already the tenth year since he had traveled through time.

It seems like it was just yesterday when I wrote "Three Poems of Feelings When I was Eighteen" at Yinma Bridge.

Time flies by so fast in the blink of an eye, and it seems like I haven’t done much.

The main thing is that he earned millions of dollars, controlled the economic lifeline of Suzhou and Songjiang, won nine top places in the civil and military examinations, dominated the literary world with the title of the master of poetry, and also fought more than ten battles, annihilated hundreds of thousands of enemies, and was awarded a title of nobility for his military merits.

As for small things such as promoting the opening of the sea in the Jiangnan region, five pioneer landings, mediating between the northern barbarians, rebuilding the order of the Jurchens, developing copper mines, and opening the door to Japan, there are too many to count.

By the way, the "Compendium of Materia Medica" has just been printed in Suzhou.

Nearly two million words and more than a thousand illustrations, all of which need to be engraved and printed, is a huge non-profit project. It was promised to Li Shizhen's son in the 19th year of the Wanli reign, but it has not been completed until now.

All the hundreds of copies of the first edition were sent to the Lin Mansion by Gao Changjiang, filling several large tables.

Within the Lin Group, Gao Changjiang was in charge of all matters related to education, science, culture, and health, so the project of publishing "Compendium of Materia Medica" was led by Gao Changjiang.

Although the opening preface of Compendium of Materia Medica was written by Lin Tailai, he was not interested in reading such a boring record-style medical book.

Because this is really not a recreational reading material, it can only be collected as a souvenir.

After appreciating the "cultural wonder" he created, Lin Tailai continued to think about his personal plans for this year.

Maybe we should hold a literary conference first? Ever since the old leader Wang and I went north, we haven't held a literary conference in the south for three years.

While I was thinking about the literary world, the doorman suddenly came to report that the prefect Tu Shufang was here to visit.

Although the prefect was no longer of any use, he was still the "parent official" after all, so Lin Tailai still invited him in.

I originally thought that Magistrate Tu came to discuss this year's tax payment plan, but unexpectedly I heard that Magistrate Tu came to announce a death.

"Xu Wenchang, a famous scholar in Zhejiang, has passed away. The literary community in our province sympathizes with his plight and has asked me to ask you to write a eulogy in person to clear his name."

Lin Tailai, who had not heard this name for a long time, was stunned for a moment, and sighed, "Mr. Qingteng and I have known each other for a long time, but it's a pity that we have never met. I didn't expect that he would die sooner."

When he started to work in the literary world nine years ago, in order to fight against the retro-style faction and disgust the old leader Wang, the still weak Lin Tailai always used the banner of Xu Wenchang, and even called himself and Xu Wenchang as "enemies of the literary world", taking a rebellious approach.

However, Lin Tailai had never thought of visiting Xu Wenchang in Shanyin County, Shaoxing Prefecture, because Xu Wenchang was a mentally ill man who was often not in his right mind and a cruel man who dared to chop his wife and mutilate himself.

Lin Tailai was afraid of a physical conflict. If he accidentally killed Xu Wenchang, the impact would be too bad.

Later, after gradually defeating the retro-styled faction and becoming the "mainstream literary world", Lin Tailai rarely mentioned Xu Wenchang.

But after all, Lin Tailai had praised Xu Wenchang in his early years, so the Zhejiang literary world asked Lin Tailai to write an eulogy this time.

After a few sighs, Lin Tailai patted his pectoralis major and said, "I have always admired Mr. Qingteng. I will write the eulogy! I will also write the epitaph!"

Prefect Tu twitched his face and said, "There's no need for an epitaph, right? Someone else will write it."

You wrote the epitaph when you didn't even know Xu Wenchang? You have to give others a chance to show their faces. How can you steal all the limelight?

Lin Tailai snorted coldly, "Besides me, who else is qualified to write an epitaph for Xu Wenchang? Do you still want to stay in the literary world?"

A legendary figure like Xu Wenchang has monuments such as his former residence in later generations, and it is very likely that the epitaph written for him will be passed down to future generations.

In front of the young man who had turned into a dragon, Prefect Tu bowed his head helplessly and said, "I will pass on your opinion back to Zhejiang."

Just when Lin Tailai was writing the epitaph for Xu Wenchang, Wang Shimao suddenly came to visit from Taicang Prefecture.

Many people may not know Wang Shimao, but he is the younger brother of Wang Shizhen, the old leader of the literary world.

Lin Tailai thought that Wang Shimao came to Suzhou City for fun, but it turned out that Wang Shimao also came to report a death.

"The news reached my house from Wuchang that Lord Chuanlou has passed away!"

Lin Tailai was a little surprised. What year is this? How come another literary celebrity has passed away?
The Chuanlou Gong that Wang Shimao mentioned is the literary giant Wu Guolun, who is listed as one of the Seven Masters of the Retro School along with Wang Shizhen.

Today, only Wang Shizhen and Wu Guolun are still alive among the Seven Masters of the Retro school, and they have always been called East Wang and West Wu.

In today's literary world, it is almost at the level of "Eastern Evil, Western Poison, Northern Beggar, and Southern Emperor".

Lin Tailai nodded seriously and said, "I understand! Wu Chuanlou's death is a major event in the literary world. I will be the one to write the eulogy, epitaph, and the like."

Wang Shimao said quickly: "I just came to report the death to you, my brother will naturally be mentioned on the epitaph."

Wang Shizhen and Wu Guolun have been brothers and comrades-in-arms for decades. How could it be someone else's turn to write Wu Guolun's epitaph?

But under the pressure of Lin Tailai's majestic gaze, Wang Shimao's voice became lower and lower, and he changed his words: "Then I'll trouble you, my brother has not been energetic this year, so there is no need to bother him."

As the two were talking, they suddenly saw Zhang Fengyi, a famous scholar from Suzhou, hurried in.

This person is Lin Tailai’s old partner in the literary world, and his younger brother Zhang Youyu is also Lin Tailai’s nominal teacher.

Seeing Zhang Fengyi's sad face, Lin Tailai subconsciously asked, "Are you here to report a death as well? Could it be my teacher?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Youyu, dressed in white mourning clothes, appeared from behind Zhang Fengyi and shouted to Lin Tailai:

"The scourge has lasted for thousands of years! My master is still alive, but you can hold a funeral for me first, and you can be the host!
Oh, and please help me buy a good coffin. I will sleep in it for two nights to see if it is comfortable!"

Lin Tailai: "."

Although he could be considered eloquent, he was often at a loss for words when facing this teacher who had been a psychopath for half his life.

"Stop fooling around!" Zhang Fengyi scolded his brother, and then said to Lin Tai: "It is indeed a funeral. Someone from Huizhou sent me news that Wang Daokun is dead."

Lin Tailai and Wang Shimao were both shocked. How come these literary celebrities died one after another? Did even death come together to make things more interesting?
Wang Daokun was once known as the "Northern and Southern Simas" together with the old alliance leader Wang. For decades, they have been both allies and competitors, and are also literary giants of the "Eastern Evil and Western Poison" level.

Even Lin Tailai found this situation quite strange. He sighed and said, "It's really hard to explain. Anyway, the epitaph is left to me."

I never expected that I would receive many offers to write epitaphs after doing nothing in the early spring. At the current market price, if I asked a person of Lin Tailai's level to write an epitaph, I would be charged two or three hundred taels of silver.

But Lin Tailai is not short of money, so he writes for these fallen literary stars for free!
Thinking of this, Lin Tailai said to Wang Shimao worriedly: "These contemporaries have died one after another. I am very worried that your brother's spirit will be affected and he will not be able to hold on.

Before I left Beijing last year, I noticed that your brother’s health was not good.”

Wang Shimao sighed deeply and said helplessly: "Let it be up to fate. My brother has no regrets in his life."

What regrets could this brother have in his life, other than the fact that his father was framed and beheaded by Yan Song and his son when he was young, and that he was bullied by Lin Tailai for several years when he was old?
At this time, Gao Changjiang rushed in and shouted, "Just received the news that Li Shizhen, who wrote the Compendium of Materia Medica, has passed away in his hometown.

It is said that when he heard that the Compendium of Materia Medica was successfully published while he was ill, his excitement faded away. The Li family wanted to ask the editor to write an epitaph for Li Shizhen.

Lin Tailai was so numb after hearing the news of the death that he once again asked the heavens in silence, what kind of year is this? Why are there so many jobs writing epitaphs?
In the original history, Xu Wenchang, Wang Daokun, Wu Guolun, Li Shizhen and other people who had direct or indirect connections with Lin Tailai all died coincidentally in the 21st year of Wanli.

Although affected by some butterfly effects in this time and space, the time of death was still not far apart, and as a result, the time when the news of death reached the Lin Mansion coincided.

Hubei is quite far away, so Lin Tailai did not go there; in Huizhou, because of the relationship between Huizhou merchants and the former Grand Secretary Xu Guo, the locals had a very bad impression of Lin Tailai, so Lin Tailai also did not go there.

So Lin Tailai, who was living in seclusion at home, finally went to Shaoxing Prefecture, which was not too far away, to pay his respects to Xu Wenchang and to win over the Zhejiang Gang.

It also has another important significance, which is that, as the quasi-leader of the literary world, he vindicated Xu Wenchang and officially restored his reputation in the literary world.

Only Lin Tailai was qualified to modify and overturn the conclusion made by the old leader Wang in this matter. This is a display of cultural hegemony.

Just after returning home from Zhejiang, I saw the retainer Qian Shiyang hurriedly report: "Yesterday, a man named Zhou Weicheng claimed to be the son-in-law of Hai Qingtian and was eager to see you."

Lin Tailai was quite puzzled. What did Hai Rui's son-in-law want to see him for?
When they invited the people over, Zhou Weicheng pleaded, "Mr. Yue is already very ill. I beg you to go visit him. I will serve you like a slave to repay you!"

Lin Tailai asked in confusion: "Why did you ask me to visit? I'm not a doctor."

Zhou Weicheng replied: "If your personal visit cannot inspire Yue Weng to live, then there is really nothing we can do this time.

In addition, when Yue Weng was conscious, he said a few words, as if he wanted to see you before he died. "

Hearing that Hai Qingtian was once again seriously ill, Lin Tailai felt mixed emotions and couldn't help but sigh.

According to the original history, Hai Rui should have died seven years ago. The only reason he managed to survive until now was because of his own motivation.

But people cannot live forever. There will be a day when their energy runs out. I'm afraid Hai Qingtian won't be able to survive this time.

Then Lin Tailai ordered his attendants, "Get ready immediately! I am leaving and will rush to Nanjing on horseback."

There are so few such pure people, so let's go and see them for the last time if we can make it.

Besides, Hai Qingtian was so poor that he just spent money to help arrange his funeral affairs, which would have been a good story passed down to future generations.

Two or three days later, Lin Tailai, exhausted from his journey, appeared in the official residence area of ​​the Censorate in the north of Nanjing City.

Hai Rui's residence was an ordinary two-courtyard house. At this time, Hai Rui was bedridden in the back room and was in a coma most of the time.

Lin Tailai stood in the yard and waited for more than half an hour before Hai Qingtian woke up.

Lin Tailai lifted the door curtain again and went in. The light in the room was dim.

Hai Qingtian lay on the couch with his back facing up, motionless. He didn't even have the strength to turn over. It was as if only his eyes had used up their last bit of strength to open and look at Lin Tailai.

"Everyone, step back." Hai Rui said, obviously addressing his old concubine and son-in-law who were serving him.

After everyone else left the room, Hai Rui asked Lin Tailai again, "I don't understand you."

Lin Tailai wanted to provoke Hai Qingtian, so he answered in a rather frivolous way: "I am a deity from heaven who has come down to earth. Of course, a mortal body cannot understand."

Hai Qingtian looked at the beams for a long while, then asked again: "What do you want to do?"

After thinking for a while, Lin Tailai replied, "Save the world."

Hai Rui's eyes sparkled, and he continued to ask, "How do we save him?"

Lin Tailai said: “I am the only one who knows the general direction, but I cannot explain it clearly.

Even if I tell it, no one will believe it, so let's just treat it as a secret that can't be leaked."

Hai Rui couldn't help but accuse him, "But sometimes you act too badly."

Lin Tailai responded: “Believe me, without me, the world will only be worse in the future.

In other words, even if I do something wrong, the world won’t get any worse.”

Hai Rui wanted to explore it further, but he was exhausted and had no more strength. He slowly closed his eyes and his breathing gradually stopped.

Lin Tailai bowed gently to the old man, walked to the door, and shook his head at Zhou Weicheng.

Lin Tailai then stayed in Nanjing for half a month and paid for the funeral arrangements.

Zhou Weicheng escorted Hai Qingtian's coffin back to Hainan, and Lin Tailai escorted it to Suzhou. He then wrote letters to officials in Zhejiang, Fujian and other places, requesting care along the way.

However, after Lin Tailai sent Hai Qingtian away, he had not had a few days to rest when Wang Shimao rushed over from Taicang Prefecture.

Looking at Wang Shimao whose eyes were swollen from crying, Lin Tailai immediately felt an ominous premonition.

Sure enough, Wang Shimao said in a hoarse voice: "Bad news came from the capital. My brother died of a serious illness half a month ago."

Lin Tailai remained silent. The number of old friends he had seen off in the past few months was not as many as the number he had seen off in the nine years before he traveled through time.

In the original history, Wang Shizhen died four years ago. Even if he could change his fate in this time and space, he could not extend his life forever.

The end of the life of Wang Tianguan, the old leader of the Wang Alliance, finally came. He and his friends and enemies in the literary world for decades, such as Wu Guolun, Wang Daokun, and Xu Wenchang, passed away together with all their grievances.

When the old leader's coffin arrives in Taicang Prefecture, Lin Tailai will have to personally preside over the funeral, and only Lin Tailai is the most qualified.

It seems that I can't do anything else in the first half of this year, except writing epitaphs, paying condolences, and handling funeral affairs.

(End of this chapter)