Daming talker

Chapter 775 I'll Just Rub It (Part )

Ever since the dismissal of Grand Secretary Zhang Wei, who had a strong personality, deliberately formed cliques and attempted to become a "third party", the cabinet has not added any new members and has maintained the structure of three cabinet elders.

At this time, three university scholars, Zhao Zhigao, Zhu Geng and Li Chun, were sitting in the central hall of Wenyuan Pavilion, discussing something.

Prime Minister Zhao Zhigao is 77 years old this year. Counting from the time he entered the cabinet at the age of 67, it has been exactly ten years.

Young people in their fifties such as Chen Yubi and Yu Jideng who were just one step away from entering the cabinet have all been worn out, but Prime Minister Zhao, who is almost eighty, is still working hard for the Ming Dynasty.

In the original history, Zhao Zhigao was just a shield put forward by the emperor. He was always scolded by the clean forces outside the court. He had no basic power of his own and suffered all kinds of humiliation in the position of prime minister.

Therefore, starting from the 27th year of Wanli, Prime Minister Zhao claimed to be ill and did not go out for most of the time, until he died in the 29th year of Wanli.

However, in this time and space, Prime Minister Zhao's life is more comfortable. His eyesight is no longer blurry, he is no longer out of breath, he walks faster, and he feels full of energy.

When Lin Tailai walked into Wenyuan Pavilion, he saw Prime Minister Zhao's energetic appearance and knew that old man Zhao would not die next year.

People like the Minister of Personnel Shen Yikuan, the Minister of Revenue Yu Shenxing, the Acting Minister of Rites Zhu Guozuo, and the President of the Academy of Hanlin Academician Zeng Chaojie, all just continue to wait.

Looking at the other two Grand Secretaries Zhu Geng and Li Chun, Lin Tailai said modestly: "I want to discuss state affairs with the Prime Minister. I dare to ask the two elders to stay in the East Pavilion for the time being."

The second assistant Zhu Geng smiled magnanimously, but the third assistant Li Chun said dissatisfiedly: "I am a cabinet minister, what can't I be informed of?"

As he grew older, Lin Tailai's temper improved a lot. When he was contradicted by Grand Secretary Li Chun, he just responded gently:
“I heard that Li Gelao’s hometown is in southeastern Sichuan, and looking at the map, it’s only a few days away from Bozhou.

I wonder if your family has had any secret dealings with Yang Yinglong, and if they supported Yang Yinglong's rebellion? Is it false that you sold salt and iron to the rebels?"

Li Chun: “.”

Why did you mess with him? Second Assistant Zhu Geng pulled Li Chun, and they left Wenyuan Pavilion together and went to the East Pavilion to drink tea temporarily.

In front of Lin Tailai, Prime Minister Zhao was still very relaxed. "Next year, the eldest son of the emperor will be twenty years old, and the court will be in turmoil again."

How could Prime Minister Zhao not notice something that even two rookies like Wen Zhenmeng and Feng Menglong could see?

He continued, "Secondly, because the emperor has been sending mining and tax inspectors to various places, civil unrest has broken out recently, and court officials have had to fight with the emperor.

Third, the emperor had been fighting with his ministers recently and had deliberately withheld some of the memorials for the appointment of officials. Now, the court began to see vacancies not being filled and officials not being promoted after their term of office expired, and many ministers were very dissatisfied with this.

With so many contradictions intertwined, the court situation next year will definitely be chaotic."

But Lin Tailai didn't care about what Prime Minister Zhao was worried about, and said lightly: "What you said are all trivial matters. The farce of the national capital should be over next year."

Hearing Lin Tailai's judgment, Zhao Zhigao was overjoyed, "Can it really end?"

Lin Tailai said with great certainty: "Is there any eldest son in the world who is not appointed as the crown prince at the age of 20? Can the emperor still ignore his ancestors?"

Prime Minister Zhao was completely relieved and said lightheartedly: "If the Eastern Palace is established, and there is no dispute over the foundation of the country, the court will be much quieter."

Starting from the 14th year of Wanli, the dispute over the national foundation, which lasted for more than ten years, almost became the biggest theme in the court.

The interests of various parties kept getting involved, and a wave of struggle would break out regularly every three years or so, and many university secretaries and ministers of rites left because of this.

As long as the national issue is not resolved, it will be like a sword hanging over the cabinet's head, ready to fall at any time.

Thinking of this, Zhao Zhigao sighed again: "If the dispute over the national foundation can be ended during my tenure, my career as the prime minister will be complete." During his tenure as prime minister, he and Lin Tailai worked together to win the three major expeditions, completely solved the problem of Japanese pirates, and alleviated the fiscal deficit. If he could also end the farce over the national foundation, it would be perfect.

So Prime Minister Zhao couldn't help but yearn for the joy of forests and springs, and it seemed that it was time to consider retirement?

After the crown prince is appointed, he can quit while he is ahead, resign from his post and return home, and then he will be a perfect man who can be listed in history books.

Looking back at the entire Ming Dynasty, how many prime ministers were able to accomplish their mission better than me?
Lin Tailai observed what Zhao was thinking and said, "The end of the dispute over the national capital is not the end, but a new beginning. You still can't relax."

Zhao Zhigao said somewhat insincerely: "The foundation of the country is not yet determined, it is too early to say anything."

Lin Tailai didn't say anything more. After chatting with Zhao Zhigao about next year's situation, he stood up and said goodbye.

Zhou Yingqiu and Dong Qichang were still waiting outside the Meridian Gate. Seeing Lin Tailai's frowning face, they asked, "What's the situation?"

Lin Tailai said: "Prime Minister Zhao has already decided to retire."

Zhou Yingqiu and Dong Qichang had nothing to say about this, as people’s pursuits will always change at different stages.

Those who have not been the prime minister want to be the prime minister, and those who have been the prime minister for long think about how to have a good end.

Zhao Zhigao is 77 this year and will be 78 next year. It is natural for him to start thinking about how to retire safely.

Zhou Yingqiu asked tentatively: "What does Lord Jiuyuan think? Doesn't he want Prime Minister Zhao to retire?"

Lin Tailai answered with a clear attitude: "I stayed in the capital this time to deal with various changes, including the problem of Prime Minister Zhao.

There is no more suitable replacement at the moment. As long as he is still able to move, the organization needs him to continue to serve as the Prime Minister."

Zhou Yingqiu's face gradually became solemn. Lin, the governor who had been away from the capital for many years, would be in the capital in person this time. It seemed that the next year would be crucial.

When walking out of Chengtian Gate, Lin Tailai said to Zhou and Dong: "Whether it is to end the dispute over the country's foundation or to decide whether the Prime Minister should stay or go, I know what to do. You two don't have to think too much, just have a good New Year first!"

Zhou Yingqiu flattered him and said, "The Ming Dynasty really needs the support of Lord Jiuyuan!"

After the twelfth lunar month, the New Year's Day of the 29th year of Wanli arrived, but there were no ministers to prepare for the New Year's Day grand court meeting.

As expected, the emperor issued an edict to suspend court as per custom, so that the monarch and his ministers could celebrate the New Year separately without having to see each other.

Lin Tailai was meeting various people at home when he was unexpectedly caught off guard and forced to do work.

According to the rules, the imperial court arranged ceremonies such as suburban sacrifices in the first month of the year.

Under normal circumstances, the ceremony would be presided over by the emperor himself. If the emperor was too lazy to attend, a duke, a prince consort or some other figure would act on his behalf. This was customary.

However, this year Emperor Wanli did not choose the old titles such as Duke of Chengguo or Duke of Yingguo, and ordered Daifang Hou Lin Tai to perform the suburban sacrifice ceremony on his behalf.

So, during the coldest season, Lord Lin went to the Temple of Heaven and the Temple of Earth and spent two days in the cold wind, conscientiously performing sacrifices to heaven and earth on behalf of the emperor.

After the first month of the year was over, Yang Tianmin, the right attendant of the Ministry of Rites, took the lead in submitting a petition requesting the establishment of a crown prince, which once again opened the curtain on the dispute over the national foundation.

(End of this chapter)