Two days later, during this Yangzhou Literary Forum, the second gathering hosted by Mr. Wang personally was held at Shangpingshan Hall in Shugang.
The number of people attending the gathering this time was double that of last time.
Scholars are admitted not based on their history, fame, official position, or family background, but only their money. It’s very fair!
Of course, those who have enough background, enough fame, enough official positions, and enough family background will not spend these twenty taels of silver.
Under normal circumstances, they have ways and channels to meet the old alliance leader.
If they spend twenty taels of silver to "visit" the old leader today, how will they get along with the old leader when they meet again in the future?
So the people who spend money to enter are actually not mainstream figures in the literary world.
The only person who could enter for free was Zhang Jiayin, but he did not show up this time.
Although Zhang Jiayin and Wang Shizhen have been dating for thirty years, and they are both the seventh son of the retro school, and they want to help Wang Shizhen in their hearts, they have to face reality.
Zhang Jiayin, who has served as governor and minister of the Ministry of War, has rich experience in dealing with arrogant and powerful generals and is relatively pragmatic.
He knew very well that Lin Tailai would not really listen to him. He only had the title of "Martial Master".
Besides, he is no longer the Minister of War, and he has no power to order Lin Tai to come.
Since there was nothing I could do, I simply stopped coming, out of sight and out of mind. Anyway, Lin Tailai had guaranteed that Wang Shizhen's personal safety would not be a problem.
When Lin Daguan came to the mountain gate, the military attache of Yangzhou Guard asked in a low voice: "How to deal with the money this time?"
Official Lin instructed: "If it weren't for the prince sitting here, how would you have any extra money? Don't you want to thank the prince?"
The military attache asked tentatively: "Half of today's share will be divided between our officers and soldiers, and the other half will be given to the prince?"
Lin Daguan nodded and said appreciatively: "As a human being, you should drink water and think about the source. This is very good!"
So after that, many sergeants held up the silver and shouted: "Thank you, prince, for the generous gift!"
Leader Wang, who was sitting in the hall, heard the cries of support for him from outside, and felt neither joy nor sorrow in his heart.
He understood very well that except for the determination to commit suicide, any extra emotions at this time were useless.
Suddenly, all the doors of Pingshan Hall opened wide, and the light from outside shone into Pingshan Hall.
When Pingshan Hall was built, it was mainly for overlooking the beautiful scenery. This is the biggest feature of Pingshan Hall. Therefore, in addition to the door leaves, the front of Pingshan Hall is a floor-to-ceiling window that can be opened.
In early March, when spring flowers are blooming, when all the doors and windows are opened, the outside and the inside of the hall become one.
But in the eyes of the old alliance leader, how wonderful would everything be without Lin Tailai and hundreds of officers and soldiers?
Lin Daguan did not enter the hall, but stood outside and said to Mr. Wang, the leader of the alliance: "The number of people is almost there today, and the gathering can begin!"
Leader Wang didn't want to speak, but Official Lin didn't seem to care either and waved towards the moon gate to the west.
A beautiful little lady wearing a pink gauze dress walked out and immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Behind her were two maids, holding pipa and other things, until they walked to the front of the hall.
Lin Daguan then said to Wang Lao, leader of the alliance: "This is Fan Ji from Yangzhou. She is excellent at singing and dancing, and is praised by people!"
Today I would like to perform in front of the Duke of Yanzhou to cheer up the gathering!"
Leader Wang glanced at Fan Ji lightly but said nothing.
Leader Wang is well aware of Official Lin's plans. If you want to use his reputation as the leader of the literary world to flatter others, there is no way!
Official Lin made a gesture to Fan Ji, so Fan Ji performed her best butterfly dance directly in front of the hall.
As the opening program of today's gathering, Fan Ji's butterfly dance triggered a round of cheers.
Only the old alliance leader Wang who was sitting in the hall remained cold to the end and said nothing. No matter what happened, today he kept silent.
Lin Daguan smiled and said: "Mr. Yanzhou! Don't you like to laugh today? Fan Ji is working so hard, why don't you just say a few words?"
After hearing this, the leader of the alliance, Wang, not only did not speak, but also closed his eyes and began to rest with his eyes closed.
Fan Ji, who was standing in front of the hall to perform, was at a loss. She had never been left out like this since her debut.
Lin Daguan sighed and said meaningfully: "The old alliance leader is old after all! He may have lost his lust for women."
Alliance Leader Wang Lao secretly clenched his old fist, almost fell into the "provocation plan", and almost opened his mouth to refute.
Then I heard Lin Daguan continue to say: "With this feeling and this scene, I can't help but think of a little poem. I would like to share it with you. It can be regarded as a contribution to today's elegant gathering."
Immediately Lin Daguan recited: "Willow has a small waist and is used to dancing in the east wind. She has learned the pipa and left the studio. She is not a business woman."
I am busy arranging jade and scratching my head, and the slender spring bamboo shoots are exposed. Du Muzhi, an old man from the south of the Yangtze River, is too lazy to write poems for Qiuniang."
All the scholars who were watching couldn't help laughing when they heard the last sentence.
From a literal allusion point of view, the sentence "Du Muzhi, who was old and went to the south of the Yangtze River, was too lazy to write poems for Qiuniang" is a warning against the aging of famous prostitutes.
But when looking at the scene in front of me, it seems to have another meaning. It's like secretly saying that a certain talented man is old and can't handle beautiful women anymore and loses interest.
Thousands of Hamlets, how to interpret it all depends on personal opinions. Of course, the most popular interpretation must be the most vulgar one.
Official Lin said to Fan Ji: "Although Duke Yanzhou didn't say anything, he used practical actions to elicit a good poem. Why don't you thank Duke Yanzhou?"
Fan Ji hurriedly stepped forward to thank the old leader of the alliance, Lin Daguan, who was nearby, hinted: "My daughter's body is fragile and she will not go down the mountain today. Let Fan Ji rest in Pingshan Hall tonight!"
Leader Wang: "."
Isn’t this horse-riding man forcing good girls into prostitution? It’s not just insulting the spirit, but also insulting his own body?
Although the old leader Wang was extremely uncooperative, through the mobilization of Lin Daguan, the atmosphere of the gathering was finally opened up.
Feng Shike asked in a low voice to the leader of the alliance, Mr. Wang: "Why does Mr. Yanzhou bother to practice silent chanting?"
Leader Wang Lao replied: "This is non-violence and non-cooperation."
At this time, Zhang Fengyi appeared in the hall with his servants, holding a painting, and said to the old leader Wang: "I have a painting of "Fishing Alone on the River" here. Please help Fengzhou identify it!"
Alliance leader Wang Lao shut his mouth again and ignored him.
Feng Shike stood up, pointed at Zhang Fengyi and shouted: "Three noble members of the Wu family have fallen to the point of colluding with Lin Tailai! Where is your literary character?"
Zhang Fengyi replied coldly: "Ever since Wang Fengzhou wanted to prostitute my ancient paintings for free, the scholar Zhang Fengyi has died!
The five sons of several generations don’t have the names of our brothers, so what kind of literary character do we need?”
"What a great painting!" Lin Daguan shouted, speaking in layman's terms, "I have a poem here that is a perfect match for this painting!"
Zhang Fengyi asked very professionally: "It's such a loud tone, what kind of poem is it?"
Lin Daguan did not hide his clumsiness and sang loudly: "A coir, a straw hat, a small boat, a foot of silk fiber and an inch of hook. A song, a bottle of wine, and a person fishing alone in the river."
This poem caused everyone to exclaim a little, it was so dazzling, and the artistic conception was also very good!
Zhang Fengyi praised: "This poem and painting are truly a match made in heaven!"
At this point, Lin Daguan has completed his task. It is Zhang Fengyi's business how to speculate on the paintings.
There must be many rich people among those who can spend twenty taels of silver to buy a ticket.
Then Mr. Lin retreated. After all, others have spent money, leaving others with opportunities to perform. This is called business spirit.
Otherwise, who would be willing to spend money to enter next time?
As the sun turned westward, the gathering dispersed, and the exhausted scholars began to descend from the mountain and return to the city one after another.
Sitting under the sunset, the shadow of the old alliance leader was particularly long.
Feng Shike stepped forward and was about to say a few words of comfort when he heard the old leader Wang sigh and whisper:
"The tender grass is green and smokey, and the two flying swallows are curling up.
Luoshui is green, and people on the road admire it.
Looking far into the deep blue clouds, I see my old palace.
Who can show his loyalty and vent the resentment in my heart?"
Feng Shike felt that he had to say something to prevent the old alliance leader from going insane.
So he said to the old leader: "Today I chatted with the scholars who went up the mountain and learned some news about the people down the mountain."
"What news can there be?" asked the old alliance leader.
Feng Shike said: "I heard that Lin Tailai's behavior has aroused public outrage among scholars! As the saying goes, public anger is hard to offend, and Lin Tailai cannot withstand everyone's anger!
I believe that in less than three to five days, under the pressure of public outrage, Duke Yanzhou will be able to get out of trouble."
The old alliance leader felt that he was alive again, and said with some relief: "Justice is in the heart of the people."
Feng Shike did not make it clear. Many people were angry at Lin Tailai for holding the old alliance leader hostage and preventing others from improving the old alliance leader's reputation.
Official Lin returned to his house and saw that Lu Junbi had been waiting for a long time.
"Don't worry, I've already left your sweetheart in Pingshan Hall for the night!" Lin Daguan said: "In any case, tomorrow she can tell the public that she slept with the old alliance leader, and she also won a poem and gained fame.
Will definitely get up!"
Lu Junbi said quickly: "That's not what I said! Master Qian came to see me today when he was patrolling the Salt Inspectorate!"
Lin Daguan was not surprised by this and asked again: "It was expected. What did he say?"
Today Grand Official Lin went to Pingshan Hall. If he wanted to negotiate with him, he had to go to the chief shopkeeper Lu Junbi first.
Lu Junbi replied: "Master Qian said that this incident can be characterized as the Salt Transportation Department bending the law for personal gain, and the evidence of the crime is conclusive."
After listening to this, Mr. Lin could not help but sneer.
Sure enough, under high pressure from the outside world, the internal order unified by interests will begin to collapse.
It is the instinct of these people to betray their accomplices and protect themselves.
Then Lin Tailai continued to ask: "No one from the Salt Transportation Department is looking for you?"
Lu Junbi shook his head and said, "Only Mr. Qian, who patrols the Salt Inspectorate, will come."
Lin Daguan was a little confused and said: "That's strange. I don't think Fei Yunshi is a fatuous fool. He can't be so slow, right?"
Before he finished speaking, he saw the doorman coming in with Fei Yunshi's name card.
Lu Junbi judged and said: "Fei Yunshi must have sent someone to keep an eye on this place, and when they saw him coming back from sitting in the pavilion, he came over to talk."
Official Lin didn't waste any time and asked his disciples to bring the envoy Fei Yun in.
At this time, Fei Yunshi did not wear official robes and hid in a sedan chair and traveled incognito.
Official Lin knew this and asked, "What's the point of bringing a great envoy to visit my humble residence?"
Fei Yunshi answered straight to the point: "As for the questions you raised in court earlier, I can reply to you now.
The previous actions taken by the Salt Transportation Department against you were all directed by the Salt Inspectorate."
Official Lin asked calmly: "What evidence is there?"
Fei Yunshi said: "Of course there is evidence, but it is in the Salt Transportation Department."
"What a coincidence!" Lin Daguan suddenly patted the handrail, "The Salt Inspection Office said that the previous actions of the Salt Transportation Department can be characterized as your transportation personnel bending the law for personal gain, and they also have evidence!"
Upon hearing the news, Fei Yunshi fell into silence.
Lin Daguan said in a very embarrassed tone: "Both of you think the other is to blame. I don't know who to believe."
Next to him, Lu Junbi advised: "There are more benefits and safer cooperation with the Salt Inspectorate.
First, the Salt Inspectorate can bring out more benefits, and secondly, the Salt Inspectorate can more easily suppress the Salt Transportation Department, allowing us to save energy."
Lin Daguan agreed: "It makes sense. And things must come first, first come first."
Then he turned to Fei Yunshi and said, "You are a step late. Please come back today."
Fei Yunshi did not move, but said: "I thought you had already understood it clearly.
I didn’t expect that Mr. Lu would be so short-sighted and actually thought that the salt inspectorate would bring more benefits.”
Being ridiculed as short-sighted, Lu Junbi felt a little embarrassed and shouted:
"No matter how big your salt transportation department is, can it be bigger than the Salt Patrol Office? No matter how much you give, can it be bigger than the Salt Patrol Office?"
Fei Yunshi did not argue with Lu Junbi, but turned to Lin Daguan and said: "Actually, I have been thinking about this question for two days and two nights, what is the real purpose of Lin Tailai?
If it was just to sell more private salt, it wouldn't be such a big deal."
Lin Daguan said sincerely: "I am a very righteous person. I just want to bring more benefits to my subordinates."
Fei Yunshi ignored Lin Daguan's nonsense and said directly as if flipping the table: "What you are planning is not a few kilograms of private salt. What you are planning is to destroy order and then rebuild it! And in the process, grab as much as possible
that power!"
At this time, Lu Junbi also closed his mouth and looked at Lin Daguanren in surprise. Is this really what Lin Daguanren thought?
Lin Daguan looked around and said to him, "You are really good at figuring things out on your own!"
Fei Yunshi asked and answered himself: "Even from a profit perspective, I betrayed the Salt Patrol Yuan, and the Salt Patrol Yuan betrayed the Salt Transport Commissioner, which one brings you greater benefit?"
If the Salt Transportation Department collapses, no matter what you get, you still can't get around the Salt Inspectorate above.
And if the Salt Patrol Yuan collapses, who else can control you in the salt industry until the new Salt Patrol Censor regains power?
So from your standpoint, shouldn’t the top priority be to defeat the Salt Inspectorate?”
Official Lin looked at Fei Yunshi in surprise, "Are you thinking about us every day when you have enough to eat and nothing to do at home?"
Fei Yunshi replied: "I just want to live safely. Is this a luxury?"
Lin Daguan agreed: "I am a very business-minded person. I will listen to whoever offers a higher price!"