Lin Tailai changed his face very quickly. His face before and after he was punished looked like two different people.
Uncle Zheng Guo couldn't react to this at all. Later, he heard Lin Tailai say like a declaration:
"This time I am in danger of losing my reputation, and it's all because of your Zheng family! This feud between me and your Zheng family has been forged again!"
Logically speaking, this is true. Fame is one of the most important things for a scholar. If you lose your fame, it will definitely be a deep hatred.
Although Lin Daguan conveniently wiped a handful of black ashes on Shen Shangshu, he did not forget his main purpose, which was to make enemies with the Zheng family again.
"No, you" Uncle Zheng Guo finally spoke, but as soon as he started speaking, Lin Tailai turned around and left!
Just leave as soon as you say it, and slip away after you hit it, neatly and neatly, without any sloppiness at all.
The doorman of the Zheng Mansion looked at Lin Daguan's body and felt that he had no obligation to stop him from leaving.
Pan Yushi chased him out of Zheng Mansion and asked subconsciously: "Where are you going?"
Official Lin replied casually: "Of course I am going to the Shen Mansion. After all, Shen Shangshu is going to deprive me of my honor. I will go to the chief minister for a formality."
"Just going through the motions?" Xiao Pan Yushi didn't understand for a moment.
Official Lin explained briefly: "It's just a formality to ask the chief assistant for help."
Pan Yushi was in his twenties, and it was the first time he heard the grammar linking "asking for help" and "going through the motions".
He asked again: "Then what else should I do?"
Lin Daguan said earnestly: "You don't have to do anything anymore, you have already become famous! Now is your time to enjoy the glory. If you don't believe me, just go back to the Metropolitan Procuratorate!"
Is it so easy? After Xiao Pan Yushi and Lin Tailai parted ways, he did not return to the Xicheng Procuratorate. He turned around and went to the Metropolitan Procuratorate headquarters.
If the imperial censors in the Metropolitan Procuratorate were fully staffed, there would be hundreds of them. However, they do not necessarily all work in the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Many of them are sent abroad.
Those censors sent abroad had to return to the Metropolitan Procuratorate for inspection, which was called Hui Dao, probably because censors were divided into thirteen Dao.
As the end of the year approaches, there are many censors returning to the imperial court, so it is now busier than usual in the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
When Pan Yushi stepped into the gate of the Metropolitan Procuratorate two days later, he felt that most people were paying attention to him. There were also some colleagues who were not familiar with him and greeted him enthusiastically and proactively.
In Pan Yushi's impression, this is the kind of treatment only those celebrity Yushi receive.
After all, it is impossible for all of the hundreds of censors to be outstanding, most of them are still mediocre people. Only those who have gained a reputation can be called star censors.
For example, the kind of censor who can make the emperor break his defense, and then be beaten with dozens of imperial sticks; and the kind of censor who can anger the ministers, and then be retaliated against.
In recent years, the ethos of the group of censors is different from that of other officials. The pursuit is to gain prestige.
When Pan Yushi was thinking about it, he saw another Jinshi who was a Jinshi in the eleventh year of Wanli running over. He whispered excitedly: "You have become famous! You have become famous!"
"Is it that exaggerated?" Pan Yushi said calmly.
In the same year, he said again: "The Minister of Rites, Shen Shangshu, who was impeached by you, admitted his mistake and was fined one year's salary!
And that bully Lin Tailai, who has always been unscrupulous and uncontrollable, has been arrested and punished by you this time!
If you can let Shen Shangshu and Lin Tailai be punished at the same time, who else can you do? At the end of the year when the government affairs are gradually coming to a halt, you are the most eye-catching star!"
Shen Shangshu is known as the leader of the Qing Dynasty and the de facto number one person under the cabinet. Lin Tailai is known as the chief assistant's top thug, and he is invincible in every battle.
But if you can hold down two people at the same time to admit their mistakes and be punished, the reputation value gained is probably second only to being punished by the imperial staff.
Pan Yushi said very humbly: "I am just doing my job in my position."
That same year couldn't wait to ask for advice: "Your operation this time is really exquisite. Can you explain the idea to me in detail? I'll be the host tonight!"
Pan Yushi was in a daze. What ideas could he have?
That day, after being rejected by his idol Shen Shangshu, his passion for upholding the dignity of the law went cold.
Then I was so confused that I didn't know what to do, so I followed Lin's instructions step by step.
Also, the person surnamed Lin said that this time is just a trial version of some kind of political consulting service. If you feel good, you are welcome to cooperate with me for a long time in the future.
After parting ways with Pan Yushi, Lin Daguan did go to the Shen Mansion. This time he did not stick to trivial matters and waited honestly in the concierge for Shen Shoufu to come home from get off work.
"This is what happened, this is what the situation is." Lin Tailai said to Shen Shoufu: "If Shen Shangshu really petitions to deprive me of my title, I hope Mr. Ge will veto it in the cabinet."
He just wanted to make a fake shot and create an excuse for himself to enmity with the Zheng family, but he didn't want it to be funny if the fake thing came true.
Shen Shoufu said dissatisfied: "I said before that you had to drag me into the water because of your enmity with the Zheng family. Why didn't you take me with you this time?"
Lin Tailai said helplessly: "The cause of this incident is really too small. I tried my best to make the matter bigger, but I can't do anything to drag him into trouble."
Shen Shixing reminded again: "This time Shen Li has been smeared by you again, I will help you suppress him. But before the meeting, you should not provoke Shen Li any more to avoid mishaps."
Remember! Your most important task now is the imperial examination, don’t add too many side effects!"
The main reason is that Shen Shoufu is also tired. He just wants to celebrate the New Year in a relaxed way, and he doesn't want to spend the New Year having to deal with Lin Tailai's aftermath.
While Lin Tailai was pretending to be taught a lesson, Uncle Shen Yongmaoshen also came back from outside.
"Uncle Mao was not at home to serve his father. Where did he go for fun?" Lin Tailai said quickly.
Shen Yongmao ignored Lin Tailai and reported directly to his father: "I just went to visit Min Ling, but the recruitment failed. He doesn't want to come to Shen Mansion to be a guest!"
In recent decades, prime ministers have a habit of recruiting a famous mountain person as a guest.
For example, Yuan Wei recruited Wang Zhideng, Xu Jie recruited Shen Mingchen, and Li Chunfang recruited Wang Shucheng after recruiting Xu Wenchang.
This is probably why Wang Zhideng, Shen Mingchen, and Wang Shucheng are known as the three major civilian poets in the world today.
Affected by this trend, Shen Shoufu also wanted to recruit a famous person to decorate his appearance. Recently, he heard that the famous person Min Ling was in the capital, so he asked Hao Daer to test his tone.
Shen Yongmao complained: "When Min Ling heard that the Shen Mansion recruited him as a retainer, he refused without hesitation and was very determined."
Shen Shoufu said in astonishment: "Why is this so?"
Although he, as the first assistant, has not done much, his reputation is not so bad, right?
Shen Yongmao explained: "He said that the Shen Mansion already has Lin Tailai, an invincible retainer who has fought all over the north and south. He does not have the ability to compete with Lin Tailai."
Shen Shoufu had a complicated expression and glanced at Lin Tailai, who often acted under the banner of Shenfu. Maybe Shenfu's reputation was not as good as he thought?
"Ahahahaha," Lin Daguan laughed and said, "There are still people waiting at home, so I'll take my leave first."
If you make a list according to the game mission model, Lin Tailai has completed the mission of enmity with the Zheng family.
So there are currently two main tasks that need to be done. One is to entertain scholars from various provinces and create a good reputation on a large scale.
The second item is to participate in Gu Xiancheng's lectures and show his talent in Confucian classics in public.
Of course, these two tasks have the same purpose, which is to minimize the criticism of those who become Jinshi, which can be regarded as preparing for public opinion in advance.
That night in Jiaofangsi Hutong, Lin Daguan and more than a dozen Zhejiang candidates achieved reconciliation between Wu and Yue. The total cost was more than one hundred taels, equivalent to the annual income of ten ordinary people.
The next day Zhou Yingqiu went to Lin Mansion to sum up his experience with Lin Tailai.
“The drinks and food in the alley are too expensive. If you treat us more than a dozen times, it’s not cost-effective.
It's better to rent a fixed place, let a nearby restaurant provide drinks and food, and then invite beautiful women to the venue."
Lin Tailai asked: "Do you have a suitable place?"
Zhou Yingqiu then replied: "I have identified a house in Dongcheng. The main hall is five rooms wide, which is very suitable for banquets. There are also more than twenty rooms for other purposes. The rent is two or three months per month.
Only six taels."
In Beijing, the annual rent of a house is basically equivalent to one-tenth of the house price. For a house with a price of more than 200 yuan, the annual rent is more than 20 taels, and the monthly rent is 20 taels.
"It's better to have a fixed place. Just look for it." Lin Daguan agreed.
At this moment, suddenly the doorman ran over and reported: "The patrol battalion officers found traces of Gu Xiancheng near Dengshi Hutong in Dongcheng, and they are suspected of arranging lectures!"
Upon hearing this clue, Lin Daguan immediately jumped up and rushed out without saying a word.
No wonder I haven't seen him in the West City these days. I didn't expect Gu Xiancheng to go to the East City!
The guardians Zhang Wen, Zhang Wu, Zhou Yingqiu and others followed one after another.
It was the middle of winter, the weather was freezing and the clouds were thick.
The group of people fought their way from the West City to the East City before reaching Qipan Street. Suddenly, snowflakes fell in large swaths in the low wind.
Feeling the difficulty of trekking in the wind and snow, Zhang Wu, the right protector, couldn't help but said: "It's freezing cold and the ground is freezing, and we don't need soldiers. How can we not use our foresight to gain benefit? It's better to go back home to avoid the wind and snow."
Lin Daguan snorted coldly and said: "I want to let others know my talent in Confucian classics. If you are afraid of the cold, you can go back first."
Zhang Wu replied unconvinced: "If you are not afraid of death, how can you be afraid of the cold? But I am afraid that sitting in the hall will be a waste of time and energy."
Official Lin scolded: "Don't talk nonsense, just come with me!"
On a windy and snowy day, the group finally arrived at Dongcheng.
Lin Tailai remembered the last time he missed the target, and this time he was more cautious and did not go directly to the clue location.
Instead, he found a tea shop nearby to rest. Then he looked around at his subordinates, and saw that they were all fierce and vicious, and very difficult to use.
So Lin Tailai could only say to Zhou Yingqiu: "Please go find out the situation alone and don't alert them."
Zhou Yingqiu looks like a scholar, so if he pretends to be a listener, he won't be able to alert others.
Moreover, Jintan County, Zhou Yingqiu's hometown, and Wuxi County belong to the same Changzhou Prefecture, so it is reasonable to pretend to be an admirer of Gu Xiancheng.
Zhou Yingqiu was ordered to go for reconnaissance and came back less than half an hour later. He said to Lin Tai, "Then Gu Xiancheng has left."
Lin Daguan was immediately disappointed. Could it be that he had failed the second time? All the hard work in spite of the wind and snow all the way was in vain?
Gu Xiancheng only has one last lecture left this year. If he can't catch up today, he will have no hope of attending before the end of the year.
Then Zhou Yingqiu said: "I had a few words with the scholars who stayed there. In fact, Gu Xiancheng just came to survey the place today and did not give formal lectures.
It is possible that Gu Xiancheng will be giving lectures here within three days, and it will be almost Chinese New Year any later."
"Very good!" Lin Daguan turned his worries into joy, "There is still hope!"
Then he added: "If you come from the West City, I'm afraid you won't be able to make it in time. So in order to respond quickly, you have to wait in the East City."
"Rent the courtyard I mentioned?" Zhou Yingqiu asked.
Lin Tailai said without hesitation: "Rent! Move in immediately!"
It snowed for a whole day before it stopped. Lin Daguan and his men were lighting the stove in the newly rented Dongcheng house, eating meat and drinking wine while admiring the snow.
For fear of missing the lecture, I even slept with my clothes on.
In order not to alarm Gu Xiancheng, Officer Lin did not go to conduct reconnaissance in person, nor did he ask his men to dispatch. Instead, he asked the officers and soldiers of the patrol battalion to continue to pay attention.
Another day later, the patrolling officers and soldiers sent news that since noon, some scholars had entered the courtyard that Zhou Yingqiu had scouted before, and Gu Xiancheng also appeared.
This opportunity was not to be missed! Lin Daguan, who had been dormant for two or three days, found the feeling of hunting a wild beast again.
However, Lin Daguan also knew that the other party was extremely vigilant and might even place a sentry at the entrance of the alley, so he could not take it lightly. Finally, he formulated a three-step plan.
The first step is to let the patrolling officers and soldiers suddenly attack and capture all the people at the entrance of the alley. Those who are sentrying at the entrance of the alley should not be wary of the common patrolling officers and soldiers.
In the second step, after unplugging the "sentinel", let your men divide into two groups and block the front door and the back door respectively, and not allow anyone to get out.
In the third step, Lin Daguan climbed over the wall from the side, entered the courtyard without disturbing the gate, and participated in the lecture.
This plan went very smoothly, and Lin Daguanren also successfully climbed over the wall.
The layout of this courtyard is very similar to the one rented by Lin Daguan. There is a functional main hall that occupies a large area, suitable for banquets and gatherings for lectures.
Perhaps because of the cold weather, there were no servants standing in the yard, and they might have all been hiding in the side rooms or side rooms to keep warm.
So Lin Daguan climbed over the side wall and walked toward the main hall close to the wall, trying to avoid entering the perspective of each room as much as possible.
When he reached the steps of the main hall, no one noticed the uninvited guest who broke in. Maybe some people saw it, but they subconsciously thought it was someone's bodyguard.
At this time, Lin Daguan could faintly hear the sound of lectures in the hall.
So Officer Lin stopped being sneaky, sprinted up to the platform, and then kicked open the hall door.
Accompanied by the loud bang of the door panel, Lin Daguan shouted at the same time:
"Investigating the case! No one is allowed to move! The front and back doors have been blocked, no one can escape!"
After looking around quickly, Lin Daguan was finally relieved when he saw Gu Xiancheng on the main seat.
