Looking at the party members in front of him who were already on top, Shen Shangshu sighed deeply, showed some leadership momentum, and shouted softly:
"The country is about to face a catastrophe, but you only focus on Lin Tailai. Can you have a sense of the overall situation?"
Shen Shangshu has never liked to go into battle in person or be on the front line in person.
But if there was a fight against Lin Tailai on the imperial examination issue, then he, the Minister of Rites, would have to be at the forefront.
Moreover, in the just-concluded examination, the direct "game" experience with Lin Tailai was so bad that it already gave Shen Shangshu a strong feeling of physical discomfort, as if he was wallowing in a quagmire.
"Why did Uncle Zong say this? Do you want to let Lin Tailai go just like that?" Everyone asked in surprise.
This was the first time that Shen Shangshu directly stated that he did not want to continue to siege Lin Tailai on exam issues.
Shen Shangshu said solemnly: "I advise you to calm down, don't act out of anger, and don't let your emotions control your reason."
A censor immediately replied: "We are not acting on impulse. Lin Tailai is actually a formidable enemy. How can we let him into the court?"
Now Lin Tailai has planned to seize Huiyuan. If we do nothing, Lin Tailai will definitely come out on top in the palace examination, even the top three, and then enter the Imperial Academy!
With Lin Tailai's cunning and insidious nature and his fondness for wielding power, maybe twenty years from now he will become as traitorous a minister as Yan Fenyi and Zhang Jiangling combined together!"
Another head of the Ministry of Etiquette said angrily: "Think about the fallen General Xin Xin, who selected Li Shida from the south, Fu Li Lai from Wu, Shi Kunyu, the governor of Wu County, Cai Shiding who patrolled the salt, and the princes who served Fang Wanshan, and then think about the princes who have been humiliated many times. Gu Xiancheng, Zhao Nanxing and other gentlemen!
Facing so many martyrs, how can we remain indifferent? If we don't stop Lin Tailai now, how long will it take?"
Shen Shangshu: ""
So many of you remember it so clearly. You even shouted out that Yan Song and Zhang Juzheng were combined, and yet you said it was not based on emotion, and that you didn't let your emotions control your reason?
But it also shows that "people's will is what they want" at this time. Shen Shangshu feels that he has been coerced by his party members and is running forward, and he can hardly stop.
"I still advise you to calm down!" Shen Shangshu insisted and emphasized: "If you want to re-test Lin Tailai in the craftsmanship, is it certain that you can succeed?
Have you ever thought about what would happen if Lin Tailai really had the skills in eight-part essay?"
Writing eight-part essays is also called art in the jargon. Only if Lin Tailai is really not good at eight-part essays and his actual level is very poor or average, it would only make sense to find an opportunity to re-examine Lin Huiyuan.
Yu Kongjian, a doctor in the Ministry of Rites, replied: "No one really thinks that the eight-part essays in various examinations were written by Lin Tailai himself, right?"
For example, in this exam, I must have missed the questions in advance, and then Lin Tai came to find a master to write the essay in advance.
This is true even for the Nanzhili Township Examination, let alone lower-level exams. Is there anything in Suzhou City that Lin Tailai can't do?"
Shen Shangshu said very cautiously: "These are just guesses of yours. Don't be blinded by prejudice and bet the outcome of a huge gamble on your guesses."
Yu Kongjian felt that Shen Shangshu was too weak today, and replied unconvinced: "It's not just a guess, the truth can be analyzed from many signs!
First of all, eight-part essay is not a free style of writing. It requires careful study and study to become familiar with it. Skill is greater than talent, so it is called craftsmanship.
And Lin Tailai has been fighting in the north and south in the past few years, and he is lustful. How much leisure time can he have to study the art of eight-legged literature?
Secondly, Lin Tailai's character is very obvious, he likes to gain fame and show off.
When he was still young, he dared to approach literary leaders to write poems. If he had some knowledge, he frequently provoked Gu Xiancheng, and several shabby poetry collections were printed and distributed at his own expense.
If he really had the eight-part essay skills that matched Huiyuan's, he would have already tried every means to become famous in a high-profile manner. At least he would have printed a few books such as "Selected Collection of Lin's Contemporary Writings" at his own expense, right?
If it weren't for his poor craftsmanship, why would he endure repeated doubts from others and keep hiding his weakness?
His imperial examination was full of doubts and controversies. Who would like their fame to be stained?
If he really had the ability to produce, his character would have already taken the initiative to prove it!"
Everyone praised one after another: "Yu Bulang is right!"
Yu Kongjian's analysis is reasonable and well-founded. In fact, most people have similar thoughts.
The main reason is that the image of Lin Daguan as a tall and powerful man who uses force to clear the way when troubles arise is so deeply rooted in the hearts of the people that he completely lacks the temperament of the eight-part essay that follows rules and strict laws.
And subconsciously, everyone was unwilling to admit that Lin Tailai had any real abilities.
Shen Shangshu looked indifferent, neither sad nor happy.
Why can Shen Shixing's disciples take the initiative to fight monsters, but this group of his own henchmen can only urge themselves to fight against Shen Shixing's disciples in person?
Have they never thought that the status of the Minister of Rites and Lin Tailai is completely unequal? The risks and benefits are also completely unequal!
After Yu Kongjian accepted the cheers from his colleagues, he continued to talk very wisely:
"Judging from the current situation, it is basically impossible for the imperial court to re-examine Lin Tailai's eight-part essay alone, so the only chance to re-examine Lin Tailai is the imperial examination."
Under normal circumstances, the palace examination is just a formality, with only one policy essay being tested and the eight-legged essay not being tested at all.
If they wanted to arrange a re-examination of Lin Tailai's eight-part essay in the palace examination, only the Minister of Rites, who was in charge of the examination, would come forward to do it, and no one else present could make an effort.
Shen Shangshu couldn't help but point out: "The imperial examination is nominally conducted by the emperor, and any arrangements for the imperial examination require the emperor's consent.
Moreover, the palace examination is a national ceremony, how can the content be changed arbitrarily?"
Yu Kongjian's face became serious, he saluted Shen Shangshu solemnly, and said loudly:
"As the emperor's master, Uncle Zong is usually trusted by the emperor and can speak well with the emperor.
Therefore, I leave it to the eldest uncle to expel evil spirits through the palace examination!"
The others felt their blood boiling, and they saluted together and said: "I'll leave it to the eldest uncle to drive away evil spirits through the palace examination!"
Shen Shangshu: ""
How come you never realize that these gangsters are all mentally retarded?
The little friendship between you and the emperor is so precious. Wouldn't it be useful to use it when trying to get into the cabinet? It's all wasted on Lin Tailai, and your brain is full of water?
At this moment, Shen Shangshu felt like he was being bitten by fate, and he vaguely thought that the voice he heard was "please kill the great uncle".
Finally, a smart man jumped out and questioned Kong Jian: "It's not worth targeting Lin Tailai at all costs, right?"
Yu Kongjian shouted sternly: "Shut up! Do you want to cover up evildoers? If so, you will be punished!"
The smart man didn't dare to say anything more and withdrew again.
Under the passionate gazes, Shen Shangshu could only respond in the end: "This department will do its best to put the eight-part essay into the palace examination!"
Trying your best means that if you can't do it, there is nothing you can do.
Anyway, issues involving the palace examination, even if I, the Minister of Rites, advocate it, it will definitely have to go through high-level internal and external discussions.
And the comrades at the top will be more rational and can calculate the gains and losses of interests more clearly, and will not be as brainless as the middle and low-level noobs in front of us!
The palace examination is usually scheduled for March 15th, which is only half a month until the end of the examination.
Therefore, after the joint examination is over, the imperial court must start preparing for the palace examination. This is a grand ceremony in which the emperor is nominally in charge of the examination, and the inner court and the outer court jointly participate.
Two days later, in the east court room outside the Meridian Gate, the cabinet bachelors and the nine ministers from the outer court gathered to discuss matters related to the palace examination.
Although Xu Guo, the second assistant, was ill and unable to leave, there were still three bachelors present, because Wang Jiaping, Zuo Shilang (virtual title) of the Ministry of Personnel and Dongge bachelor, ended Ding You and returned to the court this month.
So it is rare that there are four bachelors in the cabinet.
The palace examination is a matter of the Ministry of Rites, so today it is presided over by Shen Li, the Minister of Rites.
Looking at everyone in the room, Shen Shangshu said slowly: "Recently, the government and the public have criticized the results of the general examination, especially the candidates for the Hui Yuan.
In order to calm the material dispute, this department proposes to add eight-part essay to the imperial examination."
Chief Assistant Shen Shixing frowned and said, "Is it reasonable to change the ancestral system?"
Shen Li had to say responsibly: "This department is responsible for reporting to the emperor and explaining the situation.
But, but, the responsibility involved in this matter is very important.”
"Agree!" Lu Guangzu, the Minister of Punishment, jumped out to express his support.
"Agree!" Song Hu, Minister of Industry, jumped out to express his support.
"I agree!" Sun Qin, the minister of Dali Temple, jumped out to express his support.
Shen Shangshu: ""
Do these comrades have too much tacit understanding or too little tacit understanding?
Can't you guys just see which way the wind is blowing before expressing your opinion?
Are you all so blinded by hatred that you jump when you see Lin Tailai?
Can you listen to the twist after "but" first? My own voice has not been expressed yet!
During the brief silence, the newly returned bachelor Wang Jiaping suddenly said: "I can see it."
This is Wang Jiaping's first statement since his return. It is certainly not without purpose, and it has made many people think deeply.
Shen Shangshu didn't bother to think about Wang Jiaping's thoughts, so he could only watch Shen Shoufu and Wang Situ coldly.
As a result, he discovered that Shen Shoufu and Wang Situ were also watching with cold eyes, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.
"What do you think, Chief Minister?" Shen Shangshu felt something was wrong and asked proactively.
Shen Shixing stayed out of the matter and said, "I don't have any opinion. I'll just let the Holy Spirit decide."
Shen Shangshu looked at Wang Situ again, and then Wang Situ said calmly: "Lin Huiyuan is my brother-in-law, so I avoid suspicion."
At this time, Lu Guangzu, Song Qi, Sun Qin and others finally felt that the chief assistant's attitude was a bit wrong. He didn't even defend the top thug? Wang Situ didn't even protect his brother-in-law?
But their "agreement" has already been expressed, and they are unlikely to go back on their word in public, so they are still impatient!
There should be no problem, right? Lin Tailai must not pass the reexamination, right?
Shen Shangshu once again showed neither sadness nor joy. Is the performance of the high-level comrades any different from that of the mid-level and low-level rookies?
I can only blame Lin Tailai's hatred value for being too high.
So in this twelve-person meeting, there was a strange result of five votes in favor and seven abstentions. Shen Li, the Minister of Rites, was responsible for reporting to the emperor.
