Yu Shangshu originally thought that Lin Tailai would make some trouble with the letter from North Korea.
But unexpectedly, Lin Tailai followed the procedures and submitted the draft of the reply the next day.
These replies are responses to the "letter of credence" and must be drafted in advance. Then, when the audience comes to the audience, the emperor will send them to the envoys on the spot.
Of course, given the current situation that the emperor has not left the palace, there is probably no chance for envoys to see the emperor, but the procedures and preparations that need to be done before are still indispensable.
After looking at the draft of the reply submitted by Lin Tailai, Yu Shangshu frowned slightly and said, "Is the tone a little too harsh?"
Lin Tailai asked: "Where is the severity?"
Yu Shangshu pointed to the passage in the draft and questioned: "For the exchange of envoys between Korea and Japan, it is not a bit of a fuss to make a fuss and make trouble out of nothing by severely reprimanding the always submissive King of Korea?"
Yu Shangshu's question was not directed at Lin Tailai. It was indeed a business matter and he did not think it should be so severe.
Yu Shangshu was mainly motivated by two considerations. First, Emperor Taizu Gao listed Korea as a country not subject to conquest, as long as the superficial vassal relationship was maintained.
Korea has always been relatively submissive, and the Ming Dynasty rarely directly interfered in Korea's affairs. It didn't even care who would be the king, let alone exchange visits with envoys from other countries.
This mentality is like a person looking at ants. Will he care about which ant will be the queen?
Secondly, the Japanese pirates were not sent by the Japanese "court" back then, and now the Japanese pirate rebellion has subsided.
To scold the King of Korea just for the purpose of exchanging envoys with Japan was really a bit of a search for trouble, and it seemed that the Ming Dynasty was a coward and lacked magnanimity.
Not just Yu Shangshu, but any minister in the court would probably have similar ideas to Yu Shangshu.
Although he was rejected by his boss, Lin Tailai still said calmly: "This is the draft, and my subordinates will not change it."
Yu Shangshu took advantage of the situation and said: "Then let the Department of Ceremony draft it. In fact, it should be written by the Department of Ceremony."
"Okay!" Lin Tailai turned around and left without any hesitation.
This caused Yu Shangshu to have huge doubts. Lin Tailai should be a stubborn person who would not give up until he achieved his goal. Why did he admit it so easily today?
Something is wrong. Something is wrong with Lin Tailai today, but he can't think of anything wrong.
As the saying goes, the unknown is the most frightening, and Yu Shangshu fell into suspicion and could not extricate himself.
Another day later, Wang Jiaping, the senior official of the Fourth Pavilion, suddenly sent a person from Zhongshushe from the cabinet to the Ministry of Rites to convey a message to Yu Shangshu.
"Lin Tai came to criticize you, the great uncle!" said the man in the bookstore: "He impeached the great uncle, you and the ceremonial department for being short-sighted and ignorant of barbarian affairs!"
Yu Shangshu's expression became more relaxed, "If that's the case, then I'm relieved."
The person from Zhongshushe who came to deliver the message: ""
If the preface does not match the postscript, why should you worry? Why do you feel that the Minister of Rites is mentally disturbed?
Originally, Yu Shangshu had been worried about Lin Tailai's conspiracy. If it was just impeachment, it would be nothing.
"Why did he impeach the headquarters like this? There must be a reason, right?" Yu Shangshu, who had already relaxed his mind, asked curiously: "Is it just because the headquarters does not agree to severely reprimand the King of Korea in the letter of credence?"
The scholar in the middle school replied: "Lin Tailai wrote in a memorial that the Japanese country offered to communicate with the Korean State in order to find out what the Korean State was and falsely claimed that the Korean State was invading the Ming Dynasty.
It's because the Korean state didn't know the conspiracy, and because it was afraid of the Japanese military strength, it even catered to the return visit. It should be reprimanded!
Within a few years, Korea will surely suffer disaster and be harmed by the Japanese! Today’s reprimand to Korea is precisely to make it alert!
It is a pity that the relevant ministers in the DPRK are blind and autistic and have no understanding of barbarian affairs. They cannot even see the Japanese ambitions towards China, and they have no intention of planning the fate of the countries. They are really just eating nothing."
These words sounded like fantasy to Shangshu's ears. He waved his hand impatiently, "He can say whatever he likes!"
It's really nonsense. In order to achieve the goal of seizing power for oneself, you dare to make up any irresponsible words. The imperial court will not take such a memorial too seriously.
After Shen Shoufu returned home in the evening, he sent his eldest son Shen Yongmao to the Lin Mansion to ask what the memorial to impeach Yu Shangshu and the Department of Ceremony meant.
Even Shen Shoufu, a master of political speculation, could not understand what intention this memorial contained and what central idea it wanted to express.
"It doesn't mean anything special." Lin Tailai replied to Shen Yongmao: "I just expressed my views truthfully and criticized the Minister and the Minister of Ceremony. Isn't it important that Ming Dynasty pays attention to the smooth flow of speech? Even this is not
Is it allowed?"
Shen Yongmao asked suspiciously: "That's it? Don't you want to get rid of the Minister and the Department of Ceremony before leaving?"
Lin Tailai repeatedly assured: "It is indeed just a matter of different political opinions. I have no other ideas and no intention to harass people!"
If there is really any intention, it is to plan for the future.
When the Japanese invade Korea three years later, if today's memorial is published, who will dare to compete with me for the right to speak?
Anyone who laughs at their nonsense today will be slapped in the face by then! It’s just that this time interval is a bit long. According to the historical process, there are still three years.
Lin Tailai asked Shen Yongmao again: "Wang Shiqi, the eldest son of Wang Yanzhou Gong, the old leader of the literary world, is in the same class as me this year. Is he watching the politics of your Ministry of War? Have you taken care of him?"
Shen Yongmao replied: "Yes, Uncle James is in the Ministry of War watching politics, so he should be able to stay and be in charge.
We are both from Suzhou, and our parents have friends, so of course I will take care of him."
"Uncle?" Lin Tailai was a little confused.
Shen Yongmao explained: "Wang Shiqi's courtesy name is Juan Bo."
Lin Tailai almost laughed out loud. If this font size were placed hundreds of years later, it would definitely have its own personality.
Forcibly holding back his smile, Lin Tailai continued to say to Shen Yongmao: "Since you have taken care of him at the Ministry of War, please be a go-between and make an appointment with Wang Juanbo for me tomorrow.
Even if I don’t have time tomorrow, I must make an appointment to meet before I leave Beijing.”
Considering the grievances between Lin Tailai and Alliance Leader Wang Lao, if you want to make an appointment with Wang Shiqi, you will probably not be able to do so.
That's why I thought of entrusting Shen Yongmao to be the intermediary and invite Wang Shiqi to come out and talk.
Shen Yongmao asked in surprise: "You must have been separated from each other forever, why do you want to see him again?"
Uncle Shen couldn't help but be surprised. Lin Tailai must have been pressed for time before leaving Beijing, and he had to take time to meet with Wang Shiqi, who had hardly any contact with him. No matter how he looked at it, he had ulterior motives.
Lin Tailai replied: "Wang Juanbo is the eldest son of the old alliance leader. Of course I want to talk to him about literature and the future of the literary world."
Shen Yongmao sighed and advised: "You have a grudge against the old leader Wang, so there is no need to hunt down your son as well.
The crime is not as bad as yours. We are both of the same lineage as Suzhou, so you should let Uncle Juan go!"
Lin Tailai had no choice but to promise again, "Don't worry! I have absolutely no ill intentions towards Wang Juanbo."
When he arrived at the Ministry of War the next day, Shen Yongmao found Wang Shiqi and told Lin Tailai about the appointment.
Wang Shiqi resisted and replied: "Lin Jiuyuan and I have nothing to say."
Shen Yongmaobian also advised: "Generally, the time for a new scholar to observe government is three months to half a year. Now that your internship as a government official is about to be completed for three months, it is a critical period for you to stay in office.
Although Lin Tailai may not be able to accomplish anything, he is definitely capable of ruining your affairs, so I advise you to accept the appointment and not to offend him just for the sake of face."
Wang Shiqi: ""
Are these threats made by Lin Tailai's original words, or are they freely expressed by you?
Anyway, the result was the same. Wang Shiqi followed Shen Yongmao after get off work.
Lin Tailai hosted a banquet at Taibai Tower in Xicheng very generously and said hello:
"囧嗧哧姧Uncle, you may have heard that I am going to take leave to go back to Jiangnan to visit relatives in the near future.
I wonder if you have any letters from home, would you like me to bring them to your father?"
Wang Shiqi declined and said, "My father has been ill for the past two years, so I don't need to bother him."
Lin Tailai said enthusiastically: "It is precisely because my father is sick that I, as my son, need you to write more letters of greetings. Just let me send them back!"
Wang Shiqi: ""
My father was just getting seriously ill. If he was so angry that he died after seeing you, Lin Tailai, who could be responsible for this?
Shen Yongmao smoothed things over and said, "Brother Jiuyuan! What's the matter with you wanting to meet the Duke of Yanzhou? It's better to just knock on the door and bully the old and the weak, right?"
Lin Tailai replied: "It has been two years since the last literary conference, and it is time to hold it again.
If the old alliance leader is seriously ill and unable to serve as director, I can take care of it for you!"
Shen Yongmao opened his eyes in surprise. Besides starting water conservancy projects in Jiangnan, you, Lin Tai, actually have such ambitions?
I heard that the old alliance leader Wang's physical condition is very bad. Lin Jiuyuan doesn't want to squeeze out even the last bit of value, right?
Why did you convene a literary conference on your behalf? Do you want to include the leaders of the literary world on your behalf?
Uncle Wang couldn't help but asked: "You want to use me to threaten my father?"
"No, don't get me wrong!" Lin Tailai explained: "Your Majesty will understand. For the future of your Wang family, I should also pave the way for you."
To be continued...