Although Lin Tailai had been seizing the time to move around today, it was already afternoon when he arrived at the Ministry of War after briefly inspecting the Imperial Academy's Zhuangyuan Hall, the Department of Civil Service Examination, and the Department of Hosts and Guests of the Ministry of Rites.
So Lin Tailai couldn't help but secretly lament that the issue of "centralized office work" must be put on the agenda as soon as possible, otherwise it would be a pity to waste a lot of precious time in the transfer field in the future.
Wang Yi'e, the Minister of War, was very lucky to be the first court official Lin Tai met after returning to Beijing, if not counting Lu Guangzu, who was blocked and humiliated outside the gate of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
The main reason is that there is currently no site for Lin Tailai in the Ministry of War, and the so-called Communications Department is still being established on paper, without even providing office space.
If Lin Tailai did not visit Wang Da Sima, there would be no need for Lin Tailai to go to the Ministry of War.
"You said we should seize the time and set up the Communications Department's framework within a month?" Wang Dashima confirmed.
Lin Tailai complained: "The establishment of the Communications Department was approved by the emperor last year, and even the name was given by the emperor, but the Ministry of War has not implemented it. It is really too delayed."
The name "Communications Department" will seem very rustic five hundred years later. In what age are you still communicating?
But nowadays, the meaning of the word "communication" is still different. It mainly refers to the exchange of messages or news, and is often used between two countries.
So when Lin Tailai mentioned collecting overseas intelligence last year, the emperor naturally thought of the word "communication".
The surface is neutral and does not arouse alarm, but it also implies the connotation of collecting intelligence and communicating with foreign countries. Emperor Wanli also read the book.
Hearing Lin Tailai's complaint, Wang Yi'e replied: "It's not that the Ministry of War is delaying and neglecting, but because you, the sponsor, are not here and others can't handle it."
The main reason is that you, Lin Tailai, bundle intelligence collection with commercial and foreign trade. Others do not have the ability or strength to do this work.
It may be to engage in intelligence collection in the name of foreign trade; it may also be to engage in smuggling or foreign trade in the name of intelligence collection.
In any case, this kind of thing is very deep, and others really can't play with it. You, Lin Tailai, can't move forward without you.
Lin Tailai didn't want to continue arguing with Wang Dasima, so he said resolutely: "Let's confirm the location first! A courtyard has been set aside in the Ministry of War and reserved for the Communications Department!"
Wang Dashima's eyes sparkled with wisdom, "The affairs of the Communications Department are too unique and the confidentiality requirements are extremely high, so this department has a good proposal.
The Communications Department might as well use the name of the Ministry of War and establish an independent office outside, how about it?"
Lin Tailai asked in confusion: "Da Sima wants to drive me out of the military department?"
When it comes to establishing a new department, others will try their best to seize power and get an extra share of the new benefits.
But you, an old man, actually did the opposite and took the initiative to drive the new department out?
Grand Sima, how unwilling are you to see a hero who has won seven battles and seven victories appear in the Ministry of War?
Wang Da Sima quickly denied: "How can we say that we are expelling the military department? This department is considering this matter entirely out of public interest.
Establishing an independent office outside will not only make it easier for you to do things, but also reduce the constraints on you, allowing you to draw a blueprint more freely. Why not?
Don't you, an outstanding and energetic young man like you, long for the honor of being able to work independently in the capital?"
Lin Tailai: "."
If Da Sima hadn't sounded like you were coaxing a child, he would have really believed it!
But Lin Tailai still fell into a long-term dilemma. Both approaches have their own advantages, and he couldn't make up his mind for a long time.
Placing the office space of the Communications Department in the courtyard of the Ministry of War would allow them to use the Communications Department as a springboard to interfere in the affairs of various departments of the Ministry of War, just like the Department of Civil Affairs and the Department of Hosts and Guests of the Ministry of Etiquette - probably this is what the Grand Sima is most afraid of.
However, if the Communications Department is set up outside and becomes an independent office, the benefits in various aspects are not small. The vanity of having an independent office is worth the price alone.
"I'll think about it again." Lin Tailai said awkwardly, "I'll let Da Sima know when I come to a conclusion."
Wang Dashima fired a boomerang seriously, "The establishment of the Communications Department is approved by the Emperor, and even the name was given by the Emperor. You must not delay too much and implement it as soon as possible!"
Lin Tailai left the Ministry of War speechlessly, which can be called the quietest transition among the several transitions today.
The Hanlin Academy, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of War, just when all the peepers thought that Lin Tailai had finally completed his visit today and was about to go home, they saw Lin Tailai stepping into the gate of Taipu Temple again.
Even though Taipu Temple seems to be a very low-key government office, it is the richest government office in the capital. Legend has it that Taipu Temple now has more money than Taicang, the household department, which always suffers from losses and complains about poverty.
Taipusi Temple is the yamen responsible for horse administration. In the early years, it mainly dealt with physical goods. However, later on, horse administration was also monetized. Taipusi Temple's main responsibility became the collection and safekeeping of horse-priced silver.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of taels of horse-priced silver are levied and kept if they cannot be used. After decades of accumulation, it is said that there are millions of taels of silver in the old treasury of Taipu Temple.
If you look at the data of this era, you can often see information about money being withdrawn from Taipus Temple and transported to a certain military town. The amount is often in units of one hundred thousand taels.
In contrast, although the household department has more income, its expenses are also huge and getting bigger.
According to an anonymous Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Lin Tailai was told that there were only 1,700,000 taels left in the old warehouse in Taicang, the Ministry of Revenue.
Lin Tailai believed that as the Shaoqing of Xingtaipu Temple in Shaanxi Province, since he had returned to the capital, he should visit Taipu Temple for a walk.
Just like you would treat a rich relative, there is no harm in moving around more.
Entering the main hall of Taipus Temple, Lin Tai took a look at the face of the chief officer of Taipus Temple and asked in surprise: "There has been a change? Where is Lao Chang?"
Before rushing to the northwest last year, Lin Tailai had dealings with Taipusi because of military expenditure issues. I remember that the minister of Taipusi at that time was a middle-aged official named Chang Jujing.
Lin Tailai had a good impression of this person and affectionately called him Lao Chang.
But now the Minister of Taipusi was replaced by a serious old man, who replied: "Taipu Chang has been promoted to the governor of Zhejiang! I, Ai Mu, will take over as Minister of Taipusi."
According to the social rules of this era, when officials who did not know each other met, they had to talk to each other, mainly asking about their hometown and the name of their department.
Lin Tailai felt that he didn't need to introduce himself at all. Who doesn't know the Nine Yuan True Immortal?
So he directly said: "I have been ordered to establish the Communications Department. I feel that the Communications Department and Taipus Temple have many areas for cooperation in the future."
Lin Tailai is not just talking nonsense, he really has this idea of ​​cooperation.
First of all, Taipu Temple has many branches in various places. There are many "Xing Taipu Temples" across the country, which is very consistent with the situation where the Communications Department needs to set up sites in other places.
Secondly, the Department of Communications wants to use the guise of foreign trade, while Taipusi is in charge of the horse price silver expenditure. The horse price silver's main task is to buy horses, which is closely related to horses, the largest trading commodity in the border city of Beidi.
Third, Taipu Temple is rich.
But after hearing this, the current minister of Taipu Temple, Aimu, said unceremoniously:
"Don't think that others can't see it. People like you who are causing harm to the country can never think of usurping or annexing the power and money of Taipu Temple!"
Lin Tailai: "."
What does it mean to talk without speculation? That’s it!
So Lin Tailai turned around and left, went to the left hall next door, and visited Zhao Qing, the young minister of Taipu Temple.
After observing the behavior, Lin Tailai found that Zhao Qing's attitude towards him was more enthusiastic.
Then he asked Zhao Qing bluntly: "What is the origin of the old man named Ai in your main hall?"
As expected, Zhao Qing replied very positively: "Ai Taipu is a member of the Juren family in Jiajing forty years."
"Just to lift people?" Lin Tailai was a little surprised.
As we all know, in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, those who could hold high positions by raising people were all ruthless characters, such as Hai Rui.
Zhao Qing knew what Lin Tailai wanted to know, and introduced: "Ai Taipu was an instructor in Beizhili when he became an official, and he lectured in the academy. Zhao Nanxing came from his disciples."
Damn it! Lin Tailai understood immediately. Just because of this relationship, just because he was able to become the Minister of Taipu Temple with the reputation of being a civil servant, he was a proper member of the Qingliu Party!
This Qingliu Party member is really endless! Whenever I am away from the capital for a while, a few new Qingliu Party members will appear!
He doesn't believe it! Let's see who is faster in the future: his own knife or Qingliu's leeks!
Zhao Qing also gave a detailed introduction: "Later, Taipu Ai was transferred to the Imperial College as an instructor, and he got along well with Wang Xijue, who was also an official in the Imperial College at that time.
When Zhang Juzheng lost his love, he confessed that he was punished with eighty sticks, was carried out with a door panel, and was exiled to the northwest. At that time, he was famous all over the world."
Lin Tailai could only say that the eighty canes that Old Man Ai received back then were really worth it.
After the eleventh year of Wanli, having offended Zhang Juzheng was the hardest political capital, especially those who had been beaten.
"No need to say any more!" Lin Tailai took the initiative to interrupt Zhao Qing, "Turn around and tell Old Man Ai to get out. You will be promoted to Taipusi Minister, and I will transfer him to Taipusi Shaoqing. It's settled!"
Zhao Qing: "."
Although he is indeed lying down, Jiuyuan Gong, isn't your posture a bit rough?
Hey, for a person like him who comes from a small family of military guards, he really doesn't have many connections in Shilin, so he must seize the opportunity.
After coming out of Taipu Temple, Lin Tailai finally stopped visiting other yamen and dragged his tired body back home.
Lin Tailai also met with members of the Update Society last night, but tonight he closed the door completely and thanked all guests, and no one was seen.
Regardless of whether he is the cabinet minister, minister, or minister, all invitations are declined.
Only a fourth-grade official with a rather strong body dared to break into the Lin Mansion, which became the biggest news of the night.
But what shocked everyone even more was that this person actually succeeded and forced Lin Jiuyuan to go to the gate to pick up the guests.
To be continued...