Forbidden City.

Huangjimen Warm Pavilion.

The Nine Ministers' Courts' Discussion.

Shen Shixing was a little exhausted after presiding over the court discussion.

Although Shen Shixing was fifty-five years old, he was still able to deal with the daily affairs of all kinds of things, in addition to some minor illnesses.

But at this moment he felt deeply worried. What worried him was not the mutiny of Yongchang Guard in Yunnan, nor was it the local barbarians invading Yizhou, which caused the general Zhu Yongshou to be destroyed, nor was it Li Yuanlang's uprising in Guangdong.

Because Shen Shixing knew that these were all pore diseases, although they felt itchy and painful, they would not kill people for a while.

What really worried him was the severe drought that spread across the country, which was the real threat to this huge empire.

This time, not only did the northern provinces of Zhili, Shandong, and Shaanxi, and even the heavy grain-producing areas of the imperial court, there were severe droughts.

Food is the most important thing for people, and such a severe drought is enough to shake the Ming Dynasty.

According to the theory of the response of heaven and man, this is a warning from God. The drought is caused by the uneasy court and the unvirtuous ruler.

The officials below generally blame this on the fact that the foundation of the country has not been established, Zhang Jing did evil, and the emperor did not worship, the temple or suburbs.

Now that Zhang Jing has been eliminated, the drought is worse, so the officials are concentrated on the foundation of the country, and the emperor will not write articles.

Shen Shixing did not think so, especially his student Lin Yanchao repeatedly told him that natural disasters will eventually lead to man-made disasters, but man-made disasters may not necessarily cause natural disasters. The court should organize the people to save themselves rather than consume them in personnel matters.

Lin Yanchao repeatedly recommended Xu Zhenming, the military farmer, to him.

Xu Zhenming and Shen Shixing knew that he was in charge of the construction of water conservancy and the reclaiming of wastelands in the north, which ended up touching the interests of the powerful.

Shen Shixing had dismissed Xu Zhenming from office, but Lin Yanchao repeatedly recommended him in front of him, and finally let Xu Zhenming get back. Moreover, Lin Yanchao also used his relationship with him when it comes to farming, which can be said to be asking for money and people.

Just as Shen Shi was thinking about it carefully, an imperial edict was issued in the palace and the emperor summoned him.

Shen Shixing put down his work and rushed to Qianqing Palace to face the saint.

As expected, the emperor summoned Shen Shixing because of the severe drought this year.

The emperor asked Shen Shixing what solutions he had to deal with?

Shen Shixing replied: "The ministers below discuss that there are severe droughts in the north and south at present, and the court should save money on the "second creations".

The emperor was displeased when he heard this. What were these two creations? They were burned in Jingdezhen and weaving in Suzhou. They were tributed to the royal family every year.

The emperor said: "It will not cost much money for the court to burn and weave, but since the gentleman and the ministers are talking about it this way, I will reduce some of it as appropriate."

"By the way, how did the farming in the capital go on? I remember that the censor of the farming industry is still the one named Xu Zhenming."

Shen Shixing felt a stern in his heart and immediately said, "The emperor clearly understands that it is this person."

The emperor said, "I remember that this person advocated the construction of paddy fields at the beginning, and the human relationships were often said to be inconvenient."

Shen Shixingdao: "It is true. At that time, he reported that the fields in Jingdong are deserted and abandoned, and they are reclaimed accordingly. There are often floods in southern Jingdong. Whenever there are major floods, there are many fields drifting away from the people, so they are cleared accordingly. Therefore, this is the case."

The emperor shook his head and said, "The south is underground, the north is high, the south is wet, and the north is alkaline. And as the drought in the past few years, the wells and springs have dried up. How can this paddy field be made? I have said that this person is pedantic, why are you still using him?"

Shen Shixing said cautiously: "At present, he no longer boils paddy fields, only uses wasteland to reclaim wasteland, and has tried to plant drought-resistant materials such as dry rice and sweet potatoes for preparation for wasteland."

"Sweet potato?" the emperor sneered, "This is presented by Lin Yanchao, the former Minister of Rites, from overseas. Eating too much this thing is easy to bloat. How can it be used to prepare for waste? It is a waste of land and people's strength. If it weren't for the queen and Concubine Zheng and others who liked it, I would have long since let the people have a variety of things."

Shen Shixing thought that although he could not understand Lin Yanchao and Xu Zhenming's actions of reclamation, he could understand Lin Yanchao and Xu Zhenming, so he believed it and used it.

But now the emperor is dissatisfied. If Lin Yanchao was there, he would still protect Xu Zhenming from the emperor. But now Lin Yanchao has returned home after he has returned home because of this, so he doesn't have to contradict the emperor.

Besides, the emperor may not have known that Xu Zhenming was sponsored by Lin Yanchao. After Lin Yanchao resigned, the emperor deliberately suppressed Xu Zhenming, which was also a first-class power and trick.

Shen Shixing immediately said, "Since Your Majesty thinks this person is pedantic, then I will choose another person when I serve as the Censor of the Military Land."

The emperor nodded and said, "When Lin Qing said that he was sick and returned home, did he know about it in advance?"

This question is hard to say. If Shen Shixing said that he knew about it in advance, the emperor would definitely be unhappy. If he said that he didn't know, then the emperor would definitely not believe it either.

Shen Shixing said: "I only know that he has not been in good health for the past six months, and he is sick and unable to handle the matter several times."

Shen Shixing said something as if he hadn't said it, but the emperor did not delve into it. Instead, he said: "I said I was not allowed to enter the cabinet. Has anyone spread this?

Shen Shixing immediately said, "Your Majesty, I don't know if this matter is rumored, but I keep my mouth shut and I will never dare to leak it at all."

The emperor reached out and pressed, "Mr. I believe in it."

"Those who serve the king are loyal and obedient. Those who are loyal but not obedient, and those who are obedient but not loyal should not be loyal ministers."

"I know that Lin Yanchao has many dissents in current affairs and advocates reform. I don't blame him, let's take a look. However, Lin Yanchao resigned from his post in five comments, saying that he will be loyal and retreat to the fullest, which means avoiding risks and maintaining wealth."

Shen Shixing understood what the emperor said.

In the officialdom, dealing with such loyal but unsatisfied subordinates can make mistakes when they do something difficult, and then punish them himself and then pardon them. In this way, the other party will generally be much more "satisfied".

If it doesn’t work at a time, you can cultivate it with care after it goes well.

Shen Shixing immediately said, "Your Majesty's words sound like a heart that seeks talents and loves talents every word. Even Yao and Shun cannot meet this feeling. I really cannot appreciate it when I hear it."

"In my foolish opinion, this loyalty but not being as good as being unfaithful, is better than being as good as being unfaithful. It cannot be used at the moment, but may not be able to be used in the future. It is better to keep it even if it is a national reserve."

After hearing Shen Shixing's words, the emperor Long Yan nodded: "Mr. He is right and deserves to be a veteran of the three dynasties."

Shen Shixing said again: "Your Majesty has praised you. I served three emperors for twenty-eight years. I am already old and sick. I will soon retire and return home. I beg Your Majesty to add the ministers to the cabinet to assist in the government and make plans early."

The emperor waved his hand and said, "How can the ministers who are the assistants be careless? If they are entrusted to others, they will not only harm the country and the people, but also shake the root of the country."

"When it comes to hard work, there may not be a second person in the court except for Mr. I'm afraid there will be no one in the court. I'll ask Mr. to help me for another ten years."

Shen Shixing said: "Your Majesty's kindness is hard to repay, but I can't repay you for your death. The old minister can only devote himself to his whole life and die. But I have repeatedly asked Your Majesty to make a decision and I will give up!"

The emperor immediately sent eunuchs to send Shen Shixing out of the palace.

After Shen Shi walked, the emperor was also a little upset. He took out a piece of paper from the imperial desk, which happened to be Lin Yanchao's "Leave Poems".

"The gold on the waist is gone, and the news is normal..."

When the emperor came to this place, he scolded: "What is Zhao Silang in Ke Village? It is clearly the Erlang in Hongtang Lin."

Thinking of this, the emperor suddenly said, "Come here!"

Tian Yi, the eunuch of the Sili Supervisor who served the steward, entered the store.

But I saw the emperor saying, "Transfer my will, and give me silk clothes, jade belts, iron pillars, poles, and fur and horses to Lin Yanchao, the former assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, and return home to the post!"

The next day, Lin Yanchao resigned from the Emperor's Gate.

Of course, if the emperor does not attend court, he will not see him, so there is no saying in person. However, as a minister, he will go to the palace to say goodbye, it is a necessary etiquette.

Lin Yanchao came to Huangji Gate wearing a Confucian scarf and a silhouette. He listened to the eunuch conveying his orders, and then the emperor gave him a meal.

This is also the custom of the emperor when the officials of the court resigned from the emperor and the grace of the heavenly family.

The wine and rice included mutton and imperial wine. After using it, the emperor gave him five kinds of utensils, jade belts, iron pillars, poles, and furs.

Luoyi is a red Luoyi, and the official robes of ministers are also made of Luoyi. The difference is that there are no patterns or patches.

As for the jade belt... the first-class official of the Ming Dynasty allowed the jade belt, just like Lin Yanchao usually wears a gold belt, which is the golden belt of a red robe.

The imperial jade belt is also a first-class reward for surpassing the level.

As for the iron pillar, that is, the iron battle, Su Dongpo's poem says, "The pillar stick is lighter than a horse, and a raincoat is mist and rain can last forever."

Officials like to hold sticks at a certain age, especially high-ranking officials. Holding this iron stick often feels like an old cadre. Of course, this is also a reward often given to officials who retire.

The stool, also known as the drum stool, is a round stool made of ceramics, which looks unsatisfactory.

As for fur horses, they are exquisite saddle decorations that ride on horses.

After seeing these rewards, Lin Yanchao was very calm. These scenery were for others to see, but they were not what he cared about.

Since the fall of Zhang Jing, the personnel and affairs in the court have also changed a little.

Sun Chengzong was promoted to Zhongyun and took charge of the Xinminbao.

On the contrary, Ye Xianggao was appointed as the Imperial College Supervisor of Beijing.

Li Tingji went to Nei Shutang to teach and was promoted to the Ministry of Justice and Washing Horses.

In addition, Lin Yanchao's disciple Peng Jianwu died of illness while serving as the head of the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue, which made Lin Yanchao feel sorry for a long time.

There is also a disciple named Hou Zhigong who was transferred to the capital as the head of the Ministry of Personnel.

Feng Qi was promoted to a lecturer at the Hanlin Academy and a lecturer at the imperial lecture.

The rest were also brewing, but for Lin Yanchao, when the news came to his ears, it was already on his way back to his hometown.

Chen Jichuan and several subordinates carried the emperor's rewards to the carriage outside the palace. Lin Yanchao, who was already a commoner, left the palace alone.

The officials came and went back and forth along the way, and saw Lin Yanchao standing there and bowing, watching him leave.

Some officials who had been in the palace for a long time couldn't help but say: "When Linbu Hall was in charge of public replies, he also left this square, and the world was strong in his journey."

"Yes, I just entered the court as an official at that time. I couldn't help but wipe my tears when I saw it. Now six years have passed in a blink of an eye. I don't know if I will have a chance to see Linbutang again in the future."

"Whether you see you again or not, others will take Shi Dingyou for a few hundred years."

"Yes, when scholars in later generations see this, they will sigh, 'Those who are officials should be like Lin Zonghai'!"

"Not necessarily, Linbutang is only thirty years old, so it's hard to say that it will not be activated again."
To be continued...