For the sake of this ancestral temple, Feng Siyuan could be said to have devoted all his energy and had never been so serious before. He even forgot about the idea of taking advantage of the Hua Shi Gang.
Feng Siyuan invited well-known scholars, respected elders, etc. from inside and outside the province, especially from Jiujiang Province.
Many people didn't want to come when they learned that the shrine was built for the eunuch Zhu Zhongyan, but Feng Siyuan put a knife to their necks and said, "If you don't come, you will die. Will you come?"
Some people were not afraid of death, but they had to come because Feng Siyuan threatened them with their families.
So there were a lot of people coming today, plus people from nearby came to watch the fun, so it was really a huge crowd.
Coupled with the colorful flags held by the yamen runners, the flags fluttered, making it look like a grand event.
Feng Siyuan put so much thought into building the ancestral temple to look like a smaller version of the Taimiao.
"My dear elders, my dear colleagues, General Manager Zhu has devoted his utmost efforts to serving the Emperor, enabling him to better manage state affairs. Therefore, General Manager Zhu has made invaluable contributions to both the state and the government. To thank General Manager Zhu for his dedication, I will build a shrine for him and record his history, so that future generations will know of his contributions..."
Feng Siyuan read it out eloquently.
He was also a Jinshi, with great literary talent. After one of his speeches, he was so moved that he almost cried.
But everyone around looked at Feng Siyuan with contempt.
"This traitor actually built a shrine for a powerful eunuch like Zhu Zhongyan. He deserves to be cut into pieces."
Someone whispered.
She was wearing a veil, a kind of conical hat with white gauze underneath, which concealed her face, but the white gauze swayed, revealing her smooth, pointed chin, indicating that she was a woman.
"The power of the eunuch is so great that even the provincial governor is willing to be his lackey. When will we be able to get rid of him?"
Her companion sighed.
Both of them looked at Feng Siyuan with hatred, obviously having a deep hatred for the eunuch party.
"If we can't get rid of the powerful eunuch, how can we get rid of his lackeys? Let's kill Feng Siyuan first today and let the eunuchs know that they will not have a good ending."
The woman at the beginning said.
Her companion nodded, and the two stopped talking. Instead, they quietly moved forward among the crowd and approached Feng Siyuan.
Finally, Feng Siyuan announced loudly, "Not only are many of our seniors and talented people here today, but we also have the poet Zhao Lin, who has recently gained fame in the capital. We would like to invite him to compose a poem to celebrate for General Manager Zhu. Please welcome Mr. Zhao."
"Zhao Lin? The Zhao Lin who has recently become famous, not only known for his poetic talent, but also for taking first place in three examinations and the top prize in the imperial examination? He actually wants to curry favor with that powerful eunuch?"
"He's already got Li Xingye's support, but he still dares to come here. Isn't he afraid of Li Xingye getting angry?"
"I thought this was a character, but I didn't expect him to be a traitor!"
"Bah! He's just a dog clinging to the eunuch party, not even a traitor."
"What are you trying to do, young man?"
Many people cursed and many shook their heads in disappointment.
"Zhao Lin?"
Hearing this name, the woman in the veil was slightly distracted and asked the person next to her, "Who is this Zhao Lin? Is he famous?"
"Of course he was famous, but unfortunately he's now infamous." The man the woman was questioning spat bitterly and said, "He was originally a beggar in the capital. He was lucky enough to write a few poems that became known to everyone, which is how he got the nickname of a poet. It's a pity that he didn't follow the right path and actually came to associate with the eunuchs. He truly deserves death."
"A beggar from the capital?"
The woman carefully watched Zhao Lin approaching the stage and murmured, "It really is you. Didn't they say your family had found you? Why would you do such a thing? Do you have a hard time?"
Obviously she and Zhao Lin are acquaintances.
Zhao Lin came to the stage and without further ado, he recited aloud the poem he had written specifically for Zhu Zhongyan:
"A page of history is like smoke and clouds; it is difficult to comment on the merits and demerits of the past. Everyone says that the eunuchs are not good people, but who says that the upright are corrupt officials?"
When this poem came out, there was silence at first, and then an uproar.
"He dares? He dares?"
"This boy is so bold and presumptuous, he deserves to die!"
"Not only did he whitewash the eunuch party, he also maliciously slandered you all. He deserves death!"
"Cut into pieces and feed the dogs..."
Many people cursed loudly, their faces flushed, and looked like they wanted to eat Zhao Lin alive.
But some people remain silent, and no one knows what they are thinking.
Feng Siyuan's forehead was instantly covered in sweat.
He also didn't expect that Zhao Lin would actually write such a poem. It should have been a poem to celebrate the completion of the ancestral temple, which would not offend anyone and would be a good thing for everyone. However, he chose to directly criticize Zhu Zhongyan for being a powerful eunuch. Not only did he want to clear his name, but he also called all the officials in the court traitors. This was going to be a big deal.
Apart from anything else, everyone in the court will definitely take action to deal with Feng Siyuan.
Zhao Lin is just a small-time official. Wasn't this all caused by you, Governor Feng?
Feng Siyuan whispered, "Zhao Lin, are you crazy? Just write a congratulatory poem, why write something like this?"
Zhao Lin glanced at Feng Siyuan with dissatisfaction. "No wonder you, as a direct descendant of Zhu Zongguan, can only serve as a local official. How can you work for Zhu Zongguan if you don't even know his difficulties?"
"What are the manager's difficulties?" Feng Siyuan asked humbly.
Zhao Lin sighed, "Everyone says that Zhu Zongguan is a powerful eunuch, a disaster for the country and the people, and he deserves death. But they don't know that without Zhu Zongguan's support, the Great Qi Dynasty would have collapsed long ago."
Feng Siyuan's expression changed slightly, and he said, "Please give me some advice, Master Zhao."
Zhao Lin was getting even more dissatisfied. "You can't even tell. How did you become the governor? Everyone says that Zhu Zongguan is not a good person. But how many ministers in the court are better than Zhu Zongguan? If they were really as loyal to the emperor and the country as they say, would Zhu Zongguan have such power? They talk big, but what do they do? They intensify factional disputes, exclude dissidents, and only talk nonsense. They stick to old rules, form cliques for personal gain, and are corrupt. They deserve to be executed along with their entire clans. Calling them traitors is an insult to the word. Without them, this country and this court wouldn't be in such a difficult situation."
Feng Siyuan was horrified.
Zhao Lin hit the nail on the head.
The Great Qi Dynasty is now strong on the outside but weak on the inside, and is extremely empty. In the final analysis, it is all caused by those so-called loyal officials.
But who taught Zhao Lin these words?
He was only sixteen years old. If no one taught him, he would never be able to see so clearly.
"Who taught you that?" Feng Siyuan asked fiercely, "Li Xingye? Li Weibai? Or someone else?"
Zhao Lin was about to answer when he felt a strong sense of alarm in his heart. Before he could react, he suddenly pulled Feng Siyuan to squat on the ground and hide behind the table.
Tsk tsk!
Two arrows shot past their heads, followed by a roar: "Traitor, prepare your death!"
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