Chapter 766: Fall of the Stars

Since returning to Suzhou, Lord Lin has not made much noise until the Chinese New Year. His life is just about family reunion, ancestor worship, receptions, and gatherings.

After the Chinese New Year, it was already February of the 22nd year of Wanli, and Lin Tailai convened a meeting of middle-level and above cadres of the Lin Group.

At the meeting, Lin Tailai made a work report entitled "Changing the Extensive Development Model, Deepening Innovation and Demanding Efficiency from Quality".

In the report, it was proposed that in the next five years, the Lin Group should shift from quantity orientation to quality orientation, focus on consolidating the foundation, fine management, and tapping internal potential, and seek development with quality, while focusing on solving the old hidden dangers caused by extensive development.

After the group meeting, the implementation work was suppressed, and Lin Tailai began to conceive this year's personal plan. What should he do?

Sitting in the hall, Lin Tailai found that this year was the tenth year since he traveled through time.

Writing "Three Poems of Eighteen Years" at Yinma Bridge seemed like yesterday.

Time flies by so fast, and it seems that I haven't done much.

I have earned millions of dollars, controlled the economic lifeline of Suzhou and Songjiang, won nine first prizes in the civil and military examinations, dominated the literary world with the title of the master of poetry, and fought more than ten battles, annihilated hundreds of thousands of enemies and was awarded a title of nobility for military merit.

As for the small things such as promoting the opening of the sea in the Jiangnan region, five first landings, mediating with the northern barbarians, rebuilding the order of the Jurchens, developing copper mines, and opening the door to Japan, there are countless.

By the way, I also printed the "Compendium of Materia Medica" in Suzhou, which has just been completed.

Nearly two million words, more than a thousand illustrations, all engraved and printed is a non-profit huge project, which was promised to Li Shizhen's son in the 19th year of Wanli, but it has not been completed until now.

All the hundreds of copies printed in the first edition were sent to Lin's house by Gao Changjiang, filling several large tables.

Gao Changjiang was in charge of the education, science, culture and health business of the Lin Group, so the project of publishing the Compendium of Materia Medica was led by Gao Changjiang.

Although the opening preface of the Compendium of Materia Medica was written by Lin Tailai, he was not interested in reading such a boring record-style medical book.

Because this is really not a recreational reading, it can only be collected as a souvenir.

After appreciating the "cultural wonder" he created, Lin Tailai continued to think about his personal plan for this year.

Maybe we should hold a literary conference first? Since the old leader Wang and I went north, there has been no literary conference in the south for three years.

While thinking about the literary world, suddenly the doorman came to report that the prefect Tu Shufang came to visit.

Although the prefect was no longer useful, he was still a "parent official" after all, so Lin Tailai invited him in.

Originally thought that Prefect Tu was here to discuss this year's tax payment plan, but unexpectedly heard that Prefect Tu was here to report a death.

"Xu Wenchang, a famous scholar in Zhejiang, has passed away. The literary world of this province sympathizes with his experience and asks me to ask you to write a eulogy in person to clear his name."

Lin Tailai, who had not heard this name for a long time, was stunned and sighed: "I have been friends with Mr. Qingteng for a long time, but it's a pity that we have never met. I didn't expect that God would not give me a long life."

When he started to fight in the literary world nine years ago, in order to fight against the retro faction and disgust the old leader Wang, the still weak Lin Tailai always used the banner of Xu Wenchang, and even claimed to be listed as "enemies of the literary world" with Xu Wenchang, taking a rebellious route.

However, Lin Tailai never thought of visiting Xu Wenchang in Shanyin County, Shaoxing Prefecture, because he was really a mentally ill man who was often not clear-headed and dared to chop his wife and hurt himself.

Lin Tailai was afraid of physical conflict. If he accidentally killed Xu Wenchang, the impact would be too bad.

Later, after gradually defeating the retro faction and becoming the "mainstream literary world", Lin Tailai rarely mentioned Xu Wenchang.

But after all, Lin Tailai had praised Xu Wenchang in his early years, so the Zhejiang literary world asked Lin Tailai to write a eulogy this time.

After sighing for a while, Lin Tailai patted his pectoralis major and said: "I have always admired Mr. Qingteng. I will write the eulogy! And I will also take care of the epitaph!"

Governor Tu twitched his face and said: "There is no need for an epitaph, right? Someone else will write it."

You and Xu Wenchang don't even know each other, so you write an epitaph? You have to give others a chance to show their faces, how can you steal the limelight?

Lin Tailai snorted coldly: "Besides me, who else is qualified to write an epitaph for Xu Wenchang? Do you still want to stay in the literary world?"

Xu Wenchang is a legendary figure. There are monuments such as his former residence in later generations. Writing an epitaph for him is likely to be passed down to later generations.

In front of the young man who turned into an evil dragon, Tu Zhifu bowed his head helplessly and said, "I will pass on your opinion back to Zhejiang."

Just when Lin Tailai was writing the epitaph for Xu Wenchang, Wang Shimao suddenly came to visit from Taicang Prefecture.

Speaking of Wang Shimao, many people may not know him, but he is the younger brother of Wang Shizhen, the old leader of the literary world.

Lin Tailai thought that Wang Shimao came to Suzhou City to play, but it turned out that Wang Shimao also came to report the death.

"The news came from Wuchang to my house that Mr. Chuanlou has passed away!"

Lin Tailai was a little surprised. What year is this year? How could another literary celebrity pass away?

The Mr. Chuanlou mentioned by Wang Shimao is the literary giant Wu Guolun, who is listed as one of the seven sons of the retro school together with Wang Shizhen.

Now only Wang Shizhen and Wu Guolun are still alive among the seven sons of the retro school, and they have always been called the East King and the West Wu.

In today's literary world, it is almost at the level of "East Evil, West Poison, North Beggar, and South Emperor".

Lin Tailai nodded seriously and said, "I understand! Wu Chuanlou's death is a major event in the literary world. I will write the eulogy and epitaph."

Wang Shimao hurriedly said, "I am here to report the death to you. My brother will naturally be on the epitaph."

Wang Shizhen and Wu Guolun have been brothers and comrades for decades. How can someone else write the epitaph for Wu Guolun?

But under the pressure of Lin Tailai's majestic gaze, Wang Shimao's voice became smaller and smaller, and he changed his words and said, "Then I will trouble you. My brother has not been energetic this year, so there is no need to bother him."

As the two were talking, they suddenly saw the Suzhou celebrity Zhang Fengyi hurried in.

This person is Lin Tailai's old partner in the literary world, and his brother Zhang Youyu is still Lin Tailai's nominal teacher.

Seeing Zhang Fengyi's sad face, Lin Tailai subconsciously asked: "You are not here to report the death of my teacher, are you? Could it be my teacher?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Youyu, who was dressed in white mourning clothes, flashed out from behind Zhang Fengyi and shouted to Lin Tailai:

"The evil has been passed down for thousands of years! My teacher is still alive, but you can hold a funeral for me first, and you can be the host!

By the way, please buy a good coffin for me. I will sleep in it for two nights to see if it is comfortable!"

Lin Tailai: "."

Although he can be called eloquent, he often runs out of words when facing this teacher who has been a psychopath for half his life.

"Don't be silly!" Zhang Fengyi scolded his brother, and then said to Lin Tailai: "It is indeed a funeral. Someone from Huizhou sent me a message. Wang Daokun is gone."

Lin Tailai and Wang Shimao were both shocked. How come these literary celebrities died one after another? Even death is gathering together for fun?

Wang Daokun and Wang Lao were once called "the two Sima of the north and south". They have been both allies and competitors for decades, and they are also literary giants of the "Eastern Evil and Western Poison" level.

Even Lin Tailai felt that this situation was quite strange, and sighed: "It's really hard to explain, anyway, the epitaph is left to me."

I really didn't expect that I didn't do anything in the early spring, and the business of writing epitaphs came one after another.

In today's market, asking a person of Lin Tailai's level to write an epitaph would cost two or three hundred taels of silver per article.

But Lin Tailai is not short of money, and he writes for these fallen literary giants for free!

Thinking of this, Lin Tailai said to Wang Shimao worriedly: "These contemporaries have died one after another. I am very worried that your brother's spirit will be affected and he will not be able to hold on.

Before leaving Beijing last year, I saw that your brother's health was not very good."

Wang Shimao sighed deeply and said helplessly: "Let it be up to fate. My brother has no regrets in this life."

In his brother's life, what regrets can there be in his life except that his father was framed and beheaded by Yan Song and his son when he was young, and he was bullied by Lin Tailai for several years in his old age?

Just at this time, Gao Changjiang rushed in and shouted: "Just received the news of death. Li Shizhen, who wrote the Compendium of Materia Medica, died in his hometown.

It is said that he heard that the Compendium of Materia Medica was successfully published while he was sick, and he passed away in excitement. The Li family wants to ask the host to write an epitaph for Li Shizhen."

Lin Tailai was numb after hearing the news of death. He once again asked the heavens speechlessly, what kind of year is this? Why are there so many epitaph writing businesses?

In the original history, Xu Wenchang, Wang Daokun, Wu Guolun, Li Shizhen, and other people who had direct or indirect connections with Lin Tailai, all died in the 21st year of Wanli by coincidence.

Although affected by the butterfly effect in this time and space, the time of death is still not far apart, and the news of the death reached the Lin Mansion at the same time.

Hubei is far away, so Lin Tailai did not go there; because of the relationship between Huizhou merchants and the former Grand Secretary Xu Guo, the locals had a bad impression of Lin Tailai, so Lin Tailai did not go there either.

So Lin Tailai, who was idle at home, finally went to Shaoxing Prefecture, which was not too far away, to mourn Xu Wenchang and win over the Zhejiang Gang.

No mistakes, one by one, one by one, one by one!

And there is also an important significance, that is, as the quasi-leader of the literary world, to rectify Xu Wenchang's name and officially restore Xu Wenchang's reputation in the literary world.

Only when Lin Tailai came forward in this matter, he was qualified to modify and overturn the conclusion of the old leader Wang, which was a display of cultural hegemony.

Just after returning home from Zhejiang, he saw his retainer Qian Shiyang hurriedly report: "Yesterday, a man named Zhou Weicheng claimed to be Hai Qingtian's son-in-law and was eager to see you."

Lin Tailai was quite puzzled. What did Hai Rui's son-in-law want to see him for?

After inviting the man over, he heard Zhou Weicheng pleading: "Mr. Yue is already terminally ill. I dare to ask you to visit me. I will work like a cow and a horse to repay you!"

Lin Tailai asked in confusion: "Why do you ask me to visit? I'm not a doctor."

Zhou Weicheng replied: "If you can't stimulate Mr. Yue's vitality even if you visit him in person, then there is really nothing you can do this time.

In addition, Mr. Yue also said a few words when he was awake, as if he wanted to see you before he died."

Hearing that Hai Qingtian was once again terminally ill, Lin Tailai felt mixed emotions and couldn't help but sigh.

In the original history, Hai Rui should have died seven years ago. He was stimulated by himself to survive until now.

But people cannot live forever, and eventually they will die. I am afraid Hai Qingtian will not make it this time.

Then Lin Tailai ordered his attendants, "Get ready immediately! I am leaving and rushing to Nanjing."

Such pure people are too rare, so let's go and see him for the last time, if we can catch up.

Besides, since Hai Qingtian was so poor, he just spent money to help arrange his funeral. This would be a good story for future generations.

Two or three days later, Lin Tailai, exhausted from all the travel, appeared in the official residence of the Censorate in the north of Nanjing City.

Hai Rui's residence was an ordinary two-courtyard house. At this time, Hai Rui was bedridden in the back room and was unconscious most of the time.

Lin Tailai stood in the courtyard and waited for more than half an hour before Hai Qingtian woke up.

Lin Tailai lifted the curtain and went in. The light in the room was dim.

Hai Qingtian lay on his back on the couch, motionless. He had no strength to turn over. It seemed that only his eyes had used up their last strength and opened to look at Lin Tailai.

"Everyone, leave." Hai Rui said, which was obviously said to his old concubine and son-in-law who were serving him next to him.

After everyone else left the house, Hai Rui asked Lin Tailai again: "I don't understand you."

Lin Tailai wanted to provoke Hai Qingtian, and answered in a somewhat frivolous way: "I am a god from heaven who has come down to earth. Of course, a mortal body can't understand."

Hai Qingtian looked at the beams of the house, and after a long while, he asked again: "What do you want to do?"

Lin Tailai thought for a while and answered: "Save the world."

Hai Rui's eyes flashed with light, and he continued to ask: "How to save?"

Lin Tailai said: "Only I know the general direction, but I can't explain it clearly.

Even if I say it, no one will believe it. Just treat it as a secret that cannot be leaked."

Hai Rui couldn't help but accuse: "But sometimes you act too badly."

Lin Tailai responded: "Believe me, if there is no me, the world will only be worse in the future.

Or, even if I do something wrong, the world will not be worse."

Hai Rui wanted to discuss it in depth, but he was exhausted and had no more strength. He slowly closed his eyes and his breathing gradually stopped.

Lin Tailai bowed gently to the old man, walked to the door, and shook his head at Zhou Weicheng.

Then Lin Tailai stayed in Nanjing for half a month and paid to help with the funeral.

Zhou Weicheng escorted Hai Qingtian's coffin back to Hainan, and Lin Tailai escorted it to Suzhou, and then wrote to officials in Zhejiang, Fujian and other places, asking for care along the way.

But after Lin Tailai sent Hai Qingtian away, Wang Shimao rushed over from Taicang Prefecture before he had a few days to rest.

Looking at Wang Shimao, whose eyes were already swollen from crying, Lin Tailai immediately had an ominous premonition.

Sure enough, he heard Wang Shimao say in a hoarse voice: "Bad news came from the capital. My brother died of a serious illness half a month ago."

Lin Tailai was silent. The nine years before the crossing were not as many as the old friends he had sent away in the past few months.

In the original history, Wang Shizhen died four years ago. Even if he changed his fate in this time and space, he could not extend his life forever.

The end of the life of the old leader Wang Tianguan finally came, and he and Wu Guolun, Wang Daokun, Xu Wenchang, who had been friends and enemies in the literary world for decades, left with grievances and grudges.

When the old leader's coffin arrived in Taicang Prefecture, Lin Tailai had to personally preside over the funeral, and only Lin Tailai was the most qualified.

It seems that there is really nothing else to do in the first half of this year, only writing epitaphs, condolences, and funerals.