Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 535 - 371: First Day at Work

Ye Zhiqiu knew that Gu Chengyu did good deeds without leaving his name and never mentioned it in front of him in order to save his own face. However, if he kept pretending not to know, it would be avoiding the issue, which is a matter of character.

"It’s just a small favor to you, but it’s a big help to me." Ye Zhiqiu saw that Gu Chengyu didn’t want to talk about it further, so he kept this favor in his heart and looked for an opportunity to repay it later.

When the carriage reached the Imperial Palace, Gu Chengyu and Ye Zhiqiu passed by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Hospital. As they were nearing the Hanlin Academy, they ran into Min Feng and Huang Junheng.

Min Feng heard the footsteps, looked back, and saw a boy in a bright red round-collared robe with a heron embroidered on the chest. Who else could it be but Gu Chengyu? The Secondary Sixth Rank official uniform looked very dignified on Gu Chengyu.

The boy behind Gu Chengyu should be Ye Zhiqiu, who, like Huang Junheng, was a scholar at the Hanlin Academy.

"Min Feng, a humble official, greets Your Excellency!"

"Huang Junheng, a humble official, greets Your Excellency!"

Min Feng secretly cursed his luck when he saw Gu Chengyu, knowing that he had to pay his respects upon meeting him. Now that they were all officials in the same court and all in the Hanlin, they would frequently encounter one another. The thought of having to frequently salute Gu Chengyu in the future was quite bothersome for him.

Subsequently, Ye Zhiqiu and the two others also greeted each other. Scholars of the Hanlin Academy, to put it seriously, held unofficial positions, barely counting as Secondary Seventh Rank!

Scholars at the Hanlin Academy study for three years, after which they are assessed before the next metropolitan exam, known as the "Scattered Pavilion." Those with excellent grades remain in Hanlin as compilers or editors, becoming official Hanlin members known as "remaining in the hall," while others are assigned to the Imperial Secretariat or Inspectorate to become Imperial Censors.

It’s not easy to pass as a scholar; those who fail to do so are left under the Six Ministries as Observing Government Scholars. Therefore, the fact that Ye Zhiqiu and Huang Junheng passed as scholars indicates their skills.

"Min Bianxiu, Mr. Huang! What a coincidence, since we’ve met, why not go in together?" Gu Chengyu smiled and took the lead.

Ye Zhiqiu automatically took two steps back, walking behind Min Feng and alongside Huang Junheng. The Dayan Dynasty had a stringent officialdom system; initially, when not meeting Min Feng and the others, Ye Zhiqiu walked behind Gu Chengyu.

Min Feng followed Gu Chengyu gloomily, and they entered the Hanlin Academy one by one. Gu Chengyu took the tooth card hanging from his waist and handed it to a clerk for information verification and record.

The tooth card symbolized the identity of a Capital Official; coming for the morning duty was akin to modern-day clocking in. Naturally, if an official left the Capital for local assignments, the tooth card wouldn’t be needed.

After retrieving the tooth card, Gu Chengyu planned to visit Grand Scholar Zhang Hai at the Hanlin Academy. It was their first day reporting to the Hanlin Academy, and they needed to ask Zhang Hai to understand the specific tasks they would receive.

As Gu Chengyu and the others were heading to the Grand Scholar’s place, more footsteps were heard behind them. Gu Chengyu looked back and, indeed, it was another acquaintance.

Fu Yanshan hurriedly wiped the sweat from his forehead as the carriage from his mansion broke down midway. Although it was later repaired, it had delayed him considerably. So he ran all the way, took out his tooth card, and prepared for registration.

He calculated that the hour should allow him to arrive on time. Looking ahead, he discovered Gu Chengyu and the others.

"Fu Yanshan, a humble official, greets Your Excellency!"

Fu Yanshan felt a bit complicated as, not long ago, they were at the same level, but now, in just a few days, Gu Chengyu had become a Secondary Sixth Rank official.

"There’s no need for formalities!"

Since they ran into each other, they naturally went together to see the Grand Scholar.

It just so happened they encountered an Assistant from the Hanlin Academy who was headed to the same destination, and Gu Chengyu quickly asked him to lead the way.

"Esteemed Sirs, I am Assistant Kong Jiu." Kong Jiu glanced at the group curiously; had they come together? He recognized Champion Scholar Gu Chengyu, and of course, he had specifically inquired about Min Feng, who had just entered Hanlin! Were they already forming cliques?

Kong Jiu and other Hanlin Academy officials had already thoroughly investigated the newcomers, paying particular attention to three individuals.

Champion Gu Chengyu was a disciple of former Grand Secretary Liang Zhirui, with three senior brothers currently serving in the court. The highest-ranking was Yin Kun, Right Deputy Imperial Censor at the Inspectorate with a Standard Third Rank. The other two held Standard Fourth Rank positions. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Gu Chengyu himself was also favored by the Emperor; although he appeared to have a less harmonious relationship with Chief Minister Xia during the banquet of grace and honor, the situation was currently unclear, so they could only take a wait-and-see approach.

As for Min Feng and Huang Junheng, there was no need to elaborate. One was the closed-door disciple of Chief Minister Xia Qing, while the other was Xia Qing’s external nephew.

Indeed! The Hanlin Academy was truly receiving some esteemed figures.

Kong Jiu, harboring his own thoughts, quickened his steps, hoping to hand them over to his Scholar Master as soon as possible.

When they reached the office of the Grand Scholar, Gu Chengyu and his companions promptly expressed their gratitude, "Many thanks to Assistant Kong for guiding us."

Kong Jiu repeatedly said he dared not accept the thanks, and he stood outside waiting. Each of these individuals held rank higher than his; his matters were not pressing, so he remained outside until they finished their business inside.

Gu Chengyu and his party entered, announcing themselves from the door, "Hanlin Academy Compiler Gu Chengyu pays respects to Mr. Zhang!"

"Hanlin Academy Compiler Min Feng pays respects to Mr. Zhang!"

...

It was just a quarter past the hour, the designated time to be on duty was half-past. Gu Chengyu and his party had arrived a quarter-hour early. However, being their first day on duty, it was necessary to be early. Many officials of the Hanlin Academy had already arrived.

Gu Chengyu had inquired about Grand Scholar Zhang Hai’s character; he was very diligent and arrived two-quarters early each day—likely the earliest at the Hanlin Academy. Now it was nearing May, and with early dawn, they could see well upon arrival.

Come winter, however, they would likely need to travel in the dark. After all, the journey took quite a while; entering through the palace gates and then reaching the Hanlin Academy took almost half an hour, so Gu Chengyu had risen to wash and dress at 3:30 AM.

Zhang Hai heard the voices of officials paying respects outside and surmised that it was the newly assigned officials reporting for duty today. He frowned, feeling displeased with the handful who had drawn so much attention even before fully entering the Hanlin.

"Come in!"

Once inside, Gu Chengyu bowed respectfully to Zhang Hai, "Humble officer Gu Chengyu pays respects to Your Excellency!"

Zhang Hai scrutinized the five young people before him, finding them all to be youth. It seemed this year’s Imperial Examination had indeed produced many young talents.

But to think they had arrived together like this—Zhang Hai disliked their formation of factions. Particularly seeing Min Feng and Huang Junheng at the back, his expression darkened. Hmph! Xia Qing’s influence had extended into Hanlin Academy too. Where in the court was there no trace of Xia Qing’s protégés?

Gu Chengyu had heard from Yin Kun about Zhang Hai’s preference for those earnest in their work and his disdain for opportunistic and slick-tongued individuals.