Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 536 - 372 Colleagues

Gu Chengyu’s "Thanksgiving Letter" made Zhang Hai very displeased; he had long determined in his heart that Gu Chengyu was someone who liked to curry favor and flatter. Thus, towards a few people, he didn’t show a good face.

"Since you are now officials of the Hanlin Academy, you should naturally act diligently in your future duties. Do not engage in any deceitful or cunning acts. Otherwise, if discovered by me, there will be severe punishment."

Gu Chengyu understood the implication of these words. Was this being said about him? He had long known Zhang Hai would frown upon his "Thanksgiving Letter". However, he wasn’t worried; after all, time will reveal a horse’s strength, and time will reveal a man’s heart. In the future, being diligent and performing well would suffice.

Zhang Hai was indeed a very upright person. Though he disapproved of forming factions, he didn’t stop or reprimand them, which showed he wasn’t a person of pedantic nature. Gu Chengyu felt that with such a superior, as long as one worked diligently and kept a low profile, his view of oneself would change.

Min Feng and the others felt that on their first day of duty, they were scolded by their superior, which was a harsh start and truly unpleasant. However, under such circumstances, one had to bow low. At this moment, they couldn’t help but worry about their future days in the Hanlin Academy.

"We will heed the teachings of the official!"

Then Zhang Hai called inside the nearby room: "Qian Shishu!"

"I am here!" Qian Yi quickly stepped out from the adjacent room and greeted Zhang Hai with a salute.

Because Zhang Hai often had to instruct subordinates on tasks, the two adjacent rooms were given to subordinates for office work, and Qian Yi was one of them. His position was that of Hanlin Academy Inspector, a Secondary Seventh Rank. He was previously a scholar in the Hanlin Academy, and due to excellent performance during the Scattered Pavilion, he was retained.

However, during the previous Imperial Examination, he was only a third-tier scholar. Getting into the scholars was not easy. Generally, those from the third tier were assigned to external positions. Even if they entered Hanlin and became scholars with excellent performance, their promotion levels were not high and very slow, with few opportunities for level promotion. Of course, there would be exceptions in all things.

Thus, fellow Advanced Scholars from the third tier really were a bothersome existence. Those Advanced Scholars would rather accept an external post than endure the patience-building of experience accumulation in the Capital.

"Inspector Qian, guide them to their respective offices. Today is the first day, familiarize them with the layout of the Hanlin Academy; the official tasks will be assigned tomorrow."

Zhang Hai let Qian Yi take the people away, and as for the official tasks, he still had to think them over and make a plan.

Although the Hanlin Academy was always lacking officials to handle tasks, with Gu Chengyu and their talents being excellent, they would certainly be helpful. However, since Gu Chengyu and others were after all young, if they were of an arrogant and reckless temperament, some important duties couldn’t be entrusted to them.

As Gu Chengyu heard, Zhang Hai indeed was a righteous person. Although he found Gu Chengyu and others too conspicuous, regarding official duties, he treated them equally. As long as they were capable, he would put them to good use.

Gu Chengyu and the others agreed and, after leaving Zhang Hai’s place, Qian Yi started to converse with them.

"Mr. Gu! My surname is Qian, and my name is Yi." Qian Yi encountered a recruiting officer on the road, greeted each other, and then had that officer help guide Huang Junheng and Ye Zhiqiu to the scholars’ office.

Since everyone needed to stay at different places, with the scholars’ location too far from where Gu Chengyu was to work, they split into two groups.

"Three officials, please follow me. The places for you three is not far apart, and it’s closer from here."

Soon, Gu Chengyu witnessed Qian Shishu’s eloquence. He eloquently and fluently explained the layout of the Hanlin Academy and its active officials.

Gu Chengyu also heard information about other colleagues from him. Of course, these were out in the open; as for factions and day-to-day interactions, Qian Yi naturally couldn’t disclose.

While introducing, he also complimented them excellently, leaving everyone in good spirits.

No wonder Zhang Hai asked Qian Yi to guide them; not only was he eloquent, but he was also enthusiastic and attentive in all aspects, showing Zhang Hai’s capability to recognize talents and put them to good use.

"Mr. Gu, this is your office, and the other two officials will be next door."

Qian Yi pointed out one of the rooms to Gu Chengyu.

Officials of their small rank didn’t have the special treatment like Zhang Hai; they shared offices with a few people.

Gu Chengyu thought Qian Yi would only escort them this far and was about to express his thanks, but then Qian Shishu said, "Mr. Gu! Let me lead you inside!"

Gu Chengyu was taken aback for a moment and then guessed that Qian Yi likely thought it was his first day at work, and since he was unfamiliar with colleagues, he wanted to help introduce him inside, showing himself as a diplomatic person.

"Then I shall trouble Inspector Qian!"

Min Feng, on the other hand, felt that Inspector Qian was excessively warm toward Gu Chengyu, not only showing him considerable care along the way, but when being flattered, he didn’t leave out a single praise for Gu Chengyu, as though Gu Chengyu was his direct superior.

Since they were all new here, Min Feng also needed to visit Gu Chengyu’s office to familiarize himself with superiors and colleagues, so the three entered the room together.

"Honorable officials! These are the new officials of our Hanlin Academy: this is Mr. Gu, this is Mr. Min, and this gentleman is Mr. Fu."

As Qian Shishu led Gu Chengyu and the others inside, the three people in the room looked towards them. Qian Shishu smiled and saluted the three in the room, then introduced everyone to each other. Gu Chengyu noticed that Qian Shishu had good relationships; all three were of higher rank than Qian Shishu, yet their attitude towards him wasn’t at all condescending.

The three in the room were all compilers, holding the same position as Gu Chengyu. The three were named Liu Zonghan, Ren Ge, and Jiang Kenan.

Liu Zonghan was around forty and had a goatee in line with contemporary aesthetics, fair-skinned, and though his eyes were not large, they sparkled with keen light. Gu Chengyu temporarily categorized him as a very shrewd scholar.

Ren Ge was about thirty, carrying a scholarly temperament, appearing amiable and likeable at first sight.

As for Jiang Kenan, he was much younger than the previous two, though Gu Chengyu estimated he was in his twenties. He seemed a bit stern, only exchanged a few words upon meeting Gu Chengyu and the others, then returned to his seat, appearing somewhat reticent. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Ren Ge and Liu Zonghan discreetly evaluated these three young officials and couldn’t help but sigh that finally, new people had come to the Hanlin Academy. In truth, the affairs of the Hanlin Academy were very cumbersome and heavy, and though their number of officials was not many, making it somewhat burdensome for everyone.

Of course, exceptions existed. Regardless of place, faction struggles were present; those without connections and social finesse naturally were not put in important positions. But do not think being undervalued meant one could be lazy and not work. No work means no achievement, and how does one earn promotions?

When others receive promotions and you’re still at a standstill, naturally, it breeds discontent.

However, due to the Holy Emperor changing the imperial examinations to once every three years, the number of new scholars diminished considerably. Consequently, the number of officials at the Hanlin Academy reduced compared to previous years, increasing the workload.