As for the two officials, they are the regular officials on duty in the hall.
Usually, one is on duty while the other takes a break, but today, with a new superior coming in to take office, everyone has to come in regardless.
Seeing that Zhang Jian, the new compiler, is easy to get along with, the two secretly heave a sigh of relief.
Afterward, Zhang Jian asks Chen Xiuming to handle official business while he familiarizes himself with the government office.
This government office is just a place for working.
It's much like the office he imagined, not particularly spacious. He's seen the office of Assistant Scholar Huang Liangzhong before, and there's a big difference.
Not only are there two compilers here, but also seven or eight Hanlin Academy editors, all squeezed together without even cubicles, just bookshelves in between — you can see me, and I can see you.
A group of big men, all married and greasy with age, staring at each other all day, how can that be pleasant?
"Alas..."
Zhang Jian sighs silently in his heart at the sight.
The Jade Hall, where the Sports and Arts College officials meet, is passable at best.
Zhang Jian wanders around in his official garb and decides to clock in regularly from now on.
The next day, he formally gets to work, taking up the records and authority he holds, assisting senior officials in each department with court operations and documenting accordingly.
Currently, he has not been granted access to Chengtian Hall, which is still Chen Xiuming's responsibility.
Assistant Scholar Huang Liangzhong has him first "intern" at the various departments.
In fact, there aren't many internships, and most of the meeting records are handled by some "juniors" at the Sports and Arts College.
The current priority is still the revision of the Daqian National Canon, the "Daqian Complete Book."
This suits Zhang Jian's interests perfectly.
The "Daqian Complete Book" is all-encompassing, proclaiming itself a comprehensive collection of ancient and contemporary classics in a single volume.
For Zhang Jian, what could be more exciting than participating in the compilation of the "Daqian Complete Book"?
If he could partake in its compilation, he could justifiably frequent the major libraries of the Sports and Arts College.
His Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart needs such resources for its growth.
When Zhang Jian expressed his willingness to assist in the compilation of the "Daqian Complete Book" to Huang Liangzhong, he immediately gained Huang's favor and approval.
He is quite the aspiring "good colleague"!
Huang Liangzhong is troubled by the slow progress in compiling the "Daqian Complete Book."
Emperor Jingwu has been urging its completion frequently due to its educational significance to Daqian, yet the vast content makes it difficult, despite the collective effort of several dozen from the Sports and Arts College, to see an end in sight.
Zhang Jian's willingness to embark on this arduous task demonstrates his keen insight in Huang Liangzhong's eyes.
He decides secretly that he will give an excellent appraisal at the annual evaluation.
In fact, the future of the young compilers and editors at the Sports and Arts College lies in the hands of Assistant Scholar Huang Liangzhong. A poor evaluation makes it hard to leave the college.
Even leaving would typically mean a lateral transfer rather than a promotion.
Staying at the Sports and Arts College would seem to be a waste.
Of course, as an Assistant Scholar, he cannot completely control everything. College officials frequently interact with the Emperor, and service in lecturing is meritorious. If favored by the Emperor, an exception could be easily made.
However, the current Emperor Jingwu is not so easily amenable, as evidenced by Chen Xiuming's lack of promotional opportunities during three years as a compiler.
Zhang Jian gradually gains momentum at the Sports and Arts College, walking with confidence.
…
Fengyang County
At the County Governor's Office, the newly appointed Governor Xiang Yingxin is frowning over a pile of trivial matters both inside and outside Fengyang County, sighing as he reviews them.
Xiang Yingxin, like Yu Tongguang, also came from a meritorious military background, having experienced combat at the border. Due to his distinguished service, he had been exceptionally promoted.
But facing the messy state of affairs in Fengyang County, he finds himself struggling.
The current situation in Fengyang County involves infiltration by roving bandits defeated by the Xuan Du Sect, and within, there is resistance from many noble families.
These noble families have long entrenched themselves in Fengyang County, and Xiang Yingxin, willing though he is to take action, feels like a housewife lacking groceries to cook with.
Currently, he has only the hundred personal guards he brought with him. The supposedly eight thousand elite soldiers within Fengyang County, with eight marshals, do not include a single one of his people.
Moreover, he has discovered that to counter the bandits from Shanyang County, several large families have gathered village guards in the thousands, who, if forced, could muster a force of tens of thousands.
"Qi Family, Zhang Family, Gu Family..."
Xiang Yingxin sits at his desk, thinking he must both guard against and find a way to ally with them.
An alliance is necessary to resist the infiltration of the Xuan Du Sect and avoid any disturbances.
Xiang Yingxin focuses on the name "Gu Family."
Compared to the thriving Qi and Zhang families, the Gu Family is much easier to deal with.
The Gu Family recently lost its Patriarch, and the new Patriarch lacks the capability of his predecessor, managing to maintain but unable to advance.
The Gu Family's influence has significantly waned, and if he marries into the Gu Family, he might successfully bring them into an alliance.
He has heard that the former Patriarch left behind a beautiful unmarried daughter, Yun Ying, and as he recently lost his first wife, a marriage proposal is unlikely to be refused by the Gu Family.
Regarding how to suppress the Qi and Zhang families, Xiang Yingxin's gaze gradually settles on the Zhang Family.
The Qi Family is currently flourishing; General Wei Yuan Qi Yi and his eldest son Qi Yuanwu have been recognized for quelling the rebels and likely will receive honors, making underhanded actions inappropriate now.
Moreover, it is said that Qi Yuanwu has connections with Princess Qingfeng, reaching higher circles, which makes Xiang Yingxin cautious.
The Zhang Family, however, has a much weaker foundation.
Although they have a Senior Fifth Grade Prefect near Haojing, this is not a strong backing.
Xiang Yingxin is contemplating when the Personal Guard Commander rushes in.
"General...uh, Governor, a great victory!"
The lean Personal Guard Commander appears solemn, with a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Upon hearing this, Xiang Yingxin raises his head.
"A great victory? Could it be that Old General Yang has finally crushed that rebel force? Captured Little Ming King Changli alive?"
There is a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
If true, it would indeed be an occasion for celebration.
Little Ming King Changli is the leader of the rebels, and capturing him would diminish the threat of the remaining rebels.
However, the Personal Guard Commander shakes his head.
"Governor, the good news comes from Haojing City; the Palace Examination results are out!"
"Oh, does that mean someone from Fengyang County made the honor list?" Xiang Yingxin smiles faintly, recalling that a month ago was the Ministry of Rites Examination, and now the Palace Examination results should indeed be available.
Taking the urgent document from the Personal Guard Commander, Xiang Yingxin skims through it, his heart sinking, his face involuntarily showing a hint of astonishment.