After the break, Zhang Jian would occasionally relax. He and a few 'colleagues' from the Sports and Arts College found a small teahouse to 'relax' a bit.
Watching the ladies dance in the distance, Zhang Jian curled his lips, while Chen Xiuming and several other editors were watching with interest.
With a smile on his face, Chen Xiuming looked at Zhang Jian and couldn't help but speak.
"Brother Zhang, I've heard you are not planning to return to Fengyang County?"
"Indeed, the compilation work is more important!"
Zhang Jian's expression at this moment was tinged with enthusiasm.
Zhang Jian then seriously said: "Brother Chen, compiling the 'Daqian Complete Book' is the foremost task of our time, significant to the state and beneficial for generations. We cannot be negligent!"
"The Emperor's profound grace is upon us, so we must give our all. How can we take a vacation at this time!"
Seeing his generous spirit, the other editors merely smiled awkwardly and drank in silence.
Zhang Jian glanced at everyone, guessing these "good colleagues" might have been cursing him inwardly.
But there was no choice, the allure of working from dawn to dusk is undeniable.
Those ancient texts are even more enticing than cultivation.
Not wanting to put in effort is impossible.
"Uh..."
Chen Xiuming twitched the corner of his mouth and took a few sips of tea.
After a brief pause, he twitched his lips and earnestly said: "Actually Brother Zhang, you don't have to work so hard. It's important to relax when it's time to relax!"
He was trying to advise this newcomer in the workplace!
If you strive, what will we who slack off do?
It's hard for us!
Lately, he's been feeling exhausted, even more than when he was preparing for imperial exams!
In the past, everyone was slacking off together. Even if the supervisor saw it, they wouldn't say much; but now someone is setting a new trend, leading everyone to feel the pressure, and if they work slowly, they're bound to be criticized by their superiors.
That's why a group invited Zhang Jian to a meal, asking him to show mercy.
To let everyone off the hook.
At this time, several other editors also turned their gaze towards him.
Zhang Jian saw this reaction and couldn't help but smile slightly at their expressions.
"Brother Chen also has a point. How about this, I'll use this time to visit other scripture rooms to read and also take a break!"
"This..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiuming's eyes froze briefly and he nodded casually, saying:
"Brother Zhang is indeed full of vigor, I admire you!"
The other editors also lowered their heads to drink, but the enthusiasm in the conversation obviously dwindled.
Zhang Jian only smiled slightly.
He didn't mind. In fact, Chen Xiuming, this old hand, has approached him many times before, but it's not like he didn't give face.
It's just that these slick individuals keep trying to drag him into slacking off!
To slack together!
Foiling my work from dawn to dusk was clearly not going to succeed.
Even if they disliked it.
But disliking it wouldn't stop him from reading books.
Meanwhile Zhang Jian inwardly shook his head, finally understanding why Chen Xiuming hadn't managed to progress further.
Otherwise, with his talent as a Champion Scholar, it shouldn't be hard to be promoted to Senior Sixth-Rank Lecturer in four years.
It's just not the correct approach!
After Zhang Jian left, Chen Xiuming and the others appeared a bit gloomy.
One of the editors gulping down his drink said helplessly:
"Brother Chen, this Zhang compiler is incredibly stubborn. Should we give him a little lesson?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiuming frowned and said.
"That's not really a good idea, we're all colleagues, there's no need to do that, right? He's just working a bit harder, he's young, this is quite normal!"
"After a while, he won't have this enthusiasm anymore!"
"What's normal? Spending all day in that dull Sports and Arts College, just a pretentious fellow, doing it purely for Scholar Huang and the Emperor to see. Compiler Chen, your heart is too soft. He's already made his move; if you continue like this, be careful you get another mediocre review this year, and who knows how long it will take to be promoted to Lecturer?"
Upon hearing this, a shadow flickered in Chen Xiuming's eyes, though he put on a helpless expression.
"Then what do you suggest?"
"He is on the same level as me, and even favored by the Dean. There's nothing we can do to him!"
He muttered softly, simultaneously lifting his cup and drinking several cups in succession, watching the subtle smiles appear in the eyes of the other editors.
At this moment, the editor with the last name Wu smirked coldly.
"Brother Chen, actually it's easy to handle!"
"Isn't he fond of working? Then let's take an extended break and all request leave together, let's see how much he can handle on his own at the Sports and Arts College!"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the other editors shifted, and all couldn't help but reveal a hint of a smile, laughing and saying: "Brother Wu's idea is excellent, let's do it! Let's see how long he can keep this up!"
Meanwhile, in the adjacent restaurant to the Champion Scholar's Residence, a smile appeared in Zhang Jian's eyes.
"Using such means to make things difficult, they might be miscalculating!"
There was an odd gleam in his gaze.
In fact, he hadn't even exerted much effort when compiling the 'Daqian Complete Book'.
Using less than ten percent of his strength, just to avoid standing out too much and being isolated.
These guys think striking would squeeze him out, little did they know he could casually apply a bit more effort and completely outdo them.
When cultivators get serious, it's life-threatening.
...
In Jingtai Hall, the place where Emperor Jingwu reviews official documents, he was currently engrossed in reviewing memorials, occasionally letting a smile emerge on his face.
Recently, Emperor Jingwu was in a good mood.
He felt validated by his decision to employ Yang Gonghu again.
Recently, memorials from Yang Gonghu were being delivered.
The rebellion in Shanyang County was nearing an end. Most of the tens of thousands of rebels from the so-called Ming King Salvation Army were defeated, the rebel leader Ming King Changli was also trapped on Yanhuai Mountain, and should soon be captured alive.
In joy, Emperor Jingwu couldn't help but smile at the Great Companion beside him.
"Old General Yang doesn't disappoint on the battlefield!"
Hearing this, the elderly eunuch in the purple robe gently said: "It's also due to Your Majesty's wise discernment, being able to reemploy such an old general without holding grudges!"
Crown Prince Jingwu sighed upon hearing this.
"The late Emperor indeed had foresight, demoting Old General Yang against popular opinion was to give me the opportunity to win over these valiant generals! Now I understand the late Emperor's intentions!"
The purple-robed eunuch said nothing in response.
Looking at the lines on the memorial listing the people requesting merits, Emperor Jingwu's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but ask.
"Chao Daban, what has been the activity of the Champion Scholar I appointed recently?"
"Scholar Zhang has been diligent in his duties, currently assisting Scholar Huang in compiling the 'Daqian Complete Book'!"
After a slight pause, this purple-robed elder smirked strangely.
"He's very diligent!"
"Oh?" Emperor Jingwu detected the underlying meaning and couldn't help showing a hint of interest.
"Tell me more!"
Chao Mu then began detailing the events in the Sports and Arts College precisely, indicating his knowledge of what was happening inside and outside the Imperial Palace.
Nothing escaped his attention!
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu couldn't help but be amused.
"This Scholar Zhang indeed seems interesting, do you think he's doing it for my attention...?"
As he spoke, he squinted slightly, with a hint of indifference in his gaze.