Chapter 570 - 406 Regret

Chapter 570: Chapter 406 Regret

"The six ministers were quite pleased with the preface you wrote, and once the Prime Minister has reviewed it, it can be presented to the Emperor." Essentially, once it’s presented to the Emperor, he wouldn’t oppose it.

Zhang Hai also knew that Gu Chengyu and the Prime Minister had some issues, so he didn’t mention who wrote it. If the Emperor summoned him because of this, he would directly explain to the Emperor.

But if the Chief Milliner wants to take credit for this task, he would have to confess to the Chief Milliner.

As soon as Gu Chengyu heard of Chief Minister Xia, he worried that the old gentleman would reject the preface upon realizing it was written by him. Don’t assume because he is the Prime Minister, he wouldn’t stoop to such matters.

If Xia Qing didn’t have Min Feng as a disciple, he might not be interested in such a trivial achievement.

But now that Min Feng had entered the Hanlin Academy and was ranked below him, how could the master and disciple be content? It’s possible Min Feng was readying himself to reach for the position of Assistant Reader at the Hanlin Academy.

Gu Chengyu had recently heard discussions among colleagues that the Assistant Reader position was likely to be Qiu Yixue’s.

Qiu Yixue was an Assistant Reader, and a promotion was quite normal. However, Qiu Yixue had significant connections with Xia Qing and was said to have taken good care of Min Feng recently.

Xia Qing could notify the Ministry of Personnel at some point, and Min Feng might find an opportunity to be promoted two levels at once; it was not impossible.

This is the benefit of having strong support; such a small official position change wouldn’t draw the Emperor’s attention.

Originally, Gu Chengyu had no interest in the position of Assistant Reader. With so many seasoned scholars in the Hanlin Academy, it wouldn’t likely be his turn. However, this position must not fall into Min Feng’s hands.

He personally held no significant grudge against Min Feng; their previous rivalries in literary gatherings were common among scholars, and Gu Chengyu didn’t take them to heart.

But Min Feng was Xia Qing’s disciple, and his teacher and Xia Qing were long at odds, making any reconciliation impossible for Gu Chengyu and Xia Qing’s faction.

Moreover, Xia Qing had once tried to have him removed from the list of candidates in an examination, which was a deep grievance of ruining his future. Furthermore, since the Emperor sought someone to counterbalance Xia Qing, he had even more reason to stand in opposition to Xia Qing.

Thus, Min Feng absolutely could not be promoted, at least not faster than he. Diminishing Xia Qing’s power would surely alleviate much pressure on Gu Chengyu.

"It is my duty to relieve your worries, and it is my honor that the preface can be of use." Gu Chengyu didn’t consider the preface a tremendous accomplishment.

In fact, Gu Chengyu tended to evaluate things using his past life’s reasoning, believing such a detailed preface could at least bring a literary reform to the Dayan Dynasty’s publications.

Zhang Hai, seeing Gu Chengyu’s calm and composed demeanor, was quite satisfied. He then gave Gu Chengyu a copy of the chronicles and instructed him to complete the editing within four days.

Gu Chengyu was relieved to hear that he wasn’t given just two days to finish it, otherwise, he would feel trapped in endless darkness.

Leaving Mr. Zhang’s place, Gu Chengyu returned to his office with a stack of books and chronicles.

In the afternoon, Zhang Hai took the preface to Chief Minister Xia, although the Emperor had entrusted the Six Ministries with the task, Xia Qing, as the Chief Minister, naturally also had to be consulted.

Even if he disapproved of Xia Qing’s actions, he had to admit Xia Qing was adept at manipulating power.

"I greet the Prime Minister!"

Xia Qing smiled slightly and immediately said, "No need to bow."

He knew why Zhang Hai had come; a few days ago, the Emperor had spoken of compiling institutional codes, so Zhang Hai should have finalized the procedures by now.

Zhang Hai pretended to treat him with much respect, but Xia Qing knew full well that in private he was held in contempt.

"The Hanlin Academy has drafted the procedures for compiling the institutional codes, and none of the Six Ministries have objections; please have a look, sir."

Zhang Hai held no fear towards Xia Qing. As a Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy and an Imperial Minister, even if Xia Qing was the Prime Minister, he need not flatter him.

"Oh? The Hanlin Academy is quite efficient this time." Xia Qing took the preface and began to read it.

As soon as he opened it, he noticed the difference. This preface clearly recorded the responsibilities of the Six Ministries and other government offices, documenting all the duties of civil government offices clearly. Looking to the end, it even included two volumes of military office duties.

Military offices had only two volumes, listing the Five Armies Commander’s Mansion and the twenty-two Guard Divisions of Jinyiwei. Though there wasn’t detailed registration of land and household records, it was still remarkable.

The Hanlin Academy was a civil government office and could not possibly know the military positions in such detail. It was just the preface; detailed descriptions would be listed in the institutional codes later.

He closed the book, staring at Zhang Hai, "This preface is done very meticulously; your Hanlin Academy indeed put in some effort this time."

Xia Qing initially thought this was a joint effort by the Six Ministries and Hanlin Academy, not realizing it was the work of one person. However, since it was his first time seeing such a preface, he remarked thusly.

Zhang Hai hesitated a little; the discord between Gu Chengyu and Chief Minister Xia was widely known among officials. He had heard of it, and if he revealed Gu Chengyu’s name, how would Xia Qing’s attitude change?

After a moment of contemplation, he decided to speak. If he didn’t speak now, the credit would be his, and he wasn’t the kind to covet other’s achievements. He never had the desire to steal others’ work.

"It was composed by Gu Xiu, who recently joined the Hanlin Academy. I felt this preface was very well-done, with no need for additions or revisions, which is why I brought it for your review."

"You say this was done by Gu Chengyu? This was his method?"

Xia Qing was extremely shocked; he had initially thought such a method could be applied to other books. Little did he expect Zhang Hai to mention such an astonishing name.

"Yes! This preface was entirely composed by Gu Xiu, without intervention from anyone in the Hanlin Academy or the Six Ministries."

"He did this alone?" How could that be? Xia Qing refused to believe. Discussions involving the Six Ministers and Hanlin Academy would take days to produce this kind of procedure, and Gu Chengyu solved it by himself?

"I assure you every word is true; this was done by Gu Chengyu in one night." Zhang Hai could understand Xia Qing’s disbelief; he himself was astounded when he received the book.

After a brief shock, Xia Qing quickly regained his composure. He somewhat regretted that Gu Chengyu, with his talent and capability, had unfortunately fallen under the tutelage of Liang Zhirui early on.

He had compared Min Feng to Gu Chengyu in the past; despite Gu Chengyu’s youth, he was steady in character and his talent undeniable. Now, it seemed his capability was also outstanding. Liang Zhirui, that old curmudgeon, was fortunate to have such a disciple, certainly deserving his luck in a prior life.

Compared to Gu Chengyu, Min Feng was slightly inferior. Min Feng was already considered outstanding among his peers, but with Gu Chengyu around, it wasn’t enough.

Thinking about Min Feng, Xia Qing felt sorry for him—what a shame. If not for Gu Chengyu, Min Feng would undoubtedly progress further in his career.