Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 770 Standing on your own
In the faint peripheral light that Gao Shiming could catch, the emperor, seated behind his desk, resembled a frozen statue. The statue's gaze was calm and profound, as if examining a tribute that had just begun to show some value.

"You used to work in the Directorate of Ceremonial?" The voice descended from the sky and entered Gao Shiming's ears.

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” Gao Shiming replied as calmly as possible while maintaining that strange posture, “This servant has been working in the Directorate of Ceremonial for twenty years.”

"Head of the Nei Shu Tang?"

"Yes."

"So, all the newly promoted eunuchs in the various palace offices are your students?"

Gao Shiming was filled with unease, unsure whether the emperor's praise of him as having "students all over the world" was a blessing or a curse. After a moment's thought, Gao Shiming decided to politely deny it first: "Your Majesty, the head of the Inner Study Hall is merely in charge of general affairs under the governor, and is only honored with the title of teacher. The real teachers are those learned scholars and Hanlin scholars."

"Hehe." The emperor seemed unwilling to dwell on the matter further, and simply chuckled before moving on. "I heard from Wang An that you voluntarily requested a transfer to the bank?"

"Yes, Master." Gao Shiming's nerves tightened even more.

"Why? Although the head of the Inner Secretariat was demoted from Junior Supervisor to Deputy Director after the reform, he's still higher than a branch manager, right? And his salary has even increased." Just as Gao Shiming had predicted, the emperor asked this question.

“Reporting to Your Majesty.” Gao Shiming took a deep breath and delivered his prepared statement: “While I am serving in the Inner Study, I can assist the instructors in teaching those clever young eunuchs to read and write and to understand principles and matters. However, teaching is ultimately not practical work and cannot directly alleviate Your Majesty’s worries. Rather than indulging in the old ways and sticking to the same old path, it would be better to transfer to the bank to assist the Holy Emperor’s new policies.”

"Hmm. That sounds nice." The emperor smiled and nodded, his tone seemingly carrying a hint of approval. But as Gao Shiming's face lit up with a smile, he quickly changed the subject: "...It's just a bit too grandiose."

Gao Shiming immediately stiffened, his smile freezing on his face. His thoughts raced, and he forced a dry laugh, saying, "This servant... dares not deceive my master. Although the branch manager's rank is low, it's a newly established office under the new policies. The positions of the Grand Eunuch and the Left and Right Vice Directors are vacant, awaiting this servant who is nearly fifty, but still retains some ambition... so..." Gao Shiming trembled more and more as he spoke, a chill creeping up his spine. "...So this servant thought, rather than wasting my years in the inner study, sitting idly waiting to die, I might as well muster my strength and come to the bank to try and win the opportunity to be granted a nine-altar sacrifice and a posthumously honored funeral for the loyal minister."

"That's more like it!" the emperor grinned. "Wang An."

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Wang An stood up.

"What do you think of him?" The emperor looked at Wang An and then casually pointed at Gao Shiming.

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” Wang An bowed, his tone calm, “Gao Shiming has served in the Directorate of Ceremonial for twenty years, and he is the most reliable person. Under his management, the Imperial Study has never had any problems with its curriculum and regulations, and the eunuchs he has taught are all clever and sensible. If it weren’t for those clever and sensible little brats, the important things we did recently might not have gone so smoothly.”

"Wei Chao." The emperor remained noncommittal, then turned to look at Wei Chao. "You are the head of the bank, what do you have to say?"

Wei Chao slowly rose, having already prepared his words before straightening up: "Your Majesty, Gao Shiming has been in office for three months, and his performance is the best among the four branches. Deposits and loans have increased month by month, and the monthly net profit has never fallen below a thousand taels. The new policy of changing official salaries to vouchers was also spearheaded by him in contacting and promoting the Ministry of Revenue. Now, the tax reform policy has been implemented so quickly." Wei Chao held up the petition. "It is also thanks to his active mediation and constant efforts. Therefore, this servant believes that what the inner court needs most now is a capable person like him who is both literate and knowledgeable in practical matters."

"Did you hear everything?"

Crack—Crack—Boom!

The emperor's voice was once again drowned out by the rolling thunder, but this time, Gao Shiming, who was watching the emperor out of the corner of his eye, read the lips of the statue.

He suppressed the surging excitement in his heart and suddenly knelt down: "This servant is terrified!"

"Wang An." After the thunder subsided, the emperor's voice, neither loud nor soft, rang out again.

Wang An knew it was time to receive the imperial decree. He rose from his seat and knelt beside Gao Shiming, saying, "This servant is here."

"I've grown quite fond of Gao Shiming." After saying this, the emperor withdrew his gaze and continued reviewing the last memorial of the day. "Since he's talented and willing to work, let him take charge of the new government office."

"This servant obeys the decree!" Wang An replied loudly.

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"Master!" The driver, wearing a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat, slightly pulled back the carriage curtain and called out loudly into the carriage. "We've arrived!"

"Huh?" Gao Shiming was still in a daze, the emperor's holy face and imperial edicts flashing before his eyes and in his ears.

"Boss, we're here!" A bucket of rain slid across the roof of the cart and splashed onto the driver's face. "We've arrived at the bank!"

Gao Yingqiu, who had been waiting under the eaves, came out with an oil-paper umbrella. He walked to the carriage and held the umbrella over the curtain. The driver, understanding the gesture, lifted the curtain halfway open.

“Godfather.” Gao Yingqiu reached out his hand to Gao Shiming, his back and shoulders quickly getting soaked by the torrential rain.

Gao Shiming looked back at Gao Yingqiu, his eyes blank.

"Godfather?" Gao Yingqiu noticed that Gao Shiming's condition was somewhat off. He called out again.

Gao Shiming still did not respond to Gao Yingqiu, but mechanically extended his hand.

Gao Yingqiu helped Gao Shiming out of the car. At that moment, several more umbrellas arrived, stacked together to completely block out the sky above Gao Shiming's head. Holding an umbrella in one hand and with his other arm around Gao Shiming's shoulder, Gao Yingqiu, surrounded by the bank employees, practically fled into Gao Shiming's room.

"Everyone, get out." Gao Yingqiu helped Gao Shiming to a chair and then waved to the men who followed him in.

The workers responded and left, but just before they were about to leave, Gao Yingqiu's voice came up again: "Tell the kitchen to quickly boil some hot water and make a bowl of ginger soup."

"Yes." He Xiaokui, who looked like a servant under his seat, turned around and replied, then closed the door behind him.

Gao Yingqiu took a set of clean clothes from the wardrobe and placed them on the tatami mat. Turning around, he saw Gao Shiming still looking blank and dazed. Gao Yingqiu became worried. He quickly walked over, knelt down at Gao Shiming's feet, and took Gao Shiming's hand, saying, "Godfather, what's wrong? Why are you so absent-minded?"

"Huh?" Gao Shiming was stunned for a long time before he reacted, and the first thing he said was, "What did you say?"

Gao Yingqiu was startled, and a look of anxiety flashed in his eyes: "Godfather, don't scare me. What's wrong with you?"

"I," Gao Shiming, opened his eyes wide, a slightly eerie smile appearing on his face. "...I've entered the palace."

"Ah. Son knows, you can go, alright!" Gao Yingqiu's heart pounded even harder.

"No. You don't know," Gao Shiming said excitedly, "I entered the palace, I entered the palace city! I saw the Emperor!"

"The Emperor?" Gao Yingqiu was startled. "Heh heh!" Gao Shiming chuckled strangely, as if possessed, and suddenly grabbed Gao Yingqiu's arm, causing Gao Yingqiu to instinctively flinch. "Yes, yes! I ran into Old Ancestor Wang on the road, and he took me to see the Emperor! I even changed my clothes at Qianqing Gate. Look, look!" Gao Shiming grabbed the clothes, saying he wanted Gao Yingqiu to see them, but he himself kept his head down, staring intently at the ill-fitting new clothes. In a very short time, hesitation, certainty, and relaxation flashed through Gao Shiming's eyes, finally settling on a look of fanaticism. "This isn't the one I wore when I went out, is it? No way!"

"Yes, indeed... no." Gao Yingqiu nodded blankly. The uncertain expression on his godfather's face surprised and terrified him, unsure whether it was a blessing or a curse.

boom!
A clap of thunder broke the downpour. Gao Shiming abruptly looked up, staring at Gao Yingqiu, and said, "Quickly tell people to pack up. We'll finish handing over our tasks and leave!"

"Where are we going?" Gao Yingqiu asked in surprise.

"Still asking?" Gao Shiming retorted, "Didn't I already tell you?!"

"Did you say so?" His godfather's matter-of-fact tone made Gao Yingqiu subconsciously doubt himself.

"Didn't they say?" Gao Shiming was taken aback.

"What should I say?" Gao Yingqiu thought about it carefully, but finally shook his head.

"Oh, right, right." Gao Shiming tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear. "I haven't told you yet. I thought I told you in the car."

"Godfather," Gao Yingqiu's pupils trembled, "Are you suffering from phlegm overload? Should we call a doctor to come and take a look at you?"

"Damn it!" Gao Shiming seemed to be jolted awake by the thunder. He gradually regained his composure, and his mature and steady demeanor slowly returned. "Why call a doctor? Your father is perfectly fine!"

"Ouch." Gao Yingqiu actually felt better after being scolded. "Good, good, good! Godfather, the way you were just now really scared your son."

"What's the big deal? What's there to be scared of?" Gao Shiming scolded. "You're such a grown man, don't you know how to be more composed?"

"Heh," Gao Yingqiu chuckled, then stammered, "Godfather, did you really, really see the Emperor?"

"How could it be fake?" Gao Shiming pulled up his clothes again to take a closer look. He breathed a slight sigh of relief. "I've changed my clothes."

"I have to change clothes to see the Emperor?" Gao Yingqiu reached out and gently tugged at the drooping fabric, saying with a hint of doubt. "This fabric isn't any better than the one you wore outside, is it?"

"It's mainly for cleanliness." Gao Shiming slapped Gao Yingqiu's hand away, as if afraid of getting his clothes dirty. "We can't just kneel on that shiny gold brick floor and get it dirty."

"How could clean clothes dirty the floor?" Gao Yingqiu was still puzzled.

"Shouldn't we kneel and pay homage when we see Ancestor Wang?" Gao Shiming said.

"Kneel down. Where did you meet the old man?"

"On the way. I was heading north, while he was heading south from the Directorate of Ceremonial." Gao Shiming suddenly remembered the conversation between Wang An and Shi Fuming, and corrected himself, "No, it's the Eastern Depot. He always came from the Eastern Depot. One of us was heading south, and the other was heading north, and that's how we met." Gao Shiming gestured as he spoke.

"Oh! I understand!" Gao Yingqiu exclaimed in sudden realization, "You were kneeling on the muddy ground."

"Tsk! Fool!" Gao Shiming seemed annoyed, and tapped Gao Yingqiu on the head with his knuckles. "You need to ask to understand something so simple?"

"I thought you met the old patriarch Wang at the bank or the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs." Gao Yingqiu shrank back sheepishly, then asked, "But why did he take you to see the Emperor?"

"What a blockhead." Gao Shi gave him a knowing look. "It hasn't been that long, and you've already forgotten."

"You mean the matter in Tianjin and Yuegang?" Gao Yingqiu couldn't help but think of it.

"if not?"

"Just because of this?" Gao Yingqiu asked incredulously.

"What do you mean 'just because'? You little brat, can't you speak properly?" Gao Shiming glared at him, making a move as if to hit him.

"No." Gao Yingqiu quickly stepped back. "That's not what my son meant, he just felt a little confused."

"What's so strange about it?"

“Others may not know, but doesn’t my son know?” Gao Yingqiu said. “Over the years, you’ve had little contact with the Cining Palace, and you certainly don’t have any personal relationship with that Old Ancestor Wang. Last year, when the Emperor ascended the throne, we were almost kicked out by that Cao fellow. Back then, you voluntarily left the Directorate of Ceremonial and were demoted to the bank, and neither he nor his son said anything to try to keep you. Now, you haven’t even tried to curry favor with him, you just knelt in the mud once, and he’s already so kind to you, taking you to see the Emperor. Don’t you find this strange, so abrupt?”

Gao Shiming frowned, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "I think you should read 'A New Account of Tales of the World' again."

“A New Account of Tales of the World?” Gao Yingqiu was taken aback.

"All that nonsense you just said actually boils down to one thing," Gao Shiming said, holding up one finger.

"What's the meaning."

"Judging a gentleman by the standards of a petty person!" Gao Shiming leaned forward and gave Gao Yingqiu a hard shove on the forehead.

"I..." Gao Yingqiu blushed, instinctively wanting to explain, but seemingly unable to.

"Am I wrong?" Gao Shiming leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.

Gao Yingqiu was speechless and could only lower his head in silence, saying in a muffled voice, "Godfather is right."

"Don't be so unconvinced," Gao Shiming said, pointing at Gao Yingqiu. "Let me ask you, what connections does Hui Jingao have with Cining Palace? What private relationship does Li Fengxiang have with Cining Palace? Yang Songquan used to be from the Imperial Horse Administration, would he dare to have a secret dealing with Cining Palace? And that Cui Wensheng, a stray dog ​​from Zheng Palace, has managed to survive to this day, living such a prestigious life. Doesn't that speak volumes? Wang Shidu has only one rule: he appoints people based on merit." Gao Shiming raised his head and proudly patted his chest. "Your godfather is talented, so he was recommended to the Emperor. Isn't that what he deserves?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Gao Yingqiu nodded several times, then asked with an embarrassed smile, "So how did he always praise you? And where are we going? Are we going to join the head office, or open a branch in Shandong?"

"What's so special about this? Ha!" Gao Shiming said with a smug smile, "Let me tell you, your father here has risen to the top in one step and is about to start his own business."

(End of this chapter)