Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 216 That's right! Yan Shifan has the constitution of a death god!

"what?"

Haiyue was taken aback.

This is a bit sudden, isn't it? How could someone just disappear like that?
"Died of illness? Or murder?"

"I don't know, anyway, it happened last night. I was quite shocked when I heard about it. He was perfectly fine when I saw him the day before yesterday..."

After hearing Yan Shifan's answer, Haiyue looked at him again, and a bold guess suddenly popped into her mind.

To this day, it seems that someone was present in all the numerous cases in the capital.

Not bad!

It's the young Grand Secretary right in front of us!
Could it be that this person, like some people in later generations, possessed some kind of quality, such as the aura of death?
Fortunately.

Luckily, I'm tough.

Yan Shifan was equally relieved: "Perhaps it was a sudden illness. Anyway, Uncle didn't choose this Lady Qiansi, otherwise..."

A wedding is a joyous occasion, but if the matchmaker dies right at the start, it's incredibly unlucky.

He truly felt that Hai Hao had been prescient in leaving decisively; otherwise, if the matchmaker he had recommended had met with misfortune, even if the Hai family didn't blame him, all his hard work would have been for nothing.

Haiyue also didn't want that to happen, but her father had just visited to arrange the marriage. Although he didn't choose this person as the matchmaker in the end, the sudden death of the top official matchmaker in the capital might put her in a passive position if she were implicated.

After a moment's hesitation, he finally spoke up: "Donglou, please find out for me what exactly happened to this Lady Qiansi. At least we need to determine whether she died of illness or in an accident."

"Row!"

Yan Shifan realized that he hadn't been able to help with the selection of the matchmaker, so he should do his part now. Although it was a bit strange to investigate the matchmaker's death, it was better than not being able to help at all.

After watching her friend, who seemed to possess some special qualities, leave, Haiyue met up with Lin Daqin, and the two went to the Hanlin Academy to register together.

This was not Haiyue's first visit to this sacred place that scholars from all over the world yearn for, but this time was different.

They no longer entered dressed as students of the Imperial Academy, but as officials.

Lin Daqin was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a sixth-rank official. He wore a black gauze hat, a blue robe with embroidered egrets on his badge, and a plain silver belt around his waist.

Haiyue was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a seventh-rank official. He wore a black gauze hat, a blue robe with embroidered mandarin ducks on the embroidered patch, and a black horn belt around his waist.

The official robes were obtained from the Ministry of Personnel. They were wide-sleeved robes with round collars, made of gauze, and quite comfortable to wear.

However, this outfit won't be worn often; most of the time, I'll wear my regular clothes, which I'll need to bring myself. I'll choose simple, elegant fabrics and avoid bright colors.

After becoming an official, one naturally has to look at one's salary.

The Ming Dynasty's generous salaries were renowned even in later generations.

Taking the two individuals as examples, Lin Daqin was a sixth-rank compiler with a monthly salary of eight shi of rice. Based on the purchasing power of that period, this would roughly translate to about 2,800 yuan per month in later generations.

Haiyue was a seventh-rank editor, with an annual salary of ninety shi of rice and a monthly salary of seven and a half shi of rice, which would be roughly equivalent to two thousand six hundred yuan in later times.

The key point is that this was not paid directly; it had to be converted into goods. Part of the salary would be converted into silk, silver, or even some things that were completely useless. In the early Jiajing period, the financial situation was relatively good, and the actual amount received was about 60% of the salary value. However, in the middle and later periods, even 30% or 40% might not be received.

In other words, Lin Daqin now receives about 1,700 yuan a month, while Haiyue receives less than 1,600 yuan a month.

Living in the capital, this salary alone wasn't enough to support myself, let alone afford regular clothes, not to mention family and servants.

Unfortunately, the salary of the Hanlin Academy was meager, but the political prospects were extremely broad, and it was a prestigious and important position. So no matter how hard it was, many people gritted their teeth and persevered.

Haiyue had this thought running through her mind, while Lin Daqin clenched his fists excitedly as they entered the courtyard and headed towards the courtyard affairs room.

"Enter!"

Upon arriving at the house, after a short wait, Li Qidong, the third-ranked scholar, also arrived. The three top scholars of this year's examination straightened their robes and went inside to pay their respects.

Seated high in the hall was a slender civil official with clear features; he was Xi Chun, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, in charge of the academy's affairs, and a lecturer at the Imperial Lectures.

This person was one of the examiners who read the papers in the previous palace examination. He himself did not have much influence in the court, but his elder brother, Xi Shu, was one of the earliest members of the Great Rites Controversy. He clearly supported Jiajing's honoring of his father as the late emperor and made great contributions. Later, he served as Minister of Rites, but he was in poor health and retired as a Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall in the sixth year of Jiajing's reign. He died of illness that same year.

If Xi Shu hadn't died, Gui E's position would have been his. As a result, Jiajing, out of affection for Gui E, appointed his younger brother Xi Chun to head the Hanlin Academy.

Now, this manager of the Hanlin Academy has begun his onboarding interview.

"Today, you gentlemen have entered the Hanlin Academy with your hair adorned with flowers, which is truly an honor in life. I will say a few words!"

"Being a Hanlin scholar is not a shortcut to success; one should take 'integrity,' 'prudence,' and 'diligence' as one's guiding principles! As for 'integrity,' it has three essentials..."

"And remember to 'establish virtue,' 'establish merit,' and 'establish words'! 'Establishing virtue' goes without saying, but it also has three essentials..."

"In short, it means to maintain one's integrity like a lotus, to pursue scholarship like the Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains, to wield one's pen in the imperial court while considering the weight of the nation's fate, and to formulate strategies in the golden palace while never forgetting the hardships of the common people!" "Do you all understand?"

Xi Chun, as expected of a leader of the Hanlin Academy, liked to summarize things in three points, and then there were three more points under those three points. He explained the key to the problem in a very logical and eloquent way. Although it was as if he hadn't said anything at all after listening to him, he had actually said a lot.

Haiyue listened expressionlessly, while Lin Daqin and Li Qidong, who were initially excited, gradually became somewhat stunned.

Finally, Xi Chun took a sip of tea, spat out a foam, and finished speaking: "May the three of you soon become pillars of the state, adding more talents to the Hanlin Academy of our Great Ming Dynasty, to share His Majesty's burdens and bring happiness to the people!"

The three bowed in unison, their voices filled with barely concealed excitement: "We will follow Scholar Xi's teachings!"

It's finally over!

Xi Chun's gaze swept over Lin Daqin and Li Qidong, especially lingering on Hai Yue for a moment. Without adding anything further, he said indifferently, "Go to the duty room in the west courtyard. There are empty tables there. Since it's free lately, you can familiarize yourselves with the environment first."

"Yes!"

The three took their leave and turned into the west courtyard, where they saw a square courtyard paved with blue bricks. In the center stood an old locust tree with a canopy, its branches gnarled and casting dappled shadows.

A familiar figure waited smilingly under the tree; it was Zhao Shichun. He gestured to the three juniors, "Please!"

Following him into the room, we saw that it was bright and clean, and there were indeed three empty seats.

Haiyue arrived at her desk and found that the sandalwood desk was so shiny it could reflect a person's image. On the desk were a mountain of brushes and ink sticks, and an inkstone as warm and smooth as jade, with patina worn on the edges, clearly made by generations of scholars.

The utensils here are relatively old, lacking the precious writing implements, yet they possess a certain elegance. Looking up, a couplet comes into view: "Jade Hall's pure dream under the midnight moon, Golden Chest's legacy of eternal heart." Though the ink has faded, its spirit remains.

"Good place!"

Haiyue sat down and immediately felt comfortable.

The work of the Hanlin Academy was crucial. Its core function was to draft documents and imperial edicts, including drafting imperial edicts such as edicts of appointment, investiture edicts, and amnesty edicts. They also participated in court deliberations, compiled the "Daily Records of the Emperor's Activities," and in this dynasty, there was a process where the Grand Secretariat drafted the edicts and then the Hanlin Academy polished them. Many memorials had to be reviewed by Hanlin scholars.

But these were not compiled or edited.

Three times a month, the emperor was instructed in classics and history. After the crown prince left the palace, he was taught by one tutor and one lecturer, who also assessed and trained the junior officials.

Clearly, these were not compiled or edited.

What were those three doing?

As the name suggests, it involves participating in the compilation of historical records and the management of documents.

The former were mostly responsible for compiling national histories, regularly editing the "Veritable Records," verifying historical materials, collating classic texts, and so on.
The latter managed the numerous books in the Wenyuan Pavilion, proofread the official versions of various Confucian classics, and from time to time introduced new works.

These tasks are certainly not heavy, but they are not easy either. It's unrealistic to expect to spend a day leisurely with a cup of tea.

It mainly depends on the superior's arrangements. For example, the person in charge of compiling the "Veritable Records of Emperor Wuzong" was Yan Song, who was then serving as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. In addition to the personnel from the Ministry of Rites, Yan Song also came to the Hanlin Academy to select a group of talented people. At that time, it was very busy, and the Hanlin Academy often worked overtime.

With little editing work lately, life has been relatively easy. After the three of them took their seats, not only Zhao Shichun, but also Wang Shenzhong, Chen Shu, Xiong Guo and other talented men from the Yixin Society came over.

Let's gather at Hanlin Academy!

Besides them, Haiyue was also pleasantly surprised to meet Tang Shunzhi, who had been away from the court due to mourning for his mother.

Tang Shunzhi, with his thick eyebrows and large eyes, possessed a certain martial spirit. He stepped forward with a hearty laugh and said, "I have long heard of the leader's renowned name. Seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved. It is truly a great comfort to me!"

This man, one of the Eight Talented Scholars of the Jiajing Era and one of the Three Great Masters of the Jiajing Era, was truly a man of both literary and military talent. In his "Military Compilation," he first created the "Mandarin Duck Formation," which was later passed on to Qi Jiguang and became the core tactic of the Qi Family Army. He was also Qi Jiguang's teacher. When he was inspecting the coastal defense of Zhejiang as a senior official in the Ministry of War, he personally guided Qi Jiguang in training troops and provided a great deal of guidance, which had a profound impact on his military system.

Qi Jiguang is only five years old now and still needs time to grow. Tang Shunzhi, on the other hand, is already a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the eighth year of the Jiajing reign. He was originally appointed as a Shujishi (junior compiler) in the Hanlin Academy. Due to a temporary reorganization, he was reassigned as the principal of the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War. However, he was in mourning for his mother and had no experience in the Ministry of War. Now that he has returned to the court, he intends to go back to the Hanlin Academy for further study.

Although the place is poor, once you have enough seniority, the position and power you get in other departments are very different. Talented people like them all hope to have a certain degree of autonomy, rather than being subordinate officials who can be ordered around. So they can be patient.

Tang Shunzhi was not pedantic; he was already very interested in "Journey to the West." After receiving the invitation, he gladly accepted and joined the meeting. Upon meeting the person in charge, he excitedly started chatting, and the two hit it off immediately.

Ever since.

Time passed quickly, and when the official business was over, everyone bid each other a reluctant farewell.

On my first day at work, I met a leader with a familiar style, made friends with colleagues I'd heard so much about, and got to know the new environment quite well.

Haiyue was in a good mood.

Upon returning to the Yinglue Society, Yan Shifan approached and whispered, "Mingwei, another person has died over there!"

Haiyue's eyes showed seriousness.

It seems I was right...

Yan Donglou has a death-dealing constitution!
(End of this chapter)