Duke of Zhenguan

February 26th was the day Lin Chuan officially reported to the Ministry of Industry.

Just past the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), Lin Chuan, still half asleep, was woken up by Li Shi. He groggily changed into brand-new clothes and shoes and socks, and was then pressed down by Li Shi to sit on the table.

A large bowl of steaming hot noodles was placed in front of Lin Chuan, with some slices of meat on top.

Not quite hungry yet, Lin Chuan picked up his chopsticks and began to eat his noodles slowly. After only a few bites, Li Shi, who was sitting next to him, asked:

"Brother, it's already past 3:15 AM, why don't we skip the noodles?"

"Mother, today is just to receive the official document and robes from the Ministry of Personnel, and then report to the Ministry of Works. There's no need to go so early!" Lin Chuan said with a wry smile.

"How can you be so insensible? You should go to register early! You can't let anyone find fault on your first day!" Mrs. Li glared at her son and said irritably.

"knew!"

Lin Chuan could only speed up the process of eating the noodles.

After they finished eating the noodles, it was still pitch black outside. Li carried a lantern and escorted Lin Chuan all the way to the Zhuque Gate.

There were still two quarters of an hour until Mao Shi (5-7 AM).

Although he didn't have an official document or tally, since no one dared to impersonate a court official and go into the capital, the Vermilion Bird Gate asked him a couple of questions and then let Lin Chuan in.

The Ministry of Personnel was the head of the Six Ministries. Its office was right next to Zhuque Avenue and was very easy to find. Although it was still early, the gate of the office was still open, and two Jinwu Guards in armor were guarding the gate.

After politely asking Lin Chuan a couple of questions, he led Lin Chuan into a side hall in the front yard.

Lin Chuan waited foolishly in the side hall for a long time before the people from the Ministry of Personnel finally arrived.

Xu San, an official in charge of gatekeeping, sanitation, and other miscellaneous tasks.

Xu San is already fifty years old. He has been working in the Ministry of Personnel since the Sui Dynasty. He has no other skills, but he rarely misjudges people.

Seeing Lin Chuan waiting in the side hall, he stepped forward, politely cupped his hands, and asked:

"Young master, what's going on?"

Lin Chuan had learned a lot about court etiquette from the Yan family these past few days. He could tell from the old man's black robes that he was a low-ranking official, so he smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"Old man, I've come to collect my official document!"

Whose son is this, a member of a powerful family?

Xu San glanced at Lin Chuan with envy and respectfully said to Lin Chuan:

"The official in charge of the Ministry of Personnel will be here in a while; you may have to wait!"

"Thank you for your advice, sir!" Lin Chuan nodded.

"You flatter me, sir. Please have a seat and I will make you a cup of hot tea!" Xu San said respectfully.

Seeing Xu San bow and retreat, Lin Chuan finally understood where the airs of an official came from.

Having a little power and being treated with such respect every day, even if you're not arrogant at first, you'll eventually develop a sense of superiority!

Before the officials from the Ministry of Personnel arrived, people began to enter the side hall one after another. Some were transferred from local areas, some were promoted to other places, and some were appointed through hereditary privilege...

They all arrived at the Ministry of Personnel early to receive their official appointment certificates. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lin Chuan, who was granted an official position by special decree of Li Shimin, was the most special. He was also the youngest and stood out among a group of middle-aged and elderly people.

As dawn broke, officials arrived one after another, starting with lower-ranking officials dressed in light green, followed by middle and upper-ranking officials in varying shades of scarlet.

Lin Chuan could see clearly from the side hall that it was no different from what he had seen more than a thousand years later.

Soon, an official from the Ministry of Personnel came to summon someone:

"Is Lin Chuan, the Assistant Minister, present? Minister Changsun requests your presence!"

As the official spoke, envious and jealous glances fell on Lin Chuan.

Lin Chuan bowed to everyone in the room and, with a calm expression, addressed the clerk:

"Thank you for your help!"

The Ministry of Personnel was a three-courtyard compound. The main hall of the central courtyard was the office of the Minister and Vice Minister. Lin Chuan followed the clerk to the main hall of the central courtyard. The clerk respectfully addressed Changsun Wuji, who was sitting behind his desk writing furiously:

"Minister Changsun, Assistant Minister Lin has arrived!"

Changsun Wuji put down his pen, looked up at Lin Chuan, and Lin Chuan quickly bowed in greeting:

"Greetings, Minister Changsun!"

"Don't be shy!"

Changsun Wuji smiled and nodded, then pointed to another middle-aged man in a red robe in the duty room and introduced him to Lin Chuan:

"This is Minister Cen!"

"Lin Chuan greets Minister Cen!"

"No need for formalities!" Cen Wenben nodded with a smile.

After the introductions, Changsun Wuji said to Lin Chuan in a deep voice:

"Although His Majesty intends for you to take a position in the Ministry of Works, the specific department within the Ministry will still be arranged by Minister Dou. You are still young, so consult with your colleagues in the Ministry of Works when you encounter problems!"

"Your humble servant will keep in mind Minister Changsun's teachings!" Lin Chuan bowed and replied.

"Then go ahead, Zhang Er. Take Lin Yuanwailang to the Ministry of Personnel to obtain the official document and the fish tally!" Changsun Wuji instructed the clerk waiting to the side.

"This humble official takes his leave!"

After following Zhang Er to the Ministry of Personnel to receive his official document, robes, and tally, Lin Chuan finally left the Ministry of Personnel office.

"Are you Lin, the wealthy and powerful official?"

Compared to the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Works was located in a much more remote area, and it took Lin Chuan some time to find the place in a corner.

There were still soldiers of the Imperial Guard guarding the entrance. Lin Chuan took out his official document and fish tally, and only then did the soldiers let him pass.

Upon entering the gate, a clerk from the front courtyard came out to greet him, glanced at Lin Chuan, and bowed, asking:

"Are you Lin, the wealthy and powerful official?"

Lin Chuan nodded and asked:

"I wonder if Minister Dou is present?"

"Minister Dou is unwell and has already taken two days off. Vice Minister Pei is currently in charge of the department!" the clerk replied respectfully.

Yan Xiangshi did mention this Vice Minister of Works, whose surname was Pei and given name was Qing. He was a distant nephew of Pei Ji, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.

Since the Minister is not here, we can only go see this Vice Minister Pei first. Lin Chuan nodded and said:

"Please take me to see Minister Pei!"

Upon arriving at the main hall of the central court, before even entering, a middle-aged man in a scarlet robe, who was leisurely sipping tea, put down his teacup, stood up, and greeted Lin Chuan with a broad smile:

"Is this Lin Chuan, the wealthy and powerful official? Please come in! Please come in!"

"Greetings, Vice Minister Pei!" Lin Chuan bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities, please sit!"

Pei Qing smiled and waved, inviting Lin Chuan to sit down. She then personally poured Lin Chuan a cup of hot tea and said with a smile:

"Please try this fine Lizhou tea, Mr. Lin!"

Pei Qing's enthusiasm made Lin Chuan feel a little uncomfortable for a moment. He awkwardly took the teacup, took a sip, and dryly praised it:

"Excellent tea!"

It actually tastes awful; there's way too much ginger and pepper, making it extremely pungent!

Lin Chuan took a sip, put down the teacup, took out his official document from his robes, handed it to Pei Qing, and said respectfully:

"Minister Pei, this is my official document; please take a look!"

Pei Qing took the official document, glanced at it, closed it, handed it to Lin Chuan, and said with a smile:

"Currently, there is a vacancy for the position of Assistant Director in the Ministry of Works. Assistant Director Lin, you will be appointed as Assistant Director in the Ministry of Works. I will have someone introduce you to Physician Li in a short while, so you can get acquainted with the Ministry of Works and your colleagues!"

"Thank you for your trouble, Vice Minister Pei!" Lin Chuan nodded.

"No need for formalities. It's fate that we can work together. Come, have some tea!" Pei Qing patted Lin Chuan's shoulder and said with a smile.

Lin Chuan only followed the clerk out of the main hall after finishing his cup of tea, and came to the side hall where he met his superior, the Director of the Ministry of Works.

The official in charge of the Ministry of Works, named Li Shan, was a thin, middle-aged man. Upon seeing Lin Chuan, his attitude was neither cold nor warm. After exchanging greetings, he pointed to a small, privately partitioned room next to him and politely said to Lin Chuan:

"This is your seat, Assistant Minister Lin. You can familiarize yourself with it first, or you can go back early and take up your post tomorrow!"

On his first day at work, it was naturally inappropriate for Lin Chuan to leave early. He wandered around, looking at various places, and managed to become somewhat familiar with the officials of the Ministry of Works. He even had a free lunch at noon.

The taste was terrible!