Duke of Zhenguan

The next morning, Lin Chuan didn't get up until 1:15 AM.

After having breakfast, he put on his brand-new official robes, declined Li's offer to see him off, and arrived at the Ministry of Works office on time at around 3:45 AM.

"Greetings, Magistrate Lin!"

"Greetings, Magistrate Lin!"

"..."

Upon entering the government office, a constant stream of people bowed to Lin Chuan. Lin Chuan returned the bows with a smile and went to the main hall first. As expected, he did not see Minister Dou or Vice Minister Pei.

Upon arriving at the Ministry of Works, he was surprised to see Li Shan already sitting in his seat.

"Greetings, Physician Li!" Lin Chuan bowed to Li Shan.

"Master Lin!" Li Shan returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"Doctor Li, I am new here and know nothing about this. Please give me your guidance!" Lin Chuan said respectfully.

"You're too modest, Lin. The affairs of the Ministry of Works are rather complicated. Take your time to look through the past files and familiarize yourself with the department's operations," Li Shan said calmly.

There was nothing wrong with that statement, and Lin Chuan cupped his hands in response:

"yes!"

"By the way, if anything is missing, Master Lin can simply send someone to fetch it from the storeroom!" Li Shan said with a smile.

"yes!"

Writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were naturally necessary, but Lin Chuan didn't ask the clerk to fetch them for him. He first went to pay his respects to Pei Qing, who had just arrived at the government office, and then went to the storeroom himself to have the storeroom manager fetch him a set of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, as well as an abacus.

After returning to his seat with his belongings, Lin Chuan awkwardly knelt on the cushion and picked up a scroll from the desk to read carefully.

A lot can be gleaned from the case file.

As the core of the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Public Works was in charge of the planning, approval, and material allocation of government-run construction projects nationwide.

However, after Li Shimin ascended the throne, he stopped the construction of various large palaces, and even many repairs to the imperial palace were halted. Only when some palaces reached the point where repairs were absolutely necessary would the Ministry of Works arrange for people to repair them.

Overall, the Ministry of Works did not have many affairs.

However, many things are not visible. For example, the records of materials used in the project are very vague. Detailed figures cannot be found in the files; there is only a general range.

Lin Chuan spent the afternoon observing and felt that if he were to oversee the construction and renovation of a palace, it would be hard for him not to take some benefits from it.

No wonder Yan Shigu kept reminding himself, both openly and subtly.

Out of boredom, Lin Chuan listed some data from the case file on a piece of paper, using Arabic numerals, and deliberately wrote it in extremely messy handwriting.

Even if others see it, they will only see some random graffiti.

The day passed quickly, and at dusk, Lin Chuan packed his things and left the Ministry of Works office with his colleagues.

Upon arriving at Suzaku Avenue, Yan Xiangshi was seen standing on the side of the street, seemingly waiting for someone.

Lin Chuan strode over and asked with a smile:

"Lord Yan is waiting for someone!"

Yan Xiangshi looked Lin Chuan up and down, then said with a smile:

"I've been waiting for you. Yesterday, His Majesty rewarded my brother with half a carcass of venison, and he specifically asked me to invite you to try it with him!"

"Then I'd be too impolite to refuse!" Lin Chuan nodded with a smile.

"Haha, let's go!" Yan Xiangshi nodded with a smile.

Tonghua Lane is only a few hundred feet away from Zhuque Gate, and it was not dark when the two entered the Yan family's gate.

As soon as I entered, I saw Yan Shigu, who was wearing a scarlet official robe. He looked like he had just returned as well.

"How does it feel to be an official?" Yan Shigu asked jokingly with a smile.

"It's a bit boring!" Lin Chuan replied honestly.

"Haha, you'll get used to it eventually!" Yan Shigu laughed heartily.

The three arrived at the main hall in the front yard, and Yan Shigu casually waved to Lin Chuan:

"sit!"

Having spent his days studying at the Yan family's house, Lin Chuan had long forgotten what restraint was. He stretched lazily and said with a smile:

"I've been sitting at the Ministry of Works all day, I'll stand for a bit first!"

"You can't even stand sitting for one day?" Yan Xiangshi asked irritably.

"It's not that I can't stand it, it's just that kneeling is uncomfortable..." Lin Chuan complained.

Just then, a young girl came in from outside carrying a tray and said softly:

"Grandpa, Grandpa, Brother Lin, have some tea!"

Lin Chuan stared blankly for a moment before recognizing the girl as Yan Liuniang, whom he had met once before.

This was the second time Lin Chuan had seen Yan Liu Niang since Yan Xiangshi took her to the noodle shop half a month ago. He had never seen her before, despite visiting the Yan family so many times.

Unlike the last time when Yan Liuniang wore men's clothing, this time Yan Liuniang was wearing a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and her hair, styled in double buns, was adorned with a silver hair ornament that swayed gently with her steps.

Her exquisite face, lightly made up, added a touch of maturity to her youthful features.

"Brother Lin! Please have some tea!" Yan Liuniang said softly as she placed the teacup on the low table in front of Lin Chuan with her head bowed.

Lin Chuan, in a flustered manner, bowed slightly.

"Thank you for your help!"

After serving the tea, Yan Liuniang left with the tray.

After drinking half a cup of tea, Steward Tian of the Yan family came to the main hall, bowed, and said:

"Master, the meal is ready!"

Yan Shigu greeted him with a smile:

"Let's go eat first."

In addition to the stewed venison, dinner included a bowl of soup made with dried bamboo shoots and radish, a dish of sauce, and of course, wine.

After dinner, Lin Chuan sat for another half an hour before taking his leave.

When they returned to Yanshoufang, they saw Li Shi waiting anxiously at the entrance of the ward.

Upon seeing Lin Chuan, the worry on Li's face vanished instantly, and she asked with concern:

"Brother, have you encountered some trouble?"

"Mother, Yan Gong invited me to his house for dinner. I'm sorry to have worried you!" Lin Chuan said apologetically.

"I was worried that you might have encountered some trouble, but I didn't know how to look for you! That's why I waited here for a while!" Madam Li said softly.

"Mother, I am now an official of the imperial court with a noble title. What difficulties could I possibly encounter? If I had come back late, I would have just gone to the Yan family for a free meal, just like today. Don't worry!" Lin Chuan said with a smile.

"Okay, I understand!" Mrs. Li smiled.

The next morning, Lin Chuan arrived at the government office on time as usual, but still did not see Minister Dou.

Just like yesterday, Li Shan did not assign any tasks to Lin Chuan.

Lin Chuan didn't ask any questions. He obediently flipped through the files, and after finishing the ones on the table, he even took some more out of the cabinet behind him to look at.

Three days passed in this way. The fourth day was the court assembly. Li Shan and Pei Qing were to attend the assembly, but Lin Chuan was not qualified to attend and continued to obediently flip through the files.

As evening fell, Li Shan returned to the government office and, unusually, struck up a conversation with Lin Chuan:

"Master Lin, how's it going these past few days?"

"It's alright!" Lin Chuan said modestly.

Li Shan nodded, picked up a few sheets of paper from the table in front of him, handed them to Lin Chuan, and said in a deep voice:

"Minister Lin, this is the official document regarding the repair of the Lizheng Hall. It was just decided at today's court assembly. I have other matters to attend to, so you will be in charge of this matter, Minister Lin!"

"Is this a show of force?"

Lin Chuan accepted the documents with this thought in mind: "Such an important task as repairing the Lizheng Hall has been entrusted to me, who has only been in office for four days."