Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

The courtyard gate was pushed open, and there stood Zhu Gaochi, dressed in an ordinary silk robe.

Two expressionless internal martial arts masters still followed behind him.

"Gu the Registrar's nose is even more sensitive than a wild hunting dog!"

Zhu Gaochi laughed heartily, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and walked to the grill without any airs of a crown prince.

His eyes were fixed on the carp, which was roasted until golden brown and sizzling with oil, and he swallowed hard.

"Your Highness flatters me. I'm just a bit particular about the food."

Gu Yannian bowed slightly and casually pointed to a bamboo couch in the courtyard.

"Your Highness, please have a seat. This fish needs to be flipped over and grilled for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before it can absorb the flavors."

Zhu Gaochi sat down as instructed, and a guard immediately stepped forward to fan him with a palm-leaf fan.

"Gu Yannian, I came here today specifically to find you for this meal."

Zhu Gaochi sighed, his weariness finally showing on his face in this humble courtyard.

"Good news has arrived from Shandong! Following my orders, Song Li has found an old man named Bai Ying in Wenshang County. That old man is truly a remarkable person; he proposed building a dam in Nanwang to divert water from the Dawen River for transportation. Now the waterway is open, and the canal dredging will be completed soon!"

While flipping the grilled fish, Gu Yannian calmly replied, "Congratulations, Your Highness. This is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty and a testament to Your Highness's achievements."

"Merit? Father Emperor's will changes every day, and the Prince of Han is spreading rumors about me all over the capital. I feel like I'm sitting on pins and needles in my position as Crown Prince."

Zhu Gaochi smiled bitterly.

He was exhausted. The scheming and pressure coming from all directions often left this fat man breathless.

Only in this little-known courtyard of a seventh-rank clerk can one smell the aroma of food filled with the warmth of home cooking.

Only then could he briefly forget that he was the Ming Dynasty's crown prince, walking on thin ice.

"Your Highness is overthinking it. Most of the troubles in this world are self-inflicted. The grilled fish is ready, Your Highness, please have a taste."

Gu Yannian used an iron shovel to place the roasted carp into a large, coarse porcelain plate.

He sprinkled a handful of bright green scallions on top and served it to Zhu Gaochi.

The four flavors of numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant intertwine perfectly under the stimulation of heat.

Zhu Gaochi couldn't wait to pick up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth.

The domineering spiciness was like a tiger descending the mountain, instantly breaking through all his taste bud defenses.

Next comes the numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns and the tenderness of the fish.

"Hiss~ Ha~"

Zhu Gaochi's face turned bright red from the spiciness, and large beads of sweat streamed down his cheeks.

But this extreme sensory stimulation made him exclaim with delight.

"That was awesome! So satisfying! These chili peppers are truly a wonderful ingredient!"

Gu Yannian also pulled up a small stool and sat down opposite him, poured himself a glass of cold water, and slowly ate the tenderest piece of meat from the fish's belly.

"Gu Yannian, your mind is always filled with strange and bizarre stories and such exquisite food."

As Zhu Gaochi ate, he asked indistinctly,

"You're so young, yet your heart seems to hold a thousand chasms. Sometimes I truly can't see through you. Do you really intend to spend your entire life as a clerk in this seventh-rank official position?"

Gu Yannian put down his chopsticks and met Zhu Gaochi's seemingly casual but actually very penetrating gaze with clear eyes.

"Your Highness, my request is extremely simple."

Gu Yannian's tone was sincere, without a trace of hypocrisy.

"I have been dull-witted since childhood and am not good at practical studies. I only wish to go to the yamen on time every day to do my duty, to receive a salary, and to brew tea and wine and read a few ancient books in my spare time."

"If one could attain longevity and live to be a hundred years old, witnessing the blooming and withering of flowers in this world, that would be the greatest blessing in this life."

Zhu Gaochi stared at him intently for a long time.

In the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, who wasn't scheming and plotting for power?

He was used to hearing those solemn oaths of loyalty and seeing those sanctimonious and hypocritical faces.

But he couldn't see any pretense in Gu Yannian, the one in front of him.

This person truly has no interest in power.

Like a slippery pebble, it lies quietly at the bottom of the stream, remaining unmoved no matter how turbulent the current above.

"Live to a ripe old age, witnessing the blooming and withering of flowers... What a fine old man who reports his work!"

Zhu Gaochi burst into laughter, completely letting go of his last bit of wariness towards Gu Yannian.

"Since you have no interest in an official career, I will grant you this leisurely life. As long as I remain in this position, I guarantee you can peacefully read your books and perform your duties in the Wenhua Hall!"

"Your Highness, I am very grateful for your kindness."

Gu Yannian bowed slightly.

A slight smile curved his lips.

He not only wanted to live to be a hundred years old, but he also wanted to live on until the Ming Dynasty turned to dust.

The crown prince's promise undoubtedly provided him with a solid protective shield for his future career.

Autumn of the ninth year of the Yongle reign.

A cool breeze dispelled the summer heat of Nanjing.

A tremendous piece of good news was sent to the palace on the autumn wind.

After more than half a year of work, the dredging project of the Huitong River was finally completed, thanks to the joint efforts of Song Li, Minister of Works, and Bai Ying, a folk water management expert!

From then on, the millions of grains transported from the Jiangnan region would no longer rely on dangerous near-shore sea transport.

Instead, it could be transported directly to Beiping via the canal.

This undoubtedly removed the last major obstacle for Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di), who was determined to move the capital.

In the Fengtian Hall, Zhu Di was overjoyed.

Not only did he reward the officials of the Ministry of Works handsomely, but he also, for the first time ever, repeatedly praised Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi for his "meritorious planning and proper management."

He even bestowed many rare and precious treasures upon the Crown Prince's palace.

The followers of Prince Zhu Gaochi of Han changed their tune quickly and fell silent, thus temporarily relieving the crisis facing the Eastern Palace.

The atmosphere inside the Wenhua Hall became more relaxed than ever before.

Zhu Gaochi couldn't stop smiling for several days in a row, and even his steps became much lighter.

"Recorder Gu, I've heard that you enjoy reading unofficial histories and travelogues."

Zhu Gaochi walked to the side hall in high spirits and personally placed an exquisite rosewood box on Gu Yannian's desk.

"These are a few rare ancient books presented as tribute by a vassal state in the south. They describe the customs and culture of overseas countries. My father bestowed them upon me, but I have no use for them. So I will give them to you."

Gu Yannian stood up and respectfully accepted the wooden box with both hands.

"Your Highness, I thank you for your generous gift. I will certainly study this rare book carefully and treasure it well."

Zhu Gaochi looked at Gu Yannian's still calm face and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

The successful dredging of the canal owes much to Gu Yannian's story about "farmers controlling water".

Although Gu Yannian never took credit for himself, Zhu Gaochi knew exactly what he was doing.

"Yan Nian, you've been working in the Wenhua Hall for over half a year now. Your accounts have never been wrong. I'm considering promoting you to the Ministry of Revenue to gain experience and become a manager. What do you think?"

Zhu Gaochi attempted to break Gu Yannian's almost eccentric indifference.

The position of Chief Clerk in the Ministry of Revenue was a sixth-rank official position, a lucrative and powerful post.

If it were anyone else, they would have already knelt down in gratitude to thank the Lord for His great favor.

Gu Yannian only took a small step back, bowed deeply, and fell to the ground.

"Your Highness's kindness moves me to tears."

Gu Yannian's tone remained calm as ever.

"However, I am by nature dull and undisciplined. If I were to go to a busy place like the Ministry of Revenue, I fear that the slow accounting would cause me to miss important matters of the court."

"I find it perfectly acceptable to be tidying up some documents in this corner of Wenhua Hall. I hope Your Highness will rescind your order."