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

At dusk.

Pei Yuan left the West Garden, riding the black horse from Liaodong bestowed by the emperor, and leisurely walked along the wide Chang'an Street under the protection of several Imperial Guards.

As I passed by Donghua Gate, I happened to meet several compilers from the Hanlin Academy who had just finished their official duties.

These young, upright officials, dressed in blue seventh-rank official robes, were gathered together, indignantly discussing the state of affairs.

"That Pei Yuan is running rampant in Jiangnan, and now he's even been appointed Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. Have we spent ten years studying diligently just to serve under the shadow of such a treacherous official?"

"A young editor said indignantly."

Another person sighed, "Be careful what you say. That living devil is deeply favored by the emperor and now wields immense power. I've heard even Grand Secretary Li avoids his wrath. We are but lowly people with little influence; what can we do to him?"

Just then, the crisp sound of horses' hooves approached from afar.

The editors looked up and saw a handsome and devilish young man dressed in a bright red python robe, sitting high on his horse and looking down at them.

There was an undisguised contempt in those deep eyes.

According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, no one was allowed to ride a horse within the imperial city except by special permission.

This young man not only rode a horse, but he rode it with such self-righteousness.

The young editors immediately recognized the newcomer, their faces turned deathly pale, and they retreated in fright.

They pressed themselves tightly against the red wall, barely daring to breathe.

Pei Yuan did not rein in his horse, but simply let it pass by them at a very slow pace.

He neither reprimanded nor drew his knife in a show of force.

He merely turned his head slightly as he passed the editor who had just called him a treacherous villain, a leisurely yet arrogant smile playing on his lips.

"Reading is a good thing. It's just a pity that the Ming Dynasty couldn't be sustained by a few sentimental poems and a bellyful of complaints."

Pei Yuan's voice was light and airy, yet it struck the hearts of these young officials.

"Study your books well. With a treacherous official like me shielding you from the storms outside, you can live in peace as loyal ministers in this capital."

Having said that, Pei Yuan flicked the reins, and the Liaodong black horse let out a clear, long neigh before galloping away.

Only a few compilers from the Hanlin Academy remained, standing motionless in the evening breeze.

As they watched the red figure recede into the distance, their minds were in complete disarray.

……

The weather in Beijing was so hot and humid that it felt like a giant, scorching iron pot.

For days, not a single drop of rain had fallen. The yellow earth in the alley was covered with dust that rose half a sky high when trampled by vehicles and horses, and the dust lingered for a long time.

The ordinary people in the outer city were all shirtless, sitting under the shade of trees, fanning themselves with tattered palm-leaf fans, panting heavily.

However, the Right Viceroy's Mansion on the shore of Shichahai Lake is a cool and pleasant summer resort.

The Listening to Lotus Pavilion in the back garden is built on the water, with light, misty, sky-blue silk gauze hanging on all sides.

At each of the four corners of the waterside pavilion stands a brass ice jar, about half a person's height, containing natural ice specially supplied by the Imperial Household Department.

Several pretty maids dressed in light summer clothes were holding peacock feather fans.

He slowly fanned the wisps of cold air emanating from the ice mirror toward the center of the waterside pavilion.

Pei Yuan, wearing a loose and soft robe of ice silk, leaned against a finely carved rosewood Luohan bed.

He held a crystal goblet in his hand, filled with chilled plum juice.

"grown ups."

Lu Zheng, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, lifted the silk gauze curtain and quietly entered the waterside pavilion.

"What's the situation outside?"

Pei Yuan picked up the crystal cup and took a small sip, his tone casual and languid.

Lu Zheng bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute, his face showing barely suppressed excitement and a hint of mockery.

"Reporting back to Your Excellency, everything is in complete chaos. Ever since yesterday morning's court session when His Majesty issued an imperial edict granting Your Excellency full authority to oversee the affairs of the 'Zhenhaibao' Imperial Palace in Tianjin, the cabinet has been in an uproar."

"I heard that Grand Secretary Li was so angry in the Wenyuan Pavilion that he smashed two Chenghua porcelain teacups, calling them 'monsters who have bewitched the emperor.' The censors and officials even knelt outside the Meridian Gate, wailing and pleading with His Majesty to retract his decree."

"It is said that this move is wasteful of resources and manpower, and is the act of Jie and Zhou."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan suddenly chuckled softly, his laughter filled with sarcasm.

"Wasting money and manpower? The money I used to build this palace was from the escort fees I collected in Jiangnan, and it was all from the imperial treasury. Not a single penny was used from the treasury, and not a single laborer was conscripted."

"These pedantic scholars can't stand seeing the Emperor comfortable, and they can't stand seeing me holding money in my hands."

Pei Yuan placed the crystal cup on the table and casually picked up a chilled grape.

"Let them kneel. The bluestone slabs at the Meridian Gate are very hot. Let them kneel for two hours and see if their old bones can still take it."

"His Majesty is currently eagerly awaiting to see the blueprints for the Tianjin Imperial Palace. Anyone who tries to spoil his mood will be courting death."

"How's Wan Tong's handling of the border patrol and anti-smuggling case?"

Lu Zheng's expression turned serious, and he stepped forward, lowering his voice.

"Commander Wan dispatched three groups of imperial guards out of the capital the day before yesterday, heading straight for important border towns such as Datong, Xuanfu, and Zhangjiakou. Ostensibly, they were there to inspect the border defenses, but in reality, they had already established the rules of our Embroidered Uniform Guard at various passes, as instructed by the lord."

"All caravans crossing the border for trade must pay a 20% customs duty on the goods. Those who do not pay will find it impossible to move an inch."

Lu Zheng paused, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"Once this rule was established, the Shanxi merchants' guilds in the capital couldn't sit still. These wealthy men from Shanxi used to make a fortune by bribing border generals and smuggling tea bricks and ironware."

"Now that our Embroidered Uniform Guard has them by the throat, they're all as anxious as ants on a hot pan."

Pei Yuan dusted off his sleeves with satisfaction.

Those deep, unfathomable eyes shone with a sharp, penetrating light.

The wealth of the Ming Dynasty came from salt merchants and sea traders in the south, and from Shanxi merchants and traders in the north.

Having already laid a trap in Jiangnan, he naturally couldn't let go of this fat sheep in the north.

Shanxi merchants hoarded goods and engaged in illicit trade with those outside the Great Wall, making them a major scourge to the nation.

If investigated using ordinary methods, the intricate web of connections behind them would be enough to leave any honest official battered and bruised.

But Pei Yuan was different; he was a corrupt official and a treacherous minister who wielded immense power in the court.

He doesn't need evidence; he just needs to establish the rule of toll collection.

If you don't pay, the Embroidered Spring Blade of the Embroidered Uniform Guard will teach you a lesson.

"That's the right one, it's urgent."

Pei Yuan slowly wiped his hands.

"If they feel pain, they will naturally come to the owner of this knife. Judging by the time, someone should be knocking on the door soon."

Before he could finish speaking, the gatekeeper's announcement came from outside the waterside pavilion.

"Qibing, the Governor, Mr. Qiao Shouye, the owner of one of the eight major Shanxi merchant guilds in the capital, requests an audience. He says he has prepared generous gifts and has come specifically to pay his respects to the Governor."

Lu Zheng and Pei Yuan exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.

"Look, isn't this money-bringing boy here?"

Pei Yuan sat up straight and straightened the collar of his ice silk robe.

"Go, take him to the front hall. I want to see how much more extravagant these northern merchants are compared to Wan Dafu from Jiangnan."