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

"Issue my decree!"

Zhu Youzhen did not give his officials much time to react and directly announced the rewards in court.

"Li Changqing, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, is well-versed in literature and has a deep understanding of the national system. He is hereby promoted to the position of Director of the Fujian Provincial Department of the Ministry of Revenue and appointed by imperial decree as the Inspector General of Maritime Trade."

"Immediately, I will accompany Minister of Revenue Song Yin to Quanzhou to oversee the construction of the new Maritime Trade Office and to audit the accounts of the Southeast Asian merchants!"

Upon receiving this decree, the court officials were horrified.

He rose from a lowly seventh-rank compiler to a powerful fifth-rank official.

He also held the title of Imperial Envoy and Circuit Inspector.

This kind of exceptional promotion is like ascending to heaven in one step!

His Majesty is demonstrating to the world through his actions that whoever dares to advocate for opening up the seas to trade is a close advisor to the Emperor!

……

The storm in the imperial court could not immediately reach the quiet study of the Hanlin Academy.

At that moment, Li Changqing was sitting in a rattan chair, holding a warm cup of Biluochun tea in his hand.

As always, it was peaceful.

Li Changqing squinted slightly, listening to the chirping of sparrows on the branches outside the window.

"Brother Li! Something terrible has happened!"

Zhao Zhi'ang stumbled into the library, his face ashen, even his official hat askew.

It was as if I had seen a living ghost.

Li Changqing put down his teacup and looked at him with feigned surprise.

"Brother Zhao, why are you so alarmed? Could it be that the Bureau of History Compilation has broken another inkstone?"

"It's not an inkstone! It's the sky falling!"

Zhao Zhiang rushed to Li Changqing, grabbed his sleeve, and his voice trembled.

"The edict you drafted yesterday was read aloud at the morning court today! Not only did the Emperor not blame you, but he also praised you highly, promoting you to the position of Vice Minister of Revenue and Imperial Inspector, and sending you to Quanzhou to oversee the construction of the Maritime Trade Office!"

Upon hearing this, Li Changqing's eyelids twitched slightly.

However, his face revealed a perfectly timed look of astonishment and fear.

"How could this be? I merely wrote down a few lines based on the cabinet's proposal."

He stood up, looking somewhat at a loss.

Zhao Zhi'ang stamped his foot in anguish.

"Brother Li! You've made a fool of yourself! In your article, you called the cabinet 'corrupt scholars,' and now you've offended all the upright officials in the land!"

"Now, the Grand Secretary and Lord Liu and their ilk wish they could tear you apart alive! What kind of place is the Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office?"

"That's a den of iniquity where Song Yin and his treacherous clique amassed wealth. For a scholar like you to go there is like throwing yourself into the lion's den!"

Looking at Zhao Zhiang's genuinely worried expression, Li Changqing felt a warmth in his heart.

Although the Hanlin Academy is mostly populated by pedantic people.

But there are also many bookworms with simple minds.

"Brother Zhao, please don't be anxious. Both thunder and rain are acts of imperial grace. Since the imperial decree has been issued, I can only reluctantly go."

Li Changqing sighed, adopting a helpless and resigned expression.

Just then, the high-pitched voice of a eunuch delivering an imperial decree came from outside.

Before long, Li Changqing received the imperial edict, changed out of his seventh-rank blue robe, and received a brand-new fifth-rank civil official's uniform.

His colleagues at the Hanlin Academy looked at him as if he were a plague god.

Lord Liu kept his distance, fearing he might get involved in the slightest.

Li Changqing didn't care at all.

He tidied up the old, worn-out teapot on the table and stuffed several rare books into his personal bag.

As I walked out of the Hanlin Academy gate, I glanced back at the weathered plaque.

These leisurely days have finally come to an end.

"So be it. In this mortal world, someone always has to perform. Hiding in these old books will only make my bones rust."

"A trip to Quanzhou, where the sea breeze is salty and briny, would be a good way to stretch your muscles and bones."

Li Changqing patted his sleeves, concealing his detached and world-weary demeanor, and strode towards the Ministry of Revenue.

Ministry of Revenue, the office of the Minister of Revenue.

Song Yin stood behind a large rosewood desk, reviewing a list of goods sent from Southeast Asia.

Time has etched deep nasolabial folds on his once thin face.

This made him appear even more resolute and dignified.

The poor, failed scholar who used to draw arithmetic equations on wooden boards in a teahouse is now a veritable god of wealth in the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Excellency, the newly appointed Director of the Fujian Provincial Administration and Inspector of Maritime Trade, Li Changqing, is waiting to see you outside the gate."

A clerk respectfully entered to announce the arrival.

Song Yin put down the list in his hand and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Let him in."

After a while.

Wearing his brand-new fifth-rank official robes, Li Changqing walked steadily into the duty room.

"Your humble servant Li Changqing greets Lord Song."

Li Changqing bowed slightly and clasped his hands in greeting.

The rules were meticulous and there wasn't a single flaw.

But that straight back revealed a composure unlike that of ordinary officials.

Song Yin walked around the desk and stood in front of Li Changqing, his sharp eyes scrutinizing the unfamiliar middle-aged official before him.

He has a handsome face and a reserved demeanor.

He does indeed look like a scholar who has spent a long time in the Hanlin Academy.

But Song Yin keenly noticed the subtle depth in Li Changqing's eyes.

"Master Li, no courtesy."

Song Yin pointed to the guest seat next to him, gesturing for him to sit down.

"Yesterday at the morning court session, Lord Li's edict was truly a wake-up call. Having worked in the Ministry of Revenue for so many years, I've grown accustomed to those empty platitudes full of classical allusions, and it's rare to witness such a penetrating and insightful piece of writing."

Song Yin personally picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it in front of Li Changqing.

"I am just a little curious. As a member of the Hanlin Academy, Lord Li has always revered the teachings of sages and worthies. Why then, in that imperial edict, did he have such a clear understanding of matters such as opening up the seas for trade and using military force to deter foreign nations?"

Li Changqing picked up the teacup with both hands, but did not rush to drink it. Instead, he watched the tea leaves unfurl in the water.

He knew that the Song Yin before him was not one of those easily fooled, pedantic scholars in the Hanlin Academy.

This was a practical and talented individual whom Pei Yuan had personally selected years ago.

To fool him, simply pretending to be stupid won't work; you have to show some real skill.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency."

Li Changqing put down his teacup, raised his head, and calmly met Song Yin's scrutinizing gaze.

"Although I hold a position in the Hanlin Academy, I am aware of the principle that when the granaries are full, people will know etiquette. The teachings of the sages are meant to educate the people, but the Ming Dynasty's territory is protected by real gold and silver, cannons, and city walls."

Li Changqing reached out and pointed to the blazing sun outside the window.

"The world is bustling with activity, all for profit. The red-haired barbarians from Southeast Asia have traveled thousands of miles to the Ming Dynasty's coastal regions, all for the sake of the Ming Dynasty's silk and porcelain. If we try to influence them with morality and literature, it's no different from asking a tiger for its skin."

"Only by establishing Maritime Trade Offices along the coast, using the mighty navy of our Great Ming to control this sea area, and taking control of the rules of trade, can we ensure national peace and prosperity."

Upon hearing these words, Song Yin was suddenly jolted.

These remarks demonstrate a pragmatic attitude that abandons empty fame and focuses directly on the core interests.

so similar!

Before Song Yin's eyes, the arrogant figure of that man, dressed in a bright red python robe, sitting in a tent eating hot pot outside the examination hall years ago, involuntarily appeared.