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

Before dawn, officials had already gathered outside the Meridian Gate.

Unlike the composed and refined atmosphere of the previous Jianwen reigns, a deathly silence and oppressive atmosphere permeated the ranks of officials at this moment.

Everyone lowered their heads, held their breath, and dared not even breathe loudly.

Even a cough could attract the fierce gazes of the guards.

Gu Yannian was a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, holding the rank of seventh grade.

According to rank, he could only stand at the very end of the line.

It's almost backed out of the Meridian Gate Square.

He tucked his hands into his wide sleeves.

His back was gently leaning against a thick white marble ornamental column, his eyes slightly closed, as if he were resting.

He ignored the trembling legs and cold sweat beading on the foreheads of the officials around him.

"when,"

The melodious yet somber tolling of the Jingyang Bell rang out, and the Meridian Gate opened wide.

Officials entered in single file according to their rank.

Gu Yannian walked at the back of the group, following closely behind the people in front.

After crossing the threshold and the Jinshui Bridge, we arrived at the spacious square.

On the steps of the imperial palace, on the dragon throne that symbolized supreme power, sat a man dressed in a dragon robe with a majestic face.

Emperor Yongle, Zhu Di.

Zhu Di's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's as he swept over the assembled officials below.

It was a murderous aura forged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

The mere sight of him was enough to make the legs of several senior officials standing in the front row buckle, and they almost knelt down.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

All the officials knelt down in unison, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

Gu Yannian also knelt down, his forehead touching the ground.

This kind of kneeling and worship did not cause him any psychological burden.

Since you've chosen to play an insignificant NPC in this era, you must abide by the rules of the game.

As long as I can survive, what's a little kowtow to the emperor?

Anyway, hitting him a few times won't break any flesh, nor will it affect his longevity.

The morning assembly began, and the atmosphere was solemn.

After a series of imperial edicts were read out to reward the meritorious officials who had contributed to the pacification of the country, the temperature inside the main hall plummeted.

Zhu Di's deep voice, thick with a Beijing accent, echoed throughout the hall.

"The story goes that Fang Xiaoru..."

As soon as those five words were uttered, Gu Yannian keenly noticed that several officials standing in front of him shuddered violently.

Before long, Fang Xiaoru, with disheveled hair and wearing shackles, was escorted to the main hall by two Imperial Guards.

This renowned scholar, though imprisoned, still stands tall and straight.

His eyes burned with the flames of anger.

Gu Yannian had read about the following events countless times in history books.

But he knew that witnessing this scene firsthand was far more shocking than the few words recorded in history books.

Zhu Di attempted to have Fang Xiaoru draft the edict of accession, which was a final attempt to appease this literary leader.

As long as Fang Xiaoru bows his head, the hearts of most scholars in the world can be appeased.

"You traitor Yan! Your usurpation and rebellion are unforgivable! You want me to draft an edict? Dream on!"

Fang Xiaoru threw the brush on the ground and began to curse loudly.

Zhu Di's face was terribly gloomy as he suppressed his anger.

"Fang Xiaoru, aren't you afraid I'll exterminate your entire family?"

Fang Xiaoru looked up at the sky and laughed loudly, his laughter filled with a resolute determination to face death.

"So what if you exterminate ten generations of their families?!"

The main hall was deathly silent.

The assembled officials were horrified.

The execution of ten generations of a family was an unprecedentedly cruel punishment.

This not only meant killing off Fang Xiaoru's entire family, but also slaughtering his disciples and former officials.

Gu Yannian stood in the corner of the last row, quietly watching this scene.

His heart was completely calm, and he even felt a slight urge to yawn.

Throughout history, there have been far too many scenes of bloodshed caused by disputes over personal feelings.

Fang Xiaoru attained benevolence through his pursuit of it, thus achieving lasting fame.

Zhu Di established his authority over the world and consolidated imperial power.

This was a deal that both sides got what they wanted, but at the cost of thousands of bloody heads.

"Foolish, yet tragic."

Gu Yannian sighed inwardly.

This is the limitation of mortals: life is too short, so short that they must burn with all their might.

To pursue those illusory fame and integrity.

And he possesses endless time.

He doesn't need to prove anything with his life; he just needs to watch.

Just then, a familiar mechanical voice rang in Gu Yannian's mind.

Current time: 5:00 AM (Mao Shi)

Should a roll call be conducted?

Gu Yannian slightly adjusted his posture, shifting his weight onto one foot, and silently recited in his mind.

"Checking in".

[Ding! Today's roll call complete.]

[Gained 1 attribute point.]

"Add it to your strength."

Gu Yannian thought to himself.

Recently, things haven't been peaceful in Nanjing.

Although he didn't want to cause trouble, he was worried that some foolish Imperial Guard or defeated soldier might come knocking on his door.

With more resources, things can be handled more efficiently and effectively.

Strength +1. Current Strength: 157.

A warm current surged from the depths of his bone marrow, instantly flowing throughout his body, and his muscle density and explosive power were enhanced once again.

Gu Yannian squinted his eyes comfortably.

In front of the main hall, the enraged Zhu Di had already issued the decree that would shock the ages.

"Very well! I grant your wish! Issue an edict: Fang Xiaoru shall be torn apart by chariots in the marketplace, and his nine generations of relatives, including his students and friends—that is, ten generations in total—shall be executed without exception!"

Bloodshed and slaughter will become an indelible shadow over the early years of the Yongle reign.

Gu Yannian lowered his eyes, looking at the smooth gold bricks at his feet.

As the sky outside gradually brightened, sunlight streamed through the palace doors, illuminating the backs of the trembling officials.

The painful period of dynastic change has arrived.

Gu Yannian knew that what he needed to do next was to continue to remain invisible in this corner.

I clock in for work on time every day.

The world situation is like a game of chess, with each move bringing a new development.

He, however, was merely a detached observer on the chessboard, a perpetually quiet sign-out man.

After the court session ended, I went to Li's Steamed Bun Shop on the street corner to buy two steaming hot meat buns.

The stench of blood outside the Fengtian Hall seemed to be carried by the breeze passing through the Meridian Gate.

It drifted all the way to the streets and alleys of Jinling City.

After the court session ended, the officials, as if drained of all their strength, supported each other and walked out of the imperial city with great difficulty.

No one was whispering.

Even the closest colleagues exchanged glances with apprehension for a moment before quickly bowing their heads and leaving.

Fang Xiaoru's words, "What if you exterminate ten generations of your family?" were like a death warrant hanging over the heads of all the former officials of Jianwen.

Gu Yannian blended into the crowd, his steps light and quick.

Even the rhythm of his breathing remained perfectly steady.

He patted the dust off his official robes and, following the main street outside Chengtian Gate, turned straight into a narrow alley on the right.

Deep in the alley, steaming white vapor rises from the steamer of Li's Steamed Bun Shop.

"Uncle Li, please have two meat buns and a bowl of soy milk here."

Gu Yannian sat down at a slightly greasy square table as if he knew his way around.

He took out a few copper coins from his sleeve and arranged them neatly on the table.

Mr. Li is a man in his early sixties who is always cheerful.

Today, however, his face was ashen, and even the hand holding the steamer was trembling uncontrollably.

Upon hearing Gu Yannian's voice, he forced out a smile that looked worse than a grimace.

"Lord Gu, court is adjourned... I'm afraid... I'm afraid I won't feel at ease eating these meat buns today."