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

Xia Yuanji took the white paper and carefully checked the numbers on it against the flaws circled by Gu Yannian. His eyes widened and his breathing became increasingly heavy.

"Xuzhou sluice gate... Linqing brick kiln..."

Xia Yuanji gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.

"These rats! How dare they trespass on the Emperor's head and steal the materials meant for building the three main halls!"

Xia Yuanji suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Gu Yannian.

"Recorder Gu, your accounting skills are truly unparalleled. I will immediately go to see His Highness the Crown Prince and dispatch the Censorate to Xuzhou and Linqing for a thorough investigation. Thank you very much for today!"

Gu Yannian stepped aside to avoid the bow and gave a slight nod.

"Lord Xia, you flatter me. I was merely calculating the numbers and was unaware of the intricacies involved."

"The investigation and arrests are all the work of your superiors, and have nothing to do with me."

Xia Yuanji gave him a deep look, his mind clear as day.

This young man was exceptionally intelligent, but he was only interested in protecting himself and refused to get involved in any trouble.

He said no more, and hurriedly left with the account books in his arms.

After the court session ended, Gu Yannian returned to his small courtyard in Xuanwu Ward, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Shen Wan had already set out a plate of freshly made spring pancakes on the stone table in the main room, along with finely chopped stir-fried bean sprouts, scrambled eggs, and shredded braised pork.

Gu Yannian washed his hands, sat down at the table, rolled up a spring pancake, and put it in his mouth.

The noodles are chewy, and the shredded vegetables are fresh and crisp.

"These bean sprouts are cooked to perfection today," Gu Yannian praised.

Shen Wan sat opposite him, responded softly, and served him a bowl of cornmeal porridge.

The old jujube tree in the yard sprouted new branches, and several sparrows hopped and chirped on the branches.

The high-profile corruption case in the imperial court stands in stark contrast to the tranquil life in this small courtyard.

Summer of the fifteenth year of the Yongle reign.

The sweltering heat of Shuntian Prefecture was dry and intense.

The sun hung high in the sky, making the bluestone slabs on the street scorching hot, and waves of heat rolled in the air.

The construction of the Forbidden City was forced to slow down due to congestion on the canal.

Grain, fodder, timber, bricks, and stones from all over the country were crammed into a few narrow sluice gates on the Huitong River.

Ships heading south and empty ships heading north were locked in a stalemate, making the area completely blocked.

Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue, came to the Wenhua Hall again.

He had lost a lot of weight, and the dark circles under his eyes were very obvious.

Gu Yannian completed his roll call as usual, and gently placed a neatly arranged copy of the Crown Prince's memorial into the wooden box.

He looked up at Xia Yuanji as he entered the side hall.

"Recorder Gu, I will not be checking the accounts today. I only ask for a quiet place to rest."

Xia Yuanji, his voice hoarse, sat down on the low couch beside him and closed his eyes.

Gu Yannian carried the kettle, walked to his side, and poured him a cup of lukewarm mint water.

"Lord Xia, you are concerned about the country and its people, but you should also take care of your health. The weather is hot, and you are very likely to suffer from heatstroke."

Gu Yannian placed the teacup on the low table.

Xia Yuanji picked up his teacup, took a sip, and sighed repeatedly.

"The canal is blocked. In the section near Jining, Shandong, the waterway is narrow, and fleets of boats stretching for dozens of miles are crammed together. The boatmen fight every day to get through the locks. Several groups of people from the Ministry of Works went there, but all returned empty-handed. The three main halls are in dire need of materials, and I'm so worried that I can't sleep at night."

Gu Yannian returned to his desk and began to organize the pen and ink in his hands.

He knew that Xia Yuanji was desperate and had come to him to pour out his troubles.

The Ming Dynasty's canal transport system was vast, but its management was extremely crude.

When boats travel together, relying solely on the order of arrival, congestion will naturally occur in narrow passages.

Gu Yannian stopped what he was doing and spoke in a calm tone.

"My hometown is in the countryside, and there is only one well in the village. Whenever there is a severe drought, the villagers would carry buckets to the well to fight for water, often resulting in bloody fights. In the end, no one could fill a whole tank of water."

Xia Yuanji opened his eyes and looked at Gu Yannian, knowing that he was about to tell those profound rural stories again.

"How was it resolved later?" Xia Yuanji asked.

"The village chief set the rules. On odd-numbered days, people from the east end of the village would draw water, and on even-numbered days, people from the west end of the village would draw water. When drawing water, they would line up in a row, with a designated person watching the well opening. Once a bucket was full, they would leave immediately and not linger. Those who did not follow the rules would be punished by being barred from approaching the well for three days."

Gu Yannian spoke at a measured pace.

"Since then, there have been no more quarrels by the well, and every household has been able to get water on time."

Xia Yuanji frowned slightly, lost in thought.

"Draw water on odd and even days... line up in a row..." Xia Yuanji muttered to himself.

Suddenly, his eyes widened and he stood up abruptly.

"I understand! The canal congestion is caused by two-way traffic vying for the locks! If the imperial court were to set rules, only northbound ships would be allowed to pass through the locks on odd-numbered days, and only southbound empty ships would be allowed to pass on even-numbered days."

"Imperial inspectors will be stationed along the river. Anyone who dares to cut in line or rush through will be severely punished and their boat impounded! In this way, although there will be waiting, smooth passage is better than being blocked in the river!"

Xia Yuanji paced back and forth excitedly in the hall, his face full of joy.

"Gu Lushi, your rural tales are worth more than the ten thousand words of those good-for-nothings in the Ministry of Works!"

"I will immediately report to the Crown Prince and draft new regulations for the Grand Canal transport!"

Xia Yuanji was unwilling to stay any longer and turned to rush out of the side hall.

Gu Yannian remained seated behind his desk, hanging the last brush on the brush holder.

The one-way traffic restrictions and traffic control measures that are common in later generations have a remarkable effect in this era, clearing away the clouds and revealing the sun.

He rarely spoke of national affairs, only about trivial matters in the countryside.

Even if someone investigates later, they can't blame him, a storyteller and clerk.

In the evening, Gu Yannian returned home.

A few days ago, the roof of the main house was ripped off by strong winds, and it leaks whenever it rains.

Shen Wan was carrying a ladder, trying to climb onto the roof to make repairs.

Gu Yannian stepped forward and held the ladder in place.

"You may come down now; I will take care of this."

Shen Wan obediently stepped aside. Gu Yannian picked up a few new tiles and lightly tapped the ground with his toes.

With his exceptional agility and strength, he leaped and landed steadily on the roof.

He moved quickly, replacing the broken tiles in a few moments, and then walked steadily down the ladder.

Shen Wan was already used to Gu Yannian's skills.

Only in front of her would Gu Yannian reveal his true self.

Because he knew that Shen Wan wouldn't tell anyone.

What would you like to eat tonight?

Gu Yannian brushed the dust off his hands and asked a question.

"I've bought some fresh eggplants and pork. Would you like to make a 'Three Treasures of the Earth' dish?"

Shen Wan handed over a clean cloth.

"Very good."

Gu Yannian took the cloth, wiped his hands, and turned to walk towards the main hall.

No matter how busy you are with government affairs, nothing beats the comfort of a family dinner.

Autumn of the fifteenth year of the Yongle reign.

Shuntian Prefecture has ushered in the season of clear skies and crisp autumn air.

Outside the city, the fields are golden, and farmers are busy harvesting.

After the canal was opened up, the construction of the three main halls progressed very quickly, and the magnificent architectural outlines are already clearly visible.

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The imperial court granted its officials a half-day holiday.

Gu Yannian completed his shift and added attribute points to "Constitution".

He left Wenhua Hall early and went to the market to buy several large hairy crabs full of roe and meat, carrying them back to his courtyard in Xuanwu Lane.

Shen Wan wiped the stone table in the courtyard clean and placed several plates of seasonal fruits and a pot of warm osmanthus wine on it.

The hairy crabs were steamed until they turned bright red, emitting an enticing aroma.

The two sat across from each other at a table, each peeling a crab shell.

At that moment, two very soft knocks came from outside the courtyard gate.

Gu Yannian got up and opened the door.

An elderly man dressed in a plain blue robe stood outside the door, carrying a small food box in his hand.

It was Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue.