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

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

"It matches perfectly! Absolutely accurate! Using this method to predict lunar eclipses, the timing is accurate to the millimeter, even more precise than the Persians' own calculations!"

The old scholar wept with joy and knelt on the ground, shouting loudly.

The entire first floor of the library instantly erupted in excitement.

The officials embraced each other, some even weeping with joy.

This not only saved their lives, but was also a great achievement.

Hu Guang excitedly held the mulberry bark paper and turned to look for Gu Yannian.

"Master Gu! Where did you find this book, *The Great Yuan Calendar*? It is truly a blessing from Heaven for our Great Ming!"

Gu Yannian was standing a few steps away, holding a basin of water, his face showing just the right amount of bewilderment and respect.

"Reporting to Scholar Hu, this book has been sitting on the corner of a table in the pile of discarded manuscripts in the Class A library. I noticed it was covered in dust, so I picked it up to wipe it clean."

"I never imagined that such an important item was hidden inside. Fortunately, the adults had discerning eyes to recognize its value."

Gu Yannian spoke calmly, attributing all the credit to "coincidence" and "the wisdom of our predecessors."

"Great! Great! Your casual grab saved all our lives!"

Hu Guang excitedly patted Gu Yannian on the shoulder.

"Once I enter the palace to meet the Emperor, I will certainly report the truthfully and, in the process, also credit you for your service!"

"Scholar Hu, you flatter me. This is the legacy of the sages of the Ming Dynasty. I am but a laborer carrying books. What merit have I made? I hope you will not mention me, lest you tarnish the reputation of this scholarship."

Gu Yannian politely declined.

At this moment, Hu Guang was filled with an urgent desire to go before the emperor to claim credit and wash away his shame.

Seeing that Gu Yannian firmly declined, he stopped being polite.

Led by the supervisor and others, they rushed out of the Bureau of Statutes and headed straight for the palace.

The library has finally returned to its former tranquility.

Gu Yannian carried the basin of water to the backyard.

A very faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

A diplomatic crisis that could have shaken the court and implicated innocent people was thus resolved by him using a forged "waste paper".

It was resolved effortlessly and without fanfare.

The arrogance of the envoys from the Western Regions will be completely suppressed, and Emperor Yongle's vanity will be greatly satisfied.

And he remained the same administrator who knew nothing but sweeping and wiping books.

He kept his merits and fame hidden, and remained untouched by any cause or effect.

This is the way of survival for those who live long lives.

Several days later, at the grand court assembly outside Fengtian Gate, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the Ming Dynasty publicly displayed the manuscript of "the remnants of the former Yuan Dynasty".

He also accurately pointed out several minor oversights in the calendar presented by Timur's envoy.

That greatly alarmed Gaiastin, who immediately bowed down in submission.

They repeatedly exclaimed that the Ming Dynasty was a celestial empire with unfathomable depths, far surpassing anything the Western Regions could match.

Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) was overjoyed.

The Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Observatory were richly rewarded, and the prestige of the Ming Dynasty once again spread far and wide.

After the court session ended, Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi made a special detour to the Bureau of Classics.

He went up to the second floor alone without any attendants.

Gu Yannian was using a feather duster to clean the dust off the high bookshelf.

"Yan Nian, I certainly enjoyed watching a very entertaining show in the court today."

Zhu Gaochi sat down on the armchair beside him, looking intently at Gu Yannian.

"Your Highness is blessed with boundless good fortune, and the Ming Dynasty is renowned throughout the world. It is naturally a cause for celebration."

Gu Yannian stopped what he was doing, turned around and bowed, his tone still impeccable.

Zhu Gaochi pointed at Gu Yannian and suddenly laughed and scolded:

"You scoundrel, still pretending with me! That old fox Hu Guang said it was mulberry paper that fell out of a piece of old book used as a table corner, and I believed him at first."

"But later I had someone check the book 'The Great Yuan Calendar,' and the paper of that book was already as brittle as withered leaves. However, the mulberry bark paper that had made such a great contribution, although it was crumpled and worn, still had charcoal marks on it that exuded a freshness that was definitely not from century-old ink!"

Gu Yannian's heart skipped a beat.

But he had already experienced the shrewdness of this fat prince, and his expression remained calm, he simply lowered his head and remained silent.

"I know, you drew it."

Zhu Gaochi lowered his voice slightly, but there was no blame in his tone; instead, it conveyed a strong sense of emotion.

"You, a genius who knows everything from astronomy to geography, insist on pretending to be unambitious. You saved Hu Guang and the others, but you threw this tremendous achievement into the dustbin of history without hesitation."

"What are you so afraid of?"

Gu Yannian raised his head, meeting Zhu Gaochi's gaze with a clear and open look.

"Your Highness, I am not afraid of anything. However, I know all too well that the tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind."

Gu Yannian's tone was as calm as a stagnant pool.

"The imperial court is never short of clever people. If I were to interpret the astrologer's chart today, I would be forced to build water conservancy projects, manufacture firearms, and quell rebellions tomorrow. My frail shoulders are not capable of bearing the weight of this nation's responsibilities."

"This humble official only wishes to quietly guard this room full of books for Your Highness in this library. This is my greatest desire in this life."

Zhu Gaochi stared at him for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.

"Very well. You possess such unparalleled talent, yet you are able to endure this rare solitude. I am not as good as you."

Zhu Gaochi stood up and patted Gu Yannian on the shoulder.

"Since you wish to be a recluse, I will grant your wish. As for the matter of that mulberry paper, I will consider it a divine intervention by the sages of the past. As long as I remain in this position, this Bureau of Scriptures will be your place of absolute tranquility."

"Your Highness, I thank you for your kindness."

Gu Yannian bowed deeply.

After seeing Zhu Gaochi off, Gu Yannian returned to the window.

The peach blossoms outside have all faded, and tiny, unripe fruits have appeared.

He mentally reviewed the conversation he had had that day.

He was certain that he had perfectly reinforced the image of "a mysterious hermit who is indifferent to fame and fortune" in Zhu Gaochi's mind.

As long as the Crown Prince remains a protective umbrella, his life in Shuntian Prefecture will be as stable as Mount Tai.

Summer passes and autumn comes.

The autumn winds of the seventeenth year of the Yongle reign were even more fierce than in previous years.

The northern border of the Ming Dynasty did not enjoy lasting peace despite the submission of the envoys from the Western Regions.

At this time, a fierce calamity was quietly approaching along the coast of the Liaodong Peninsula.

Japanese pirates.

Japan was in the aftermath of the Nanboku-chō turmoil, and a large number of defeated samurai and ronin were banding together.

Sailing in simple, shallow-draft ships, they recklessly harassed the coast of the Ming Dynasty.

They burned, killed, looted, and committed all sorts of atrocities, bringing profound disaster to the coastal people.

In early September, Liu Jiang, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong, sent back an urgent military report delivered over 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers).

Thousands of Japanese pirates launched a large-scale invasion of Wanghaiguo, Jinzhouwei, Liaodong.

The atmosphere in the entire capital instantly became tense.

The Ministry of War's offices were lit up all night long, and supplies from all directions began to be transferred towards Liaodong.

Inside the courtyard of Xuanwufang.

The autumn dusk was a blood-red sunset.

Gu Yannian sat at the stone table in the courtyard, with a small red clay charcoal stove in front of him.

A pot of yellow wine was warming on the stove.

On the stone table were a dish of freshly stir-fried salted peanuts and a plate of sliced ​​braised beef.

Shen Wan was sitting on a low stool not far away, skillfully mending one of Gu Yannian's winter clothes in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Her movements were gentle, and her expression was focused.

It was as if the battles and chaos outside were in a completely different world from this small courtyard.

"The city gates have been under stricter security these past two days, and the price of rice has gone up by two coins. I heard there's fighting in the east?"

Shen Wan bit off a thread and asked softly.

"Yes. Some bandits have entered Wanghaiguo in Liaodong."

Gu Yannian picked up a peanut and put it in his mouth, his expression calm.

"They're just a bunch of clowns, they can't cause any real trouble. Have you stocked up on food and water for the winter?"

"I bought an extra five bushels of rice and two vats of charcoal a few days ago, which is enough for winter."

Shen Wan answered obediently.

Gu Yannian picked up the warm rice wine and took a small sip.

He knew that this battle, known as the "Great Victory of Wanghaiguo," required little attention from the imperial court.

The formidable General Liu Jiang of Liaodong had long ago laid a trap for Wanghaiguo.

He not only used beacon towers to transmit intelligence.

They cleverly utilized the local tidal patterns to trap thousands of Japanese pirates in a deadly spot called "Cherry Orchard".

In one battle, more than a thousand were beheaded and hundreds were captured alive, and the entire Japanese pirate army was wiped out.

This battle broke the backbone of the Japanese pirates and preserved a century of peace along the Liaodong coast of the Ming Dynasty.

Gu Yannian's gaze passed over the dilapidated courtyard wall and looked towards Liaodong.

The soldiers of that era still retained the fierce spirit and wisdom they possessed at the beginning of the dynasty.

They are the hardest bricks and stones on this Great Wall.

Keep all barbarians who covet the Central Plains out of the country's borders.

"In military affairs, there was Liu Jiang who slew the Japanese pirates; in civil affairs, there was Natsuhara Yoshiri who managed finances and provisions."

Gu Yannian silently recited in his heart.

"The foundation of our Great Ming Dynasty is truly formidable at this moment. It's just a pity that the law of nature dictates that prosperity must inevitably lead to decline."

"When these proud and fierce generals grow old, and when that stubborn and self-willed emperor passes away, where will this vast empire go?"

The scroll of history unfolded slowly during his long life.

It's like watching a grand shadow puppet show.