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

"Your humble servant Gu Yannian pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Grandson."

Gu Yannian respectfully put down his book and bowed deeply in respect.

"No need, no need."

Zhu Gaochi sat down wearily on a grand chair, panting heavily.

"Yan Nian, the reason I brought Zhan Ji here today is because I simply couldn't stand staying in this Wenhua Hall any longer. Those censors are absolutely insane!"

Zhu Zhanji looked at the rumored but low-key Sijingju Xima with curiosity.

He saw that Gu Yannian was only a fifth-rank official.

But even in this oppressive moment, facing the Crown Prince and himself, his posture remained upright, and his eyes were clear and open.

There was not a trace of flattery or fear.

Gu Yannian stood up and skillfully poured tea for the two distinguished guests.

"Why do you say that, Your Highness? Since His Majesty has issued an edict seeking advice, it is only a matter of duty for all officials to speak their minds frankly."

Gu Yannian responded in a gentle tone.

Zhu Gaochi gave a wry smile and slammed his hand heavily on the armrest of the grand master's chair.

"Speak their minds? They're courting death! The Emperor issued an edict seeking advice because he was heartbroken by the destruction of the three main halls and wanted some solace. But look at this memorial sent by the Office of Transmission!"

Zhu Gaochi angrily pulled out several copies of the memorials from his sleeve and threw them on the coffee table.

"The chief clerk Xiao Yi, the censor Li Shimian, and others actually stated bluntly in their memorial that the three main halls were struck by lightning because the Emperor shouldn't have moved the capital to Beijing!"

"They said this was a waste of manpower and resources, an evil consequence of angering Heaven, and even absurdly proposed returning the capital to Nanjing!"

Zhu Gaochi was so angry that he trembled all over.

"Are they offering honest advice? They're ruthlessly stabbing the Emperor in the back!"

Zhu Zhanji, standing to the side, also raised his eyebrows and gave a cold snort.

"These pedantic scholars, all they know is empty talk. The Emperor's magnificent legacy is this capital, Beiping. Moving the capital was a far-sighted national policy to defend against the northern barbarians. How dare they attack the Emperor on this pretext? Do they really think the Emperor's sword is dull?"

Gu Yannian listened quietly, his gaze sweeping calmly over the memorials.

He knew the Yongle Emperor's temperament all too well.

Zhu Di's issuance of an edict of self-reproach was merely a gesture.

If someone were to take advantage of the situation and deny the life achievements he values, that would be foolishly courting death.

Historically, figures like Xiao Yi were brutally executed or imprisoned precisely because of these few accusations.

Zhu Gaochi rubbed his temples in pain.

"When Father Emperor saw these memorials, he was furious and even implicated me. Father Emperor suspects that I was behind these officials who wanted to use the natural disaster to overturn his plan to move the capital."

"I am now utterly unable to defend myself!"

At this point, Zhu Gaochi looked at Gu Yannian expectantly.

"Yan Nian, you have always been decisive. Tell me, how can I properly appease Father's anger and clear the Crown Prince of any suspicion?"

In the past, when faced with such thorny issues, Gu Yannian would often tell a clever rural story to offer guidance.

But today, looking at the book "A Study of Star Changes Throughout History" on his desk, he changed his mind.

The shrewd prince was bound to get tired of the same old tricks after a while.

Moreover, there is a bright grandson of the crown prince present today.

Gu Yannian slowly turned around, walked to the row of ancient bookshelves behind him, and pulled out a thick volume of the Book of Han.

He respectfully presented the Book of Han to Zhu Gaochi and turned to a specific page.

"Your Highness, Your Highness the Crown Prince. This humble official is a bookworm who only knows how to read books and doesn't understand the intrigue and treachery in the court."

Gu Yannian spoke in a calm tone, as if he were solemnly lecturing on classics and history.

"But when I was compiling historical records, I came across an old story from the time of Emperor Wu of Han."

Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji stared intently at the pages of the book.

Gu Yannian pointed to the dry text and explained it clearly:

"Emperor Wu of Han's Jianzhang Palace was accidentally destroyed by fire. Emperor Wu was grief-stricken and furious, taking it as a warning from Heaven. At this time, all the civil and military officials were terrified and advised Emperor Wu to rest and recuperate, and not to undertake any more construction projects."

"Only Dongfang Shuo, who was favored by Emperor Wu, calmly submitted a memorial. He did not argue whether the fire was a divine punishment, but cleverly quoted the principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals, saying:

When the vast palace of Yue caught fire, the King of Yue immediately and swiftly rebuilt it, even larger than the original, to powerfully demonstrate the might of his kingdom and prevent neighboring states from taking him for granted.

Gu Yannian raised his head and looked at Zhu Gaochi with a deep gaze.

"Upon hearing this, Emperor Wu of Han was overjoyed and immediately ordered the reconstruction of Jianzhang Palace, making it even grander than before."

"Those officials who rigidly tried to dissuade him were all coldly dismissed."

The main hall was quiet.

A bright light suddenly burst forth in Zhu Zhanji's sharp eyes.

He was intelligent and instantly grasped the profound meaning behind Gu Yannian's clever use of classical allusions.

"What Lord Gu means is that what His Majesty needs right now is not unpleasant but honest advice, but unwavering support for his determination to rebuild the three main halls!"

Zhu Zhanji clenched his fist excitedly.

Gu Yannian bowed slightly and took half a step back.

"Your Highness is wise."

Gu Yannian continued calmly.

"His Majesty is a rare emperor who rises from humble beginnings, with lofty ambitions. He would never retreat to the capital because of a chance lightning strike. Those officials who criticize him are foolish; they are using a natural disaster to attack His Majesty's national policies."

Gu Yannian bluntly dissected the cruel political logic.

"As the Crown Prince who oversees the state, Your Highness does not need to argue with the censors at this moment, nor does Your Highness need to prove your innocence to His Majesty. Your Highness only needs to immediately and swiftly coordinate the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to compile a detailed report on the allocation of funds and provisions for the reconstruction of the three main halls, and firmly submit it to His Majesty."

"This is a clear stance. The Crown Prince's Palace stands firmly with His Majesty's cause of relocating the capital."

"As for those officials who dare to speak out against the law, His Majesty will punish them severely, and it has nothing to do with the Crown Prince."

After hearing this insightful analysis, Zhu Gaochi felt as if he had been enlightened, and the pent-up frustration in his chest was instantly released.

"Wonderful! A truly brilliant lesson from the Book of Han!"

Zhu Gaochi stood up excitedly and grabbed Gu Yannian's wrist.

"Yan Nian, oh Yan Nian, I knew I hadn't misjudged you! Your tranquil library is truly my most important source of wisdom!"

Zhu Zhanji also looked at Gu Yannian with admiration.

At that moment, the young grandson of the emperor deeply remembered the calm-looking official in the Bureau of Scriptures, dressed in a blue robe.

"There's no time to lose. I'll summon Xia Yuanji now and have us work through the night to thoroughly calculate the costs and provisions for the reconstruction!"

Zhu Gaochi turned around hastily and hurriedly left with Zhu Zhanji.

The library returned to its deathly silence.

Gu Yannian slowly closed the Book of Han, carefully brushed away the tiny dust particles from the pages, and put it back on the neat bookshelf.

He didn't want to get involved in bloody consequences, so he never offered advice directly.

Instead, he cleverly let historical records speak for him.

This is his wisdom for a safe and long life.

A few days later, just as Gu Yannian had predicted.

Emperor Yongle, Zhu Di, cruelly revealed his fangs.

Those officials who naively submitted memorials requesting the return of the capital to Nanjing, such as Xiao Yi, were simply executed.

Meanwhile, stubborn censors like Li Shimian were also severely tortured in the imperial prison.

Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi successfully quelled Zhu Di's anger by promptly presenting a detailed report on the preparation of funds and provisions for the reconstruction of the three main halls.

Zhu Di not only refrained from blaming the Crown Prince, but also praised him for his understanding of the bigger picture.

Time flows relentlessly.

In the early spring of the twentieth year of the Yongle reign, Shuntian Prefecture was still cold.

The northern border of the Ming Dynasty was unstable.

Arughtai of the Tatar tribe rampaged the border, seriously provoking the majesty of the Ming Dynasty.

Despite his failing health, Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) stubbornly mounted his warhorse and embarked on his third major imperial campaign.

A massive army marched out of Juyong Pass in a grand procession.

At this moment, Gu Yannian walked alone on the bluestone road on his way home after leaving the government office.

It has been more than a year since Shen Wan passed away.

In that secluded little courtyard, the old jujube tree has sprouted tender new buds again.

But that familiar, dim light will never again warmly illuminate his life.

Gu Yannian pushed open the courtyard gate, quietly picked up a bamboo broom, and slowly swept the clean blue brick floor.

He deeply felt this profound loneliness.

This quiet little courtyard is like a tiny microcosm of his long life.

He calmly started a fire and skillfully cooked himself a pot of light white porridge.

Throughout his long years of immortality, he knew that he did not need intense emotions or complicated entanglements.

All he needs to do is breathe steadily and clock in regularly.

In the quiet of the night, amidst the faint sound of the water clock, the gears of fate of the Ming Dynasty continued to turn relentlessly forward.

Gu Yannian quietly closed his eyes, calmly waiting for the dawn bell to ring in the new day.