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

"So it was Imperial Censor Yu."

Gu Yannian smiled slightly and pointed to the mountain of documents on the table.

"At this rate of copying, it would take at least three months to finish, let alone a month. Your superior is deliberately trying to toughen you up."

Yu Qian snorted coldly, slammed the brush down on the brush washer, and his chest heaved violently.

"Trying to test my patience? Those parasites who hold positions without doing their jobs only know how to flatter the emperor and don't care about the lives of the people! The emperor is on a northern expedition, the national treasury is empty, yet they are still plundering for their own selfish interests."

"Why do I, Yu Qian, study the classics? If I cannot speak up for the people, then wearing this official robe is as disgusting as wearing mourning clothes!"

These words carried weight and, if they were to get out, would surely cause a huge uproar.

Gu Yannian did not refute, but turned around and walked to the small red clay stove next to him.

The fire in the stove was blazing, and a wire mesh was placed on top, roasting several chestnuts on it.

The crust was baked until slightly charred, emitting an enticing sweet aroma.

He used tongs to take out a chestnut, wrapped it in a clean piece of coarse cloth, walked back to the table, and handed it to Yu Qian.

"For the Imperial Censor, scolding people is also hard work. As the weather gets colder, he eats a chestnut to warm himself up before continuing his scolding."

Gu Yannian remained calm, as if he hadn't heard those outrageous words at all.

Yu Qian was stunned.

He had assumed that this junior official in the Bureau of Justice, upon hearing his complaints, would, like other seasoned and prudent officials, lecture him and advise him to protect himself.

To everyone's surprise, instead of offering any advice, the other person handed over a roasted chestnut.

Looking at Gu Yannian's calm face, Yu Qian's stomach did indeed growl.

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the chestnut, peeled off the shell, and took a bite.

Soft, sticky, sweet, and warming.

"Is it delicious?" Gu Yannian asked with a smile.

"Very sweet," Yu Qian replied truthfully.

Gu Yannian also took an example.

He moved a chair and sat down opposite Yu Qian, then began to eat slowly and deliberately.

"Censor Yu, do you know that if chestnuts are roasted in the fire for too short a time, they will be hard and inedible inside, while if the fire is too strong, they will turn into a charred mess?"

"Only by simmering over a low flame and turning it frequently can the sweetness inside be fully extracted."

As Gu Yannian peeled the skin, he spoke in a casual, conversational tone.

Yu Qian was an exceptionally intelligent man. He understood the implied meaning and frowned slightly.

"Does Lord Gu mean that I am too hot-tempered and act too hastily?"

Gu Yannian waved his hand.

"I am merely a bookish idler and do not understand the grand principles of the court."

"I simply believe that your head-on confrontation will only bring you injury and make those corrupt officials laugh in secret. What good will it do for the country and the people?"

Yu Qian gripped the chestnut in his hand tightly, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes.

"Are we just going to let them run rampant?"

"If you try to cut off all the branches and leaves of an old tree infested with disease and pests with an axe, can you do it?"

Gu Yannian gazed intently out the window.

"It's better to find a sunny spot to take root and absorb nutrients. When you grow into a towering tree with lush branches and leaves, those pests that can't stand the light will naturally have nowhere to hide."

Yu Qian remained silent.

He wasn't naive; it was just that the fire in his heart burned too brightly, blinding him.

Gu Yannian's words were like a clear spring, extinguishing the anxiety in his heart and gradually calming him down.

"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Gu. I have learned a great deal."

Yu Qian stood up and solemnly bowed to Gu Yannian.

"I didn't teach you anything, I just gave you a chestnut to eat."

Gu Yannian stood up and brushed the crumbs off his hands.

"If you find copying these old documents tedious, I can teach you a less strenuous method. You can extract the repetitive phrases, make them into woodblock prints, and only need to fill in the key dates and names. This will make the process ten times faster."

Upon hearing this, Yu Qian's eyes lit up.

How could he not have thought of such a brilliant idea!

In the days that followed, Yu Qian settled down in the Bureau of Justice.

Following the method instructed by Gu Yannian, he copied books with remarkable efficiency, even having plenty of free time.

In his spare time, he would consult Gu Yannian about historical records.

He was astonished to discover that this seemingly mediocre and lazy official was actually incredibly learned.

He can readily cite even the most obscure historical anecdotes and stories, offering unique and insightful perspectives.

Yu Qian's admiration for Gu Yannian grew stronger day by day.

However, the tranquility of the Bureau of Scriptures was ultimately broken.

The secret contact at Prince Zhao's residence had been broken for a long time, and the secret letter could not be sent out for a long time.

With the Emperor's return from his northern expedition imminent, Prince Zhao's faction urgently needed to ascertain the Crown Prince's recent movements.

Xiao Shunzi dared not step into the library again, so a strategist from the Prince of Zhao's mansion came up with a dirty trick.

They hired the notorious thief "Night Owl" to infiltrate the Bureau of Justice under cover of night.

They directly stole the recent personnel roster and accounts of the Crown Prince's Palace.

It was a dark and windy night.

The night watchman's drum in Shuntian Prefecture had just struck three times.

A dark figure, as nimb as a raccoon, nimbly scaled the high wall of the East Palace.

Following the shadow of the roof ridge, it silently landed on the eaves of the second floor of the library.

This person was dressed in black, with a black cloth covering his face, revealing only a pair of piercing eyes.

He moved with the agility of a swallow, gently brushing the window frame with both hands.

He cleverly pried open the wooden window that was bolted from the inside with a thin wire.

"Night Owl" flipped inside and landed silently.

He was just about to turn around and look for the register on the desk.

Suddenly, a faint "gurgling" sound reached his ears.

Along with the sound, there was also a strong...

The aroma of old hen soup?

Night Owl froze, his back instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He slowly turned his head and looked in the direction from which the fragrance was coming.

In a corner deep inside the second floor, a dim oil lamp shone like a tiny bean.

A young official dressed in a traditional Chinese robe was sitting leisurely by a small stove.

A clay pot sat on the stove, its contents bubbling with golden oil.

The official was holding a pair of long bamboo chopsticks and was picking up a tender little green vegetable, swishing it in the chicken soup.

Then he put it in his mouth and let out a satisfied sigh.

Gu Yannian swallowed the vegetables without even raising his head, and casually tapped the edge of the casserole with his bamboo chopsticks.

"Since you're here, sit down and have a bowl of hot soup. It's windy in this late autumn night, and you might catch a cold."

The owl was terrified.

He boasted that his lightness skill was unparalleled in the world, and that he could land as easily as a falling leaf, so that even the most skilled guards in the imperial palace would not be able to detect him.

How could this civil official possibly have discovered him?

And judging from their posture, it seems they've been waiting here for a while!

"Playing tricks!"

Night Owl hardened his heart and instead of fleeing, he pulled out a sharp, poisoned dagger from his waist.

He suddenly sprang up like a cheetah pouncing on its prey, his sharp killing intent aimed straight at Gu Yannian's back.

He needed to deal with the civil official in a short time, grab the things, and leave.

Despite the dangerous attack, Gu Yannian remained seated on the small stool.

He slowly turned his head, looking at the dagger aimed at him, his eyes revealing a helpless annoyance.

"Why did you have to spoil the fun of a late-night snack?"