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

He carefully folded the secret letter and placed it back on the table in front of Zhu Gaochi.

He turned around, fetched a pot of warm water from the stove, poured a cup, and offered it with both hands.

"Your Highness, please have some water first."

Gu Yannian's voice was surprisingly calm.

It was as if the secret letter didn't contain any earth-shattering events, but rather just an ordinary recipe.

This calm was like a shot of adrenaline, easing Zhu Gaochi's nerves, which were on the verge of collapse.

"Yannian, what should I do now? My father has passed away, the Prince of Zhao holds the reins of power in the capital, and the Prince of Han is eyeing us covetously outside. If I am not careful, the Ming Dynasty will be doomed."

Zhu Gaochi gripped the teacup tightly, his eyes filled with pleading.

Gu Yannian took half a step back and stood still.

He knew that what Zhu Gaochi needed at this moment was not comfort, but a precise and ruthless way to break the deadlock.

"Your Highness, this has been the case since ancient times."

Gu Yannian spoke in a calm and unhurried tone.

"When the First Emperor died in Shaqiu, Zhao Gao and Li Si kept his death a secret, forged an imperial edict, forced Prince Fusu to commit suicide, and installed Huhai on the throne, ultimately leading to the demise of the Qin Dynasty after only two generations. This serves as a cautionary tale."

Zhu Gaochi broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this, for the situation was strikingly similar.

Gu Yannian continued:

"However, before Emperor Wu of Han passed away, he entrusted his son to Huo Guang. Huo Guang received the imperial edict, kept the death a secret, quickly took over the guards of Weiyang Palace, stabilized the situation in Chang'an, and then calmly welcomed Emperor Zhao of Han to the throne, so that the Han dynasty could be transferred smoothly. This is a positive example."

"Lord Yang and Eunuch Ma kept the death a secret in the army, which was a well-intentioned effort to stabilize morale and guard against the northern barbarians."

"Your Highness is currently in the capital. You should be like Huo Guang, outwardly relaxed but inwardly vigilant, in order to stabilize the realm."

Zhu Gaochi took a deep breath, suppressing the panic in his heart:

"How do you achieve the principle of being outwardly relaxed but inwardly tight? I am all ears."

Gu Yannian's gaze was deep, and his words were sharp as knives, each sentence hitting the nail on the head.

"First, keep the news under wraps. This secret letter must not be known to any third party except His Highness and Lord Yang, not even the cabinet ministers."

"At tomorrow's court assembly, Your Highness should conduct state affairs as usual, with a calm demeanor. Simply mention the frequent reports of victories beyond the Great Wall."

"Secondly, take control of the nine gates. Your Highness should immediately issue a secret order to trusted generals, carrying the Crown Prince's warrant, to take over the defense of the nine gates of the capital."

"Anyone entering or leaving the capital shall be strictly inspected. Without His Highness's decree, no one may mobilize a single soldier of the capital garrison."

Thirdly, divert the fierce tiger away.

"His Highness Prince Zhao's influence in the capital is deeply entrenched. Your Highness can use the excuse of the obstruction of grain transport for the Northern Expedition to issue an imperial edict ordering Prince Zhao to leave the capital immediately and go to Tongzhou to oversee the supply of grain and provisions."

"If he defies the imperial decree, he will be plotting something treacherous, and Your Highness can rightfully arrest him. If he accepts the decree and leaves the capital, then no one in the capital will be able to restrain Your Highness."

"Fourth, and most importantly."

Gu Yannian looked at Zhu Gaochi's eyes, which were gradually brightening, and said, word by word.

"Immediately issue a gold medal to secretly summon His Highness the Crown Prince back to the capital. The title of Crown Prince was personally bestowed by the late Emperor and enjoys great popularity among the military and the people."

"With the Crown Prince in charge of the capital, the right to rule and legitimacy rests entirely on Your Highness's side. Even if the Prince of Han had the greatest courage, he would not dare to act rashly."

The main hall was completely silent.

Only the sound of the water clock dripping could reach my ears.

Zhu Gaochi sat in the grand chair, frantically rehearsing every step Gu Yannian had mentioned in his mind.

From blocking information to taking over the Nine Gates, from luring the tiger away from the mountain to welcoming the crown prince.

The steps are all interconnected and leave no room for error.

This is not merely a suggestion from a clerk; it is a brilliant strategy capable of bringing peace and stability to the country.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhu Gaochi said "good" three times in a row, and the majesty and decisiveness that a crown prince of the Ming Dynasty should have been rekindled in his eyes.

He suddenly stood up and drank the warm water in one gulp.

"Yan Nian, your plan was brilliant, every word a gem. It saved me and the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Gaochi gave Gu Yannian a deep look.

"When I succeed to the throne, I will never forget your contribution in establishing this dynasty!"

Gu Yannian remained calm and bowed deeply to the ground.

"Your humble servant only knows that I have read a few old histories in the library and applied them haphazardly. The stability of the Ming Dynasty is entirely due to Your Highness's great fortune and wise decisions."

"Your humble servant does not seek any merit, but only wishes to continue working in the Bureau of Classics, to oversee these classics and historical texts for Your Highness, and to have a peaceful life."

Zhu Gaochi knew his temperament well, and with the military situation pressing at the moment, he had no time to say more.

He turned around hastily, dragged his ailing body down the stairs, and disappeared into the night.

He needed to rush back to the Wenhua Hall to make arrangements for all of this overnight.

A brand new era is quietly unfolding in his hands.

The library was quiet again.

Gu Yannian walked to the window and pushed open the wooden door.

The night breeze blew against his blue official robes, bringing a rare coolness to the summer day.

He gazed at the majestic Forbidden City in the distance, where, deep within its many palace walls, the transfer of power was taking place silently.

The fates of countless people will be completely changed tonight by a secret letter and a few words of conversation.

But he knew he would still be that idle person who clocked in on time every day.

Emperors and generals are like the actors on a stage, performing their roles once their act is over and then leaving the stage.

And he was the spectator who would forever sit under the stage, drinking tea, eating melon seeds, and watching life, death, sickness, and the rise and fall of dynasties.

Gu Yannian blew out the remaining candle on the desk.

The sky began to lighten.

The dynasty of the Ming Dynasty was destined to change.

……

The snowstorm of the twenty-second year of the Yongle reign ended in Yumuchuan with the fall of a great emperor.

When the army escorted the coffin, which had been cast in molten tin, back to Shuntian Prefecture, the entire capital was draped in mourning.

However, amidst the white banners and mournful music, the power transition in the Ming Dynasty proceeded exceptionally smoothly, without the slightest disturbance.

Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi, who served as regent in the Eastern Palace for twenty years, was a cautious and apprehensive heir.

Finally, on the steps of Fengtian Gate, he received the congratulations of all the officials and changed the era name to Hongxi.

The new Hongxi Dynasty brought about a completely new atmosphere.

The first imperial edict issued by the new emperor upon ascending the throne was to abolish many of the harsh and corrupt policies of the Yongle era.

He ordered the cessation of the construction of treasure ships for the voyages to the Western Ocean, dismissed the officials responsible for purchasing rare and exotic animals from all directions, and pardoned the families of former officials of the Jianwen Emperor.

All the officials and censors who had been imprisoned in the imperial prison for many years were released.

In an instant, the court and the people rejoiced, and all the people of the world cried out that they had met a benevolent and holy ruler.

However, despite the emergence of this prosperous era after the clouds had parted, Zhu Gaochi, who was in the midst of it, did not feel the slightest bit of relief.

The library of the Bureau of Scriptures still exudes that comforting scent of sandalwood and ancient scrolls.

In the early morning, water droplets from the copper water clock gently fall.

Gu Yannian, dressed in a light blue fifth-rank civil official's uniform, stepped into the pavilion with measured steps.

He sat down at the rosewood desk and wrote his name on the register.

[Ding! Today's attendance complete. Attribute point gained +1.]