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

In the blink of an eye, half a month has passed.

The political affairs of the Hongxi Dynasty became increasingly burdensome.

In order to quell the public resentment accumulated by the previous dynasty, Zhu Gaochi vigorously implemented new policies and reviewed memorials day and night.

He was already obese and suffered from heart and foot ailments. This reckless overwork finally caused his body to send out dangerous warnings.

On the third day of the fifth lunar month, in the side hall of Wenhua Hall.

Gu Yannian was proofreading an agricultural book from a previous dynasty when he suddenly saw the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs scrambling into the library, his face ashen and his voice shrill and distorted.

"Lord Gu! Quickly! His Majesty suddenly fainted in the Qianqing Palace, and the imperial physicians are helpless. The first thing His Majesty said after regaining consciousness was to see you!"

Gu Yannian frowned and suddenly stood up.

He followed the eunuch at a brisk pace, passing through many palace gates, and arrived at the sleeping quarters of the Qianqing Palace.

The hall was filled with the strong smell of medicinal soup, and several imperial physicians knelt on the ground, trembling.

Empress Zhang sat to one side, her eyes red-rimmed, secretly shedding tears.

On the dragon bed, Zhu Gaochi's face was ashen, and his breathing was rapid and weak.

His obese body resembled a leaky sack, exuding an air of decay and decline.

"Your humble servant Gu Yannian pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Gu Yannian knelt before the bed.

Upon hearing the sound, Zhu Gaochi struggled to open his bloodshot eyes, waved his hand, and signaled everyone to step back.

Once only the emperor and his minister remained in the hall, Zhu Gaochi finally spoke, breathing heavily.

"Yan Nian...you've arrived."

Gu Yannian stood up, took a step forward, and his gaze fell on the new emperor's ashen face.

With his extraordinary senses, he clearly heard that Zhu Gaochi's internal organs were rapidly losing their life force, like a broken bellows.

Emperor Hongxi in history died of illness after only ten months on the throne.

It now seems that this chronic illness, caused by overwork, has reached a point of no return.

"Your Majesty, as the emperor, should take care of your health and must not overwork yourself like this."

Gu Yannian's tone was low and somber.

Zhu Gaochi gave a bitter smile.

"I know my own body. What the late emperor left me is a empire that is outwardly strong but inwardly weak, riddled with problems."

"I want the people to recuperate and for the Ming Dynasty to enjoy lasting peace and stability, but my time... is running out."

He trembled as he reached out his fat hand and grabbed Gu Yannian's sleeve, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"Yannian! I know you are an extraordinary person, possessing extraordinary abilities, yet you insist on pretending to be an ordinary mortal. I don't blame you."

"But today, I will not use my imperial status to pressure you, but only my former status as Master Huang to ask you for your help."

A layer of tears welled up in Zhu Gaochi's eyes.

That was a monarch's endless longing and worry for his country and its people.

"Although Crown Prince Zhanji is intelligent and brave, he is also headstrong, much like the late Emperor, and lacks benevolence. The Prince of Han and the Prince of Zhao harbor treacherous intentions, and the civil and military officials in the court are all scheming. If I were to pass away, the world would surely be thrown into turmoil!"

"I beg you, come out of seclusion! Help me straighten out the mess in the Ministry of Revenue, assist Zhanji, and stabilize the foundation of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Consider it a loan from me!"

An emperor, in front of a fifth-rank civil official, actually used the words "beg" and "borrow".

Gu Yannian quietly looked at the fat man in front of him who had devoted his life to the well-being of the people.

He remembered the hot pot on that snowy night, and the box of mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

He recalled all the troubles that Zhu Gaochi had shielded him from over the years.

Just so that he could live a peaceful life in this library.

Those who live long lives are free from karma, but what if that karma is something someone else has earned with their life and sincerity?

Even stones will get warm if left to stand for too long.

Gu Yannian took a deep breath, grasped Zhu Gaochi's cold hand in return, and secretly transferred a faint trace of life force into the other's body to stabilize his heart.

"Your Majesty is too kind. I have received Your Majesty's great favor, and even if I were to die a thousand times, I could not repay even a fraction of it."

Gu Yannian slowly released his hand, took three steps back, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply and solemnly.

"Your humble servant, Gu Yannian, is willing to enter the court to share Your Majesty's burdens and to clarify the accounts of the empire for the Ming Dynasty!"

This was the first time in over twenty years of his transmigration into this world that he had truly lowered his proud head and decided to step into the vast vortex of power in this mortal realm.

Not for fame or fortune, but simply to repay the emperor's kindness in recognizing and appreciating him.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi, who was on the dragon bed, had a look of wild joy in his eyes.

That faint glimmer of life brought a rare rosy glow to his otherwise ashen face.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhu Gaochi said "good" three times in a row, and coughed repeatedly with excitement.

"With Yan Nian's assistance, my empire is already half secure!"

He forced himself to sit up, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Guards! Summon Grand Secretary Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, and Minister of Revenue Xia Yuanji to an audience immediately!"

Half an hour later, several high-ranking officials of the court arrived at the Qianqing Palace in a hurry.

When they saw Gu Yannian standing calmly beside the dragon bed, they were all surprised.

Zhu Gaochi leaned against a bright yellow cushion, his voice weak but exuding an unquestionable imperial majesty.

"Imperial decree: Gu Yannian, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is a wise and experienced statesman, skilled in managing finances. He is hereby promoted to Vice Minister of the Right of the Ministry of Revenue, concurrently serving as a Reader in the Hanlin Academy. Effective immediately, he shall enter the cabinet to participate in state affairs! His special responsibilities include verifying the nation's finances and grain, and clearing up redundant accounts in the salt and iron industries!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall gasped in shock.

The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was a high-ranking official of the third rank, wielding immense power over the nation's finances.

Being appointed as a reader in the Hanlin Academy was already an extremely prestigious and distinguished position.

The last sentence, "entering the cabinet to prepare for important matters," was like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

In the Ming Dynasty, only a few highly respected senior officials were allowed to enter the Grand Secretariat.

Gu Yannian, an unknown bookworm who had spent twenty years in the library, suddenly rose to become a cabinet minister.

Such a speed of promotion is unprecedented and will never be repeated!

Although Xia Yuanji greatly admired Gu Yannian's mathematical skills, he also felt that this move was too shocking, and quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting:

"Your Majesty, I am well aware of Lord Gu's exceptional talent. However, his seniority is still relatively short, and his sudden promotion to such a high position may cause dissent among the officials in the court."

Yang Shiqi echoed, "Your Majesty, please reconsider. The Grand Secretariat is a crucial position, concerning the very foundation of the nation. Minister Gu has no experience in prefectures and counties, and I fear he may find it difficult to gain the respect of the people."

Zhu Gaochi snorted coldly and glanced at the officials.

"Dissent? My Ming Dynasty's treasury is so full it could practically run horses. Whoever can conjure up silver for me, I'll make him a cabinet minister! I know Gu Yannian's abilities well."

"If he weren't so indifferent to worldly affairs, I would have dared to let him take the position of Grand Secretary!"

These words were so heavy that they left Yang Shiqi and the others speechless.

Gu Yannian stood aside, his face showing no joy despite the overwhelming wealth and power.

He remained as calm and composed as ever.

He stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty's great favor is deeply appreciated by this humble subject. However, this humble subject has a request that may be made, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it."

"Speak! As long as it's within my power, I will grant your request!"

Zhu Gaochi now obeys him in every way.

Gu Yannian said in a calm tone.

"Your humble servant enters the court solely to manage finances and administer state affairs; I do not form factions or engage in social interactions. I arrive at the yamen at dawn every day and leave promptly at dusk. Unless it is an extremely urgent matter concerning the military and the nation, your humble servant will never bring official business home to review."

"Furthermore, the ten-day rest period is strictly observed without fail. We hope Your Majesty and the other officials will understand."