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

Time flies, the years are like a shuttle.

In the blink of an eye, it is already late autumn.

The autumn wind in Shuntian Prefecture blew down yellow leaves all over the city.

Under Gu Yannian's reorganization, the Ministry of Revenue operated like a sophisticated machine.

The government offices opened at dawn each day, and officials from various departments meticulously and systematically calculated the local taxes and provisions.

At the hour of You (5-7 PM), as soon as the evening drum sounded, Vice Minister Gu would put down his abacus and leave without delay, not lingering for even a moment longer.

This peculiar behavior initially led some officials to impeach him for holding a position without performing his duties and not thinking about serving the country.

But when Xia Yuanji slammed the Ministry of Revenue's clear account book, showing the national treasury's ever-growing abundance, onto the court.

All the criticisms vanished.

It was the beginning of the hour of You (5-7 PM) on this day.

As soon as Gu Yannian stepped out of the Ministry of Revenue's gate, a young eunuch from the inner court rushed over and respectfully bowed, saying:

"Lord Gu, His Majesty requests your presence in the West Garden."

Gu Yannian was slightly taken aback.

In the past, Zhu Gaochi would never summon him when he left his office; today must be an exception.

He did not refuse and followed the eunuch into a celadon carriage, which drove straight into the imperial city.

Upon arriving at the West Garden, the scene before him gave Gu Yannian a slight jolt.

A gentle autumn breeze blows along the banks of Taiye Pond.

Emperor Hongxi, Zhu Gaochi, was not sitting on a soft couch, but was dressed in casual clothes and was being supported by two eunuchs.

I walked slowly, step by step, along the bluestone path by the pool.

Although his steps were still somewhat unsteady, his once massive physique had visibly thinned out.

The face that had once looked ashen now had a long-lost rosy glow.

Hearing footsteps, Zhu Gaochi stopped and turned around.

"Yan Nian, you've arrived."

Zhu Gaochi called out with a strong voice, even pushing away the eunuch beside him who was trying to help him up.

Gu Yannian stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I am delighted to see Your Majesty's vigorous stride and excellent health."

"Hahaha!"

Zhu Gaochi burst into hearty laughter.

"This is all thanks to your wandering Taoist's prescription! For the past few months, I've been eating even less than the monks in the temple. In the first few days, I was so hungry that I was dizzy and almost wanted to grab you and give you a good beating."

"But after gritting my teeth and enduring a month, I found myself feeling increasingly lighter and more refreshed. My thirst was greatly reduced, and even the ulcers on my legs, under the care of the Imperial Hospital, had formed thick scabs and stopped oozing pus!"

Zhu Gaochi walked to the stone bench and sat down, gesturing for Gu Yannian to sit as well.

"Those old fogies in the Imperial Medical Academy are all astonished that my condition has improved."

"I know perfectly well that if it weren't for your frank advice that day, I'm afraid my body wouldn't have made it through this summer."

Zhu Gaochi's tone was filled with deep emotion.

Gu Yannian sat down calmly, his expression remaining serene.

"Your Majesty is blessed with boundless good fortune and divine protection. I was merely mentioning it casually."

Zhu Gaochi shook his head, his gaze lingering on the shimmering Taiye Pond.

"Yannian, my health has improved, and my mind is becoming clearer. A few days ago, Zhanji, who was left to guard Nanjing, submitted a memorial, in which he expressed some criticism of several of the benevolent policies I have implemented, believing that I have been too lenient with those former officials of Jianwen."

Zhu Gaochi sighed, a hint of fatherly helplessness flashing in his eyes.

"Zhanji is a brave and decisive boy, much like the late emperor, but he has too much of a murderous aura. The Ming Dynasty has been engaged in war for more than twenty years. What it needs now is to recuperate and rebuild, not to continue wielding the sword."

Gu Yannian listened quietly without interrupting.

He knew that Zhu Gaochi was confiding in him.

"I originally thought that since my health was failing and the empire would eventually have to be handed over to him sooner or later, I would let him be. But now..."

Zhu Gaochi clenched his fists slightly, and an unprecedented ambition ignited in his eyes.

"Now that I have survived, I will personally transform this Ming Dynasty into a truly peaceful and prosperous era!"

"I will dedicate these ten or twenty years to ensuring that the people of this land are well-fed and clothed, and to making the foundation of the Ming Dynasty as solid as a rock!"

He turned his head and stared intently at Gu Yannian.

"Yan Nian, I intend to reform the salt administration, implement improvements to the open market system, and thoroughly regulate those salt merchants and salt fields that hoard and speculate on salt, so as to replenish the national treasury and reduce agricultural taxes."

"This matter is incredibly complex and faces immense obstacles. After much deliberation, among all the officials in the court, only your miraculous abacus skills can calculate the gains and losses for me!"

Gu Yannian sighed inwardly.

Salt administration has been the lifeblood of the nation since ancient times, and also the biggest vortex of vested interests.

Zhu Gaochi's desire to seize this huge opportunity will inevitably touch upon the fundamental interests of countless powerful figures and aristocratic families.

This surviving fat emperor finally displayed his imperial aura.

"As the Vice Minister of Revenue, it is my duty to manage the nation's finances and grain."

Gu Yannian stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.

"As long as Your Majesty issues the decree, this humble subject will do his utmost to calculate. However..."

"Just what?"

"But I have a rule that Your Majesty is aware of," Gu Yannian said with a slight smile.

Zhu Gaochi was taken aback, then realized what he meant, and pointed at him with a mocking laugh:

"You scoundrel! I understand! No matter how busy the salt administration reform is, as soon as the drum sounds at dusk, you should leave the office. I will not force you to stay! Is that alright?"

"Your Majesty is wise."

Gu Yannian bowed deeply.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto Taiye Pond, creating countless golden rays.

Gu Yannian bid farewell to Zhu Gaochi and returned to Xuanwu Lane by carriage.

The carriage made a regular "rolling" sound on the bluestone road.

Gu Yannian leaned against the soft cushions in the carriage and closed his eyes slightly.

The wheels of history were indeed turned around with his seemingly casual push.

Emperor Hongxi, who was originally scheduled to reign for only ten months, is now not only alive and kicking, but has even begun to plan for long-term governance.

There was no Han King Rebellion in the early years of the Xuande reign, and no subsequent upheavals.

Under the leadership of this benevolent yet shrewd emperor, the Ming Dynasty was destined to usher in a completely different golden age.

And he, Gu Yannian, was a cabinet minister who held the power of the nation's finances.

Not only will he enjoy the leisure of leaving get off work on time, but he will also have a superb first-person perspective to appreciate this grand historical drama whose script he personally revised.

"This kind of enjoyment of watching a play has a unique flavor."

"If that's all, I'm afraid we won't be able to witness the true demeanor of the Oirat students and the Taoist priest."

Gu Yannian pondered to himself.

Immortality is indeed a lonely pursuit.

But over the long years, they occasionally act as the invisible hand that stirs up the winds and clouds.

Watching ordinary people perform on the stage they've set for themselves is a wonderful way to dispel loneliness.

Tomorrow at dawn will be a new day.

That sandalwood abacus should now ring out a new, clear sound on the messy accounts of the salt administration.