Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Gao Zhao had no objection to the work arrangement and accepted it gladly.

As for the good treatment, isn't that what you'd expect?

Gao Qiu has served Zhao Ji for so many years. Even if he hasn't made any great contributions, he has certainly put in a lot of hard work. If he is still treated like an ordinary person, then all these years of service would have been for nothing!

Want fairness? Then let your father compete with Gao Qiu!

That's why he doesn't care about the envious, jealous, or hateful looks from others; on the contrary, he's quite at ease with them.

After leaving the main hall, he followed behind Zhao Dunwen, politely cupping his hands in greeting and saying, "Lord Zhao, I hope you will give me your guidance in the future!"

Zhao Dunwen didn't even stop walking, and said calmly, "I wouldn't dare. With a talent like yours, what merit do I have to offer you a promotion?"

Gao Zhao was taken aback. What did this mean? Was he being modest or was he being sarcastic?

This embarrassed him somewhat, and he immediately began to reflect on his actions.

Did I give him too much face?

He dares to talk to me like that? He's never been beaten by a spoiled brat before!

While he was still in a daze, Zhao Dunwen had already walked far away. Gao Zhao immediately prepared to chase after him and demand an explanation. He couldn't stand being wronged, and if he didn't get his revenge, he wouldn't be able to sleep at night!

"Hehe, Gao Zhihou, you're in for a world of trouble now!" A chubby hand landed on his shoulder, the voice mocking.

Gao Zhao turned his head and saw a chubby boy looking at him with a gloating expression.

"Why am I going to be unlucky?" Gao Zhao didn't get angry; instead, he looked puzzled and asked, "I've always been a kind person and have never made enemies. I'm new here today, and I've acted with courtesy in everything I do. I haven't offended anyone!"

The chubby boy scoffed, "Heh, you playboy, you dare call yourself a good person?"

Gao Zhao suddenly realized: "I slept with his daughter?"

The chubby boy choked, his face full of black lines. He looked at Gao Zhao with surprise, wondering how this person's brain worked. "I'm refuting your point of view of 'being kind to others,' can't you hear me?"

Where did this come from? Why did it start vulgarity the moment it opened?!

"Let me be frank with you! Our Gemensi personnel come from diverse backgrounds. Some, like Zhao Dunwen, started as scribes and worked their way up step by step; others were promoted for their military achievements; still others were recommended by important officials; and then there are those like us who entered officialdom through hereditary privilege."

"Oh..." Gao Zhao suddenly understood, nodding and saying, "I see. We all come from different backgrounds; he looks down on those of us who reap without sowing!"

"How can you call it getting something for nothing!" the chubby boy immediately protested, his face darkening. "The hardships and toil we should have endured were all suffered for us by our ancestors! This little bit of preferential treatment is only rightfully ours!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Zhao's eyes lit up, and he wholeheartedly agreed. He had never expected that such a small position as the Gatekeeper would possess such great talent, and that they shared the same view.

He immediately cupped his hands and said, "Brother, your insight is profound. May I ask your honorable name?"

The chubby boy returned the greeting and said, "My name is Pan Bin!"

Gao Zhao leaned closer and whispered, "That Pan from the King of Han?"

The chubby boy smiled modestly and nodded slightly, saying, "Indeed!"

Gao Zhao was filled with awe. This chubby boy was actually a descendant of Pan Mei, who had fought alongside Zhao Kuangyin to conquer the world and held the original shares of the Song Dynasty!

Seeing his expression, Pan Bin's smile deepened. He raised his hand to straighten the lapel of his brocade robe, his tone becoming calm and composed, showing no sign of arrogance due to his family background.

"It's just an old family legacy, nothing to brag about! By the way, you just said that those of them who climbed up from the bottom look down on us privileged kids, that's true, but Zhao Dunwen's attitude towards you isn't entirely because of that!"

"Oh, what do you mean? Please enlighten me, Brother Pan!" Gao Zhao said, looking eager to learn.

"The reason is simple!" Pan Bin chuckled and said, "Zhao Dunwen's nephew has been holding on in the position of Attendant-in-Ordinary for many years. Just when a vacancy opened up and he had a chance to be promoted, you happened to come..."

Gao Zhao, when you finally understand, you realize it's because you blocked someone's way and took their nephew's place. No wonder he doesn't like you.

Anyone would be in this situation. After years of hard work, you're about to get a promotion, and then you're suddenly thrust into a new position. It's infuriating.

But why are you angry with me?

It wasn't me who actively sought the official position; it was appointed by imperial decree. I had no choice but to accept it; I was a victim too!

If you're so capable, go and argue with the authorities!

You coward, you don't dare to go to the authorities, but you come to cause trouble for me. Isn't that bullying an honest person?

Pan Bin continued, "Let me tell you, our Gemensi is no ordinary government office. These are all close officials of the Emperor. Here, you must abide by the rules. Don't try to use your family's power to intimidate others; it won't work!"

Gao Zhao said unhappily, "So we're just going to let others bully us like this?"

Pan Bin laughed heartily, pointing to the gatekeepers moving among the corridors, and said with a smile, "Among us, the least popular are those who bought their way in, followed by those of us who came through privilege!"

"You can buy them with money?" Gao Zhao keenly grasped the key phrase and asked in surprise, "Isn't this selling official positions? Are there really people who dare to do this kind of business?"

"Yes! Zhu Mian will do it!" Pan Bin waved his hand with a smile and continued, "But those people are used to being humble and willing to spend money, so not many people are willing to make things difficult for them. Therefore, they make things difficult for us, especially newcomers like you! Haha..."

Gao Zhao looked at him suspiciously: "No, they're bullying us, what are you so happy about?"

"Haha...that's not quite right!" Pan Bin shook his head and laughed loudly, "I'm the one who came before you. Now that you're here, I'm finally free! Tell me, how could I not be happy? Haha...you're still on duty at Chongzheng Hall, which makes you even more hated...haha..."

Gao Zhao: "..."

The chubby boy laughed loudly, patted Gao Zhao on the shoulder, and then strode away, leaving Gao Zhao standing there in a daze!

"Pah!" After a long while, Gao Zhao spat in the direction Pan Bin had left, curled his lip, and said disdainfully, "A bunch of cowards, used to being bullied, not even daring to fart, and they wanted to laugh at me? What a waste of your family background! You've disgraced your ancestors!"

Gao Zhao turned and walked toward Zhao Dunwen's office, his eyes full of contempt. "You want to play workplace bullying with me?"

Let's see if you can afford to play this game!

Let's start by reforming the workplace and creating a positive work environment in the Song Dynasty!

Let's clean up the bad practices here today!

Zhao Dunwen was assigning tasks to his subordinates, the gatekeepers. When he saw Gao Zhao enter, he only glanced at him before looking away and continuing to explain the situation to the others.

Only after explaining the task did he look at Gao Zhao and say, "You've come at the right time. Tomorrow you will be in charge of the morning court duty and guiding the officials."

Upon hearing this, everyone cast sympathetic glances at Gao Zhao.

This regular court duty may seem like a routine job, but it involves a lot of intricacies. One has to enter the palace before dawn to wait for the court session. Before the court session, one must go to the palace gate in advance to count the officials entering the court, verify their name cards and official notices, and check the order of their shifts.

The officials were assigned to specific positions in a meticulous and rigorous manner. If any high-ranking official was slow in his steps or stood out of position, even the slightest mistake would be considered a crime, making it a truly arduous task.

Gao Zhao was aware of this, but he showed no annoyance whatsoever. He calmly cupped his hands in greeting, his tone respectful and flawless: "I will obey your orders, sir!"

As your subordinate, I was acting on your orders. If I made a mistake, let's see who bears more responsibility.

Ah, foolish mortals!