From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

is the day.

The snowstorm has stopped, and the sunlight is shining softly.

Zhu Hong slept soundly through the night, enjoying a long-awaited nap.

"What time is it?"

He rubbed his sleepy eyes, got up from the couch, and straightened his back unconsciously. He had been sorting out his thoughts until late last night, and even though he slept soundly, his body was still tense and he couldn't relax for a while.

Pushing open the wooden window, a rush of crisp, cold air filled the room, instantly invigorating me.

Judging from the height of the sun, it was probably past Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

Ampoule Alley is already bustling with activity, and from its entrance comes a drawn-out chorus:

"Sharpening scissors! Sharpening knives—" The sounds of children chasing each other and the faint sounds of carriages and horses mingled together.

"It's time to head to the government office."

Hearing the lively sounds of cooking in the alley, Zhu Hong turned around, picked up a rough earthenware basin from the corner of the wall, and simply scooped up some water to wash his face. After tidying himself up, he picked up a dry twig and poked at the embers in the charcoal brazier, extinguishing all the remaining sparks.

Winter days are dry.

The worst thing is to be careless; even a small fire or minor ailment must be handled properly.

After doing all this, he gripped the string of copper keys at his waist, gently closed the door, turned the key to lock it, and strolled along the smooth bluestone path of Anping Lane toward the prefectural police station.

……

The journey was short, only about three hundred steps.

Zhu Hong was already standing outside the high blue brick wall of the government office. "What an imposing and majestic sight!" he couldn't help but exclaim.

Last night, when I entered the government office with Lin Jizhi, it was already late. I could only vaguely sense that the government office was deep and majestic, but it was indistinct and not very clear. Now, in the daytime, the green walls and black tiles appear even more solemn than they did in the night.

Especially when the two are compared side-by-side, their true strengths are revealed:

Outside the walls, the streets were still bustling with carriages and people. But once one approached the high walls of the government office, all was quiet, as if an invisible barrier kept all the noise and hustle and bustle of the outside world out.

Zhu Hong composed himself, slowly suppressing the slight unease in his heart. Just as he was about to take a step, the guards at the gate raised their hands to stop him.

"stop!"

The soldier's tone was calm and not harsh: "This is a government office, a place of great importance. No unauthorized persons may enter without being summoned."

"My two elder brothers."

Zhu Hong bowed respectfully and said, "I am Zhu Hong. I was selected as a martial arts student in yesterday's examination. I have come to the police station today to register my information. This is my proof." He then took out a wooden plaque and handed it over with both hands.

"He was originally a new recruit in the police force."

The servant took the wooden plaque, glanced at it in the morning light, his expression softened slightly, and handed it back, stepping aside half a step: "Please come in. It's almost 9 AM now, and the registration is an important matter, so don't delay."

Thank you.

Zhu Hong bowed and thanked him, then followed the path Lin Jizhi had led him along the day before, heading deeper into the yamen.

Not long after.

He then saw the entrance to the police station he had visited the day before.

Blue stone steps, black lacquered door.

Hanging under the eaves:

The plaque reads "Clear Observation of Even the Smallest Details".

As soon as he stood still, he heard a deep voice from under the corridor calling his name: "Zhu Hong!" He turned around and saw a sturdy and robust figure, as steady as a rock, standing by the corridor pillar, grinning at him.

Isn't that a stone pier?

A faint smile appeared on Zhu Hong's lips: "You're here early."

"I arrived before dawn."

Shi Dunzi rubbed his hands together, grinning from ear to ear: "I was so excited last night about today's registration that I couldn't sleep for half the night. I couldn't lie down anyway, so I might as well come early to avoid being late."

As the two were talking, a familiar greeting came from the corridor:

"Kid, you've finally arrived."

Hearing the voice, Zhu Hong looked over and saw Lin Jizhi leaning against a pillar. He raised his hand and gently beckoned to him, saying directly, "Come here. Today is the day for registering and receiving your monthly allowance. I'll take you there so you don't have to take a roundabout route in the yamen."

Brother Lin?

Zhu Hong paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and replied, "Coming right away." Then, turning to the stone bench beside him, he asked with a smile:

"Brother Shi, would you like to come along?"

"I don't need to go!" Shi Dunzi waved his large, fan-like hands repeatedly, chuckling憨厚ly.

"Master Jin got all the paperwork done for me early this morning, and I even received my monthly allowance." He scratched the back of his head, revealing a row of big white teeth. "I'm waiting for him here. He just said he was going to deliver a document and would be back in a bit."

"Is that so..."

Zhu Hong's lips curled up slightly, a hint of warmth appearing in his eyes, and he casually joked, "I thought you were waiting for me on purpose."

"No, no way!"

Shi Dunzi blushed, hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands, stammering, "I just happened to... no, that's not it."

"Just kidding, you didn't actually take it seriously!"

Seeing his appearance, Hong chuckled and patted him on the broad shoulder: "I'm not talking to you anymore, we'll chat next time." With that, he turned and followed Lin Jizhi toward the east corridor.

"Brother Lin, aren't you on duty?"

As the two walked through the corridor, Zhu Hong looked at Lin Jizhi and asked, "This is too much trouble for you."

"Oh, don't mention it, that's too polite," Lin Jizhi waved his hand, his tone light. He stepped aside to lead the way, slowing his pace to walk alongside Zhu Hong. "Speaking of which, I have to thank you. If it weren't for you, why would the boss have specially let me out for a break? Otherwise," he shook his head and sighed.

"Right now, I still have to copy the rules in the jail cell, and my hands are sore from copying them."

Zhu Hong's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at him: "Did Constable Wang send you?"

"Otherwise what?"

Lin Jizhi raised an eyebrow, then shuddered as he recalled his boss's methods: "Do you think I would actually dare to sneak out on my own? If the boss catches me, I'll definitely get a scolding. I'm not that stupid."

As the two chatted, they walked down the corridor to its end.

"arrive."

Lin Jizhi paused first, raised his chin and pointed ahead: "That's where the registration is done. Go ahead, I'll wait outside."

Zhu Hong looked in the direction he was pointing and saw a government office built of blue bricks standing quietly under the eaves, with a sign hanging above the door:

The three characters "录籍科" are in regular script.

"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Brother Lin." Zhu Hong bowed to Lin Jizhi and turned to walk towards the "Registration Department".

He gently knocked on the door.

"Enter."

A slightly hoarse voice rang out.

Zhu Hong pushed open the door and entered. A strong scent of old books mixed with the smell of pine soot and ink wafted into his nose.

A row of tall black pine wood racks stood against the wall, their surfaces glossy and smooth. Each rack held a wooden plaque with neatly written characters: "List of Arrestors in the 30th Year of Hongwu," "Records of Criminal Cases from the Kaiyuan Era," "Household Registration Book of Jinyang County," "Arrest Team Register," etc. These various official documents and old records were piled up like mountains, countless in number.

Zhu Hong's heart skipped a beat, and he dared not be careless. "They say that once you enter the public service, it's like entering a deep sea," he murmured.

"Isn't that right?"

These documents, seemingly insignificant, meticulously record the origins and circumstances of every person in Jinyang City, including changes in household registration, replacements of conscripts, and identification documents. They document government regulations and laws, and record the lives and livelihoods of the people. No matter how sharp swords, spears, or halberds may be, they can only injure one person or intimidate a group; they cannot control the birth, aging, illness, death, migration, and separation of the people of a city.

And this can govern everything.

Then, the vast collection of books forms the foundation.