Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 564 - 400 Collation

So the one who could take away his achievements wouldn’t be Zhang Hai. Although Zhang Hai is a Grand Scholar at the Hanlin Academy and an Imperial Minister, the chiefs from those Six Ministries are not easy to deal with either. If they genuinely don’t want to grant him credit, there’s nothing Zhang Hai can do.

To Gu Chengyu, these are trivial matters. As subordinates, who isn’t exploited by their superiors? Fortunately, Zhang Hai is an upright person and has already been very fair to his subordinates, which makes Gu Chengyu hold him in great respect.

After all, the temptations in the bureaucracy are significant. This isn’t like later times; when they take credit from subordinates, they don’t even need to cover it up.

Gu Chengyu handed the booklet to Zhang Hai and then left. After Gu Chengyu’s departure, Zhang Hai promptly packed up, ready to discuss matters with the Ministers.

Gu Chengyu’s cataloging was done in great detail. This wasn’t just a simple index anymore. The contents of each volume were listed clearly, although the finer details required thorough reading of the books to compile. Zhang Hai believed that not only would other dignitaries be impressed, but even the Emperor would be satisfied upon seeing it. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Returning to his office from Zhang Hai’s place, as soon as he entered the room, Ren Ge smiled and asked him, "So how did it go? Did Mr. Zhang assign you any tasks? You just arrived; if there’s anything unclear, just ask everybody."

"Exactly! Jinyu, don’t be shy. If you don’t understand something, feel free to ask," Liu Zonghan, not wanting to be left out, also greeted Gu Chengyu more warmly than before.

Gu Chengyu hastily thanked them, but upon recollection, it seemed that Zhang Hai hadn’t assigned him any tasks that day, perhaps having forgotten.

The compilation of the "Dayan Code" had yet to start, likely to commence in the next couple of days, so he remained idle for the day.

Ren Ge was also one of the candidates for the compilation, but he still had some previous tasks to finish, keeping him busy for the next couple of days.

"Thank you! But there’s really nothing for me to do today." Gu Chengyu had brought some books from home to pass the day, planning to wait it out until the compilation started, as surely someone would guide him then.

He couldn’t simply jump in to help others who were busy. In these times, one couldn’t help indiscriminately, especially with official matters.

If he made a mistake, it would not only jeopardize himself but also implicate others. These tasks were recorded when allocated, so he dared not interfere recklessly.

Even if he did well, the credit would belong to others, without any benefit to him. He wasn’t being cold-blooded or selfish; in this bureaucracy, it’s only by being cautious and minding his own business that he could reduce the chances of making mistakes.

"I greet the esteemed sirs!" Gu Chengyu turned to look upon hearing the voice, surprised to see Qian visiting again.

"Mr. Gu, this is the task assigned to you by Mr. Zhang. He requests that you proofread this historical book by the day after tomorrow when he comes to the Hanlin Academy."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu looked at the stack in Qian’s hands, thinking he might have had a leisurely day. Who would have thought that once Zhang Hai confirmed his competence, he wouldn’t let him idle?

"It’s a bother for Mr. Qian to have delivered it personally." Since Qian had brought it over, Gu Chengyu felt he ought to exchange some polite words.

"Not a bother at all; it’s just part of my duties. If the esteemed sirs have no further instructions for me, I’ll take my leave!"

Seeing there were many people in the room, Qian found it inconvenient to converse with Gu Chengyu, promising himself to find another opportunity.

Gu Chengyu examined the topmost historical book; it was a volume of the "Jia Ren Chronicles."

He opened it and took a cursory glance. It was the twentieth volume, spanning Chapters sixty-eight to seventy-two. This was the section that began compilation twenty years after Emperor Jia Ren’s ascension. The preceding parts seemed to have already been compiled and proofread.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Chengyu remembered having seen the "Jia Ren Chronicles" before in the Wenhua Pavilion, where he had read it thoroughly for two days. However, those were only the early sections, what he held was presumably freshly compiled.

Compiling a set of historical records can sometimes take decades. During Emperor Jia Ren’s reign, only a small portion of the "Jia Ren Chronicles" was compiled. Now with Emperor Huiming reigning for thirty-four years, the "Hui Ming Annals" had commenced, yet the earlier "Jia Ren Chronicles" remained unfinished.

Beneath these were books utilized by officials while compiling these chronicles, but they were naturally incomplete here. If something couldn’t be found, he would have to search the Wenhua Pavilion.

Don’t think that proofreading is easy, merely correcting typos. The content itself requires verification.

Verifying content involves cross-referencing numerous books, making Gu Chengyu’s task neither simple nor light. He chuckled bitterly; with only two days’ time, even with his extensive reading background, it was uncertain if the historical content could be fully cross-verified with other texts.

After Qian departed, Ren Ge and others gathered around to glance at the historical book on Gu Chengyu’s desk.

"Eh? Is it the twentieth volume of ’Jia Ren Chronicles’? Wasn’t it already compiled long ago? Turns out it’s not yet proofread?" Ren Ge picked up the chronicle from Gu Chengyu’s desk, flipping through it while speaking to him.

"Jinyu! You’ve got quite the task! Mr. Zhang has only given you two days; you must hurry! If you’re running short on time, just say the word, and we’ll fetch you the books!"

Liu Zonghan also chimed in with goodwill, hinting at considering Gu Chengyu’s standing with the Emperor. While assisting with proofreading was unrealistic, fetching related books was doable.

"Indeed, Jinyu, if you need assistance, there’s no need for formalities." Ren Ge gave Gu Chengyu a glance, feeling some sympathy for him. Earlier there was nothing to do, now there’s hardly enough time.

Min Feng emerged from Assistant Reader Qiu Yixue’s vicinity, feeling quite exhilarated. Identity-wise, Qiu was precariously his senior because when Qiu took the Provincial Examination, the tutor was his Master.

Qiu entered the Hanlin Academy, and later, when the Master became Grand Secretary, he received considerable attention. The good news Min Feng received from Qiu filled him with exuberance.

Min Feng’s situation differed from Gu Chengyu’s; since joining the Hanlin Academy, his days had been much smoother than Gu Chengyu’s. Even if Mr. Zhang was virtuous and didn’t appreciate arrogant actions like those of him and Gu Chengyu, he couldn’t resist the backing of lower officials!

With the Grand Secretary Xia Qing behind him, resting under the shade of a tall tree made Min Feng’s days quite smooth. Even if Mr. Zhang found out, he would only turn a blind eye.

Min Feng walked, inwardly chuckling. So what if Gu Chengyu was the top scorer? So what if he was of the Secondary Sixth Rank? Even inside the Hanlin Academy, his days weren’t as comfortable as his own!

Gu Chengyu might have three high-ranking brothers, but they couldn’t compare to his own teacher. Offending his teacher meant that thriving in the bureaucracy was an impossible dream.