Chapter 31 The boss is generous! The boss is open-minded! ...
Lin Yan felt that the medicine prescribed by Dr. Chen was the only medical light he had encountered since his transmigration.
No wonder he was able to become a judge; he is indeed very capable.
The medicine still looked like a dark, gruesome dish, but it didn't have the usual horrifying bitterness. Instead, it had a sweet aftertaste, and it warmed your stomach after drinking it. It didn't feel like medicine; it felt more like a bowl of magically nourishing sweet soup.
The effects are immediate.
The day before, he was delirious with fever and was masturbating to Ah Man in his sleep. The next morning, he was able to get out of bed on his own and even drink more than half a bowl of millet porridge with some pickles.
Wen Yun's eyes reddened with joy as she said, "This Physician Chen's medical skills are indeed extraordinary. Tomorrow, I must have your father prepare a generous gift to thank him."
Lin Yan mumbled a reply while biting his chopsticks, but what he was really thinking was: Even if the imperial physician's medical skills are good, the emperor or boss has to be willing to let you use them. In modern times, top-notch medical resources would be like specialist outpatient clinics, and you wouldn't even be able to get a turn.
He had barely put down his rice bowl, and before he could even decide whether to go back to bed and continue lying there like a corpse or go out to the yard to bask in the sun and recharge, Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, rushed in with a look that said, "Our family's ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke again!" and announced, "Someone from the palace has arrived! It's that Eunuch Li!"
Lin Yan jumped in surprise and almost slipped off the stool.
Wen Yun panicked as well, hurriedly helping him straighten his already neatly dressed casual robe: "Quick! Go out and greet him! It must be His Majesty's decree!"
As expected, it was the ever-smiling Li Lianshun who arrived, followed by a string of eunuchs carrying a large vermilion lacquered chest. The procession was even more impressive than the peddler's caravan that delivered New Year's goods before the New Year.
"Great news, Lord Lin! His Majesty was very pleased to hear that you are feeling better and specially ordered me to bring you some trinkets to help you recover and calm your nerves!" Li Lianshun said obsequiously, directing the eunuchs to open the boxes one by one.
In an instant, the not-so-spacious main hall of the Lin residence seemed to burst forth with dazzling jewels.
One box contained neatly stacked top-quality tonics, with ginseng, deer antler, and bird's nest piled high, each one of amazing quality, clearly of the imperial treasury's special supply level, something that money couldn't buy outside.
One box contained gold and silver ingots and several bolts of shimmering brocade. The gold was so dazzling that it made one's eyes spin, and the brocade felt as smooth as a stream that one could not scoop up.
There was also a box specifically for various leathers and thick, warm furs, including black fox, sable, and gray squirrel... the fur was glossy and smooth.
Lin Yan stared, his eyes wide, his mind racing with calculations: How much is this worth? How many houses could it buy? No, in this area, how many years could it support his family living off it?
His face instantly lit up with overwhelming gratitude, and he bowed repeatedly towards the palace, saying, "Your Majesty is so kind!" Every pore of his body radiated the sincere aura of "Your Majesty is wise, mighty, and generous."
The boss is generous! The boss is open-minded!
This ginseng! This antler! Is it a bit like a cow chewing on a peony to feed me this?
This gold ingot is of such high quality! One bite and the teeth marks would be crystal clear!
This mink fur! I'll make a cloak for my mother; she can walk with her head held high in winter!
Li Lianshun smiled at him, exchanged a few more polite words, and then took his leave, leaving the Lin family of three staring blankly at the room full of gifts.
Wen Yun picked up a piece of soft, royal blue satin, held it up against herself, and then touched the thick, warm black fox fur, grinning from ear to ear.
Lin Chengji, having seen the world in the Ministry of Works, picked up an old ginseng root with its roots and bark intact, examined it, weighed the gold ingot in his hand, and nodded steadily: "These are all top-quality items. We must remember His Majesty's great favor." However, his slightly trembling fingers betrayed his inner turmoil.
Lin Yan rubbed his hands together excitedly and plunged into the pile of rewards, beginning to inspect them one by one.
“Father, look at this bird’s nest. It’s perfectly shaped, without a single stray feather.”
“Mother, there’s an imperial seal on the bottom of this gold ingot.”
"Wow! Silver charcoal! The ones used in the palace are really different; they even make a crisp sound when you tap them."
As Lin Yan rummaged through the fabric, she suddenly exclaimed "Eh!" and pulled out several bolts of satin with a deep, thick, and durable color from under a pile of leather. They looked like the kind of material suitable for middle-aged people. She also found a few pieces of fine cotton cloth with a brighter color, which were suitable for women to make everyday clothes.
Finally, he picked up two thick bolts of blue satin and a piece of sheepskin that felt extremely warm to the touch, gestured to them, and murmured, "This material is thick and durable, and the color is also dignified. It will fit Father perfectly. This sheepskin can be used as knee pads or hand warmers, which will also be good for Mother."
Lin Yan felt something was wrong as he looked at it more and more, so he spread out all the tonics, gold, silver and fabrics and categorized them.
Most tonics are for warming and nourishing qi and blood, which is suitable for him who is recovering from an illness, and also for his parents who are getting older and need to take care of their health.
Gold and silver are hard currency; the whole family can spend them.
The styles and textures available cover everything from fabric to leather, catering to both young and old ages.
Especially those few pieces of high-quality thick cotton and dark wool fabric, which were clearly prepared according to the preferences and practicality of middle-aged people.
Lin Yan stood there, holding a piece of warm, dark gray velvet. The initial elation of receiving a reward slowly subsided, replaced by a more complex mix of emotions.
When the emperor bestows gifts, aren't they usually given to the person in question?
But Xiao Che's reward included everyone except his younger sister who was studying away from home.
Are rewards also available in family buckets?
A thought popped into Lin Yan's mind uncontrollably: Could His Majesty even know what size my parents wear?
The thought was so terrifying that Lin Yan shuddered.
But seeing his parents holding the fabric with such joy and relief, that initial shock was quickly overwhelmed by a huge, indescribable feeling of emotion.
He picked up the thick fleece fabric, snuggled up to Wen Yun, and said like he was showing off a treasure, "Mother, this fabric is so thick, let's make a new winter coat for you and Father, it will definitely keep you warm this winter."
Wen Yun smiled so much that the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothed out, and she nodded repeatedly: "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
Lin Chengji looked at the pile of rewards, and after a long while, he sighed, "Your Majesty is thoughtful and generous, truly a benevolent ruler."
Lin Yan nodded vigorously. The big boss is a good person, a really good person. He really gives money and he really brings warmth.
Xiao Che, you are the best boss in the world! Top ten employers! Touching Chongqing Person of the Year! As long as you don't have any designs on my family's lives, I will support you forever!
Lin Yan wished he could pull out a small notebook on the spot and give Xiao Che a stack of "good guy" cards, from "Compassionate Employee Award" to "Caring for Employees' Families Award" to "Best Heartwarming Boss Award," and give them all out.
On the Lin family's side, the warm sun shone into the house, and the family of three were happily gathered around the pile of gifts.
At this moment, however, the atmosphere in the Imperial Study of the palace was as if it had frozen over.
Xiao Che's face was ashen as he stared at a summary of a memorial that was covered in red ink scribbles, with veins throbbing on his forehead.
He tried to hold back, but finally couldn't resist and swept the summary, along with the original memorial underneath, to the ground.
The paper fluttered down, silently spreading across the gleaming gold bricks.
Li Defu, who was standing to the side, didn't even dare to lift his eyelids and breathed even softer.
"This is the summary Wei Hongfang made?" Xiao Che's voice was so cold it could drop ice crystals. "I asked him to summarize the dispute over the funds for the dike repairs after the flood season in Shanzhou, and what did he write for me? The whole thing is about 'the sage governing by doing nothing' and 'the people being grateful for the Emperor's grace'! Was the dike actually repaired? How much money was actually owed? Not a single word! Did he go to Shanzhou to perform a Nuo opera?!"
Li Defu bowed even lower: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Scholar Wei... perhaps he wanted to first explain Your Majesty's virtuous governance..."
"Virtuous governance?" Xiao Che laughed in anger. "If the dam collapses, will it be my virtuous governance or the people's fields that are flooded? Go! Summon Wei Hongfang to me! I want to ask him how he managed to become the top scholar!"
Before long, an official in his thirties, dressed in a blue Hanlin scholar's robe, came in with small, hurried steps, trembling with fear. It was none other than Scholar Wei Hongfang.
He had a thin face and a strong scholarly air, but at this moment his face was pale and sweat was on his forehead.
"Your humble servant pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Xiao Che didn't wake him up, but kicked the summary on the ground in front of him: "Wei Hongfang, explain this to me."
Wei Hongfang picked up the paper, glanced at it, and broke out in a cold sweat: "Your Majesty, I... I believe that the most important thing regarding the affairs of Shanzhou is to demonstrate Your Majesty's benevolence and pacify the people's hearts. As for the specific details..."
"I'm asking you about the dikes and the silver!" Xiao Che interrupted him, slamming his hand heavily on the imperial desk. "You're going to recite Mencius for me? Is this the time for me to hear you recite Mencius?!"
Wei Hongfang trembled with fright and prostrated himself on the ground: "Your humble servant is foolish! Your humble servant, your humble servant will go back and redo it immediately! I will make sure to clarify the details of the payments and the progress of the project..."
"No need." Looking at his frightened and bewildered appearance, Xiao Che felt a deep sense of powerlessness welling up in his heart.
This was the top scholar appointed by his father in his later years. His essays were eloquent and beautiful, his responses in the palace examination were fluent, and he spoke eloquently about the words of sages and the way to govern the country.
But when it came to actual government affairs, he was like a headless fly, buzzing around aimlessly. He had thought that after two years of honing his skills in the Hanlin Academy, he should have made some progress, but...
It's not grown at all!
"Get out." Xiao Che waved his hand, too exhausted even to scold him.
Wei Hongfang felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He kowtowed again, and almost scrambled to his feet, backing away as if he were a frightened rabbit.
Silence returned to the Imperial Study, with only the ticking of the water clock and Xiao Che's suppressed breathing remaining.
Li Defu carefully stepped forward, picked up the scattered memorials from the ground, arranged them neatly, and placed them back on a corner of the imperial desk.
Xiao Che leaned back in his chair, rubbing his aching temples. After a while, he suddenly blurted out, "...far inferior to Lin Yan."
Li Defu paused, then lowered his head and remained silent.
“I remember.” Xiao Che seemed to be talking to himself, but also to Li Defu. “Last time, the budget for the autumn sacrifice was submitted by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. The list was reviewed by Lin Yan. It clearly stated which expenditure was unreasonable, what the basis was, what the precedent was in previous years, how much could be saved if it was reduced, and where the funds would be transferred if it was increased… It was written down clearly, item by item. I could understand the situation at a glance.”
Li Defu echoed in a low voice: "Lord Lin is indeed meticulous and reliable in his work."
"It's more than just being cautious." Xiao Che snorted. "He's clear-headed, knows what I want, and is serious when he needs to be, but also knows how to be flexible when necessary. Unlike some people who only know how to spout pedantry or smooth things over, their approvals are either vague and cryptic or hesitant and timid!"
Xiao Che's disdain was palpable.
The more they talked about it, the more they felt that compared to Lin Yan, the top scholar surnamed Wei was simply a gilded fool.
No matter how well an article is written, or how eloquently one speaks during the imperial examination, what use is it if one cannot accomplish anything practical?
Speaking of Lin Yan, Xiao Che felt a pang of sadness when he recalled Lin Yan falling ill because of Qiu Si.
"Did the Imperial Medical Academy personnel go to the Lin residence today to take his pulse? What did they say?"
Li Defu hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Chen went there early this morning and said that Lord Lin is recovering very well and will be fine after two more days of rest."
"Rest for two days." Xiao Che repeated, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously. Suddenly, he said, "Go to the storeroom and pick out some more nourishing herbs. Also, didn't Goryeo send some top-quality honey-preserved ginseng slices as tribute the other day? Take a box of those too and let him soak them in water to drink. It's better than drinking those bitter herbal soups."
Li Defu was already numb and respectfully replied, "Yes, this old servant will take care of it right away."
Alas, I hope Lord Lin recovers quickly; otherwise, if His Majesty sees a few more useless people, I fear it will be His Majesty who falls ill.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com