Chapter 1 In ancient times, there was a father who was "the Minister of Personnel"...
The third quarter of the hour of Mao (5:45 AM).
The light struggled, barely managing to peek through the ink with a hint of gray.
Lin Yan felt that she was just a speck of dust.
He staggered into the gate of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Sacrifices, his feet seemingly stepping not on blue bricks, but on countless pairs of shoes reeking of leek dumplings from a modern subway during rush hour.
My eyelids felt as heavy as if they were weighed down by two weights; each time I opened them, it took all the remaining willpower of my corporate slave soul.
The sound of the gong signaling the roll call made his head buzz.
"Good morning, Lin Yuanwailang!" The clerk at the door greeted him with a beaming smile, his voice so loud it could wake up eighteen generations of ancestors in their graves.
Lin Yan swallowed hard, forcing out a smile that looked like a twitch of facial muscles: "Good morning."
His voice was dry and hoarse, as if it had been sanded.
He slumped down behind his desk, which was piled up like a small landfill, the wooden chair groaning under its weight.
The image of Gongwen Mountain is striking, exuding the unique aura of Lin Yan, a typical office worker.
Lin Yan's eyes were fixed on the pile of papers, which was his unfinished manuscript, "On the Auspicious Events Inspired by the Divine Birds at the Grand Ceremony of the Sacrifice to Heaven."
In fact, Lin Yan preferred to call this rubbish memorial "A Study on the Auspicious Omen of Crows Flying Three Circles to the Left During the Heaven-Worshiping Ceremony".
Lin Yan felt as if there was a lump of coal ash that had been burning for three days and three nights but hadn't been completely burned in his throat.
This ancient golden rice bowl probably contains Meng Po soup mixed with overnight stale water, making one want to die while holding the bowl.
The nightmare of modern-day unethical leaders, mentally challenged colleagues, and endless PowerPoint presentations is actually a never-ending cycle.
Lin Yan, I wonder if he blew up the Milky Way or kicked down the door of the King of Hell's palace in his past life to earn this blessing of transmigration.
Above him sat the Minister of Rites, Master Wu, as steady as Mount Tai, sitting upright on his fishing platform. All tasks related to "understanding the emperor's intentions" and "concerning the national system" could be precisely, elegantly, and naturally delivered to Lin Yan's desk.
Below him was a group of officials and clerks, all of whom were talented. The young official on the left had managed to get himself into the capital and work in the Ministry of Rites by picking up scraps along the way. The old clerk on the right was slowly grinding ink sticks, his movements so gentle that they were comparable to an old man practicing Tai Chi in a park. Lin Yan suspected that he could finish grinding this ink stick and go straight to get off work.
"Master Lin." Doctor Wu's smooth, oily voice pierced the stuffy air of the office without warning and landed precisely in Lin Yan's ears.
Wu Haimin was a lean and capable man, only in his thirties. He was dressed in a light red outfit that was neatly pressed and he moved with light and silent steps, like a smooth piece of porcelain when he walked over.
"His Majesty is eagerly awaiting that report on auspicious omens." He stopped in front of the desk, a perfectly timed, warm smile on his face. "Your writing is exceptional and your insights are unique. This important task is perfect for you. Please take the time to write it down quickly."
Wu Haimin's well-maintained hand seemingly casually landed on Lin Yan's stack of ridiculous drafts about crows, flicking his fingertips lightly, raising a thin layer of dust, the movement as light as brushing away an insignificant fallen leaf.
“I know you’ve worked hard; the capable should do more.” He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and spoke with a sincere and heartfelt tone. “It is my duty to cultivate a rising star like you, and it is also your good fortune.”
The smile remained on his face, but his eyes, though curved, were like two deep, still pools of water, reflecting no genuine warmth, only shrewd calculation.
"Once this draft is presented to His Majesty, he will be overjoyed, and the credit will naturally go to you. At that time, you will be able to advance further and have a bright future." Wu Haimin paused, his tone suddenly carrying a hint of earnest expectation, "Go ahead and do it, and do not fail to live up to this imperial favor and my expectations."
Lin Yan straightened up instantly, his face as if drawn into a perfect arc by invisible threads, respectful and obedient, without the slightest hint of rudeness: "Your Excellency flatters me. I am humbled and will certainly do my utmost to share your burdens, even at the cost of my life."
Every word seemed to have been scooped from a honey pot, brimming with sweet loyalty, its head bowed slightly, its posture perfectly humble.
But in Lin Yan's heart, a thousand horses were galloping.
Damn it!
If your father weren't the Minister of Personnel, do you think I would even bother with you?
Lin Yan took a deep breath, trying his best not to reveal his killing intent.
His superior, Wu Haimin, has a father who is the Minister of Personnel. The Ministry of Personnel is in charge of evaluating officials, and Lin Yan cannot afford to offend him. If he offends Wu Haimin, not only will his evaluation be affected, but also his father's, his uncle's, and his elder brother who has been transferred to a local post.
Not wanting to burden the whole family because of him, Lin Yan had no choice but to swallow her anger and serve Wu Haimin every day.
Today there is "My District Chief Father".
There is an ancient saying about a father who was the Minister of Personnel.
Share your worries? Share your worries my foot!
Smash your brains and liver? I think you want me to boil my brains out and plaster them on your walls!
The crow flew three times to the left? Why doesn't it just fly over your head, poop, and give you a blessing?
Auspicious omen test? Test your grandma's legs! What good is this piece of junk except burning it to plaster the walls for the Kitchen God? It's too rough to even wipe your butt!
A promising future? Promising my ass! A high-paying, easy, and close-to-home job? I'll never have that in this life, the next, or the life after that! I'm just a donkey pulling a millstone, the kind that's blindfolded and going around in circles!
The capable should do more work? To hell with your ancestors' "the capable should do more work"! I did all the work, I took all the blame, and you got all the credit! Is your skin made of a city wall corner? Thick enough to withstand the artillery fire of the Great Yu Divine Machine Battalion!
Lin Yan mentally cursed Wu Haimin, then saw him off with a fake smile before slowly grinding the ink and picking up his pen to continue writing that madman's memorial.
Despite his thoughts and antics, Lin Yan knew he couldn't risk his life. Every word he wrote was filled with praise for the current emperor.
Your Majesty, your virtue is in harmony with the heavens and your wisdom pervades the realms of the living and the dead.
Sincerity moves Heaven, and divine blessings are awe-inspiring.
The day before yesterday, during the grand sacrificial ceremony in the southern suburbs, auspicious purple clouds filled the air and auspicious mists swirled around.
As His Majesty descended the steps, the offering of food and wine was completed, and the jade and silk were presented.
Suddenly a black bird appeared, possessing the nature of steadfastness and responding to the opportunity of great harmony, fluttering its wings from the southeast direction.
Its feathers are as black as ink, and its cry is clear and melodious, setting it apart from ordinary birds.
hovering above the altar, its demeanor dignified and undisturbed.
What is particularly remarkable is that this spirit bird follows the rules of the heavens and adheres to the extremes of the Yang number.
Starting from the left, it rotates three times, its orbit is smooth and its degree is precise, as if it conforms to the order of the stars in the sky.
With each turn, auspicious light appeared and disappeared, and auspicious vapors rose. All who witnessed it were deeply moved and solemn, believing it to be a clear sign of divine favor and a summons from the sage.
Your subject has carefully examined the "Spring Official" section of the "Rites of Zhou" and found that "the Grand Master of Music is in charge of the six pitches and six harmonies, so as to convey the divine message of Heaven and Earth." The "Appended Remarks" section of the "Book of Changes" states: "In the heavens, images are formed; on the earth, shapes are formed, and changes are revealed."
Now, the black bird appears in response to the opportune moment, turning three times to the left, which aligns with the numbers of the three realms (heaven, earth, and man), signifies the flourishing of Yang virtue, foretells the eternal stability of the nation's destiny, and demonstrates the boundless power of the sage's influence.
It is truly Your Majesty's sincerity that moved the gods, and Heaven's mercy that bestowed this auspicious omen to comfort the people's longing hearts.
As a subject in charge of ancestral sacrifices, I witnessed auspicious signs and was overjoyed.
I have carefully presented the facts, cited classical texts, and explained the details, and respectfully compiled this document for your consideration, even at the risk of my life.
I humbly request Your Majesty's consideration.
Lin Yan finally finished writing this sycophantic memorial.
However, he didn't send it to Wu Haimin immediately after finishing it. When working, one shouldn't be too proactive. If he finished his work and handed it in, Wu Haimin would immediately find him something new to do.
He hasn't even done his own job yet!
The position of Assistant Minister of Rites and Sacrificial Affairs sounds prestigious, but it was actually a sixth-rank official in charge of national sacrifices, astronomy and calendar, Buddhist and Taoist temples and monasteries, ordination certificates for monks and Taoists, funeral rites and other affairs. It was a very complicated job, and he received 140 shi of rice, 400 mu of official land, and 16 taels of silver per year.
As a young man, Lin Yan was in a very good position. If he did well, promotion would not be a problem. However, his superior was Wu Haimin, the son of the Minister of Personnel. Even if Wu Haimin did not perform well, he would not leave the position. With Wu Haimin blocking his way, it would be difficult for Lin Yan to get promoted.
Lin Yan wanted to kill his boss every day.
However, murder is illegal.
Oh well, it's not easy being a bird.
Lin Yan had just stuffed that rubbish memorial praising the crow into the bottom of the stack of documents, intending to let it rot for a while, when before he could even catch his breath, a shadow fell precisely over his desk.
Zheng, the chief clerk; Zheng, the manager.
The famous "lucky charm" of the Ministry of Rites' Sacrificial Office, he managed to sneak into the capital and into the Ministry of Rites by relying on the good fortune of his ancestral graves and the collective bad luck of his colleagues.
At this moment, a complex smile, somewhere between guilt and flattery, was plastered on his face. He was carrying a large stack of files in his arms, swaying precariously like a paper house about to collapse.
"Lord Lin." Zheng Jing's voice carried a deliberately exaggerated enthusiasm, trying to cover up a certain lack of confidence. "Look, I have already preliminarily reviewed the procedures and budgets for the Spring and Autumn Sacrifices and the Rain Prayer and Mountain Sacrifice."
He swiftly slammed the pile of files onto Lin Yan's desk, his movements so fast that he seemed afraid Lin Yan would utter a single "no." Several budget sheets at the top of the pile were shaken and slipped down, almost covering the ink Lin Yan had just ground.
Lin Yan: "..."
"The initial review is complete, now we just need your approval." Zheng Jing rubbed his hands together, his smile widening to reveal a set of not-so-perfect teeth. "You're incredibly reliable when it comes to handling things; everyone in our department praises your meticulousness."
As Zheng Jing spoke, he quietly took a small step back, as if the document looming over Lin Yan's desk was not a dossier, but a volcano about to erupt.
Lin Yan stared at the "new mountain range" that had suddenly risen in front of him, and he immediately understood the formation of the sedimentary rocks.
Here it comes again.
Lin Yan closed his eyes.
Preliminary review? What kind of review are you talking about!
Besides being able to pinpoint where you can slack off, can your eyes do anything else?
If I could understand even a single word of this process budget, I would eat the inkstone on the spot!
Is that Zheng colleague of yours, who only forwards emails and asks idiotic questions, your long-lost brother?
Heavens above!
Same world, same kind of idiotic colleague!
Is it impossible to escape this kind of workplace biodiversity even if you travel through time?
Lin Yan's facial muscles switched automatically, and a standard, gentle, and even somewhat encouraging smile quickly took shape, with the angle of the upturned corners of his mouth precise to the millimeter.
"You've worked hard, Manager Zheng." His voice was steady, without the slightest hint of emotion, and even carried a perfectly measured degree of praise. "You've been very quick."
Zheng seemed greatly encouraged, and even straightened his back a bit.
"Of course, of course! It's to share your burdens, sir!" He chuckled and took a step back. "Then... then you go ahead with your work, I won't bother you any longer!"
After saying that, he slipped away faster than a rabbit and disappeared into his corner in the blink of an eye.
His movements were so swift, a stark contrast to his earlier clumsiness when he was carrying the files.
Lin Yan sighed inwardly: What a perfect description of someone who is as still as Zheng Jing and as swift as a rabbit.
Lin Yan watched the departing figure, then looked at the pile of files in front of him that exuded a "disappointing" aura. He slowly and deeply inhaled the air in the office, which was filled with the smell of stale ink, sweat, and some kind of suspicious food residue, trying to suppress the resentment that was about to explode in his chest.
Sharing worries? More like adding to the troubles.
If this process budget is signed off and something goes wrong, he'll definitely be the one to take the blame. That bastard Wu Haimin will be the first to jump out and clear his name, while Zheng Jing will just innocently say, "Master Lin signed it."
The thought that he not only couldn't skip Wu Haimin's promotion, but might also be promoted by Zheng Jing made Lin Yan's hand gripping the pen make a "clack" sound.
Lin Yan resignedly flipped to the top of the book, which contained the budget for praying for rain and offering sacrifices to the mountain, his eyes scanning over the densely packed entries.
As Lin Yan watched, his last bit of drowsiness vanished in anger, soaring to the heavens, and he even managed to do a Thomas full twist.
He only earns sixteen taels of silver a year, how could he possibly need fifty taels just to buy incense, candles, and paper money for a sacrifice?!
Lin Yan's fingers trembled slightly as she held the budget sheet.
It wasn't fear, it was anger.
He could almost see the Ministry of Revenue's furious reaction, Wu Haimin's hypocritical yet heartbroken expression as he shifted the blame, and Zheng, the steward, looking utterly bewildered and innocent, as if it were none of his business.
Lin Yan closed his eyes, then slowly opened them again, resignedly picked up his pen, and began to scrutinize each word one by one.
Like panning for gold in a cesspool.
His surname is Zheng.
I curse that your wife will take all your secret stash of money!
May the Heavenly Venerable bestow boundless blessings upon you.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Ancient Chinese BL (Boys' Love) Pre-order: "After Breaking Free from System Control"
Jin Tang was a fine young man of the 21st century, but unfortunately, he was crushed into a pancake by a truck and died.
The soul remains.
He was taken to a dynasty that did not exist in history by something called the System, and placed into the body of a young emperor who committed suicide.
System: "As long as you cooperate with me to complete the task, you can be resurrected."
Jin Tang, who has never been in a relationship or made a fortune: "Deal."
The system only requires Jin Tang to play a tyrannical ruler who frames loyal officials, engages in extravagant construction projects, and is someone everyone has the right to kill.
Jin Tang refused to accept this and broke off relations with the system. The system then forcibly controlled Jin Tang to do evil things that he did not want to do.
Finally, one day, the system disappeared, and Jin Tang committed suicide by drinking poison.
After Jin Tang died, his soul attached itself to his personal jade pendant. The regent took the pendant and carried it with him every day, close to his heart.
Regent Xiao Li, following Jin Tang's dying wish to clean up the court's officialdom, quietly passed away one day, following Jin Tang in death.
Jin Tang watched helplessly as Xiao Li committed suicide in front of his own tomb before realizing that Xiao Li had feelings for him.
Perhaps it was divine intervention, for Jin Tang was reborn. After her rebirth, Jin Tang broke free from the system's control.
Jin Tang: "This time, I want both peace and tranquility for the world and the Regent by my side."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com