Chapter 256: Hanlin Academy Meeting
As expected, Shen Qingzhou knew the procedures of the Hanlin Academy very well. He took Zhu Qingyan to have morning tea, and then, as expected, he received the news that Lord Dong had left the court and summoned everyone in the Hanlin Academy to discuss matters.
"Does Lord Dong have to hold meetings every day?" Zhu Qingyan asked Shen Qingzhou.
Shen Qingzhou shook his head gently, with a relaxed smile on his lips, "No. Our Majesty holds court every three days, and the scholar usually convenes everyone to discuss matters after attending the court meeting, which means he holds a meeting every three days.
Each meeting takes half a day. If we have to discuss things every day, who can stand it?"
After that, he pointed to Dong Ye's office and said to Zhu Qingyan: "If you have any problems in the future, you can go there to find him."
Soon, editors, lecturers and others from the Hanlin Academy gathered in the conference room, and Wenren Yuebai also came.
Dong Ye walked in from outside the door. He was about fifty years old and was dressed in a red court robe, which was completely different from others, showing his special status in the Hanlin Academy.
Zhu Lan followed behind Dong Ye.
"My dear colleagues." Dong Ye looked around at everyone and said loudly, "This is our new editor of the Hanlin Academy, this year's number one scholar Zhu Lan."
Even if he didn't introduce himself, everyone present had already guessed Zhu Lan's identity.
"Editor Zhu." Everyone bowed to Zhu Lan and looked at her with some curiosity.
Zhu Lan smiled and returned the greeting, "My Lords, I am new here and I am not familiar with many things. If I have been negligent, I hope you will enlighten me."
Shen Qingzhou turned his head and whispered to the editor beside him: "This editor Zhu was the top scholar at a young age and was appreciated by the emperor, but he is not arrogant at all. It seems that he is easy to get along with."
The editor nodded silently, and everyone's favorable impression of Zhu Lan increased a little.
Zhu Qingyan's gaze stayed more on Dong Ye, and he was somewhat curious about what kind of person this new boss was.
Looking at this square face, goatee, and the way he sat upright, Zhu Qingyan couldn't help but think of Ouyang Ye's face, and his back suddenly felt cold for no reason.
This scholar looks... even more terrifying than Dean Ouyang.
Zhu Qingyan subconsciously even sat more upright, and stole a glance at Shen Qingzhou beside him, only to find that he was leaning against the chair, looking a little lazy.
"Ahem." Dong Ye cleared his throat, and the entire conference room became even quieter, with everyone's eyes on him.
Zhu Qingyan held a pen in his hand, waiting attentively, ready to record the main points of today's meeting.
"This morning, on my way to court, I passed by Zhengyang Street and smelled the aroma of steamed buns from afar. I wonder if anyone among you smelled it?"
Zhu Qingyan was halfway through writing when he suddenly stopped.
Huh? Baozi?
Then I realized that he was indeed a scholar, and he must be throwing out some ideas or trying to get a glimpse of the big picture. Since he mentioned steamed buns, he must be talking about people's livelihood issues next, and who knows, maybe the emperor has an important order to assign!
Zhu Qingyan felt a surge of emotion in his heart and wrote down every word Dong Ye said.
Chen Qingzhou took over Dong Ye's words, "Yes, it's newly opened, Xinfeng Baozi Shop, right opposite my house. If you want to eat, I'll bring you a tray tomorrow."
Chen Shijiang on the opposite side leaned forward and said, "Oh, what a coincidence, I wonder if Editor Shen would be able to help me..."
"Okay, okay!" Shen Qingzhou said generously, "A tray of meat buns costs ten cents."
Chen Shijiang immediately gave the money to Shen Qingzhou.
"Master Dong?" Shen Qingzhou looked at Dong Ye who was sitting at the top with a smile.
“…Little monkey.” Dong Ye’s goatee trembled and he glared at Shen Qingzhou, but he still took out his purse and counted out ten coins for him.
Shen Qingzhou put the money away with a smile, sat back in his seat, turned around and saw Zhu Qingyan's surprised face, and whispered seriously:
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Although our Master Dong has the support of the Dong family, he is very stingy!"
Zhu Qingyan just wanted to say, the dignified Hanlin Academy... is discussing this?
No, no, no, there must be some deeper meaning behind Mr. Dong’s action, and I must have not understood it.
Next, Dong Ye chatted with everyone about family matters, occasionally saying one or two things about the court meeting among the ten sentences of idle talk. The atmosphere was very relaxed and harmonious.
Finally, Dong Ye asked about the situation of Zhu Qingyan and Wenren Yuebai.
Shen Qingzhou took over the conversation, "Don't worry, I have explained to them all the work you arranged."
Dong Ye then asked him how the two of them divided the work.
Seeing Dong Ye's eyes on him, Zhu Qingyan put down his pen and replied, "Your Excellency, I am responsible for the printing and proofreading of several volumes of classics prepared by the emperor this year, and Master Wenren is responsible for sorting out the memorials on money and grain."
Dong Ye nodded with satisfaction, and then became concerned about whether the two had adapted to their new arrival.
Zhu Qingyan naturally said that he could adapt.
At this time, another lecturer mentioned the popular fruits in the capital. Dong Ye was about to respond to him when he suddenly heard Wenren Yuebai speak out of the blue.
"Mr. Dong, I have some ideas on sorting out the memorials on money and grain."
Dong Ye said “Oh” twice and asked him to talk about it.
"In the memorials on money and grain submitted by the Ministry of Revenue to the court in recent years, some of the amounts mentioned in the memorials were not very clear. I am not very familiar with money and grain, so I did not dare to make any changes when compiling them."
Dong Ye thought for a moment and said, "Well, do we need to ask the Ministry of Revenue to send some personnel to assist us?"
"The memorial involves many aspects such as the population of the people, taxation, etc. It would be difficult to cover all of them if we only send one or two people. Why don't I temporarily move to the Ministry of Revenue to handle the memorials on money and grain to facilitate communication and handover." Wenren Yuebai said slowly.
"So... it's a good idea." Dong Ye thought for a moment, and then said that he would send someone to the Ministry of Revenue to say hello and apply for an entry and exit pass for Wenren Yuebai. Once he got the pass, he could temporarily move to the Ministry of Revenue to work.
After talking about Wenren Yuebai, Dong Ye chatted with everyone about some daily matters. It was almost noon when everyone left the meeting room.
Zhu Qingyan looked at the densely packed notes in front of him with a bewildered look on his face. Lord Dong had laid so much groundwork, and then there was nothing else?
What’s the point???
Were we really just chatting? ! ! ! !
Zhu Qingyan suddenly felt like the biggest fool in the entire Hanlin Academy.
Zhu Lan is now a compiler and has a separate office next to Dong Ye, so he did not travel with Zhu Qingyan.
Zhu Qingyan returned to the dining hall again. Seeing that she looked unhappy, Shen Qingzhou winked at her, "Don't worry, the lunch in our Hanlin Academy dining hall is well-known far and wide. Even adults from other academies often come here to eat. It's much more sumptuous than morning tea. I guarantee you will enjoy a feast!"
Zhu Qingyan sighed and no longer felt sad about being a fool. He asked about the situation in the Hanlin Academy and learned that it was the same as the government offices outside, with people on duty at the hour of Mao and off duty at the hour of You.
Shen Qingzhou said that Dong Xueshi was a kind person and treated his subordinates well. If he had a headache or other urgent matters, he could just let him know and ask for leave, which would be no problem.
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