Daming: Internship also counts as work experience

Chapter 67 A Difficult New Job
Seeing Jia Chuan stunned, Qian Guan smiled and said, "General Han, of course, has to have an account. It's only right that those who have contributed should share some of the benefits. As long as the emperor nods, you can take it."

Jia Chuan let out a long sigh and said, "I don't understand these rules either. It would be bad not to take it, so I can only leave it with General Han for now."

"When the emperor heard about this, he laughed and said you were timid, but he also said it was good, saying that you knew your limits and were respectful."

Jia Chuan wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "I have never seen the world, so I can only choose a compromise when encountering problems. I originally thought I would spend my old age in the county government, but I didn't expect the emperor to still remember me."

"What you said..."

Before Qian Guan could finish his words, Chen Mo rushed into the yard with two sets of ready-made clothes.

……

Jia Chuan felt he had never been so nervous before. He hurriedly changed into his long gown, yet he still remembered to ask Chen Mo to cancel Gao Yuntian's marriage. Chen Mo squeezed out a sentence from the bottom of his heart: "Take care of yourself first!"

Jia Chuan wanted to say that this was his way of diverting his nervousness, that is, not thinking about his own affairs, but thinking about others.

He opened his mouth, but felt there was no need to explain to Chen Mo, so he followed Qian Guan out of the yard.

Before leaving, Jia Chuan looked back at Gao Yuntian. Gao Yuntian seemed to be even more nervous than him. He stood there stupidly, with a look of sadness in his eyes. Jia Chuan sighed and turned to leave.

Along the way, Qian Guan was telling Jia Chuan the rules of the palace. Jia Chuan only heard that he should not look around after entering the palace, and he heard nothing else.

He had been to the provincial department before, and while he'd been a bit nervous that time, it wasn't as intense as this time. Despite repeatedly telling himself to stay calm, his brain wouldn't listen. So, he began to ponder the reasons why his consciousness and body couldn't work together perfectly. For example, his body wanted to sleep in, but his consciousness told him not to, and he had to get up and investigate. His consciousness told him to stay at his post, but his body told him it was tired...

Is this what Buddhism means by "no self"?
Who am I? Who am I?
It was not until he felt the pain of the iron armor scales on his face that he realized he had arrived at the palace gate and the guards at the gate were checking his bun.

Qian Guan saw Jia Chuan's distracted appearance during the journey. He briefly wondered if this Jia Chuan was the "bold, careful, and resourceful" Jia Chuan his adoptive father had described. But he could also understand the nervousness of entering the palace for the first time, thinking back to those days...

After entering the palace, Jia Chuan realized that he had forgotten to ask Qian Guan what new assignment the emperor was going to assign him. Now that he was walking in the corridor with Qian Guan, he remembered it, but he could no longer ask.

He remembered Qian Guan's instructions not to look around, so he just lowered his head and followed Qian Guan.

Although it is the beginning of autumn, it is still hot at noon. However, Jia Chuan can feel the coolness of the bluestone slabs penetrate through his thin-soled soap boots to the top of his head, and the coolness penetrates into the bones along the cross-collar. He just hopes to get to the main hall as soon as possible. Zhu Zhanji will definitely give him a seat so that he can have a rest. He is so tired this morning!

But Qian Guan turned at Yuehua Gate and did not go towards the three main halls.

Jia Chuan felt a little disappointed. Walking within these red walls, he couldn't see any other buildings. He wanted to appreciate the Forbidden City of the Ming Dynasty. In the future...

Who would he brag to in the future? Jia Chuan's shoulders slumped, but then he thought about it and realized that it made sense. Why would Zhu Zhanji want to see him in the main hall?
When he visited the Forbidden City, there were many places that were not open to the public, and he just walked along the central axis, thinking he could remember the route. He really didn't know his own limitations.

Jia Chuan followed Qian Guan for a while and saw a quiet house. The architectural style of the house was completely different from the Palace of Tranquil Longevity in Jia Chuan's mind. This house seemed to be far away from the bustling city, and an old man muttering "Picking chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, leisurely seeing the southern mountains" would walk out of the house at any time.

Qian Guan gestured to Jia Chuan to wait for a moment. Jia Chuan bowed and waited outside the door. Soon he heard someone inside say, "Come in, there are not so many rules."

Jia Chuan was familiar with the voice; it was Zhu Zhanji. He hurried into the room.

The room was filled with the aroma of medicine. Jia Chuan looked up and saw Zhu Zhanji, wearing a cloud-patterned dress with a jade hairpin in his hair. He was holding a black jade chess piece in his hand and knocking on a celadon chess pot. He was sitting cross-legged on the couch, playing chess with him.

Jia Chuan felt that he had to be polite, although he was extremely reluctant, but Qian Guan had already given him a look, so he might as well kneel down and kowtow.

"Sit down." Zhu Zhanji pointed to the seat opposite him.

Jia Chuan's knees were already bent, ready to sink down. After saying this, he couldn't help but ask, "Don't you want to knock one?"

Zhu Zhanji snorted, turned to look at Jia Chuan and asked, "I've never seen you so well-mannered before. Please sit down! Where did you get this dress? It's too short. Did you spend all your money?"

Jia Chuan looked down and began to lie without changing his expression: "The money has not been touched. I didn't tell the emperor clearly. I dare not use it. This suit of clothes was just bought. I was in a hurry."

As Jia Chuan spoke, he really sat down opposite Zhu Zhanji, but he was too embarrassed to take off his shoes and cross his legs, as he was afraid that the smell of medicine would no longer be in the room.

Qian Guan was stunned and wanted to give a warning with a wink, but Zhu Zhanji waved his hand and he had to retreat.

Zhu Zhanji and Jia Chuan were the only ones left in the room. Jia Chuan, on the other hand, was no longer nervous. He asked, "Is the Emperor's injury still not healed?"

Zhu Zhanji put down the chess piece in his hand and said, "My injury is not serious, but those people in the Imperial Medical Bureau always feel that I am lacking this or that, so they keep giving me medicine. I heard that Dongzhao County was originally very peaceful, but after you went there, there have been a series of murders?"

Jia Chuan was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "This is not my fault."

"Xu Gong said you were very thoughtful."

"It's fine if you use your brain for investigating crimes, but it's useless if you use it for anything else."

"Don't be so modest. Li Shunneng has the intention to kill you, which shows that even he can see that you have some ability. Unfortunately, he can't control you, so he can only find a way to kill you."

Jia Chuan felt the white sweat on his back. The reason why he told Xu Gong the truth was that he was sure that Xu Gong would not mention the matter again after knowing the truth. How could he have thought that he would tell the emperor about it?
Jia Chuan couldn't help but sigh softly. Zhu Zhanji asked with a smile, "What's bothering you?"

"I finally understand. No matter where I am or what errand I'm on, the Emperor must be informed of every detail."

Zhu Zhanji laughed heartily. He stretched out his legs, sat down in front of the couch and put on his shoes. As he did so, he said, "I asked you to write to me when you had something to say, but you never wrote a single letter. Later I learned that your handwriting was polluting my eyes."

OK! The letter to Han Zhen was forwarded by Han Zhen. Fortunately, the letter only mentioned how to get the silver in the future. This future can be understood as the day after he went to Beijing to clarify with the emperor.

Jia Chuan breathed a sigh of relief, shrugged, and said, "The emperor is busy with all sorts of affairs, so how can he have time to deal with my trivial matters?"

Zhu Zhanji stood up, walked around the room with his hands behind his back, and glanced at Jia Chuan from time to time.

Jia Chuan felt that Zhu Zhanji was planning how to set a trap for him.

"Uncle San knew this incident was a bit of a mess, so he handed over everything he had, hoping to keep things safe. I agreed. He sent people to massacre the Inspection Office and tried to pin the blame on Uncle Er. Just because of this, Uncle Er would never trust him again, and he would have no chance to act. I can say that I have given an explanation to Grandfather, but Uncle Er is different."

Jia Chuan listened attentively on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil. The lives of more than 40 people from the Inspection Office were not even worthy of being mentioned by Zhu Zhanji. He just brushed it off so lightly, and the life of the culprit was saved.

Jia Chuan didn't respond.

"You have made great contributions in saving the emperor and investigating the case, but I haven't given you a high position or even a reward. As a result, you don't even have a decent robe when you enter the capital. Do you... feel resentful?"

Only then did Jia Chuan remember to stand up. The emperor was standing while he was sitting. If Qian Guan saw this scene, he would probably be scared to the ground.

Jia Chuan bowed and said, "Why should I complain? Saving the Emperor... is my job, and so is investigating the case. The Emperor gives me a monthly salary, so why should I ask for more? The Ministry of Personnel knows that I have some skills in investigating cases, so they will naturally promote me gradually. This is the benefit of meritorious service, and it will help the higher-ups know that there is such a person in the county government."

"You sound nice, but if officials performed their duties according to the rules and served the public wholeheartedly, how could dynasties change? There wouldn't be many prisoners in the prisons of prefectures, capitals, and counties, and the Heavenly Prison and the Imperial Prison should be completely empty."

Jia Chuan's original intention was to explain his own thoughts: Don't give me rewards, let alone promotions. I will go back and work hard. If I can get promoted based on my real ability, I will get promoted. If I can't, it doesn't matter if I just muddle along for the rest of my life.

He forgot that Zhu Zhanji did not call him here to discuss things with him, so his opinions were useless.

The room fell silent. Jia Chuan didn't know how to respond. When it came to things he wasn't good at, he would usually just remain silent.

A faint fragrance wafted out from the gilded Boshan furnace, drawing a trail of smoke in the air like a cloud and a dragon.

Jia Chuan watched the smoke slowly dissipate with his peripheral vision, and then saw new smoke rising. At this time, Zhu Zhanji spoke again.

"Before, the Imperial Lecturer lectured all day about the art of governing, but when it came time to put it to use, I realized it was useless. All he really had to worry about were the extremely trivial affairs: official replacements, military deployments, appeasing the common people, treasury support, and city defense arrangements... But in Le'an City, there's also my good second uncle, who watches me with a fierce gaze. Even if he stabbed me with his knife, I would be helpless against him. Have you read history books? Of course not. I can tell you that from ancient times to the present, there has never been an emperor as cowardly as me!"

Zhu Zhanji's face turned red due to anger.

"It's just because I promised my grandfather that I wouldn't stain my hands with his blood, but he's always thinking about how to lick my blood dry! He failed this time, so he knows he should keep a low profile and wait for the next opportunity..."

Jia Chuan knew that at this point, his new job was about to come out.

"Do you still remember what I told you?"

Jia Chuan took a deep breath and said, "Remember, the emperor said he didn't have time to play with him." Zhu Zhanji, who had been extremely serious, smiled and said, "I knew you were someone I could use! I've said so many things to you before, but once I asked you, you knew exactly what I was talking about."

Jia Chuan looked miserable and asked pitifully:
"Your Majesty, even if I had extraordinary abilities, I couldn't possibly run to the King of Han and become his obedient counselor. Besides, I've been ambushed twice in Dongzhao County, and at least once by the King of Han. They know what I look like. I, I..." Jia Chuan gritted his teeth and said, "Even if the King of Han can't remember my appearance, I successfully lurked by his side. Your Majesty, I think it would be faster to wait for him to act rashly again than for me to crawl over to his side."

Zhu Zhanji looked at Jia Chuan's bitter face and couldn't help laughing again. After laughing, he shouted, "Bring tea!"

Jia Chuan knew that he had misunderstood. Apart from this matter, he didn't know what else he could do for Zhu Zhanji?
Zhu Zhanji sat back on the couch and watched the eunuch serve tea and leave before he spoke again: "When my grandfather was in power, he had already weakened the real power of the princes. The princes only had the right to their annual salary and land, and nothing else mattered to them."

Zhu Zhanji took a sip of tea from the white porcelain teacup, put it down and said:
"Le'an Prefecture is under the jurisdiction of Jinan Prefecture, which is under the jurisdiction of the Shandong Provincial Administration Commissioner's Office. After arriving at his fiefdom, my second uncle raised private soldiers and interfered with the local affairs. This is beyond the rules. My father is kind and has repeatedly tolerated him. Even if I had concrete evidence of this violation of the rules, I could only issue an imperial decree to reprimand him. For my second uncle, this is like scratching an itch through a shoe..."

The more Jia Chuan listened, the more he felt something was wrong. He felt like he had become a bait tied to the hook that Zhu Zhanji was about to throw...

Zhu Zhanji looked at Jia Chuan with kind eyes.

"He wants to kill you, but I'll put you right in front of him. All you have to do is confront him. He has a bad temper. Coupled with his grandfather's doting and his father's tolerance, he's become arrogant and can't stand provocation. If he feels that he can't do anything about even the smallest experience, he'll be furious. You don't have to worry about anything else."

Jia Chuan stood there with a pale face, staring blankly at Zhu Zhanji. He wondered if he had misunderstood. But it sounded like he was asking him to drive the King of Han into a rage and start a rebellion!
Jia Chuan struggled for a long time before finally uttering a single sentence: "Your Majesty, do you think I can live to see the day he raises his army in rebellion?"

Zhu Zhanji's face darkened as he said, "I will naturally order people to protect you. What are you afraid of? If he wants to kill you openly, you are an official appointed by the court, and he has no power! If he wants to kill you secretly, he must have someone who is truly capable of doing so by his side. If he dares to mobilize his private soldiers, hmph, that will be exactly what I want."

Jia Chuan seemed to have figured it out a little, but also seemed not to have.

Zhu Zhanji added, "The Chief Justice is in charge of investigating and impeaching criminal cases in a province. He corrects corrupt officials, suppresses traitors, settles lawsuits, redresses grievances, and upholds public order. It's not appropriate for you to be promoted too quickly right now. A seventh-rank official in the Ministry of Experience will suffice."

Jia Chuan seemed to have sensed something. He was an official now, a seventh-rank official. Although his position was not high, he was just an official before. With the emperor behind him, he could act with impunity. But this time...

But he changed his mind and asked hurriedly, "With such an arrangement, how could the King of Han not know it was a trap?"

"My second uncle has always prided himself on his intelligence, daring to rival Emperor Taizong of Tang. How could he not see through these schemes? He'll only think he's being outmaneuvered. He understands the many principles of this world better than anyone else, but so what? He's been brooding over something for nearly twenty years, and his eyes are already red with anger. Just go ahead and provoke him. There have been many murders linked to the Han Palace over the years. If there are any, we'll investigate them. Even if you make one up, we'll investigate it too! Second uncle is old, and perhaps more stable than when he was young, but time isn't running out for him."

Jia Chuan nodded subconsciously. He understood. Zhu Zhanji was just trying to take advantage of Zhu Gaoxu's 'favor' for him: You can't stand me, but you can't kill me. I can still cause you trouble. I'll just hang around in front of you. You want to calm down, but I won't let you...

Jia Chuan took a quick glance at Zhu Zhanji. It turned out that Zhu Gaoxu's rebellion during the Xuande period was planned by Zhu Zhanji. He did not give the King of Han time to prepare properly, so this rebellion was treated as a joke and spread for a hundred years.

What does the history book say? Is there any mention of Jia Chuan? If this thing was accomplished, there would definitely be a mention in the history books, right?

Jia Chuan was stunned again.

"The brother and sister you brought back are both quite skilled in martial arts. I'll arrange for a few skilled Jinyiwei to accompany them. As for the commander of the Shandong Judicial and Administrative Office... I'll explain everything to him myself."

Jia Chuan knew this wasn't a discussion with him, so he could only nod and ask, "When do I leave?"

"No rush. Second Uncle is currently reflecting on his past. Wait a few days, maybe ten or eight days, and you can go over when he feels better. Go to Jinan first, and it's up to you to decide how to proceed from then on. You'll stay in Beijing for a few days. The Ministry of Justice has a case involving the Anping Earl's family. It's the Anping Earl who wants to arrange a marriage with the sister of your brother, the chief constable. Shuntian Prefecture has reported this to the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry has reported... Humph! Anping Earl is very trusted by my grandfather, so he's a bit arrogant. This case... I can't take away his title first, so please help me investigate and find a guilty verdict as soon as possible. Then go back and tell your brother, the chief constable, that this marriage is off the table."

Jia Chuan was confused again. He thought hard and asked, "Have I been promoted yet? But even if I was promoted to the position of Censor General, I'm from Shandong. Is it okay for me to interfere in the cases of the Ministry of Justice?"

"I'm not asking you to conduct a high-profile investigation. You will see the files and then use your best efforts to find the truth. Don't worry about the officials' reactions. I want the concrete evidence you find. If they can't find it, I'll find someone else to investigate."

……

Jia Chuan didn't know how he left. His mind was a little confused until he saw Hai Shou waiting there in the corridor. Then Jia Chuan came to his senses.

It's strange to say, he and Haishou had only been together for more than two days, and he had been given the cold shoulder by Haishou many times during that time, but now he felt very close to him when he saw him.

The same goes for Hai Shou.

Jia Chuan walked quickly forward. Hai Shou looked at Jia Chuan kindly. When Jia Chuan came closer, Hai Shou said, "It seems like you have grown taller again."

"Why have you lost weight?" Jia Chuan looked Hai Shou up and down and asked with concern.

"There will be many things to do after returning to the palace."

"You're waiting here because you have something to tell me?"

Jia Chuan turned his head and looked around. He saw that there was only a young eunuch leading the way out of the palace, and he did not see Qian Guan. At this moment, there were also two young eunuchs following Hai Shou.

Haishou didn't say anything, but turned and walked forward. Jia Chuan hurried to catch up, and the young eunuchs followed behind him.

"The Emperor has great trust in you."

"Oh."

“There are some things you’re best suited to do.”

"Ah."

"The Emperor hasn't had time to rest since returning to the capital. He's never met with cabinet or other officials individually like today. He's said so much. Do you know why?"

Jia Chuan knew that this was going to be a sweet treat.

"Although what you are about to do may not be considered a major event, it will have a significant impact on the current situation. This is not something that can be done just because you are trusted by the Emperor. Only if you have this ability can you have this opportunity."

Jia Chuan didn't know how to respond. He wanted to say that he didn't care. Was that okay?
"The Emperor said that you are not someone who covets fame and wealth."

Jia Chuan lowered his head, wanting to say, "I am!"

"The Emperor said that if you work steadily and steadily, you will be more stable in the future."

Jia Chuan thought to himself, "They're starting to make empty promises."

"Life is all about chance. You're a lucky person. So many people have been eagerly hoping to win the emperor's favor, and you got it without even realizing it. But..." Haishou lowered his voice, "In everything... you still have to save your life first! As long as you have the green mountains, you won't be afraid of running out of firewood. Just do your best."

"This case from the Ministry of Justice..."

"I've heard about this case. They say it's related to the Anping Marquis's mansion, but there's no evidence. They say it has nothing to do with his family, but it keeps pointing to the Anping Marquis. Furthermore, the case has been investigated all the way back to the Yongle era..."

"Homicide?"

"Of course it's a murder case." Hai Shou turned his head to look at Jia Chuan and whispered, "The emperor wants to punish these nobles. Someone has previously reported that the Earl of Anping was arrogant and abused his power, but there was no concrete evidence. These nobles, relying on their past achievements, are indeed too arrogant. There has to be someone who takes the lead."

Jia Chuan took a deep breath. Are they going to use him to frame someone for a wrongful conviction?
"But these nobles have already woven a network in the capital. It's difficult to touch them!"

Jia Chuan exhaled and said, "They saw clearly that I don't know anyone, and if they find any evidence, they can report it directly to the emperor... Isn't it the same for the Jinyiwei? They..."

Hai Shou waved his hand and said, "The Emperor wants the people's hearts. There are some things the Imperial Guard can do, but some things... being too forceful is not good. The Emperor said we must be well-reasoned and convince people with virtue."

Jia Chuan nodded subconsciously and asked, "The Emperor asked me to help the Ministry of Justice. Why do I feel so uncomfortable when I hear that? Who am I? Besides, what if I can't do it?"

Hai Shou laughed and said, "The Emperor asked you to help the Ministry of Justice. What do you think he's helping with? Just helping to investigate the case? I don't think so. He's more interested in exposing some people. Don't overthink it. Who do you know in Beijing? Who do you need to give respect to? Some people, it's time to move on."

Jia Chuan didn't relax at all after hearing this. On the contrary, he felt that this matter wasn't necessarily easier than harassing the King of Han. Haishou said that they had already woven a net, and if he suddenly jumped in, he would be unable to move forward. But Zhu Zhanji didn't give him much time. What could a few days be enough for? They hadn't even touched the door yet, and they were leaving for Jinan. Would it be considered a merit or a fault then?

……

Hai Shou did not see Jia Chuan off to the palace gate. Before parting, he handed Jia Chuan an ivory plaque and said:
"If you have something urgent to report, just take this sign to the palace gate and hand it in. The Emperor will arrange for someone to come and pick you up. You can stay at Gao's house for the next few days. The Ministry of Justice will come to look for you. Don't be polite to them. Being polite will only make things worse. You have the Emperor's support behind you, so you don't have to be afraid of anyone."

Jia Chuan took the sign with a wry smile, stuffed it into his arms, and said, "I still don't know why the emperor thinks so highly of me. Alas, you make it sound so easy. I've offended everyone. Will I ever be able to enter the capital in the future?"

(End of this chapter)