The number one sycophant of the Ming Dynasty

Chen Han wrote a few lines on the paper:

Fasting is not just about following the rules; it's about making sure the emperor sees that you are following the rules.

The ceremony—it's not just about following the steps; it's about making the emperor feel that you're more attentive than the other person.

The congratulatory message—this is of paramount importance. The quality of the message directly determines the Emperor's evaluation of the entire ceremony.

He stared at those few lines of text, his mind racing.

Regarding the matter of fasting, he could suggest that Prince Yu write a letter every day during the fasting period and send it to the West Garden to report on his fasting progress.

This wasn't required by the rules, but it allowed Jiajing to see Prince Yu's piety.

Moreover, not only would Prince Yu do this, but Prince Jing would certainly do it as well.

Everyone understands this principle.

Would Emperor Jiajing really scold someone for being so showy?

But this is important.

These rules in officialdom are the same as in the workplace; they're very simple and straightforward.

I may not read the reports I receive each day, but I remember clearly who didn't report to me.

Leaders look at attitude.

Regarding the ceremony, he could suggest that Prince Yu arrive at the Temple of Heaven a day in advance to personally inspect the offerings, ritual implements, and music and dance.

This isn't a rule, but it shows that he takes it very seriously.

Moreover, this is something only the chief priest can do; it loses its meaning if someone else does it on his behalf.

A congratulatory message...

Chen Han put down his pen, his brows furrowing slightly.

He couldn't possibly write a eulogy.

His writing skills are adequate for official documents, but what about writing sacrificial prayers to Heaven?

Those were the words through which the emperor communicated with Heaven; they had to be solemn, elegant, and reflect reverence for Heaven and the emperor.

Most importantly, he hasn't spent decades in this environment, so he doesn't get some of the jokes and is prone to making mistakes.

Just like Qingci.

That's truly the highest-level meme-writing in the Ming Dynasty; it would take a real master to write it.

Xu Jie was the most suitable.

But Xu Jie would certainly not write this kind of article.

As a second-best option, there was Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng was in his early thirties, the prime of his life, and his literary talent was renowned in the court.

Let him write the congratulatory message; it's a hundred times better than trying to put it together yourself.

Moreover, Zhang Juzheng was Prince Yu's lecturer, and it was perfectly legitimate for him to write the congratulatory text for the prince.

Chen Han noted this down, then leaned back in his chair and began to think about things further ahead.

The sacrificial ceremony to Heaven is a contest of power between two people.

He wants Prince Yu to shine, and the Yan faction will also make Prince Jing shine.

He needs to figure out what Prince Jing will do so he can address the problem accordingly.

But how did he know?

He had no informants among Yan's faction, no acquaintances in Prince Jing's residence, and no connections in the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Chen Han thought for a moment and then thought of someone.

Shen Zhiyu.

Si Yan is in charge of the seal, and all official documents, both internal and external, must pass through her hands.

The plans, lists, and prayers for King Jing's sacrificial rites to Heaven would always pass through Shen Zhiyu's hands once they were submitted to the Directorate of Ceremonial.

If he could get Shen Zhiyu to do him this favor...

No.

Chen Han shook his head, suppressing the thought.

Shen Zhiyu is a smart person; he knows what he should and shouldn't do.

Sending her to peek at King Jing's documents would be suicide.

She wouldn't do it, and she couldn't be dragged into it either.

Then he'll have to rely on himself.

Chen Han took a deep breath, folded the paper he had written on, and stuffed it into his sleeve.

Just then, there was a knock on the door of the duty room.

"Supervisor Chen, Lord Sun requests your presence."

……

Inside the main hall of Magistrate Sun, the charcoal fire was burning brightly.

When Chen Han entered, Sun Sicheng was sitting in the main seat, holding a cup of tea.

Unlike usual, his face lacked its usual composed indifference, instead displaying a deliberate gentleness.

How to describe it?

As soon as Chen Han went in, he put down his teacup.

These small details, like taking off their headphones to listen to you or removing their gloves to shake your hand, represent respect.

"You've arrived?" Sun, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, put down his teacup and gestured to the chair below him. "Please sit down."

"Thank you, sir." Chen Han bowed and sat down.

Sun, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, picked up a list from the table and handed it over: "My daughter told me about the errand at Fayuan Temple yesterday, and it was handled properly."

"How much silver did you spend on those items? Make a list, and I'll have my accountant reimburse you."

Chen Han took out a list he had written beforehand from his sleeve and handed it over with both hands: "Reporting to Your Excellency, this is the detailed list I have compiled. It cost a total of eight taels and seven qian."

Sun, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, took the list and glanced at it: firewood, charcoal, oil paper, silk scarf, cotton mat, hand warmer, tea set, Xuan paper, writing brush and ink, snacks, two pieces of clothing...

Every single detail is written down clearly.

He nodded and wrote a few words on the list: "Go to the accounting office and collect the money. This is official business; I can't let you pay out of your own pocket."

How hypocritical!

He used public funds to handle private matters for his daughter and shamelessly claimed that it was "handling official business."

It really proves the saying, "If the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too."

The Jiajing Emperor himself used public funds to conduct Taoist rituals, and his officials also openly used public money for private matters.

Chen Han accepted the gift with both hands and was about to get up to take his leave when Sun Sicheng spoke again, his tone more casual than before: "My daughter was overjoyed about what happened yesterday."

"They said you prepared shoe covers, a hand warmer, and a change of clothes at Fayuan Temple, so that she would shine in front of Grand Secretary Li's granddaughter."

He chuckled: "My daughter has a fiery temper and high standards; there aren't many people she can praise. You've done a truly excellent job."

"You flatter me, sir." Chen Han bowed slightly. "I was merely doing my duty."

Sun, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, waved his hand, his tone suddenly becoming solemn: "I am not an ungrateful person. You have done such a great thing for me, and I will remember it."

"From now on, when you are working at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, just ask if you need anything."

"Since His Highness Prince Yu has entrusted you with overseeing the winter sacrifice, I will not make things difficult for you. Whatever regulations or materials you require, I will approve them for you."

"As long as you handle the task well, I'll take care of things at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices."

Chen Han stood up and bowed respectfully: "This humble servant thanks you for your guidance, sir."

Sun Sicheng nodded and added, "You've heard about the Emperor ordering Prince Yu and Prince Jing to perform the Heaven-worshiping ceremony on his behalf, haven't you? The winter sacrifice is a ceremony to worship Heaven, and the procedures are different from previous years. You should be aware of that."

"Understood."

"Go. Do your job well."

Chen Han bowed and left the main hall, walking into the courtyard where a cold wind blew in his face.

He stood on the steps, his brows furrowing slightly.

Sun Sicheng's attitude changed too quickly.

Yesterday I treated him like a servant, but today I offered to cover for him.

This is not reasonable.

If the task of organizing a poetry gathering is handled well, it shouldn't cause such a drastic change in the attitude of a sixth-rank temple official towards an eighth-rank supervisor.

Chen Han thought about it for a while, but couldn't come up with a solution.

He had too little influence in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, knew too few people, and knew too little.

He had no way of knowing whether or not someone was behind Sun Sicheng, or who that person was.

But he knew one thing: there's no such thing as a free lunch.

If someone suddenly becomes nice to you, it's either because they have ulterior motives, or because someone is behind them asking them to be nice to you.

Regardless of the situation, he could only accept it and then be extra careful.

Chen Han took a deep breath, suppressed his doubts, and turned to walk towards the accounting room.

……