The number one sycophant of the Ming Dynasty

The next day, just after dawn, the sky was barely beginning to lighten.

In the duty room, Chen Han re-transcribed the experimental data of the winter sacrifice, using the standard official document format of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

The document only lists the verification results of the regulations for the Circular Mound Altar, the progress of the preparation of sacrificial offerings and materials, and the conclusions of the fire-burning ritual's heat test.

It was all official, businesslike, and perfectly normal content.

As for the real killer moves, such as the reflective data of the Tianxin Stone, the refraction angle of the hot airflow, and the timing of the auspicious triggers.

He didn't write a single word in the official document, but instead used a set of symbols that only he could understand to write it on a small piece of paper the size of a palm, which he then hid close to the inside of his clothes.

This is the foundation of his livelihood.

Having spent his previous life working his way up in the county government office, the first lesson he learned was:

Always make two plans.

A set meant for the boss, perfectly proper, with not a single flaw to be found;

One set was kept for himself, containing his true trump cards and killer moves.

It's not that I don't trust the leaders, it's that I don't trust the people around the leaders.

Prince Yu had Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and Zhang Juzheng by his side, all three of whom were extremely shrewd and capable. Chen Han always kept a degree of wariness towards them.

This isn't a matter of character, it's a matter of stance.

Xu Jie wanted to overthrow Yan Song and become the Grand Secretary himself.

Gao Gong wanted to repay the kindness of Prince Yu and realize his ambitions in the future.

Zhang Juzheng wanted to take control of the court in the future and restore order to the country, which was riddled with problems.

The three people kept their own accounts, and their interests were never completely aligned with Chen Han's.

He can cooperate with them and leverage their influence, but he must never reveal all his cards.

This auspicious omen was the only trump card he, a lowly eighth-rank official, possessed that could influence the political landscape and his only stepping stone to future advancement.

He would not utter a single word to outsiders until the winter solstice, until the moment when Prince Yu ascended the altar to offer sacrifices to Heaven.

Chen Han folded the official document and stuffed it into his sleeve, stood up, straightened his official robes, and walked out of the duty room.

He first went to the main hall of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to find Vice Minister Sun.

Inside the main hall, Vice Minister Sun was sitting in the main seat drinking tea. Seeing him enter, he put down his teacup and gave a lukewarm smile: "Supervisor Chen, so early?"

"This humble servant greets Your Excellency." Chen Han bowed respectfully.

Then he took out the official document from his sleeve and handed it over with both hands, saying, "I have sorted out the matters of verifying the winter festival regulations and preparing materials, and I have come to report to you, sir."

Sun, the Vice Minister, took the official document and glanced at it.

The writing above is very formal and meticulous:

The regulations for the sacrificial vessels at the Altar of Heaven have been verified and are completely consistent with those stipulated in the "Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty".

The method of stacking firewood for the sacrificial ceremony has been carefully studied according to ancestral rules to ensure that there will be no mistakes on the day of the ceremony.

The list of offering materials has been categorized and cataloged, making the subsequent procurement process clear and straightforward.

Every single detail is crystal clear, and there is not a single flaw to be found.

"Very well." Vice Minister Sun closed the official document and nodded. "I trust you to handle things. But I suspect you came here today for more than just this matter, didn't you?"

Chen Han bowed slightly, his tone respectful:

"Your Excellency has keen insight. Yesterday, I received a message from Chief Secretary Wu of the Prince Yu's residence. His Highness Prince Yu summons me to the residence today to report in person on the preparations for the winter sacrifice."

"This humble servant thought that although His Highness specifically assigned this task to me, I am, after all, the supervisor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. When I go out on official business, I must first report to you and follow your instructions."

He placed himself in a very proper position.

I am from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, not a retainer of the Prince Yu's residence. I always put my superior first.

Upon hearing this, the smile on Sun Sicheng's face instantly became more genuine.

He likes young people who know the rules and how to behave appropriately.

Capable, but not arrogant;

He has powerful backers, but he doesn't overstep his authority or act recklessly.

I reported everything that was due, gave my superiors the respect they deserved, and never acted arrogantly.

"Go ahead." Vice Minister Sun waved his hand, his tone very cheerful. "Since His Highness Prince Yu has specifically asked for your name, it's a matter of face for our Court of Imperial Sacrifices."

"Go and report properly, don't embarrass our Court of Imperial Sacrifices."

"Thank you, sir." Chen Han bowed again and was about to leave when Sun, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, suddenly called him back.

"By the way, Your Highness, have you also been assigned the task of conducting the rituals and prayers at the Sanqing Temple?"

Chen Han was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "Yes. Chief Secretary Wu confessed it yesterday as well."

"Hmm." Sun Sicheng's tone carried a hint of meaning. "This task is no easier than the Winter Festival."

"Consort Lu Jing, Princess Jing, Consort Zhao, and Consort Li, four noble ladies of the inner court, have been staying in a Taoist temple together for three days. I don't need to explain the intricacies and dangers involved; you should already know."

"Do a good job. If you do well, not only His Highness Prince Yu will remember your kindness."

These words were quite profound, but Chen Han understood them instantly.

If it's done well, not only will Prince Yu remember his kindness, but also Emperor Jiajing.

Because this task was ostensibly ordered by Emperor Jiajing, and the fasting and prayer ceremony was to bless Emperor Jiajing's spiritual practice.

He handled the matter properly, and the four noblemen got along peacefully and with impeccable manners. Jiajing would naturally think that the person in charge was capable and meticulous, and would remember him.

Chen Han bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I will do my best and make sure there is no mistake."

Sun, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, waved his hand and said, "Go."

Chen Han left the main hall and walked along the corridor towards his duty room.

As he passed Liu Shuzheng's duty room, he paused for a moment, but still turned and went inside.

Liu Shuzheng was sitting at his desk, flipping through account books. When he saw Chen Shuzheng enter, he raised his eyelids slightly, then lowered them again. His tone was indifferent, with a hint of sourness: "Supervisor Chen, what is it?"

Chen Han bowed respectfully: "Lord Director, I am going to Prince Yu's residence today to report on the preparations for the winter sacrifice, so I have come to inform you."

Liu Shuzheng put down the account book, leaned back in his chair, and looked him up and down.

His gaze was filled with barely concealed jealousy and disdain, as well as an arrogant "who do you think you are?" attitude.

"Going to Prince Yu's residence?" He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and spoke slowly with a hint of sarcasm. "Supervisor Chen is now a favorite of His Highness Prince Yu, running to the residence every few days. We, who sit on the sidelines in the yamen, can't compare."

Chen Han's expression remained unchanged, and he still bowed slightly: "Your Excellency, you flatter me. I am merely running errands for His Highness and checking the regulations of the sacrificial rites. I am hardly a favorite."

"Running errands?" Liu Shuzheng scoffed, the malice in his smile almost overflowing. "Supervisor Chen is too modest."

"Last time, on the mission to Fayuan Temple, you really made a name for yourself for Lord Sun's daughter."

"Lord Sun speaks highly of you these days, and has even exempted you from your daily roll call. He lets you report directly to the main hall if there's anything."

"I, as your direct supervisor, have become nothing more than a figurehead."

Chen Han knew exactly what was going on.

Liu Shuzheng was clearly giving him a warning.

……