Chapter 161

After his leave, Zhang Jian occasionally relaxed a bit; he and a few 'colleagues' from the Literature and Arts Institute found a small teahouse to 'relax' a bit.

Watching the distant woman swaying her alluring figure, Zhang Jian curled his lips, while Chen Xiuming and several other editors watched with great interest.

At this moment, Chen Xiuming wore a smile as he looked at Zhang Jian, unable to help but say.

"Brother Zhang, I heard you're not planning to return to Fengyang Prefecture?"

"Yeah, but this compilation work is more important!"

Zhang Jian's expression at this time carried a hint of warmth.

Zhang Jian spoke solemnly at this moment: "Senior Brother Chen, compiling the《Great Qian Compendium》is a top-priority affair of the current dynasty, meritorious to the state and beneficial for generations to come; we cannot be negligent!"

"The Emperor's deep grace—we can only give our all! How could we take a vacation at this time?"

Seeing his resolute demeanor, the other few editors chatted and laughed lightly, only able to lower their heads and drink in silence.

Zhang Jian glanced at the crowd, estimating that these few 'good colleagues' had already harbored ill intentions.

But there's no helping it—the nine-to-five routine is addictive.

Those ancient texts are more fragrant than cultivation.

Not striving is simply not an option.

"Um..."

Chen Xiuming's mouth twitched; he could only raise his teacup and gulp down a few mouthfuls.

After a slight pause, he tugged at the corner of his mouth, speaking earnestly: "Actually, Brother Zhang, you don't need to push yourself so hard—when it's time to relax, you must relax!"

He tried to persuade this 'greenhorn' who had just entered the workforce!

You work hard—what are we slackers supposed to do?

We're feeling awful!

During this period, I've felt exhausted to the point of distress—even when I was preparing for the imperial exams before, I wasn't this tired!

Back then, everyone was just slacking off; even if superiors saw it, they wouldn't say anything. But now someone stands out, takes the lead in starting to compete, creating a comparison—naturally, others also suffer. If one works slowly, it's inevitable to face difficulties from superiors.

That's why a group of people invited him to dinner, asking Zhang Jian to show leniency.

To let everyone off the hook.

At this moment, the other few editors also turned their gazes toward him.

Zhang Jian took in everyone's expressions, a faint smile appearing in his eyes.

"What Brother Chen says also makes sense—how about this: I'll use this time to visit other scripture chambers to read books, and also take some leave!"

"This..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiuming's eyes flickered slightly; he immediately nodded as if nothing had happened and said.

"Brother Zhang, you're truly full of vigor—we admire you!"

Seeing this, the other editors also lowered their heads to drink, but the group's enthusiasm clearly waned.

Zhang Jian merely gave a faint smile.

He didn't mind it at all—actually, Chen Xiuming, this old smooth-talker, had already approached him many times about this; it wasn't that he wasn't giving face.

It's just that these people have grown accustomed to being slippery, and they still want to drag him into the water!

Let's slack off together!

Blocking my nine-to-five routine—clearly, they won't succeed.

Even if these people don't like it.

Not liking it also can't stop him from reading books.

At the same time, Zhang Jian felt a faint stirring in his heart—he finally understood why Chen Xiuming had been unable to advance further all this time.

Otherwise, with his top scholar talent, four years to rise to the rank of Sixth-Rank Academician should not have been difficult.

This is not walking the proper path!

After Zhang Jian left, Chen Xiuming and the others' faces all grew somewhat gloomy.

One of the editors drinking in silence spoke helplessly.

"Brother Chen, this Compiler Zhang refuses to budge—should we give him a little lesson?"

Chen Xiuming heard this and frowned, saying.

"That wouldn't be right—we're all colleagues; there's no need to do this? He's just worked a bit harder—he's still young, after all, this is quite normal!"

"After a while, this energy will fade!"

"What's normal? Spending all day in that dull Literature and Arts Institute, merely fame-seekers and upright pretenders—purely putting on a show for Scholar Huang and the Emperor. Scholar Chen, your heart is just this soft—people have already made their move; if you keep going like this, be careful you get another mediocre review this year—how long it'll take to become an Academician is still uncertain!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of gloom flashed in Chen Xiuming's eyes, while his face showed a hint of helplessness.

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"He and I are peers, and he's also gained the favor of the Academy Examinations—we these people can't treat him this way!"

He muttered softly, simultaneously raising his wine cup and drinking several cups in succession; seeing this, the other editors' eyes flickered with a hint of a smile.

At this moment, the editor surnamed Wu on the side revealed a cold smile on his face.

"Senior Brother Chen, actually, it's very easy to handle!"

"He doesn't like work? Then let's just take a longer break, collectively request leave, and see how much ability he has to finish all these tasks at the Literature and Arts Institute!"

Upon hearing this, the other editors' expressions shifted, their faces involuntarily showing a hint of a smile, all exclaiming: "Brother Wu's idea is great—just do it! Let's see how long he can keep up the act!"

Meanwhile, at a side of the Zhuangyuan Residence, in another teahouse upstairs, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered with a hint of a smile.

"Using such tactics to create difficulties—only afraid they've picked the wrong target!"

A hint of strangeness appeared in his eyes.

In fact, when compiling the《Great Qian Compendium》, he hadn't really exerted himself yet.

He had only used a fraction of his strength—less than one-tenth—just to avoid standing out too much and being isolated.

These people thought a strike could squeeze him, little knowing that if he just exerted a bit more effort, he could roll these people into ecstasy.

When cultivators get rolled, it's a matter of life and death.

……

Jingtai Hall, this is where Emperor Jingwu reviews memorials; at this moment he is leaning over the desk reviewing memorials, his face occasionally showing a hint of a smile.

Recently Emperor Jingwu has been in a very good mood.

His appointment of Yang Gonghu was correct.

These past few days, memorials from Yang Gonghu have been arriving.

The rebellion in Sanyang Commandery is nearly mopped up; the tens of thousands of rebels calling themselves the Ming Wang Salvation Army have mostly been routed, and the rebel leader Ming Wang Changli is also trapped in Yanhuai Mountain, and should soon be captured alive.

Delighted, Emperor Jingwu couldn't help but laugh to the attendant beside him.

"Old General Yang truly lives up to his reputation as a veteran of the battlefield, and has not disappointed Me!"

Hearing this, the purple-robed elderly eunuch beside him spoke gently: "It is also due to Your Majesty's discerning eye like a torch, able to set aside past grudges and reappoint such an old general!"

Crown Prince Jingwu, upon hearing this, sighed.

"It is still the late emperor's far-sightedness; the late emperor, acting stubbornly, demoted Old General Yang, precisely to give Me the opportunity to win over these fierce military commanders! Only now do I understand the late emperor's painstaking efforts!"

The purple-robed elderly eunuch, upon hearing this, said nothing.

Gazing at the list of names requesting merit attached line by line to the memorial, Emperor Jingwu's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but ask.

"Attendant, what has that top scholar whom I personally appointed been up to lately?"

"Zhang Xiuzheng has been diligent in state affairs, recently assisting Scholar Huang in compiling the《Great Qian Compendium》!"

After a slight pause, this purple-robed elderly eunuch gave a strange smile and said.

"He is indeed very diligent!"

"Oh?" Emperor Jingwu detected the subtext in those words, and a hint of interest flickered in the depths of his eyes.

"How so!"

Chao Mu immediately laid out everything that had happened in the Literary Affairs Institute point by point; he appeared to know every change within and outside the palace like the back of his hand.

Nothing escaped his eyes!

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu couldn't help but laugh.

"This Zhang Xiuzheng is quite interesting; in your opinion, is he doing this for Me to see!"

Saying this, his eyes narrowed slightly, and a hint of indifference appeared in the depths of his eyes.