Chapter 523: Youthful Aspirations to Soar the Clouds

At the end of October, specks of light snow drifted down.

Chen Yan got up early today, dressed neatly, ate his breakfast unhurriedly, and sat alone in the main hall for a long time, as if pondering something.

Seeing the time was near, he took his Fish Talisman and headed to the Ministry of Personnel.

This is a necessary procedure before taking office; it's not that once the imperial edict arrives you instantly become Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue—you must first go to the Ministry of Personnel to complete the appointment formalities.

Even a Prime Minister, in theory, must be registered through the Ministry of Personnel.

Of course, the status of a Prime Minister is vastly different; it is usually called "Becoming Prime Minister" or "Entering Prime Ministership", and the whole process is a series of high‑profile, public, state‑level ceremonies, far from ordinary administrative registration.

Nevertheless, this shows how great the Ministry of Personnel's power is, worthy of being mentioned alongside the Ministry of Revenue, which handles national taxes and household registration.

Stepping into the Imperial City and passing the main building of the Shangshu Province, Chen Yan glanced at a massive courtyard beside him.

That was the Ministry of Revenue's "office compound", the place he would frequent from now on.

The courtyard on the other side was his destination this time—the Ministry of Personnel.

Upon entering the Ministry of Personnel, many officials working there gathered around him attentively as soon as they saw his arrival.

"Hahaha, Minister Chen, are you here to file the case today? Come, come, this way."

A man appearing thirty, nearing forty, whose height reached only Chen Yan's chest, greeted him enthusiastically.

His name was Fan Yuan, the head of the Ministry of Personnel's four divisions, the "Personnel Department", and his rank of Fifth Rank made his position considerable.

During this period, Chen Yan had been cramming on the main officials of the Court, so when Fan Yuan approached, his mind instantly recalled information about him.

Born of humble origins, he entered officialdom in the first year of Zhenguan through the Imperial Examination, becoming a representative figure of the low‑born at that time.

Moreover, he was very adept and courteous to everyone; in just five or six years he rose to the position of Director of Department in the Ministry of Personnel.

However, the people surrounding him were not limited to Fan Yuan; with Chen Yan's current prominence, many sought to ingratiate themselves with him.

Chen Yan, however, felt a much better impression of Fan Yuan.

Not for any other reason, but because this man came from a humble background, without connections or support, climbing step by step.

He's a real character!

Chen Yan politely clasped his hands and said, "Lord Fan, could you please help me? You know I am to assume office at the beginning of November, and time is tight."

"No problem, I'll take responsibility," Fan Yuan said, patting his chest.

The others were about to speak when a stern voice came from behind.

"What are you doing? Why is a crowd gathered here?"

"Have you finished your current tasks, or are you idle? If you're truly idle, go sweep the Ministry of Personnel from top to bottom!"

Zhangsun Wujie walked over, scolding the people crowding Chen Yan to disperse.

Fan Yuan showed an apologetic expression toward Chen Yan and, muttering, began to leave.

However, Zhangsun Wujie called him back, "Go help Minister Chen file the case; I'll talk with Minister Chen."

"Alright, alright," Fan Yuan replied gladly, hurrying to comply.

He then left, taking the Token that Chen Yan had handed over.

Zhangsun Wujie said, "Let's go find a place to have tea together."

Chen Yan smiled and nodded, "Then I'll gladly obey."

"You!"

Zhangsun Wujie nodded, chuckled and shook his head, leading Chen Yan to a room suffused with a scholarly aroma, where most furnishings were books, a desk stood in the center, and a bed lay in the corner.

It seemed to be the place where Zhangsun Wujie rested when he was weary.

"Here, the tea you gave me last time—now I'm becoming more addicted to it," Zhangsun Wujie poured him a cup of hot tea.

"If you like it, just send someone to Chen's Tea House next time; I won't stand on ceremony, and you needn't either," Chen Yan said cheerfully.

"That's a good relationship."

Zhangsun Wujie smiled, "You probably don't know yet, but since your tea house opened, the Tang Dynasty has gradually seen a tea‑drinking craze rise."

"Now when guests arrive at home, if you don't offer tea, they think you look down on them."

Chen Yan blinked, paused, and said, "Duke of Qi, why do I feel there's a hidden meaning in your words?"

"Are you implying that I'm gradually changing the Tang Dynasty?"

Hearing this, Zhangsun Wujie felt relieved, "Talking with you is truly easy; yes, that's exactly what I mean!"

"You've brought so many changes to the Tang Dynasty; originally it progressed step by step, but now it feels to me like riding a carriage, galloping forward at full speed!"

"From the overall perspective, this is, of course…"

"However, you can't deny that many stubborn elements despise such novelties and find it hard to accept such rapid change!"

"It's like in history, many still shout…"

Chen Yan gave no reply, "Those who cannot keep up with the times will eventually be abandoned by the era, swept away by the tide of history."

"I understand your point, but my enemies are truly many; a few more or fewer makes no difference!"

"At this moment, I stand here, even if enemies come from all directions, so what?"

His words fell, and Zhangsun Wujie was completely stunned.

His gaze momentarily dimmed, and memories long buried and now fuzzy surged back to his mind.

In earlier years, he seemed as confident as Li Shimin, fearless of everything, and even when trapped, he would stride forward without hesitation.

Now, unknowingly, half his body is buried in the earth, and he can no longer reclaim that former vigor.

"Youth… how wonderful," Zhangsun Wujie said, moved.

Chen Yan retorted, "Duke of Qi, what do you think truly constitutes youth? Is it like me, newly crowned, or is it maintaining a youthful mindset that counts as real youth?"

Zhangsun Wujie mused, "Probably both. You are young in age and also youthful in spirit; I think that's true youth."

Chen Yan shook his head, "I disagree with the Duke of Qi. I think youth isn't about age, nor solely about spirit; it's about daring to 'start anew.'"

Some become old at twenty because they cling to a corner, no longer curious or daring; others grow white‑haired yet still push open new windows to see different weather.

"Duke of Qi, in his youth he harbored soaring ambitions, first‑class among mortals!"

"Have you already forgotten?"

Zhangsun Wuji's hand, which held the teacup, paused slightly.

The room was quiet for a moment, with only the faint tea aroma drifting.

Outside the window, the fine snow had ceased at an unknown time, thin sunlight was trying to pierce the clouds, shining onto the bookshelf, shelf by shelf, brightly.