Chapter 529: Having Connections Makes Things Easy

Ministerial Office.

This is where the Minister of Revenue handles official business on a daily basis, receives the two Ministerial Attendants and subordinate officials; it is the highest‑ranking area in the Ministry of Revenue's layout.

How should I describe it?

Within the vast Ministry of Revenue, it is an independent courtyard, situated at the core of the central axis of the Hu Bu Office complex.

At this moment, Dai Zhou, the Minister of Revenue, is not attending to any official matters; instead he lies on a Taishi Chair, dozing lightly, looking extremely relaxed.

When the knocking sounded, he kept his eyes closed and said calmly, "Come in, the door isn't locked."

Chen Yan pushed the door open and entered, smiling teasingly, "Although you always argue with those who get a thousand cuts during court sessions, after the court you seem rather leisurely."

Dai Zhou finally opened his eyes, looked at him and said, "You're wrong; I'm actually very busy every day, because the Ministry of Revenue is truly crucial, and any mistake is unacceptable."

"My leisure today is because you came, isn't it?"

"Here!"

He lifted his chin and pointed at the nearby desk, the Four Treasures of the Study placed on it, and various documents, etc.

"Go then, from today onward, it's all your work."

Chen Yan: "......"

Upon hearing this, he almost lost his composure.

What does 'from today onward, it's all your work' mean?

Aren't you still in office?

Is this like being a hands‑off manager?

Seeming to have guessed Chen Yan's thoughts, he raised his eyes, "On this land, regardless of dynasty or kingdom, one thing never changes."

—"Human relations!"

"At any time, we people of the Central Plains value the notion of 'renqing' (human ties). It is like a massive net that binds us together."

"In the third year of the Zhenguan era, when I was still serving at the Dali Temple, an interesting incident happened to me."

"There was a ninth‑rank minor official who was framed by an opponent and thrown into prison—not even the Dali Temple Prison—and his wife went around begging for help."

"But she was merely the wife of a ninth‑rank official; the people she appealed to were not of high status and could do little. Yet because of renqing, the petitioners were reluctant to refuse, and they in turn went begging themselves, eventually the appeals reached me!"

"To be honest, I didn't know that framed ninth‑rank official at all before, but I still helped. Not only because he was indeed framed, but more importantly, I find it hard to turn away those who come to me for help."

He paused at this point, "As for you and me, it may seem we have no connection, yet any mishap to one of us inevitably drags the other in, because we share so many ties."

"Moreover, you treated my nephew well, giving him a special opportunity."

"So I won't bring up anything else. The situation between us at the beginning of the year is clear to everyone; this matter is something you must face every day from now on."

"I thought, rather than handing things over to you piece by piece and wasting both our time, it's better to let you jump straight in, to get used to the matters the Minister of Revenue handles daily."

"What do you think?"

Chen Yan listened patiently, nodding occasionally; after Dai Zhou finished speaking, he thought for a moment and then said, "If you're willing to give me this chance, I could not ask for it more."

"But I still don't understand what a Ministerial Attendant is supposed to do; letting me take on the Minister's duties directly feels a bit… like forcing a duck onto a perch?"

"Exactly, forcing a duck onto a perch."

What Chen Yan didn't expect was that Dai Zhou readily admitted it.

"It's not just me forcing a duck onto a perch; isn't His Majesty also doing the same?"

"As His Majesty's conflict with the aristocratic families intensifies, the Tang Dynasty's borders have long been harassed and are at risk. He needs to swiftly, during this hard‑won period of stability, strongly promote a trusted group to power, so as to confront any future accidents or wars."

"Did you forget? At the beginning of the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, I was still serving at the Dali Temple, and Cheng Yaojin specifically ordered me to go capture you and imprison you. Not long after, I became the Minister of Revenue, and now I'm being transferred again!"

"Am I not still being forced?"

"Hmm......?" Chen Yan's eyebrows twitched subtly after hearing that.

After Dai Zhou finished speaking, he suddenly became aware of some previously overlooked details.

Li Shimin twice seized opportunities to purge the Court, promoting his own people, but later the aristocratic families struck back, leading to a compromise and a small batch of officials being replaced.

I recall that at the beginning, Wei Zheng wasn't in the Secretariat, and now Wang Gui is about to descend, while Wei Zheng is about to ascend again…

In the past two years, many people's positions have indeed changed repeatedly.

Only Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling, among a few, remain as steady as Mount Tai.

"It seems you understand." Dai Zhou, seeing his expression, smiled, "Your arrival isn't timely, yet from a certain perspective, it is indeed very timely."

"Earlier this year, you and Wei Zheng produced that newspaper; its front page announced the upcoming Imperial Examination and that the Son of Heaven would preside over the examination hall, causing a huge uproar."

"Now the regional exams have concluded; in the first month of next year, the final Imperial Test will be held."

"Moreover, as I just mentioned, His Majesty's clash with the aristocratic families is intensifying; next year we'll have to mobilize troops, and three major events will occur. If you succeed, no one will doubt you again; if you fail, you may have to sink down and settle."

"I understand that." Chen Yan nodded, "I'm already prepared; confidence… I have a little bit of it."

As he spoke, he made a tiny "Finger‑tip Universe" gesture.

Of course, Dai Zhou didn't get the reference and said seriously, "Then you must work even harder, start preparing for this as soon as possible. Of course, I will also, within this month, try my best to think of solutions for you, offering some suggestions; whether you accept them is up to you."

Chen Yan felt a silent sigh in his heart.

Indeed, having connections makes things easy.

If someone else came, could Dai Zhou still help so wholeheartedly?

Just thinking about it, you know it wouldn't.

Chen Yan mused, "I have a question: Cai Duke previously told me that many people are eyeing your current position; may I ask who they are?"

Regarding his question, Dai Zhou didn't answer immediately, but replied, "Putting aside who they are, I ask you: can they shake you?"

Hm?

Honestly, Chen Yan hesitated at this point, pondering for a long time, then slowly shook his head, "If I haven't made a mistake myself, they shouldn't be able to shake me."

"Since that's the case, what are you worried about?"

Dai Zhou spoke bluntly, "My view differs from Du Ruhui's; he may worry more about you personally, while I'm more concerned about whether you can firmly hold this position in the future!"

Besides, regarding this issue, you should ask Du Ruhui; he understands it better than I do, the reasons behind it—I think you can understand.

The advice I can give you now is...... to make plans early!