Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 769 - 605 Yan Huanong

Gu Chengyu was somewhat surprised, and he glanced at Chou Yifan in confusion.

"I’ve read them before, and I still have an impression in my mind."

Chou Yifan was astounded. He had just seen Gu Chengyu start composing without even looking for books, so naturally, he doubted.

He wondered if Gu Chengyu could really rely solely on his memory without any related books?

Now hearing Gu Chengyu say this, he thought this was simply a fantasy.

However, having been an official for many years, it was naturally impossible for him to lose composure.

"I hadn’t expected Mr. Gu’s memory to be so extraordinary. Are you perhaps what the ancients called ’never forgetting after a glance’?"

Chou Yifan chuckled, but after blurting it out, he felt it was somewhat inappropriate.

No matter how he heard it, it sounded a bit sarcastic. After all, who in the world actually remembers everything at first glance? Certainly not him.

Even a person with a good memory has to read a book three to five times to remember it well; otherwise, why would the imperial exams be so difficult?

Although reading is not all about memorization, but also about personal insights and writing excellent articles, memorizing the Four Books and Five Classics shouldn’t make becoming a Scholar too hard, right?

But how many people in the world actually become Scholars? Those who pass the county examination are also the cream of the crop.

Chou Yifan shook his head, perhaps Mr. Gu had simply put in a lot of effort on these books, memorizing them thoroughly wouldn’t be surprising.

"I wouldn’t dare claim such a thing, it’s just the result of hard work!" Gu Chengyu had no intention of being too high-profile, after all, it had nothing to do with being an official.

Those who are capable must do more work. Being too outstanding makes it hard to blend in with colleagues, and gives off an arrogant and difficult-to-approach vibe.

Actually, Gu Chengyu was unaware that he had already become the star figure within the Hanlin Academy.

Whether it’s the Emperor’s favor, tea taxes, or book lists, even if not all officials remembered him, it was close.

Chou Yifan, hearing this, felt his previous words had been too harsh, and quickly wanted to remedy them.

Chou Yifan was always versatile, very adept in speech and behavior. Yet this time he was somewhat out of line, just when he was about to speak a few words to ease the atmosphere, a voice came from outside the door.

"This subordinate pays respects to Mr. Chou!"

Gu Chengyu listened to the voice and found it familiar.

"Ah, it’s Assistant Kong, please come in!" Chou Yifan wasn’t surprised by the visitor and invited him in loudly.

Assistant Kong entered with a stack of books in his arms and saw Gu Chengyu sitting there.

"Mr. Gu? You have returned to the Capital? This subordinate greets Mr. Gu!"

Gu Chengyu glanced at the stack of books in Assistant Kong’s hands and smiled, "I returned yesterday. What are those books for, Assistant Kong?"

"Reporting to Mr. Gu! These are books I found for Mr. Chou, related to the compendium."

At this point, Chou Yifan interjected, "Place the books here! You’ve worked hard, thank you!"

Assistant Kong repeatedly said it was nothing, "I cannot accept Mr. Chou’s thanks, it’s an honor to relieve Mr. Chou of any burdens. If there’s anything you need in the future, just order this subordinate."

"Mr. Gu, these are books related to the Ministry of Rites that I asked Assistant Kong to help find." Chou Yifan said, stepping forward to flip through a book.

Hmm? There’s such a way to go about it? Gu Chengyu looked perplexed.

But then he realized that this might be the norm, and it’s no wonder everyone wants to be a high-ranking official. Just give orders, and plenty of officials will handle the burdens.

He momentarily forgot; in this era of strict hierarchies, how could officials handle everything personally?

"Has Mr. Gu taken on a task from Mr. Zhang?" Assistant Kong turned and bowed to Gu Chengyu before asking.

Gu Chengyu nodded, "Indeed! I’ve taken on a case from the Ministry of Justice."

Assistant Kong, upon hearing this, quickly replied, "Then if Mr. Gu needs anything, just give the order, and I will do my utmost to complete it."

Assistant Kong had long wanted to build connections with this favored Mr. Gu, but since Mr. Chou was also present, he felt it improper to be too direct and risk Mr. Chou’s disapproval.

Gu Chengyu laughed lightly, "I haven’t started yet; if I need assistance in the future, I’ll ask Assistant Kong."

In officialdom, if Gu Chengyu directly refused Assistant Kong, it would be hard for Assistant Kong to save face. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Even though Assistant Kong was slightly disappointed, he wasn’t discouraged, knowing there would be another chance next time.

After Assistant Kong left, Chou Yifan placed the books on the table, "Mr. Gu, are you not yet accustomed? Matters like this are commonplace; if you have work, you can also entrust these subordinates to do it."

Chou Yifan saw Gu Chengyu’s surprised expression earlier and guessed that Gu Chengyu, new to the Hanlin Academy, was perhaps unaware of these practices, thinking he needed to handle everything personally.

Gu Chengyu touched his nose and said with a smile, "I just felt they seemed busy, and I’ve already read these, I might even find books faster than they can."

Chou Yifan’s mouth curled into a smile, "It’s their job to assist us with the compendium, Mr. Gu can give instructions freely."

Gu Chengyu sighed inwardly, this was akin to claiming credit for subordinates’ work.

But Gu Chengyu wasn’t foolish enough to argue. After all, he was also but a mundane person.

Afterward, the two no longer conversed and went about their tasks.

As the sun set, Gu Chengyu ended his duties and instructed Ming Mo to accompany Ye Zhiqiu home, while he himself went to Yin Kun’s residence.

"Senior Brother! Did you see our teacher’s son-in-law, Lord Yan, during your assignment in Yingnan Mansion this time?"

Gu Chengyu shared some stories of his return home with Yin Kun, then inquired about Yin Kun’s previous assignment to Yingnan Mansion.

"I met him, but he almost got entangled in Xia Zhou’s case this time."

Yin Kun poured Gu Chengyu a cup of tea, with a slight frown on his face.

Gu Chengyu was somewhat surprised. Could this Yan Huanong really have something to hide? Didn’t their teacher already send him a letter?

"Was there any silver involved?" Having no need for secrecy between them, Gu Chengyu candidly spoke up.

Yin Kun shook his head, "Not quite, but the matter did implicate him."

With that, Yin Kun slowly recounted the happenings in Yingnan Mansion.

It turned out that Yin Kun had previously gone to Yingnan Mansion under the Emperor’s order to capture Xia Zhou. Since Xia Zhou was the clansman Xia Qing intended to sacrifice, it was certain there wouldn’t be any unexpected incidents; the Xia Family would surely cooperate.

But Xia Zhou wasn’t a fool. Knowing he’d been made the scapegoat by Xia Qing and his clansmen, how could he be content?

Even though the clansmen threatened him with his family’s lives, he managed to set a trap for them before his demise.

The account books that were apparent had already been scoured by the clansmen, yet he had a fallback plan.

The two account ledgers left behind were incomplete, but the contents were enough to cause the Xia Family great trouble.

Moreover, he had recorded in them the silver he paid as homage to Xia Qing each year, which served as protection for his wife and children.

"Did those account books end up in your hands?"

Yin Kun had said so much in one breath that his throat felt parched. He took a sip of tea.

At the same time, he wanted to pique Gu Chengyu’s curiosity, but Gu Chengyu directly pointed it out.