Chapter 81

According to the Ming Huidian, the Spring Festival holiday lasts for five days, from the first to the fifth day of the first lunar month. For Ming officials, who had few holidays, this was a rare long break. During the Spring Festival, the government offices were very quiet, with most officials sealing their seals and closing their offices.

However, sealing the seals and closing the offices did not mean they were not at the county office. Local officials and clerks could return home for the New Year, but officials from other places, such as the county magistrate and the vice-magistrate, could not go home and had to spend the New Year at the county office.

At that moment, Lin Yanchao, along with his uncle, arrived at the back gate of the county office, familiar with the way. After the gatekeeper reported, they entered the county office. On the way, his uncle was quite nervous. Although he had worked as a casual laborer in the office before, he had never entered the main gate, let alone the six departments or the inner quarters. This time, however, they went straight to the inner quarters, where the county magistrate, the secretary, the attendants, and the family members lived. Only trusted people could enter.

In the reception hall, Lin Yanchao was drinking tea, while his uncle was touching the ginkgo gold-painted square table and the boxwood official hat chair, exclaiming, "These are all top-quality Suzhou styles! Truly, the county office has a grand atmosphere."

Lin Yanchao felt embarrassed but could do nothing since it was his uncle. He said, "Uncle, you should sit down. If Mr. Shen sees you, it would be impolite."

"Understood, understood." His uncle sat down, then picked up the teacup and drank half a bowl of tea, took a small pastry, and swallowed it. Just then, he heard a cough from outside, and Mr. Shen entered the reception hall.

His uncle quickly put down the teacup, hurriedly chewed and swallowed the pastry, gave Lin Yanchao a look not to say anything wrong, and went to the door to greet Mr. Shen.

Seeing Mr. Shen, his uncle's face lit up like a flower, and he said, "I am Lin Yanchao's uncle. Last time, thanks to Mr. Shen's help, our old man got such a good job. We are truly grateful! Here are four kinds of pastries made by the master from Yunchui Pavilion in Shaoxing, a small token of our appreciation."

Mr. Shen, seeing his uncle's enthusiasm, only politely clasped his hands and said, "You are too kind."

A servant took the gift box and retreated.

Then, Mr. Shen turned to Lin Yanchao and said, "The phrase 'Can Yan be attacked?' was written by you, right?"

Lin Yanchao smiled and said, "Yes, you heard about it."

His uncle was startled, thinking that Mr. Shen was praising him, but he was not being modest. He quickly smiled and said, "Mr. Shen, my nephew doesn't know how to speak. Please forgive him. He is just a bit clever, nothing compared to you, Mr. Shen, who assists the old parents and handles all the county affairs with great fairness."

Mr. Shen smiled politely at his uncle's flattery and said, "I dare not, young friend. I have heard about this case. I thought it was an ironclad case, but your one phrase 'Can Yan be attacked?' overturned it. The scholars in the prefecture were surprised for a while, but we, the secretaries, clerks, and minor officials in the office, know that you are truly talented, not just in the Four Books and Five Classics, but in practical application and the unity of knowledge and action."

His uncle gave Lin Yanchao a warning look, and Lin Yanchao could only humbly say, "Mr. Shen, I dare not. I just had some luck."

His uncle then added, "Yes, Mr. Shen, don't spoil the child. Old ginger is still the spiciest. You are the real expert."

"Right, Yanchao, what is 'Can Yan be attacked?' I haven't heard you mention it."

Lin Yanchao was too lazy to explain.

Mr. Shen said to Lin Yanchao, "Young friend, if you are interested, you can work with me. I will teach you 'Qian Gu Bei Yao,' 'Xing Qian Bi Lan,' and the arts of writing, tax collection, registration, and accounting. With your talent, you can become a master in three years."

"I am not boasting, but at that time, you can work in the offices of governors and viceroys. Besides the official gifts, the subordinates' tributes can earn you hundreds of taels of silver each year."

Hundreds of taels, his uncle was amazed.

Lin Yanchao was tempted. Being a secretary was a good career, much better than being a litigator.

Litigators had a bad reputation, but secretaries did not. Moreover, being a secretary not only gave a high status but also allowed one to meet many high-ranking officials. Lin Zexu, a fellow townsman, had worked as a secretary for five years under the Zhejiang-Fujian governor Zhang Shicheng before passing the imperial examination.

To be honest, Lin Yanchao liked learning these administrative skills, as he had worked in this field in his previous life. He was tempted to accept Mr. Shen's offer. But then he thought, working with Mr. Shen did not mean he had to work for Magistrate Zhou, who was a mean and ungrateful person. Such a person was not worth serving for long.

It was a bit of a pity, but there would be other opportunities. Lin Yanchao said, "I would like to learn from you, Mr. Shen, but my studies are my priority now. I thank you for your kindness. Hopefully, we will have the chance in the future, and I will definitely seek your guidance when I have the time."

Mr. Shen laughed and said, "Good, my offer stands. Whenever you are ready, you can come."

At this moment, his uncle coughed twice and changed the topic, asking Mr. Shen if he could help him get a job in the office.

Mr. Shen frowned and said, "A clerk in the office? Every position in the office is like a fixed post. Even a small position like a copyist is not easy to get..."

"This, this, I and Yanchao are friends of different ages. You bringing this money is ruining our friendship..."

"Alright, I will help you run some errands. For Yanchao's sake, I will not take my share, but I will use this money to smooth things out in the office..."

"Hmm? A position in the military department? The military department is martial, and just the conscription alone is enough to feed a family, not to mention the fees for the military examination and horse fodder..."

"Go back and wait for my news. It won't be later than the Lantern Festival. Getting your name on the register should not be a problem..."

After leaving the county office, his uncle was elated and full of confidence.

Lin Yanchao knew his uncle was the type who would go overboard with a little encouragement, so he said, "Uncle, being in the office is different from being at home. You must be cautious."

His uncle nodded and said, "I have been aimless for thirty years, not accomplishing much, just relying on boasting to gain attention. I don't want to live like this anymore. This time, I will bring some honor to the family."

Lin Yanchao did not expect his uncle to say such sensible words and said, "Uncle, it's good that you think this way. I have heard that clerks often exploit the people. There is a saying, 'Good deeds can be done in the public office, and the choice between good and evil is just a thought.'"

His uncle smiled and said, "I understand. I am not that kind of person. Everyone gets paid, and I will take my share, but I will not do anything that harms the people or goes against my conscience."

Lin Yanchao felt relieved and smiled, "Then I must congratulate you, Uncle."

His uncle laughed and put his arm around Lin Yanchao's shoulder, "Alright, I still have some money left. Let's find a restaurant and have a drink to celebrate. And don't tell your aunt about our drinking."

Lin Yanchao and his uncle took a boat back home from the city.

As soon as his aunt saw his uncle, she asked, "How did it go? Any progress?"

His uncle laughed and said, "My dear, from now on, you can call me 'official.'"

His aunt was so happy that she cried, "I have finally made it. After fifteen years of marriage to the Lin family, I have finally made it."

"Look at you, quickly help me change. From now on, I will wear a white shirt and black boots. Get rid of these hemp clothes and shoes... No, give them to the third brother; he can use them in the fields."

"Big brother, you..." The third uncle was so angry he could not speak.

His aunt, being submissive, said gently, "Yes, my official!"

His uncle felt very comfortable when his aunt called him 'official.' She immediately helped him change his clothes.

Lin Yanchao was speechless.

His aunt also came to Lin Yanchao and said, "Yanchao, thank you for helping my official."

Lin Yanchao said calmly, "Aunt, you are too kind. Your official is my uncle."

His aunt quickly said, "Yanchao, I was wrong before, and I have already apologized to you. Now I treat Qianqian as my own daughter."

Lin Yanchao slowly nodded.

At this moment, Lin Gaizhuo came over and, seeing his uncle in high spirits, asked, "Did you get it done?"

"Of course, Mr. Shen saw that I had been in the office for many years, was experienced, and capable, so he immediately agreed to help my son get a position in the office." His uncle continued to boast.

Lin Gaizhuo frowned and said, "All talk. It was only because of Yanchao's face and the money. Otherwise, you would never get such a position in ten lifetimes."

"Father, you are right," his uncle said, a bit dejected, "Father, after I become a clerk, I will live in the office and can only come home on the first and fifteenth of each month to serve you."

Lin Gaizhuo picked up his pipe and hit his uncle, scolding, "No ambition. A man should prioritize his career. Running back home all the time is not filial. Not making me angry is already filial."

"Yes, yes."

The third uncle said coldly, "Big brother, if you want to stay at home, you can take the fifteen acres of land and I will take your place."

His uncle laughed dryly, "I was just joking, Father and third brother, you took it seriously. Alright, alright, my wife, pack my bedding. In a few days, I will go to the county office. I will not come back until I become a chief clerk."

"Go, go, that's all you are worth." Lin Gaizhuo scolded again.

His uncle could only say, "Father, you say this and that. I am an official now, can you give me some face?"

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