The Bureau of Works office compound.

The minor official leading the way bobbed his head cheerfully, quite amiable toward Yuan Cheng. Perhaps due to the pressure of superior rank, he turned a blind eye to Mo Zi’s androgynous attire.

Mo Zi walked with proper steps, though her eyes darted left and right. Facing the spacious, square courtyard, she felt somewhat moved—so this was the governmental institution of Great Zhou.

“Official Wei, troubling you to lead the way again,” Yuan Cheng said to the minor official.

“Minister Yuan, why do you say such things? Setting aside that your official rank is higher than mine, in this busy place where people come and go, only you, Minister, bothered to ask this humble official’s surname, and even found a good physician for my old mother and procured expensive medicine.” The minor official grew somewhat excited as he spoke. “If Minister needs this humble official, I would go through fire and flood for you, let alone for such small matters.”

“Just a small favor, hardly worth mentioning,” Yuan Cheng said with gentle humility. “If I hadn’t known about it, that would be one thing, but having learned of it, how could I stand by idly? Speaking broadly, you and I are also colleagues, both serving His Majesty.”

The ninth-rank minor official was now overwhelmed with gratitude, stammering, “This humble official… how would this humble official dare to presume such close association with Minister?”

Mo Zi heard every word, silently criticizing to herself—don’t be so self-satisfied, he’s buying you off with small favors.

“Has Minister Jiang been busy lately? He just took office, so presumably official duties are numerous. A few days ago when I came, you happened to be on your rest day. The calling card I sent in was returned unopened, saying Minister Jiang had no time and wouldn’t see irrelevant people.” Yuan Cheng’s tone seemed to carry a trace of concern. “If Minister Jiang is truly inconvenienced, I can come another day—don’t put Official Wei in a difficult position.”

The minor official looked around, his gaze lingering on Mo Zi for a moment. Finally determining she was Yuan Cheng’s trusted aide, he lowered his voice. “Busy? To tell Minister Yuan the truth, this Minister Jiang is rather foolish. Newly arrived, he doesn’t understand how to greet and socialize with superiors and colleagues. Whenever outsiders come bearing gifts, he puts on a cold face and drives them out without any consideration. Last time with you, Minister Yuan, wasn’t he also extremely discourteous?”

Mo Zi thought to herself that Great Zhou’s officialdom was indeed corrupt.

“A new official lights three fires—I don’t mind,” Yuan Cheng said. When he mentioned the three fires again, it seemed casual, but he glanced at Mo Zi beside him, who was listening intently, and the corners of his lips curved upward.

Seeing Yuan Cheng smile like this, the minor official was stunned, momentarily dazed. Previously he’d only thought Yuan Cheng refined and courteous but ordinary-looking; now he suddenly realized this person was actually quite handsome.

“He’s only a fifth-rank official—what fires is he setting, and three of them?” The minor official scoffed. “That one has probably been stationed outside the capital too long and doesn’t know the rules for being an official in the capital. There are plenty of officials higher-ranking than him here. Who is he showing off to? Even if the Emperor personally promoted him, his performance reviews are in his superiors’ hands—whether good or bad is for others to decide. Coming in and offending people right away, how will he get along in the future?”

“He’s just not used to it yet. After some time, he’ll be fine.” Birds of a feather flock together—Yuan Cheng believed it was only a matter of time before this Minister Jiang fell in line.

“Just as Minister Yuan says. This morning the Chief Minister summoned Minister Jiang for a talk. Though he came back looking unhappy, he still accepted your calling card. I reckon he’s seen reason—probably your matter can be resolved today. One has to call him foolish—this matter was already approved by the Minister and Chief Minister, so what’s he quibbling about alone?” The minor official smiled ingratiatingly, arriving at a large building. “Minister Yuan, please wait a moment. I’ll go announce you.”

Yuan Cheng gave his permission.

Mo Zi frowned. “I see this person talking about going through fire and flood—it’s all empty flattery. He’s completely acting this way because he received benefits from you and is currying favor. At critical moments, he won’t be of much use.”

“Small uses are sufficient.” Yuan Cheng appeared unconcerned. “I remember you don’t believe in vows.”

Mo Zi’s eyes held some indifference. “I don’t believe in them. Because whether a promise can actually be fulfilled shouldn’t be said, but done. In this world, there are too many people whose words don’t match their hearts.”

“I don’t believe them either. If sincerity is genuine, nothing need be said. Only when sincerity is false does one need to make vows, deceiving oneself and others. Those willing to go through fire and flood for me are countless, and those who distance themselves at the first sign of my downfall are equally countless. The official world is like this—truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, three parts spoken and seven parts kept in the heart, allies now and opponents later. One must always be vigilant, never sleep too soundly. Whether the Emperor is wise or not wise, it’s all the same.” Having spent years in officialdom, Yuan Cheng, not yet twenty-five, had been refined into premature world-weariness.

“Aren’t you tired?” Mo Zi looked at him with some sympathy. He could have been a willful young master like Xiao San, couldn’t he?

“Rather than tired, I’d say interesting.” Yuan Cheng smiled at her, his right palm facing upward, slowly curling into an empty grip. “At least, that’s what I used to think.” Now, she was more interesting.

What an odd person! Her sympathy was wasted. The other party seemed like a fish in water—probably naturally inclined to stir up trouble?

“When we meet that official shortly, what should I say?” Should she beg? Even if she was unwilling, she had to consider the shipyard workers who lacked household registration. According to Min Song, the Ministry of Works periodically sent officials to various shipyards to check household registration. People without registration would be driven out, and the shipyard owner would also be heavily fined.

Yuan Cheng opened his mouth, not having said a single word yet.

Mo Zi waved her hand. “Don’t repeat that ‘honey trap’ nonsense again. Can you be serious?”

“When soldiers come, generals block; when water comes, earth dams it. We’ll respond as situations arise.” Being serious—that he could do.

“Minister Yuan, please come in.” The minor official hurried out, smiling. “Minister Jiang is in good spirits. He asked me to serve good tea. Please go in first—this humble official will have someone brew a pot of premium Dragon Well tea right away.”

Yuan Cheng smiled his thanks and entered the large building.

Mo Zi followed him in and saw rows of wooden shelves in the center, holding not books but blue-covered registers. The main hall had doors on either side. Yuan Cheng went left, so she did too.

Beyond the door was a square room, furnished much like a study, with a long table and four long benches, apparently for receiving guests.

At the desk, a person was bent over flipping through registers, occasionally muttering incomprehensible words to himself.

Looking at him, his head appeared extraordinarily large.

“Minister Jiang, Yuan offers his respects.” This registrar was fifth rank proper, while Yuan Cheng was sixth rank, so he had to perform a deep bow with folded hands.

“Mm.” The minister didn’t raise his head, merely pointing his brush tip toward the long table.

Mo Zi sat down with Yuan Cheng. After a quarter-hour, the man surnamed Jiang paid them no attention. She couldn’t help thinking this official really didn’t know how to conduct himself. Properly speaking, even though Yuan Cheng was one rank below him, he shouldn’t treat him this way. Officials see each other constantly. But Yuan Cheng leisurely drank his tea, so she held her teacup and sipped as well.

Half an hour later, having reached their third cup of tea, Minister Jiang finally spoke again.

“Minister Yuan, the temporary household registration you’re applying for on someone’s behalf doesn’t comply with regulations. I cannot grant it. Please notify that shipyard owner to have those people leave. The Ministry of Revenue clearly stipulates that temporary household registration requires residence in the locality for over one year, a guarantor, and tax payments. I’ve checked all of these—most haven’t resided for a full year. Though they have guarantors, they haven’t paid even one coin in taxes to Great Zhou. I don’t know if there was an oversight at the Ministry of Revenue’s end, or if Minister Yuan has special abilities, but I cannot carelessly handle official duties while drawing a state salary. My apologies.” Having finished, the large head finally lifted.

Mo Zi let out an exclamation.

The beard on his face seemed perpetually unshaven, his head large and eyes large, nostrils pointing upward, bat ears, and a pair of bright red small lips.

Such a peculiar combination she couldn’t possibly forget. This was the person who had stolen her idea of official loans and opened granaries to distribute grain, the Luzhen County Magistrate who, due to this very appearance, unfortunately missed becoming third-place scholar despite being an excellent jinshi graduate—

“Jiang Tao.” She couldn’t help calling out his name.

Yuan Cheng looked at her, and Jiang Tao looked at her too.

“You know each other—” Yuan Cheng’s tone started rising in question.

“Bodhisattva!” Jiang Tao suddenly stood up, his chair swaying wildly behind him.

“You know each other—” Mo Zi’s tone started falling in affirmation.

“Huh?” Following the direction Jiang Tao was pointing, she turned to look behind her, thinking there must be some Bodhisattva statue or shrine. “Where’s the Bodhisattva?” Though she didn’t understand the significance of Official Jiang suddenly shouting about a Bodhisattva so excitedly, since she was asking a favor, she had to go with the flow.

Even Yuan Cheng had to sigh—sometimes she was incredibly clever, sometimes incredibly slow. “I think Minister Jiang means you. You are the Bodhisattva.”

“I’m a Bodhisattva?” Completely baffled, Mo Zi’s face was full of question marks. “How did I not know?” A clay Bodhisattva at best. When crossing a river, unable to save herself.

Jiang Tao came around from behind his desk, quickly walking up to Mo Zi and looking her up and down. “Miss, you’re not a Bodhisattva or an immortal?”

Mo Zi laughed. “Nonsense. If I were a Bodhisattva or immortal, would I be here handling business?”

Jiang Tao’s bulging eyes blinked dozens of times, nearly creating a breeze, then he took a step backward. “You’re human.”

“On this point, I have a witness.” Mo Zi tugged at Yuan Cheng, who sat beside her watching the excitement. “Minister Jiang can ask him. Flesh and blood, one careless knife wound and I’d depart this mortal coil—an absolute mortal.”

Yuan Cheng had no intention of acknowledging Mo Zi’s nonsense, but seeing Jiang Tao seriously waiting for him to speak, he nodded in confirmation with a smile. “Minister Jiang, I can guarantee this young lady is human. A mortal.” What connection did these two have? How did Mo Zi become a Bodhisattva? Curious, curious! Interesting, interesting!

Jiang Tao tugged his bat ears and turned two circles on the spot. “Never imagined, never imagined. The concept of official loans actually came from a young lady’s mouth.”

Hearing the words “official loans,” Yuan Cheng’s expression became serious. He asked Mo Zi softly, “The official loans in Luzhen were your idea?”

Mo Zi didn’t want to admit it, but had to. “Yes. However, I had no choice. The situation was urgent at the time—I couldn’t think of another solution.”

Yuan Cheng looked at her, his gaze gentle. “Very good.”

“No, not good.” Mo Zi said quietly. “If corrupt officials exploit official loans, it’ll become a complete mess with endless problems.” Given Great Zhou’s current officialdom, better to avoid it if possible.

“Are you talking about me?” Yuan Cheng smiled.

Mo Zi’s head buzzed. “It couldn’t be? You couldn’t have already thought of something?”

At this moment, Jiang Tao suddenly stopped, facing Mo Zi. “Miss Mo Zi, please accept this bow from Jiang Tao, on behalf of those who were able to survive because of this—the people of Yuling, no, now they’re citizens of Great Zhou. Thank you.”

Jiang Tao was still the same Jiang Tao. Devoted to the people, with pure sincerity.

But she needed to use his back door! How should she go about this?

It’s the beginning of the month, the busiest time.

So it’s later—sorry about that.

By the way, there have been so many rewards and votes these past days—did you all know tomorrow is my birthday? This is my second birthday since I started writing on Qidian.

Thanks everyone! Very happy and satisfied!