Chapter 29: Bestowal of Office

Upon returning home, Fang Xiaoru immediately summoned Chen Kan to his study.

The mentor and student sat facing each other. Fang asked, "Yuansheng, you did not accept the official position offered by His Majesty, did you?"

"I did not." Chen Kan shook his head in reply.

Fang Xiaoru looked relieved. "That is good. What office did His Majesty offer you?"

"His Majesty only asked if I were willing to serve as an official. After I declined, he did not mention any specific post he intended to bestow upon me; instead, he gave me a stern warning."

"Nothing at all?"

"Nothing!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoru’s expression turned solemn. Chen Kan asked hurriedly, "Teacher, what is wrong?"

Fang shook his head, his tone grave. "Yuansheng, do you know why I do not wish for you to accept an official appointment from His Majesty?"

Chen Kan had already pondered this while sparring with Zhu Di at the palace. He replied immediately, "You want me to follow the orthodox path of the Imperial Examinations, correct?"

"Precisely," Fang said. "Since the founding of our dynasty under the Great Ancestor, there has been an unspoken rule: those who have not passed the imperial examinations cannot hold a substantive, high-ranking official seal. If you were to accept an appointment directly from the Emperor, you would be blocking your own future. Since ancient times, there has never been a precedent for a 'favored official' to become a pillar of the state. I do not wish for you to bear the label of one who advances through mere favoritism, which is why I gave you that advice."

Chen Kan nodded; Fang’s words aligned with his own deductions. In fact, this was exactly what Chen had planned. After narrowly escaping death in the prison, he had reached a clear realization: in an era where imperial power is supreme, serving as an official is the only path to a secure life. Only by wielding power can one navigate this era with ease. As for commerce or farming, he had considered those options, but without political influence, the more one accumulates, the closer one gets to destruction. Chen did not want to end up being slaughtered like a fattened pig.

Furthermore, since he had decided to pursue a political career, it was better to do so through the Imperial Examinations. Especially since the Tang and Song dynasties, the exam system had become increasingly refined. In the history books, those who rose to prominence in the imperial court were almost exclusively the elite chosen through these layers of rigorous testing. Few ever reached the halls of power without passing the examinations. While the system had its limitations—often barring other types of talent—it remained the fairest path for social advancement in this country and this nation, even up to the twenty-first century from which Chen had come.

As a student of Fang Xiaoru, the original Chen Kan possessed a decent, if not exceptional, education. Having inherited most of the original's memories and benefiting from the mentorship of Fang, the leader of the empire's literati, he stood on firm ground. As long as he participated in the examinations, regardless of his final ranking, he was virtually guaranteed to pass. With such advantages, refusing Zhu Di’s direct appointment was the most prudent choice.

"According to my estimation, the fact that His Majesty summoned you to the palace should have resulted in an appointment, if only for my sake. But not only did he withhold any position, he even chastised you. I fear that His Majesty..."

Fang’s words made Chen’s heart leap into his throat. *I knew it. I knew this wasn't going to be simple. That damn Zhu Di!*

Chen asked with trepidation, "Teacher, what do you fear?"

Fang stroked his beard and said slowly, "I fear that His Majesty has some ulterior motive!"

Chen rolled his eyes. *Truly, hearing you speak is like hearing you speak.* "Teacher, I am aware that His Majesty has an ulterior motive."

"Hmm... it is difficult to say. His Majesty’s temperament is impossible to fathom. It is difficult to say."

As he watched Fang Xiaoru fall into deep contemplation, stroking his long beard, Chen grew anxious. *What is the hidden meaning? Just say it! Can you stop pausing mid-sentence?*

"The Imperial Edict has arrived!" A sharp voice suddenly rang out from outside the gate.

Fang Xiaoru roused from his thoughts and looked at Chen, saying, "I suspect this is His Majesty’s 'ulterior motive'."

Chen Kan: "?" *Summoning me to the palace to threaten me, then sending an edict—what kind of motive is that?*

Fang said, "Let us receive the edict first."

Chen stood up and, feeling utterly confused, followed Fang into the courtyard. After opening the main gate to welcome the eunuch and setting up an incense table in the center of the yard, the eunuch announced, "An oral command from His Majesty: commoner Chen Kan, receive the decree."

*An oral command? Not a formal imperial edict?* Despite the informality, Chen dared not be negligent. After performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows toward the Forbidden City, he knelt before the eunuch. "Commoner Chen Kan receives the decree."

"Chen Kan, a middle-aged commoner, having rendered service to the state, is hereby appointed as an Inspector of the Guard. Report for duty tomorrow. Do not be late."

The eunuch finished, flicked his horsetail whisk, and turned to leave. Chen remained kneeling, stunned. *That’s it? Where is the 'By the grace of the Emperor, the mandate is decreed'? Where is the obscure, flowery language I prepared myself to decipher? A simple 'rendered service to the state'—at least specify what that service was! And what is an 'Inspector of the Guard'? Does such an office even exist in the Great Ming? Where am I supposed to report?*

Fang Xiaoru, having heard the decree, wore a look of complex realization—first surprise, then a sudden understanding.

Chen cleared the incense table and asked in bewilderment, "Teacher, His Majesty has given me an office. Should I resist the decree?"

Fang looked at him with disdain. "Resist the decree? Do you dare?"

The look of contempt stung Chen’s nerves. "I do not!"

"Hmph," Fang replied with a look that said 'just as I thought.' He said calmly, "There is no need to resist. This position will not affect your future political career."

*Oh, it won't affect my future? Then it's fine.*

"Inspector of the Guard—does the Ming have such a position? What are the duties? What rank is it, and where do I report?" Chen asked four questions in a row, his eyes filled with the desire for knowledge. Since it wouldn't hinder his future, his panic subsided, replaced by a faint, budding anticipation for the decadent, corrupt, and hedonistic life of a high official.

Fang turned toward the study and said, "The 'Guard Inspector' was a title established during the reign of the Great Ancestor, fourth-rank in the lower tier, but since the word 'Inspector' has been added to your title, it carries no official rank."

"No rank? What do you mean?" Chen followed him like a puppy, his big eyes full of confusion. *Who would believe that a rankless official exists?*

Fang explained, "The term 'Inspector' implies an honorary or temporary position, often created when a specific official is tasked with handling a specific matter. Once the task is completed, the position ceases to exist. Since it ceases to exist, it naturally will not affect your official career."