By a twist of fate, the illegitimate son of the Marquis's family marries the county princess.

Chapter 124 Looking for an article

The Crown Prince acted swiftly; the day after Wen Zongji entered the palace, an imperial edict was issued granting the Beijing Gazette Office the authority to review some of the Shuntian Prefecture's case files.

Upon hearing the news, the staff of the Imperial Gazette Bureau cheered, "Our lord is mighty!"

Having gained such great power simply by going to the palace, Wen Zongji, the newly appointed Jinshi, has already demonstrated his abilities to his subordinates.

We have the ability to support them!

This will allow them to be more uninhibited.

Wen Zongji let everyone cheer for a while before raising his hand and saying, "Alright, everyone, let's get back to work."

"Yes, sir."

Everyone returned to their seats.

Wen Zongji looked at Yao Maofang: "Maofang, take some people to Shuntian Prefecture later. Since we are going to set up a legal education board, the focus should be on the laws that are frequently violated. I believe the people in Shuntian Prefecture will be very clear about this."

"When you get there, tell them the files we need, and they should be able to find the right ones for us."

"Although the Emperor has given us the authority to review the files of Shuntian Prefecture, the Office of Transmission and Shuntian Prefecture are, after all, two separate government offices. Do not take the files out of Shuntian Prefecture. If you think they are suitable for publication in the Beijing Gazette, write them down."

Yao Maofang nodded: "This humble official understands."

"Go."

Seeing that Wen Zongji seemed to be going out as well, Yao Maofang asked in confusion, "Is Your Excellency going too?"

Wen Zongji shook his head: "I need to see someone."

……

The Marquis's carriage eventually stopped at the Hanlin Academy.

Looking at the plaque of the Hanlin Academy in front of him, Wen Zongji felt a sense of loss, even though he had only been gone for a few days.

Although Wen Zongji was transferred to the Office of Transmission to serve as the chief editor of the Beijing Gazette, his position as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy was not revoked. In other words, he now holds two positions and can still freely enter and leave the Hanlin Academy.

After entering the Hanlin Academy, Wen Zongji went straight to the office where Wen Zongren worked, but did not go in. Instead, he asked someone to call Wen Zongren out.

Wen Zongren wasn't surprised to see Wen Zongji: "You're here."

Wen Zongji said, "I'll have to trouble you, elder brother."

Wen Zongren patted him on the shoulder: "Don't be so polite, we're brothers. Come on, I'll take you to see your maternal grandfather."

Wen Zongren's maternal grandfather, Jiang Zhengming, was the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, a fifth-rank official who oversaw the entire academy.

To put it bluntly, if Wen Zongren intended to stay in the Hanlin Academy, he could do whatever he wanted as long as Jiang Zhengming was around.

It's just that Wen Zongren didn't have that kind of纨绔 (spoiled brat) mentality.

The two crossed several courtyards and finally stopped in front of a large office building.

The servant at the gate recognized Wen Zongren and said respectfully, "Does the young master wish to see the lord? I will go and inform him immediately."

Wen Zongren nodded.

After the servants left, Wen Zongren said, "My maternal grandfather is gentle by nature and likes learned and quick-witted scholars the most. Don't be nervous for a while."

Wen Zongji was not nervous: "Thank you for your comfort, elder brother. If you have something to do, please leave after introducing Lord Jiang. I can handle it on my own."

Wen Zongren glared at him: "What are you talking about? Since I came with you, I should naturally leave with you."

Wen Zongji didn't say anything more after hearing this.

A moment later, a servant came out and said, "Young Master, the master wants you to come in and see him."

Wen Zongren then led Wen Zongji into the office.

Upon entering the main hall, Wen Zongji saw a refined old man in official robes sitting behind a desk.

Perhaps hearing footsteps, Jiang Zhengming looked up and saw Wen Zongji, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Wen Zongren smiled and said, "Grandfather, this is my third brother, Zongji, whom I often tell you about."

Wen Zongji cupped his hands and said, "Zongji greets Lord Jiang."

Jiang Zhengming smiled: "So this is the darling of the Marquis's family. Just like Zongren, you can call me maternal grandfather. There's no need to be so formal."

Logically speaking, Wen Zongji should indeed address Jiang Zhengming as his maternal grandfather, since legally they are both Jiang's children.

This matter cannot be handled by Wen Zongji himself, since he is only a son of a concubine; it is more appropriate for Jiang Zhengming to speak on his behalf.

Wen Zongji seized the opportunity to change his address: "Yes, maternal grandfather."

Jiang Zhengming's smile softened even more: "Sit down. You two must have come here for a reason, right?"

Wen Zongren was a very sensible person. Unless it was something important, he would not come to see Jiang Zhengming while on duty.

The entire Hanlin Academy knew that Wen Zongren was Jiang Zhengming's grandson. Wen Zongren had no intention of hiding it, nor did he take his identity too seriously.

Wen Zongren smiled and said, "Grandfather has a discerning eye. We've come here because my third brother has a favor to ask of you."

"What do you need from me?"

Jiang Zhengming was genuinely puzzled. The position of Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, while powerful, was limited to the Hanlin Academy. Outside of the Hanlin Academy, he was merely a minor official of the fifth rank.

In fact, the Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy also had the responsibility of drafting imperial edicts, but since the establishment of the Grand Secretariat, this task has always been done by the Grand Secretariat, which has weakened the power of the Hanlin Academy.

However, Emperor Shun'an had no intention of changing all of this, presumably intending to make the Hanlin Academy a truly prestigious and respectable institution.

That is why Jiang Zhengming was surprised when Wen Zongji came to him for help.

Wen Zongji said, "I am trusted by the Crown Prince and have been put in charge of the newly established Capital Gazette Office within the Ministry of Transmission. The Capital Gazette Office has only one responsibility: to publish the Capital Gazette. I intend to dedicate a section in the Capital Gazette to publish articles. I am new to this field and know only a limited number of people, which is why I have taken the liberty of asking my elder brother to bring me to see my maternal grandfather."

Jiang Zhengming understood: "You want me to introduce you to someone who writes well?"

Wen Zongji shook his head: "I hope my maternal grandfather can do me the honor of writing an article himself."

Jiang Zhengming was taken aback: "Me, an old man, writing it?"

Wen Zongji flattered, "Everyone in the court and among the people knows that my maternal grandfather is a man of exceptional literary talent, and has been praised by the Emperor many times."

After saying this, Wen Zongji said somewhat embarrassedly, "The Beijing Gazette is not distributed for free like the Imperial Gazette; instead, people have to buy it with money. If my maternal grandfather were willing to personally write an article, when the Beijing Gazette is sold, perhaps the people would be willing to buy a copy for my maternal grandfather's sake, so that I won't be ridiculed if the sales are poor."

As a scholar, Jiang Zhengming naturally craved praise for his articles, and Wen Zongji's words resonated with him.

Jiang Zhengming smiled and said, "Since you've asked, I certainly won't refuse. What kind of article do you need me to write?"

Wen Zongji was overjoyed and quickly said, "Grandfather, feel free to use whatever you've written before."

Jiang Zhengming feigned displeasure: "Since you've personally spoken up, how can I possibly fool you with something I wrote before?"

Wen Zongji expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, maternal grandfather, for saving me from this urgent crisis."

Wen Zongren chuckled from the side, "It seems that my maternal grandfather prefers Zongji. He wasn't so quick to make promises to me before."

Jiang Zhengming glared at him: "You're already a father, yet you're talking so childishly."

Wen Zongren choked.

Wen Zongji kept his eyes straight ahead, pretending not to have heard these words.