"Isn't this the First Scholar himself?" Nathan Ye was surprised to see an old acquaintance—Gavin Tsai He.
"Please, don't call me First Scholar. Titles pale compared to true talent, and your skills, Master Ye, are beyond anything I could achieve," Gavin Tsai replied with a bitter smile. He had once taken pride in his title, but after his defeat to Nathan Ye at the Spring Breeze Pavilion, his pride had been stripped away, leaving him humbler.
"Then I'll just call you Brother He," Nathan replied, bowing slightly. "What brings you to the Ministry of Supervision?"
Gavin Tsai sighed deeply, his expression full of resignation. "The Emperor has decreed that I am to serve as an assistant magistrate here at the Ministry of Supervision," he replied. "And, to be honest, I feel utterly defeated. As a new First Scholar, I should be at the height of my career. Yet here I am, assigned to this place, which has become little more than a sanctuary for the idle."
The Ministry of Supervision had long lost its former influence, reduced to a shell of its former glory. The sharp fall from his celebrated success to this dismal post was overwhelming.
"You ended up here too? Did you somehow offend the Emperor?" Nathan asked, feeling a mix of pity and incredulity.
"No, I've only seen the Emperor twice—once at the palace examination and once at the feast. I can't imagine what caused this," Gavin Tsai covered his face in despair. "Honestly, I'm on the brink of returning home and becoming a simple teacher."
Nathan suspected that Gavin Tsai's despair stemmed from seeing the Ministry's state of decay up close.
"The court truly has its dark side," Gavin Tsai murmured, deeply troubled by his posting.
"Doesn't the Emperor know he has capable people?" Nathan fumed. "You're the First Scholar; even if they didn't put you in one of the Six Ministries, at the very least, they could have assigned you as a royal scholar. Wasting your talent here is absurd!"
Gavin Tsai, unaware of the actual reason behind his assignment, tried to soothe Nathan. "Master Ye, please don't speak ill of His Majesty on my account. We are but subjects; be it storm or sunshine, the Emperor's decree is always a blessing." He sighed heavily. "It's disheartening, though, to think that we both have ambitions but no means to fulfill them."
Nathan chuckled. "Who says we can't accomplish something in the Ministry of Supervision?"
Gavin Tsai gestured towards the locked doors of the Ministry, disheartened. "But Master Ye, we can't even enter! This place is filled with officials idling away. What could we possibly achieve?"
"Brother He, why be disheartened? Obstacles are opportunities. Hardships are meant to be overcome. I'm confident we'll find a way to make a difference. As the saying goes, 'Riding the winds and breaking the waves, someday I'll sail the vast seas!'" Nathan declared confidently.
"Just wait and see. They might keep this place locked up now, but once I get in, I'll make waves!"
Gavin Tsai was invigorated by Nathan's poetic lines, which were brimming with strength and determination, rekindling his spirit.
"A marvelous verse!" Gavin Tsai exclaimed, clearly moved. "Brother Ye, your resolve has reignited my own. Tomorrow, when the Ministry opens, I eagerly await to see you in action."
At that moment, Gavin Tsai 's admiration for Nathan deepened. A man with the confidence to utter such stirring words must indeed have an indomitable spirit.
"Brother Ye, I'm with you. I'll follow whatever plan you propose," he said, bowing in respect.
"Did you say the Ministry would be open tomorrow?" Nathan asked.
"Certainly," Gavin Tsai replied. "Tomorrow is Public Justice Day at the Ministry, when any commoner with grievances can file a complaint by striking the grievances drum. This practice is enshrined in Da Zhou law, so the officials here are bound to be present. If they don't open, it would be against the law."
"Interesting," Nathan mused, a spark of excitement flickering in his eyes. "Brother He, could you help spread the word? Let the people know that anyone with a grievance is welcome to seek me out at the Ministry of Supervision tomorrow!"
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