CH 24

Chapter 24: He’s blocking my way to money! This old guy is really wicked!”

The morning court quickly ended.

As Lin Beifan was leaving, he bumped into Yao Zheng again.

Yao Zheng had a very dark expression on his face. “Sir Lin, you’re lucky this time! Hmph!”

Lin Beifan gave a slight smile with a hint of sarcasm. “Sir Yao, I thought you were going to accuse me with the embezzlement of your Imperial Censors, but it turns out it’s just this little matter of visiting a brothel! If you really did that, I would have respected you as a man! However, it seems that your Imperial Censors can’t live up to their reputation!”

Yao Zheng’s face grew even darker.

How could they dare to use this matter to impeach Lin Beifan?

If they won, Lin Beifan would be finished, but they would be finished too! If they lost, it will even be worse!

In short, it was a thankless job!

“Lin Beifan, don’t be too proud. We’ll meet again soon,” Yao Zheng said as he left.

Lin Beifan waved goodbye. “Sir Yao, no need to see me off. I’m looking forward to your performance!”

After the morning court, Lin Beifan went to the National University to report for duty. Today was his first day.

When he arrived at the Imperial Academy, according to custom, he first had to pay his respects to the leaders here.

Guided by a doctor, Lin Beifan entered a elegant office and saw an old man in his 60s. This person is the leader of the Imperial Academy, named Liu Huaye. His official position is Sacrificial Wine Officer, equivalent to the principal of the Imperial Academy. He is a fourth-rank official and has been in charge of the Imperial Academy for more than ten years. He is highly respected for his moral integrity and reputation.

Lin Beifan bowed respectfully. “I am Lin Beifan, paying my respects to Sacrificial Wine Officer Liu!”

Liu Huaye greeted him with a hearty laugh. “The top-ranked scholar has arrived! Not bad, indeed a talented person!”

Liu Beifan humbly said, “Sacrificial Wine Officer Liu is too kind!”

“Don’t be so polite. Please have a seat!” Liu Huaye said.

“Thank you, Sacrificial Wine Officer Liu!” Lin Beifan said as he sat down.

The two of them had tea and exchanged pleasantries.

After a while, a middle-aged man with a dignified appearance arrived.

Lin Beifan was puzzled. “Who is this?”

“Sir Ling, let me introduce you!” Liu Huaye stroked his beard and smiled. “This is Sun Tiandao, the other Director of the Imperial Academy. He’s been here for more than four years and is my most relied upon assistant!”

Lin Beifan quickly stood up. “Greetings, Director Sun!”

“Lin Daren, you’re too polite!” Sun Tiandao said respectfully.

He couldn’t afford to offend Lin Beifan. Although Lin Beifan was young, he was the top-ranked scholar and was also favored by the Empress. His future was limitless!

The two sides chatted amiably, without any discord.

Liu Huaye smiled and said, “I’m old and not as capable, so almost all the work here is taken care of by Director Sun. Because of the busy workload, Director Sun has become ill several times, and I feel guilty. Sir Lin, you came at the right time. Let’s divide up some of Director Sun’s workload now!”

Lin Beifan quickly nodded. “Of course!”

“Lin Daren, what are you good at? Tell me, and I’ll assign you some tasks!” Liu Huaye said.

Lin Beifan’s spirits lifted. His chance to make money had arrived!

“Thank you, Senior Liu, for giving me this opportunity! I am proficient in mathematics, accounting, and financial management, so Senior Liu can entrust the accounting work to me!” Lin Beifan said seriously.

“Good! I’ll hand over this work to Sir Lin later!” Sun Tiandao said without hesitation.

“Thank you, Sir. Sun!” Lin Beifan smiled happily.

As Liu Huaye looked at Lin Beifan’s happy expression, he suddenly remembered a rumor. Lin Beifan was not only the newly crowned top scholar, but also a huge swindler who was particularly good at taking money. He had been caught twice, and no one knew how much money he had taken. If he was allowed to manage accounting, he would surely take the money and run.

Liu Huaye quickly called out, “Wait a minute!”

“What’s the matter?” Lin Beifan looked over with Sun Tiandao.

“I think Sir Sun should continue to be responsible for the accounting work! He’s mature and steady, and less likely to make mistakes! Sir Lin, why don’t you start with some simpler tasks!” Liu Huaye coughed.

Lin Beifan’s eyes became resentful. He thought, “He’s blocking my way to money! This old guy is really wicked!”

“Since Sir Sun will continue to be responsible for accounting, I can take on the logistics management. I promise to manage everything properly!” Lin Beifan suggested again.

“Okay, I’ll hand over the logistics work to Sir Lin later!” Sun Tiandao said.

“Thank you, Sir Sun, for your support!” Lin Beifan grinned.

“This… wait a minute!” Liu Jiayao coughed again. “I still think it’s better for Sir Sun to take charge of the logistics work. Sir Lin, why don’t you choose something else?”

Lin Beifan’s eyes became even more resentful. He thought, “He’s blocking my way to money again! This old guy has a terrible personality!”

Liu Huaye felt a little uneasy under Lin Beifan’s gaze. Eventually, Lin Beifan suggested several other money-related tasks, but they were all rejected by Liu Huaye without hesitation.

In the end, Lin Beifan was so angry that he almost cried out, “Senior Liu, you can’t do this! You asked me to suggest something but rejected everything I said. Are you deliberately targeting me?”

Feeling a little embarrassed, Liu Huaye tried to comfort him, “Well, SirLin, you can be responsible for student discipline, moral education, and academic affairs. As a new top scholar with three excellent results in the imperial examinations, you are more than capable of handling these tasks! Okay, the decision has been made happily! I have something else to discuss with Sir Sun, so I won’t keep Sir Lin any longer. Goodbye!”

So, Lin Beifan was forced to leave.

Lin Beifan: “…”