Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

At the end of the month, Zhang Jingwei finally received a summons from the government to receive his official certificate.

He spent the whole morning learning etiquette and supplementing information with the Sixth House. Liu Yanzhi even asked his wife to make a cotton robe for Zhang Jingwei as a gift for his appointment after he accepted the notice.

The atmosphere in the government office seemed a bit tense and busy.

The chief clerk in the ceremonial room said anxiously to Zhang Jingwei, who was sitting at the desk, "Master Zhang, you have to be more serious! We have to go and get our official certificates tomorrow, and time is very tight. If you still can't learn, I will be punished too!"

However, Zhang Jingwei didn't seem to care. He lazily responded, "Oh, it's just a notice of appointment, not an imperial decree. How can it be so serious?"

Upon hearing this, the head clerk of the etiquette office hurriedly explained, "Master Zhang, you are wrong. Although this is not an imperial edict, the etiquette cannot be neglected! When you become an official in the future, you will need to pay more attention to various etiquettes."

Zhang Jingwei curled his lips and muttered impatiently: "You are such a nagging person!"

The head clerk of the Rites Office, however, paid no attention to Zhang Jingwei's attitude and continued to advise him earnestly, "Sir, once you receive your official certificate tomorrow, it will mean a meteoric rise in your career. Naturally, I will continue to be by your side, reminding you of various matters."

Zhang Jingwei was immediately interested when he heard this and asked quickly, "According to what you said, do you already know what official position I was given this time?"

The head clerk of the Rites Office shook his head and answered honestly, "We don't know, but judging by your contributions and hard work, you are definitely not just a minor official in green robes like us."

Officials below the seventh rank all wore green robes, those from the seventh to the fourth rank wore blue robes, and those from the fourth rank and above wore red robes. The specific official rank also depended on the embroidery: civil officials wore birds, and military officials wore beasts, and the embroidery was different for each official rank.

Zhang Jingwei muttered weakly, "I'm so tired, I really don't want to study anymore." As he spoke, he slumped in the chair like a deflated ball, his face full of fatigue and helplessness.

The chief clerk of the etiquette office, who was standing nearby, stepped forward and said, "Sir, please hold on a little longer. You will surely reap the rewards of your hard work in the future."

However, Zhang Jingwei didn't seem convinced. Instead, he suddenly suggested, "How about you, Master Zhubu, go and get the certificate for me tomorrow? I'll pay you!"

Upon hearing this, the head clerk of the Rites' Office's face changed drastically. He quickly waved his hand and refused, "You absolutely cannot do this, my lord! This kind of thing is no joke. If the prefectural magistrates find out, it would be a capital offense and you could lose your head!"

After hearing this, Zhang Jingwei sighed deeply and complained, "Oh, it's really troublesome. I have to write down the six-step worship and the twelve sentences of thanksgiving. Forget it, I'd better go home and memorize them slowly. I'm so hungry that I don't have any energy at all." After saying that, he simply leaned back in the chair and started to act like a spoiled child.

At this moment, there was a crisp sound of "snap" and a ruler fell hard on the table next to Zhang Jingwei. Although the force was not very strong, the sudden sound still frightened Zhang Jingwei so much that he trembled all over and jumped up from his chair.

The chief clerk of the etiquette office quickly bowed and said, "Your Excellency, the Fujun!"

Tongzhi is the adjutant of a county or state. Those who are particular about etiquette will respectfully call him "Fujun".

Liu Yanzhi asked gravely, "How is our Master Zhang doing with his studies?"

The chief clerk of the etiquette office standing nearby quickly replied respectfully, "Your Excellency, Xiaolian has never been exposed to official etiquette before, so it is indeed a bit difficult for him to learn."

Liu Yanzhi frowned when he heard this and said sternly, "Stretch out your hand!"

Zhang Jingwei didn't dare to delay even a moment. He quickly extended his hand, then closed his eyes and waited quietly for the teacher to spank his palm. Three crisp "slap, snap, snap" sounds echoed, and the force of the blows was quite strong. However, strangely, Zhang Jingwei felt no pain. Puzzled, he opened his eyes and saw that it was the head clerk of the etiquette room, holding his hand high, taking the punishment for him.

Seeing that Liu Yanzhi had no intention of stopping, Zhang Jingwei immediately stepped forward and stood in front of the chief clerk of the etiquette room, with a look of sincere admission of guilt, and said, "Teacher, I was naughty. It has nothing to do with you, the chief clerk. Just punish me!" After that, he spread his hands apart.

Seeing this, Liu Yanzhi snorted coldly and said, "If the teaching is not strict, it is the teacher's laziness. If you haven't learned the six bows in an hour, I will hit you nine feet again!" After that, he glared at the head clerk of the etiquette room fiercely.

The head clerk of the ritual office was aggrieved, but he still nodded calmly and said, "Your humble servant obeys your command."

With the punishment of being slapped on the palm, Zhang Jingwei studied much harder.

An hour later, Liu Yanzhi came to inspect the results.

When Zhang Jingwei saw Liu Yanzhi coming in, he immediately knelt down and completed the reporting process with the chief clerk of the etiquette room.

Liu Yanzhi said with a smile: "Well, you did a great job. Remember this, don't forget it tomorrow. How about it? Are you hungry? If you are hungry, come to my house and have a simple meal together."

Zhang Jingwei quickly responded, "Yes! Thank you for your concern, teacher." His face was full of respect.

At this moment, Liu Yanzhi finally smiled for the first time that day. That smile was as warm and gentle as a spring breeze. "Okay, you go first. Yuan'er has already prepared the food."

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei excitedly replied, "Okay!" and ran out of the door in high spirits. However, just as he was about to run out of the government office, he forgot to take the gift he had originally intended to give to his master's wife! So he hurriedly stopped, turned around, and quickly turned back.

Liu Yanzhi looked relieved and sighed, "This Jingwei kid is extremely kind-hearted. He can't bear to see others suffer. Fortunately, those three punishments weren't in vain."

The chief clerk of the etiquette office beside him quickly responded, "Zhang Xiaolian is extremely intelligent. I'm sure he will understand your painstaking efforts, Fujun."

Liu Yanzhi nodded slightly and continued, "He was spoiled and a little naughty on weekdays, but since he got married and started a family, his temperament has restrained a lot. Moreover, these days, he has been wholeheartedly working for the people. If Master Zhang were still alive, he would definitely feel proud and proud to see such an outstanding son, hahaha..." After that, Liu Yanzhi laughed heartily.

The head clerk of the Rites Office also laughed and echoed, "Haha, from what I can see, isn't Fujun also filled with pride right now?"

Liu Yanzhi stopped laughing and said with deep emotion, "Back then, when I was still a second-class commoner, this child became my disciple. Ten years have passed, from the time he was just a toddler to now being able to serve as an official in the imperial court. Time really flies!"

The head clerk of the Rites Office looked at Liu Yanzhi with admiration and praised him sincerely, "It is all because of your careful teaching and cultivation that Zhang Xiaolian has become what he is today."

However, Liu Yanzhi waved his hand gently and said modestly: "No, no, in the final analysis, it is he who has achieved his own success. I am just a lamp for him."

Zhang Jingwei heard their conversation and felt a little touched. In fact, he had not spent much time with Liu Yanzhi, but he could truly feel the love this teacher had for the original owner.