Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 632 - 468 Courting Favor

Ren Ge truly felt a sense of frustration facing Gu Chengyu. Last time, Mr. Zhang had hinted at it to him. Although he had prepared for it, hearing that Gu Chengyu secured the position of Assistant Reader, to say he wasn’t upset would be a lie.

However, thinking about the tea tax and salt permit issue, he couldn’t help but admire him.

In this entire court, who else could propose tax reform?

The last tax reform was during the late Emperor’s time. Although he didn’t know all the details, he believed the reform proposed by Gu Chengyu must have greatly pleased the Emperor.

"How did the news spread so quickly?" Gu Chengyu placed the food box on the table and took out the dishes from it, noticing that they were indeed a bit cold.

"Such a big matter would obviously spread quickly. You’ve made quite the splash this time. Oh! Your food is cold; let me heat it for you!"

The few of them were familiar enough now, so Gu Chengyu and the others no longer spoke with excessive formality, simply referring to themselves as ’I’.

Liu Zonghan inwardly sneered. Even Chief Minister Xia cried his heart out in the court, and everyone knew as soon as the court session ended.

How could such a major event like tax reform not be spread around?

When Liu Zonghan wanted to help serve the dishes, Gu Chengyu immediately stopped him.

He hadn’t yet received the transfer order; how could he let a colleague heat his food?

His relationship with Liu Zonghan wasn’t particularly close anyway. Moreover, if he really let him heat the food, wouldn’t it circulate that he became arrogant just because he was about to be promoted?

Moreover, even a superior wouldn’t ask a subordinate to do such menial tasks.

At the very least, that’s how these ancients thought, though Gu Chengyu himself didn’t mind.

Ren Ge observed Liu Zonghan’s eagerness and his eyes flashed. Was Liu Zonghan trying to curry favor with Gu Chengyu?

Jiang Kenan, on the other hand, scoffed in disdain. You can try to ingratiate yourself, but you better see if the other party even cares.

"We told your followers to give us the food box, but they insisted on waiting for your return. Are they afraid we might poison you?" Ren Ge joked casually.

Gu Chengyu chuckled at that, "They get nervous around you officials! How dare they trouble you for help?"

"You talk as if you’re not an official yourself." Ren Ge replied with a smile.

"Ahem! Jinyu is about to be promoted, so we should start calling him Mr. Gu. In the future, you’ll be our superior, so you’ll have to look after us more! After all, we’ve been colleagues for a month now!"

Liu Zonghan thought about how he’d have to address Gu Chengyu as a subordinate in the future, which evoked mixed feelings.

He had been at the Hanlin Academy for so many years without moving positions, while someone else came in and was promoted within a month. Truly, comparisons are infuriating!

He believed Gu Chengyu had a bright future ahead and planned to get closer to him, hoping to benefit indirectly.

"What is Mr. Liu saying? We are colleagues, and although we haven’t worked together long, it’s been more than a month. I’ve been grateful for your care during this time and will not forget your kindness in the future."

In fact, Gu Chengyu wasn’t just saying empty pleasantries; over the month, Liu Zonghan had been genuinely helpful, assisting him in many trivial matters.

Although they were small tasks, since someone helped him, he should remember the favor.

As for Ren Ge and Jiang Kenan’s minor calculations, Gu Chengyu was not unaware. However, both of them, despite a few sarcastic comments, weren’t bad at heart overall.

With Ren Ge’s abilities, he was bound to be promoted sooner or later, and Gu Chengyu wanted to build more connections.

"Jinyu, you’re being too polite. In the past, we haven’t really been of help. Now that you’re about to be promoted, we should invite Mr. Gu to grace us with his presence at a restaurant today to celebrate your promotion."

Liu Zonghan figured that since Gu Chengyu’s promotion was certain, it was only appropriate to start addressing him as Mr. Gu. Continuing to use the courtesy name would be inappropriate.

Though Ren Ge internally criticized Liu Zonghan for being too obvious in his flattery, he still smiled on the surface, "Exactly right!"

Jiang Kenan’s expression wasn’t as cheerful. He wasn’t the one getting promoted, and yet he’d have to spend silver to invite Gu Chengyu to the restaurant.

The dishes at that restaurant weren’t cheap; if they went to Juxiang Building, two months’ salary wouldn’t cover it.

Jiang Kenan couldn’t help but resent Liu Zonghan, though he only dared to grumble inwardly. If he wanted to curry favor, he should do it alone, instead of dragging them along.

Since Liu Zonghan suggested it, it wouldn’t just be him paying; they’d all have to chip in.

Gu Chengyu glanced at the three, noticing Jiang Kenan’s displeased face, and without needing to guess, understood Jiang was pained over the cost.

Gu Chengyu considered Jiang Kenan to be petty; in such situations, no matter how unwilling one felt, it shouldn’t show on their face.

It wasn’t that he wanted a meal from Liu Zonghan and the others, but he thought Jiang Kenan didn’t even know how to manage colleague relationships properly.

Undeniably, Gu Chengyu had no desire to associate with such a person.

To navigate officialdom smoothly, one couldn’t be stingy; managing colleagues and superiors requires necessary expenditures.

Even Ye Zhiqiu, whose family wasn’t wealthy and whose nature was rather shy...

...knew the importance of spending to maintain connections once he entered officialdom.

"There’s no need for that, really. The transfer order hasn’t been issued yet, so having a huge celebration would be too ostentatious."

Gu Chengyu quickly declined, not needing a meal from them.

Besides, he’d already made quite the spectacle today, best to stay low-key for a while.

Liu Zonghan also saw Jiang Kenan’s expression and internally cursed him for being ungraceful.

"It’s to celebrate your promotion, don’t refuse. There’s no time like the present; how about tonight? What do you say, Mr. Jiang?" Ren Ge also persuaded.

Ren Ge, while envious, was astute.

With Gu Chengyu being highly favored by the Emperor, having three mentors in the court helping him, and a good relationship with Lord Jiang of the Ministry of Industry, he naturally wouldn’t offend Gu Chengyu.

If he formed a closer connection, he could gain future benefits too.

Even if he wasn’t as shameless in flattery as Liu Zonghan, a proper gesture of goodwill was still necessary.

Seeing the other two had decided, Jiang Kenan couldn’t refuse any further.

Otherwise, they’d think him stingy, unwilling to part with some silver.

Even if that was how he felt, showing it too clearly wasn’t good, as it would create rifts.

One had to admit, Jiang Kenan’s thoughts were too straightforward; his expression had already given it away to the other three present.

Unable to decline the invitation, Gu Chengyu reluctantly agreed.

"Since you all sincerely invited me, I humbly accept. However, the date may need to change. I have some matters today, how about the day after tomorrow?"

Gu Chengyu planned to visit his teacher today, to talk about what happened in the court earlier.

Second Senior Brother also wanted him to stop by, so he really didn’t have time today.

Besides, by the day after tomorrow, the transfer notice might have arrived. Attending a banquet then wouldn’t draw idle gossip. Today’s too soon for that.

Ren Ge and the others thought Gu Chengyu was being cautious, wanting to wait for the official notice, which they all agreed with.