Chapter 003 Reporting for Duty at the Magistrate's Office

The next day.

At the break of dawn, Xue Rui was already neatly dressed and left home amidst his mother Liu’s earnest instructions.

The house where Xue Rui and his mother had settled was located in Stone Alley of the Western Ward outside the city. To reach the Office of Astronomy for his duties, he needed to take a shortcut through Zhengyangmen Avenue into the city.

It was just after five in the morning, the beginning of the fourth watch. Zhengyangmen Avenue, bustling by day, was extremely quiet now. Only a few food vendors were setting up their stalls, their cordial calls occasionally echoing through the street.

Xue Rui was fully aware of his family’s circumstances. Though not destitute, gone were the days of affluence. With only a handful of copper coins from his mother, he dared not spend lavishly.

Passing a vendor selling fried cakes, Xue Rui spent three coins on an oil cake and ate as he walked.

As he entered the city, Zhengyangmen was already wide open.

The gate guards, seeing a youth entering so early, eyed him with suspicion and questioned him briefly. Only after inspecting his documents from the Office of Astronomy did they wave him through.

To the east of Daming Gate were the Ministries of Rites, Revenue, War, and Works, as well as the Court of State Ceremonial and the Imperial Medical Bureau. The Office of Astronomy was also in this district.

One had to admit, the officials of the Ming dynasty were truly diligent. On his way, Xue Rui had already yielded to several official carriages, some carrying high-ranking court officials in scarlet robes.

Relying on memory, Xue Rui found the gate of the Office of Astronomy.

Outside, a desk had been set up, behind which sat a scribe in blue, registering those who came and went.

Xue Rui straightened his attire and was about to approach, when someone strode briskly out of the office—it was none other than Zheng Debiao.

“Uncle, good morning,” Xue Rui greeted him.

Zheng Debiao smiled at the sight of him and pointed to the man behind the desk. “Come, greet Clerk Zhang.”

“Greetings, Clerk Zhang,” Xue Rui said, bowing formally.

Clerk Zhang, unfamiliar with Xue Rui, looked him over and asked, puzzled, “Zheng, who is this young man? I don’t recall seeing him.”

Zheng Debiao lowered his voice, “Brother Zhang, this is the young master from the Xue family, whose father was formerly a proofreader here.”

“So it’s one of the Xue family!”

Clerk Zhang studied Xue Rui a moment, then said, “This is the attendance register. Young Xue, come and sign in.”

“Very well.” Xue Rui picked up the brush, gathered himself for a few moments, and then wrote his name on the register.

Zheng Debiao saluted Clerk Zhang and said, “Brother Zhang, I’ll take Rui to the Registrar’s Hall to handle his records.”

“Go ahead,” Clerk Zhang replied, watching them leave. He glanced back at the register, at the untidy scrawl of “Xue Rui,” and couldn’t help but sigh, “They say a tiger does not beget a dog, but perhaps the rumors are true—Proofreader Xue’s son may indeed be a wastrel.”

It was Xue Rui’s first time in the Office of Astronomy, and he looked around curiously.

Just past the main gate stood a screen wall. Behind it lay the front courtyard; in the center was a second gate, the Ceremonial Gate, beyond which was the main hall. In front of the hall stood a sundial on a stone terrace.

The main hall was a five-bay structure, with an imperial plaque inscribed “Sun, Moon, and Stars,” marking it as the principal office for official affairs.

Behind the main hall was the second hall, where the senior officials worked, and further back were the storerooms of the office. On either side of the main hall stood rows of offices for the subordinate officials.

Many people came and went, most dressed in identical pale blue robes, evidently the official astronomy students.

As they walked, Zheng Debiao explained, “Since the thirty-first year of Hongwu’s reign, the Office of Astronomy has been divided into the Astronomy Division, Water Clocks Division, Huihui Division, and Calendar Division. There are about three hundred officials and students in all; fewer than two hundred remain, as the rest have gone to war with the army.”

“Which division will I be assigned to?” Xue Rui asked curiously.

“You haven’t taken the annual exam yet, so you’re not an official astronomy student. Only those who pass the exam are assigned to divisions according to their skills. For now, focus on your studies. The status of official astronomy student is not easy to attain; I failed the exam three years running and had to become a clerk instead,” Zheng Debiao replied with a wry smile.

The Office of Astronomy was a unique bureau. Its students were mostly sons of hereditary officials, and appointments were not made through the civil service exam but from among the most outstanding students within the office—a sort of internal cycle. Even those hereditary students who failed in astronomy and calendar studies were not dismissed but became clerks, thus maintaining the hereditary register and preventing loss of talent in future generations.

That was Zheng Debiao’s case—he had entered the office the same year as Xue Yuanhao, but, after three failed exams, could only become a clerk and remain in the office.

Xue Rui asked quietly, “Uncle, now that Peng Ying has been appointed proofreader, I’ll be working and studying under him. If he gives me a hard time and I have a conflict with him, do you think he’ll have me flogged?”

Zheng Debiao considered, “The position of proofreader is largely ceremonial; his duties are mainly to manage the archives and instruct the hereditary students. If he wants to trouble you, you might be punished—perhaps made to stand or have your palms struck. Corporal punishment is reserved for serious offenses, which must be reported to the senior officials. Still, it’s best to avoid conflict with him—remember, a moment’s patience averts disaster, and a step back brings peace.”

“I understand,” Xue Rui replied, planning ahead.

Peng Ying was the son of Director Peng Deqing, and Peng Deqing had accepted him as a student right when his own father was imprisoned. There was certainly something suspicious in this, and Xue Rui knew he must be cautious.

As they spoke, they arrived at the Registrar’s Hall.

At the door, Zheng Debiao announced their arrival, then led Xue Rui inside.

Within sat a middle-aged official in blue, gently inhaling the scent of his tea.

The registrar was named Cui Shizuo, just over forty, a bit portly, with a kindly face.

“Sir, I have brought Xue Rui,” Zheng Debiao reported.

Xue Rui respectfully bowed, “Student Xue Rui pays his respects.”

At this, Cui Shizuo looked over Xue Rui and asked about his background.

Xue Rui had prepared well, answering smoothly and without fear.

“They say the Xue family’s son is unlearned, but I don’t see it that way,” Cui Shizuo remarked. He continued, “The director’s sudden acceptance of you is something even I do not fully understand. Still, most of the officials left in the office have ties to Lord Hu. As long as you keep your head down, he will look after you. Focus on your studies for now; as for other matters, we’ll see in time. I have already prepared your records—just sign your name and you’ll be officially admitted. Lord Hu instructed that once you finish here, you are to see him immediately.”

“Thank you for your guidance, sir. I am deeply grateful,” Xue Rui said, signing the register before taking his leave from the Registrar’s Hall.