Chapter 089: Establishing Authority in the Archives

"Pfft—"
Hearing this, Hu Ying'er, who had been keeping a stern face, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Yesterday, Hu Ying'er had intended to assign a quick-witted maid to attend to Xue Rui. Yet, in the study, Xue Rui had flirted with her and bullied her maid, leaving both mistress and servant gnashing their teeth in anger. To teach Xue Rui a lesson, Hu Ying'er had, on the spur of the moment, handed the task to the most notorious chatterbox in the household, sending her to torment Xue Rui. Evidently, Xue Rui had suffered greatly and her objective had been achieved.

"You dare to laugh! Tonight you must return Susu to me, or I'll ask Grandmaster to intervene!"
Seeing the topic had shifted, Xue Rui feigned anger, clasped his hands behind his back, and stepped into the dining hall.

Inside, Jin'er was arranging dishes with two other maids.
Upon seeing Xue Rui, Jin'er retreated a few steps, shot him a glare, and declared, "Miss said you're a lecher, told me to keep my distance from you, hmph!"

Jin'er was young, still possessing an innocent charm unfamiliar with the ways of the world. Xue Rui found teasing her amusing and couldn't help but frighten her: "Did you see me talking to your mistress just now? She agreed that since we've already shared such intimacy, she might as well give you to me. I'm thinking, in a few days I'll return home, and then I'll have you serve as a rough maid—that wouldn't be so bad."

Jin'er was about to rebuke Xue Rui, but his serious tone made her instinctively believe him. Panicked, she dashed to the doorway, anxiously confirming, "Miss, did you really give me to the Xue family? I don't want to go there, nor do I wish to be a rough maid!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Hu Ying'er was momentarily stunned. Glancing into the dining hall and seeing Xue Rui struggling to suppress a smile, she knew he had once again teased her maid. She raised her willow brows and scolded, "If you keep behaving so frivolously, I'll tell your parents to discipline you!"

"Alright, alright, I won't dare next time, I swear to heaven."
Seeing Hu Ying'er genuinely angry, Xue Rui surrendered without hesitation, not daring to provoke the pair further.

After the meal, Xue Rui accompanied Grandmaster to the Astronomical Bureau.

When heading to the archive room, he first peeked through the window along the gallery.
Inside, the room was already bustling. Led by Fan Yan, the older cohort of hereditary students were animatedly recounting Xue Rui's illustrious history to the newcomers.

Earlier, Xue Rui had instructed Fan Yan and the others to help him establish authority, so that managing the new hereditary students would be easier. Fan Yan and his group had promised to fully support Xue Rui's leadership—such a trivial task.

Now it seemed they were keeping their word.

Xue Rui didn't rush in, instead leaning by the window to quietly observe.

At this moment, Fan Yan stood with one foot on a stool, hand on hip, using a paperweight as if it were a judge's gavel, slapping the table dramatically: "You just don't know, Peng Ying swung the ruler to strike, but in the blink of an eye, before anyone could see clearly, the ruler was snatched away by the supervisor. Guess what happened next?"

"Did that Peng fellow snatch it back?"
A new hereditary student chimed in, playing along.

Fan Yan scoffed at this lack of imagination, "Peng is weak as a kitten—how could he take it back from the supervisor? When Peng Ying had the ruler seized, he was furious and tried to grab it, but the supervisor folded his hands and—crack!—the ruler snapped in two. You should've seen it. Peng's face turned green, trembling with rage, but he didn't dare lay a hand on the supervisor. In the end, he spat a few harsh words and slunk out of the archive room."

"The supervisor is that formidable?"
Someone exclaimed.

As children of the Bureau, naturally, they'd heard tales from their elders about the archive room, where the head bookkeeper was an unquestioned authority. Even though Peng Ying was the son of the Chief Astronomer, he was humiliated by Xue Rui, a newcomer. If Fan Yan hadn't sworn it was true, they'd hardly believe anyone could be so audacious.

Fan Yan sneered, "Actually, that's nothing. A few days ago, the Empress Dowager wanted to arrange a marriage alliance—you've all heard about it, right?"

"Of course,"
The hereditary students nodded vigorously.

"At the time, even the cabinet elders couldn't dissuade her, but it was our supervisor's memorial that made the difference. Several lines were quoted by the ministers, and finally the Empress Dowager was persuaded by those words to abandon the marriage alliance."

A new student asked Fan Yan, "Was it the phrase about the Son of Heaven guarding the gates, the king dying for the realm... those lines?"

"Exactly. Don't be fooled by his age—he's only fourteen, yet with just a few casual words, he can influence imperial decisions. Isn't that remarkable?"

Fan Yan's face was full of genuine admiration—not feigned. Xue Rui's abilities were beyond anything he could hope to achieve, so he praised him with utmost effort.

"Indeed, impressive. The supervisor is only a little older than us, yet possesses such talent; his future is boundless," the new students echoed.

Beside them, Lu Wen, trying to add drama, feigned indifference, "If you ask me, it's the daring rescue of his father from the Imperial Prison that was truly thrilling. Just imagining it is frightening."

This infamous event had been widely circulated in the capital, and the new students had certainly heard of it. Yet the story had grown wild, spawning dozens of versions, leaving them unsure whom to believe. Now, with the chance to hear the true account, they pressed Lu Wen to tell it.

"Ahem, ahem."
Enjoying the attention, Lu Wen cleared his throat and assumed the storyteller's pose: "To recount this, we must start with the eunuch Wang Zhen..."

With the students' eager anticipation, Lu Wen narrated the entire affair.

He first introduced Xue Yuanhao's identity, depicting him as a respected, upright, fearless loyalist. Then he recounted how Xue Yuanhao, upon noticing anomalies in the celestial signs, risked everything to warn the Duke of England, only to be arrested by Wang Zhen's secret police and thrown into the Imperial Prison.

The most gripping moment was when Xue Rui learned of his father's grave illness and took the dangerous step of rescuing him from prison, detailing the entire process.

Lu Wen was eloquent, painting the tale as perilous and suspenseful. If not for Fan Yan's occasional reminders, Xue Rui would have been cast as a bloodthirsty demon.

Of course, some inconsistencies were deliberately glossed over by Lu Wen. For instance, the scene where Xue Rui single-handedly routed an entire squad of guards—by normal logic, this was hard to believe. When someone questioned this detail, Lu Wen would feign disdain, claiming the supervisor was no ordinary man and should not be judged by common standards.

With such admonishment, the new students dared not probe further, keeping their doubts to themselves.

Still, to dare storm the bone-crushing Imperial Prison and successfully rescue his father despite the guards—this left the new students deeply impressed. Had it been them, their father's grave would have long grown wild grass.

For such a formidable figure, besides admiration, what else could the new arrivals feel?

Listening to Fan Yan and Lu Wen boosting his reputation, Xue Rui felt his face flush and found it amusing. Previously, when recounting his prison rescue to the pair, he had deliberately omitted the assistance from the Duke of England's household. Fan Yan and Lu Wen couldn't fathom how Xue Rui had managed such a feat alone, but Xue Yuanhao's release was confirmed by the officials, so they had no choice but to believe it.

Now, telling others, some parts couldn't be fully explained. Yet, this was no issue.

The new hereditary students were inexperienced and easily persuaded. Within fifteen minutes, they already revered Xue Rui as a near-divine figure.

Seeing the moment was right, Xue Rui straightened his attire, walked steadily, and entered the archive room.

"Students greet the supervisor."
Upon his arrival, the students dared not be disrespectful, hurriedly saluting.

"No need for formalities, find yourselves a place to sit."
Xue Rui surveyed the room, then waved them to rise.

This batch of new hereditary students numbered twenty-two; combined with Fan Yan and the repeaters, there were thirty in total. The archive room, with three sections and seven shelves, was spacious, but limited in tables and chairs. Once everyone sat, a few remained without seats.

As the saying goes, the problem isn't scarcity but inequality.

If Xue Rui couldn't resolve this, those left standing would harbor resentment, undermining his authority.

So he said, "Those of you without seats, stand and listen for now. Shortly, I'll speak to the officials to request more chairs for you."

Hearing that Xue Rui could negotiate with the officials, the students were secretly astonished.

Some of their elders had served in the Bureau for decades and rarely exchanged a word with the officials; Xue Rui spoke as if it were effortless, making many suspect he was bluffing.

After their responses, Xue Rui adopted a solemn expression and addressed them: "From today, you are all archive room hereditary students. There are a few points I must clarify. The Bureau is short-handed, so you've been admitted early.

Now that you're in my archive room, you must abide by my rules. I will hold you to strict standards, aiming for you to pass the exams soon and become official astronomy students, so as not to waste your youth.

If any of you are here simply for free meals, make it clear to me in advance. I'll have your registration canceled, lest you break the rules and cause embarrassment for all!"

"Yes, supervisor."
Everyone felt a chill of pressure, even Fan Yan and the others grew more serious.

"Good. Next, I'll announce the new rules for the archive room. Listen carefully. First..."
Xue Rui produced a sheet of paper, reading aloud the regulations he had prepared. These were based on previous management systems, combined with his own ideas, and refined for improvement.

The changes primarily focused on daily study arrangements, transforming the formerly loose environment into a tighter, more rigorous system. Except for breaks, the students' time was filled with study as the foremost priority.

Xu Dun had long stated that the archive room would no longer have a bookkeeper; instead, teaching duties would fall to various officials, and it was Xue Rui's responsibility to manage this properly.

With the Bureau understaffed, Xue Rui, as supervisor, was eager to make his mark—such achievements would enhance his credentials—so he worked diligently.

The new students had no objections to Xue Rui's arrangements.
Fan Yan and the repeaters, however, quietly lamented their fate. They were used to a relaxed environment, and now, with stricter discipline and longer classes, they would struggle to adjust.

Xue Rui noticed their expressions, aware of their resistance, and so announced a major decision: "To boost everyone's involvement, I plan to appoint a class leader and a deputy, who will assist me in managing daily affairs."

"Class leader?"
The students hadn't heard the term, but from Xue Rui's explanation, it was clear he intended to delegate authority.

Everyone considered the possibility of holding such a position—it would bring prestige and set them apart, surely with many advantages—so they were eager.

Fan Yan and the repeaters were realistic; their grades were always at the bottom, so they assumed these roles would go to those with connections.

Under the curious gaze of all, Xue Rui looked toward two in the corner and declared:

"The first class leader and deputy will be personally appointed by me. The class leader will be Fan Yan, responsible for supervising discipline, and the deputy will be Lu Wen, overseeing study. In future, successors will be chosen by vote, selecting the most outstanding and willing students, making this a permanent rule."

"You want me as class leader (deputy)?"
Fan Yan and Lu Wen, who had chosen the corner to slack off, were both shocked and delighted.

Their academic performance was poor, often mischievous and shunned by the top students. They had assumed Xue Rui would dismiss them, but now, entrusted with important roles, they were not only excited but deeply grateful.

Xue Rui looked at the others, "Any objections?"

The new students, unfamiliar with Fan Yan and Lu Wen's backgrounds, dared not oppose; the repeaters enthusiastically supported.

Seeing no dissent, Xue Rui said, "Since everyone agrees, these appointments are now official. Fan Yan and Lu Wen must set an example, uphold discipline and study according to my rules. If you discover any major issues, report to me."

"Rest assured, supervisor, I will do my best."
Fan Yan suppressed his excitement and stood to promise.

Lu Wen solemnly added, "Supervisor, I will fulfill my duties as well, please be assured."

Their positive attitude reassured Xue Rui somewhat.

The archive room was a mixed bag, especially with Fan Yan and his ilk—long-term slackers. If they weren't managed, the new students would be influenced and their enthusiasm dampened.

To solve this, Xue Rui had to take a risk, employing his middle school homeroom teacher's secret weapon for handling troublemakers: turning them from rule-breakers into guardians—a far more effective method than punishment.

Of course, this was also Xue Rui's way of reducing his workload, laying the groundwork for a more relaxed future; as for the results, only time would tell.

After the appointments, Xue Rui ordered the students to study independently and went to the officials' quarters to report the archive room reforms to Xu Dun.

Early conversion of hereditary students was beneficial for Xu Dun, the prospective Chief Astronomer, so he gave Xue Rui his full support.

Then Xue Rui raised the issue of lacking tables and chairs.

Due to the disastrous defeat at Tumubao, half the astronomy students in each division had perished, leaving many seats empty. Xu Dun spoke with the respective officials, reallocating some furniture and easily resolving Xue Rui's problem.

This incident proved Xue Rui's standing among the officials, and those students who had doubted his abilities now set aside their skepticism, no longer daring to underestimate the nearly same-aged supervisor.

The archive room's sweeping reforms were bound to bring new challenges.

Fan Yan and Lu Wen, newly appointed managers, were nervous about making mistakes that might cost them their positions, so they reported every trivial matter.

For an entire day, Xue Rui found himself handling countless minor issues.

Fortunately, after dealing with several typical cases as Xue Rui instructed, the pair gradually learned the ropes and became more adept.

Exhausted after such a day, Xue Rui intended to return to his quarters for a nap. He hadn't even closed the door when Zheng Debiao burst in, gasping, "Peng, Peng Deqing has returned to the capital!"