Chapter 2604 - 2577: Complete Victory

Bai Erlang cheerfully led the two to look for books, waving the list to cool off from the heat as they entered the library. Once inside with just three people, he gleefully said, "Let them target us, but now they still have to lend us books, and we even managed to borrow all at once."

Manbao murmured at him, "You’re part of the Hanlin Academy, how come you can’t exert any influence?"

Bai Erlang replied, "I’m of low status, what can I do if no one listens to me?"

He pointed at Bai Shan, "He worked in the Hanlin Academy for a year, and still ended up with no support after leaving."

Bai Shan glanced at him and said to Manbao, "Quickly find the books and borrow them. Now they haven’t reacted yet, but once they do, they’ll find some excuse not to lend them to us."

Manbao said, "We have the prince’s signed note."

"If the Hanlin Academy also needs these medical books for compilation, they should get priority." Luckily, they had acted fast, grabbing the note and rushing over before some at the Hanlin Academy received the news.

The three cooperated well, with one being a former Hanlin, and the current Hanlin helping. Especially Bai Er, who had already prepared ten medical books when Imperial Doctor Zheng came to borrow books this morning, only to be refused by the hanlin in charge of the library.

He had to put the books back.

This time it was much quicker to take them out again.

While finding the remaining books, Bai Shan laughed and said, "Actually, there’s another way. You can’t read fast or for long, anyway, Bai Er has nothing to do. If there’s a book you want but can’t borrow, he can copy it out for you."

Manbao’s eyes brightened, thinking it was a great idea, looking intently at Bai Erlang.

Bai Erlang took two steps back in fright, shaking his hands, "No, no, Bai Shan, how can you trap me like this? I have many things to do."

"What are you busy with? You’ve worked on Journey to the West for so long and only published two Chapters. The other day I was looking for books at the bookstore, and the shopkeeper held me up talking for ages."

Bai Erlang opened his mouth but didn’t speak.

Bai Shan and Manbao grew curious, stopped searching for books, and curiously stared at him, "What did you do?"

Seeing their faces suggesting he was in trouble again, Bai Erlang said dejectedly, "What could I do? At the Hanlin Academy, it’s naturally reading books and researching materials."

Bai Shan asked, "What book is the Hanlin you’re following working on recently?"

"Agricultural book," Bai Erlang replied, "I’m responsible for finding historical calendars and records of natural disasters from various places over the years."

That shouldn’t be very busy.

Bai Shan looked at him more suspiciously.

"Fine, fine, don’t look at me like that," Bai Erlang defended, "It’s just that recently I found two fascinating miscellaneous notes in the miscellaneous library."

Bai Erlang sighed, "Mingda likes reading them too, but we can’t take Hanlin Academy’s books out privately, and the books from the miscellaneous library can’t be copied. I can only memorize them quietly and transcribe them for Mingda later."

So, I’ve been quite busy lately, you know?

Bai Shan:... Others entered the Hanlin Academy to compile books, study, and accumulate political capital, while you’re reading miscellaneous books and copying tales to please your wife?

The two looked at him deeply, then turned to leave, "Five more books to find, hurry up."

Bai Erlang quickly said, "I know where the Treatise on the Origin and Symptoms of All Diseases is. I think I saw it this morning while looking for books, but I remember you said this book was written by a previous dynasty person and Director Xiao has an incomplete copy, so it’s not urgent..."

Bai Erlang found the book as he said, happily handing it to Manbao.

When the book was archived in the library, it might not have been well preserved, so some pages were loose. The Hanlin Academy hadn’t thought of repairing it over the years, so Manbao carefully turned it to prevent the pages from scattering.

She secured the book and found another, while Bai Shan found the remaining three books.

The three went down with the books to register the loan.

The hanlin overseeing the library saw them bringing down so many books and couldn’t help but say to Zhou Man, "You Chongwen Pavilion borrow too many books at once, can you read so many?"

He wanted them to borrow separately.

Manbao raised the list stamped with the prince’s seal, saying, "His Highness agreed. The Imperial Academy needs to urgently compile medical books, and these books are urgently needed."

The hanlin glanced at Bai Shan and Bai Erlang, silently spread the register, and recorded for them grumbling, "Bai Shan is understandable since he’s Zhou Man’s husband, but how does Bai Erlang fit in?"

You’re a current Hanlin. It’s no wonder nobody likes playing with you, being disloyal to the Academy.

Bai Erlang didn’t feel ostracized at all. He was busy finding materials, reading books, copying books, writing books, and occasionally attending gatherings of friends and relatives — almost overwhelmed.

Not playing with the Hanlin Academy leaves him with fewer socializing duties and more free time, making him happy.

With a strong background, even if people don’t play with him, no one at the Hanlin Academy dares bully him.

The hanlin slowly recorded everything and handed the pen to Zhou Man for her to sign.

Manbao took the pen, but Bai Shan held down the register, compared its contents to the books, and identified a few issues for the hanlin to add: "This book has scattered pages; I just counted thirteen scattered pages. Let’s note that. This one has stains between pages eight and nine, ruining a fifth of the page, in ink black..."

The hanlin’s face twitched, a forced grin appearing, "Lord Bai, you really examine closely."

Bai Shan warmly smiled, "Lord Chen, you’re too kind. Having been a Hanlin myself, I know it’s important to record books coming in and out clearly, otherwise it will be hard to deal with any problems when they are returned."

The hanlin recorded according to Bai Shan’s instructions; only then did Manbao sign, and until they left with the books, the person the hanlin was hoping for hadn’t arrived.

He looked puzzled, turning his head toward the office area.

Bai Erlang only escorted them to the door. Seeing them leave, he confidently went back inside, glancing at the hanlin sideways before arrogantly walking off.

Hanlin: ...

If he weren’t a prince’s consort, I’d definitely lay into him, no matter if he were the prince’s consort or not... If he weren’t the legitimate prince’s consort...

The Hanlin hall master shook his head, closed the window, and returned to his seat. Another Hanlin came and reported, "Master, Lord Zhou and Lord Bai have gone."

The Hanlin hall master nodded, saying, "I sense everyone has been quite idle lately, leading to petty issues. How about organizing several Hanlins to go to the Ministry of Public Works and work on books about geography? Didn’t they say last time they wanted to dredge the Yellow River but lacked enough good methods? Send some Hanlins to the Ministry of Public Works to help find materials. If necessary, go for a field trip, do some real work."

"I’ve drafted the list already, take a look."