Su Yan, a clerk in a modern provincial government agency, accidentally contacted the ancient books agency due to overtime work. His soul traveled back to the third year of Jingtai in the Qichen Dynasty and became a regular ninth-level bookkeeper in Wanping County. When he first entered the ancient officialdom, he neither understood the writing style nor basic knowledge. He also had to face the embarrassment of a meager salary. For a time, he just wanted to live a stable life.
Relying on the ability of modern document writing, data collation and process optimization, Su Yan integrated innovative methods such as "classified forms" and "triple documents" into his work: simplifying the shop registration book was recognized by his superiors, optimizing the tax payment process was promoted by Shuntian Prefecture, and using his data sensitivity, he uncovered the tricks of powerful land mergers.
From being cautious to taking the initiative to take responsibility, he adapted to the rules of officialdom under the advice of the old county magistrate. He used "work-for-relief" to alleviate the drought, and gradually determined to take the Jinshi examination and become a high-level official to improve people's livelihood. The care of his widowed mother in the countryside, the "spiritual companionship" of modern parents, and his interactions with county magistrates, editors, and fellow civil servants not only brought him fetters, but also allowed him to find a smooth path for people's livelihood that balanced practice and ideals in the career path of the Qichen Dynasty.
