To be honest.

Although Xu Yun didn't particularly like Hook, he hadn't thought about deliberately undermining Hook since leaving the 1665 dungeon.

Nor had he thought about bringing Hook's inventions to light prematurely, treating this Little Niu's giant as a sheep to be sheared.

But it seemed that fate had its own plans and wasn't ready to act according to Xu Yun's wishes.

On the second day of his arrival in this world, he was shown one of Hook's most proud inventions.

If you think about it carefully, it makes perfect sense:

Old Su's fiddling with the Celestial Sphere rotating device and the "Celestial Balance" system were the prototypes for modern astronomical clock transfers and modern mechanical clocks, and Joseph Needham personally evaluated Old Su:

"Su Song successfully integrated clock mechanisms with the observational Celestial Sphere, achieving total success in principle. He preceded the European Robert Hooke by six centuries and Fang He Fei by seven centuries."

And the balance spring, being the core of mechanical timepieces, was crafted by Old Su, which is entirely plausible.

In some respects, it is almost inevitable.

Just as if Old Su had tinkered out a car, it wouldn't be surprising to find an engine in his home, would it?

Perhaps the balance spring made by Old Su differed in appearance from those of later times, but in principle and function, they were identical or at least similar.

But in doing so, Comrade Hook of the future would be in trouble:

If Xu Yun hadn't seen this device, it would still be understandable, but now that it's confirmed Old Su created the balance spring, how could Xu Yun just watch it be taken away?

Though there was no Little Niu in this era to provide assurance, Huaxia itself was not a foreign land like Great Britain.

Leaving ample and convincing evidence in history was hardly a difficult task.

Of course.

This was still relatively a further goal.

Currently, Xu Yun needed to find a way to get himself officially recognized as soon as possible.

As for how to make his debut...

Maybe develop a new dish?

Xu Yun pondered for a moment, then decided to abandon this idea.

To be honest.

This idea had feasibility, after all, the Su Mansion wasn't the Imperial Kitchen, and if the opportunity was right, it wouldn't be hard to show off a bit.

Though Bianjing is inland, preventing him from cooking his specialty—steamed Min Province people.

But looking over his recipe collection, choosing a few dishes that could conquer this era wasn't difficult.

Because the Huaxia history of "stir-frying" officially began during the Song Dynasty:

Due to increased iron production in the Song Dynasty, the iron pan started to become widespread during this period. Though records of stir-frying exist during the Southern and Northern Dynasties and the Tang Dynasty, those were mostly a luxury only enjoyed by the affluent and high-status individuals.

The widespread frying, stir-frying, and sautéing began becoming popular after the Song Dynasty.

Therefore, at this point in time, it could be called the budding period of stir-frying, as many dishes had yet to be developed.

In theory, cooking indeed counted as a way to get in touch with Old Su.

But the issue is...

Though this way looked workable, it wouldn't make Old Su think highly of Xu Yun even if he got interested and summoned him.

The scenario would most likely be:

"Oh? I didn't expect someone of your background to cook so well? Then stay in the mansion as a cook. The First Year, take him away."

And then... nothing more.

In addition, raising pigs was not feasible.

The cycle of this method was too long, and the outcome, compared to cooking, would just mean changing from a cook to a pig farmer at best.

The entry point Xu Yun needed had to demonstrate value related to research.

Not to mention having equal exchanges with Old Su.

At least make him feel 'there's something worth exploring in this person.'

But where was this opportunity...

While Xu Yun was pondering, he suddenly heard a voice in his ear:

"Hey, Wang Mazi, Wang Mazi!"

Xu Yun came to his senses and found that Old Chief Steward had somehow ended up beside him.

He promptly cupped his hands towards Old Chief Steward:

"Hello, Old Chief Steward."

Old Chief Steward nodded slightly at him and motioned subtly with his chin towards a secluded area:

"Wang Mazi, come with me."

Xu Yun blinked and quickly followed.

Old Chief Steward then took him through a courtyard wall to a resting area for the servants, where he found a random seat.

Then, clearing his throat, Old Chief Steward said,

"Wang Mazi, you trespassed into the Su Mansion last night. According to the laws of this dynasty, you should have been taken to the government to be sentenced.

At worst, you'd be imprisoned; at best, exiled.

However, the master took pity on your unfortunate background and, out of compassion, kept you in the mansion.

All of these consequences are understood by both of us; am I correct?"

Xu Yun nodded and replied,

"Indeed."

Old Chief Steward stroked his long beard and continued,

"If that is the case, then I'll be straightforward: are you willing to join the Su Mansion's household register?"

It's well known.

During the Song Dynasty, there were two types of official domicile proofs.

One was an identity document, and the other was an identity medallion.

As for the household register mentioned by Old Chief Steward, it doesn't refer to domicile registration, but rather a contract similar to an employment agreement.

Entering a mansion's household register meant becoming its servant, establishing contractual effectiveness between the two parties.

Servants need to serve the host family,

And the host family must provide the agreed remuneration.

The purpose of signing such a contract is mainly for the host family's financial accounting, and it also serves as evidence of the agreement.

Additionally, it's important to explain that joining the register is not indenturing oneself.

During many dynasties in their prime, joining a household register was practically the same as joining a company today.

For example, in Junyi, an entry contract from the era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (also during the Kaiyuan Prosperity) was unearthed,

which described servant rights in no less than 47 items, almost exhaustively.

Even today domestically, few companies can do this.

This even made the hot topics list, with many ridiculing, "It's hard to tell if they hired a servant or an ancestor."

Of course.

The so-called servant rights protection was only during the "most prosperous periods."

In remote areas or ordinary times, it depended, as feudal society was no guarantee for protection; unjust deaths were commonplace.

Returning to the current situation.

Setting aside Bianjing's excellent servant protection, from a task perspective, Xu Yun had to sign this agreement.

Thus, without much hesitation in response to Old Chief Steward's inquiry, he immediately cupped his hands:

"Given such favor from the master, turning it down would mean not knowing what's good for me."

Seeing his sincere attitude, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Old Chief Steward's eyes:

"That's good, so it won't be in vain for the master's compassion for you.

Listen carefully now, the servants in the mansion are categorized into the Fourth Rank of the Qing Dynasty, each with different duties and status.

For instance, the one fetching water with you before, Xiaosan, is a Substitute Servant, and the man who tied you up yesterday is a Li Pu, while Yi Pu includes me and Yue Lian.

If you join the register, you'll start as a Cyan Servant, with a monthly allowance of three thousand coins and a small share of New Year's Money at the end of the year.

Food and clothing will be provided by the mansion, as will minor illnesses.

However, major illnesses and serious conditions will have their medical expenses borne by you. Understand?"

Xu Yun cupped his hands again:

"Understood."

Old Chief Steward then took out a contract and handed it to Xu Yun:

"This is the household register document. It details servant duties; feel free to read it and raise any concerns."

Xu Yun took the contract and started reading carefully.

To be honest.

The content of this contract was simple and quite formulaic.

It mainly outlined servant benefits and duties, with nothing conspicuously wrong on the surface.

Contracts throughout various dynasties always looked more or less the same, even the indenture contracts were written decently.

Phrases like treating them as family and caring for them as one's own would appear.

In reality.

Such words are akin to a reader promising, "Because of your words, I'll subscribe to your whole book," yet months later, the author's account still shows zero fan value.

Just take it as amusing; it's not to be taken seriously.

After reading the entire contract.

Xu Yun didn't hesitate much before signing his name:

Wang Lin, courtesy name Xiaochun.

...

Note:

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