Chapter 19: Preparation for Minor Examination

Of the four seasons and eight solar terms, eight solar terms were mandatory for examination: Beginning of Spring, Spring Equinox, Beginning of Summer, Summer Solstice, Beginning of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Beginning of Winter, and Winter Solstice.

Depending on the situation of each commandery and county, at least twelve solar terms were examined, and the most stringent top-tier counties or commanderies would examine all twenty-four solar terms.

The three hurdles for becoming a regular official—'Jurisdiction Harvest', 'Moral Evaluation', and 'Ability Evaluation'—were combined and collectively called the 'Winter Evaluation'.

Afterward, one would undergo a 'Temple Examination', and if one passed, one could 'Enter Officialdom' and join the Luck-based dynasty system.

The 'Ability Evaluation' in the Winter Evaluation, which was the examination based on the twenty-four solar terms, accounted for a relatively large proportion.

If one didn't pass this hurdle and wasn't recommended, one couldn't even participate in the Temple Examination.

Minor officials who aspired to become regular officials basically wouldn't miss any ability evaluation.

Xue Wenzhong’s first lecture upon returning to the Huailiu Courtyard attracted a large number of minor officials to visit.

"Old Xue, are you in good health?"

The old Chief Agricultural Officer smiled and said: "No major issues."

"Master, I have a hundred-year-old Rehmannia essence here; please accept it, Master."

"I appreciate the kind intention, take it back."

"Old Xue..."

Not only the minor officials under Xue Wenzhong but also minor officials from other courtyards came to visit one after another.

It wasn't out of kindness, but to listen to the lecture.

Because the previous two Minor Heat assessments had been set by Chen Zhijie, this time for Beginning of Autumn and the next one, it was Xue Wenzhong’s turn.

"Agricultural Officer Xue, for the Beginning of Autumn assessment, you won't be like Master Chen and set some tricky questions to make things difficult for us, right? If there’s another 'Grain-Eating Bird Natural Disaster', I’m afraid no one in Gucheng will pass this year."

"That’s right, how could there be turtledoves in my south?"

A bold minor official asked this, drawing a burst of laughter.

If it were any other Agricultural Officer, basically no minor official would dare to make such a joke, but Xue Wenzhong was a well-known nice guy with a gentle personality. The atmosphere of the lecture was quite good, and the minor officials dared to joke boldly.

The old Chief Agricultural Officer said: "You all want to know what the Beginning of Autumn examination will cover?"

"Yes, Old Chief, can you tell us?" Everyone stretched their necks and pricked up their ears.

Xue Wenzhong smiled slightly: "You will naturally know on the day of the Beginning of Autumn."

"Sigh..."

There was another burst of laughter below.

Although it was nonsense literature, Zhao Xing liked this atmosphere. He had also gone to audit other courtyards, which were either rigid and serious or profound and difficult to understand, lecturing only to the few who could understand at the highest level, which was very unfriendly.

Looking at Xue Wenzhong again, his complexion was ruddy, and he seemed completely unaffected by the illness from a while ago. He also felt much more at ease, but there was still a trace of sorrow between his brows that wouldn't dissipate, as if he were harboring something on his mind.

After the lecture in the front courtyard, Zhao Xing went to the backyard for individual extra training as usual.

Seeing that Zhao Xing was still carrying something in his hand, Xue Wenzhong immediately looked displeased: "Why are you also learning to give gifts?"

Zhao Xing placed the three tied-up ducks into the poultry shed in the backyard: "This isn't a gift. Master, have you forgotten? I was practicing the 'Returning Grass Man' spell before and chased one of your ducks away. I’m just bringing it back for you."

Xue Wenzhong pointed and asked: "Then why are there three?"

Zhao Xing said solemnly: "Naturally, this duck has been wandering outside for a few days, found a companion, and gave birth to another one. Your student has a kind heart and couldn't bear to break up a family. After asking the ducks for their opinion, I brought them all back together."

Hearing him talk nonsense with a straight face, Xue Wenzhong couldn't help but be amused, laughing and scolding: "Nonsense!"

This laugh was a tacit approval. He could see that Zhao Xing was trying to make him happy. It wasn't the kind of flattery between superior and subordinate, but the kind of concern between master and student.

Zhao Xing could also feel that after Xue Wenzhong returned this time, his attitude had undergone some kind of change.

Whether it was casual conversation or teaching, the feeling he gave was that the master identity outweighed the superior identity.

This was a good phenomenon. As for what exactly happened before, the old Chief didn't say, and he wouldn't pursue it, so as not to touch upon someone else’s painful memories.

"Beginning of Autumn is the beginning of the autumn season. Although it is still scorching hot, the Yang Qi is gradually receding, and the Yin Qi is gradually growing. It is a turning point from Yang prosperity to Yin prosperity, and crops are trending from lush growth toward maturity."

"Rainfall and climate will all begin to turn downward, and crops will also be affected by it."

"The Four Agricultural Books once said: 'Autumn is when Yin Qi begins to descend, so all things are harvested'."

When the practice was about to end, the old Chief suddenly said this.

Zhao Xing was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said goodbye.

On the way home, he savored the old Chief’s words.

"Xue Wenzhong mentioned crop maturity in all three sentences. It seems the Beginning of Autumn assessment is related to plant cultivation."

"It seems I need to practice the cultivation spell more these few days."

Returning home, it was already past mealtime. Zhao Ruide was nowhere to be seen. Seeing this 'food-consuming ghost' return, Madam Cai naturally didn't have a good expression and went straight inside.

Zhao Xing didn't mind and went to the kitchen to find something to eat. Zhao Zheng ran out of his mother’s room again, excitedly helping his big brother serve rice and dishes.

"Big Brother, I practiced martial arts today for two hours. Father even praised me!" Zhao Zheng looked at Zhao Xing expectantly.

"Not bad, keep working hard." Zhao Xing replied perfunctorily and ate on his own.

After eating a few mouthfuls, he found the taste was a bit off: "Why doesn't this food taste as good as last night’s?"

Zhao Zheng said: "How could that be, Big Brother? This is exactly what was from last night."

Zhao Xing: "..."

Zhao Zheng continued: "Mother said Big Brother, you are a food-consuming ghost who can eat anything and have a huge appetite, so she saved a little for you... She hasn't even praised me like that."

"..."

Fine, fine, thank your mother for me.

Zhao Xing smelled it; it hadn't gone sour in the hot weather, but the taste was just a bit off. So he didn't care about that and closed his eyes, wolfing it down.

"Big Brother, what is a food-consuming ghost? Have you ever seen a ghost? I heard that people who can use spells can see ghosts and even invite gods, just like those ritualists in the temples."

Zhao Zheng was like a 'ten thousand whys', constantly chattering around him.

"You’ll understand when you grow up. Alright, clean up these bowls and chopsticks and go play somewhere else."

"Oh..."

After dismissing his cheap little brother, Zhao Xing returned to his room to draw talismans. His proficiency in the Guidance Talisman and Soul-Calming Talisman had improved quite a bit over the past month or so, but the Great Dream Academy still had no movement.

"It seems I need to have a major breakthrough to reap benefits from it." Although he had returned empty-handed from the treasure mountain once again, Zhao Xing wasn't in a hurry; there were still hundreds of years waiting for him to excavate.

Remembering the old Chief’s reminder during the day, Zhao Xing pulled three books from the cabinet.

"《Materia Medica》, 《Grand View of Trees》, 《Compendium of All Things》. These are all books for identifying plants. The Beginning of Autumn assessment might use them, so I should review them."

"The imperial court’s transmitted spells, all kinds of classics, have magical effects. Although they are not as strong as the effects of the temples, one can also comprehend spells from them."

"I hope to obtain a few useful passive spells."

Lighting the oil lamp, Zhao Xing began to read carefully. ===== CHAPTER 20 =====