Chapter 21: Harvest

[Name: Zhao Xing]

[Realm: Not Ranked]

[Luck: Derivation 2]

[Qi Gathering: Tier 2 (715/1000)]

[Spells: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)]

[Thriving Growth (Primary): 1st Turn (1101/9999)]

[Moving Clouds (Primary): 7th Turn (7546/9999)]

[Rising Wind (Primary): 4th Turn (4124/9999)]

[Striking Thunder (Primary): 5th Turn (5784/9999)]

[Spreading Rain (Primary): 3rd Turn (3541/9999)]

[Grass and Trees as Soldiers: 3rd Turn (3084/9999)]

[Willow Transmission Compilation Method · Fragment (Four Types)]

[Returning Grass Man (Primary): 3rd Turn (3084/9999)]

[Entangling Grass Man (Primary): 1st Turn (1201/9999)]

[God-Walking Grass Man (Primary): 1st Turn (1501/9999)]

[Thorn Grass Man (Primary): 475/9999]

[Bright Eyes and Night Vision (Primary): (322/9999)]

[Observing Things with Five Elements (Primary): (88/9999)]

[Sub-profession: Talisman Maker]

[Soul-Calming Talisman (Basic): (321/1000)]

[Guidance Talisman (Basic): (525/1000)]

[Treasures: Disaster-Avoiding Almanac (Tier 3, High Grade)]

[Thousand-Mile Transmission Token (Tier 3, High Grade)]

[Note: Every thousand points of proficiency for primary spells is one turn; below a thousand points is just mastered. Grass men are counted in the Grass and Trees as Soldiers spell, but the proficiency of the two spells is calculated independently. Qi Gathering and Talisman Making are not spells and are also calculated independently.]

"There is a golden house in books. Although I didn't obtain any more spells, this night, just by reading this kind of standard classic, I actually gained so much proficiency?"

Zhao Xing felt that his absorption efficiency of the imperial court’s standard classics was too exaggerated.

However, he was gradually getting used to this speed. The Moving Clouds spell had reached the 7th turn, the Striking Thunder spell had reached the 5th turn, and the rest of the spells hadn't fallen behind either.

"The subtle transformation of the Dao Embryo Pill has just begun. Although my cultivation speed is exaggerated, it is only compared to before. Currently, this speed is only considered excellent in a county, not stunning. When I am completely reborn in the future, looking at the entire commandery, I can also be considered a genius."

He stayed up all night, but the more he stayed up, the more energetic he became.

Washing his face, Zhao Xing went out in the dark.

By the time he walked to the Agricultural Office, the sky was already bright with blue light.

"Brother Zhao, good morning."

"Yo, isn't this Zhao First-Rank?"

"After the Beginning of Autumn, I’m afraid it will be Zhao Second-Rank."

"Hahaha."

Colleagues who saw Zhao Xing on the road greeted him one after another.

Zhao First-Rank? When did I get this nickname?

"I accept your kind words." Zhao Xing didn't take it to heart, bowed in return, and accepted the nickname generously.

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It was only past the Mao hour, and over a hundred people had already arrived at the Agricultural Office.

During the reign of Emperor Wen, it was stipulated that local officials should report for duty at the 5th quarter of the Chen hour, which is 8:15. In winter, it was delayed to the 2nd quarter of the Si hour, which is 9:30.

Emperor Wen’s leniency was not only for the common people but also for the officials.

By the time of Emperor Jing, the 'roll king', he took the lead in rolling, and the time for officials to report for duty was also significantly lowered.

Summer time starts from the 1st quarter of the Mao hour, and winter time is the 4th quarter of the Mao hour, which is 5:15 and 6:00.

Emperor Wen’s period did not require clocking in, but Emperor Jing required 'pointing at Mao' to clock in.

This made minor officials who hadn't obtained the 'Bright Eyes and Night Vision' ability even need to carry lanterns to report for duty.

"It seems there are quite a few people aspiring to enter officialdom this year. I guess they are all preparing for the Beginning of Autumn minor examination in a few days." Zhao Xing looked around; there were minor officials carrying lanterns and holding books everywhere, even when they were eating.

In times of peace, taxes are not high. As long as you are not lazy, no one will be unable to afford a breakfast. So these minor officials are all fighting for their future.

Everyone ate very fast, wolfing it down and then quickly getting to work. Zhao Xing originally wanted to rest for a while after eating, but seeing this scene, he felt guilty.

"Damn, who can't roll? In my previous life, I had a dozen livers; I could stay up all night for seven days and seven nights without blinking." Zhao Xing also finished his meal quickly and headed to the Huailiu Courtyard.

There were many minor officials under Xue Wenzhong, and there were very few miscellaneous tasks assigned, but there were some.

Since the Beginning of Summer, there had been a key task, which was to cooperate with the Heavenly Craft Workshop to repair and monitor the 'Pinghu Thirteen Canals'.

Because there are many floods in the summer and autumn, Gucheng is in the middle and lower reaches of the Canglan River and is often damaged by natural disasters.

At the end of the Taizu period, the Grain Field Order Cao Xi repaired the Pinghu Thirteen Canals, connecting the tributaries of the Canglan River to East Lake, and also set up Yuan-Returning Water Wheels. Qi was accumulated over the years, and the mountain by East Lake became higher and higher. Since then, East Lake Mountain has become a place of spiritual beauty.

"The Agricultural Office wants to set up four new Yuan-Returning Water Wheels at East Lake. The planning of the location for the Yuan-Returning Water Wheel at Siwan Bay is the responsibility of my Huailiu Courtyard. The three ordered by the Heavenly Craft Workshop have all arrived; why is ours the only one that hasn't?" Walking to Xue Wenzhong’s office, he found him dealing with matters.

The minor official who replied to him looked to be over forty and was also the oldest minor official in the Huailiu Courtyard, Ding Shan: "Old Xue, the Heavenly Craft Workshop replied that the materials from the commandery haven't been sent, and there is a shortage of manpower, so the construction period needs to be delayed."

"Delayed again?" Xue Wenzhong snorted, "Why are there all kinds of excuses when it comes to me? Do they think I’m made of mud and have no temper?"

Sensing that Xue Wenzhong seemed completely different from the past, Ding Shan even changed his form of address: "Master, should I go and urge them again?"

Xue Wenzhong threw the memorial aside: "No need to urge them. I have written three memorials. You send them separately to Master Chen Shijie, Master Li Zhengchen of the County Magistrate's Office, and one to Inspector Ji of Nanyang Commandery. If my urging Gongsun Jin doesn't work, then let these three masters urge him!"

The old Chief Agricultural Officer, after recovering from his illness, seemed to have become tough. These words made Ding Shan’s heart tremble, and he quickly nodded in agreement, immediately starting to stamp and seal.

After Xue Wenzhong finished dealing with it, he saw Zhao Xing waiting outside the door, his face immediately turned from cloudy to sunny, and he smiled and beckoned: "Zhao Xing, come in."

"Master, I’m here to report for duty. I don't know if there is anything I can do to share your worries," Zhao Xing asked.

Xue Wenzhong stroked his beard and smiled: "There are two hundred people in the Huailiu Courtyard; what matters need you to handle? You should just prepare for the assessment."

Ding Shan looked at Zhao Xing in surprise, and seeing Xue Wenzhong pause, he tactfully withdrew.

After stepping out of the door, seeing Xue Wenzhong actually let Zhao Xing sit in his chair, Ding Shan’s jaw almost dropped to the ground.

The old Chief Agricultural Officer, who had always been impartial, was actually so biased toward someone? Could it be that this change was also related to him?

Zhao Xing didn't notice this change in attitude, just thinking it was different after becoming a master and student. Since the old Chief had no miscellaneous tasks for him, he could save some time for cultivation.

After reporting, he ran straight to the backyard to practice spells.

After the Basic Cultivation spell advanced, he obtained the primary spell [Thriving Growth], but he had rarely practiced it recently, only reaching the 1st turn.

The old Chief had hinted that the Beginning of Autumn would test questions related to cultivation, so he had to hurry up and practice.

"Eh? Why is there an extra piece of seedlings in the vegetable garden in the backyard..." Zhao Xing was looking for a target to practice on, but was attracted by a corner in the vegetable garden. ===== CHAPTER 22 =====