Chapter 163: My, such a large Office of the Minister of Agriculture, where are the people?

After the Arrow-Fish flying boat crossed the Canglan River, the weather became noticeably chaotic.

In Anping Prefecture, north of the river, the "Awakening of Insects" solar term had already passed; the earth was turning slightly green, and the arrival of spring was quite evident.

Yet, once across the river, it remained a landscape of white snow and silver-clad frost.

Zhao Xing stood outside the flying boat and sensed the surroundings; it felt as if he were in the "Major Cold" solar term.

After flying for another half-hour, they passed through four distinct solar terms: Minor Cold, Major Cold, Vernal Equinox, and Grain Rain.

Only after half an hour, once they were far from the great river and had entered the territory of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, did the weather stabilize.

Even so, it was still one solar term behind the prefectures north of the river, hovering around the "Rain Water" solar term.

"How does it feel to be abroad for the first time?" Long Xiao asked with a smile. "Isn't it vastly different?"

"It is indeed different," Zhao Xing said. "It has become somewhat chaotic."

Outside the Ten Suns Cave Heaven, his Third-Turn Knowledge Realm solar term command could easily alter the weather over a wide area. This was because the Cave Heaven was a small world with chaotic weather, not as stable as the land of the Nineteen Provinces.

However, once outside Pinghai Province, the weather gradually became chaotic again. Although the degree of chaos was not as severe as in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven, for ordinary people, the difference between inside and outside the Great Zhou was like heaven and earth.

Those without rank could not even reach the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture; they could not withstand this fickle weather.

"The alternation of cold and heat, the sudden changes in internal and external yin and yang—ordinary people simply cannot endure it. It is only when one reaches the territory of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture that the weather becomes suitable."

"The geographical environment is also quite harsh. In the hour after we crossed the river, we saw three earthquakes; the earth split open, and mountains shifted."

Walking along and suddenly not recognizing the road ahead is one thing, but falling into a fissure or having a mountain collapse on you—it is very difficult for ordinary people without rank to survive.

Of course, for Zhao Xing, this stretch of unstable land was not very large; the Arrow-Fish flying boat arrived in the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture half an hour after crossing the river.

So why leave this stretch of territory unattended? Why didn't the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture include this section along the river?

There are many reasons. First, to combat smuggling and illegal crossings. The land route is impassable, and it is very difficult for those without rank to traverse, which isolates many smugglers and increases the cost of smuggling. If flying equipment is used, it is easier to investigate.

Second, the Canglan River basin is unpredictable. If one stays too close, they might be backlashed by the water veins, so a buffer zone is needed.

After all, the upstream source is controlled by the Southern Barbarian tribes, who have "Witches" capable of communicating with heaven and earth. If a Water Witch were to cause trouble, it would be a disaster for those downstream.

…………

The Arrow-Fish flying boat continued to fly over the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture. During this time, many auras scanned the boat, and some patrol flying boats even attempted to intercept it, but upon seeing the Ten Suns Cave Heaven military flag and the appointment documents Zhao Xing presented, they let it pass smoothly.

"Yuncheng is a commandery-level county, so I am now under the jurisdiction of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture's Office of the Minister of Agriculture. My direct superior is Tantai Ming of the prefectural-level Water Control Office."

"Even if I am only taking up the post temporarily, I should pay a visit, especially since he and my Master have a friendship."

Tian Shan did not mention this to Zhao Xing; it was all mentioned in the three letters and tokens Tian Shan had given him.

Tian Shan told him to use these tokens only when in dire straits, but what kind of person was Master Zhao? Would he listen entirely to others?

What if he was caught in a panic when he really needed to use them? What if he offended the people in the letters or their families without even knowing it?

He was no greenhorn; of course, it was better to read them early. He could choose not to use them, but he had to be informed.

It must be said that Marquis Tian was not bragging. Tantai Ming, mentioned in the first letter, was indeed his superior and the main judge for the third ring of tasks.

The favor of a thousand-year-old noble family is not to be underestimated; Tantai Ming owed Marquis Tian his life.

Two hundred years ago, when the Yingyuan Prefecture was first being developed, Tantai Ming was only of the Eighth Rank and was poisoned by a witch.

With his ability, he could not find a cure, and even if there were one, it was not something he could access.

It was Tian Shan who found the antidote for him. At that time, Tantai Ming was only a Senior Eighth Rank, but two hundred years later, he was already a Junior Fourth Rank.

Tian Shan also explained in the letter to what extent the favor could be used.

Tantai Ming was a man who valued loyalty; at critical moments, one could let Tantai Ming shoulder things Zhao Xing could not, and block dangers Zhao Xing could not.

The limit of this scale was that Tantai Ming would be demoted by three ranks after shouldering the burden.

"Tantai Ming is Junior Fourth Rank; demoted by three ranks, he would be Junior Fifth Rank. How much trouble would I have to cause for that?"

"Better not to use it if I don't have to; there is great karma here," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

There were two more such letters and tokens, and he estimated their weight was about the same.

Why would Marquis Tian give them to him? It was not just simple teacher-student affection; it was also an investment in the future.

Old Tantai was already 389 years old. If he could not reach the Senior Fourth Rank, under normal circumstances, he would not live past 500.

In this life, without accidents, it would be very difficult for Old Tantai to be promoted to Senior Fourth Rank.

If Tian Shan were to demand the favor, it would be around the age of 400.

Otherwise, if it dragged on for a few more decades, the value of the favor would decrease.

Why? Because the person would no longer be able to shoulder it. Asking Old Tantai to shoulder a burden when he is over 400 is essentially asking for his life. Near the end of one's lifespan, demotion is equivalent to shortening one's life!

So these three letters were all timed at an appropriate period for demanding favors. Or rather, a period for transferring favors.

If Zhao Xing were to use the three letters, he would have to take over this favor. And Zhao Xing was still very young with a limitless future. Whether three-for-one was a loss or a gain would be left to time to verify.

"Subordinate Zhao Xing pays respects to Lord Tantai!"

Tantai Ming sat upright in the main hall of the Water Control Office, wearing deep crimson official robes—a Fourth Rank official robe, with a golden top adorned with flowers.

It was inlaid with water-blue gemstones, and the top of the crown itself was a magic treasure.

It gathered the essence of heaven and earth, constantly refining it, so the official did not even need to cultivate himself; he could be nourished by the essence day and night, maintaining his peak state at all times.

There was a slight difference between the Fourth Rank and the Senior Fourth Rank in the crown, mainly in the number of water-blue gemstones inlaid.

Fourth Rank civil official robes had distinctions between regular and court attire. Court attire featured embroidered skylarks, signifying adherence to law and ritual.

Fourth Rank military official robes featured embroidered fierce tigers, symbolizing bravery.

However, the Great Zhou's clothing and ritual system were quite complex. Official clothing also involved titles and scattered ranks; besides that, different positions had subtle differences.

For example, Tantai Ming was the Water Control Commissioner; the skylark on his body was situated between clouds and lake water.

If it were a Fourth Rank priest, the skylark would be perched on the eaves of a temple.

Logically, Tantai Ming was now considered a civil official, but if the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture went to war, he would immediately become a military official, because the Water Control Commissioner could be both civil and military.

At that time, his set of robes would have to change again.

Even now, Tantai Ming's clothing was different from ordinary civil agricultural officials; his belt was a "Wei Wu" belt worn by second-class marquises.

His sash was a golden seal with a silver ribbon, and there were three circles of blue and white patterns on his sleeves. On the desk in front of him were the Four Treasures of the Study, a Heavenly Heart Command Token, and a Sacred Page, meaning this person also held the scattered rank of "Guangzheng Grand Master," allowing him to participate in court discussions, send his policy proposals directly to the central government, and even write letters to the Emperor.

Zhao Xing had remembered these things in his previous life until his head ached, but now he could see them at a glance.

While paying his respects, he took a look at Tantai Ming. Although he was nearly 400 years old, he still looked like a middle-aged man, and his hair was black.

Tantai Ming was tall and sturdy; even sitting down, his upper body was much higher than the desk in front of him. Wearing this Fourth Rank official robe, it seemed as if all the light in the hall was concentrated on him, making one afraid to look directly at him.

While Zhao Xing was paying respects in the hall, Tantai Ming was also sizing up this genius agricultural official from the Ten Suns Cave Heaven.

Normally, ordinary geniuses could not catch his eye, and he would not personally receive someone just for taking up a post.

However, Zhao Xing had another layer of identity: he was Tian Shan's student.

In this session of military agricultural official training, Tian Shan had only taken one student, so naturally, the significance was different.

"No need for formalities, take a seat." Tantai Ming had received great kindness from Tian Shan, so his attitude toward Zhao Xing was also very amiable. Just as Zhao Xing's waist bent, he spoke, without putting on any official airs.

"Many thanks, my lord." Zhao Xing straightened his body, lifted his lapels, and sat down sideways.

¤￠o

"This is your temporary appointment letter, Seventh Rank Water Control Commissioner's robes, and sash seal."

Tantai Ming waved his hand, and a box floated in front of Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing hurriedly stood up to receive it, then waited for Tantai Ming's instructions.

"Going to Yuncheng, you must keep the people in your heart, be diligent in military affairs, and do not waste your time."

"The Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture is different from the inland. You have just taken up your post, so do not be too hasty. If there are any abnormal situations, you may report them to the Prefectural Office of the Minister of Agriculture."

"Yes, I will strictly follow your teachings, my lord." Zhao Xing held the box and bowed again.

"Go."

"Subordinate takes his leave."

Zhao Xing bent his waist and slowly backed out of the hall. Only after exiting the hall did he straighten his body, his steps light.

There was no help for it; the procedure for meeting a superior was just like that.

"Finished meeting?" Long Xiao, who was waiting outside, saw Zhao Xing come out and immediately followed.

"Mm, finished."

"Why do you bother with all this effort?" Long Xiao said. "You have a military appointment; does the Yuncheng Office of the Minister of Agriculture dare not recognize it? Why did you have to go in and pay such a visit?"

"Showing my face in the prefectural city has only benefits and no drawbacks. Otherwise, when you write a letter later, there will only be a name, and people will have no impression of you. Whose business is it to handle? If they push your report aside and wait three or four days, people might die."

"And..."

"Alright, you don't need to tell me." Long Xiao waved his hand. "There are too many twists and turns; I'm not interested. I'm just a martial artist; I don't want to understand so much."

Zhao Xing smiled and immediately boarded the boat.

Actually, he insisted on seeing him because he wanted to see Tantai Ming in person.

He did not disbelieve Tian Shan's judgment in the letter, but as he said before, he would not believe it entirely either.

Suppose Tantai Ming was the kind of person who would "repay his teacher with a hundred antidotes"—if he relied on him then, wouldn't he be finished?

Didn't Tian Shan have such preparations, which was why he prepared three letters? Otherwise, as a small Eighth Rank agricultural official, no matter how much trouble he could cause, a Junior Fourth Rank would be enough to shoulder it.

"Judging from Tantai Ming's personal reception, the first impression is good, and his attitude during the instructions was relatively gentle. And saying that anything can be reported is a hint."

As for the people in the other two letters, Zhao Xing did not find it appropriate to visit them.

Because it had nothing to do with this trip, visiting suddenly would be very eye-catching.

For now, having Tantai Ming is enough.

"Let's go, go to Yuncheng."

Yuncheng is located on the southeastern border of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture.

Zhao Xing had previously flown over the Canglan River.

Now, flying toward Yuncheng, he saw the Canglan River again.

Because this river does not run horizontally, but winds all the way south, deep into the Southern Wilderness.

He crossed the river from Anping Prefecture, went to the prefectural city, and then went to Yuncheng in the southeast, so he saw this great river again.

If he were to cross the river again now, it would not be within the Great Zhou territory, but a wasteland that neither side wanted, with harsh environments, high-temperature deserts, swamp miasma, and raging gales; it basically belonged to a no-man's-land.

Starting from the prefectural city, the Arrow-Fish flying boat flew for a day before arriving at Yuncheng.

It was the third quarter of the Mao hour when they arrived at Yuncheng.

At this time, cold winds were howling outside, frost was congealing on the ground, and there was no sign of spring at all.

"Enter the city directly or go on a secret visit?" Long Xiao asked.

"What secret visit am I playing at? There's no need for that," Zhao Xing said. "It's a state of combat readiness, and I am the highest official. If the people below dare to deceive me, that's seeking death. I'm hoping someone will hide things so I can behead them to establish my authority."

Even if they want to hide it, they can't. Just go to the Yuncheng Temple once, and everything will be clear.

"Then let's go in directly."

Long Xiao steered the flying boat, pressed down the bow, and began to descend into Yuncheng.

As a border military city, there were many fortresses on the city walls, all of which were bases for magic arrays. However, Zhao Xing did not encounter any obstacles; his Arrow-Fish flying boat was also registered, so he went straight in.

"Arrived."

The Arrow-Fish flying boat landed outside the Yuncheng Office of the Minister of Agriculture.

"Why is no one coming to welcome you, the superior?"

After Zhao Xing's vehicle entered, the Yuncheng County Government Police Inspector's Office would receive the news immediately.

Seeing a new official taking up his post, the county government would also notify the Office of the Minister of Agriculture immediately.

"Wait a little longer. We came so early; we must give people time to react."

Zhao Xing and Long Xiao waited for a while at the main entrance of the Office of the Minister of Agriculture.

But after a quarter of an hour, only three people appeared.

Long Xiao had already started to snicker, while Zhao Xing's expression was somewhat ugly.

The Gucheng Office of the Minister of Agriculture had one principal and nine assistants. Yuncheng, a commandery-level county, must have a higher level of Office of the Minister of Agriculture than Gucheng, an upper-class county.

Only three people came to welcome me? My, such a large Office of the Minister of Agriculture, only three people came to welcome me?

Damn it, they really dare not treat me, this temporary official, as an official!

"Yuncheng Water Control Commissioner Zhang Zhong."

"Yuncheng Agricultural Commissioner Jiang Xi."

"Yuncheng Equalization Commissioner He Fengnian."

"Pay respects to the superior!"

After the three figures ran over, seeing the Arrow-Fish flying boat and Zhao Xing, who had already changed into Seventh Rank official robes, they immediately bowed and paid respects.

Zhao Xing did not put on airs with these three, because those who could come at least respected him as their superior.

"Three lords, no need for formalities," Zhao Xing returned the bow. "I wonder where the other lords of the Yuncheng Office of the Minister of Agriculture are? Are they busy with official business?"

The three agricultural officials looked at each other, and Zhang Zhong cupped his hands and said: "The wind is strong outside, please, my lord, enter the Office of the Minister of Agriculture first, and then allow your subordinates to report in detail."

The next chapter is expected at 12:30, and the third update is expected at 2:30.