Chapter 164: Never thought Lord Zhao had such a big background?!

"Fine, let's go in and talk then." Zhao Xing did not flare up immediately; what if there was some hidden reason? Wouldn't that make him, the chief official, look like he had no capacity?

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian accompanied Zhao Xing into the Office of the Minister of Agriculture.

As soon as he stepped through the door, Zhao Xing frowned and looked at the sky.

Because it was actually snowing in the sky, and it was snowing inside the Office of the Minister of Agriculture.

Logically, the magic array inside the Office of the Minister of Agriculture could not be affected by the weather, and with the agricultural officials here, how could they let the snow drift in?

Seeing this, Zhang Zhong explained: "The Yuncheng Office of the Minister of Agriculture has not been repaired for twenty years. We have limited ability and cannot set the weather here, so whatever it is like outside, it is like inside..."

Zhao Xing frowned, but did not say anything, just pointed his finger at the sky.

Hum~

A golden light shot into the sky, sweeping up the wind and snow, and then flowing back to the high sky.

The golden light spread, and a golden cloud quickly swallowed the surroundings, soon occupying the sky.

Then a breeze blew over the earth, and the frost on the ground quickly dissipated.

Outside the gate of the Office of the Minister of Agriculture, a touch of green even emerged.

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian's brows jumped.

Raising his hand to move clouds and swallow snow, in an instant, spring had arrived!

This new Lord Zhao is very strong!

"Go in."

"Yes."

The three became more and more respectful, following behind Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing knew the construction patterns of the Office of the Minister of Agriculture at various levels by heart.

This was his first time at the Yuncheng Office of the Minister of Agriculture, but it felt as if he had been here countless times, and he soon found his position.

Water Control Hall.

He was the Water Control Commissioner, and this was his office location.

In the Office of the Minister of Agriculture, whoever has the highest official position, that institution is the most important.

Zhao Xing was a Junior Seventh Rank Water Control Commissioner, so the Water Control Office also possessed the largest and most numerous building complex.

Zhang Zhong was the Internal Commissioner, Zhao Xing's direct subordinate, also doing water control work, but he was only a Junior Eighth Rank Senior. Logically, there should be at least three assistants, one Senior Eighth Rank Senior and two Senior Eighth Rank Juniors.

However, after entering the Water Control Office, only a dozen Ninth Rank agricultural officials were seen changing shifts.

Agricultural Commissioner Jiang Xi was responsible for farming, and he was a Senior Eighth Rank Junior.

Equalization Commissioner He Fengnian was specifically in charge of transporting money and grain, transporting the collected tax grain to the prefectural city, and was a Junior Eighth Rank Senior.

The official positions and strength of the three were very average, and Zhao Xing saw it at a glance.

Only Jiang Xi had some foundation.

Arriving at the inner hall, Zhao Xing sat on the main seat of the hall, and Long Xiao accompanied him with a sword.

The three below followed the process and formally paid respects to Zhao Xing.

But Zhao Xing was slow to tell them to get up.

Master Zhao was truly a bit angry.

From the time he walked to the gate to the Water Control Office, at least a quarter of an hour had passed.

This amount of time could not be brushed off by "busy with official business" or "didn't receive notification."

But until now, still no one came.

"Three lords, the administrative specification of the Yuncheng Office of the Minister of Agriculture is a lower-class commandery. Except for this official, who is Seventh Rank, logically there should be 66 Eighth Rank agricultural officials in each office."

"It is now the sixth quarter of the Mao hour, with black and white shifts on duty. During the day, there should be 33 Eighth Rank officials coming to the office."

"Even if today is busy with official business and everyone went out to perform duties, according to regulations, among the 33 people, at least 9 should be stationed in the office."

"Excluding the three of you, where did the others go?"

"You can't tell me that they all went out to do things, right?"

Zhao Xing's perception was so keen. After unfolding the cloud method during the Vernal Equinox solar term, he immediately sensed that there were no other Eighth Rank officials in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture.

Either these people were late for work, lazy, or derelict in their duties, and it was usually like this.

Or they knew he was coming and deliberately didn't see him, giving him a show of power.

No matter the situation, Master Zhao could not be happy.

The atmosphere in the hall became somewhat oppressive, and Internal Commissioner Zhang Zhong buried his head lower.

"Reporting to my lord, according to regulations, the Yuncheng Office of the Minister of Agriculture should indeed have 66 Eighth Rank agricultural officials."

"However, a batch was transferred away last month, including the previous chief official, so the Yuncheng Office of the Minister of Agriculture only has 21 actual officials."

"12 during the day, 9 at night, and 4 stationed in the office."

"The others all led teams to various towns to inspect the weather and geographical advantages."

After listening, Zhao Xing almost laughed in anger.

Before, he was afraid of people holding him back, but now it was better; there weren't even people to hold him back.

"Three lords, no need for formalities, sit down and talk."

The situation was different from what he imagined, and Zhao Xing could not vent his anger on these three, so he let Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian sit down.

"You said there are 4 people stationed on the black and white shifts, so where is the other one?"

Zhao Xing remembered that there seemed to be a loophole in the three's words and asked immediately.

Before Zhang Zhong could reply, a trembling voice sounded outside the hall.

"Sub-subordinate Bao Wenshan, requests to see Lord Zhao."

Zhao Xing looked closely and saw an old man with white hair on the steps outside, leaning on a staff and paying respects. Looking at him, it was as if he were about to stop breathing.

Zhang Zhong whispered: "My lord, Bao Wenshan is the fourth person."

Zhao Xing: "..."

After Bao Wenshan entered the hall, Zhao Xing stared at the old man, speechless for a long time.

He was indeed happy too early.

The current situation in Yuncheng was that the old were old, the weak were weak, and the others had left.

The third ring task of the military world gave him a Seventh Rank official position, but it turned out to be a bare-bones agricultural official!

This Seventh Rank was not only temporary, but also severely slashed.

The subordinate officials were not even one-third of the full quota; how could he do things?

Wouldn't he be exhausted to death?

Seeing Zhao Xing silent for a long time, Bao Wenshan hurriedly bowed and said: "My lord came from afar, and your subordinate failed to welcome you, please punish me."

What punishment, just sit down.

Zhao Xing had no intention of caring, letting Bao Wenshan sit down. This person was almost about to die in office, and he didn't know how long he had been here.

The military world did not provide specific information about the establishment of Yuncheng, so the difficulty should be here.

Just don't know if anyone will be added later.

Should be added, right?

In any case, since he was here, he would settle down. Zhao Xing quickly adjusted his mentality and continued to ask about the situation in Yuncheng.

Since the military world didn't report the situation, these belonged to what he needed to actively understand, which was part of the test.

First, ask about people.

"Zhang Zhong, do you know why there was such a large-scale transfer?"

Zhang Zhong hesitated, and Bao Wenshan next to him spoke first: "My lord, let me say it."

"Fine, then you say it."

Bao Wenshan said: "It's not this large-scale transfer; Yuncheng has always been in a state of being understaffed over the years."

"Why is that?"

Bao Wenshan said: "Yuncheng is a border city of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture. For two hundred years, there have often been harassment by alien races."

"Your subordinate has been an official here for 136 years, and Yuncheng has suffered 1,452 invasions by alien races."

"Among them, 25 times, Yuncheng was completely captured and fell into the hands of alien races."

"Years of war, long-term defense will inevitably lead to loss, resulting in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture never being full."

Zhao Xing frowned slightly. He understood why Bao Wenshan said it instead of Zhang Zhong. It was just that this person no longer expected any future, so it didn't matter what he said.

Bao Wenshan's meaning was that the people above didn't care, feeling that this place was lost and regained, and it was very difficult to defend, so they simply let it rot.

Anyway, it was impossible for alien races to station here. If they attacked, run first, and when they left, send people over to govern and recapture it.

As for why it was like this, there were many reasons, but in the final analysis, there was no profit drive.

Defending well was what should be done, there was no merit reward, and if not defended well, the punishment was not heavy, because it had always been like this.

Emperor Jing did not start a great war before, busy dealing with noble families, light on top and slow on bottom, who dared to start border provocations without authorization?

So the atmosphere in this land was: I would rather do nothing than make a mistake.

"Over time, no one wants to come to Yuncheng to be an official. Being assigned to the border city is seen as a form of exile."

"Even if they come, they are thinking of ways to find connections to transfer away."

"Would rather be demoted by one level, or even two levels, to be transferred elsewhere, than to be an official here."

Zhao Xing waved his hand, interrupting Bao Wenshan's words.

Knowing the situation was enough. If he continued to talk, it would be him, the superior, complaining with his subordinates. Words unfavorable to unity should not be said.

Seeing this, Bao Wenshan stopped talking.

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian had dim eyes.

"Everyone, don't be sad. From today on, Yuncheng will be different."

Bao Wenshan was not afraid of death: "Your subordinate dares to ask, how will it be different?"

Zhao Xing smiled: "Because the imperial court will attach importance to this place. You may not know yet, this place will become a key town! Not only that, the imperial court will continue to march south, opening up territory!"

"At that time, Yuncheng will no longer be a border city, and you don't have to worry about your own safety and future destiny at all times."

The pie Zhao Xing drew was indeed effective.

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian's eyes flashed with hope: "Is what you said true, my lord?"

Zhao Xing gave Long Xiao a wink.

The latter immediately understood: "How could it be fake? Do you know what the background of the Water Control Commissioner in front of you is?"

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian stretched their necks, waiting for the following.

Long Xiao whetted their appetite, pondered for a moment, and then said: "Lord Zhao is only 21 years old now, and he is the youngest and most talented military agricultural official in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven!"

"Ten Suns Cave Heaven, what kind of place is that? The stationing place for the most elite army in the entire Great Zhou!"

"Lord Zhao is a military agricultural official who stood out from hundreds of millions of people!"

"You just saw it, he just waved his hand lightly and changed the weather in Yuncheng. Can you do it?"

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian shook their heads.

Long Xiao said proudly: "And this is just the tip of the iceberg of Lord Zhao's strength. You should know how difficult it is to cultivate a military agricultural official, let alone an unparalleled genius among military agricultural officials. The imperial court transferred him here, how could it be exile?"

Long Xiao's palm patted the literary bamboo box, uncovering a corner.

The brilliance of the treasure was revealed.

"Look, the treasures bestowed by the imperial court to Lord Zhao are all top-grade, and there are Seventh Rank exotic beasts accompanying him."

"If it were exile, how could there be such treatment?"

"So you can rest assured!"

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian were suddenly shocked.

Never thought Lord Zhao had such a big background!

It was Bao Wenshan, because he didn't see Zhao Xing's previous spellcasting, who didn't understand how powerful Zhao Xing was.

Zhao Xing glanced at Long Xiao.

He was embarrassed by Long Xiao's blowing.

I just let you cooperate, didn't expect you to be so good at blowing.

It seems that he often did this with Old Chen before?

After Long Xiao finished speaking, he raised his eyebrows at Zhao Xing, meaning it was his turn.

How could Zhao Xing not understand? He immediately took over the conversation and said: "The person next to this official is Long Xiao, a brave captain of the Divine Might Army, and he is a Senior Seventh Rank!"

"And Lord Long is also a sword cultivator!"

"Sword cultivators are the best among martial artists, not something ordinary people can learn. Even if you don't know me, you should know the strength of a Senior Seventh Rank sword cultivator."

"So it's a brave captain."

"Subordinate pays respects to Lord Long!"

"Disrespect."

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian hurriedly stood up and paid respects.

Long Xiao was very happy, but Zhao Xing was still a bit lacking. I blew you so many sentences, you only said two or three sentences to me, why didn't you mention my feat of beheading more than a dozen Profound Heaven demon people with one sword in Gucheng?

Zhao Xing said: "Now the opportunity is in front of you, everyone just needs to do things well. Your persistence is seen by the imperial court and this official. You must not be lazy and miss this opportunity."

"Strictly follow your teachings, my lord."

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, He Fengnian, and Bao Wenshan hurriedly stood up and paid respects again.

Zhao Xing looked at Bao Wenshan: "Lord Bao, I see that your internal organs have ailments. Were you injured before?"

Bao Wenshan said: "My lord has good eyes. Your subordinate was indeed injured in the previous battle, but my lord doesn't need to worry. Your subordinate can still fight for the people of Yuncheng for another ten years!"

Zhao Xing stood up from the main seat and walked down the steps step by step: "Please, Lord Bao, unbutton your clothes and let me take a closer look."

"Just afraid of dirtying your wise eyes, my lord."

"No matter."

Bao Wenshan then took off his coat.

After seeing it, Zhao Xing couldn't help but be moved.

Bao Wenshan's body was covered with dense wounds and scars. Logically, an Eighth Rank agricultural official, even if his physical body was not as good as a martial artist, his recovery ability was not bad.

Normally, an Eighth Rank agricultural official could maintain a relatively healthy state until death.

But Bao Wenshan, because he had been an agricultural official in Yuncheng for more than a hundred years, had experienced countless battles and didn't know how many times he had been injured.

Because there was no reward for losing the city, but punishment, and no merit for defending it, every time he fought, he couldn't get any precious supplements to repair it.

So until now, the internal five-element energy was close to the state of exhaustion, and his internal organs were even half-failed.

If it weren't for the Eighth Rank official position of the imperial court hanging him, Bao Wenshan would probably have been a dead person long ago.

"Long Xiao, take out two Reduction Pills and Five-Viscera Pills from the literary bamboo box."

"Good." Long Xiao immediately patted the literary bamboo box, and four Fourth-Rank low-grade pills flew out.

Bao Wenshan was shocked and held Zhao Xing's wrist: "My lord, this cannot be done. How can this old man deserve such precious pills!"

Zhao Xing held Bao Wenshan's hand back, his mood a bit complicated. This old agricultural official reminded him of Xue Wenzhong, who also worked diligently for a lifetime but didn't get the treatment he deserved.

However, Bao Wenshan was more miserable than Xue Wenzhong. He had persisted here for more than a hundred years!

"Lord Bao, you are completely worthy." Zhao Xing held his rough arm tightly, and the energy entered Bao Wenshan's body, adjusting the energy in Bao Wenshan's body with the Yin-Yang Self-Nature Scripture. "Don't say these few small pills, even more, you are completely worthy. Please believe me."

"My lord." Bao Wenshan's lips trembled, his eyes filled with tears. "Being able to get this sentence from you, this old man is already satisfied. My lord doesn't need to waste precious pills anymore."

"How can this be?" Zhao Xing smiled. "You have rich experience, and I am counting on you to help me govern Yuncheng. You can just treat it as me having selfish motives, and these few pills are bribing you."

Bao Wenshan was stunned, and a smile appeared on his wrinkled face: "Good, this old man will accept your lord's bribe."

Then he opened his mouth, swallowed the pills, and with Zhao Xing's energy adjustment, his vitality grew visibly.