Chapter 165: I'm Here, the Military Agricultural Officer Is the Top Man! (Third Watch)

"The second is the invasion of foreign faith!"

"Of the fifty-two temples, seven contain beast-shaped idols—some with carved wings, some with scales and armor."

"Our Great Zhou's yin-god carvings, though they feature auspicious beasts, use them only as ornament. Only the southern barbarian tribes have this style."

"If this continues, and barbarians truly cross the Canglan River, it will undoubtedly weaken the army's and people's will to resist."

Wei Xuancheng nodded slightly. Those seven temples had to be torn down in this operation.

As for why it wasn't dealt with until now—first, no one had made a big deal of it; second, it was overlooked. They all stood in the mountains and great marshes.

The late Emperor Wen never rectified it, so no one saw a problem. Now that Emperor Jing intends to set things right, it naturally comes to light.

"The third: a great war is about to begin. For the sake of internal stability, all private temples among the people must be banned outright. To overcorrect is not enough to display the might of Lei Ting. It will only let the ill-intentioned keep hoping, waiting for the storm to pass, casting new Golden Bodies for the wild gods, and rising from the ashes."

"Therefore, in this subordinate's humble opinion, all fifty-two temples should be torn down!"

Zhao Xing cupped his hands in a gesture, indicating he had finished speaking.

Wei Xuancheng returned the salute with cupped hands: "I will relay your words to Lord Gong without missing a single character. Please wait here, my lord Zhao."

With that, Wei Xuancheng left the private room.

Seeing Wei Xuancheng leave, Long Xiao immediately gave Zhao Xing a thumbs-up: "Kid, didn't expect you to be so glib—you had him completely buffaloed."

Zhao Xing smiled faintly. A keyboard warrior—who can't play one?

Historically, Emperor Jing did indeed take a blade to the yin-god system during the Jingxin years. Military administration and the yin-god system were handled together.

It's just that the latter wasn't applied with as much force, and the results weren't very obvious.

As an assessor, this fellow could say just about anything—as long as the general direction was right, his stance wasn't crooked, and it aligned with the imperial court's policy winds—getting a top grade wouldn't be a problem.

Great Zhou was open in its discourse. Once, a clerk answered "sever the connection between heaven and earth" on an exam and suffered no consequences—that alone says enough.

Outside the tower ship, a middle-aged man in a long robe stood on the deck. The robe was woven with stripes of black, white, and gold, and in his hands he held a statue of a Wisdom King.

He was looking down at a resplendent temple below.

The hall stood thirteen zhang tall, and the temple compound covered five hundred mu—this was clearly in violation of building regulations.

It wasn't investigated before because no one wanted to investigate, and there were people shielding it.

But today, Gong Ming had come to tear down this temple, which had stood for two hundred years.

Just as he was about to give the order, he saw Wei Xuancheng coming up from below deck.

Gong Ming immediately waited.

Wei Xuancheng was Wei Hong's younger brother, and being exceptionally talented, he was also greatly favored by Gong Ming.

"My lord Gong, Zhao Xing, the Soldier-Armed Agricultural Officer, has given his opinion."

"Stay or go? Any specific remarks?" Gong Ming asked casually. He hadn't taken the matter to heart.

A genius among the Military Agricultural Officers didn't necessarily understand the way of sacrifices.

Of course, in the way of being an official, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. As long as this genius's answer wasn't too far off—even if he just recited a few articles from the *Great Zhou Sacrificial Code*—he would give a favorable review.

If he were a fool, spouting nonsense and irritating people, then he couldn't be blamed.

"Zhao Xing said…"

Wei Xuancheng relayed Zhao Xing's words faithfully, down to every detail.

A flicker of surprise immediately appeared in Gong Ming's eyes.

He hadn't expected Zhao Xing to give a uniform answer for all fifty-two temples.

Even less had he expected Zhao Xing to actually have something substantive to say.

Especially the first point.

After hearing it all, Gong Ming also sighed with feeling: "Truly worthy of an Agricultural Officer who handles money and grain. After his calculations, it's really, really…"

Truly too impactful. Using data as the basis for his argument, he had quantified the harm of the wild gods!

As for the second and third points, though nothing remarkable, they were in accordance with ritual propriety and added persuasiveness to his judgment.

"My lord Gong, how shall we reply?" Wei Xuancheng asked.

Gong Ming considered: "I will report to the military administration: top grade."

He wasn't the sole decision-maker. Since Zhao Xing had answered brilliantly and had no conflicting interests with him, he was naturally happy to hand out a top grade.

"Yes." Wei Xuancheng prepared to take his leave.

"No rush, Xuancheng. You take men and go down to act," said Gong Ming.

"Yes, my lord."

"Boom~"

The sky changed drastically. Dark clouds enveloped the area around Yan Guang Temple.

Wei Xuancheng charged into the temple with a squad of ritual officers.

Gong Ming watched every move below from the sky in silence.

The men sent down weren't of high rank—this was deliberate on his part.

"This official wants to see just who will come out to stop us."

Below, Yan Guang Temple.

When the ritual officers sealed off the temple and sent men into the main hall, sure enough, they were intercepted.

A middle-aged man in splendid robes walked out.

His name was Yan Kuan. He was the current Yan family head's cousin, and one of those who held power in the Yan family.

"I am Yan Kuan. My lords, why have you suddenly sealed the divine temple?" Yan Kuan asked with a puzzled cupped-hand salute.

"Without the imperial court's investiture, how dare you call it a divine temple?" Wei Xuancheng looked at Yan Kuan. At this moment his expression was stern, completely without the warm, spring-breeze feeling he'd had on the tower ship. "We have come today to tear down this illicit shrine!"

Having heard Zhao Xing's words, Wei Xuancheng now looked at Yan Kuan as though he were seeing strings of numbers.

He also saw countless ignorant faces, drained of blood without knowing it.

Yan Kuan had a slight reputation in Juncheng, but in Wei Xuancheng's eyes at this moment, he was clearly a human-shaped bloodsucking worm!

Yan Kuan's face changed slightly: "My lords, the Yan Guang Temple has a long history. It was built spontaneously by the common folk, and for two hundred years it has always been so. The god of this temple has been revered by the people since its origin, and has manifested spiritual powers many times over two hundred years. I dare not claim great merit, but it should not be judged as an illicit shrine."

"My lords must have misunderstood something. Please, my lords, come with me to the rear hall to rest for a moment, and allow me to introduce to you…"

"No need to stall for time!" Wei Xuancheng interrupted, "If you wish to tip off some lord, go ahead and do it now, but this temple, I must smash it first!"

Seeing that this squad of constables was immune to both soft and hard tactics, Yan Kuan's expression instantly turned cold: "Might I ask my lord's name, and who ordered the demolition?"

"I am Wei Xuancheng of Anping Fucheng, merely a Vice Hall Sacrificial Officer of the From-Seventh Rank in the Hall of Heaven's Worship." Wei Xuancheng stared at Yan Kuan, "As for which lord gave the order, if you have the ability, go look it up yourself. Take action!"

Wei Xuancheng was already extremely impatient with Yan Kuan and couldn't be bothered to say another word.

He immediately ordered them to take action.

Yan Kuan had originally wanted to bring out the figure behind him to stall for time, but upon hearing Wei Xuancheng's name, and learning he was from Fucheng, his heart instantly went half cold.

Wei Xuancheng himself was nothing, but his elder brother Wei Hong was a Grand Sacrificial Officer of the Upper Rank of Proper Fourth Grade!

No matter how many connections he sought, could they surpass Wei Hong?

Cui Fujun was also merely Lower Rank of Proper Fourth Grade!

Yan Kuan saw Wei Xuancheng bring out the judicial god statue and walk into the main hall, and instantly collapsed on the ground.

At this rate, not only would the temple be destroyed, but the Yin God Yan Guang himself would be seized.

"My ancestor is done for!"

Yan Kuan collapsed on the ground.

High in the sky, inside the tower ship.

Zhao Xing waited and waited, but Wei Xuancheng did not return, and could not help but feel doubt arise in his heart.

However, he sensed the violent change in the weather outside, as if he understood something, so he sat back in his original seat and waited patiently.

Half a shichen later, Wei Xuancheng went and returned.

Only now there was a few more shades of cold, gloomy air on his face.

It seemed he had just gone through a battle.

"Lord Zhao, I've kept you waiting. I went to demolish the temple just now and wasted time." Wei Xuancheng spoke.

"I wouldn't dare. Lord Wei's matters are important." Zhao Xing hurriedly rose.

"Just now, Lord Gong has already given a reply to Lord Zhao's suggestion. I believe it won't be long before Lord Zhao receives the message through the Earth Mirror."

"If Lord Zhao is willing, you may leave now. There's no need to travel station by station with us."

Seeing Wei Xuancheng's weary expression, Zhao Xing immediately rose: "If that is the case, this subordinate shall take his leave of all the lords."

Wei Xuancheng cupped his hands and said: "Though you and I have only met once, it feels like we've known each other for years. If you don't mind, let us address each other as brothers."

"That was exactly my intention. Then I'll boldly address you as Brother Xuancheng." Zhao Xing climbed up the pole as it was offered, for befriending this big shot currently only brought benefits and no harm.

Wei Xuancheng laughed: "Now you and I both have official duties and cannot linger. In the future, if Brother Zhao comes to Anping Fucheng, please be sure to visit my residence as a guest, drink tea and chat freely."

Sacrificial Officers had many precepts during certain periods; they couldn't even drink alcohol. What would it look like to go before a god statue while drunk? So Wei Xuancheng only mentioned drinking tea, not wine.

"It's a deal!" Zhao Xing cupped his hands in farewell, then went out again to bid farewell to Gong Ming, and to thank the other Sacrificial Officers of the temple.

After completing the formalities, he took the Arrowfish Flying Boat from the tower ship and flew off with Long Xiao.

Before even leaving the borders of Anping Fucheng, the Soldier Realm sent a message through the Earth Mirror.

The evaluation for the Second Ring mission was: Top of Grade A.

"Since I got Top of Grade A, those fifty-two divine temples are likely in for a rough time." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

All of them would be torn down, that was certain.

Would those Yin Gods be killed or not?

He estimated that even if not killed, they would be beaten back to their original form, causing two hundred years of cultivation to vanish into nothing.

If it was found that they had borrowed the power of Yin Gods to seek profit and commit unlawful acts, killing the Yin Gods wouldn't be enough; they'd have to kill the people too.

Under the grand momentum of pacifying the barbarians, all unstable factors must be rooted out. No matter what Wang Hou you are, at this time you must tuck your tail and behave.

"Looking at the first two rings of missions, Emperor Jing's determination to conquer the barbarians is unprecedentedly strong. After all, in this battle, he intends to surpass his grandfather's achievements."

"Unlike before being stingy, this battle will not skimp. Kill who should be killed, reward who should be rewarded."

"In this early stage, whether military or civil, a batch of fresh blood will rise to the top."

"My Nine Ring mission is one such channel." Zhao Xing pondered.

Considering Emperor Jing's temperament, if pushed back ten years earlier, would the Soldier Realm ever issue such missions?

After completing training, it would also be impossible to directly make someone a Seventh Rank official.

That's why some people look forward to war.

Because war can lead to promotion and wealth!

"The Third Ring mission should require crossing the river."

Two rings of missions were enough to let a reserve Agricultural Officer sense the direction of court policy. If one still couldn't perceive it, then they were a fool, and no matter how many more rings of missions they got, it would be useless. They might as well go be cannon fodder.

"Buzz~"

The Earth Mirror trembled, and soon the third mission arrived.

【Third Ring Mission: Assume Post in Yuncheng】

【Location: Yuncheng County, Wangnan Juncheng, Nine Heavens Response Origin Prefecture】

【Soldier Realm Intelligence: Yuncheng County borders the Lan River to the east, with the Zhi River and Zhi River flowing through it. To the south lies the Phoenix Cry Mountain Range. The flood season is approaching. You have received a temporary appointment as the Water Commandant of the Yuncheng Agricultural Office. Please proceed immediately to assume your post at the Yuncheng Agricultural Office and prepare for flood season harvest protection.】

【If the flood disaster causes severe losses to Yuncheng, your mission will end at the Third Ring, and you will be reassigned.】

"A big job has come!"

Seeing the Third Ring mission, Zhao Xing's spirit was instantly lifted.

Because he had looked into the scale of the Yuncheng Agricultural Office, this place was a Juncheng-level County!

The territory is smaller than a single commandery in the interior, yet considerably larger than a county.

Its administrative rank is higher than a county's but lower than a commandery's — a tier normally found only in war zones and the heartland around Jingcheng.

Because flooding is a major natural disaster, the Du Shui Ling — the chief post of the Agricultural Supervisorate — is ranked Sub-grade Seven, Lower.

Although it's a temporary appointment, if one performs well, becoming permanent is only natural, and a promotion isn't out of the question either.

Because the Agricultural Supervisorate in a commandery-level county can have a chief official ranked as high as Proper Grade Seven.

The Nine Heavens Response Palace is already on a war footing, so his authority as Military Agricultural Supervisor is immense right now.

If the surrounding counties have no Agricultural official ranked above him, he can even order the Agricultural officials of other counties to act together.

Because flood control cannot be accomplished by a single county alone — the cities along the river basin must coordinate to get the job done.

"Sub-grade Seven, Lower — that's a high enough starting point."

"The chief official of a county government office is very likely ranked lower than me, or at the same level."

"That way, he can't command me, and at the very least I won't have to worry about him holding me back."

His efforts in the Ten Sun Grotto-heaven had paid off, and the Grade-A Superior evaluations on the first two trials had played their part — Zhao Xing's starting point was now innately a notch above everyone else's.

"What's going on, grinning like that?" Long Xiao asked. After he'd lulled Proud Heaven Meow to sleep and stepped out, he caught Zhao Xing grinning like an idiot.

"Long Xiao, now I'm only two ranks below you." Zhao Xing said with a smile.

"Hm? What do you mean?" Long Xiao said. "My rank of Valiant Captain is Proper Grade Seven, Upper — you're already Sub-grade Seven, Lower?"

"That's right." Zhao Xing said. "I'm humbled to report that the Soldier Realm has appointed me to serve, for the time being, as Du Shui Ling of Yuncheng County."

"The Agricultural Supervisorate of a county — even the chief post — shouldn't be higher than Grade Eight, right?" Long Xiao was puzzled. "How are you Sub-grade Seven?"

"Because Yuncheng is a commandery-level county, so its tier is a bit higher."

"I see." Xiao Huang said, suddenly enlightened. "Still, whether that's good or bad is hard to say — whatever the position, you bear the weight that comes with it. Most of the commandery-level counties under the Nine Heavens Response Palace face the barbarians' assaults head-on, with savage tribes raiding from time to time."

"Raids? I'm afraid they won't come!" Zhao Xing snorted. "Thirty years of bitter training — today it finally pays off!"

"What nonsense are you spouting? Counting your time as a clerk, you've cultivated for a grand total of two and a half years."

"One year of training in the Ten Sun Grotto-heaven is worth thirty years for anyone else!" Zhao Xing laughed.

"Don't get cocky too soon — there's no telling what fool might throw a wrench in your works. Take the County Magistrate of Yuncheng, for instance — wouldn't he have to be Grade Seven?"

Zhao Xing smiled and said nothing.

I'm the Military Agricultural Supervisor — that makes me the top dog in Yuncheng! The County Magistrate? Obey and we'll split the credit; disobey? Piss off Lord Zhao, and you can go eat shit!

Begging for guaranteed monthly tickets!!!!