Chapter 166: Where Is My Huge Ministry of Agriculture?

After the Arrowfish Flying Boat crossed the Canglan River, the weather became noticeably chaotic.

In Anping Prefecture of Jiangbei, the Jingzhe solar term had already passed; the earth was slightly green, and spring was clearly evident.

Yet after crossing the river, it remained covered in white snow, a landscape wrapped in silver.

Zhao Xing stood outside the flying boat and sensed the air; it felt as if he were in the Dahan solar term.

After flying for another half an hour, the places they passed displayed four utterly distinct solar terms: Xiao Han, Dahan, Chunfen, and Guyu.

Only after another half hour, far from the Dahe River and entering the territory of the Jiutian Yingyuan Prefecture, did the heavenly timing finally stabilize.

Nevertheless, it still lagged one solar term behind the various prefectures of Jiangbei, hovering around the Yushui solar term.

"First time abroad, how does it feel?" Long Xiao asked with a smile, "Is it vastly different?"

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

Having left the Shiyang Cave Heaven, he knew that even a third-cultivation-stage Solar Term Talisman could easily alter the heavenly timing on a large scale; this was because the Cave Heaven's small world had chaotic heavenly timing, unlike the stability of the Nineteen Provinces.

However, after leaving Pinghai Prefecture, the heavenly timing gradually became chaotic again; although the chaos was not as severe as in the Shiyang Cave Heaven, for ordinary people, the difference between inside and outside the Great Zhou was simply heaven and earth.

Those without a rank could not possibly reach the Jiutian Yingyuan Prefecture; they could not withstand such changeable weather.

"Alternating cold and heat, sudden shifts in internal and external yin and yang; ordinary people simply cannot withstand it. Only upon reaching the territory of the Jiutian Yingyuan Prefecture does the heavenly timing become suitable."

"The geographical environment is equally harsh; within one hour after we crossed the river, we witnessed three earthquakes, the ground cracked, and mountains shifted position."

Walking along, suddenly the road ahead became unrecognizable—that was secondary; walking along, suddenly falling into a ground fissure, or suddenly having a mountain collapse upon you; for unranked ordinary people, survival is difficult.

Of course, this unstable stretch was not particularly large for Zhao Xing; after the Arrowfish Flying Boat crossed the river, it flew for half an hour before reaching the territory of the Jiutian Yingyuan Prefecture.

Then why leave this stretch of territory unmanaged? Why does the Jiutian Yingyuan Prefecture not include this riverside stretch in its jurisdiction?

There are many reasons. First, to crack down on smuggling and illegal border crossing; since roads on the ground are impassable and unranked people find it hard to traverse, it isolates many from smuggling and illegal crossing, raising the cost. If flying vehicles are used, they are even easier to detect.

Second, the Canglan River basin is changeable; if one gets too close, one might be counterattacked by the water veins, so a buffer zone is needed.

After all, the upstream source is controlled by the various Southern Barbarian tribes; they possess 'Witches' capable of communicating with heaven and earth. If a Water Witch acts maliciously, it would be a disaster for the downstream regions.

…………

The Arrowfish Flying Boat continued flying over the Jiutian Yingyuan Prefecture. During the journey, many auras swept over the flying boat, and even patrol flying boats came to intercept; but upon seeing the Shiyang Cave Heaven military banner and Zhao Xing presenting the military appointment document from the Martial Realm, they smoothly granted passage.

"Yuncheng is a county-level commandery, so I am now under the supervision of the Jiutian Yingyuan Prefecture's Ministry of Agriculture, and my direct superior is the Prefectural Water Commissioner, Tantai Ming."

"Even if I am only temporarily assuming office, I ought to pay a visit; moreover, he has a connection with my teacher."

Tian Shan had not mentioned this to Zhao Xing; this was all mentioned in Tian Hou's three letters and tokens.

Tian Hou had told him to use these tokens only when things became very difficult, but what kind of person was Old Master Zhao? How could he listen entirely to others?

When the time truly came to use them, what if he was flustered and disorganized? Or even worse, what if he offended the person inside the letter or their family without knowing it?

He was no greenhorn; naturally, it was better to look early. I may not use them yet, but I must have a clear understanding in my heart.

It must be said, Tian Hou was not boasting; the Tantai Ming mentioned in that first letter was indeed his superior and also the main evaluator for the third-stage mission.

The favor of a thousand-year noble family is no joke; Tantai Ming owed Tian Hou a life.

Two hundred years ago, when the Yingyuan Prefecture was first being opened up, Tantai Ming was only eighth rank and had been poisoned by witchcraft.

With his abilities, he could not find a cure; even if one existed, it was not something he could use.

It was Tian Shan who found the antidote for him. At that time, Tantai Ming was only Senior Eighth Rank, Upper Grade; two hundred years later, he is now Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade.

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

Tantai Ming is a man who values loyalty and righteousness; at critical moments, he can shoulder burdens Zhao Xing cannot bear and block dangers Zhao Xing cannot withstand.

The limit of this scale is that after Tantai Ming shoulders the burden, he is demoted three ranks.

"Tantai Ming is Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade; if demoted three ranks, that would be Senior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade. What kind of crime would I have to commit for that?"

"If it can be avoided, avoid it; there is great karma involved here," Zhao Xing thought silently.

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

Why did Tian Hou give them to him? It was not simply a teacher-student bond; it was also an investment in the future.

Old Tantai is already three hundred and eighty-nine years old; if he does not reach Senior Fourth Rank, under normal circumstances, he will not live past five hundred years.

Unless something unexpected happens in this life, Old Tantai will also find it difficult to rise to Senior Fourth Rank.

If Tian Shan were to call in the favor, it would likely be around the time Tantai turned four hundred.

Otherwise, if delayed another few decades, the value of the favor would diminish.

Why? Because he wouldn't be able to bear it anymore; if one asks for the favor when Old Tantai is over four hundred, asking him to shoulder a burden would be asking for his life! Approaching the limit of his lifespan, a demotion is equivalent to cutting his life short!

Therefore, these three letters are all timed to hit a suitable period for calling in a favor, or rather, a period for transferring the favor.

If Zhao Xing were to use the three letters, he would have to take over this favor; and since Zhao Xing is still very young with a boundless future, whether trading three for one is a loss or gain will be verified by time.

"Your subordinate, Zhao Xing, pays his respects to Lord Tantai!"

Tantai Ming sat upright in the main hall of the Water Commissioner's Office, wearing a deep crimson official robe of the fourth rank; his crown featured a raised-gold top.

It was inlaid with a large aquamarine at the top, with smaller aquamarines set in the middle; the crown top itself was a magical treasure.

It formed the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, constantly refining the primordial qi of heaven and earth; officials did not even need to cultivate themselves to receive nourishment from the primordial qi day and night, maintaining peak condition at all times.

The difference between Junior Fourth Rank and Senior Fourth Rank on the crown was slight, mainly in the number of aquamarines inlaid.

The fourth-rank civil official robe had a distinction between daily wear and court attire; the court attire was embroidered with cloud sparrows, symbolizing adherence to law and ritual.

The fourth-rank military official robe had court attire embroidered with fierce tigers, symbolizing bravery and martial prowess.

However, the Great Zhou's clothing and ritual system was quite complex; official attire also involved titles of nobility and scattered ranks; beyond that, different positions would have subtle differences.

For instance, since Tantai Ming was the Water Commissioner, the cloud sparrow on his person was positioned between the clouds and the lake water.

If it were a fourth-rank priest, this cloud sparrow would be perched on the flying eaves of a temple.

By rights, Tantai Ming currently counts as a civil official, but if the Jiutian Yingyuan Prefecture goes to war, he would immediately become a military official, because the Water Commissioner can serve in both civil and military capacities.

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

Even now, Tantai Ming's attire differed from that of ordinary civil officials of the Ministry of Agriculture; his belt was the Martial Belt worn only by Second-Rank Marquises.

The ribbon was a gold seal with a silver ribbon; three circles of blue-and-white patterns adorned both sleeves. Before the desk lay the four treasures of the study, the Tianxin tally, and the Sacred Page. This meant the person also held the honorary rank of Guangzhang Physician, could participate in court deliberations, send memorials directly to the central government, and even write letters to the Emperor.

In his past life, Zhao Xing had studied these things until his head spun; now, he could identify them at a glance.

While paying his respects, he glanced at Tantai Ming. Although nearly four hundred years old, he still appeared middle-aged, with black hair.

Tantai Ming was tall; even seated, his upper body rose far above the desk. Wearing this fourth-rank official robe, it seemed all the light in the great hall converged upon him, making one dare not look directly at him.

When Zhao Xing bowed below the hall to pay respects, Tantai Ming was also sizing up this genius Agricultural Officer from the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.

Ordinarily, a mere genius would not catch his eye; matters of appointment were not something he would personally receive.

However, Zhao Xing held another identity: he was a student of Tian Shan.

For this term of military Agricultural Officer training, Tian Shan had accepted only one student, making the significance naturally different.

"No need for formalities, take a seat." Tantai Ming, deeply indebted to Tian Shan, treated Zhao Xing with great kindness. The moment Zhao Xing bent his waist, he spoke, showing no official arrogance.

"Thank you, my lord." Zhao Xing straightened his body, lifted his robe hem, turned sideways, and took his seat.

¤￠o

"This is your temporary appointment, the seventh-rank Commander of Waterworks robe, and the seal."

Tantai Ming waved his hand, and a box floated to Zhao Xing's front.

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

"On your way to Yun City, keep the people in mind, be diligent in military affairs, and do not waste time."

"The Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture differs from the interior lands. You have just taken office; do not act too hastily. If any abnormal situation arises, report it to the Fucheng Agricultural Office."

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

"Go."

"Your subordinate takes his leave."

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

There was no choice; the process of meeting a superior was simply that process.

"Done meeting?" Long Xiao, waiting outside, saw Zhao Xing emerge and immediately followed.

"Mm, done meeting."

"Why go to all this trouble?" Long Xiao said. "You have a military appointment; would the Yun City Agricultural Office dare not recognize it? Was it necessary to go in and bow like that?"

"Showing your face in Fucheng brings only benefits, no harm. Otherwise, when you write a letter up later with only a name, they won't remember you. Who's case is being handled? If you delay your memorial by a few days, someone might die."

"And..."

"Enough, you don't need to explain to me." Long Xiao waved his hand. "Too many twists and turns; I have no interest. I am just a warrior; I don't want to understand so much."

Zhao Xing smiled and immediately boarded the boat.

Actually, his insistence on coming to see him was to see Tantai Ming in person.

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

If Tantai Ming were the type to say, "I return your teacher's antidote a hundredfold," then relying on him later would be a complete disaster.

Wasn't it because Tian Shan had this contingency in mind that he prepared three letters? Otherwise, as a mere eighth-rank Agricultural Officer, no matter how much trouble he could stir, a fourth-rank deputy should be enough to handle it.

"Judging from Tantai Ming's personal reception, the first impression was quite good, and his tone during the instructions was relatively gentle. Furthermore, saying that any matter could be reported is a kind of hint."

As for the people on the other two letters, Zhao Xing could not go to see them.

Since they had no connection to this journey, visiting them suddenly would be extremely conspicuous.

For now, having Tantai Ming was enough.

"Let's go, let's go to Yun City."

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

Zhao Xing had previously flown over the Canglan River.

Now flying toward Yun City, he saw the Canglan River again.

This river did not run horizontally but wound southward, deep into the Southern Wasteland.

He crossed the river from Anping Prefecture to Fucheng, then went southeast to Yun City, and saw this great river again.

If he crossed the river now, he would no longer be within Great Zhou territory, but in wasteland claimed by neither side, with a harsh environment: high-temperature deserts, swamp miasma, and fierce gale winds sweeping everywhere; basically a no-man's-land.

Departing from Fucheng, the Arrow Fish Flying Boat took a full day to reach Yun City.

They arrived at Yun City at the third quarter of the Mao hour.

Outside, the cold wind howled, frost had formed on the ground, and there was not a trace of spring.

"Go straight into the city, or conduct a secret inspection in disguise?" Long Xiao asked.

"What secret inspection would I conduct? There is no need for that," Zhao Xing said. "In a state of war readiness, and I am the highest official, if subordinates dare to deceive me, they are seeking death. I would welcome someone hiding the truth so I could behead them to establish authority."

It was impossible to hide anything anyway; a trip to the Yun City Temple would clarify everything.

"Then let's go straight in."

Long Xiao piloted the Flying Boat, lowered the bow, and began descending toward the interior of Yun City.

In this border military city, the many fortresses on the city walls were all bases for magical arrays. However, Zhao Xing encountered no obstruction; his Arrow Fish Flying Boat was registered, so he entered directly.

"We have arrived."

The Arrow Fish Flying Boat landed outside the Yun City Agricultural Office.

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

Once Zhao Xing's carriage entered, the Yun City County Magistrate's Patrol Office would receive the news immediately.

Upon seeing a new official take office, the County Magistrate would also notify the Agricultural Office immediately.

"Wait a bit longer; we arrived so early, we must give them time to react."

Zhao Xing and Long Xiao waited for a moment at the main entrance of the Agricultural Office.

But a quarter-hour later, only three people appeared.

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

Gucheng's Agriculture Supervision Office has one chief and nine assistants; Yuncheng, being a county at the commandery level, must have a more senior Agriculture Supervision Office than Gucheng, which is only a top-tier county.

Only three people came to welcome me? My huge Agriculture Supervision Office, and only three people came to welcome me?

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

"Zhang Zhong, the Internal Prefect of Yuncheng."

"Jiang Xi, the Head of the Yuncheng Agriculture Supervision."

"He Fengnian, the Equal Transport Prefect of Yuncheng."

"We pay our respects to our superior!"

After the three figures ran over, seeing the Arrow Fish Flying Boat and then Zhao Xing, who had changed into seventh-rank official robes, they immediately bowed in greeting.

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

"Three my lords, no need to bow." Zhao Xing clasped his hands and returned the salute. "I wonder where the other my lords of the Yuncheng Agriculture Supervision Office are? Are they busy with official duties?"

The three agriculture officials exchanged glances, and Zhang Zhong clasped his hands, saying, "The wind is strong outside; please, my lord, enter the Agriculture Supervision Office first, and then allow your subordinate to report in detail."

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