Chapter 167: Never Expected Master Zhao's Background Was This Huge?!

"Alright, let's go in first." Zhao Xing did not flare up immediately—what if there was some hidden reason? It would only make him, the chief official, look petty.

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian accompanied Zhao Xing into the Agricultural Supervisorate.

The moment he stepped through the gate, Zhao Xing frowned and looked up at the sky.

Because it was actually snowing lightly, and the snow was falling inside the Agricultural Supervisorate.

By rights, the internal formations of the Agricultural Supervisorate should not be affected by the weather, and with the Agricultural Officials present, how could they let the snow drift in?

Seeing this, Zhang Zhong explained: "The Yuncheng Agricultural Supervisorate has not been repaired for twenty years. Our abilities are limited; we cannot fix the weather here, so whatever happens outside… happens inside as well."

Zhao Xing's brows drew tight, but he said nothing—only raised a hand and pointed at the sky.

Hum—

A streak of Jin Guang shot skyward, sweeping up the漫天 wind and snow, then reversed course and surged back into the high heavens.

The Jin Guang spread outward, a golden cloud swiftly devouring the surroundings, and in no time claimed the entire sky.

Then a gentle breeze swept across the land, and the frost on the ground quickly vanished.

Even outside the gates of the Agricultural Supervisorate, a touch of green sprouted forth.

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian all raised their brows.

A lifted hand gathers clouds and swallows wind and snow—in the blink of an eye, spring has arrived!

This new Master Zhao is very strong indeed!

"Go in."

"Yes."

The three men's attitudes grew even more deferential as they followed behind Zhao Xing.

The layout and structure of Agricultural Supervisorates of every rank were perfectly clear in Zhao Xing's mind.

It was his first time at the Yuncheng Agricultural Supervisorate, yet it felt as though he had been there countless times, and he quickly found his place.

The Water Management Hall.

He was the Water Management Prefect—this was his office.

Within the Agricultural Supervisorate, whichever office held the highest rank was the most important one.

Zhao Xing was a seventh-rank Water Management Prefect, so the Water Management Hall also possessed the largest and most numerous complex of buildings.

Zhang Zhong was the Internal Water Prefect, Zhao Xing's direct subordinate, also handling flood control—only he was merely upper eighth rank. By rights there should have been at least three assistant officials: one upper eighth rank, two lower eighth rank.

Yet upon entering the Water Management Hall, he saw only a dozen or so ninth-rank Agricultural Officials handing over their shift.

The Farm Overseer Jiang Xi was in charge of farming, and he was lower eighth rank.

The Transport Prefect He Fengnian was specifically in charge of transporting money and grain, shipping the collected tax grain to Fucheng, and was upper eighth rank.

The three men's ranks and abilities were all quite ordinary—Zhao Xing saw it at a glance.

Only Jiang Xi had a decent foundation.

Arriving at the inner hall, Zhao Xing took the main seat in the great hall, with Long Xiao standing guard, sword in his arms.

The three men below formally paid their respects to Zhao Xing according to protocol.

But Zhao Xing did not tell them to rise for a long while.

Master Zhao was truly a little angry now.

From the time he reached the gate to the time he arrived at the Water Management Hall, at least a quarter of an hour had passed.

That span of time could hardly be brushed off with "swamped with duties" or "didn't receive the notice."

Yet even now, no one else had come.

"My lords, the administrative standard of the Yuncheng Agricultural Supervisorate is that of a lower-class commandery. Apart from myself, a seventh-rank official, by rights each bureau should have sixty-six eighth-rank Agricultural Officials."

"It is now the sixth刻 of the Mao hour. With day and night shifts, thirty-three eighth-rank officials should be on duty during the day."

"Even if today's duties are heavy and they are all out on assignment, by regulation at least nine of those thirty-three must be permanently stationed within the Supervisorate."

"Aside from the three of you, where are the others?"

"You can't possibly tell me they've all gone out to work?"

Zhao Xing's perception was extraordinarily sharp. With the Spring-Establishing solar term performed and his Cloud Method spread out, he immediately sensed that there were no other eighth-rank officials within the Agricultural Supervisorate.

Either these people were late for work—lazy governance, slothful governance, and this was the norm—

Or they had learned of his arrival and deliberately stayed away to give him a show of force.

Whichever the case, Master Zhao could not be pleased.

The atmosphere in the hall grew oppressive; Internal Water Prefect Zhang Zhong bowed his head even lower.

"Reporting to my lord, by regulation, the Yuncheng Agricultural Supervisorate should indeed have sixty-six eighth-rank Agricultural Officials."

"However, last month a batch was transferred away, including the previous chief official, so the Yuncheng Agricultural Supervisorate only has twenty-one officials in post."

"Twelve during the day, nine at night, with four permanently stationed in each shift."

"The others have all led teams out to the various towns to inspect the weather and terrain."

Zhao Xing heard this and nearly laughed out of sheer exasperation.

Before, he had worried about people holding him back; now there weren't even any people left to hold him back.

"My lords, dispense with the ceremony—be seated and speak."

The situation was not as he had imagined. Zhao Xing could not vent his anger on these three, so he bade Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian sit.

"You said four are permanently stationed on each of the day and night shifts—then where is the other one?"

Zhao Xing recalled a seeming gap in their words and immediately asked.

Before Zhang Zhong could reply, a trembling voice rang out from outside the great hall.

"Y-your subordinate Bao Wenshan, requests an audience with Master Zhao."

Zhao Xing looked closely and saw, on the steps outside, a white-haired old man leaning on a ceremonial staff as he bowed—the man looked as though he might expire at any moment.

Zhang Zhong said softly, "My lord, Bao Wenshan, that's the fourth person."

Zhao Xing: "……"

Once Bao Wenshan entered the hall, Zhao Xing stared at this old man for a long time without a word.

He had indeed been happy too early.

The current state of Yuncheng was exactly this: the old were old, the weak were weak, and people kept leaving.

The Soldier Realm third-ring mission had given him a seventh-rank official post — turns out it was a fucking bare-bones Director of Agriculture!

Not only was this seventh-rank post temporary, it had also been slashed down several times.

His subordinate officials weren't even a third of full strength — how was he supposed to get anything done?

Wouldn't that kill him from exhaustion?

Seeing Zhao Xing silent for so long, Bao Wenshan hurriedly cupped his fists and said, "My lord has come from afar; this subordinate failed to greet you at a distance. Please punish me, my lord."

What's there to punish? Please, sit down.

Zhao Xing had no mind to quibble. He let Bao Wenshan take a seat — this man was practically going to die of old age in his post; who knew how long he'd been here.

The Soldier Realm's intelligence on Yuncheng's establishment hadn't been specified in detail, so the difficulty probably lay right here.

He just didn't know whether more people would be sent to fill the ranks.

They probably would, right?

No matter what, since he was here, he'd settle in. Zhao Xing quickly adjusted his mindset and continued inquiring about Yuncheng's situation.

Since the Soldier Realm hadn't reported the situation, all of this was something he needed to take the initiative to understand — it was part of the test.

He'd start by asking about the people.

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

Zhang Zhong hesitated for a moment, but Bao Wenshan beside him spoke up first: "My lord, let me explain."

"Fine, then you explain."

Bao Wenshan said, "It's not just this large-scale transfer — Yuncheng has always been short-staffed throughout the years."

"Why is that?"

Bao Wenshan said, "Yuncheng sits on the border of the Nine Heavens Response Palace Prefecture. For two hundred years, it has frequently been harassed by foreign races."

"This subordinate has held office here for one hundred and thirty-six years. Yuncheng has been invaded by foreign races a total of one thousand four hundred and fifty-two times."

"Of those, twenty-five times Yuncheng fell completely into the hands of foreign races."

"Constant warfare and the certainty of losing ground over time have caused the Directorate of Agriculture to remain perpetually undermanned."

Zhao Xing's brow furrowed slightly. He understood why Bao Wenshan spoke instead of Zhang Zhong — only this man no longer cared about his future prospects or lack thereof; whatever he said didn't matter.

What Bao Wenshan meant was simply this: the higher-ups didn't care, figured this place was tossed back and forth and hard to defend, so they just gave up.

After all, the foreign races couldn't station themselves here permanently either — when they attacked, they'd run first, and once the enemy left, they'd send people back to govern and recapture the territory.

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

Defending well was expected, with no merit or reward; defending poorly brought light punishment, because that was how it had always been.

Emperor Jing had previously avoided major wars, busy dealing with the noble families. The court was lax above and sluggish below — who would dare to start border conflicts on their own?

So the风气 on this patch of land was: I'd rather do nothing than make a mistake.

"Over time, no one was willing to come serve as an official in Yuncheng. Being assigned to a border city was seen as a form of exile."

"Even if they came, they'd think of ways to pull strings and get transferred away."

"They'd rather be demoted one rank, even two ranks, and transferred elsewhere than serve as an official here."

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

Knowing the situation was enough. If he continued, it would just be him, the superior, venting grievances together with his subordinates — words that weren't conducive to unity shouldn't be said.

Bao Wenshan saw the signal and shut his mouth.

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian all had dim looks in their eyes.

"There's no need for you all to be disheartened. From today on, Yuncheng will be different."

Bao Wenshan, who feared nothing, asked: "This subordinate ventures to ask — how will it be different?"

Zhao Xing smiled slightly and said, "Because the imperial court will take this place seriously. You may not know it yet, but this place will become a strategic stronghold! Not only that, the imperial court will continue the southern campaign, expanding our territory!"

"When that time comes, Yuncheng will no longer be a border city, and you won't have to constantly worry about your own safety and future."

The pie Zhao Xing was painting worked, as expected.

Hope flashed in the eyes of Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian: "Are these words true, my lord?"

Zhao Xing gave Long Xiao a meaningful look.

The latter immediately understood: "How could they be false? Do you know what background the current Du Shui Ling before you has?"

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian craned their necks, waiting for what came next.

Long Xiao kept them in suspense, pausing thoughtfully before saying: "Master Zhao is only twenty-one years old now — the youngest and most talented Military Director of Agriculture from Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven!"

"Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven — what kind of place is that? It's where the most elite army of the entire Great Zhou is stationed!"

"Master Zhao emerged as the best among countless people to become a Military Director of Agriculture!"

"You all saw it just now too — with just a casual wave of his hand, he changed the weather over Yuncheng. Could any of you do that?"

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

Long Xiao said proudly, "And this is merely the tip of the iceberg of Master Zhao's strength. You should know how difficult it is to train a Military Director of Agriculture, let alone an unprecedented prodigy among them. For the imperial court to transfer him here — how could that be exile?"

Long Xiao patted his hand on the bamboo document box, lifting one corner.

The radiance of treasures was revealed.

"Look — the treasures the imperial court has bestowed upon Master Zhao, every single one is of the finest grade. In addition, a seventh-rank exotic beast accompanies him."

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

"So you can rest easy!"

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian were instantly invigorated.

They had never imagined Master Zhao's background was this impressive!

Bao Wenshan, however, having not seen Zhao Xing cast spells earlier, did not understand just how formidable Zhao Xing was.

Zhao Xing shot Long Xiao a glance.

He had been praised by Long Xiao until he felt embarrassed.

I only asked you to play along, I didn't expect you to be this good at bragging.

Looks like you used to do this kind of thing with Old Chen often?

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

How could Zhao Xing not understand? He immediately took over the conversation: "The man beside me is the valiant Captain Long Xiao of the Divine Might Army, a senior seventh-rank!"

"And Lord Long is also a sword cultivator!"

"A sword cultivator is the finest among martial artists, not something an ordinary person can practice. Even if you gentlemen do not know me, you must surely know the strength of a senior seventh-rank sword cultivator."

"So it is the valiant Captain."

"This subordinate pays respects to Lord Long!"

"My apologies for the disrespect."

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian hurriedly rose and bowed.

Long Xiao was extremely pleased inside, but felt this kid Zhao Xing still fell a bit short. I bragged about you for so many lines, and you only give me two or three sentences in return? Why not mention my feat of slaying over a dozen Profound Heaven demonic cultivators with one sword in Gucheng?

Zhao Xing said: "Now the opportunity is right before you. All you need to do is carry out your duties well. Your steadfastness is seen by the imperial court and by me. You must not grow slack and miss this chance."

"We shall heed my lord's teachings."

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, He Fengnian, and Bao Wenshan hurriedly rose and bowed once more.

Zhao Xing looked at Bao Wenshan: "Lord Bao, I observe that your internal organs are ailing. Were you injured in the past?"

Bao Wenshan said: "My lord has keen eyes. This subordinate was indeed injured in previous battles, but please do not worry, my lord. This subordinate can still fight for the people of Yuncheng for another ten years!"

Zhao Xing rose from the main seat and walked down the steps step by step: "Please Lord Bao, undo your collar and let me take a careful look."

"I fear I would only sully my lord's discerning eyes."

"It's no trouble."

Bao Wenshan then took off his upper garment.

Zhao Xing could not help but be moved upon seeing.

Bao Wenshan's body was covered in dense wounds and scars. Logically speaking, an eighth-rank Agricultural Officer, even if his physical body was not comparable to a martial artist's, should still have decent recovery ability.

Normally, an eighth-rank Agricultural Officer would remain in a relatively healthy state even until death.

But Bao Wenshan, having served as Agricultural Officer in Yuncheng for over a hundred years, had gone through battles large and small, and suffered injuries countless times.

Because losing a city brought no reward but instead punishment, and holding it earned no merit either, he could never obtain any precious supplements to heal himself after each battle.

Thus, by now, the five elemental qi within had nearly reached the state of a lamp running out of oil, and his internal organs were already half-failing.

Were it not for the imperial court's eighth-rank official position sustaining him, Bao Wenshan would likely have been a dead man long ago.

"Long Xiao, take out two Origin-Restoring Pills and five Internal Organs Pills from the bamboo document box."

"Alright." Long Xiao immediately patted the bamboo document box, and four fourth-grade lower-quality pills flew out.

Bao Wenshan was greatly shocked and grabbed Zhao Xing's wrist: "My lord, you mustn't! How could this old man be worthy of such precious pills!"

Zhao Xing instead gripped Bao Wenshan's hand back, his feelings somewhat complicated. This old Agricultural Officer reminded him of Xue Wenzhong—also diligent and conscientious his whole life, yet never receiving the treatment he deserved.

But Bao Wenshan was even more pitiful than Xue Wenzhong; he had held out here for over a hundred years.

"Lord Bao, you are entirely worthy." Zhao Xing tightly gripped his rough arm as his primal qi entered Bao Wenshan's body, using the Yin-Yang Self-Origin Scripture to regulate the qi within Bao Wenshan. "Let alone these few small pills, even if it were more, you would still be entirely worthy. Please believe me."

"My lord." Bao Wenshan's lips trembled, his eyes brimming with tears. "To hear these words from my lord, this old man is already content. My lord need not waste any more precious pills."

"How could that be acceptable?" Zhao Xing said with a smile. "You are rich in experience, and I am counting on you to help me govern Yuncheng. Just consider me as having selfish motives, and these few pills as my way of buying you over."

Bao Wenshan was stunned for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on his wrinkled face: "Very well, this old man shall accept my lord's bribery."

He then opened his mouth and swallowed the pills. Cooperating with Zhao Xing's primal qi regulation, his vitality visibly increased.