Chapter 168: Lord Zhao, what great official authority! (Extra Chapter 1)

Bao Wenshan's injuries were deeply entrenched and difficult to reverse; they could not be fully healed simply by taking a few pills and being treated with the Yin-Yang Self-Origin Scripture.

Although Zhao Xing could rouse Bao Wenshan's vitality, for now it was only treating the symptoms, not the root cause.

To cure him completely, he could only recuperate slowly.

Unless Zhao Xing comprehended 【Lichun】 to the fifth revolution of the Knowing Realm and derived a high-tier recovery method from it.

Or unless he mastered the second layer of the Yin-Yang Self-Origin Scripture, where the five-element qi becomes like threads, allowing him to see the countless threads of five-element qi within the body and perform deeper-level conditioning.

If he could comprehend the third layer and master the 'Five-Element Particles,' he could heal Bao Wenshan in the blink of an eye.

But for now, Zhao Xing could not do it.

"Bao Wenshan's injuries are deeply entrenched and difficult to reverse; I imagine the Medical Bureau in Yuncheng is in the same situation as the Agricultural Bureau." Zhao Xing thought to himself, "If only Yuan Yang were here."

"If he were here as a military doctor, combined with my Yin-Yang Self-Origin Scripture conditioning and supplemented by tonic medicines, we could greatly shorten the treatment time."

Unfortunately, Yuan Yang's landing point was uncertain; back then, Old Chen could only confirm the mechanism master Wang Ji and the priest Zhang Yi.

But Zhao Xing had checked, and these two had not appeared on Yuncheng's official roster.

This was not Old Chen breaking his word, nor was it Zhao Xing's bad luck.

It was because each profession had different mission content and progress.

He had contacted Wang Ji and Zhang Yi through the Earth Mirror; currently these two were still on the second ring mission and had not yet crossed the river.

Zhao Xing's speed was considered fast—either killing them all or knocking them all down, how could he not be fast?

Although it did not cure the root cause, Bao Wenshan was still extremely moved.

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian were also deeply shocked, because they had personally seen Bao Wenshan grow quite a bit of black hair, and his qi and blood had become much more vigorous.

"Lord Zhao wasn't joking; he truly has real ability."

"Could it be that we've really waited for our chance?"

"Has the imperial court truly taken Yuncheng seriously?"

"We must seize this opportunity well!"

Pretty words spoken a thousand times are not as good as doing one practical thing.

Seeing Zhao Xing casually give Bao Wenshan four fourth-tier pills, their gazes changed.

Previously there had been a somewhat numb feeling; now there were several more parts of hope.

This superior official not only had a powerful background and real ability, but also knew how to look after his subordinates.

Following someone like this, they might really be able to escape Yuncheng's predicament.

"Lord Bao should go back and recuperate for three days, then come back for conditioning in three days... please don't rush to refuse; recuperation is for the better completion of government affairs."

"Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, He Fengnian!"

"Your subordinate is here."

Zhao Xing looked at the three men: "Within these few days, compile detailed information on Yuncheng for me—such as disaster situations over the years, types of natural disasters, crops planted, number of fields, taxes paid, including Fucheng's evaluation... the more detailed the better. Also, give me a summary of the Agricultural Bureau's internal treasury shortages."

"Go notify each bureau—seven days, seven days' time." Zhao Xing extended his hand: "After seven days, I will audit the accounts. Officials of the Equal Distribution, Agricultural Supervision, Capital Treasury, Royal Fields, Iron Monopoly, and other bureaus will not be held accountable for shortages from before their term of office. Do you understand what I mean?"

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian's hearts trembled, and they hurriedly said: "Understood."

Yuncheng was in difficulty; when the top was slacking off, those below would inevitably follow suit, and there were likely countless cases of embezzlement.

But this was not the time to pursue accountability.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary methods of employing people.

Zhao Xing's meaning was that shortages from before the term of office would not be investigated; for embezzlement during the term, seven days were given to make up the deficit; if truly difficult to make up, they could also confess and receive lenient treatment.

If they refused to repent and dared to oppose Lord Zhao?

Zhao Xing didn't need to say any more threatening words; he himself was a threat!

"Go."

Zhao Xing did not assign additional tasks to anyone else.

Because he still needed to visit other institutions in Yuncheng.

"The third ring mission will certainly involve subsequent missions; the more thoroughly prepared, the better done, and the more energy left to expand the sphere of influence."

"Whether it's flood control or killing the barbarians, I must resolve Yuncheng's internal problems as quickly as possible before I can use the title of a commandery-county official to obtain greater power."

Now the reserve officials from within the Ten Sun Grotto-heaven had not yet arrived, so Zhao Xing had to prepare in advance. Moreover, Emperor Jing's resolve this time was greater than ever; others might not realize it, but he was clear about it.

Zhao Xing now had to utilize every bit of power, and even attempt to control more forces, to achieve his goals.

"There might even be troops from other grotto-heavens coming; seizing the initiative means getting ahead by one step."

Zhao Xing did not rest either. He simply walked around the inside of the Waterways Bureau, chose an official courtyard as his residence, and then headed straight for Yuncheng's Engineering Bureau.

The main content of the third ring mission was flood control.

Without the aid of engineering-family formations and mechanism equipment, relying solely on manpower and bringing the old, weak, sick, and disabled to work would yield half the result with double the effort.

For example, weapons like the Return-to-Origin Waterwheel, the Water-Suppressing Bronze Ox, and the Mountain-Opening Shield Cart—Zhao Xing had to get some of these.

"Hoo~"

A quarter-hour later, the Arrowfish Flying Boat descended directly above Yuncheng's Si Nong Dao.

"Who goes there?!"

Zhao Xing's sudden descent immediately drew interception; the various halls of the workshop even lit up with formation radiance for defense.

Far from being angered by this, he was instead very gratified.

Having someone intercept was good; the worst fear was not even having anyone to intercept—how terrible would that be?

"How dare you! Before you stands the newly appointed Waterways Commander of Yuncheng's Agricultural Bureau, Lord Zhao Xing!"

"Who is the chief official of the workshop? Summon him out to receive us at once!"

Long Xiao played the role of a henchman, letting out a great shout that echoed throughout the entire sky above the workshop.

Within the Agricultural Bureau, Zhao Xing's attitude was relatively mild, and he put on no airs.

But in front of outsiders, he had to put on the full airs of office.

As the saying goes, words may deceive a gentleman, but fine robes and caps intimidate the small-minded.

Putting on this official airs could spare him a great deal of unnecessary trouble.

That sort of traveling incognito, playing the pig to eat the tiger, then dramatically revealing one's identity — pure busywork, asking for trouble, and disgusting to boot. Completely unnecessary.

"A seventh-rank official has come?"

The interceptors took one look at Zhao Xing's ceremonial cap and robe, and their hearts immediately panicked; they swiftly withdrew the formation barrier.

Someone else hurried off to report.

It took only the time of a single incense stick.

From within the workshop, a dark mass of fifty or sixty people came pouring out.

At a glance, all of them were eighth-rank.

Ninth-rank officials weren't even qualified to come welcome him; they could only wait far in the rear.

The leading artificer was named Ling Yuan.

Proper eighth-rank, upper grade.

He was only one rank below Zhao Xing, but one rank higher meant life or death. He had to bow with utmost respect, address him as Lord Zhao, and invite Zhao Xing to descend from the sky.

Ling Yuan's eye was sharp — the martial artist standing beside Zhao Xing was a sword cultivator, and though he wore no ceremonial cap and robe, he was at the very least seventh-rank!

A mere seventh-rank Commissioner of Waterways wasn't much on its own, but a personal guard who was also seventh-rank, and a sword cultivator at that?

That meant his background was enormous!

The normal procedure for a seventh-rank chief official taking up his post was to have gongs beaten and drums struck, with the officials inside the county sending out a ceremonial escort to welcome him.

Back when Ji Ming descended upon Gucheng, Li Wenzheng rode out three li beyond the walls to greet him.

Officials of every bureau who had attained rank had to be present.

In a frontier garrison town, the Commissioner of Waterways could serve as the chief official, and was not necessarily inferior to the county magistrate — it all depended on the local situation.

He might not be able to cause trouble for the magistrate of Yuncheng, but Ling Yuan, this eighth-rank chief official of the workshop, was someone he could definitely squeeze.

"This subordinate Ling Yuan, leading the officials of every bureau of the Heavenly Works workshop of Yuncheng, pays respects to Lord Zhao."

Seeing Zhao Xing unmoved, Ling Yuan bowed again: "I beg Lord Zhao to lower his precious feet and enter the Heavenly Works workshop for inspection."

Zhao Xing still said nothing.

Ling Yuan, helpless, led the bureau officials in yet another bow:

"Not knowing the Commissioner of Waterways had arrived, Ling Yuan failed to ride out to greet you. I beg Lord Zhao to impose punishment."

Three bows was about enough.

Having put on sufficient official dignity, Zhao Xing had Long Xiao press down on the Arrow Fish flying boat and descend directly onto the workshop plaza.

"Boom—"

The formation on the Arrow Fish flying boat shut down, kicking up a gust of wind around it.

Landing directly inside rather than touching down outside first and walking in through the main gate — that was the posture of one coming to call someone to account.

Ling Yuan hurried over at a jog and stood beneath the flying boat to wait.

The other officials, watching, could only feel that this Lord Zhao truly carried an enormous official presence!

Seeing the man was so accommodating, Zhao Xing no longer pressed him over the earlier failure to come out and greet him. He gave a light cupped-fist salute in return, and let the matter pass.

"Lord Ling, you are too kind."

"It was this subordinate's dereliction of duty." Ling Yuan, having recognized that Zhao Xing was not someone he could afford to offend, made his attitude thoroughly proper and kept his waist bent as he spoke: "I beg Lord Zhao to come to the inner hall to rest. Allow this subordinate to bathe and change clothes, then come to pay formal respects."

"There's no need for bathing and changing clothes. I have come here on important business to discuss."

"I await Lord Zhao's instructions." Ling Yuan obediently listened.

"Officials below proper eighth-rank, carry on with your duties. All proper eighth-rank officials within the workshop are to be summoned to the main hall for a meeting." Zhao Xing issued orders without the slightest ceremony. "If any are on rest-day leave at home, summon them as well. I will wait no more than two quarter-hours."

"Summon them all?" Ling Yuan groaned inwardly. His control over the workshop was not that firm — after all, he was only a proper eighth-rank upper-grade official.

Normally speaking, he ought to have been seventh-rank. The fact that he was now merely a proper eighth-rank upper-grade serving concurrently as workshop Bureau Chief clearly indicated something was wrong.

"Lord Zhao, this may be rather difficult to arrange." Ling Yuan said in a low voice: "A portion of the bureau officials have been transferred away by County Magistrate Jiao. Even if this subordinate wished to summon them, it would be hard to gather them all at short notice."

"Difficult? Hmph." Zhao Xing immediately showed his displeasure, and Long Xiao instantly adopted a fearsome, fiendish look.

Ling Yuan's heart trembled: "This sub-subordinate will do his best."

Zhao Xing said: "So be it. Then gather first everyone you are able to summon."

"Yes." Ling Yuan immediately began ordering people to go notify them, then personally accompanied Zhao Xing to the main hall.

He escorted Zhao Xing to the seat of honor.

He himself stood before the lower-left desk.

Zhao Xing hadn't given permission to sit, so he truly did not dare sit.

The several eighth-rank officials who arrived one after another, seeing Ling Yuan behave so, could only stand and wait as well.

Two quarter-hours passed.

Inside the main hall, only thirteen people had come. Counting Ling Yuan, the proper eighth-rank upper-grade chief official, there were only fourteen in all.

"As expected — far below the full complement."

The workshop required a very large number of officials, far more than the Agricultural Monitoring Bureau, because an Agricultural Official, casting a spell alone, could tend an enormous area.

But artificers — many heavy and large pieces required multiple people working together to craft.

The manpower required was far greater; in terms of numbers, they fell only slightly short of the Three Martial Bureaus.

"Has everyone arrived?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Everyone this subordinate could summon is here." Ling Yuan said, steeling himself.

"Then be seated, all of you."

"Yes."

Ling Yuan sat at the first desk on the left.

"This official has come today regarding Yuncheng's disaster prevention and water conservancy works."

"This falls within the duties of the workshop."

In truth, this should count as a joint duty of the Agricultural Bureau and the workshop.

But the moment Zhao Xing opened his mouth, the whole matter became the workshop's alone.

The main reason was to lay the groundwork for the next step.

"Lord Ling, according to the water conservancy regulations and the agricultural equipment manufacturing regulations for a commandery-level county, do you know how many water conservancy implements Yuncheng ought to have, and how many works for disaster prevention and flood control ought to be in place?"

Ling Yuan rose and said: "Reporting to Lord Zhao, according to previous years' standards, the water conservancy implements applied to agriculture should total fifty-four thousand seven hundred-odd pieces. The flood control works, according to previous years' standards, are four storage lakes, seven channels along the Ping River, and thirty-two dams."

Zhao Xing glanced at Ling Yuan—this man's answer dodged the main point; what he had asked about was the commandery-level county's regulations.

What he answered with was Yuncheng's previous years' standards.

It sounded like the same thing, but in reality it was entirely different.

Zhao Xing immediately pointed out: "Lord Ling, I spoke of the commandery-level county's regulations, yet you answered with Yuncheng's previous years' standards. Was it that this official did not make himself clear, or that you misheard?"

"Or perhaps you think this official is easy to fool?"

Ling Yuan inwardly cried out in misery. Yuncheng is Yuncheng, a commandery-level county is a commandery-level county—although it bears the name of a commandery-level county, it simply never had that many materials. Moreover, with years of constant warfare, things were built only to be destroyed. If one were to strictly follow the regulations, everyone would have to lose their heads!

How do you expect me to answer?

But this matter could not be explained, because Zhao Xing was pressing people with rules and regulations. If one were to explain the actual situation—

The moment he, Ling Yuan, opened his mouth he would give offense, and moreover be criticizing those above for failing to act.

Ling Yuan was not Bao Wenshan; he had not yet lived long enough.

But if he did not answer Zhao Xing's question, it would prove him, as the chief official, derelict in his duties. Investigated closely, as the man said, ten heads would not be enough to spare.

The newly arrived Commissioner of Waterways was not someone easy to provoke… Ling Yuan's brow instantly broke out in sweat.

Just as he was caught in a dilemma, Zhao Xing spoke:

"Very well, then let us take what you said and judge by Yuncheng's previous years' standards."

Ling Yuan and the other officials had only just breathed a sigh of relief.

But unexpectedly Zhao Xing shifted his tone: "Then may I ask Lord Ling and all the lords present, according to previous years' standards, how much has actually been carried out? Lord Ling, think carefully before you answer this time. Before coming here, this official did some checking at the Agricultural Bureau. Zhang Zhong, Bao Wenshan, and others told this official everything without reserve."

Ling Yuan's heart rose again.

Knowing there was no escape, he immediately rose and bowed toward Zhao Xing: "Reporting, my lord, according to Yuncheng's previous years' standards, the water conservancy implements applied to agriculture that were actually carried out… number only twenty-three thousand six hundred-odd pieces. The flood control works: one storage lake, three channels along the Ping River, and twelve dams; the rest have all fallen into disrepair."

This figure fell far short of what should have been repaired and built. By rights, the agricultural implements and works that should have been produced for the Agricultural Bureau did not even reach half!

Ling Yuan had already steeled himself to accept Zhao Xing's interrogation, but he had not expected Zhao Xing to remain unruffled. He merely extended his palm and said: "Lord Ling, lords, what you have cited are Yuncheng's minimum standards over the past ten years, and over those ten years there has been no great war."

"This official will give one figure: within three months, if the shortfall can be made up, past offenses will not be pursued."

"You have already refused this official three times. I do not wish there to be a fourth."

Extra chapter 1