Chapter 7: Wind Rising, Thunder Rolling, Every Grass and Tree an Enemy

Zhao Xing sat down on the cushion before the divine statue, relaxed his body, closed his eyes, and emptied his mind of all distractions.

Before long, a gentle breeze brushed his face, accompanied by rolling thunder.

Then he felt as if he were standing in a primeval forest, with killing intent lurking on all sides.

The temple attendant felt something stir within him, glanced at the statue of True Lord Cao Xi, then let his gaze fall on Zhao Xing's back. "Quite the fast learner."

When all the strange phenomena faded, Zhao Xing opened his eyes and found three new spells imprinted in his mind.

They were: 【Summon Wind】, 【Summon Thunder】, and 【Grass and Trees All Soldiers】.

The first two belonged to the Farmer faction's Heaven's Timing school, serving as prerequisite minor skills for the *Solar Terms Decree*; the latter could be classified under the Benwo Sect's *Myriad Things Growth Chart*.

In his previous life, learning a spell was as simple as slapping a skill book and instantly mastering it. Now, however, one had to comprehend the true knowledge, then engage in deep understanding and study. From this perspective, the players back then were practically all prodigies.

After sitting for a while and finding no further mystical sensation, he realized that was all there was to learn for now, so he rose and bowed with cupped hands. "Many thanks to the True Lord for bestowing the spells."

【Summon Wind: Beginner Spell】

【Progress: (0/9999)】

【Effect: Summons a gust of strong wind.】

【Summon Thunder: Beginner Spell】

【Progress: (0/9999)】

【Effect: With 【Summon Clouds】 as a prerequisite, can produce thunder within the clouds.】

【Grass and Trees All Soldiers: Beginner Spell】

【Progress: (0/9999)】

【Effect: Uses plants as soldiers to launch attacks.】

……

【Summon Wind】 was an independent spell, but 【Summon Thunder】 required 【Summon Clouds】 to be cast first.

Before his class advancement, this skill was nothing but sound effects, with no attack power—at most it could give someone a fright.

The truly offensive one was 【Lightning Draw】, which could pull lightning from 【Summon Clouds】 to strike the enemy.

The beginner version of 【Grass and Trees All Soldiers】 also had a rather intimidating name.

For now, Zhao Xing could only craft grass soldiers using specific plant materials. To achieve "spellcasting without external objects"—waving a hand and turning every blade of grass and tree around him into troops—he would need to keep advancing the spell.

Since he hadn't cast it yet, his proficiency was 0.

Most areas within the city prohibited the use of spells, to avoid disturbing the populace.

Especially for minor clerks like them—if they accidentally blew away some elder's drying underpants, or soaked someone's grain seeds, they could kiss their wages goodbye! What? You want to become a full official? Get lost somewhere cool!

To practice, one had to either leave the city or head to the Agricultural Supervisor.

The Agricultural Supervisor was equipped with the King Di Zang Return-to-Origin Formation, so minor clerks like them could practice freely.

Past the gatehouse of the Agricultural Supervisor, one could see a five- or six-meter-tall 【Wind and Rain Tower Ship】. Its ram was shaped like a dragon's head, with a flying dragon spouting water that could nourish a thousand li. The sails were embroidered with Yu Jiang, capable of whipping up fierce gales. It was one of the classic treasures of the Farmer profession.

The small Gucheng naturally didn't possess such a high-grade treasure; this was merely a model. The real thing was only available at Agricultural Supervisors at the commandery level or above.

But the county-level Agricultural Supervisor had plenty of fine items as well. The treasury in the northeast corner displayed treasures such as 【Flowing Cloud Flying Boat】, 【Return-to-Origin Waterwheel】, 【Golden Straw Raincoat】, and 【Hundred Flowers Conical Hat】.

The reason Zhao Xing knew the place so well was that the official buildings of Great Zhou all followed a standard layout—memorizing one was essentially memorizing them all.

Add to that the fact that in his previous life he had led parties to raid county cities more than once, and the very first thing he did upon entering was rush to the Agricultural Supervisor. He even knew exactly which mechanisms to open and which secret passages to take.

"Halt! This is the treasury—no entry!" A sudden voice called Zhao Xing to a stop.

Zhao Xing looked around and realized he had wandered to the vicinity of the treasury without noticing. Seeing the scrutinizing gaze of the gatekeeper, he knew his expression must have looked utterly shifty.

Sigh, occupational habit acting up again.

"My apologies, I was distracted." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in a brief salute, suppressed the urge within him, turned around, and left.

"Don't rush—once we reach shore, we'll have everything."

After a round of self-consolation, Zhao Xing passed through the herb garden and arrived at the courtyard district where the full officials resided.

There was only one official Ninth Rank Farmer in the Agricultural Supervisor.

There were several Subordinate Ninth Rank Farmers, each in charge of granaries, the iron market, state farms, price stabilization, and balanced transport.

Border cities would also have Military Farmers, specialists who accompanied the army on campaign to create favorable conditions for the troops.

The official Ninth Rank Farmer was the chief of the Agricultural Supervisor and generally did not bother instructing minor clerks—unless one had influence and connections, of course.

The Subordinate Ninth Rank Farmers had a duty to provide guidance and instruction internally.

Gucheng's Subordinate Ninth Rank Farmers had a full complement of nine, but currently there were only seven.

Each had a certain number of minor clerks under them, who were both subordinates and students.

"Brother! Brother, wait for me!" While walking along the covered corridor, a familiar voice called from behind.

He turned and stopped—it was Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong, carrying baskets on their backs.

"What brings you two here so early as well?"

"Aren't you the same, brother?" Chen Ziyu said with a smile.

Qian Dong put on a knowing look. "Ziyu, look—I guessed right after all. Recently brother has indeed been secretly studying behind our backs, coming to pay respects to Teacher Xue this early. Huh? Brother, your complexion looks much better than a few days ago…"

Zhao Xing's mouth twitched. Could you stop bringing up my complexion?

"Enough chatter, let's go."

Zhao Xing's superior and teacher was named Xue Wenzhong, the one with the most minor clerks under him.

It wasn't because he was particularly capable—purely because Xue Wenzhong was the well-known soft touch of the Agricultural Supervisor.

Other Farmers were stingy when picking clerks, reluctant to take on more, and for the sake of their records they would consider family background and aptitude when selecting, scooping up all the promising seedlings. If a clerk under them became a full official, it counted toward their performance record.

Xue Wenzhong was kind-hearted and simple, only knowing how to do the work without caring about his future. When his colleagues refused those of lowly status and rough aptitude, he would take them on himself. So out of the Agricultural Supervisor's five hundred-plus minor clerks, a full two hundred and four had sworn themselves to Xue Wenzhong!

Even though the veteran Farmer did his utmost, with so many disciples he inevitably couldn't teach them all, and the energy distributed to each person was bound to be less. By contrast, well-born youths like Li Chengfeng, under careful guidance, progressed at a rapid pace.

Arriving at Xue Wenzhong's courtyard, they found four or five dozen people already waiting before the hall.

The old Agricultural Officer was lecturing on *Heavenly Timing: A Hundred Explanations* from the high platform. The crowd listened attentively, and even those who had to move in or out did so on tiptoe, hunched and bowing their heads.

Even a From Ninth Rank Agricultural Officer possessed extraordinary abilities. Though it was now the Start of Summer, the peach blossoms in the courtyard were still in full bloom, warm as spring.

Only the occasional cough that drifted over proved that this old Agricultural Officer seemed somewhat aged.

"Agricultural Officer Xue is already ninety-eight, and his health isn't great. The benefits Emperor Jing's court gave officials weren't much — two longevity and fortune enhancements for a From Ninth Rank is already the absolute maximum. Who knows how much longer he can last," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

"Old Agricultural Officer, please don't die this year. If you kick the bucket, I'll be short a superior to recommend me, and where am I supposed to find that final push? It'll be nothing but trouble."

Whether or not his silent prayer had worked, Xue Wenzhong really did stop coughing, and when he looked up again—

Oh, it turned out the lecture had ended and it was now the free Q&A segment.