Chapter 10: Apprenticeship and Training, The Minor Heat Examination

The first straw figure swayed unsteadily, unable to stand firm. The second straw figure, though its steps were faltering, had already stabilized its form. The third straw figure moved with increasing speed.

When Xue Wenzhong returned from a lap around the front courtyard, he was surprised to see a straw figure in the backyard walking as steadily as Fei; the second straw figure was jumping between the grass mounds; the third straw figure was swinging under the locust tree; the fourth straw figure was flipping by the valley; and the fifth straw figure was weeding in the vegetable garden.

Although there were still several 'failed products' that overturned vegetable baskets, knocked over clothes racks, and startled chickens and ducks, Xue Wenzhong chose to ignore them. He focused on the few straw figures that had initially shown signs of life and quickly walked over to Zhao Xing, who was tidying up the clothes rack and collecting vegetable baskets.

"I was gone for less than half a shichen [an ancient Chinese unit of time, roughly equivalent to an hour], and you've already accomplished this?" Xue Wenzhong asked.

Zhao Xing glanced at the somewhat chaotic backyard and apologized, "I'm sorry, Master Xue. I'll clean it up soon. It's just that one duckling has already flown out of the pen... I'll compensate you for it!"

Xue Wenzhong's face crinkled into a smile, and he grabbed Zhao Xing, saying, "What's a single duckling worth? Don't worry about it!" He patted Zhao Xing's shoulder. "Work hard, aim for a top grade in the Winter evaluation, and after passing the Spring Temple examination, you'll officially be appointed. There will definitely be a place for you."

Zhao Xing was taken aback, realizing that the old master wasn't blaming him. He smiled and cupped his hands, "Thank you, Master."

"But the Department of Agriculture is full of experts like clouds, and my status is low. I may not be able to compete..." Zhao Xing hesitated, referring to the other Sinoongs [a title for officials in charge of agriculture] who had private arrangements and mutual support.

"You have such talent, and I overlooked it. That's my mistake. From now on, you can come to the backyard every day and learn for a shichen," Xue Wenzhong said.

Zhao Xing had been hoping for this outcome. Xue Wenzhong's words indicated he was treating Zhao Xing as a disciple. How could Zhao Xing not know to seize the opportunity?

In an instant, his address changed, and he bowed deeply, "Disciple thanks Master for your guidance."

Xue Wenzhong, too, was moved. He had never been one to compete or fight, but seeing such a promising student in his old age, he couldn't help but feel a bit ambitious. Thus, he formally accepted the bow.

"Keep practicing, don't waste your talent, and do your work well. Sooner or later, you'll have a bright future. As for others, I don't care. If you can't advance next year, I'll retire and leave the position for you!"

If another leader had said this, Zhao Xing would have thought it was just empty promises. But coming from Xue Wenzhong, it was highly credible. Firstly, he was known for being trustworthy, and secondly, he was already of an age where he could choose to retire.

If, by the time of the examination, there weren't enough positions, and Zhao Xing's ranking was just on the edge, Xue Wenzhong might indeed make the gesture of stepping down for him.

"Thank you, Master. I will work hard and not disappoint your expectations."

In the following three days, Zhao Xing learned the fourth method of crafting straw figures from Xue Wenzhong. Even Xue Wenzhong was amazed at Zhao Xing's progress, considering that Zhao Xing had only been practicing the 'Liu's Compilation Method' for a shichen.

Zhao Xing was also deeply moved: "With the dual support of Qi and treasures, not only has my cultivation speed increased, but I've also gained the master's favor. The Great Dream Academy is indeed a wonderful place. Just by seizing a bit of opportunity, I've experienced such great changes."

However, in the past few nights, when he tried to enter the Great Dream Academy again, he found that even the Heart Inquiry Platform was hidden, unsure if it was because he was too weak or if there were no suitable challenges for him.

At this time, Zhao Xing was walking in the eastern suburb fields. As a Sinoong, he usually studied in the morning and worked in the afternoon. Besides advising farmers and inspecting harvests, he was also responsible for the land, depending on which area he was assigned.

Having many people had its drawbacks but also its advantages. Under Xue Wenzhong, things were relatively relaxed. With more people, there were fewer miscellaneous tasks assigned by superiors, so it wasn't as busy.

This allowed more time for study and preparation for evaluations.

The transfer of Sinoong officials involved several aspects. One was the collection and processing of the districts and towns they were responsible for, which was managed by the county and not the Department of Agriculture. Most towns were similar, but there were distinctions between upper, middle, and lower tier lands. Being assigned to a good district naturally meant better conditions, but Xue Wenzhong didn't compete, so the good ones were divided among the other Sinoongs.

The second was the evaluation of virtue and conduct, which included many aspects such as the completion of tasks assigned by superiors, learning attitude, reputation, etc., without specific standards, as the authority lay with the superiors.

The third was the ability evaluation, which was based on the content of the twenty-four solar terms, including the four major terms: Beginning of Spring, Spring Equinox, Beginning of Summer, and Summer Solstice, which were mandatory. Other key planting and harvesting terms were also within the scope of evaluation.

For example, a month ago, the evaluation was on the final wave of rice planting and its survival rate.

Those responsible for setting the questions and evaluating were all Ninth Grade Sinoongs, during the Chen period.

These three aspects were considered 'normal scores.' Those who scored well were recommended by the Department of Agriculture to the 'Nanyang County Office.' The combination of all three was the 'Winter Evaluation.'

If the Winter Evaluation was not enough, another round of exams might be held, depending on the situation, mainly looking at the overall performance of Nanyang County in the previous year. If they outperformed other counties and the Imperial Court allocated enough positions, further exams might not be necessary.

Next year's Spring Temple examination would be another hurdle. The Imperial Court would set the questions, further screening the candidates reported by each county.

Passing the Temple examination would mean the dust had settled.

Afterward, it would be the 'formal appointment,' with the Imperial Court issuing official appointment documents, receiving the Qi cleansing ritual in the Temple, becoming a part of the Great Zhou's Qi system.

In simple terms, this was a continuous cycle of transfer tasks.

Zhao Xing's previous generation also transferred during the Emperor Jing's period, so he was very familiar with this process, though it was still somewhat challenging.

Once the revised version of the evaluation came, many things would become much simpler.

However, the difficulty had its benefits, as many things would become exclusive later on.

"With the support of Qi and treasures, transferring should not be difficult," Zhao Xing thought confidently, walking briskly towards the public fields.

The Summer Solstice had passed, and the Minor Heat was approaching.

In the county's public fields, some rice had already begun to ripen.

This year's Winter Evaluation did not include the 'Summer Solstice,' so the Minor Heat would certainly not be 'skipped,' otherwise, there would be no way to fill the foundational sessions for the Winter Evaluation.

At this time, most of the Department of Agriculture's Sinoongs were running to the public fields, as the exams were imminent, so the public fields in Valley City were already crowded with many Sinoongs waiting.

"Everyone is here for the Minor Heat examination. It feels a bit like the scene of public course selection in my previous life," Zhao Xing observed, feeling a sense of nostalgia.

However, it was quite normal. Missing one evaluation, although not enough to be eliminated, would have a significant impact. No one dared to guarantee that under the circumstances of missing one subject's score, they could still pass.

Zhao Xing entered the public field enclosure, immediately feeling the heat rising, his body starting to sweat. Even after deploying the 'Cloud Walking' Magic Arts to block the sun, he still felt a bit overwhelmed.

After a while, he saw Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong, who had also rushed over for the exam, as well as Li Chengfeng, Wen Nanxing, and others.

Everyone, without exception, was panting and sweating by the field, truly as hot as dogs.

"It's clearly just the Minor Heat, but the sun is as scorching as the Great Heat. Chen Sinoong really has a bit of a sadistic streak. Brother, what do you think he'll come up with this time?" Chen Ziyu asked.

"How would I know? Aren't you also surnamed Chen?"

"Even if we share a surname, he's an official from Western Mountain County, and has nothing to do with me," Chen Ziyu pouted.

"Better save your energy and wait," Qian Dong said weakly, waving his straw hat.

Just as everyone was sweltering in the heat, a sudden commotion came from the south.

"Look quickly, what is that?!"

"It's the exam questions, the exam questions are here!"

"Oh my god, it's actually..."

(End of Chapter)