Chapter 21: Harvest

[Name: Zhao Xing]

[Realm: Not Ranked]

[Qi Fortune: Development Second]

[Gathering Essence: Second Rank (715/1000)]

[Spell: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)]

[Vigorous Growth (Initial Stage): One Turn (1101/9999)]

[Cloud Movement (Initial Stage): Seven Turns (7546/9999)]

[Wind Raising (Initial Stage): Four Turns (4124/9999)]

[Thunder Striking (Initial Stage): Five Turns (5784/9999)]

[Rain Bringing (Initial Stage): Three Turns (3541/9999)]

[Grass and Trees are Soldiers: Three Turns (3084/9999)]

[Liu's Technique of Weaving·Fragment (Four Types)]

[Repeating Grassman (Initial Stage): Three Turns (3084/9999)]

[Entwining Grassman (Initial Stage): One Turn (1201/9999)]

[Divine Movement Grassman (Initial Stage): One Turn (1501/9999)]

[Thorny Grassman (Initial Stage): 475/9999]

[Bright Eyes Night Vision (Initial Stage): 322/9999]

[Five Elements Observation (Initial Stage): 88/9999]

[Secondary Occupation: Talisman Maker]

[Soul Calming Talisman (Basic): 321/1000]

[Guiding Talisman (Basic): 525/1000]

[Treasure: Calendar of Evil (Third-tier top-grade)]

[Thousand-Mile Token (Third-tier top-grade)]

[Note: Initial stage spell proficiency reaches one turn per thousand points, and below a thousand points is just grasping the basics. Grassmen are included in the Grass and Trees are Soldiers skill, but their spell proficiencies are calculated independently. Gathering Essence and Talisman making are not spells, and are also calculated independently.]

"There are indeed golden mansions in books. Although I haven't gained new spells, just by reading this formatted compendium, I've increased so much proficiency in one night?"

Zhao Xing found his absorption efficiency of the court's formatted law code rather exaggerated.

However, he gradually got used to this speed. The Cloud Movement skill had reached seven turns, the Thunder Striking skill five turns, and none of the other spells had fallen behind.

"The subtle transformation of the Tao Embryo Pill has just begun. Although my cultivation speed is exaggerated, it's only compared to before. Currently, this speed is just considered excellent in a county, not stunning. When I completely transform in the future, I can be considered a genius in an entire prefecture."

He stayed up all night, but felt more and more refreshed.

After washing his face, Zhao Xing walked out the door in the dark.

By the time he reached the Minister of Agriculture Supervision, the sky had just lightened.

"Mr. Zhao, good morning."

"Oh, isn't this Zhao Yijia?"

"After the Start of Autumn, it might be Zhao Erjia."

"Hahaha."

Colleagues greeted Zhao Xing along the way.

Zhao Yijia? Since when did I get this nickname?

"Thanks for your kind words." Zhao Xing didn't mind, he cupped his hands in return and accepted the nickname graciously.

Just past the Mao hour, over a hundred people had already arrived at the Minister of Agriculture Supervision.

During Emperor Wen's time, local officials were required to start work at five quarters past the Chen hour, which was 8:15. During winter, it was delayed to two quarters past the Si hour, which was 9:30.

Emperor Wen's leniency wasn't just for the common people but extended to officials as well.

When Emperor Jing, a workaholic, took the lead, the officials' work time was significantly reduced.

During daylight saving time, they started at one quarter past the Mao hour, and in winter, four quarters past the Mao hour, which was 5:15 and 6:00, respectively.

Emperor Wen didn't require punching in, but Emperor Jing required 'Mao punching in.'

This compelled clerks without the 'Bright Eyes Night Vision' ability to even carry lanterns to work.

"It seems many aspire to be officials this year, likely preparing for the small examination after the Start of Autumn." Zhao Xing observed, surrounded by clerks holding lanterns and books, even during meals.

In peaceful times, taxes were low, and as long as one wasn't lazy, no one would skip a meal. So these clerks were vying for a future.

Everyone ate quickly, wolfing down food before getting back to work. Zhao Xing wanted to rest after eating but felt guilty seeing this.

"Competing in hard work? I had dozens of livers in my past life, stayed up seven nights without blinking." Zhao Xing finished his meal quickly and headed to Huai Liu Courtyard.

Under Xue Wenzhong, clerks had few assigned chores, but not none at all.

Since the Beginning of Summer, a key task had been cooperating with the Heavenly Workshop to repair and monitor the 'Pinghu Thirteen Canals.'

Because summer and autumn often brought floods, Gucheng, situated in the middle and lower reaches of the Canglan River, frequently suffered natural disasters.

In the late Grand Ancestor period, Land Register Commander Caoxi built the Pinghu Thirteen Canals, connecting the Canglan River tributary to East Lake, and set up Guiyuan Water Wheels. Accumulated primordial energy made the mountain by East Lake higher each year, turning East Lake Mountain into a place of spiritual beauty.

"The Minister of Agriculture Supervision wants to set up four new Guiyuan Water Wheels at East Lake. The site at Sishui Bay is our Huai Liu Courtyard's responsibility. Three ordered by the Heavenly Workshop are in place. Why is ours still not ready?" Zhao Xing found Xue Wenzhong in his office, dealing with matters.

The replying clerk, seemingly in his forties, and the oldest in Huai Liu Courtyard, Ding Shan, said, "Mr. Xue, the Heavenly Workshop replied that the county hasn't sent the materials, manpower is insufficient, and the construction period needs to be delayed."

"Delayed again?" Xue Wenzhong snorted. "Why do they always give me various reasons? Do they think I'm made of mud, without any temper?"

Noticing Xue Wenzhong seemed different than usual, Ding Shan changed his address: "Sir, shall I urge them again?"

Xue Wenzhong threw down the document. "No need. I wrote three official letters. Deliver them to Mr. Chen Shijie, Mr. Li Wenzheng of the county government, and Mr. Ji of Nanyang County Surveillance. If I can't urge Gongsun Jin, I'll have these three gentlemen urge him!"

After recovering, the Old Minister of Agriculture seemed more assertive, making Ding Shan shiver. He quickly nodded and began stamping and sealing.

After handling the matters, Xue Wenzhong saw Zhao Xing waiting outside the door. His face immediately brightened, and he smiled, beckoning, "Zhao Xing, come in."

"Teacher, I'm here to check in. Is there anything I can do to ease your concerns?" Zhao Xing asked.

Stroking his beard, Xue Wenzhong laughed. "With two hundred people in Huai Liu Courtyard, what could I need you to handle? Focus on preparing for the assessment."

Ding Shan gave Zhao Xing a surprised look. Seeing Xue Wenzhong pause, he tactfully excused himself.

Upon leaving, Ding Shan was stunned to see Xue Wenzhong letting Zhao Xing sit in his chair. His jaw nearly dropped.

The usually impartial Old Minister of Agriculture was favoring someone? Could this change be related to him?

Zhao Xing didn't notice the change in attitude, assuming it was different after becoming a disciple. Since the Old Minister had no chores for him, he could save time for cultivation.

After checking in, he went to the backyard to practice spells.

After upgrading the Basic Cultivation spell, he gained the initial-stage spell [Vigorous Growth], but had practiced it little recently, reaching only one turn.

The Old Minister hinted that there would be cultivation-related questions in the Start of Autumn assessment, so he had to practice more.

"Huh? How did the backyard vegetable garden gain an extra plot of seedlings..." Zhao Xing, searching for a practice target, was drawn to a corner of the vegetable garden.