Chapter 105: Na Official Appointment, Transfer Selection, and National Destiny Entering the Body (Final Chapter of This Volume)

The officials from the prefecture were still in Tianxin Plaza. However, their numbers had increased from four to sixteen, now including representatives from the Military Department, Tian Gong Workshop, and Manufacturing Department, in addition to the Agricultural Bureau. Since the conclusion of the civil servant examination, they had seemed to turn into statues, waiting only for the appointed time to reopen the Tianxin Hall.

"Why is time passing so slowly today?" Xiao Ze rubbed his hands, his palms slightly sweaty.

"It's not that time is slow, it's that you're too anxious," Wen Nanxing whispered beside him.

"Aren't you anxious?" Xiao Ze asked. "If we don't pass, we'll have to wait another year. Who knows what next year will bring?"

Wen Nanxing had no reply; in truth, he was also very nervous.

"The one who's probably guaranteed to pass is Zhao Xing," Wen Nanxing observed, looking at Zhao Xing's back. He was chatting and laughing with Zong Shichang.

"Zong Shichang doesn't seem anxious at all either. Does he have a guaranteed pass?" Xiao Ze wondered, looking ahead and subtly listening in on their conversation.

"I really don't have much certainty," Zong Shichang said, dusting his sleeves. "But it's not essential that I pass this time; passing next year would be just as good."

Zhao Xing chuckled, "What if you still don't pass next year?"

Zong Shichang replied nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter. My father will intervene, and I can still become an official through other means. Our dynasty isn't limited to the civil service examination system for official appointments."

"If I truly can't pass, I'll transfer to Xiangshan Prefecture and serve as an official under the Prince of Xiangshan. After accumulating a few years of political achievements, I'll find a way to transfer back to Nanyang."

Zhao Xing laughed, "I really want to compete with you noble family scions."

Becoming an official through the civil service system was one path; becoming a vassal in a princely domain was another.

In Nanyang Prefecture, although the Prince of Nanyang was worshipped in the temple, he was a figure from a thousand years ago. His princely title was not hereditary, and a millennium later, only an earl's title remained. While they could still collect taxes and owned considerable land, it was merely an 'appanage' with no actual feudal territory. A true feudal domain allowed one to raise their own troops, select vassals, and levy taxes, granting significant power.

The Prince of Xiangshan, whom Zong Shichang mentioned, was Emperor Jing's cousin. Though not particularly close, he was a genuine Prince of a Prefecture, capable of establishing his own administration. Taking the vassal route meant first becoming a vassal of the Prince of Xiangshan, serving as an official in Xiangshan Prefecture. If one performed well, they could still transfer to become a court official. This path required connections and influence, making it impossible for ordinary people. During Emperor Wen's reign, many aristocratic scions took this route to become officials, and it was relatively easy. Once they became officials, they had no fear of not accumulating political achievements. However, by now, Emperor Jing was strict not only with officials but also with his own relatives, making this path much harder. Yet, it was still easier than the formal examination.

"Why would you compete with me? After you become an official, within a few decades, you'll establish your family, rise in rank and title, and your Zhao family will also become a prominent family in Nanyang Prefecture," Zong Shichang said. "You can't exactly compete against yourself."

"That's true," Zhao Xing nodded. Connections were everywhere. Just as Long Xiao had said, if Zhao Xing wanted to become an official in the Divine Might Army without connections, he would not be considered during the selection process after becoming an official. He wouldn't be selected even if he waited a thousand years; he would still have to continue taking the military agricultural official examination. But with his connection to Chen Shijie and Long Xiao, he could directly bypass the examination process during the selection period. This was because although Yang An was only the Marquis of Boping County, his reinstatement as the commander of the Divine Might Army granted him the right to select personnel from other areas. For ninth-rank officials, regardless of civil or military, as long as there were vacancies, he could essentially choose freely.

"Passing directly would be the best," Zong Shichang mumbled. "If I really had to go down the Prince of Xiangshan route, my family's assets would shrink by half."

"How was your practical examination?" Zhao Xing asked. "Did you recognize the Twelve-Hour Grass? Determining the time was quite difficult."

"Who are you looking down on?" Zong Shichang asked, surprised. "Determining the time was a bit difficult, but I went to Shangluo with my father when I was young, and we even grow Twelve-Hour Grass at home. How could I not recognize it?"

Zhao Xing couldn't help but laugh.

"Stop chatting, it's almost time. Maintain silence," Chen Shijie instructed.

Li Wenzheng was even more direct; he activated a mass silencing spell. The area outside the plaza instantly fell silent.

At exactly Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the officials, who had been like statues, reopened the Tianxin Hall. *Whoosh*. The huge bronze incense burner inside the hall burned with golden flames. Soon, a list floated out from it. The list emerged, then floated outside the hall, unfolding in mid-air. Names immediately became visible, one by one. Everyone involuntarily looked up.

Zhao Xing, First Class Superior.

Zhao Xing's name was the first. Chen Shijie smiled, and Xue Wenzhong nodded with satisfaction. As for the others, they looked on with envious eyes. Although it had been widely believed that Zhao Xing would pass, everything remained uncertain until the results were officially released. Now that they had seen it, the matter was truly settled.

"First Class Superior means he must have scored full marks in at least one subject. He really wasn't lying; he truly aced the practical examination," Gao Linong muttered, somewhat lost in thought. "Luckily, I didn't run my mouth three days ago, otherwise my face would be swollen now."

"For civil servant regularization, only those on the 'A' list are selected, categorized into three levels: superior, middle, and inferior."

"In this temple examination, there were certainly more than ten million aspiring civil servants, but only a small handful would achieve a First Class Superior rating, which would give them a significant advantage during selection and deployment."

"Those who received First Class Superior will surely be appointed to rich and prosperous areas."

"Truly enviable."

The list fully unfolded. Zhao Xing looked closely and saw that four people from the Agricultural Bureau were on the list. Besides himself, Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and Zong Shichang all received a First Class Inferior rating. As long as one received an 'A' rating, they passed. Zhao Xing hadn't expected Zong Shichang to also get a First Class Inferior rating. Although he couldn't speak, Young Master Zong exuded pride at that moment, his chest puffed out. If he hadn't been silenced, he would have called his servants to hand out celebratory money to everyone.

"Four out of fifteen, roughly one-third. That's consistent with previous years' ratios," Zhao Xing thought to himself. Although the questions were more difficult, the imperial court's official recruitment ratio wouldn't fluctuate much.

As for the other departments, Shen Zhui of the Military Department also received First Class Superior, and eighteen others received an 'A' rating. The Rites Hall had ten people. Tian Gong Workshop had eight people with an 'A' rating, and the Manufacturing Department had six. The Divine Temple only had two. This was mainly because, among the various departments, the Military Department had the most examinees, followed by the Rites Hall, then Tian Gong Workshop and the Manufacturing Department. The Agricultural Bureau had the second fewest, and the Divine Temple the fewest.

"In a prefecture city, there would also be professions like physicians, musicians, and dancers, but Gucheng is just a county, so it doesn't have these professions," Zhao Xing thought.

At this moment, it was still very quiet outside the plaza. Because the release of the list was only the first step. Next was entering the temple to receive the baptism of national fortune.

"Those whose names are on the list, please enter Tianxin Hall."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing immediately stepped onto the stairs and entered the hall. Although a group of people entered the hall, once inside Tianxin Hall, one could still only see oneself, not others. Upon re-entering the hall, there was an additional statue and a memorial tablet. The statues were of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong, while the memorial tablet was for Emperor Jing. Since Emperor Jing was still alive, no divine statue was erected for him, only a tablet commemorating his merits. Zhao Xing, following the procedure, bowed and worshipped the statues of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong, and the memorial tablet of Emperor Jing. After three bows.

Both statues and the memorial tablet emitted specks of golden light, which quickly filled the entire Tianxin Hall. As the golden light entered his body, Zhao Xing felt a magnificent, majestic power flow into him. In a trance, he saw a Heavenly Gate, behind which lay an endless stretch of palace complexes, with civil and military officials arrayed for court. A golden giant sat on an enormous throne, looking down upon heaven and earth. With a gentle point of a finger from the giant, auspicious clouds carried Zhao Xing, flying past the Heavenly Gate and towards that magnificent palace.

Just after passing the Heavenly Gate, Zhao Xing felt a layer of obstruction disappear. Originally, his comprehension of Five Elements spells seemed to be obscured by a faint shadow, but after passing this Heavenly Gate, it suddenly became clear. Immediately after, his Life Soul stirred, and he involuntarily closed his eyes, perceiving the existence of his Life Soul through introspection. Underneath his Life Soul's feet, a thin layer of golden light suddenly spread. The originally empty and desolate void instantly became warm and bright.

"Golden light spreading under my Life Soul's feet—this is the national fortune entering my body, forging the foundation of my Life Palace," Zhao Xing realized. However, he had already cultivated to the 'entry-level' rank, and his foundation was already solid, so this golden light merely coated his feet with a layer. The vast majority was absorbed by the Life Soul itself. A portion increased his lifespan, another increased his luck.

*Buzz*. Zhao Xing's stage of introspecting his Life Soul and consolidating his fortune's foundation did not last long. For those with lower cultivation, not yet at the 'entry-level' rank, it would naturally be more complex, as this process would supplement them to at least the ninth-rank inferior level.

When he opened his eyes again, Zhao Xing was already inside the grand hall. Looking around, civil and military officials stretched endlessly, seemingly without end. He stood near the hall entrance, merely a lowest-ranked ninth-grade official. His figure was also of normal size. But the further forward, the larger these phantom figures became. As for that immense, unique golden giant, it was Emperor Jing. Zhao Xing understood. From the moment he entered this hall, he officially entered the system of the Great Zhou, a dynasty sustained by national fortune.

"Your subject, Zhao Xing, respectfully thanks Your Majesty!"

"May Your Majesty live forever!"

Only this part of the entire process required kneeling, and Zhao Xing didn't have many reservations, so he immediately knelt in gratitude. At this point, the process of the national fortune entering the body concluded. The next moment, clouds swirled. Zhao Xing reappeared inside Tianxin Hall. Now was not the time to check his status panel, as there was still something else to do. That was the 'Yin God Consultation and Selection'. After being appointed an official, one doesn't immediately take office; instead, there's a selection and deployment phase. First selection, then deployment. After being appointed, one would be asked where they wished to serve, but this had become a mere formality, a simple procedure; it was impossible to get what one desired. This was because officials were now as numerous as hairs on an ox, unlike during the time of Emperor Taizu when there were so many vacancies. It was already good enough to have a place to go; did they still want to pick and choose?

*Buzz*. A benevolent figure with kind eyebrows appeared within the temple. He was dressed in hemp clothing, like an old farmer. It was precisely True Monarch Caoxi, who had imparted the cultivation method to Zhao Xing.

"Greetings, True Monarch."

Caoxi's tone was gentle, and he asked with a smile, "Zhao Xing, you are now an official. The court has sent me to ask you, where do you wish to serve as an official?"

Zhao Xing cupped his hands and replied, "I wish to join the military and be placed on the selection list for the Military Department."

Caoxi seemed unsurprised by this answer: "You received First Class Superior in this examination, so becoming a military agricultural official can bypass some procedures."

"Let me ask you first, have you decided which branch of the military you wish to join? You can select three to ten armies. After making your choice, your name will appear on the reserve lists of these armies, and if you are favored, someone will come to assess you."

"The Divine Might Army."

Caoxi closed his eyes, then opened them three breaths later, shaking his head slightly: "Although you achieved First Class Superior in the examination, you have not yet reached the threshold to enter the Divine Might Army. The possibility of being selected is extremely low. I can only place you on the reserve list for the Pacify Barbarian Legion."

Zhao Xing said, "Thank you for the warning, True Monarch. My choice remains unchanged."

Hearing this, Caoxi said no more, and his figure vanished. The Yin God Consultation and Selection phase concluded, and Zhao Xing left Tianxin Hall. He was now in an 'awaiting deployment' status.

The other officials also exited Tianxin Hall. At this moment, it was already very lively outside the temple. Sounds of congratulations filled the air.

"Brother Zhao, please wait!"

Just as Zhao Xing was about to leave, he was called back by three people. It was Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and Zong Shichang.

"Is there something you need?" Zhao Xing turned and asked.

"Brother Zhao, please accept our bow." Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze simultaneously bowed deeply, bending ninety degrees towards Zhao Xing.

"What are you doing?" Zhao Xing was bewildered. Why were they suddenly bowing to him?

After bowing, Xiao Ze stood up and chuckled, "For the last question of our theoretical examination, we all used Brother Zhao's original answer."

Wen Nanxing sighed, "Brother Zhao's answer was truly a model essay. This examination was tricky and difficult. If I hadn't scored on that last question, I might very well have failed."

Zhao Xing realized, and cupped his hands in return to Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze: "There's no need for this, gentlemen. Your success in the examination is due to your own abilities."

Zong Shichang said with a grin, "Me too, but I won't bow to you. After we disperse, come to my house for a meal. Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, you two must come too. Not coming would be disrespecting me, and I hold grudges!"

"Hahaha, then we shall respectfully obey."

"Young Master Zong, I've long wanted to mooch off your family's food! Now I finally have the chance. Even if you don't invite me, I'm coming!"

"Then I must starve myself for two meals and save room before I go! Brother Zhao, wouldn't you agree?"

The four descended the steps, chatting and laughing. Xiao Ze and Wen Nanxing had previously held some resentment towards Zhao Xing due to past competition, but now that they had become officials and received Zhao Xing's favor, that slight resentment completely vanished. Instead, they could openly talk about their past little thoughts.

"Brother Zhao, you might not know this, but during that examination, you used Earth Vein Comprehensive Essence to steal our vital energy, both mine and Nanxing's. We were then criticized by Administrator Chen for being too careless."

"After we went back, Nanxing got completely drunk and was shouting your name even in his sleep," Xiao Ze said.

"Nonsense, why are you exaggerating so much?" Wen Nanxing retorted with a laugh. "Besides, weren't you also dead drunk, vowing to avenge your past humiliation? How dare you talk about me?"

"Gentlemen, you have a chance for revenge tonight," Zong Shichang chimed in playfully. "We'll be drinking at my residence tonight, you two can act freely, and don't worry about seeking revenge afterwards, Zhao Xing, wouldn't you agree?"

"Forget two, even if all three of you team up, you might not be able to outdrink me," Zhao Xing challenged. "Tonight at the Zong manor, we'll see who's truly skilled with a drink!"

"Such arrogance! Tonight, I, Xiao Ze, will definitely put you in your place!"

"Let's go together! Hahaha!"

After leaving Tianxin Hall, Zhao Xing received congratulations from all directions. Gucheng County Magistrate Li Wenzheng, Military Department Commander Wang Long, Divine Temple Master of Ceremonies Meng Yun, Tian Gong Workshop's Gongsun Yang... The path from inside the temple to outside was very short, but Zhao Xing was surrounded and it took him a full hour to finally exit. Chen Shijie and Long Xiao didn't say much, only reminding him to visit their residence in two days.

After Zhao Xing left the temple, he had intended to check his status panel to understand the detailed changes. Now that he had officially entered the system of the fortune-imbued dynasty, the restrictions had disappeared, and his lifespan and luck should naturally have increased. However, before he could do so, he heard Zhao Zheng's voice.

"Big Brother!"

"Big Brother is out!" Zhao Zheng immediately rushed over. "Congratulations, Big Brother!"

Zhao Xing rubbed Zhao Zheng's head and asked, "Where's Father?"

"Over there," Zhao Zheng said, pulling his brother to look in one direction. "Waiting for you to come home for dinner."

Zhao Ruide had been waiting for a long time, and Madam Cai stood beside him. Upon seeing Zhao Xing emerge, both their faces lit up with joy and happiness.

"Come on, let's go home."

(End of this Volume)

The following afterword is not charged:

The volume 'The Minor Agricultural Official' has concluded. Zhao Xing has officially become an official, and now a new volume, 'Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven', will begin. This volume has many shortcomings, but the author has truly done their best. Every day, they wake up to write, and after writing, they go to sleep... I believe whether the writing is good is one thing, but dedication is another. Originally, the update volume was set for 8,000-12,000 characters, but since its launch on May 1st, there has been an average of 15,000 characters daily, and updates have been quite punctual. Only today was there a slight delay due to unforeseen circumstances, but not a single update was missed.