Chapter 13: 甲上

The Summer Solstice assessment has concluded. The topic was ‘The Grain Bird Disaster,’ and scores are determined by the extent of damage to each clerk's assigned farmland.

Those whose fields sustained less than 10% damage to the primary rice crop will receive an ‘A’ grade.Less than 20% damage warrants a ‘B’ grade.Less than half damage earns a ‘C’ grade.If damage exceeds half, this assessment receives no score. Additionally, the clerk will be penalized and required to replant the crop, using cultivation techniques to accelerate growth. Should they successfully compensate for the loss, they may receive a ‘C’ grade.The Summer Solstice assessment scores have been posted for public viewing. Clerks are advised to check their results. Regardless of your score, please remain diligent and avoid complacency or excessive anxiety.

After Chen Shijie finished speaking, a civil clerk from the flying boat waved his hand, and a yellow paper floated through the air, accurately landing on nine notice boards across the public fields and pastures.

The assembled clerks bowed to the flying boat. As soon as the cloud-drifting vessel floated away, they surged forward in a clamor.

“What?! Only thirty people on the A-list, and only five received ‘A-plus’?!”“Oh no, this is terrible! There are only two hundred and fourteen people on the list. Doesn't that mean half the clerks failed?”“Excuse me, brother, could you please check if my name, Liang Bai, is there?”“Yes, it is. Ninth on the C-list, C-plus. Congratulations, Brother Liang.”“Ugh, only C-list? Last time, I was on the B-list...”“If the Summer Solstice assessment is this difficult, what will the Autumn Moon assessment be like? Only a few people will be officially appointed next spring, so what's the point of even making up for it?! I'm leaving, let's go drinking!”“You're right, if it comes down to it, I'll just quit!”

The Summer Solstice assessment was considerably more challenging than previous ones, so the atmosphere around the posted scores was one of gloom and despair. Few people were happy; most felt they had performed poorly.

A small portion of them, however, were indifferent. This was because only three to five individuals were appointed as officials each year, and the difficulty of these assessments would only increase, effectively weeding out lazy and unqualified clerks. If they had no chance to begin with, why worry? They decided to simply give up, not even planning to take make-up exams.“What? You say I'll be dismissed? So what if I am? The pay isn't much anyway. In a time of peace, not being a clerk won't make you starve, will it?”Of course, the vast majority still cared. Otherwise, why would they have chosen this path in the first place? And after putting in so much effort, with the sunk cost involved, they naturally still held onto hope.

Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong were also frantically pushing their way to the front. Soon, they emerged, looking crestfallen. Both had received a C-minus, just barely passing.

As they left the crowd, Chen Ziyu slapped his forehead. “That's right, Qian Dong, how did my elder brother do? Did you check for him just now?”Qian Dong raised his drooping head, hesitating. “I didn't see Big Brother's name on the C-list just now. Could it be...?”“What ‘could it be’? Are you saying Big Brother failed? He didn't even make the C-list? He worked so hard before; how disheartening would it be if he didn't even make C-list? No wonder he's nowhere to be seen. Could he be contemplating something rash?”Qian Dong quickly shook his head. “No, it wouldn't go that far. Big Brother is usually so carefree; he wouldn't let something like this... Though, he'll probably be sad.”Chen Ziyu said worriedly, “I'll go check the list again. Qian Dong, you go look for Big Brother around here. We'll meet at the Triangle Field later.”

A quarter of an hour later, at the Triangle Field. Qian Dong saw a distraught Chen Ziyu. Seeing his expression, he thought something terrible had happened. Why was his face even gloomier than before?“I haven't found Big Brother yet. What's wrong with you?”Chen Ziyu looked up blankly. “Elder brother's name isn't on the C-list.”“If it's not there, it's not there. Failing isn't that uncommon...” Qian Dong trailed off, then stopped. “Is it on the B-list?”Seeing Chen Ziyu's lack of response, Qian Dong's mouth gradually widened. “Could it be...?”“Yes, Elder Brother is on the A-list, and he's ranked A-plus. He's tied with Wen Nanxing, Li Chengfeng, Zong Shichang, and Xiao Ze.”“...”Qian Dong's expression became identical to Chen Ziyu's.

Not far from the A-list, Li Chengfeng was surrounded by a crowd, cooling off on a rock. He naturally didn't need to check the list himself, possessing enough confidence to know he was at the very top. What he enjoyed wasn't the moment the scores were posted, but the current adulation from the crowd.

“Congratulations, Brother Li, for once again making the A-list and earning an A-plus!”“Brother Li truly lives up to his exceptional talent. How many times has this been for an A-plus?”“This is the sixth time!”“Next spring, I daresay we'll be addressing you as Lord Li.”Li Chengfeng smiled and cupped his hands to those around him. “Gentlemen, please don't jest. ‘Lord’ or not, we are all brothers. Besides, I'm not the only one with an A-plus grade. I'm far from Brother Zong... Brother Zong, Brother Zong! What are you looking at?”The burly young man next to him, Zong Shichang, heard Li Chengfeng call him and turned back, slightly curious. “I'm looking at the list, Brother Li. There are five A-plus recipients. Besides you, me, Wen Nanxing, and Xiao Ze, this fifth person is someone I've never heard of.”“Oh?” Li Chengfeng also stepped forward to look. Upon seeing the unfamiliar name Zhao Xing, he frowned. “Indeed, I haven't heard of him. I know most people in the Seven Agricultural Bureaus. Where did this person come from?”“Could he be under the Old Minister of Agriculture?” Zong Shichang wondered.“No need to overthink it. We'll know once we pay him a visit another day,” Li Chengfeng said, narrowing his eyes.At the same time, Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and other individuals on the A-list also noticed Zhao Xing's name. The Agricultural Ministry only appointed three to five officials each year. The other lists were one thing, but everyone on the A-list was a direct competitor. If someone else got in, it meant you might not, and they could even become your superior. How could one not pay attention? However, Zhao Xing was usually so low-key and inconspicuous that when inquired about among friends, almost no one had heard of him, or at most only knew he was a clerk under the Old Minister of Agriculture. This only heightened their curiosity.

Zhao Xing was unaware that he had caught the attention of so many clerks. He hadn't even bothered to check the list. After Chen Shijie announced the rules, he immediately knew he would definitely be on the A-list. Why bother squeezing into a sweaty crowd in the heat? It was better to go home early, take a bath, change clothes, and have a meal. If he came home too late, Madam Cai might just hide the meat – she was certainly capable of that.

“Including the Summer Solstice assessment, this year there have been six evaluations. According to custom, there will be six more minor exams following the solar terms.”“My previous five scores were one B-middle, three C-plus, and two C-minus. Quite mediocre, really.”“But that's okay. Rapid progress can also be a highlight. These minor exams don't solely focus on scores; good potential also presents opportunities for recommendation.”“If I can make the A-list in every minor exam before the winter assessment, I'll surely catch the eye of the higher-ups. As for the Old Minister of Agriculture, I wonder how much he'll be able to advocate for me then,” Zhao Xing thought to himself. “Old Minister of Agriculture Xue Wenzhong is famous for being a good-natured person. He doesn't fight or vie for anything and is very incorruptible, never accepting gifts from others. Assuming I'm comparable to others when the time comes, at the crucial moment, it will depend on whether my superior is willing to fight for me.”

“Sizzle~” The aroma of meat suddenly wafted into his nose, interrupting Zhao Xing's train of thought. He realized he was already home, and the scent of cooking meat was drifting from the kitchen.“Hmm? It smells like it's ginseng black chicken soup... Hey, I arrived at just the right time!”