Chapter 17: Treasure

"What? Old Minister Xue has fallen ill! Ziyu, who told you?"

"Last night, someone from the Xue family came to the Ministry of Agriculture to request leave, and Minister Chen informed the Huailiu Courtyard."

Zhao Xing frowned, asking, "Is it serious? Do you know the specific situation?"

Qian Dong, who was beside him, shook his head. "They only said he was unwell and needed some time to recuperate, but didn't specify how long. Minister Chen will temporarily oversee the daily affairs of the Huailiu Courtyard."

Zhao Xing pondered, "I'd like to visit the Xue residence. Would you like to come along?"

Chen Ziyu shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Minister Chen specifically instructed us not to visit, to avoid disturbing Old Minister Xue. Some people went earlier, but the Xue residence closed its doors to visitors."

Zhao Xing's brow furrowed even deeper. This seemed quite unusual.

First, there's no specified duration for his leave. If it were just a minor illness, why such a fuss? Then, they're refusing all visitors, not even allowing visits, which is even more suspicious.

"Xue Wenzhong is ninety-eight, and the imperial court even granted him a lifespan extension. Logically, it's not yet his time to pass away, so he shouldn't be dying now."

"But the court's lifespan extension and blessings don't absolutely guarantee a life free of illness and disaster until old age. It's normal for an elderly person to fall ill, but not allowing visits and needing so much time... what kind of illness is it? If he's sick for half a year or a year and can't return to his post... Oh, Old Minister Xue, you must hold on."

***

"Uncle, you must hold on. Bai'er will be fine." At the Xue residence, by the sickbed in the side room, the white-haired old man looked worriedly at Xue Wenzhong lying on the bed.

The speaker was Xue Quan, Xue Wenzhong's nephew.

The court's lifespan extension and blessings typically don't extend to the wives and children of ninth-rank officials. Theoretically, Xue Wenzhong could live to one hundred and fifty, but his wife and children didn't share that good fortune. His wife passed away at eighty-three, and his son and daughter-in-law died in their seventies.

So, currently, only his relatively close nephew, Xue Quan, was with Xue Wenzhong. Even this nephew was already over sixty.

Xue Wenzhong looked out the window, muttering to himself, "What a sin, what a sin."

His lips were slightly pale at the moment, which was indeed a symptom of illness, but the actual problem wasn't serious. The reason he was confined to bed was purely due to anger.

Yesterday, he received news from a servant that his grandson, Xue Bai, had gotten into trouble in the prefectural city and been arrested. The cause was that Xue Bai had been seeking pleasure in the prefectural city, got into an argument after drinking, and severely injured someone. Causing trouble in the city naturally led to his swift arrest. Xue Bai was currently held in the prefectural city's prison, awaiting judgment.

Setting aside the consequences of paying compensation and serving time, from the perspective of Xue Wenzhong, who was upright and proper, this was an utterly disgraceful affair. In his fury, Xue Wenzhong lost control of his internal vital energy fluctuations and fainted.

"Bai'er already knows he made a mistake," Xue Quan comforted him.

"Knows his mistake, knows his mistake?" Xue Wenzhong's gaze fell on his nephew. "How many times has this been?"

Remembering his nephew's past, Xue Quan was left speechless. Xue Wenzhong served at the Ministry of Agriculture and had an excellent reputation for his character. His son, a merchant, accumulated some wealth, which was also a positive. However, with his grandson's generation, perhaps because Xue Bai was the only descendant and excessively pampered, he had been a troublesome youth since childhood. Now, he had become a problematic young man.

Did he truly know his mistake? Xue Quan himself wasn't entirely convinced. Nevertheless, he still tried to persuade him: "After all, Xue Bai is your only bloodline. If you don't save him, will you just watch him be punished and imprisoned?"

Xue Wenzhong shook his head. "Before, he was just idle and squandered some money, but now he's injured someone and broken the law. Next time, will it be a capital offense? This matter should be handled as it should be. None of you are to go to the prefectural city to intervene."

"But he isn't even married yet. If something happens to him in prison, why not let my son, Ping'er, go in your stead..."

"His father doted on him too much, which led to this situation today. If I protect him this time, can I protect him for life? I can only ensure he receives a fair judgment. Since others couldn't discipline him, let the national law take care of him."

"But, Uncle..."

"Enough. I'm tired. You may leave now." Xue Wenzhong seemed to have made up his mind.

Xue Quan, feeling helpless, realized this wasn't a good time to press the matter. He could only bow and withdraw.

A sigh echoed in the side room. Xue Wenzhong recalled their conversation, his eyes filled with sorrow. He could indeed use his long-accumulated connections and family wealth to save his grandson, but would his grandson truly learn from his mistake? If he were to pass away in the future, who would be able to supervise him and preserve the Xue family's legacy?

***

"Zhao Xing, Minister Chen has summoned you to the Baihua Courtyard."

He was just about to leave the Huailiu Courtyard when he suddenly received this message. He wondered why the high-ranking official suddenly requested to see him. Could it be that his talent had been noticed by an influential figure?

Upon arriving, Zhao Xing realized he had overthought things. All the people from the 'A-list' were there. Chen Shijie had not only called him but also other junior officials who had previously been on the A-list. It wasn't just those from the last Minor Heat exam; everyone who had passed this year's preliminary exams was present. Still, there weren't many, fewer than fifty in total.

When he entered the main hall of the Baihua Garden, he noticed it was different from usual.

"What's going on? There are even people from the county office?"

"Is that Wang Long, the leader of the Martial Department?"

"And at least seven ranked martial artists. What's happening? Has someone in the Ministry of Agriculture committed a crime?"

"I don't know. Quiet down, Minister Chen is here."

Zhao Xing listened quietly.

Shortly after, Chen Shijie arrived, first quieting the crowd, then nodding to Wang Long. Wang Long stepped forward, cupped his hands, and addressed everyone: "Today, I've requested Minister Chen to gather you all because of strange occurrences in various parts of Nanyang Prefecture in recent months. A group of mysterious 'demonic individuals' has been specifically targeting officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Heavenly Works Workshop, and other departments, carrying out abductions."

"By order of the Prefectural Office, all county offices must strengthen their defenses and apprehend the culprits. While you are naturally safe within the city, it's best to travel in groups during the day if you leave. If you notice anyone following you or any suspicious individuals, please report it immediately."

"The Donghu Army and all departments of the Prefectural Gate have been deployed. We believe the culprits will be captured soon, so there's no need for excessive panic."

A stir went through the crowd. Were there really such audacious brigands still roaming around these days? They must have a death wish.

Zhao Xing was also surprised to hear this. How could the Profound Heaven Cult have such power at this time? They were even forcing the authorities to take such drastic measures.

After Wang Long finished speaking, Chen Shijie addressed them:

"Those on the A-list are all provisional agriculturists with considerable talent. If, by any chance, they come to Gucheng, you will be their targets."

"To be safe, I specially requested and procured a batch of precious items from the Transportation Department."

"I won't elaborate on their effects; these are items normally only used by official agriculturists, so they are merely loaned to you for self-defense."

"There's no need to be overly alarmed; they might not even be needed. This is just a precaution."

After he finished speaking, people began moving among the officials, distributing the precious items one by one. As for why they were only given to them, the reason was also stated: generally, only outstanding talents were abducted; mediocre individuals had no need to worry at all.

Soon, Zhao Xing also saw the distributed precious items. He was naturally familiar with the standard equipment of official agriculturists, but upon seeing them, he was slightly surprised. "Hmm? These two items? And the quality is quite good?"