Chapter 21: Harvest

Name: Zhao XingCultivation Level: UnrankedLuck: Derivation TwoQi Gathering: Second Tier (715/1000)Spells:Basic Cultivation (Max Level)Vigorous Growth (Beginner Level): First Revolution (1101/9999)Cloud Movement (Beginner Level): Seventh Revolution (7546/9999)Wind Stirring (Beginner Level): Fourth Revolution (4124/9999)Thunder Strike (Beginner Level): Fifth Revolution (5784/9999)Rain Cloud (Beginner Level): Third Revolution (3541/9999)Flora Militia: Third Revolution (3084/9999)Willow Legacy Compilation - Incomplete Scrolls (Four Types):Revival Strawman (Beginner Level): Third Revolution (3084/9999)Entangling Strawman (Beginner Level): First Revolution (1201/9999)Swift Strawman (Beginner Level): First Revolution (1501/9999)Thorned Strawman (Beginner Level): 475/9999Clear Sight Night Vision (Beginner Level): (322/9999)Five Elements Observation (Beginner Level): (88/9999)

Sub-Profession: Talisman CrafterSoul Soothing Talisman (Basic): (321/1000)Guidance Talisman (Basic): (525/1000)

Treasures:Calamity-Repelling Almanac (Third Tier, High Grade)Thousand-Mile Communication Token (Third Tier, High Grade)

Note: For beginner-level spells, every 1000 proficiency points constitute one "Revolution"; proficiency below 1000 points indicates the spell has just been mastered. The "Strawman" spells are part of the "Flora Militia" spell family, but their proficiencies are calculated independently. Qi Gathering and Talisman Crafting are not spells and are also calculated independently.

"There truly are riches within books! Although I didn't acquire any new spells, simply by studying these standard texts for one night, I gained so much proficiency?" Zhao Xing felt his absorption efficiency for the imperial standard spell manuals was incredibly high.

However, he was gradually getting used to this speed. His Cloud Movement spell had reached the seventh revolution, Thunder Strike the fifth, and none of his other spells lagged behind. "The subtle transformation from the Dao Embryo Pill has only just begun. While my cultivation speed is extraordinary, that's only in comparison to before. Currently, this speed is merely excellent within a single county, not astonishing. Only after a complete rebirth, when looking at a whole prefecture, will I be considered a genius."

After staying up all night, he felt more energized than ever. Washing his face, Zhao Xing stepped out, still in the dark. By the time he reached the Ministry of Agriculture, the sky had already begun to lighten.

"Brother Zhao, good morning."

"Oh, isn't that Zhao Yijia?"

"After the start of autumn, he might become Zhao Erjia instead."

"Hahaha."

Colleagues who saw Zhao Xing on the way all greeted him. Zhao Yijia? When did I get that nickname?

"I'll take your auspicious words to heart," Zhao Xing replied, not taking it too seriously. He cupped his hands in return and openly accepted the nickname.

Just past the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), hundreds of people had already arrived at the Ministry of Agriculture. During Emperor Wen's reign, local officials were required to report for duty at five minutes past the hour of Chen (8:15 AM). In winter, this was delayed to two minutes past the hour of Si (9:30 AM). Emperor Wen's leniency extended not only to the common people but also equally to officials.

However, Emperor Jing, who was a workaholic, led by example, significantly moving up the officials' reporting times. During summer, the reporting time started at one minute past the hour of Mao (5:15 AM), and in winter, at four minutes past the hour of Mao (6:00 AM). Emperor Wen's era didn't require clocking in, but Emperor Jing demanded "Mao hour attendance" for record. This meant that clerks who hadn't acquired the "Clear Sight Night Vision" ability even needed to carry lanterns to work.

"It seems many aspire to become officials this year, probably preparing for the minor autumn examination in a few days," Zhao Xing observed. Everywhere he looked, there were junior clerks carrying lanterns and books, even while eating. In times of peace, taxes weren't high, so no one, unless lazy, would be unable to afford breakfast. These clerks were all striving for their careers.

Everyone ate quickly, wolfing down their food before immediately starting work. Zhao Xing, who had planned to rest after finishing his meal, felt a pang of guilt at the sight. "Damn it, who can't compete?" Zhao Xing thought. "In my previous life, I had the stamina to pull all-nighters for a week straight without batting an eye." Zhao Xing quickly finished his meal as well and headed to the Sophora Willow Courtyard.

Xue Wenzhong had numerous junior clerks under him, so the miscellaneous tasks assigned were few, but not non-existent. Since the beginning of summer, there had been a key task: cooperating with the Heavenly Crafts Workshop to repair and monitor the "Thirteen Canals of Tranquil Lake." As summer and autumn often brought floods, Gucheng, located in the middle and lower reaches of the Canglan River, was frequently damaged by natural disasters.

Towards the end of Emperor Taizu's reign, the Minister of Agriculture, Cao Xi, constructed the Thirteen Canals of Tranquil Lake, connecting a tributary of the Canglan River to East Lake. He also installed Spirit-Returning Watermills, which, through years of accumulating vital energy, caused the mountains beside East Lake to grow taller and taller. From then on, East Lake Mountain became a place of spiritual beauty.

"The Ministry of Agriculture plans to install four new Spirit-Returning Watermills at East Lake. Our Sophora Willow Courtyard is responsible for planning the location of the one at Sishui Bay. The three ordered by the Heavenly Crafts Workshop have already arrived, so why is ours the only one still missing?" He arrived at Xue Wenzhong's office to find him dealing with matters.

The clerk who was responding to him, seemingly over forty and the oldest in the Sophora Willow Courtyard, Ding Shan, said: "Elder Xue, the Heavenly Crafts Workshop replied that the county hasn't dispatched the materials, and they lack manpower, requiring a delay in the construction period."

"Another delay?" Xue Wenzhong snorted. "Why are there so many excuses when it comes to my matters? Do they think I'm made of mud, with no temper at all?"

Sensing that Xue Wenzhong was behaving quite differently than usual, Ding Shan even changed his address: "Sir, shall I press them again?"

Xue Wenzhong tossed a memorial scroll aside. "No need to press them further. I've written three petitions. Deliver one each to Lord Chen Shijie, Lord Li Wenzheng of the county yamen, and submit one to Supervising Censor Ji of Nanyang Prefecture. If my urging does nothing to Gongsun Jin, then let these three lords urge him!"

The old Minister of Agriculture seemed to have become much tougher after his recovery. Ding Shan's heart trembled at his words, and he quickly nodded in assent, immediately beginning to add seals and stamps.

After Xue Wenzhong finished, he saw Zhao Xing waiting outside the door. His face immediately cleared, and he smiled, waving him in: "Zhao Xing, come in."

"Teacher, I'm here to report for duty. Is there anything I can do to assist you?" Zhao Xing asked.

Xue Wenzhong stroked his beard and chuckled, "With two hundred people in the Sophora Willow Courtyard, why would I need you to do anything? Just focus on preparing for your examination."

Ding Shan glanced at Zhao Xing in surprise. Seeing Xue Wenzhong pause, he tactfully excused himself. After stepping out, Ding Shan was utterly astonished to see Xue Wenzhong allow Zhao Xing to sit in his own chair; his jaw nearly dropped. How could the always impartial old Minister of Agriculture show such favoritism towards someone? Could this change also be related to him?

Zhao Xing, however, didn't notice the change in attitude. He merely assumed things were different after becoming a disciple. Since the old Minister of Agriculture hadn't assigned him any miscellaneous tasks, he could save time for cultivation.

After reporting, he immediately went to the backyard to practice his spells. After his Basic Cultivation spell advanced, he gained the beginner-level spell Vigorous Growth. However, he had practiced it rarely recently, only reaching the first revolution. The old Minister of Agriculture had hinted that the autumn exam would focus on cultivation-related topics, so he needed to quickly practice it.

"Huh? How did a new patch of seedlings appear in this backyard vegetable garden?" Zhao Xing was looking for something to practice on when a corner of the garden caught his eye.