Chapter 35: List

The official quota Chen Shijie promised Zhao Xing will be allocated next month, with payments beginning from the White Dew solar term.

The official stipend is tiered. For the first month, Zhao Xing will receive the "middle-rank official stipend." However, if he achieves a "top-tier" rating again next month, Chen Shijie can apply to promote him to a "high-rank official."

A middle-rank official receives five taels of silver monthly, while a high-rank official receives ten taels.

How long this continues depends on Zhao Xing's performance.

Of course, if Zhao Xing officially becomes an officer next year, this particular reward will cease. At that point, if he performs exceptionally well, he will be eligible for different awards.

Five or ten taels of silver per month, by Emperor Jing's era prices, was already a substantial reward for an official.

It's worth noting that when those beaten by Young Master Zong heard about receiving thirty taels of silver per punch, they immediately chose "being beaten in the street" over "reporting it to the authorities."

An ordinary person enduring eighteen punches from him would instantly become wealthy, causing many to later beg Young Master Zong for a beating.

However, for those aspiring to cultivate and advance their careers, these resources are not considered ample; at this stage, they are merely sufficient.

The official reward from Chen Shijie was merely a formality, but his personal financial support was truly generous.

"I will give you fifteen Heaven-Origin Pears every month," Chen Shijie said, pointing to a small tree in the seedling area. "If you achieve a top-tier rating again, I will give you that Heaven-Origin Pear tree itself. Should it survive, it can also provide resources for your future cultivation."

Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised; Chen Shijie was truly willing to invest so much. Heaven-Origin Pear trees are third-tier quality, and even young trees are valuable. A mature tree, if successfully cultivated, would undoubtedly be a significant source of wealth.

Despite his desire for it, he still feigned humility, saying, "Zhao Xing feels unworthy of such a generous reward."

Chen Shijie, however, dismissed his concerns. "I have considerable wealth," he said, "and in my three years in Nanyang Commandery, I've cultivated an entire pear orchard. Giving you a single young tree is a small matter. Please accept it. Perhaps one day, you and I will work together towards a common goal."

Xue Wenzhong was visibly moved; this was clearly beyond his expectations.

Even more surprising was Chen Shijie's demeanor. It was not how one typically treats a junior; rather, it was evident he regarded Zhao Xing as an equal, a kindred spirit with whom he could potentially work alongside.

Xue Wenzhong mused to himself, "This Lord Chen is indeed an anomaly; he is truly inscrutable."

Nevertheless, this was a positive development. Although a young Heaven-Origin Pear tree was slightly less valuable than the cultivation paintings, its long-term sustainability was its strength. In time, its value would inevitably surpass that of the paintings.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing no longer demurred and accepted directly, saying, "Then, thank you, Lord Chen."

Chen Shijie departed with a smile. Had he not feared Zhao Xing would face envy, he would have presented him with a mature pear tree.

He possessed significant family wealth and had gained much from his military service, so a single Heaven-Origin Pear tree was of little consequence to him.

In his three years in Nanyang Commandery, he had found all his colleagues to be mediocre, none of them to his liking. Zhao Xing's performance, however, had precisely met his expectations.

Furthermore, Chen Shijie's mention of working together was not an idle remark.

He genuinely believed this, thinking, "I won't remain in Nanyang Commandery for long. The general will eventually reinstate me. When I return to the military, perhaps I can include him on my list of trusted personnel."

***

Following the Beginning of Autumn assessment, the results were publicly announced, revealing that only fifteen individuals achieved a top-tier rating.

This was half the number from the previous assessment.

The assessments were becoming increasingly rigorous, serving as a filter for the final list of candidates to be reported.

As Zhao Xing exited the Hundred Herb Garden, he was immediately surrounded by a crowd.

"Zhao Xing is out!"

"Brother Zhao, congratulations!"

"Congratulations, Zhao, for your second top-tier achievement!"

"Next year, when new officials are appointed, Big Brother Zhao's name will certainly be on the list!" Qian Dong congratulated with a grin.

Seeing this, Zhao Xing playfully grabbed Qian Dong's head and laughed, "Then why are you still calling me 'Big Brother Zhao'? You should be calling me 'Lord Zhao'!"

"Oh dear, my mistake! I apologize to Lord Zhao immediately."

"Hahaha." Everyone burst into laughter.

Not far away, Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang stood together, their brows imperceptibly furrowed.

While some also congratulated them, their popularity this time was significantly lower.

"Hmph, that fellow certainly knows how to draw attention," Zong Shichang grumbled, looking across with a stiff tone. Despite being beaten by Zhao Xing, he couldn't truly hate him. It was merely a matter of pride; otherwise, Young Master Zong would have liked to join the lively crowd.

"Let's go, Brother Zong, let's get a drink," Li Chengfeng said, taking a long look at Zhao Xing before calling his friends and departing.

Compared to Li Chengfeng, Zhao Xing gave off a more approachable and down-to-earth vibe.

Although Li Chengfeng was known as a gentleman, he always carried a subtle, almost imperceptible air of aloofness, which sensitive individuals could sense.

Of course, this was secondary; Zhao Xing's popularity was mainly due to his rating.

This time, only three individuals achieved the top-tier rating: Li Chengfeng, Zong Shichang, and Zhao Xing.

Xiao Ze and Wen Nanxing, who had consistently performed well, only managed a middle-tier rating.

After the assessment, Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze secluded themselves for three days. Upon reappearing, they acted normally but never mentioned being sabotaged. When asked, they simply attributed their performance to an off day.

Did they know who had sabotaged them? Of course, they had found out!

"I was unknowingly drained of my vital energy, and I didn't even realize it for four days and three nights?" After learning this, Wen Nanxing locked himself away and drank heavily.

Xiao Ze, sitting opposite him, was also drinking heavily, his face burning with shame as he recalled Chen Shijie's assessment.

"Insufficient vigilance, insufficient vigilance..." These words echoed repeatedly in his mind.

Xiao Ze recalled his teacher's disappointed gaze, took a large gulp of wine, and then slammed his cup onto the table with a loud crack.

"What a feat for Zhao, the second top-scorer! If there's an opportunity in the next assessment, I will certainly retaliate!"

"Brother Xiao, please keep your voice down!" Wen Nanxing said, replacing his cup. "Just keep that thought to yourself for now."

Their dignity prevented them from voicing their intentions aloud. Instead, they silently placed Zhao Xing at the top of their list of rivals, vowing to reclaim their honor from him at the next available opportunity.

***

"Guardian Eagle, the results of the Gu City Beginning of Autumn assessment have been publicly announced. This individual has achieved a top-tier rating twice consecutively, and it's even rumored he defeated Young Master Zong in a sparring match. Should we include this Zhao family descendant in our capture list?"

In an unassuming residence in Sanwan Town, east of Gu County, three individuals were gathered around a table, eating.

An elderly person, a man, and a woman sat together, appearing to be a family of three.

However, their true identities were a Guardian and two Hall Masters of the Xuantian Sect.

The elder, known as 'Guardian Eagle,' had kind eyes and brows, a full head of white hair, and an appearance that suggested he was nearing the end of his life.

The middle-aged man, the 'Sanwan Hall Master,' had an ordinary appearance with prominent cheekbones. The woman, his deputy, wore a headscarf, had sallow skin, and a thick build, utterly unremarkable, even somewhat plain.

The Sanwan Hall Master was speaking, his hand pointing at Zhao Xing's name on a public list from the Ministry of Agriculture spread across the table.

Guardian Eagle opened his eyes, his gaze shifting from hazy to clear. "Oh? Two consecutive top-tier ratings, and he even managed to defeat Young Master Zong? Is this a sudden breakthrough or the result of long-term accumulation? Show me his detailed information before we decide whether to add him to the list."