Chapter 47: Zhao Sanjia, Tianyuan Pear Tree

"I actually got an Yi Xia? My hard work finally paid off." Chen Ziyu was thrilled. Even though it was only an Yi Xia, it was still an Yi ranking! Any progress is good news. Last time, he was only a Bing Zhong!

"Just one Yi Xia, and you're this excited?" Qian Dong couldn't understand why his good friend was so happy.

"If I can consistently achieve Yi this year, then I might just get Jia next year. One step at a time, gradually, and success will come eventually."

Qian Dong paused, then nodded. "You're right. Not everyone can make rapid progress like Big Brother."

Chen Ziyu clenched his fists. "My brother also built up his foundation over time. Before he got into the top three Jia ranks, he didn't get many Yi grades either. We'll accumulate slowly. If not this year, then next; if not next, then the year after... There will always be a chance!"

The two chatted as they walked, leaving with smiles and laughter.

Listening to the discussions around him, Li Chengfeng couldn't help but frown deeply.

Others were delighted to get an Yi Xia, but he, despite getting a Jia Zhong, couldn't feel happy.

Because someone else was more outstanding than him.

People like Ding Shan and Liang Bai were simply not on his level, and even if they got Jia Shang, it didn't matter, as they couldn't become officials anyway.

But Zhao Xing, on the other hand, had potential.

"Zhao Xing, Zhao Xing... Now everyone is talking about him." Li Chengfeng felt a surge of irritation. That name kept appearing in his ears, to the point where his ears felt calloused.

Normally, he was the focus of their discussions, the center of attention, but now, things were slowly changing.

"Brother Li, have you seen it?" Zong Shichang ran up to Li Chengfeng at that moment.

"Seen what?" Li Chengfeng replied distractedly.

"Zhao Sanjia's exam paper," Zong Shichang said. "Section Chief Chen ordered his paper to be transcribed and circulated for everyone to study, saying his answers were concise and powerful, getting straight to the point, and would be useful not only for future temple exams but also for other examinations."

"And you know what? I looked at it, and he's truly skilled. It's no wonder he got Jia Shang."

Li Chengfeng looked at the effusive Zong Shichang, his heart a mix of emotions. How could even Brother Zong praise him so much?

"Brother Zong, I have something to attend to. I'll be leaving now..."

"Huh? Where are you going, Brother Li?"

Zong Shichang called out a few times, but Li Chengfeng didn't respond, which made him feel a bit strange.

What's wrong with Brother Li?

In the County Yamen's main hall, Li Wenzheng was handling official business. At that moment, a junior official ran over and presented the assessment results from the Directorate of Agriculture.

"County Magistrate, the results for the Directorate of Agriculture's White Dew assessment are out."

"Oh? How many achieved Jia Shang? Are any of them your father's top students?" Li Wenzheng asked casually.

"There are three who achieved Jia Shang: Zhao Xing, Ding Shan, and Liang Bai. They are not under my father's command. The first two are under Master Xue Wenzhong, and the last is under Master Tang Wanchun."

The junior official was named Pang Fei, who had previously submitted approval documents to Zhao Xing. He also held another identity: he was the son of Pang Yuan, an agricultural official of the Ninth Rank.

Li Wenzheng mused, "Hmm, Zhao Xing... that name seems familiar. If I'm not mistaken, this is his third time getting Jia Shang?"

"Yes," Pang Fei nodded. "Last month, Section Chief Chen also applied for a tribute student quota for him, which you personally stamped."

"Oh, I see," Li Wenzheng realized. "The winter assessment is in about ten days. Are there any newly promoted talents from the Heavenly Engineering Workshop or the Weaving Directorate?"

There was no need to ask about the Divine Temple or the County Yamen's civil and military offices, as they were directly under Li Wenzheng's watchful eye.

"Yes. From the Weaving Directorate, there's a weaver who created a Heluo Dharmic Robe and received Jia Shang in the recent assessment. From the Heavenly Engineering Workshop, there's an official named Han Bi, who unraveled the 'Twelve-Lock Chain' magical mechanism left by Master Gongsun Jin. Both of them have achieved Jia rank twice in a row, and both received Jia Shang last time."

"How old are they?" Li Wenzheng asked.

"Lin Baiwei is sixteen, and Han Bi is eighteen. Both are registered residents of Gucheng." Pang Fei paused, then added, "Both come from rather poor families."

Li Wenzheng nodded with satisfaction. He found Pang Fei, this junior official, quite useful. He only had to ask a little, and Pang Fei would automatically provide all the information he wanted.

"Since Zhao Xing just received a tribute student status, it wouldn't be appropriate to provide him with more financial aid. As for Lin Baiwei and Han Bi, go verify their family situations personally. If they are indeed poor, draw twenty taels of silver from my wife and send it to them," Li Wenzheng said. "Consider it a contribution to Gucheng as well."

"Your benevolence, County Magistrate, is greatly appreciated. Your subordinate will surely convey your kind intentions."

East of Gucheng County, in Sanwan Town.

The two hall masters of Sanwan Hall also welcomed the arrival of the Hunter Hawk Guardian.

"Greetings, Guardian." Both a man and a woman bowed.

The old man patted the dust from his clothes, looking travel-worn. He had indeed just arrived after a journey.

He was not only watching Gucheng but also the other counties in Nanyang Commandery.

"Are there any new developments?" the Hunter Hawk asked.

"Reporting, Guardian," one said. "Lin Baiwei from the Weaving Directorate created a Heluo Dharmic Robe and received Jia Shang in the recent assessment. Han Bi from the Heavenly Engineering Workshop unraveled the 'Twelve-Lock Chain' mechanism, also achieving Jia Shang. Zhao Xing from the Directorate of Agriculture also got Jia Shang, but your subordinates don't understand his answers and aren't sure how he was graded."

As the saying goes, "Different fields are like different mountains"; the two hall masters simply couldn't understand Zhao Xing's paper, nor could they tell where his excellence lay.

"Add Lin Baiwei and Han Bi to the capture list," the old man mused. "As for Zhao Xing... was his paper transcribed?"

"Yes."

The old man took it and glanced at it. After he finished reading, the paper suddenly burst into flames, quickly turning into a pile of ashes.

The Hunter Hawk Guardian rubbed the ashes between two fingers, then blew them away lightly. "Rank Zhao Xing fifth on the list."

"Additionally, gather information on this person. You can use a few believers to make contact with him and ascertain his daily habits and personality."

"Remember, do not act without authorization, and especially do not act within the city. Simply make accidental contact."

"Donghu Mountain is about to open for autumn cultivation. The authorities are currently on high alert. Even the slightest clue could be detected. Do not be eager for quick merits. Otherwise, if you ruin important matters, ten thousand deaths won't absolve you of blame."

The two hall masters' expressions tightened, and they nodded heavily. "Yes, Guardian."

West of the city, at the Chen Manor, in a pear orchard.

"This Yuan Heaven Pear tree is in its sixth year of growth. I put a lot of effort into transplanting it into a pot. You'll need to be careful when you plant it back home."

Before Section Chief Chen was a small, man-height tree, the very Yuan Heaven Pear tree he had promised to Zhao Xing.

The Yuan Heaven Pear tree matures in ten years. It takes one year to flower and another to bear fruit. At six years, it is still considered a sapling. Only after its seventh year does it enter its growth phase.

Zhao Xing examined it using the Five Elements Observation technique. The sapling was already six years and ten months old. Section Chief Chen had provided a great convenience within the scope of his promise; he hadn't given him a two or three-year-old tree to brush him off.

"As the saying goes, 'People thrive when moved, trees die when moved.' Old Chen likely put a lot of thought into transplanting this pear tree. His character is truly excellent." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you."

Activating a wind-raising spell, Zhao Xing lifted the Yuan Heaven Pear tree and headed home.