Chapter 5: Diligent Emperor

The difference between a luck level of ‘Derivation One’ and ‘Derivation Two’ is immense. Derivation Two luck already surpasses that of ninety percent of ordinary people.

Take spells, for example: when Zhao Xing casts "Flowing Cloud," only two or three out of a hundred attempts might receive a luck bonus, increasing the spell's effect by twenty to thirty percent. Players call this a ‘minor spell success.’

Out of a thousand attempts, there might be one ‘doubling effect,’ which players refer to as a ‘major spell success.’

However, with Derivation Two luck, two or three 'minor success' effects could be triggered in just 10 spell casts, and a 'major success' could occur in 100 casts.

These are just the benefits related to 'spellcasting.' There are also advantages like finding treasures when leaving home, meeting a hidden master when seeking a teacher, or never failing when fishing.

This influence is even more pronounced in the 'Luck Dynasty' version.

"But why is this happening? I clearly remember the Dao Embryo Elixir didn't have this effect... hmm?"

Zhao Xing suddenly had a flash of insight, thinking of a possible explanation.

"The Great Dream Academy at this time is different from the later 'Cloud Dream Academy.' The former possesses abundant treasures, while the latter is more of a mere tool."

"Could it be that by entering the Great Dream Academy, I indirectly gained some of the ancient dynasty 'Great Li's' luck?"

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Zhao Xing began to recall the related plot of this ancient dynasty, evaluating whether this outcome was good or bad.

The final answer was that the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

"The Li Dynasty era is far removed from the Great Zhou. It was only during a certain period of the諸侯之亂 (Warring States period) that forces claiming to be remnants of the Li Dynasty acted under its banner, but ultimately caused no significant stir, let alone in the present era."

"The growth of luck is intangible, formless, and leaves no trace. From Derivation One to Derivation Two, it won't attract any attention at all."

"If it continues to strengthen, there’s no need to rush. By then, I will have already entered the Great Zhou governmental system. If a high-ranking official were to notice it later, at worst, I could simply hand over the method of entering the Great Dream Academy to the state, making a one-time deal."

Zhao Xing remembered that the person who discovered the method to open the Great Dream Academy was not 'specially dealt with.' On the contrary, after presenting the method to Emperor Wu, he was granted the title of Marquis Xian and rewarded with a prefecture.

Therefore, whether the increase in luck is discovered is merely a matter of how much profit is made, not a matter of safety.

"However, I still need to enter the system as soon as possible."

Having figured everything out, Zhao Xing felt relieved.

"Cock-a-doodle-doo~"

Just then, a rooster crowed outside. He quickly washed up and hurried out.

...............

The Grain City Supervisor of Agriculture currently has over five hundred staff members.

However, the Nanyang Prefecture allocates only three to five positions to Grain City each year.

Most low-ranking agricultural scribes who lack talent or background can only endure, waiting for more outstanding competitors to be promoted and move on.

The Supervisor of Agriculture is relatively good; the promotion channels in the military, engineering, legal, cultural, and ceremonial systems are even more competitive.

In essence, it's easier for agricultural officials to switch professions than for warriors, artificers, or physicians.

This year, the Supervisor of Agriculture has many 'experts,' such as Li Chengfeng and Wen Nanxing, who are already nearing the third stage of Core Gathering.

They can not only perform basic spells like Flowing Cloud, summoning rain, lightning, and wind, but have also begun studying advanced versions.

Examples include ‘Favorable Weather’ and ‘Summoning Wind and Rain.’

They can even enter temples to study advanced secret texts like the 'Solar Terms Edict' and 'Growth of All Things Scroll,' which would allow them to learn destructive spells.

Both their 'merit' and 'technique' surpass those of other junior scribes.

To surpass these competitors, Zhao Xing must quicken his pace.

"Now that I'm at Core Gathering Stage Two, my vital energy is sufficient to support more spellcasting, so it's time to learn new spells."

The Grain City Supervisor of Agriculture is located in the east of the city, but Zhao Xing is heading north because to learn spells, one must first apply for approval at the county yamen, get permission, register it, and then seek the spell at a temple.

After obtaining the spell, one must return to the county yamen for re-registration, as there might be a random, extra number of spells obtained during the process of seeking spells at the temple.

After completing these steps, he would return to the Supervisor of Agriculture to seek guidance and cultivate. The official staff of the Supervisor of Agriculture serve as both superiors and teachers to junior scribes like him.

As for whether they are willing to teach, and how much effort they put into teaching, that depends on whether he can find the right person.

...........

Zhao Xing entered the county yamen office to begin the process and received an enthusiastic welcome from the attendant scribe on duty.

"My name is Pang Fei. There's iced tea prepared inside. Brother Zhao, please come into the side hall and rest for a moment."

Looking at the young, enthusiastic face, Zhao Xing was a little surprised: "Brother Pang, you are too kind. How long will the official document take to be approved?"

He was there to get things done, not to drink tea.

"With the official seal, it will take no more than an hour at most; if quick, half an hour will suffice."

So fast? How did the county yamen's efficiency become so high?

He thought Pang Fei was an exception, but he didn't expect that while drinking tea in the side hall, all the other junior scribes he saw were exactly the same!

After thinking for a long time, Zhao Xing suddenly realized.

This matter started with Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing was an ambitious man. He named his reign 'Jingxin' (New Scenery) because he wanted to create a new era and surpass the virtuous reputation of his ancestors.

His father, Emperor Wen, was known for 'loving his people like his own children, being humble, benevolent, and gentle,' but Emperor Jing himself had a fiery temper and couldn't achieve that. To surpass his father, he had to work hard in other areas.

Thus, this emperor began to lead by example, encouraging internal competition.

The Great Zhou Edict stipulated that minor matters should be handled within five days, moderate matters within seven days, and major matters within ten days.

Under his demands, all county and prefecture-level agencies were required to sign documents and handle government affairs with 'daily progress' and 'absolutely no delays.'

As those above set the example, a wave of internal competition swept across the nineteen provinces.

Emperor Jing thus earned a nickname among players: 'The Diligent Emperor.'

Why was government efficiency so high? With the emperor leading the way, who would dare to slack off? The temple in the city wasn't built for nothing; it could be used on a large scale to monitor illegal activities within the city, and on a smaller scale, to investigate official negligence or corruption!

Why was Pang Fei's attitude so good? Because he was also a junior scribe, just like himself, and he also wanted to become a full official! If he didn't compete with his colleagues, when would he ever reach his goal?

"Establishing temples to monitor officials and spreading myriad laws to enlighten the common people—this era is truly safe, unlike the later chaos where even farming was not peaceful..." As a player specializing in agriculture, Zhao Xing was very satisfied with the current environment; it was an excellent period for development!

As soon as he finished one cup of tea, another enthusiastic junior scribe came over to refill it.

After this happened three times, Pang Fei came jogging over with an official document.

"Brother Zhao, your application has been approved. I apologize for the wait."

"Thank you," Zhao Xing said with genuine gratitude, noticing the slight beads of sweat on Pang Fei's forehead.