Of the four seasons and eight festivals, the eight solar terms that are mandatory for examination are: Beginning of Spring, Spring Equinox, Beginning of Summer, Summer Solstice, Beginning of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Beginning of Winter, and Winter Solstice.
Depending on the situation of each county and prefecture, at least twelve solar terms are tested, and in the most rigorous upper-grade counties or prefectures, all twenty-four solar terms are tested.
The three stages for official promotion—'Jurisdiction Harvest,' 'Moral Conduct Evaluation,' and 'Ability Evaluation'—are combined into one, collectively known as the 'Winter Assessment.'
After that, one undergoes another 'Temple Examination.' Passing it allows one to 'Enter Officialdom' and join the Luck Dynasty system.
The 'Ability Evaluation' within the Winter Assessment, which is the examination based on the twenty-four solar terms, accounts for a relatively large proportion.
If one fails this stage and is not recommended, one cannot even participate in the Temple Examination.
Clerks aspiring to be promoted generally do not miss any Ability Evaluation.
Xue Wenjong's first lecture upon returning to Huailiu Academy attracted a large number of clerks who came to visit.
“Elder Xue, are you well?”
The old Minister of Agriculture smiled and said, “I am fine now.”
“Teacher, I have a century-old Rehmannia glutinosa here. Please accept it.”
“Your kindness is appreciated, but take it back.”
“Elder Xue…”
Not only clerks under Xue Wenjong, but also clerks from other academies came to visit.
It wasn't out of kindness, but to attend his lecture.
Because the last two Minor Heat assessments were given by Chen Shijie, this time and the next, it would be Xue Wenjong’s turn for Beginning of Autumn.
“Minister Xue, for the Beginning of Autumn assessment, you won’t be like Lord Chen and set tricky questions to make things difficult for us, will you? If there’s another ‘Grain-Eating Bird Disaster,’ I’m afraid no one in Guxian will pass this year.”
“Exactly, how could there be cuckoos in our south?”
A bold clerk asked this, drawing a burst of laughter.
With other Ministers of Agriculture, clerks would hardly dare to joke like this, but Xue Wenjong was known as a kind old man with a gentle personality, and the atmosphere of his lectures was quite good, so clerks dared to joke boldly.
The old Minister of Agriculture said, “You all want to know what will be tested for Beginning of Autumn?”
“Yes, old Minister of Agriculture, could you tell us?” Everyone craned their necks and pricked up their ears.
Xue Wenjong smiled slightly: “You will naturally know on the day of Beginning of Autumn.”
“Oh…”
Another burst of laughter erupted below.
Although it was a meaningless answer, Zhao Xing liked this atmosphere. He had also attended lectures in other academies, which were either rigid and serious or profound and difficult to understand, taught only for the few who could grasp the highest level, which was very unfriendly.
Seeing that Xue Wenjong looked rosy, seemingly unaffected by his recent illness, he felt much relieved, though a trace of lingering sorrow remained between his brows, as if he had something on his mind.
After the lecture in the front courtyard, Zhao Xing, as usual, went to the back courtyard for extra practice.
Xue Wenjong saw him still carrying something and immediately looked displeased: “Why are you also learning to give gifts?”
Zhao Xing placed the three tied ducks into the poultry coop in the back courtyard: “This is not a gift, Teacher. Have you forgotten? When I was practicing the Revival Scarecrow Spell before, I chased one of your ducks away. I’ve brought it back for you.”
Xue Wenjong pointed and said, “Then why are there three?”
Zhao Xing said seriously: “Naturally, this duck wandered out for a few days, found a companion, and then gave birth to another. Your student is kind-hearted and couldn’t bear to separate the family, so after asking for the ducks’ opinions, I brought them all back together.”
Xue Wenjong heard his serious nonsense and couldn't help but be amused, laughing and scolding: “Nonsense!”
This laugh was an implicit approval. He could tell that Zhao Xing was trying to cheer him up. It wasn't the kind of flattery between superior and subordinate, but the concern between teacher and student.
Zhao Xing could also feel that after Xue Wenjong’s return this time, his attitude had undergone some change.
Whether it was casual conversation or teaching, the feeling he got was that the teacher's identity outweighed the superior's identity.
This was a good sign. As for what exactly happened before, if the old Minister of Agriculture didn't say, he wouldn't press, so as not to touch on a painful subject.
“Beginning of Autumn, the start of autumn. Although it is still scorching hot, Yang Qi gradually recedes and Yin Qi gradually grows. It is the turning point from a peak of Yang to a gradual shift to a peak of Yin. Crops transition from vigorous growth to maturation.”
“Rainfall and climate will also begin to turn downwards, and crops will be affected by this.”
“The Four Books of Agriculture once said: ‘Autumn is when Yin Qi begins to descend, hence all things are harvested.’”
Just as the practice was about to end, the old Minister of Agriculture suddenly uttered this passage.
Zhao Xing was momentarily stunned, then nodded and bid farewell.
On his way home, he pondered the old Minister of Agriculture’s words.
“Xue Wenjong mentioned crop maturation three times. It seems the Beginning of Autumn assessment is related to cultivating plants.”
“It looks like I need to practice cultivation Spells more in the coming days.”
By the time he returned home, dinner was long over. Zhao Ruide was nowhere to be seen. Madam Cai, seeing this 'food-devouring ghost' return, naturally showed no pleasant expression and went straight inside.
Zhao Xing didn't mind and went to the kitchen to find something to eat. Zhao Zheng, however, ran out of his mother's room again, eagerly helping his elder brother serve rice and dishes.
“Big Brother, I practiced martial arts today for two hours! Father even praised me!” Zhao Zheng looked at Zhao Xing expectantly.
“Good, keep up the hard work.” Zhao Xing gave a perfunctory reply and started eating.
After a few bites, he noticed the taste was off: “Why doesn’t this food taste as good as last night’s?”
Zhao Zheng said, “How could that be, Big Brother? This is exactly last night’s.”
Zhao Xing: “…”
Zhao Zheng continued, “Mother said you’re a 'food-devouring ghost,' Big Brother, that you can eat anything and have a huge appetite, so she saved some for you… She never praised me like that.”
“…”
Alright, alright, thank your mother for me.
Zhao Xing sniffed it. It hadn't even gone bad in the hot weather, it just tasted a bit off. So, he ignored it, closed his eyes, and wolfed it down.
“Big Brother, what’s a 'food-devouring ghost'? Have you ever seen a ghost? I heard that people who can use Spells can see ghosts and even summon gods, just like those officiants at the temples.”
Zhao Zheng chirped like a 'Ten Thousand Whys,' constantly asking questions.
“You’ll understand when you grow up. Alright, clean up these bowls and chopsticks and go play.”
“Oh…”
After sending off his half-brother, Zhao Xing returned to his room to draw talismans. The Guiding Talisman and Soul-Soothing Talisman had improved significantly in proficiency over the past month, but there was still no movement from the Great Dream Academy.
“It seems I need to make significant progress to gain benefits from it.” Although he once again returned empty-handed from a treasure mountain, Zhao Xing wasn't anxious. He still had a few hundred years to explore.
Recalling the old Minister of Agriculture’s reminder from earlier in the day, Zhao Xing pulled three books from the cabinet.
“‘The Classic of Materia Medica,’ ‘The Grand View of Trees,’ and ‘The Compendium of All Things’—these are all books for identifying plants. The Beginning of Autumn assessment might require them, so I should review them.”
“The imperial court’s transmitted Dao, within various classics, all contain miraculous effects. Although not as strong as the temple’s effects, one can still comprehend Spells from them.”
“I hope to gain a few useful passive Spells.”
Lighting the oil lamp, Zhao Xing began to peruse them carefully.