Name: Zhao Xing
Realm: Unranked
Luck: Yan Er
Gathering Origin Qi: Second Stage (715/1000)
Spells: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)
Vigorous Growth (Initial Stage): First Revolution (1101/9999)
Flowing Clouds (Initial Stage): Seventh Revolution (7546/9999)
Rising Wind (Initial Stage): Fourth Revolution (4124/9999)
Thunderclap (Initial Stage): Fifth Revolution (5784/9999)
Rainfall (Initial Stage): Third Revolution (3541/9999)
Plants as Soldiers: Third Revolution (3084/9999)
Liu Chuan's Weaving Method - Incomplete (Four Types)
Reviving Straw Man (Initial Stage): Third Revolution (3084/9999)
Entangling Straw Man (Initial Stage): First Revolution (1201/9999)
Swift Straw Man (Initial Stage): First Revolution (1501/9999)
Thorn Straw Man (Initial Stage): 475/9999
Keen Sight, Night Vision (Initial Stage): (322/9999)
Five Elements Observation (Initial Stage): (88/9999)
Sub-profession: Talisman Maker
Soul Calming Talisman (Basic): (321/1000)
Guiding Talisman (Basic): (525/1000)
Treasures: Ominous Repelling Almanac (High Grade Third Stage)
Thousand-Mile Transmission Token (High Grade Third Stage)
Note: For Initial Stage Spells, every thousand points of proficiency is one revolution; below a thousand points means just mastered. Straw men are counted under the Plants as Soldiers Spell, but the proficiency of both Spells is calculated independently. Gathering Origin Qi and Talisman Making are not Spells and are also calculated independently.
“Books truly hold golden houses within them. Although I didn't gain any new Spells, just by reading these official texts last night, I actually increased my proficiency so much?”
Zhao Xing felt that his absorption efficiency for the imperial legal texts was overly exaggerated.
However, he gradually got used to this speed. His Flowing Clouds Spell had reached the seventh revolution, Thunderclap Spell the fifth, and his other Spells hadn't fallen behind either.
“The subtle transformation from the Dao Embryo Pill has just begun. Although my Cultivation speed is exaggerated, that's only compared to before. Currently, this speed is merely excellent in a single county, not astonishing. When I'm completely reborn in the future, looking across an entire prefecture, I'll be considered a Genius.”
He stayed up all night, yet felt more energetic the longer he stayed awake.
After washing his face, Zhao Xing left his door in the dark.
By the time he reached the Department of Agriculture, the sky was already faintly bright.
“Brother Zhao, morning.”
“Oh, isn't that Zhao Yijia?”
“After the Autumn Equinox, he might be Zhao Erjia.”
“Hahaha.”
Colleagues who saw Zhao Xing on the road greeted him one after another.
Zhao Yijia? When did I get this nickname?
“May your auspicious words come true.” Zhao Xing didn't take it to heart, cupped his hands in return, and openly accepted the nickname.
It was just past the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), and over a hundred people had already arrived at the Department of Agriculture.
During Emperor Wen's reign, local officials were required to start work at five quarters past Chen (8:15 AM). In winter, it was even delayed to two quarters past Si (9:30 AM).
Emperor Wen's leniency extended not only to the common people but also to officials without discrimination.
When Emperor Jing, the 'King of Competition,' came to power, he led by example, and officials' work hours were drastically reduced.
Daylight saving time started at one quarter past Mao (5:15 AM), and winter time at four quarters past Mao (6:00 AM).
Emperor Wen's era didn't require clocking in, but Emperor Jing demanded 'Mao-hour clock-ins.'
This meant that clerks who hadn't acquired the 'Keen Sight, Night Vision' ability even needed to carry lanterns to work.
“It seems quite a few people aspire to become officials this year, probably all preparing for the Autumn Equinox minor exam a few days later.” Zhao Xing looked around, seeing small officials everywhere carrying lanterns and books, even during meal times.
In peaceful years, taxes weren't high, and as long as one wasn't lazy, no one would be unable to afford breakfast. So these clerks were all striving for their future careers.
Everyone ate very quickly, wolfing down their food and then quickly getting to work. Zhao Xing, after finishing his meal, originally wanted to rest a bit, but seeing this scene, he actually felt a sense of guilt.
“Damn it, who can't compete? In my previous life, I had a dozen livers, staying up seven days and seven nights without even blinking.” Zhao Xing also quickly finished his meal and headed to the Willow Courtyard.
Xue Wenzhong had many subordinates, so the miscellaneous tasks assigned were few, but not non-existent.
Starting from the beginning of summer, there was a key task: cooperating with the Imperial Workshop to repair and monitor the 'Thirteen Canals of Pinghu.'
Because floods were common in summer and autumn, Gucheng, being in the middle and lower reaches of the Canglan River, was often damaged by natural disasters.
In the late period of Emperor Taizu, the Minister of Agriculture, Cao Xi, constructed the Thirteen Canals of Pinghu, connecting a tributary of the Canglan River to East Lake, and also erected Origin Qi waterwheels. The Origin Qi accumulated over many years, causing the large mountain beside East Lake to grow taller and taller. From then on, East Lake Mountain became a place of spiritual beauty.
“The Department of Agriculture wants to install four new Origin Qi waterwheels at East Lake. The planning for the one at Sishui Bay is the responsibility of my Willow Courtyard. The three ordered by the Imperial Workshop have all arrived, so why is ours the only one still missing?” Upon reaching Xue Wenzhong's office, he found him dealing with matters.
The clerk replying to him, who looked over forty, was the oldest clerk in the Willow Courtyard, Ding Shan: “Elder Xue, the Imperial Workshop replied that the materials from the prefecture have not been dispatched, and there is insufficient manpower, so the construction period needs to be delayed.”
“Delayed again?” Xue Wenzhong snorted, “How come when it comes to me, there are all sorts of excuses? Do they think I'm made of mud, with no temper at all?”
Noticing that Xue Wenzhong seemed quite different from before, Ding Shan even changed his address: “My Lord, should I go urge them again?”
Xue Wenzhong threw down the memorial: “No need to urge again. I have written three memorials. You will deliver them separately to Lord Chen Shijie, Lord Li Wenzheng of the County Yamen, and one to Supervising Censor Ji of Nanyang Prefecture. If my urging is useless against Gongsun Jin, then let these three Lords urge him!”
The old Minister of Agriculture, after recovering from his illness, seemed to have become tougher. These words made Ding Shan's heart tremble, and he quickly nodded in affirmation, immediately starting to add seals and stamps.
After Xue Wenzhong finished, he saw Zhao Xing waiting outside the door, and his expression immediately cleared, smiling and beckoning: “Zhao Xing, come in.”
“Teacher, I'm here to clock in. Is there anything I can do to help you?” Zhao Xing asked.
Xue Wenzhong stroked his beard and smiled: “With two hundred people in the Willow Courtyard, what task would require you? You just focus on preparing for the assessment.”
Ding Shan glanced at Zhao Xing in surprise. Seeing Xue Wenzhong's words pause, he tactfully excused himself.
After stepping out, seeing Xue Wenzhong actually let Zhao Xing sit in his chair, Ding Shan was so shocked his jaw almost dropped to the floor.
The always impartial old Minister of Agriculture was actually showing such favoritism towards someone? Could this change also be related to him?
Zhao Xing, however, didn't notice the change in attitude. He just assumed it was different after becoming an apprentice. Since the old Minister of Agriculture didn't give him any miscellaneous tasks, he could save some time for Cultivation.
After reporting, he immediately ran to the backyard to practice his Spells.
After his Basic Cultivation technique advanced, he gained the Initial Stage Spell 【Vigorous Growth】, but he had practiced it very little recently, only reaching the first revolution.
The old Minister of Agriculture had hinted at cultivation-related questions for the Autumn Equinox exam, so he had to seize the time to practice.
“Eh? How come there's an extra patch of seedlings in this backyard vegetable garden…” Zhao Xing was looking for a target to practice on when he was drawn to a corner of the vegetable garden.
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