Acceptance as Officials, Selection and Transfer, National Fortune Enters the Body

The officials from the county seat were still in Heavenly Heart Plaza.

However, the number of people has increased from four to sixteen. In addition to those in charge of the Agricultural Supervisorate, there are also those from the Martial Office, the Heavenly Craft Workshop, and the Weaving Division.

After the official assessment ended, they seemed to have turned into statues, just waiting for the appointed time to reopen the Heaven's Heart Palace.

"Why is time passing so slowly today?" Xiao Ze rubbed his hands together; his palms were sweaty.

"It's not that time is passing slowly, it's that you're too impatient," Wen Nanxing whispered from the side.

"Aren't you in a hurry?" Xiao Ze asked. "If we don't pass, we'll have to wait another year, and who Dao Ming?"

Wen Nanxing was speechless, though he was also feeling quite uneasy.

"The only one who can be absolutely certain of winning is probably Zhao Xing." Wen Nanxing looked at Zhao Xing's back in front of him, who was chatting and laughing with Zong Shichang.

"Zong Shichang doesn't seem to be in a hurry at all. Does he think he can win?" Xiao Ze wondered, looking ahead while eavesdropping on their conversation.

"I'm really not very confident," Zong Shichang said, dusting off his sleeves. "But I don't necessarily have to pass this time; I could pass next year too."

Zhao Xing chuckled and said, "What if we still can't pass next year?"

Zong Shichang said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter. My father will take care of it. There's another way to become an official. Our dynasty doesn't only have the civil service system for officials."

"If I really can't get into the capital, I'll transfer to Elephant Mountain County and serve as an official under the King of Elephant Mountain. I'll accumulate some achievements over a few years and then try to transfer back to Nanyang."

Zhao Xing laughed and said, "I really want to fight you scions of Noble Families."

Becoming an official under the civil service system is one path, while becoming Vassal in a royal domain is another.

Although the temple in Nanyang County enshrines the Prince of Nanyang, he was a figure from a thousand years ago. His throne was not hereditary, and a thousand years later, he was only a count.

Although they could still collect taxes and owned a considerable amount of land, it was merely a 'fief' and no longer had any actual territory.

A true fiefdom allows a ruler to conscript soldiers, select Vassal, and levy taxes, granting them considerable power.

The King of Elephant Mountain mentioned by Zong Shichang was Emperor Jing's cousin. Although not a close relative, he was still a prince of the second rank and had the right to establish his own residence and military headquarters.

To become Vassal, one must first become Vassal of the King of Elephant Mountain and serve as an official in Elephant Mountain County. If one performs well, one can be promoted to an official position in the Court Official.

This requires connections and influence; ordinary people shouldn't even think about taking this route.

During Wen Emperor's reign, many sons of Noble Families took this route to become officials, and it was relatively easy for them. Once they became officials, were they afraid of not achieving political success?

But now, Emperor Jing is harsh not only on officials but also on his own brothers, making this path much more difficult. However, it is still easier than a formal examination.

"Why are you fighting me? After you take office, it won't be long before your family prospers, your descendants multiply, and you rise through the ranks. Your Zhao Family will become a prominent family in Nanyang County," Zong Shichang said. "You can't fight yourself to the death."

"That's true." Zhao Xing nodded. Connections are everywhere. Just as Long Xiao said, if Zhao Xing wanted to become an official in the Divine Might Army, without connections, he wouldn't be considered by the Divine Might Army during the selection process after he was appointed.

Even if you wait a thousand years, you still won't be selected; you'll have to keep taking the Military Sima Nong exams.

However, given Chen Shijie's relationship with Long Xiao, they could skip the examination process while waiting for selection.

Although Yang An was only the Boping County Marquis, he was reinstated as the commander of the Divine Might Army, which gave him the right to select people from other places. As long as there were still vacancies for Ninth Grade officials, whether civil or military, he could basically choose them at will.

"If we can win directly, that would be the best," Zong Shichang muttered. "If we really follow the path of the King of Elephant Mountain, my family's wealth will shrink by half."

"How did your on-site assessment go?" Zhao Xing asked. "Did you recognize the Twelve Hour Grass? Determining the exact time is still a bit difficult."

"Who do you think you are?" Zong Shichang asked in surprise. "It is a bit difficult to determine the time, but I went to Shangluo with my father when I was a child. We even have the Twelve Hour Grass growing at home. How could I not recognize it?"

Zhao Xing chuckled to himself.

"Stop chatting, it's almost time, keep quiet," Chen Shijie instructed.

Li Wenzheng went even further, initiating a group silencing campaign.

The square suddenly became quiet.

At the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the official, who had remained as still as a statue, reopened the Heaven's Heart Palace.

"Whoosh~" Golden flames burned in the Crimson Bronze Censer inside the hall, and soon a list floated out from it.

The list was released and then floated outside the hall, unfolding in mid-air.

One by one, the names appeared.

Everyone couldn't help but look up.

[Zhao Xing, Grade A. ]

The first name is Zhao Xing.

Chen Shijie smiled, Xue Wenzhong nodded with satisfaction.

As for the others, they all looked on with envy.

Although it was believed that Zhao Xing would pass the exam, it was still uncertain until the results were actually released.

Only now that we truly see it, can we say that the dust has settled.

"Grade A means he must have gotten a perfect score in one subject. He wasn't lying; he really did get a perfect score in the practical assessment." Gao Linong was somewhat lost in thought.

Luckily I didn't have bad breath three days ago, otherwise my face would be swollen now.

"For the promotion of clerks, only the Grade A List are selected, and they are divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower."

"For this Temple Examination, there are more than ten million candidates, but only a Grade A number will be selected as the best, giving them an advantage in the selection process."

"This Grade A must be going to a fertile and prosperous place to serve as an official."

"I'm so envious."

The list is now fully displayed.

Zhao Xing looked closely and saw that four people from the Agricultural Supervisorate were on the list.

Apart from myself, Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, Zong Shichang were all rated as Grade C.

If you get A, then you can win.

Zhao Xing was surprised that Zong Shichang had also gotten a Grade C.

Although he couldn't speak, Young Master Zong exuded pride, his chest held high.

If he hadn't been silenced, he would have definitely called his servants over and given everyone a celebratory gift.

"Four out of fifteen is about a third, which is consistent with the proportion in previous years," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Although the questions were a bit difficult, the proportion of officials recruited by the imperial court would not fluctuate too much.

As for the other departments, Shen Zhui of the Martial Office also received the Grade A, and eighteen others received the highest grade.

There were ten people in the Ritual Hall.

Eight people from the Heavenly Craft Workshop received the highest grade, and six people from the Weaving Division received the highest grade.

There were only two people in the Divine Temple.

Among the various departments, the Martial Office had the most references, followed by the Ritual Hall, then the Heavenly Craft Workshop and the Weaving Division Department, with the Agricultural Supervisorate having the second-lowest number of references, and the Divine Temple having the fewest.

"If it were a county town, there would be professions such as doctors, musicians, and Dancer Master, but Gucheng is just a county, so there are no such professions," Zhao Xing thought.

The square was still quiet at this time.

Because releasing the list is only the first step.

The next step is to enter the temple to receive the National Dynasty Luck Cleansing.

"Those whose names are on the list, please enter the Heaven's Heart Palace."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing immediately stepped onto the stairs and entered the hall.

Although a group of people entered the hall, once inside the Heaven's Heart Palace, they could only see themselves and could not see others.

Upon entering the hall again, there was another statue and a memorial tablet.

The statues depict Grand Ancestor and Grand Ancestor, while the memorial tablet represents Emperor Jing.

Because Emperor Jing was still alive, no statues of gods were erected, only memorial tablets for merit.

Following the procedure, Zhao Xing bowed and paid homage to the statues of Grand Ancestor Grand Ancestor and Emperor Taizong, and the memorial tablet of Emperor Jing.

After bowing three times.

The two statues and the memorial tablet all emitted specks of Golden Light, which quickly filled the entire Heaven's Heart Palace.

Buzz~

Golden Light entered his body, Zhao Xing felt a magnificent and majestic power enter his body.

In a daze, I saw a Heavenly Gate, behind which lay a continuous cluster of palaces, with civil and military officials in attendance.

A golden giant sat on a huge throne, overlooking the heavens and the earth.

With a gentle gesture, the giant sent Auspicious Cloud carrying Zhao Xing across the Heavenly Gate toward the magnificent palace.

Buzz~

As soon as he passed through the Heavenly Gate, Zhao Xing felt a barrier disappear.

His understanding of the Five Elements magic had been shrouded in a hazy shadow, but after passing through this Heavenly Gate, it became clear.

Immediately following was the activation of his Fate Soul. He involuntarily closed his eyes and introspectively perceived the existence of his Fate Soul.

A thin layer of Golden Light suddenly appeared beneath the feet of the Fate Soul.

The once desolate and cold void suddenly became warm and bright.

"Golden Light shines beneath Fate Soul feet, signifying the influx of the nation's fortune into my body, laying the foundation for my Life Palace," Zhao Xing realized.

However, he himself had already cultivated to the Ranked Realm, and his foundation was already solid, so the Golden Light only spread a layer on his feet.

The vast majority of them were absorbed by the Fate Soul itself.

One part increases lifespan, the other part increases fortune.

"Buzz~"

Zhao Xing's internal observation of his Fate Soul and foundation building of his fortune did not last long. For those with lower cultivation levels, insufficient to the Ranked Realm, the process is naturally more complex. This is because the process will at least bring them down to the Sub-Ninth Rank.

When he opened his eyes again, Zhao Xing was already inside the main hall.

Looking around, civil and military officials stretched out in an endless line, seemingly without end.

He stood near the palace gate, a lowly Ninth Grade official.

Its size is only normal.

But the closer you get to the front, the bigger the phantom becomes.

As for that enormous, unique golden giant, it was Emperor Jing.

Zhao Xing understood.

From the moment he entered this hall, he officially entered the system of the Great Zhou Dynasty of Fate.

"Your subject Zhao Xing bows in gratitude to Your Majesty!"

"May our Emperor live forever!"

This was the only part of the whole process that required kneeling, and Zhao Xing didn't have much mental burden, so he immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

At this point, the process of the nation's fortune entering the body is complete.

The next moment, clouds and mist swirled around.

Zhao Xing reappeared in the Heaven's Heart Palace.

Now is not the time to check the panel, because there are other things to do.

That is the [Nether God Selection].

After being recruited, one does not immediately receive Official Rank position; rather, there is a selection and transfer phase.

Select first, then adjust.

After accepting the official appointment, you'd be asked where you want to serve, but now it's just a formality, a Wishful.

Because there are now countless officials, unlike during the reign of Grand Ancestor when there were so many vacancies.

It's good enough that there's anywhere to go, why would you want to be picky?

"Buzz~"

A kind-faced figure appeared inside the temple, dressed in Hemp Garb, resembling an old farmer.

It was True Lord Cao Xi transmitted the Dharma to Zhao Xing.

"Greetings, True Lord."

Cao Xi asked in a kind tone with a smile, "Zhao Xing, now that you are a formal official, the court has sent me to ask you where you wish to serve as an official?"

Zhao Xing cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I wish to join the military and be included in the list of personnel to be transferred by our military headquarters."

Cao Xi seemed unsurprised by this answer, "You achieved Grade A in this assessment, so becoming Military Sima Nong can skip some procedures."

"Let me ask you first, have you decided which army you want to join? You can choose three to ten armies. After you make your selection, your name will appear on the shortlist of these armies. If you are selected, someone will come to examine you."

"The Divine Might Army".

Cao Xi closed his eyes, opened them three breaths later, and shook his head slightly. "Although you Grade A assessment, you have not yet reached the threshold for entering the Divine Might Army. The possibility of being selected is extremely low. I can only put you on the candidate list for the Pacify Barbarian Legion."

Zhao Xing said, "Thank you for the reminder, True Lord. My choice remains unchanged."

Upon hearing this, Cao Xi said no more and disappeared.

After the Nether God Selection ended, Zhao Xing left the Heaven's Heart Palace.

He is now in a state of pending adjustment.

The other officials also left the Heaven's Heart Palace.

By this time, the area outside the temple was already quite lively.

Congratulations were heard everywhere.

"Brother Zhao, Brother Zhao, wait a moment!"

Zhao Xing was about to leave when the three of them stopped him.

It was Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and Zong Shichang.

"What's up?" Zhao Xing asked, turning around.

"Brother Zhao, please accept my bow." Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze bowed in unison, bowing ninety degrees to Zhao Xing.

"What are you doing?" Zhao Xing was completely bewildered. Why are you suddenly bowing to me?

After Xiao Ze finished bowing, he stood up and said with a smile, "The last question of our theoretical test used Brother Zhao's original answer."

Wen Nanxing sighed, "Brother Zhao's answer can be described as a model essay. This test was tricky and difficult. If I hadn't gotten points on the last question, I probably would have failed."

Zhao Xing suddenly realized, and returned the greeting to Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze with a cupped-hand salute. "You two don't need to do that. You were able to pass the exam because of your own abilities."

Zong Shichang chuckled and said, "Me too, but I won't bow to you. After this, come to my house for a meal. Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze, you two have to come too. If you don't, you're disrespecting me, and I'll hold a grudge!"

"Haha, then I shall gladly accept your offer."

"Young Master Zong, I've been wanting to eat at your house for ages, and now I finally have the chance! Even if you don't invite me, I'm going!"

"Then I must go hungry for two meals to save room for the next trip! Brother Zhao, don't you think so?"

The four of them chatted and laughed as they descended the steps.

Xiao Ze and Wen Nanxing originally harbored some resentment towards Zhao Xing due to their past competition, but now that they have accepted official positions and received favors from Zhao Xing, that resentment has completely disappeared.

On the contrary, they can openly talk about their past little thoughts.

"Brother Zhao, you don't know this, but during that assessment, you used the Earth Veins Synthesis to steal the vital energy from Nanxing and me. As a result, Lord Chen rated us for being too unvigilant."

"After we got back, Nanxing got really drunk and kept calling your name even in his sleep," Xiao Ze said.

"You idiot, it's not as exaggerated as you make it out to be!" Wen Nanxing laughed and scolded. "Besides, weren't you also completely drunk, vowing to avenge your defeat? What right do you have to talk about me like that?"

"You two have a chance to get your revenge today," Zong Shichang said, joining in the fun. "I'll be having drinks at my place tonight. You two can do whatever you want, and don't worry about seeking revenge afterwards. Zhao Xing, what do you say?"

"Don't even mention two of you, the three of you combined might not be able to outdrink me," Zhao Xing challenged. "Let's see who's the best tonight at the Zong Residence!"

"Such arrogance! Tonight, I, Xiao Ze, will surely teach you a lesson!"

"Let's go together! Hahaha!"

After leaving the Heaven's Heart Palace, Zhao Xing received congratulations from all directions.

Li Wenzheng, the magistrate of Gucheng, Wang Long, the commander of the Martial Office Meng Yun, the Divine Hall Ceremonial Official, Gongsun Yang of the Heavenly Craft Workshop...

The path from inside the temple to the outside was short, but Zhao Xing was surrounded and it took him an hour to walk out of the temple.

Chen Shijie and Long Xiao didn't say much, but they told him to come to the mansion in two days.

After Zhao Xing left the temple.

I was planning to take a look at the panel to see the detailed changes.

Now that he has officially entered the Dynasty of Fate system, the shackles have disappeared, and his lifespan and fortune should also increase.

But before I could even look, I heard Zhao Zheng's voice.

"Big brother!"

"Big Brother's out!" Zhao Zheng rushed over immediately. "Congratulations, Big Brother!"

Zhao Xing ruffled Zhao Zheng's hair and asked, "Where's Dad?"

"Over there." Zhao Zheng pulled his brother to look in one direction. "They're waiting for you to come home for dinner."

Zhao Ruide had been waiting for a long time, while Madam Cai stood to the side. When they saw Zhao Xing come out, the couple were beaming with joy and were very happy.

"Let's go home."

(End of this volume)

The following closing remarks are free of charge:

The chapter on the minor official in Agricultural Official has ended, Zhao Xing Formal Appointment. The new chapter, "Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven," will begin next.

This volume has many shortcomings, but the author has done his best. Every day, I wake up and start writing, and then I go to sleep... I think whether the writing is good or not is one thing, but attitude is another.

The initial promise was 8,000-12,000 words per update, but since it was released on May 1st, there have been 15,000 words per day, and the updates have been quite punctual. There was only a slight delay today due to some matters, but there was no break in updates.

As for the bonus chapter for 3,000 monthly votes, it will be completed in the next few days.

I'll release all three chapters at noon tomorrow, please vote with your monthly tickets!

Thanks for your support, brothers!