Treasures

"What? Old Sima Nong fell ill? Zi Yu, who told you that?"

"Someone from the Xue Family came to the Ministry of Agriculture last night to request leave. Minister Chen then notified Locust Willow Courtyard."

Zhao Xing frowned. "Is it serious? Do we know the specifics?"

Qian Dong, standing beside him, shook his head. "They only said he was unwell and needed time to recuperate, but gave no exact timeframe. Minister Chen will temporarily oversee Locust Willow Courtyard's daily affairs."

Zhao Xing considered this. "I want to visit Xue Residence. Would you be willing to come with me?"

Chen Ziyu shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Minister Chen instructed us not to visit, lest we disturb Old Sima Nong. Some people already tried to go early this morning, but Xue Residence has shut its doors to visitors."

Zhao Xing's brow furrowed even deeper. Something was off.

First, there was no set duration for his leave. If it were only a minor illness, why would it be like this?

Then there was the closed-door refusal of all visitors. They were not even allowed to pay their respects. That made it even more suspicious.

"Xue Wenzhong is ninety-eight. The court has even granted him additional longevity. By all rights, it should not yet be his time to die. He shouldn't be kicking the bucket already."

"But the court's [Longevity Blessing] does not absolutely guarantee that one will live free of illness and disaster until old age. It is normal for an elderly man to fall ill, but why forbid visits, and for so long? What kind of illness is it? If he remains unable to return to his post for a year or two... Sigh, Old Sima Nong, you must hold on."

"Uncle, you must hold on. Bai'er will be fine." Before the sickbed in a side room of Xue Residence, a gray-haired old man looked at Xue Wenzhong lying in bed, his face full of worry.

The speaker was Xue Quan, Xue Wenzhong's nephew.

The court's [Longevity Blessing] usually did not extend to the wives and children of ninth-rank officials. In theory, Xue Wenzhong could live to one hundred and fifty, but his wife and children did not share that fortune. His wife had died at eighty-three, while his son and daughter-in-law had died in their seventies.

Thus, the only one at Xue Wenzhong's side now was his relatively close nephew, Xue Quan. Even this nephew was already over sixty.

Xue Wenzhong gazed out the window, muttering to himself, "What a sin. What a sin."

His lips were slightly pale, and he did indeed show symptoms of illness, but the problem was actually not serious.

The reason he was lying in bed was purely because he had been angered into it.

Yesterday, he had received word from a household servant that his grandson Xue Bai had gotten into trouble in the county city and been arrested.

The cause was that Xue Bai had been out drinking and chasing pleasure in the county city. After getting drunk, he had gotten into an argument with someone and beaten them severely. Causing trouble in the city naturally led to his swift arrest. Xue Bai was now being held in the county city prison, awaiting judgment.

Never mind the consequences of paying compensation and going to prison—in the eyes of the upright and self-disciplined Xue Wenzhong, what a disgrace this was!

In his fury, Xue Wenzhong had failed to control the fluctuations of vital energy within his body and fainted.

"Bai'er already knows he was wrong," Xue Quan consoled him.

"Knows he was wrong? Knows he was wrong?" Xue Wenzhong's gaze settled on his nephew. "Which time is this for him?"

Thinking of his nephew's past, Xue Quan found himself speechless as well.

Xue Wenzhong had served in the Ministry of Agriculture, and both his character and reputation were excellent. His son had gone into business and accumulated some wealth, which was also a respectable accomplishment.

By the time it came to the grandson's generation, perhaps because Xue Bai was the sole heir and had been spoiled beyond measure, he had been a troubled youth since childhood.

Now, he had become a troubled young man.

Did he really know he was wrong? Even Xue Quan did not quite believe it.

But he still had to persuade him. "In the end, Xue Bai is your only bloodline. If you do not save him, are you really going to watch him be punished and thrown into prison?"

Xue Wenzhong shook his head. "Before, he merely loafed about and squandered money. Now he has injured someone and broken the law. Next time, will he commit a capital offense? This matter should be handled as it ought to be handled. None of you are to go making connections in the county city either."

"He has not even started a family yet. If something happens to him in prison, why not let my Ping'er go on your behalf and make some arrangements..."

"His father spoiled him too much, and that is what led to this. If I protect him this time, can I protect him for the rest of his life? I can only ensure that he receives a fair judgment. Since others cannot discipline him, let the laws of the state discipline him."

"But, Uncle..."

"Enough. I am tired. Go out first." Xue Wenzhong seemed to have made up his mind.

Xue Quan sighed helplessly. It seemed this was not a good time to take advantage of the situation, so he could only cup his hands and withdraw.

A burst of sighing sounded from the side room. Recalling what had just been said, Xue Wenzhong's eyes filled with worry. He could use some of the connections and family resources he had built up over the years to save his grandson, but would Xue Bai truly learn from his mistakes? If he himself passed on someday, who would help keep an eye on him and protect the Xue Family's estate?

"Zhao Xing, Minister Chen wants you at Hundred Flowers Courtyard."

Just as he was preparing to leave Locust Willow Courtyard, someone suddenly came to deliver the message.

He had no idea why the big boss had suddenly singled him out.

Could it be that some big shot had discovered his talent?

Once he arrived, Zhao Xing realized he had been overthinking it.

Everyone on the Grade A List was here. Chen Shijie had not summoned only him, but also the clerks who had made the Grade A List.

It was not just those from the last Minor Heat assessment. Anyone who had made the list in this year's minor examinations was here, though there were fewer than fifty people in total.

When they arrived at the main hall of Hundred Flowers Garden, they found it somewhat different from usual.

"What's going on? Why are there people from the County Office here too?"

"Is that Wang Long, the head of the Military Office?"

"There are at least seven ranked martial artists too. What is going on? Did someone from the Ministry of Agriculture break the law?"

"Don't know. Quiet down—Minister Chen is here."

Zhao Xing listened quietly.

Before long, Chen Shijie arrived. He first had everyone settle down, then nodded to Wang Long. The latter stepped forward, cupped his hands, and called out to the crowd, "Minister Chen has invited you all here today because strange incidents have occurred throughout Nanyang County in recent months. A group of mysterious fiends has been specifically targeting clerks from the Ministry of Agriculture, Heavenly Craft Workshop, and other offices, abducting them."

"By order of the county prefecture, County Offices everywhere must strengthen their precautions and apprehend these criminals. You naturally need not worry while within the city, but if you leave the city, it is best to travel together during the day. Should you discover anyone following you or acting suspiciously, report it promptly."

"The East Lake Army and every department of the prefectural administration have already been deployed. We believe the criminals will be captured soon, so there is no need for excessive panic."

A stir ran through the crowd below. There were actually still such brazen bandits roaming about these days? They truly had a death wish.

Zhao Xing was also rather surprised to hear this. How had the Profound Heaven Sect become so capable at this point? They had forced the authorities to mobilize on such a scale.

After Wang Long finished speaking, Chen Shijie addressed the crowd.

"Those on the Grade A List are all reserve Ministers of Agriculture with decent talent. Should these people truly come to Gucheng, you will be their targets."

"As a precaution, I have specially requested a batch of treasures from the Transportation Department."

"I will not go into detail about their effects. These are items normally usable only by official Ministers of Agriculture, so they are merely being lent to you temporarily for self-defense."

"There is no need to be overly alarmed. They may never be needed. This is simply a precaution."

Once he finished, people moved through the clerks and distributed the treasures one by one.

As for why they were given only to them, the reason had already been stated: they generally abducted outstanding talents. Mediocre talents had no need to worry at all.

Soon, Zhao Xing saw the treasures being distributed to him as well.

Naturally, he was familiar with the standard equipment of official Ministers of Agriculture, but upon seeing them, he was still slightly surprised. "Hm? It's actually these two items? Their quality is rather good too?"