Lesser Heat Assessment Preparation

Of the Four Seasons and Eight Festivals, eight solar terms were mandatory: Start of Spring, Vernal Equinox, Start of Summer, Summer Solstice, Start of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Beginning of Winter, and Winter Solstice.

Depending on the circumstances of each commandery and county, at least twelve solar terms would be tested. In the strictest top-tier counties or commanderies, all Twenty-Four Solar Terms would be included.

The three hurdles for becoming a regular official—"Jurisdiction Harvest," "Moral Character Assessment," and "Ability Assessment"—were collectively known as the "Winter Assessment."

Afterward came another "temple examination." Passing it allowed one to "enter official service" and join the Dynasty of Fate system.

The "Ability Assessment" in the Winter Assessment was an examination based on the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, and it carried considerable weight.

Failing this hurdle meant one would not be recommended and could not even participate in the temple examination.

Clerks aspiring to become regular officials would basically never miss an Ability Assessment.

Xue Wenzhong's first lecture after returning to Locust Willow Courtyard drew a large number of clerks who came to visit him.

"Elder Xue, are you well?"

The Old Sima Nong smiled. "There is no longer any cause for concern."

"Teacher, I have a hundred-year-old rehmannia spirit root here. Please accept it."

"I appreciate the thought, but take it back."

"Elder Xue..."

It was not only the clerks under Xue Wenzhong's command. Clerks from other courtyards also came to visit him one after another.

Not out of kindness, but to attend his lectures.

Since Chen Zhijie had set the previous two Lesser Heat Assessments, this Start of Autumn assessment and the next one should be Xue Wenzhong's turn.

"Minister Xue, you would not set some tricky questions to torment us like Lord Chen did for the Start of Autumn assessment, would you? If we get another Grain Eating Bird Calamity, I am afraid no one in Gu County will pass this year."

"That is right. Where would we southerners find those dove birds?"

One particularly bold clerk asked this, drawing a burst of laughter.

With any other Minister of Agriculture, clerks would hardly dare make such jokes. But Xue Wenzhong was famous for being a good-natured old man. He had a mild temperament, and his lectures had an excellent atmosphere, so the clerks dared to joke freely.

The Old Sima Nong said, "You all want to know what will be tested at Start of Autumn?"

"Yes, Old Sima Nong. Tell us?" Everyone stretched their necks and pricked up their ears.

Xue Wenzhong smiled faintly. "You will naturally know on the day of Start of Autumn."

"Ah..."

Another round of laughter erupted below.

Though it was a meaningless answer, Zhao Xing liked this atmosphere. He had also sat in on lectures at other courtyards. They were either rigidly serious or abstruse and incomprehensible, taught only for the few people capable of understanding the highest level. It was exceedingly unfriendly.

Seeing that Xue Wenzhong's complexion was rosy, seemingly unaffected at all by his recent illness, Zhao Xing felt much more at ease. Yet there was still a trace of lingering sorrow between the old man's brows, as though something weighed on his mind.

After the lecture in the front courtyard, Zhao Xing entered the rear courtyard as usual for extra practice alone.

When Xue Wenzhong saw that he was carrying something in his hands, his expression immediately darkened. "What, are you going to imitate the others and give gifts too?"

Zhao Xing placed the three tied-up ducks in the poultry shed in the rear courtyard. "This is not a gift. Teacher, have you forgotten? When I was practicing the Walking Straw Man before, I frightened one of your ducks away. I caught it and brought it back for you."

Xue Wenzhong pointed at them. "Then why are there three?"

Zhao Xing said solemnly, "Naturally, that duck wandered about for several days, found a companion, and gave birth to another. This student is kindhearted and could not bear to break up the family. After asking the ducks for their opinion, I brought them all back together."

Seeing him spout nonsense with such a straight face, Xue Wenzhong could not help but laugh. "What utter nonsense!"

That laugh was tacit approval. He could tell that Zhao Xing was trying to cheer him up. It was not the ingratiating flattery of a subordinate toward a superior, but the concern between teacher and student.

Zhao Xing could also sense that after Xue Wenzhong's return, his attitude had changed somewhat.

Whether in casual conversation or instruction, he gave Zhao Xing more of the feeling of a teacher than a superior.

That was a good sign. As for what had happened before, since the Old Sima Nong would not speak of it, Zhao Xing would not press the matter and risk reopening an old wound.

"Start of Autumn marks the beginning of autumn. Though the heat remains intense, yang energy gradually recedes while yin energy grows. It is the turning point from the flourishing of yang to the gradual dominance of yin, and crops shift from lush growth toward maturity."

"Rainfall and climate will both begin to decline, and crops will be affected accordingly."

"The Four Farming Books once said: 'In autumn, yin energy first descends; thus, all things are gathered in.'"

Just as practice was about to end, the Old Sima Nong suddenly spoke these words.

Zhao Xing was briefly stunned, then nodded and took his leave.

On the way home, he pondered the Old Sima Nong's words.

"Xue Wenzhong mentioned crop maturity in all three sentences. It seems the Start of Autumn assessment concerns cultivating plants."

"Looks like I need to practice cultivation spells more over the next few days."

By the time he returned home, mealtime had already passed. Zhao Ruide was nowhere to be seen. When Madam Cai saw this bottomless pit return, she naturally did not give him a pleasant look and went straight into her room.

Zhao Xing did not mind. He went to the kitchen to find something to eat, while Zhao Zheng ran out of his mother's room again and eagerly helped his elder brother serve the rice and dishes.

"Big Brother, I practiced martial arts for two hours today. Father even praised me!" Zhao Zheng looked at Zhao Xing eagerly, clearly expecting something.

"Not bad. Keep working hard." Zhao Xing gave him a perfunctory reply and began eating on his own.

After only a few bites, he noticed something was off. "Why does this food not taste as good as it did last night?"

Zhao Zheng said, "How could that be, Big Brother? This is yesterday's dinner."

Zhao Xing: "..."

Zhao Zheng continued, "Mother said Big Brother is a bottomless pit who can eat anything, and you eat a lot, so she saved some for you... She has never praised me like that."

"..."

Fine, fine, fine. Thank your mother for me.

Zhao Xing sniffed it. Despite the scorching weather, it had not even gone sour, though the taste was a little off. He ignored it, closed his eyes, and wolfed it down.

"Big Brother, what is a bottomless pit? Have you seen ghosts? I heard people who know spells can see ghosts and even summon gods, just like the Ceremonial Officials at the temple."

Like a child with endless questions, Zhao Zheng kept chattering around him.

"You will understand when you grow up. All right, clean up these bowls and chopsticks, then go play somewhere else."

"Okay..."

After sending off his cheap little brother, Zhao Xing returned to his room to draw talismans. Over the past month or so, his proficiency with Guiding Talismans and Soul-Soothing Talismans had improved considerably, but Great Dream Academy still showed no reaction.

"Looks like I need to make significant progress before I can gain anything from it." Although he had once again returned empty-handed from a treasure mountain, Zhao Xing was in no hurry. He still had several hundred years to explore it.

Remembering the Old Sima Nong's reminder from earlier that day, Zhao Xing pulled three books from the cabinet.

"Herbal Classic, Grand View of Trees, Compendium of a Hundred Things. These are all books on identifying plants. They may come in handy for the Start of Autumn assessment, so I should review them."

"The court's transmitted methods are hidden in all kinds of classics. Though their effects are not as strong as those of the temple, one can still comprehend spells from them."

"I hope to obtain a few useful passive spells."

After lighting an oil lamp, Zhao Xing began reading them closely.