Harvest

Name: Zhao Xing

Realm: Unranked

Fortune: Yan Two

Essence Gathering: Second order (715/1000)

Spells: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)

Flourishing Growth (Beginner): First-Turn (1101/9999)

Cloudcalling (Beginner): Seventh-Turn (7546/9999)

Rising Wind (Beginner): Fourth-Turn (4124/9999)

Thunderclap (Beginner): Fifth-Turn (5784/9999)

Rainmaking (Beginner): Third-Turn (3541/9999)

Every Tree and Bush an Enemy: Third-Turn (3084/9999)

Liu Tradition Weaving Method · Incomplete Volume (Four Types)

Repeating Straw Puppet (Beginner): Third-Turn (3084/9999)

Entangling Straw Puppet (Beginner): First-Turn (1201/9999)

Swift Steps Straw Puppet (Beginner): First-Turn (1501/9999)

Thorned Straw Puppet (Beginner): 475/9999

Bright Eyes Night Vision (Beginner): (322/9999)

Five Elements Observation (Beginner): (88/9999)

Secondary Profession: Talism Maker

Soul-Soothing Talisman (Basic): (321/1000)

Guiding Talisman (Basic): (525/1000)

Treasures: Evil Aversion Almanac (Third Order Superior Grade)

Thousand Mile Transmission Token (Third Order Superior Grade)

Note: Every thousand proficiency points in beginner spells count as one turn; anything below one thousand means the spell has only just been mastered. Straw puppets fall under the Every Tree and Bush an Enemy spell, but their spell proficiency is calculated separately. Essence Gathering and talisman making are not spells and are also calculated separately.

"Books truly held houses of gold. Although I didn't gain any new spells, just reading these standardized official texts for one night actually raised my proficiency by so much?"

Even Zhao Xing felt that his absorption efficiency for the court's standardized legal codes was outrageously high.

Still, he was gradually getting used to this pace. His Cloudcalling spell had already reached Seventh-Turn, Thunderclap had reached Fifth-Turn, and none of his other spells had fallen behind.

"The Dao Embryo Pill's subtle transformation has only just begun. My cultivation speed may seem outrageous, but that's only compared to before. At present, this pace would only count as outstanding within an entire county, not astonishing. Once I completely shed my mortal form in the future, I'll be considered a genius even within an entire prefecture."

He had stayed up all night, yet the longer he stayed awake, the more alert he became.

After washing his face, Zhao Xing headed out into the darkness.

By the time he reached the Ministry of Agriculture, the sky was already beginning to brighten.

"Brother Zhao, morning."

"Well, if it isn't Zhao First Rank?"

"After Start of Autumn, he might become Zhao Second Rank."

"Haha!"

The colleagues Zhao Xing encountered along the way all greeted him.

Zhao First Rank? Since when did I get that nickname?

"Then I'll gladly accept your kind words." Zhao Xing did not take it to heart. He returned their salutes with cupped hands and openly accepted the nickname.

It was only a little past Mao Hour, yet more than a hundred people had already arrived at the Ministry of Agriculture.

During Wen Emperor's reign, local officials had been required to report for duty at the fifth quarter of chen hour, or 8:15. During winter, it was delayed even further to the second quarter of Si Hour, or 9:30.

Wen Emperor's benevolence extended not only to the common people, but equally to his officials.

But under Emperor Jing, that workaholic who led by example, officials' reporting time had been moved up drastically.

Summer hours began at the first quarter of Mao Hour, while winter hours began at the fourth quarter of Mao Hour—5:15 and 6:00 respectively.

During Wen Emperor's era, attendance checks had not been required, but Emperor Jing demanded that officials check in at Mao Hour.

As a result, clerks who had not obtained Bright Eyes Night Vision even had to carry lanterns to work.

"Looks like quite a few people are aiming to enter official service this year. They're probably all preparing for the Start of Autumn minor examination in a few days." Zhao Xing looked around. Everywhere, minor clerks carried lanterns and hugged books, even while eating.

In peaceful times, taxes were low. So long as one was not lazy, no one would be unable to afford breakfast. These clerks were all here to fight for their futures.

Everyone ate quickly too, wolfing down their food before immediately getting back to work. Zhao Xing had originally wanted to rest a while after eating, but seeing this scene made him feel almost guilty.

"Damn it, who can't compete at grinding? In my previous life, I had over a dozen livers. I could stay up seven days and seven nights without even blinking." Zhao Xing quickly finished his meal and headed for Locust Willow Courtyard.

Xue Wenzhong had many minor clerks under him, so the miscellaneous tasks assigned to each person were few, but not nonexistent.

Starting from Start of Summer, there had been one key task: cooperating with the Heavenly Craft Workshop to repair and monitor the Peaceful Lake Thirteen Canals.

Floods were frequent in summer and autumn. Gucheng lay along the middle and lower reaches of the Azure Wave River and was often harmed by natural disasters.

Near the end of Grand Ancestor's reign, Registered Field Magistrate Cao Xi had constructed the Peaceful Lake Thirteen Canals, connecting tributaries of the Azure Wave River to East Lake. He had also installed Return to Origin Waterwheels. As vital essence accumulated year after year, the mountains beside East Lake grew ever taller. From then on, East Lake Mountain became a place of spiritual beauty.

"The Ministry of Agriculture intends to install four new Return to Origin Waterwheels at East Lake. Our Locust Willow Courtyard is responsible for planning the location of the waterwheel at SiShui Bay. The three ordered from the Heavenly Craft Workshop have all arrived, so why is ours alone still not in place?" When Zhao Xing reached Xue Wenzhong's office, he found him handling official matters.

The clerk answering him looked to be over forty. He was also the oldest clerk in Locust Willow Courtyard, Ding Shan. "Old Xue, the Heavenly Craft Workshop says that the county's materials have not been dispatched and they lack manpower, so the construction schedule must be delayed."

"Delayed again?" Xue Wenzhong snorted. "Why is it that whenever it comes to me, there are all sorts of excuses? Do they think this old man is made of clay and has no temper at all?"

Sensing that Xue Wenzhong seemed very different from before, Ding Shan even changed how he addressed him. "My lord, shall I go urge them again?"

Xue Wenzhong flung down the memorial. "No need to urge them again. I've written three reports. Deliver them separately to Lord Chen Shijie, Lord Li Wenzheng at the County Office, and the Inspector-General of Nanyang County. This old man urging Gongsun Jin is useless, so let those three lords urge him instead!"

The Old Sima Nong seemed to have become tougher after recovering from his illness. His words made Ding Shan's heart tremble. Ding Shan hurriedly nodded and began affixing seals to the documents.

After Xue Wenzhong finished handling the matter and saw Zhao Xing waiting outside, the clouds on his face immediately cleared. Smiling, he waved him over. "Zhao Xing, come in."

"Teacher, I've come to check in. Is there anything I can do to ease your burdens?" Zhao Xing asked.

Xue Wenzhong stroked his beard and smiled. "There are two hundred people in Locust Willow Courtyard. What task could possibly require you? Just prepare properly for the examination."

Ding Shan shot Zhao Xing a surprised glance. Seeing Xue Wenzhong pause, he tactfully took his leave.

After stepping outside, he saw that Xue Wenzhong had actually let Zhao Xing sit in his chair. Ding Shan was so shocked that his jaw nearly dropped.

The Old Sima Nong, who had always been impartial, was actually favoring someone so openly? Could this change also be related to him?

Zhao Xing did not notice the change in attitude. He merely assumed things were different after becoming a disciple. Since the Old Sima Nong had no miscellaneous tasks for him, he could save some time for cultivation.

After reporting in, he immediately ran to the rear courtyard to practice his spells.

After Basic Cultivation Technique advanced, he had obtained the beginner spell Flourishing Growth. However, he had rarely practiced it lately, and it had only reached First-Turn.

The Old Sima Nong had hinted that Start of Autumn would include questions related to cultivation, so he needed to hurry up and practice.

"Huh? Why is there an extra patch of seedlings in this rear courtyard vegetable garden..." Zhao Xing was searching for something to practice on when a corner of the garden drew his attention.