Chapter 10: Master's Guidance and Practice, Minor Heat Assessment

When weaving the first straw figure, its movements were wobbly and it could hardly stand steady.

The second straw figure, though still unsteady, had a stable form.

The third straw figure moved more quickly.

...

When Xue Wenzhong returned from a round in the front yard, he was surprised to see in the back yard a straw figure running swiftly; the second straw figure jumping between hay stacks; the third straw figure swinging on a swing under a locust tree; the fourth straw figure threshing grain; and the fifth straw figure weeding in the vegetable garden.

Although there were several "failed products" that had knocked over baskets, knocked down clotheslines, and startled chickens and ducks, Xue Wenzhong ignored them.

He stared at the few straw figures that had begun to show some spirit and quickly walked to Zhao Xing, who was straightening the clothesline and collecting the baskets: "I was only out for half an hour, and you've already made these?"

Zhao Xing looked at the somewhat messy back yard and said apologetically: "Sorry, Master Xue. I'll clean up soon, but one duck has already flown over the fence... I'll compensate you for it!"

Xue Wenzhong's wrinkles came together in a smile as he grabbed Zhao Xing: "A single duck is nothing! Don't worry about it!"

He patted Zhao Xing's shoulder: "Work hard. Aim for a top rank in the winter assessment. After the spring temple exam, you will be officially appointed, and you will surely have a place."

Zhao Xing was taken aback, but once he realized that the old agrarian official was not blaming him, he smiled and bowed: "Thank you, Master."

"However, the agrarian office is full of talented people, and I am of low rank, so I may not be able to compete..."

Xue Wenzhong understood the part Zhao Xing was hesitant to say, referring to the other agrarian officials who accepted favors from subordinates and provided private tutoring and strong support.

"You have such talent, and I overlooked it in the past. It was indeed my mistake. From now on, you can come to the back yard every day and learn for an extra hour."

Zhao Xing had been hoping for this effect. Xue Wenzhong's words already implied that he considered Zhao Xing a disciple. How could he not know to climb the ladder?

Instantly, the title changed, and he bowed: "Disciple thanks Master for your guidance."

Xue Wenzhong was also inspired. In the past, he did not compete, but now, seeing a good seed, he had some thoughts. So he formally accepted this bow:

"Keep working hard, don't waste your talent, and do your best. I don't care about others. If you can't advance next year, I will step down and leave the position for you!"

If another leader said this, Zhao Xing would think it was just a promise. But Xue Wenzhong's words were highly credible. First, he was a man of his word, and second, he was already old and could have chosen to retire long ago.

If the quota is insufficient and Zhao Xing's ranking is on the edge, he might really step down and let Zhao Xing take his place.

"Thank you, Master. I will work hard and not let you down."

Over the next three days, Zhao Xing learned the fourth method of weaving straw figures from Xue Wenzhong.

Even Xue Wenzhong was surprised by Zhao Xing's progress, knowing that Zhao Xing had only practiced for an extra hour each day!

Zhao Xing was also deeply moved:

"With the double blessing of fortune and treasure, not only has my cultivation speed increased, but I have also gained the favor of the old agrarian official. The Great Dream Academy is indeed a good place. Just a small benefit has brought such a significant change."

However, these few nights, when he tried to enter the Great Dream Academy, he found that even the Heart-Questioning Platform was hidden, perhaps because he was too weak and there were no suitable challenges for him.

At this moment, Zhao Xing was walking in the fields of the eastern suburbs.

Agrarian clerks usually study in the morning and work in the afternoon.

In addition to promoting agriculture, inspections, and other miscellaneous tasks, they are also responsible for specific areas, of course, depending on which aspect their superior is in charge of.

Having many people has its disadvantages, but also its advantages. Under Xue Wenzhong, the workload is relatively light. With more people, the miscellaneous tasks assigned by superiors are fewer, making the work less busy.

This allows more time to be spent on studying and preparing for assessments.

The promotion of agrarian officials involves multiple aspects.

One is the harvest of the towns and villages under their jurisdiction, which is counted by the county government and not managed by the agrarian office.

Most towns are similar, but there are also upper, middle, and lower quality fields. Being assigned to a better area naturally makes things easier, but Xue Wenzhong does not compete, so the better areas are divided among the other agrarian officials.

The second is the moral assessment, which includes many aspects such as the completion of miscellaneous tasks assigned by superiors, learning attitude, and reputation. There is no specific standard, as the authority lies with the superiors.

The third is the ability assessment, which is based on the 24 solar terms. The four main terms—Start of Spring, Spring Equinox, Start of Summer, Summer Solstice, Start of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Start of Winter, and Winter Solstice—are mandatory. Other key planting and harvesting terms are also included.

For example, a month ago, the assessment for Grain in Ear was whether the final batch of Yuan rice was planted and its survival rate.

The person responsible for setting the questions and conducting the assessment is the 9th-rank agrarian official, Chen Shijie.

The above three aspects are considered "regular scores." The top scorers are recommended by the agrarian office to the "Nanyang Prefecture Government" at the end of the year. The three combined form the "Winter Assessment."

The Winter Assessment may include another round of exams, depending on the performance of Nanyang Prefecture in the previous year. If it outperforms other prefectures and the court allocates enough quotas, there may be no need for further exams.

In the following spring, there is another temple exam.

Set by the court, this exam further screens the candidates reported by the prefectures.

Passing the temple exam is the final step.

After that, the "official appointment" is made, with the court issuing a formal appointment letter. The appointee receives a fortune baptism in the temple, becoming a part of the Zhou Dynasty's fortune system.

In short, this is a series of promotion tasks.

Zhao Xing, in his previous life, also changed his profession during the Jing Emperor period and was very familiar with the process. It was a bit difficult at this time.

It would be much simpler in the revival version.

However, the difficulty has its advantages, as many things are no longer available later.

"With the blessing of fortune and treasure, I should not find it difficult to pass the promotion." Zhao Xing was confident and walked briskly toward the public fields.

The Summer Solstice has passed, and Minor Heat is approaching.

In the county government's public fields, the Yuan rice is beginning to mature.

This year's Winter Assessment did not include the "Summer Solstice" assessment, so Minor Heat will definitely not be skipped, otherwise, the basic number of Winter Assessment sessions would not be met.

At this time, most of the agrarian office clerks are running to the public fields, as the exam will not wait. Therefore, the public fields of Gu Cheng are already filled with clerks waiting.

"Everyone is waiting for the Minor Heat exam. It feels a bit like the scenes from my previous life." Zhao Xing looked around and felt it was similar to the rush for public elective courses in college.

However, it is normal. Missing an assessment, although not disqualifying, would have a significant impact. No one can guarantee that they can pass without a score in one subject.

Zhao Xing entered the public fields and immediately felt the heat, breaking into a sweat. Even with the "Cloud Walking" spell to block the sun, it was hard to resist.

After a while, he saw Chen Ziyu, Qian Dong, Li Chengfeng, Wen Nanxing, and others also rushing to the exam.

Everyone, without exception, was sweating and panting like dogs by the fields.

"Although it's just Minor Heat, the sun is as scorching as Major Heat. What kind of twisted exam will Chen Shijie set this time?" Chen Ziyu asked.

"How should I know? Aren't you also surnamed Chen?"

"Although we share the same surname, he is a temporary official from Xishan Prefecture, and has nothing to do with me." Chen Ziyu pouted.

"Let's just save our strength and wait." Qian Dong waved his straw hat weakly.

Just as everyone was wilting from the heat, a sudden cry came from the south.

"Look, what's that?!"

"It's the exam, the exam is here!"

"Heaven, it's actually..."

(End of Chapter)