Chapter 7: Wind, Thunder, and Grass and Trees as Soldiers

Zhao Xing sat down on the mat in front of the statue, relaxed his body, closed his eyes, and cleared his mind.

Before long, a gentle breeze brushed his face, accompanied by the rumble of thunder.

He then felt as if he were in a primeval forest, surrounded by hidden dangers.

The temple master, sensing something, looked at the statue of Cao Xi Zhenjun, then at Zhao Xing's back, and said, "You've learned quite quickly."

When all the strange phenomena disappeared, Zhao Xing opened his eyes, and his mind was filled with knowledge of three spells:

【Wind】、【Thunder】、【Grass and Trees as Soldiers】.

The first two belonged to the Heavenly Timing School of the Agricultural Sect and were minor skills preceding the "Solar Terms Command." The last one could be categorized under the Self-Sect's "Diagram of All Things Growing."

In his previous life, learning spells was as simple as tapping a skill book. Now, he needed to understand the true knowledge and delve deeper into it. From this perspective, players were truly geniuses.

After sitting for a while and realizing there were no more mysterious sensations, he knew he had learned all he could for now. He got up and bowed, "Thank you, Zhenjun, for granting me the spells."

【Wind: Beginner Spell】

【Progress: (0/9999)】

【Effect: Summon a strong wind to blow.】

【Thunder: Beginner Spell】

【Progress: (0/9999)】

【Effect: After casting Clouds, thunder can be heard in the clouds.】

【Grass and Trees as Soldiers: Beginner Spell】

【Progress: (0/9999)】

【Effect: Use plants as soldiers to attack.】

...

【Wind】 is an independent spell, but 【Thunder】 requires the prior casting of 【Clouds】.

Before advancing, this skill only produces sound and has no offensive power, at most it can startle someone.

The truly powerful version is 【Invoke Thunder】, which can summon lightning from the clouds.

The beginner version of 【Grass and Trees as Soldiers】 sounds intimidating, but for now, Zhao Xing can only use specific plant materials to create grass soldiers. To achieve "casting without external objects," making every plant and tree around him into soldiers with a wave of his hand, he needs to continuously advance the spell.

Since he hasn't cast it yet, his proficiency is 0.

Most places in the city are spell-restricted to avoid disturbing the people.

Especially for minor officials like him, if he accidentally blows away someone's drying underwear or wets their seeds, he'll be docked pay! What? You want to become a full-time official? Go cool off somewhere!

To practice, he either needs to leave the city or go to the Agricultural Inspectorate.

The Agricultural Inspectorate has the Dizang Guiyuan Array, where minor officials like him can practice freely.

After passing through the gate of the Agricultural Inspectorate, one can see a five to six-meter-tall "Wind and Rain Tower Ship." The ship's prow is a dragon's head, and the dragon spits water, which can nourish a thousand miles. The sail is embroidered with Yujiang, which can summon strong winds. It is one of the classic treasures of the Agricultural Inspectorate.

A small city like Gu Cheng certainly doesn't have such a high-level treasure; this is just a model. The real thing is only found in the Agricultural Inspectorate at the county level or higher.

But even at the county-level Agricultural Inspectorate, there are many good things. In the northeast corner's treasure vault, there are treasures like the "Flowing Cloud Boat," "Guiyuan Water Wheel," "Golden Raincoat," and "Hundred Flowers Hat."

Zhao Xing knows this well because the layout of the government buildings in the Great Zhou Dynasty is basically standardized. Remembering one is like remembering all.

Moreover, in his previous life, he often participated in raids on county cities, and the first thing he did upon entering was to head to the Agricultural Inspectorate. He even knows exactly where to open the mechanisms and which secret passages to take.

"Stop! This is the treasure vault, no entry allowed!" A voice suddenly shouted, stopping Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing realized he had wandered to the treasure vault without noticing. The guard's scrutinizing gaze told him his expression must have been suspicious.

Sigh, old habits die hard.

"Sorry, I was distracted." Zhao Xing bowed and resisted the urge to turn and leave.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine once you make it ashore."

After consoling himself, Zhao Xing passed through the herb garden and arrived at the courtyard area where the formal officials lived.

The Agricultural Inspectorate has one 9th-rank official, the Agricultural Inspector.

There are several 9th-rank junior officials, each in charge of storage, iron market, registered fields, Pinghuai, and Junshu.

In border cities, there is also a military Agricultural Inspector, who follows the army to create favorable conditions.

The 9th-rank Agricultural Inspector is the head of the Agricultural Inspectorate and generally does not guide minor officials, unless they have influence or background.

The 9th-rank junior officials have the duty to guide and teach.

Gu Cheng's 9th-rank junior officials are fully staffed with nine positions, but currently, there are only seven.

Each has a certain number of minor officials under them, who are both subordinates and students.

"Brother, wait for me!" As he was walking through the corridor, a familiar voice called out from behind.

He turned and stopped, seeing Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong with baskets on their backs.

"You two are also here so early."

"Isn't Brother the same?" Chen Ziyu smiled.

Qian Dong put on a profound look, "Ziyu, see? I was right. Brother has been secretly studying without us lately, coming to visit Teacher Xue so early. Hey? Brother, you look much better than before..."

Zhao Xing's lips twitched. Could you not mention his appearance?

"Enough talk, let's go."

Zhao Xing's superior and teacher is named Xue Wenzhong, who has the most minor officials under him.

It's not that he is particularly capable; Xue Wenzhong is simply a good person in the Agricultural Inspectorate.

Other Agricultural Inspectors are selective about their minor officials, unwilling to take too many, and choose based on family background and potential to achieve good performance. If a minor official under them becomes a full-time official, it counts as a performance metric.

Xue Wenzhong, being kind and simple, only cares about work and not about prospects. When colleagues refuse to take those with low status and rough potential, he takes on the task. Thus, out of the 500 minor officials in the Agricultural Inspectorate, 204 are under Xue Wenzhong!

Even though the old Agricultural Inspector tries his best, with so many disciples, he can't teach them all effectively, and the time and energy he can devote to each person are limited. In contrast, wealthy students like Li Chengfeng, under careful guidance, progress rapidly.

When they arrived at Xue Wenzhong's courtyard, there were already forty to fifty people waiting in front of the hall.

The old Agricultural Inspector was lecturing on the "Hundred Explanations of Heavenly Timing," and everyone listened intently. Those who moved in and out did so quietly, bending low.

The 9th-rank Agricultural Inspector already has some mystical abilities. It was now early summer, but the courtyard was still filled with blooming peach blossoms, warm like spring.

However, the occasional coughing sound indicated that the old Agricultural Inspector was somewhat frail.

"Xue Agricultural Inspector is 98 years old, and his health is not good. The benefits for officials during the Jingdi period were not substantial. Two longevity and blessing enhancements for a 9th-rank official are the maximum. I wonder how much longer he can live," Zhao Xing thought.

"Old Agricultural Inspector, please don't die this year. If you pass away, I'll be short one recommending superior, and I'll have to find another way to get that final push. It will be a hassle."

It seemed his silent prayer worked, as Xue Wenzhong stopped coughing and looked up.

Oh, the lecture was over, and it was now the Q&A session.

(End of Chapter)