Chapter 19: Preparing for the Quiz

The four seasons and eight solar terms are mandatory subjects for examination: Beginning of Spring, Spring Equinox, Beginning of Summer, Summer Solstice, Beginning of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Beginning of Winter, and Winter Solstice.

Depending on the circumstances of each prefecture or county, a minimum of twelve solar terms are tested, while the most rigorous top-tier counties or prefectures test all twenty-four.

The three hurdles to becoming a confirmed official—"jurisdictional harvest," "moral assessment," and "competency assessment"—are collectively known as the "Winter Evaluation." Following this, one must pass a "Temple Examination" to be officially inducted into the bureaucracy of the Qi-Luck Dynasty.

The "competency assessment" portion of the Winter Evaluation, which is based on the twenty-four solar terms, carries significant weight. Failure to pass this stage results in a lack of recommendation, rendering one ineligible for the Temple Examination. Officials aspiring to gain permanent status rarely miss any opportunity for a competency assessment.

Xue Wenzhong’s first lecture since returning to the Huailiu Academy drew a large crowd of officials.

"Master Xue, are you in good health?"

The old Minister of Agriculture smiled. "I am quite well."

"Master, I have brought you a century-old rehmannia root. Please accept it."

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

"Master Xue..."

It wasn't just the officials under Xue Wenzhong’s command; those from other departments also came to pay their respects. They were not there out of kindness, but to attend the lecture. Since the previous two Minor Heat assessments had been set by Chen Zhijie, it was now Xue Wenzhong’s turn for the Beginning of Autumn and the subsequent term.

"Minister Xue, for the Beginning of Autumn exam, you won’t be giving us any devious questions like Magistrate Chen did, will you? If you give us another 'Grain-Eating Bird Disaster,' I fear no one in Gu County will pass this year."

"Indeed, we don't even have turtledoves in the south!"

A bold official asked this, drawing a wave of laughter. Were it any other Minister of Agriculture, no official would dare to joke like this, but Xue Wenzhong was famously kind-hearted and gentle. The atmosphere in his lectures was quite relaxed, emboldening the officials to jest.

The old Minister of Agriculture asked, "So, you all want to know what will be on the Beginning of Autumn exam?"

"Yes, Master, tell us a little?" The crowd stretched their necks and pricked up their ears.

Xue Wenzhong smiled slightly. "You will know on the day of the Beginning of Autumn."

"Oh, come on..."

The room erupted in laughter again. Despite the non-answer, Zhao Xing enjoyed the atmosphere. He had audited other academies, where the air was either stiff and serious or so profound and difficult that only the most elite could understand, making them quite unfriendly.

Seeing that Xue Wenzhong looked ruddy and appeared unaffected by his recent illness, Zhao Xing felt relieved, though a trace of lingering sorrow remained in the old man's brow, suggesting he carried a heavy heart.

After the lecture in the front courtyard, Zhao Xing went to the back courtyard for his usual private practice. Seeing Zhao Xing holding something, Xue Wenzhong frowned. "Are you going to start giving gifts, too?"

Zhao Xing placed the three ducks he had brought into the poultry pen. "This isn't a gift, Master. You remember when I was practicing the 'Resurrection Grassman' spell and startled one of your ducks into flying off? I’ve brought it back."

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

Zhao Xing replied with a straight face, "Well, the duck was out wandering for a few days, found a mate, and they had a chick. I’m a kind-hearted student and couldn't bear to break up a family. After asking the ducks for their opinion, I brought them all back."

Hearing him spout nonsense with such solemnity, Xue Wenzhong couldn't help but be amused. He laughed and scolded, "Nonsense!"

This laughter was a silent acceptance. He could see that Zhao Xing was trying to cheer him up—not with the sycophancy of a subordinate, but with the genuine concern of a student. Zhao Xing also sensed that since Xue Wenzhong’s return, his attitude had shifted. Whether in casual conversation or teaching, the identity of "teacher" now outweighed that of "superior." This was a good sign. As for what had actually happened, the old Minister didn't say, and Zhao Xing wouldn't pry, lest he touch upon a painful memory.

"The Beginning of Autumn marks the start of the season. Although the heat remains, the Yang energy begins to wane while the Yin energy grows. It is a turning point from a peak of Yang to a rise of Yin, where crops shift from vigorous growth toward maturity."

"Both rainfall and climate will begin to decline, and crops will be affected accordingly."

"The Four Agriculture Treatises state: 'Autumn is when Yin energy begins to descend, hence all things are harvested.'"

As the practice drew to a close, the old Minister suddenly offered these words. Zhao Xing was momentarily stunned, then nodded and took his leave. On the way home, he pondered the old man’s words.

"The Minister mentioned crop maturity in all three sentences. It seems the Beginning of Autumn exam will be related to plant cultivation. I need to practice my cultivation spells more over the next few days."

...

Back home, it was past mealtime. Zhao Ruide was nowhere to be seen. Madam Cai, seeing the "bottomless pit" return, gave him a cold look and retreated into her room. Zhao Xing didn't mind; he went to the kitchen to find food. Zhao Zheng, however, scurried out of his mother’s room, excitedly helping his older 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 with eager expectation.

"Not bad, keep it up," Zhao Xing replied perfunctorily, focusing on his meal. After a few bites, he realized the taste was off. "Why doesn't this food taste as good as it did last night?"

Zhao Zheng said, "How can that be, Brother? This is what was left from last night."

Zhao Xing: "..."

Zhao Zheng continued, "Mother said you’re a bottomless pit who can eat anything and has a huge appetite, so she saved some for you... She’s never praised me like that."

"..." Right, right. Thank your mother for me.

Zhao Xing sniffed it; despite the hot weather, it hadn't soured yet, though the flavor had faded. He didn't care and wolfed it down with his eyes closed.

"Brother, what’s a 'bottomless pit'? Have you ever seen a ghost? I heard that people who know magic can see ghosts and summon gods, just like the acolytes at the temple." Zhao Zheng chattered on like a fountain of questions.

"You'll understand when you're older. Now, clean up these bowls and chopsticks and go play."

"Oh..."

After dismissing his younger brother, Zhao Xing returned to his room to draw talismans. Over the past month, his proficiency with the "Guiding Talisman" and "Soul-Calming Talisman" had improved significantly, yet the Great Dream Academy remained dormant.

"It seems I need a major breakthrough to reap the benefits." Though he had once again returned empty-handed from a mountain of treasure, Zhao Xing was not impatient; he had several hundred years to explore.

Recalling the old Minister’s hint, Zhao Xing pulled three books from his shelf: *The Materia Medica*, *Great View of Timber*, and *Compendium of All Things*. These were books on plant identification. "The Beginning of Autumn exam might involve this. I should review them."

"The imperial court transmits magic, and all kinds of classics contain miraculous effects. Though they aren't as powerful as the temple's methods, one can still derive spells from them."

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

Lighting the oil lamp, Zhao Xing began to read in detail.