Chen Shijie promised Zhao Xing that the quota for tribute officials would be in place next month, starting from the White Dew solar term.
The rewards for the Gao Huo were divided into several levels. In the first month, he could only receive the 'Medium Rank Official Gao Huo', but if Zhao Xing could achieve the Jia Shang rank next month, Chen Shijie could apply for him to be promoted to 'High Rank Official'.
The Medium Rank Official received five taels of silver per month, while the High Rank Official received ten taels.
How long this would last depended on Zhao Xing's performance.
Of course, if Zhao Xing could officially take up an official position next year, then this reward would no longer apply. At that time, if he performed excellently, there would be other awards.
Five taels per month and ten taels per month, based on the prices during Emperor Jing's reign, was already considered a substantial reward for officials!
One should know that those who were beaten by Young Master Zong, upon hearing about thirty taels of silver for a punch, would immediately choose to be 'beaten in the street' rather than 'reporting to the authorities'.
Ordinary people who took eighteen punches from him would instantly become wealthy, leading many to later beg Young Master Zong to beat them!
However, for those with aspirations to cultivate and ascend the path of the azure clouds, these resources were not considered much; at this stage, they could only be deemed sufficient.
The official rewards were merely a favor from Chen Shijie, but the private support he offered could be considered generous!
"I will send you fifteen Tianyuan Pears each month. If you achieve Jia Shang again, I will give you that Tianyuan Pear tree. If it can survive, it can serve as your resource for future cultivation," Chen Shijie pointed to a small tree in the seedling area.
Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised; Chen Shijie was indeed willing to invest heavily. The Tianyuan Pear tree was of Third Level quality, and even as a young tree, it was quite valuable. If it could be cultivated to maturity, it would definitely become a money tree!
Although he wanted it very much, he still had to act modestly: "Such a generous reward, Zhao Xing feels unworthy."
Chen Shijie, however, was nonchalant: "I have considerable family assets. After serving in Nanyang County for three years, I have cultivated a pear orchard. Giving you a young tree is merely a small matter. Accept it; perhaps one day you and I can advance together."
Xue Wenzhong couldn't help but be moved; clearly, this was beyond his expectations.
What surprised him even more was Chen Shijie's attitude. This was not how one treated a junior; he clearly regarded Zhao Xing as a peer to fight alongside!
Xue Wenzhong thought to himself: "This Lord Chen is indeed an anomaly; he is truly unpredictable."
However, this was a good thing. Although the Tianyuan Pear young tree was slightly less valuable than the Dao Transmission Painting, it had the advantage of longevity. In the long run, its value would eventually surpass that of the Dao Transmission Painting.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing no longer declined and readily accepted: "Then I thank Lord Chen."
Chen Shijie left with a smile. If it weren't for fearing Zhao Xing being envied by others, he would have wanted to directly gift him a mature pear tree.
He had considerable family wealth and had gained quite a bit from his military service; a Tianyuan Pear tree was nothing to him.
In the three years he had been in Nanyang County, he had seen his colleagues as frivolous individuals, with none to his liking. Zhao Xing's performance was just right in his eyes.
Moreover, when Chen Shijie spoke of advancing together, he was not joking.
He genuinely thought: "I won't stay in Nanyang County for long. The general will eventually need me again. When I return to the military, perhaps I can include him in the list."
After the autumn assessment, the announcement was made, and only fifteen people were rated as Jia.
Compared to the last time, this was a reduction by half.
The assessments were becoming increasingly strict, all for the purpose of filtering for the final list.
After Zhao Xing exited the Hundred Herbs Garden, he was immediately surrounded by many people.
"Zhao Xing is out!"
"Brother Zhao, congratulations!"
"Congratulations to Zhao Er Jia!"
"Next year, when you take up an official position, Brother Zhao's name will definitely be on the list!" Qian Dong said with a grin.
Seeing this, Zhao Xing playfully grabbed Qian Dong's head and laughed: "Then why are you still calling me Brother Zhao? You should be calling me Lord Zhao!"
"Ah, it was my mistake; I apologize to Lord Zhao."
"Hahaha." The crowd couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Not far away, Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang stood together, their brows slightly furrowed.
Although some congratulated him, this time the popularity was noticeably less.
"Hmph, this guy knows how to play the game," Zong Shichang said, looking across with a stiff tone. Although he had been beaten, he couldn't bring himself to hate Zhao Xing; it was just a matter of face. Otherwise, Young Master Zong would have wanted to join in the fun.
"Let's go, Brother Zong, let's go drink," Li Chengfeng said, giving Zhao Xing a deep glance before calling friends to leave.
Compared to Li Chengfeng, Zhao Xing gave off a more approachable and down-to-earth vibe.
Although Li Chengfeng was known as a gentleman, he always had an air of aloofness that sensitive people could sense.
Of course, this was secondary; Zhao Xing's popularity was mainly due to his ranking.
This time, only three people achieved Jia, namely Li Chengfeng, Zong Shichang, and Zhao Xing.
Xiao Ze and Wen Nanxing, who had always performed excellently, only managed to achieve Jia Zhong.
After the assessment, Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze directly shut themselves in for three days, and when they emerged, they returned to normal but never mentioned being set up. If asked, they would only say it was a poor performance.
Did they know who set them up? Of course, they figured it out!
"I was unknowingly robbed of vital Qi; I didn't realize it for four days and three nights?" Wen Nanxing, upon learning this, locked himself in and drank to forget.
Sitting opposite him, Xiao Ze also drank heavily. Remembering Chen Shijie's comments, he felt utterly embarrassed.
"Insufficient vigilance, insufficient vigilance..." These five words echoed in his mind.
Xiao Ze recalled the disappointed look of his teacher and took a heavy swig of alcohol, then slammed the cup down on the table with a bang.
"What a Zhao Er Jia! If there is a chance in the next assessment, I will definitely return the favor!"
"Brother Xiao, keep your voice down!" Wen Nanxing handed him a different cup, "Just keep it to yourself."
Their dignity did not allow them to speak it out loud, but in their hearts, they had placed Zhao Xing on the top of their competition list, waiting for the next opportunity to regain their face from him.
"Falcon Guardian, the ratings for the autumn assessment in Grain City have been announced. This person has achieved Jia twice in a row, and it is even rumored that he defeated Zong Shichang in sparring. Should we include this Zhao family child in the capture list?"
In a nondescript house in Sanwan Town, east of Gu County, three people were gathered around a table eating.
An old man, a man, and a woman appeared to be a family of three.
However, the true identities of these three were the Falcon Guardian of the Mysterious Heaven Sect and two hall masters.
The old man, known as the Falcon Guardian, had kind eyes and a full head of white hair, looking as if he were nearing the end of his days.
The middle-aged man was the Sanwan Hall Master, with an unremarkable appearance and prominent cheekbones, while the woman was the deputy hall master, wearing a headscarf, with a yellowish complexion and a barrel-shaped waist, lacking any distinctive features, and even somewhat unattractive.
The one speaking was the Sanwan Hall Master, with a public notice list from the Agricultural Affairs Bureau spread out on the table, his finger pointing at Zhao Xing's name.
The Falcon Guardian opened his eyes, his gaze shifting from murky to clear: "Oh? Achieving Jia twice, and even defeating Zong Shichang? Is this a moment of enlightenment, or the result of long-term accumulation? Let me see the specific information before deciding whether to include him in the list."
(End of Chapter)