There is a saying: understanding the law without understanding the principle leads to a lifetime of emptiness; understanding the principle without understanding the law results in wasted efforts for ten years.
Theoretical knowledge is also a crucial aspect of assessments.
If one wishes to surpass other minor officials, one must achieve a more comprehensive understanding. If the performance of spells is nearly identical, the one with superior theoretical knowledge will be selected for official positions.
Zhao Xing casually pulled a book from the bookshelf, titled "The Seventy-Two Phenomena of the Lunar Calendar." It is included in the ancient agricultural text "Shixun Jie," and the original author is untraceable, having been recompiled by the Grand Minister of Agriculture Wu Cheng during the era of the founding emperor.
"First phase of the first month: the east wind thaws; the warmth arrives, and the frost disperses."
"Second phase: hibernating insects begin to stir; stirring means movement."
"Third phase: fish ascend with the ice. Ascend means to accumulate, to rise, to be high. The vital Qi has begun to move, and the fish gradually swim upstream, approaching the ice."
Zhao Xing activated his Mingmou (Bright Eyes) spell and began to read carefully.
The ancient agricultural sages, in pursuit of stable celestial phenomena, attempted to find stable and long-lasting adaptive patterns, thus creating many theories.
"The Seventy-Two Phenomena of the Lunar Calendar" is one such theory.
It divides the year into twenty-four solar terms, each consisting of three phases, with each phase corresponding to a specific phenomenon, known as "phenomenon correspondence."
Among the plant correspondences are the sprouting of young buds, blooming, and fruiting; among the animal correspondences are the beginning of stirring, the first calls, mating, and migration; the non-biological correspondences include the beginning of ice formation, the sound of thunder, and the moistening of the earth in sultry heat.
"Second month, first phase: peach blossoms begin to bloom; the warmth of the sun arises, gradually becoming more abundant."
"Second phase: the oriole sings; the yellow oriole."
"Third phase: the eagle transforms into a dove. The eagle is a predatory bird. At this time, the eagle transforms into a dove, and by autumn, the dove will revert to an eagle."
The Seventy-Two Phenomena of the Lunar Calendar records many miraculous phenomena.
For example, the 'eagle transforms into a dove' in the first phase of the second month.
The 'mouse transforms into a quail' in the first phase of the third month.
The 'sparrow enters the water to become a clam' at the end of September.
This is the change of the four seasons, compounded by environmental and vital Qi fluctuations, leading to 'species phenomenon changes.'
The aforementioned examples are not particularly exaggerated.
The ancient version of "Shixun Jie" also recorded that in certain places, the first phase of the fourth month would see 'earth dragons transform.'
This means that earthworms could transform into earth dragons of a hundred zhang in size!
In the first phase of the eighth month, 'the swallow transforms into the mysterious bird,' where ordinary swallows can transform into the 'Heavenly Mandate Mysterious Bird!'
At the end of December, in the northern abyss, there is the 'transformation of the Kunpeng,' where the Kun fish soars into the sky overnight, transforming into the great Peng of the Nine Heavens!
Ordinary 'phenomenon changes' are counted by the year, and there are also 'ten-year phenomenon changes,' 'hundred-year phenomenon changes,' and 'thousand-year phenomenon changes.'
The version compiled by Wu Cheng only records 'ten-year phenomenon changes' and briefly mentions hundred-year phenomenon changes.
As for the nearly legendary 'thousand-year phenomenon changes,' it has been omitted.
This is because the Minister of Agriculture would never witness a thousand-year phenomenon change in their lifetime, and after the establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the fluctuations of vital Qi were no longer so drastic, making such occurrences increasingly rare.
Another reason is the taboo surrounding it.
For instance, 'the swallow transforms into the mysterious bird,' 'the Heavenly Mandate Mysterious Bird nurtured the Yin Dynasty.'
It is said that the founding emperor of the Yin Dynasty was raised by the Heavenly Mandate Mysterious Bird, and if another family were to produce a Heavenly Mandate Mysterious Bird, it would likely incite turmoil.
"I have witnessed the 'Kunpeng transformation' twice in the North Sea in my previous life, but I cannot recall the exact time. As for the Heavenly Mandate Mysterious Bird, I have only heard of it and have not seen it with my own eyes. I wonder if there will be an opportunity in this life."
"However, it seems that during the reign of Emperor Jing, there were no thousand-year phenomenon changes, at most only hundred-year phenomenon changes. When and where did they occur?"
Zhao Xing pondered, his memory somewhat hazy, only vaguely recalling some association with certain events.
"People come to the earth to prosper, turning yellow earth into true gold."
"The five elements regard earth as precious, not contending with fire for fame."
Zhao Xing continued to read "The Theory of the Five Elements and Four Seasons," another classic work that unifies the five elements with the four seasons, completing a self-consistent theoretical system.
"The matching of the five elements with the heavenly stems and earthly branches is well done, but matching with the four seasons truly troubled the ancient agricultural sages and caused suffering for the agricultural candidates." Zhao Xing chuckled as he looked at the book.
He had taken many exams regarding the Theory of the Five Elements and Four Seasons, and a genuine Minister of Agriculture must understand the principles of the five elements and yin-yang; otherwise, the decrees regarding solar terms and the changes in solar terms would be nonsensical.
"Currently, the most popular theory is the 'Earth King Late Summer Theory': spring wood, summer fire, late summer earth, autumn metal, winter water."
"This system's five elements matched with the months is still incomplete; the correspondence between fire and earth is lacking, and the claim that the five elements should be in equal standing cannot be self-consistent."
"However, I suppose I will have to make do for now and see what questions arise later before making plans," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
He understood many theories from later generations, but those versions were too advanced and might not be applicable at present.
As a county-level official, if he were to propose some astonishing theory, it would likely cause a great stir during the temple examinations; being too high-profile might not be a good thing, and he still needed to take things step by step.
After studying hard through the night, Zhao Xing finally set down his book when the rooster crowed.
He glanced at the panel, which already displayed a series of records.
[You read books in the night, Mingmou spell proficiency +2]
[You read books in the night, Mingmou spell proficiency +3]
[You read books in the night...]
The Mingmou spell was quite easy to practice, and the proficiency growth rate was almost calculated by the minute.
After tirelessly studying day and night, Zhao Xing focused on the 'Mingmou' spell, and soon he saw significant results.
After one night, the Mingmou spell had already broken through to the fourth transformation.
Mingmou Night Vision was merely the introductory effect of Mingmou.
To achieve the effect of 'Mingmou Night Vision to see ghosts and deities,' the fourth transformation was still insufficient.
"It seems I need to take a shortcut," Zhao Xing said as he stepped outside, running to the pharmacy in the market to buy a pile of mugwort leaves, along with a box of high-quality tung oil.
He also purchased 'yellow paper,' 'bright sand,' 'heavenly heart grass,' and other items.
After a large shopping spree, he returned home.
"I should remember the quick method for Mingmou; I really don't know which ruthless player summarized it."
Zhao Xing muttered as he ignited a mixture of mugwort leaves, bright sand, and heavenly heart grass.
A column of smoke rose, dense and unscattered.
Zhao Xing leaned over the smoke, beginning to fumigate his eyes.
"Hiss~"
The smoke was not irritating; instead, it had a faint fragrance, but it truly stung the eyes!
Before long, Zhao Xing felt a burning sensation and, after enduring for a tea time, had to pull away.
Then he applied tung oil to his eyelids, and a cool sensation came, making it much more bearable.
[Mingmou Night Vision spell proficiency +20]
[Mingmou Night Vision spell proficiency +30]
The hard work was not in vain; the spell proficiency began to surge.
Zhao Xing followed the above steps and started to practice repeatedly.
Every day, aside from cultivating spells related to celestial timing and geographical advantages at the Agricultural Affairs Bureau, he dedicated time in the evenings to focus on the Mingmou spell.
Finally, before August 22nd, Zhao Xing had cultivated the Mingmou spell to the ninth transformation.
"Tomorrow is the Beginning of Autumn solar term, time to release the river lanterns and sacrifice to the souls. I wonder if I can gain some benefits."
(End of Chapter)