The old Agricultural Affairs Bureau head wanting to personally instruct someone made many envious. Especially since he left midway through the lesson, which was quite unusual.
Some sensitive little officials began to speculate whether the old Agricultural Affairs Bureau head was quietly preparing to take on an official disciple or perhaps wanted to enhance his achievements for recommendations.
Zhao Xing, however, did not think much of it and honestly followed Xue Wenzhong to the backyard.
The front yard was warm like spring, while the backyard was hot like summer, as if they were two different seasons.
In the south of the yard stood a locust tree, lush and green, while the north had a wood shed, neatly arranged. To the east were several golden straw stacks, and to the west was a small vegetable garden filled with various flowers and plants. A trellis was set up beside the vegetable garden, covered in greenish-purple vines.
The old Agricultural Affairs Bureau head seemed to treat the place like his own home; he was truly dedicated.
Zhao Xing thought to himself as he stood in front of the straw stacks, following Xue Wenzhong.
"Grass and wood are soldiers; this is a spell that uses grass and wood as mediums. Based on this spell, many high-level spells can be extended and upgraded, but it mainly focuses on offense."
"It is usually a foundational spell that every military Agricultural Affairs Bureau head must master, along with spells like [Turning Grass into Arrows], [Willow Leaf Golden Blade], and [Sprinkling Beans to Create Soldiers]."
"The Temple of Divinity has passed this method to you, which means you may have the potential to become a 'military Agricultural Affairs Bureau head.' If you can become an official Agricultural Affairs Bureau head in the future, you might consider this direction."
Zhao Xing certainly understood, but he still thanked Xue Wenzhong for the reminder: "Yes, thank you, Elder Xue."
Xue Wenzhong grabbed a handful of dry grass from the straw stack and handed it to Zhao Xing: "That may be the case, but you are not yet an official Agricultural Affairs Bureau head, so according to the rules, you cannot learn those military spells. Let me teach you how to make a straw man puppet instead."
Zhao Xing nodded. The current [Grass and Wood are Soldiers] was merely a preliminary spell; he needed to expand his applications and master more intermediate and advanced spells to truly achieve the essence of Grass and Wood are Soldiers.
Learning the skill of [Straw Man Puppet] from Xue Wenzhong was also quite good, as this spell was very practical.
"The key to the straw man puppet is the technique and the materials. What agricultural texts have you read?"
"I have read 'Compendium of Materia Medica,' 'Great View of Wood,' and 'Outline of All Things,' but only have a slight understanding," Zhao Xing replied modestly.
Unexpectedly, Xue Wenzhong frowned: "What do you mean by a slight understanding? Do you remember everything, or did you not memorize it all?"
Honest people are often straightforward. In professional matters, there is never a vague standard. Zhao Xing knew that being modest here would not work; he had to let Xue Wenzhong know his true level.
So he replied again: "I have already memorized it thoroughly."
Xue Wenzhong admonished: "If you have memorized it, then say so. In the future, when you learn from me, do not use vague terms. If you cannot identify everything and mistakenly use toxic materials, the straw man you create will lead to very serious consequences."
"Yes, I understand, teacher."
"This is vital rice dry grass; ten stalks make a bundle. I will teach you the 'Liu Chuan Weaving Method.' This method includes eighty-one techniques, which are not particularly profound. If there is no exam on straw men this year, then it is fine, but if there is, it must be among these eighty-one techniques. You will learn from me."
Xue Wenzhong gathered materials on the spot and began teaching beside the straw stack.
Zhao Xing's eyes lit up. The 'Eighty-One Methods of Liu Chuan' had been incomplete in the past, and the revived version only had forty-nine methods left.
The practicality of straw men was very high; whether in combat, fleeing, ambushing, or assisting, they had remarkable effects. Often, players in the Agricultural Affairs Bureau would post on forums, wishing they could travel back to the early days of the game to obtain the complete version.
In his previous life, Zhao Xing had painstakingly collected seventy-two methods, and even now, the Temple of Divinity only passed down nine methods. The Great Zhou Dynasty taught officials based on practical situations; knowing nine methods was sufficient to handle most circumstances. Teaching too many would scatter focus and increase burdens, while military Agricultural Affairs Bureau heads might have ways to learn more.
Unexpectedly, Xue Wenzhong had the complete version here. Looking at it now, learning more seemed to have no significant use, but as the situation changed, some spells might become powerful again with the revived version. The straw man spell was a classic example!
His luck was truly good.
"Look, this is the first weaving method. Did you see the technique clearly just now?"
"I didn't see clearly," Zhao Xing honestly replied. Xue Wenzhong's speed in making the first straw man was too fast, and he had recalled some things, failing to keep up completely.
"That's fine; I will demonstrate it again. This time I will go slower," Xue Wenzhong nodded. The straw man method was relatively difficult; it would be strange to master it in one go.
So he patiently demonstrated it a second time in slow motion.
Zhao Xing no longer thought too much and focused entirely, following Xue Wenzhong's movements.
The vital rice dry grass seemed like needle and thread, with his fingers skillfully weaving.
Once a person is serious and attentive, they can achieve twice the result with half the effort. Moreover, having consumed a Dao Embryo Pill, Zhao Xing's memory, vital Qi control, and comprehension were gradually improving.
When Xue Wenzhong finished, the straw man in front of Zhao Xing gradually took shape, with limbs, body, and head...
"Not bad, not bad." Xue Wenzhong glanced at it and couldn't help but praise: "There are only three mistakes."
"Huh?" Zhao Xing was puzzled. Where did he go wrong? It looked exactly the same!
Xue Wenzhong did not explain. He let his vital Qi manifest at his fingertips and infused it into his straw man.
"Crackle~" The straw man waved its limbs as if it had come to life, synchronizing with Xue Wenzhong's movements.
Zhao Xing infused a thread of vital Qi, but the straw man remained motionless.
"The Liu Chuan Weaving Method is to construct a model that allows your vital Qi to circulate. The vital rice grass is like the meridians of the human body; having one more or one less will cause the straw man's meridians to be obstructed, and the spell will not function."
Zhao Xing suddenly understood. No wonder his panel did not show any prompts, nor did his proficiency increase.
So he had truly failed.
Xue Wenzhong reached out and removed a stalk of rice straw from the chest, abdomen, and armpits of Zhao Xing's straw man, discarding them, and then added one to the head. After reweaving it, he said, "Try again."
Zhao Xing infused a second thread of vital Qi into the straw man, and the next moment, the straw man began to move. Its golden body seemed to be coated in a layer of light, and then a faint connection appeared between him and the straw man.
[You have comprehended the 'Liu Chuan Weaving Method: Fragment,' mastering a method for making straw men.]
[You have created a straw man puppet (Reviving).]
[Grass and Wood are Soldiers proficiency +1.]
[Straw Man Puppet (Reviving).]
[Proficiency: 1/9999.]
[Effect: Moves at your command, endlessly repeating.]
Elder Xue is amazing! Zhao Xing silently cheered in his heart.
He did not expect to quickly regain the divine skill he had when playing the Agricultural Affairs Bureau profession.
Reviving the straw man was one of the skills for survival in his previous life! From commanding troops in battle to trading and buying, the application of the reviving straw man was quite extensive.
Of course, this spell was limited by the times, and its effects were still weak, but it would surely shine again one day!
"Practice here a few more times. I will go to the front yard to take a look and then come back to teach you the second method."
(End of Chapter)