Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 139 - 93: Preparation and Progress After a Month, Start of Winter is Here! (Third update, please subscribe)_3

Chapter 139: Chapter 93: Preparation and Progress After a Month, Start of Winter is Here! (Third update, please subscribe)_3

But Zhao Xing spent the most time on the Sleeping Bug Spell from the introductory Chapter of the Great Dream Spring and Autumn.

[Sleeping Bug: Intermediate Magic]

[Progress: Nine Revolutions (Perfection)]

[Effect: Remote capture of life soul’s sleeping bug]

"The sleeping bug inside this Sandalwood Soul Box has turned so dark it’s almost black," Zhao Xing said, touching the box in his bosom. "Now, I’m afraid both Long Xiao and Old Chen wouldn’t be able to resist. Once hit, they would fall asleep immediately."

.....

On the first day of November, the 15th year of Jingxin reached the last solar month.

The clerks at the Minister of Agriculture Supervision became busy once again.

Because the Start of Winter was approaching.

The four seasons and eight festivals must have assessments, and it was also the penultimate assessment of the year.

The majority of people knew they had no future in office, but even if not for the assessment, their stipends were at stake.

Who didn’t want a bit more year-end bonus?

The more this time came, the more they had to act properly.

"Big brother."

"Elder brother!"

Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong caught up with him in the corridor.

"Qian Dong, Ziyu," Zhao Xing said as he turned to look at them. "Up so early today?"

"Big brother, Ziyu and I get up this early every day. You’re the one who’s gotten lazy recently," Qian Dong said with a smile.

"Yes, elder brother. Where have you been lately? We haven’t seen you, and your house has been shrouded in mist. We didn’t know what you were up to; Uncle Zhao said no visitors, so we didn’t dare to disturb you," Chen Ziyu continued.

"It’s all for the Start of Winter assessment," Zhao Xing had already prepared his excuse. "I only had four top grades this year. The previous results were just average, so I’m still a bit uncertain about whether I can secure an office."

Of course, this was just an excuse. After the autumnal equinox and the Mountain Opening, Ji Ming had personally selected him to participate in the winter assessment.

This meant Nanyang County’s reported quota would definitely include him.

Li Wenzheng had long communicated with Chen Shijie, insisting that Zhao Xing must pass; it was almost as if he hadn’t openly suggested leaking the exam topics to Zhao Xing.

For the county-level examination, the main official of the Minister of Agriculture Supervision set the questions, while Li Wenzheng supervised. If these two colluded, even a fool could pass.

Of course, Zhao Xing was strong in his own right. If Li Wenzheng and Chen Shijie had reported a mediocre candidate to the county, it would have caused problems.

Recommendations, grades, and personal strength were all solid. The rest depended on Zhao Xing’s performance in the temple examination.

The excuse was merely a reason to decline visitors.

"Elder brother, you truly work hard. No wonder you excel," Chen Ziyu said, full of admiration.

"In the spring next year, we await the good news from you, big brother," Qian Dong said with a smile. "Ziyu and I congratulate you in advance."

"Thank you for your good wishes," Zhao Xing replied with a smile.

"We must be off now, big brother; the Old Minister of Agriculture is about to start the lecture. We should hurry!"

.....

On November 5, the content and location of the Minister of Agriculture Supervision’s Start of Winter assessment were announced. On the same day, the Heavenly Workshop, Military Department, Weaving Bureau, and temple’s year-end assessment content and locations were also announced.

Chen Shijie, Li Wenzheng, and Gongsun Yang, the main officials of the various departments in Gucheng, had a sudden inspiration to conduct joint assessments for multiple occupations, including martial artists, mechanical masters, ministers of agriculture, weavers, and emcees, at the same location—the Anping Town.

After the assessment content was made public, the clerks grumbled incessantly and privately cursed Chen Shijie and Li Wenzheng for their unorthodox ideas.

But no matter how much they cursed, it couldn’t change the decisions of these two big shots. They had no choice but to hurriedly make preparations for this unusual joint assessment.

...

On November 5 and 6, a large number of clerks arrived in Anping Town early and began checking out the assessment site outside Anping Town—a deserted forge.

On November 7, the bells of the temple in the county city and the Gucheng Minister of Agriculture Supervision rang out in succession.

It was as if announcing to the people of Gu County that winter had begun.