Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 319 - 6: Here I Come, Military Minister of Agriculture is the Top Leader! (Third update requesting guaranteed monthly ticket!)_2

Chapter 319: Chapter 6: Here I Come, Military Minister of Agriculture is the Top Leader! (Third update requesting guaranteed monthly ticket!)_2

"Gentlemen, you must have misunderstood something. Please follow me to the back hall for a moment’s rest, and allow me to introduce..."

"No need to delay any longer!" Wei Xuancheng interrupted, "If you want to inform which lord, you are free to do so now, but as for the temple, I will destroy it first!"

Yan Kuan saw that this group of government officers was impervious to both soft and hard tactics, and his expression turned cold, "May I know your name, sir, and who ordered the demolition?"

"I am Wei Xuancheng from Anping Prefecture, just a secondary seventh-rank priest of the Fengtian Hall," Wei Xuancheng stared at Yan Kuan, "As for which lord gave the order, if you have the ability, you can investigate yourself. Now, move!"

Wei Xuancheng grew extremely impatient with Yan Kuan, unwilling to say more.

He immediately ordered action.

Yan Kuan was planning to delay time by mentioning some influential persons, but upon hearing Wei Xuancheng’s name and knowing he was from the Prefecture City, his heart chilled half-way through.

Wei Xuancheng was nothing, but his elder brother Wei Hong was a high priest of standard fourth-rank!

No matter how much he sought connections, could he surpass Wei Hong?

Even Lord Cui was just a standard fourth-rank!

Yan Kuan saw Wei Xuancheng move the divine statue of justice into the main hall and immediately collapsed to the ground.

In this case, not only would the temple be destroyed, but Yuan Guang, this Yin God, would also be captured.

"My ancestors are doomed!"

Yan Kuan collapsed on the ground.

......

In the towering ship ascendant.

Zhao Xing waited and waited, seeing no sign of Wei Xuancheng returning, and began to feel suspicious.

However, sensing the dramatic weather changes outside, he seemed to understand something and sat back in his place, patiently waiting.

Half an hour later, Wei Xuancheng returned.

But there was a bit more coldness on his face.

He seemed to have just experienced a battle.

"Mr. Zhao, sorry for the wait, I was delayed by the temple demolition," Wei Xuancheng began.

"No problem, Mr. Wei’s matter is important," Zhao Xing quickly rose.

"Just now, Lord Gong has already responded to Mr. Zhao’s suggestion. It won’t be long before Mr. Zhao receives news from the Earth Mirror."

"If Mr. Zhao is willing, you may leave now, no need to follow us station by station."

Seeing Wei Xuancheng’s tired appearance, Zhao Xing immediately stood up, "In that case, I will take my leave."

Wei Xuancheng cupped his hands, "Though we have only met once, it feels like we’ve known each other forever. If you don’t mind, let us address each other as brothers."

"That is exactly what I was thinking. Then I will boldly call you Brother Xuancheng," Zhao Xing quickly seized the opportunity. Befriending this influential figure could only be beneficial at the moment.

Wei Xuancheng laughed, "Though we both have official duties now and cannot stay together for long, if Brother Zhao ever comes to Anping Prefecture, please come to my residence for a chat over tea."

As there were many restrictions during certain periods for priests, alcohol was forbidden; imagine worshiping the divine statue drunk. Therefore, Wei Xuancheng only mentioned drinking tea, not alcohol.

"It’s a deal!" Zhao Xing bade farewell, then went out to bid farewell to Gong Ming and thank the remaining priests in the divine temple.

After completing the formalities, he took an Arrowfish Flying Boat from the tower ship and flew away with Long Xiao.

.....

Before leaving the boundaries of Anping Prefecture, a message came through from the Military Realm via the Earth Mirror.

The second task was evaluated as: top-ranking.

"Having received a top-ranking, the fate of those fifty-two divine temples seems grim," Zhao Xing thought.

To demolish them all was certain.

Killing those Yin Gods?

Even if not killed, they’d likely be reverted to their original form, losing two centuries of cultivation.

If it was discovered that they had taken advantage of Yin God’s power for personal gain or committed illegal acts, killing Yin Gods wouldn’t be enough; people would also have to be executed.

In the grand scheme of subduing the barbarians, all unstable factors had to be eradicated. No matter what Prince you were, you’d better tuck your tail and behave during this time.

"Judging by the first two tasks, Emperor Jing’s determination to conquer the barbarians was unprecedented. After all, he planned to surpass his grandfather’s achievements in this battle."

"Although frugal before, this battle won’t be stingy. What needs to be killed will be killed, what needs to be rewarded will be rewarded."

"During this early stage, both military and administrative roles will see a rise of new blood."

"My nine-stage task is one such channel," Zhao Xing pondered.

Characteristically, Emperor Jing wouldn’t have launched such tasks ten years ago.

After training, they wouldn’t directly appoint someone as a seventh-rank official either.

Hence, why some looked forward to war.

Because war meant promotions and wealth!

"The third stage, I guess, will cross the river."

Two tasks were enough for the reserve Minister of Agriculture to perceive the policy trends. If they couldn’t sense it yet, they were fools. Even more tasks wouldn’t help; they might as well go be cannon fodder soldiers.

"Buzz~"

The Earth Mirror vibrated. Soon, the third task arrived.

[Third Stage Task: Assume Office in Cloud City]

[Location: Yun County of Wangnan County, Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion]

[Military Realm Intelligence: Yun County borders the Lanjiang River to the east. It has the Zhi River and the Zhi River flowing through it. To the south lies the Fengming Mountain range. The flood season is approaching. You are temporarily appointed as the Doushui Order of Yun City Minister of Agriculture Supervision. Please proceed to your post immediately and prepare for flood control.]

[If flood damage causes significant losses to Yun County, your task will end at the third stage, and you will be reassigned.]

"A big job has come!"

Zhao Xing’s spirit immediately lifted upon seeing the third stage task.

After checking the scale of Yun City’s Minister of Agriculture Supervision, he found it to be at the county level!

The place wasn’t as large as an inland county but was much larger than a typical county.

Its administrative level was higher than a county but lower than a county, usually only found in war zones or the capital hinterlands.

Due to floods being a significant natural disaster, the Doushui Order was the highest rank of the Minister of Agriculture Supervision, at a secondary seventh rank.

Even though it was a temporary appointment, if done well, it would be natural to make it permanent, potentially even a promotion.

Because for the Minister of Agriculture Supervision at the county level, the chief officer could also be a standard seventh rank.

Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion was already in a state of military preparedness, thus his current role as a Military Minister of Agriculture Officer had significant authority.

Suppose there was no higher Minister of Agriculture Official in the surrounding counties; he could even command other counties’ Minister of Agriculture Officials.

Since water management couldn’t be accomplished by one county alone, the towns along the river needed to work together.

"Secondary seventh rank, this is a sufficient high starting point."

"The chief officer of the county government might even rank lower than I or be equal."

"In this case, he cannot order me around; there’s at least no fear of him dragging his feet."

Zhao Xing’s efforts in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven paid off, and his top-ranking evaluations in the first two tasks also played a role. Now, Zhao Xing’s starting point was inherently higher than others.

"What’s going on, making you so happy?" Long Xiao asked. After coaxing the Aotian Cat to sleep, he came out to see Zhao Xing grinning foolishly.

"Long Xiao, now I am only two ranks below you," Zhao Xing laughed.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Long Xiao asked, "I, this Valiant Captain, am a standard seventh rank. Are you now a secondary seventh rank?"

"Exactly," Zhao Xing said, "I have been tasked by the Military Realm to temporarily assume the duties of Doushui Order in Yun County."

"Isn’t the highest rank for the County Minister of Agriculture Supervision eighth rank, even for the chief officer?" Long Xiao was puzzled. "How are you secondary seventh rank?"

"Because Yun County is at the county-level, the rank is higher."

"Ah, I see." Long Xiao suddenly understood, but frowned, "But it’s hard to say whether this is good or bad. The position you’re in now comes with significant pressure. Many county-level towns in Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion face direct attacks from the barbarians and occasional harassment from alien tribes."

"Harassment? I’m hoping they’ll come!" Zhao Xing scoffed, "Thirty years of hard training are finally paying off!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? Including your civil servant period, you’ve only cultivated for two and a half years altogether."

"Training in the Ten Suns Cave Heaven for a year equaled thirty years for others!" Zhao Xing laughed.

"Don’t get too complacent. You never know if some fool might hinder you, like the County Magistrate of Yun City, who is likely a seventh rank?"

Zhao Xing smiled without a word.

If I am the Military Minister of Agriculture Officer, then I am the leader of Yun County! The County Magistrate? Listen and obey, share the credit when deserved, but dare to defy Mr. Zhao, and you’ll eat excrement!