Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 321 - 7: Where is my Minister of Agriculture Supervision?_2

Chapter 321: Chapter 7: Where is my Minister of Agriculture Supervision?_2

"Official Zhao Xing, at your service, Lord Dantai!"

Dantai Ming sat upright in the grand hall of the Doushui Bureau, dressed in deep crimson official robes with a fourth-rank crown. The crown was adorned with a golden floral top.

It was inlaid with azure gemstones, with smaller ones set in the middle. The crown itself was a magical treasure.

It gathered the three flowers at the top, continuously refining Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, needing no cultivation from the officials themselves, keeping them at peak condition day and night.

From secondary fourth rank to standard fourth rank, the difference lay mainly in the number of inlaid azure gemstones.

The fourth-rank civil official attire differed for regular wear and formal wear, with cloud sparrows embroidered on the formal attire, symbolizing law and propriety.

The fourth-rank military official attire had tigers embroidered on the formal wear, representing courage and strength.

However, the dress code in Great Zhou was quite complex; official attire also involved ranks and loose titles, and different positions had subtle differences.

For instance, Dantai Ming was a Doushui Order; his cloud sparrow was positioned between clouds and lake water.

If it were a fourth-rank priest, the cloud sparrow would be perched on the temple eaves.

Technically, Dantai Ming was a civil official, but if Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion went to war, he would immediately become a military official, as the Doushui Order could serve in both capacities.

Then his attire would change.

Even now, Dantai Ming’s attire differed from ordinary Literary Ministers of Agriculture; his belt was a exclusively martial belt worn by second-ranked marquises.

His sash was a golden seal with a silver tassel, and his sleeves had three rings of blue and white patterns. There were also Wenfang’s four treasures, the Heavenly Heart Token, and the Holy Page on the table before him, showing that he held a loose rank Doctor of Light Governance position, allowing him to participate in court discussions and directly communicate his policy suggestions to the central government, even writing to the Emperor.

Zhao Xing, recalling these details from his past life, could now recognize them at a glance.

As he paid his respects, he glanced at Dantai Ming, who, although nearly four hundred years old, still looked middle-aged with black hair.

Dantai Ming, tall and broad, even while seated, his upper body towered above the desk. Clad in his fourth-rank crown and official attire, the light in the grand hall seemed to focus entirely on him, making him impossible to look at directly.

As Zhao Xing paid his respects, Dantai Ming was also appraising this talented Minister of Agriculture from the Ten Suns Cave Heaven.

Generally, such talents wouldn’t catch his eye, and the matter of appointment wouldn’t warrant his personal reception.

However, Zhao Xing had another identity, as a student of Tian Shan.

This round of military ministerial training, Tian Shan accepted only one student, making it significant.

"Rise, and take a seat." Dantai Ming, deeply indebted to Tian Shan, was kind to Zhao Xing. As soon as Zhao Xing bowed, Dantai Ming spoke, showing no airs of authority.

"Thank you, Lord." Zhao Xing straightened up, lifting his robe and taking a seat sideways.

"This is your temporary appointment document, a seventh-rank Doushui Order crown attire and tassel seal."

Dantai Ming waved his hand, and a box floated to Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing quickly stood up to receive it, then waited for Dantai Ming’s admonition.

"As you head to Yun City, be mindful of the people, diligent in military affairs, and do not waste time."

"Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion is unlike the inland; as a newly appointed officer, do not rush. Report any anomalies to the Prefecture Minister of Agriculture Supervision."

"Understood, I will heed your instruction." Zhao Xing bowed again, holding the box.

"Go now."

"Your servant takes his leave."

Zhao Xing bowed and slowly exited the grand hall. Only after leaving did he straighten and walk lightly.

Seeing a superior required such formalities.

"All done?" Long Xiao, waiting outside, immediately came forward.

"Yes, all done."

"Why go to such trouble?" Long Xiao said, "You have a military appointment. Would the Yun City Minister of Agriculture Supervision dare not acknowledge it? Why go through the trouble of paying respects?"

"Appearing at the Prefecture Hall had no downsides; should you write a report, your presence leaves an impression. Otherwise, a delayed three to four days could mean someone’s death."

"Moreover..."

"Enough, spare me the details," Long Xiao waved, "Too many twists and turns, I’m just a martial artist, not interested in such complexities."

Zhao Xing smiled and boarded the boat.

He insisted on the visit to see Dantai Ming personally.

While he trusted Tian Shan’s judgment, he wasn’t entirely convinced, not wholly.

If Dantai Ming were one to repay favors with "I give you a hundred antidotes," banking on him would mean failure.

Tian Shan had contingency plans, preparing three letters. For a small eighth-grade Minister of Agriculture, facing a secondary fourth-rank shouldn’t be a struggle.

"Dantai Ming’s personal reception suggests a good first impression; his admonition was also kind, hinting that I could report any issues."

The others mentioned in the letters would be hard to meet, unrelated to this mission and seeming abrupt in visits.

For now, Dantai Ming sufficed.

"Let’s go, head to Yun City."

.....

Yun City was situated on the southeastern edge of Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion.

Zhao Xing had flown over the Canglan River before.

Now, flying towards Yun City, he saw the Canglan River again.

For the river meandered southwards into the Southern Desolate.

He crossed the river from Anping Prefecture to the Prefecture City, then headed southeast to Yun City, seeing the great river again.

Crossing the river from there wouldn’t be in the Great Zhou territory but in unclaimed desolate lands, harsh environments with high temperatures, deserts, marshes, poisonous miasma, and raging Gang Winds, essentially a no man’s land.

After departing from the Prefecture City, the Arrowfish Flying Boat took a day to reach Yun City.

They arrived at Mao Hour and three quarters.

A cold wind howled outside; frost covered the ground, with no signs of spring.

"Directly enter the city or conduct a covert inspection?" asked Long Xiao.

"What covert inspection? No need," Zhao Xing said, "We’re in a state of war, and I’m the highest-ranking officer. If anyone dares deceive me, it’s their death wish. I hope someone hides things so I can execute and assert authority."

Cover-ups wouldn’t succeed either, as a visit to the Yun City divine temple would reveal everything.

"Then we’ll go directly in."

Long Xiao piloted the flight and pressed down the bow, descending into Yun City.

A border military town with fortified walls and many fortress bases were array foundations. However, Zhao Xing faced no obstruction; his Arrowfish Flying Boat was registered and cleared to enter.

"We’ve arrived."

The Arrowfish Flying Boat landed outside Yun City’s Minister of Agriculture Supervision.

"Why is no one here to welcome the new superior?"

As Zhao Xing’s vehicle entered, the county government Inspection Department would receive immediate notification.

The county would immediately inform the Minister of Agriculture Supervision about the new appointment.

"Wait a bit; we arrived early, give them time to react."

Zhao Xing and Long Xiao waited at the front gate of the Minister of Agriculture Supervision.

But after 15 minutes, only three individuals appeared.

Long Xiao began to chuckle, while Zhao Xing’s face turned stern.

The Gucheng Minister of Agriculture Supervision had one chief and nine aides; Yun City, as a county-level prefecture, should have a more elaborate structure.

Only three people came to greet? This vast Minister of Agriculture Supervision only had three to welcome?

Damn, they really dared not to treat this interim official as an official!

"Zhang Zhong, Yun City Capital City Commander."

"Jiang Xi, Yun City Agricultural Supervisor."

"He Fengnian, Yun City Jun Shu Order."

"Greetings, superior!"

Three figures rushed over, seeing the Arrowfish Flying Boat and Zhao Xing, in his seventh-rank crown attire, immediately paying their respects.

Zhao Xing didn’t lord over them, for those present at least showed respect.

"At ease, you three," Zhao Xing returned the salute, "Where are the others? Preoccupied with duties?"

The three exchanged looks, and Zhang Zhong said, "The wind is strong outside; please, superior, enter the Minister of Agriculture Supervision for details."