Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 322 - 8: Who would’ve thought Mr. Zhao had such a big background?!

Chapter 322: Chapter 8: Who would’ve thought Mr. Zhao had such a big background?!

"Alright, let’s go inside first." Zhao Xing did not immediately lose his temper, thinking there might be hidden reasons. Otherwise, it would make him seem too petty as a leader.

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian accompanied Zhao Xing into the Minister of Agriculture Supervision.

As soon as he stepped through the door, Zhao Xing frowned at the sky.

It was snowing lightly, and the snow was drifting into the Minister of Agriculture Supervision.

According to regulations, the internal array of the Minister of Agriculture Supervision should not be affected by the Heavenly Time, and with the Ministers of Agriculture present, how could they allow snow to drift in?

Zhang Zhong explained, "The Yun City Minister of Agriculture Supervision has not been repaired for twenty years. Our abilities are limited; we cannot control the Heavenly Time here, so whatever happens outside also happens inside..."

Zhao Xing frowned even more but said nothing, simply raising a hand to point at the sky.

Buzz~

A golden light shot upwards, sweeping the wind and snow across the sky; then it reversed and flowed back into the high heavens.

The golden light spread, and a golden cloud quickly expanded, soon covering the entire sky.

A gentle breeze blew across the ground, rapidly melting the frost.

Outside the gate of the Minister of Agriculture Supervision, even a hint of green emerged.

Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian all raised their eyebrows.

With a wave of his hand, he moved the clouds and wind, and within moments, it was the Start of Spring!

This new Mr. Zhao was indeed powerful!

"Let’s go in."

"Yes."

The three’s attitudes grew even more respectful as they followed Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing was well aware of all the levels and structures in the Minister of Agriculture Supervision.

It was his first time in the Yun City Minister of Agriculture Supervision, but it seemed as if he had been there countless times, quickly finding his place.

Doushui Palace.

He was the Doushui Order, and this was his office location.

In the Minister of Agriculture Supervision, the rank of the official determined the importance of the institution.

Zhao Xing, being a secondary seventh-rank Doushui Order, thus the Doushui Bureau possessed the largest and most buildings.

Zhang Zhong was the Capital City Commander, a direct subordinate of Zhao Xing, and also engaged in water management, but he was only secondary eighth rank. According to regulations, there should be at least three assistant officers, one primary eighth grade and two secondary eighth grade.

However, upon entering the Doushui Bureau, there were only a dozen ninth-grade Ministers of Agriculture handing over their shifts.

Jiang Xi, the agricultural supervisor responsible for farming, was primary eighth grade.

He Fengnian, the Jun Shu Order responsible for transporting tax grain to the Prefecture City, was secondary eighth rank.

Their ranks and abilities were rather average, Zhao Xing immediately saw.

Only Jiang Xi had some competence.

Arriving at the inner hall, Zhao Xing sat on the Hall Master’s seat, accompanied by Long Xiao holding his sword.

The three below formally paid their respects to Zhao Xing according to procedure.

But Zhao Xing did not immediately let them rise.

Mr. Zhao was indeed a little angry.

From the gate to the Doushui Bureau, at least fifteen minutes had passed.

This amount of time could not be excused by saying they were ’busy with official duties’ or ’did not receive the notice’.

But up until now, no one had come.

"Gentlemen, the administrative specifications of the Yun City Minister of Agriculture Supervision as a lower-class county should, apart from this officer of the seventh rank, have sixty-six eighth-rank Minister of Agriculture Officials."

"It is now Mao Hour, the black and white shift, during the daytime, there should be thirty-three eighth-grade officials present."

"Even if today is busy with official duties, with everyone outside on duty, according to regulations of the thirty-three, at least nine should be permanent inside."

"Aside from you three, where are the others?"

"You can’t tell me they all went out to work, can you?"

Zhao Xing’s keen sense, upon performing the Start of Spring array and spreading the Cloud Skill, immediately detected no other eighth-ranks within the Minister of Agriculture Supervision.

Either these people were late for work, idle, derelict in duty, as they typically would be.

Or they knew he was coming and deliberately didn’t show up to give him a hard time.

Whichever the case, Mr. Zhao was not pleased.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense, and Zhang Zhong lowered his head even further.

"Your Excellency, according to regulations, the Yun City Minister of Agriculture Supervision should indeed have sixty-six eighth-rank Ministers of Agriculture."

"However, last month a batch was transferred, including the previous chief officer. Thus, the actual number of officials in the Yun City Minister of Agriculture Supervision is only twenty-one."

"Twelve during the day, nine at night, four permanently in each shift."

"The others are leading teams to inspect the Heavenly Time and Earth Advantage in various towns."

Zhao Xing nearly burst out laughing in anger after hearing this.

He had been worried about people dragging him down, but now, there weren’t even enough people to drag him down.

"The three of you may sit and talk."

As the situation was different from what he imagined, Zhao Xing couldn’t take out his anger on these three, so he let Zhang Zhong, Jiang Xi, and He Fengnian sit.

"You say there should be four people on black and white shifts, where is the fourth?"

Zhao Xing, noting a possible discrepancy in their words, immediately asked.

Before Zhang Zhong could respond, a trembling voice echoed from outside the hall.

"Subordinate Bao Wenshan, requests to see Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Xing looked closely and saw an elderly man with white hair leaning on a cane, bowing on the steps outside, looking like he was about to collapse at any moment.

Zhang Zhong whispered, "Sir, Bao Wenshan is the fourth person."

Zhao Xing: "..."

When Bao Wenshan entered the hall, Zhao Xing stared at the old man for a long time, speechless.

Indeed, he had rejoiced too early.

The current situation in Yun City was old, weak, or deserted.

The third ring task in the Military Realm gave him a seventh-rank official, but it turned out to be just symbolism!

Not only was this seventh-rank temporary, but it was also heavily undermined.

The subordinates were not even a third of their full complement; how could he get anything done?

How could he not be exhausted?

Bao Wenshan, seeing Zhao Xing remain silent for a long time, hastily bowed and said, "Your Excellency has come from afar. Please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner, and please spare me your punishment."