Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 326 - 10: I Really Am Busy, No Kidding

Chapter 326: Chapter 10: I Really Am Busy, No Kidding

After hearing the number Zhao Xing mentioned, Ling Yuan calmed down.

Because it was simply impossible.

The number Zhao Xing gave not only exceeded the specifications of Cloud City over the years but also surpassed the regulations of a county-level prefecture.

Even a clever housewife can’t cook without rice; if it can’t be done, it’s not like he could kill himself.

Zhao Xing continued: "Based on the reality of Cloud City, this official knows this number is difficult for you."

"But the past is the past, and now is now."

"This official dares to guarantee that from now on, sufficient materials will be issued from the Heavenly Workshop. This is a major policy from the court, and anyone who dares to hinder it is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."

"Also, in terms of manpower, there will be adjustments. Previously, coming here felt like exile. But now it is different; those with ambition will compete to become officials here!"

"If, with sufficient materials and manpower, you still cannot meet this official’s demands, merely removing you from office will not solve the problem."

Zhao Xing rose and slowly walked down the steps from his main seat: "This official has said all there is to say. You officials should inquire where you must inquire, and labor where you must labor. There’s no need to see me off."

The officials present were deep in thought. Ling Yuan pondered for a moment and immediately jogged out to catch up with Zhao Xing.

When a superior says there’s no need to see him off, you can’t just take that literally.

Moreover, he had more to say.

"Mr. Ling, didn’t this official say there’s no need to see him off?" Zhao Xing said, but he stopped walking.

"Sir, if the materials and manpower are adequate, I would even throw myself into the furnace to meet your requirements! Not only would we meet the needs of the Minister of Agriculture Supervision for wartime preparations, but we could also stockpile a batch of equipment in the Minister of Agriculture internal treasury!"

"Oh?" Zhao Xing raised his eyebrows. Ling Yuan indeed was sharp, having figured things out so quickly. "Weren’t you just troubled a moment ago?"

Ling Yuan whispered: "Sir, I have something to report."

"Speak."

Ling Yuan said: "Although Cloud City has been embroiled in war for years, as you said, for the past ten years, it has not suffered large-scale harassment from the barbarians."

"Since the seventh year of Jingxin, while there has been frequent officer rotation and many people have tried to leave, the various divisions under the Heavenly Workshop have generally been nearly fully staffed most of the time, and materials have been distributed in full."

"It’s just..."

"Just what?"

Ling Yuan gritted his teeth and said: "It’s just that the materials that actually reach Cloud City average only one-third of what’s sent in the past ten years!"

"Today, forty-nine officials should have been here to meet you. But in reality, only fourteen, including myself, are present. The rest are busy with other duties in Cloud City, dispatched to mine in the Fengming Mountain, and I cannot call them back."

"I understand." Zhao Xing waved his hand, "I’ll give you seven days to audit the warehouse accounts. I won’t insist on the period before your tenure, but during your tenure, check thoroughly."

"You should know who can be used and who cannot. Immediately start crafting equipment according to military regulations, not just for agricultural uses but also for defensive and offensive city weapons. Use as many materials as you have available and start right away. Seven days later, submit the accounts to this official."

Ling Yuan consented: "Yes, I will do so even if it costs my life! I just fear that my life and those of my brothers may not be enough."

Zhao Xing laughed; Ling Yuan was still afraid, wanting some assurance from him.

He boarded the Arrowfish Flying Boat and entered its small onboard materials warehouse.

Ling Yuan did not understand but, seeing that the Flying Boat had not taken off, he quietly waited.

Fifteen minutes later, seven Grassmen walked down.

Then came a continuous stream of Grassmen jumping off the Flying Boat.

Soon, fifty Grassmen surrounded Ling Yuan.

"This is... the Grassman Skill?"

Ling Yuan was shocked.

Because Zhao Xing was using high-quality materials, at least those from third-tier plants, some parts even used fourth-tier materials.

Zhao Xing jumped down again and nodded towards Long Xiao.

The latter immediately understood.

He placed his hand on the back of each Grassman, staying for at least fifteen minutes per Grassman.

From the time Ling Yuan saw Long Xiao at the Huai Liu Courtyard to today, twenty days had passed.

Along the way, Zhao Xing had been using Long Xiao to practice with Guardian Grassmen, and now he had achieved the Intermediate Seventh Transition Level.

"These are all the Flying Guardian Grassmen that this official has created."

"Dual Magic combined, using the best materials, coupled with the Sword Cultivator techniques of Valiant Captain Long Xiao. With the protection of these Grassmen, no one below the seventh rank can harm you."

"Even for an average Seventh-Rank Slaughter Cultivator, if pierced by the Sword Qi, escaping death will be difficult as long as their realm does not exceed his."

Zhao Xing’s Flying Technique was in Perfection. The power of the Guardian Grassman mainly depended on the realm of the storage method; after the Seventh Transition, Zhao Xing could barely store two strands of Long Xiao’s Sword Qi.

What kind of person was Long Xiao? He was one in a million among martial artists! Moreover, he was one of the rare Sword Cultivators. The incomplete swordsmanship he obtained from an ancient tomb, which he slowly comprehended and perfected, would later become the famous "Shenxiao Swordsmanship," a top-tier skill that martial artists would die to learn.

Zhao Xing used fourth-tier materials to create Grassmen, trained to the Seventh Transition, and could barely store two strands of ’Geng Metal Sword Qi’ from Long Xiao!

Combined with Flying Grassmen, they could fight and flee.

"What, even a Seventh-Rank Slaughter Cultivator would die?" Ling Yuan’s eyes were full of shock.

This exceeded his understanding; after all, he had no idea what those geniuses could achieve.

Storing Sword Qi in Grassmen had already been an eye-opener; after all, he had never even heard of Guardian Grassmen.

Grassman Skill was supposed to just scare away birds and beasts, right? Now, this so-called Guardian Grassman could even kill an average Seventh Rank?

But looking at Zhao Xing and Long Xiao’s demeanor, they didn’t seem to be lying.

Because after Long Xiao had finished inputting Sword Qi into fifty Grassmen, he visibly looked much more fatigued.