Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 607 - 2: Examination at the Li Fire Daoist Academy (Da Zhang 12,000)_4

Chapter 607: Chapter 2: Examination at the Li Fire Daoist Academy (Da Zhang 12,000)_4

The Song Family accepted the respect given by Mr. Zhao and thereafter gave up many benefits in the prefectural city, retreating entirely to their ancestral home in Nanliu County. From a famous family in the prefecture, they became a county clan.

"For a hundred years, the Song Family would have no hope of rising again; there is Qi Fortune for individuals, and for families too."

Zhao Xing stood on the city wall, looking south; in the distance, a pillar of Qi Fortune’s light was rapidly shrinking.

He did a quick calculation, concluding that the Song Family would find it difficult to achieve anything significant within a century.

"With just one word from me, I decided the fate of a family."

"Who can decide my fate?"

Zhao Xing looked up at the sky, putting away his thoughts, and set out with the Ritual Officer and the ceremonial team.

He stayed in the prefectural city for seven days, not entirely because of Zong Shichang’s matter, but also because the procedures required it.

From the prefectural city to Gucheng, it was much closer.

In less than two hours, Zhao Xing’s ceremonial team, including over twenty flying boats, arrived at Gucheng.

The Gucheng County Magistrate was initially Li Wenzheng, but three years ago, because of his merits in capturing followers of the Xuantian Sect, he was transferred elsewhere.

The new County Magistrate was named Xu Donghui, a proper eighth-grade official.

Xu Donghui led people five miles out of the city to welcome them.

When Zhao Xing disembarked, Xu Donghui led the bow and cupped his hands.

"Greetings, Marquis Yuan Rang, congratulations on your triumphant return!"

"Congratulations on your triumphant return, Marquis Yuan Rang!"

Zhao Xing quickly disembarked from the flying boat and helped Xu Donghui up.

"Mr. Xu, please rise quickly; no need for such courtesy."

Although he was speaking to Xu Donghui, Zhao Xing’s gaze was scanning through the ranks of officials.

Xu Donghui knew exactly what Zhao Xing was looking for and immediately stepped aside: "Mr. Xue, please come forward."

"No need." Zhao Xing quickly parted the crowd, coming to stand before Xue Wenzhong.

At that moment, Xue Wenzhong was still a proper ninth-grade official, a rank he was promoted to after becoming the head of Agricultural Supervision.

Four years had passed without seeing each other, and Xue Wenzhong had aged significantly; moving from a Secondary Ninth Rank to a proper Ninth Rank didn’t add much to his lifespan.

Moreover, the Old Minister of Agriculture had already extended his lifespan twice.

Circulating between Ninth Grades only added so much Qi Fortune.

"Congratulations, Marquis Yuan Rang." Xue Wenzhong smiled, intending to salute Zhao Xing. Despite his white hair, wrinkles, and age spots, his diction was still clear, and he could still hear well.

"Teacher." Zhao Xing hurriedly held both of Xue Wenzhong’s hands, "Your student has returned to see you."

He did not kneel to Xue Wenzhong because his current high status meant kneeling to a Ninth Grade like Xue Wenzhong would shorten his life.

"Good, good." Xue Wenzhong patted Zhao Xing’s hands, smiling broadly: "It’s good to have you back."

"Eh? Mr. Chen is here as well."

"Yes, he is back too." Zhao Xing smiled and stepped aside.

"Old Minister of Agriculture." Chen Shijie hurried over to hold Xue Wenzhong’s hands, not allowing him to salute. "It’s been a long time; are you well?"

"Good, very good."

"Thanks to your luck, after you left your position as chief official, this old body could still get a promotion and live a few more years."

Xue Wenzhong joked, "You’re not demoted again and coming back to snatch my position, are you?"

"Hahaha." Chen Shijie couldn’t help but laugh, and there was a burst of laughter around them: "Old Minister of Agriculture, rest assured, I am not here in Gucheng to be a Minister of Agriculture Official, and certainly not to take your position. You can rest assured."

"Good, good." Xue Wenzhong laughed heartily, evidently very happy to see such excellent students and old acquaintances.

"Marquis Yuan Rang, Marquis Yuan Zhen, Marquis Yunxiao, Old Minister of Agriculture." Xu Donghui cupped his hands: "Shall we continue our conversation inside the city? This humble official has prepared a banquet to welcome all of you."

"Good, Teacher, let us enter the city." Zhao Xing pulled Xue Wenzhong, with a grand procession of officials following them as they walked toward Gucheng.

...

The welcoming outside the city excluded family members; this was the protocol because, strictly speaking, Zhao Xing’s return home was an official duty.

Traditionally, no women or family members would come out of the city to meet the returning official.

If there were elderly relatives unable to walk, surely they wouldn’t come out three miles to welcome a grandson? It wouldn’t make sense.

However, during the banquet in the city, Zhao Xing immediately saw Zhao Ruide, Mrs. Cai, and Zhao Zheng.

"Godfather." Zhao Xing knelt before Zhao Ruide, kowtowing. "Your son has returned."

Zhao Ruide, standing on the steps, loudly asked, "Did my son perform heroically on the battlefield?"

"Military merits of five million!"

"A hundred thousand military merits, certainly heroic! Excellent!" The Ritual Officer beside him held a red tray with a row of wine cups; Zhao Ruide picked one up and drank it in one gulp.

After drinking, Zhao Ruide asked again.

"With such great achievements, what rank has my son attained now?"

"Proper Sixth-Rank Upper!"

"Excellent!" Zhao Ruide drank another cup.

"With my son returning with honor, has His Majesty rewarded him?"

"Conferred the title of Marquis, with the title ’Yuan Rang’!"

"Granted land of one hundred sixty-five thousand acres, with a feudal estate of one thousand six hundred fifty households."

"Awarded a ’Guardian of the Army’ scepter, two Green-eyed Dragon Lions, a Qilin Flying Boat, a pair of Jade Ruyi... Merits to the tenth tier!"

The surroundings were silent, only the sound of Zhao Xing reporting to his father could be heard.

This scene made everyone envious.

A father’s greatest glory, perhaps, was this moment.

After several rounds of drinking, veins bulged on Zhao Ruide’s forehead; he picked up the last big bowl, inviting the spectators around him.

"My son is mighty! Ruide invites everyone to drink this cup with me!"

"Congratulations, Marquis Yuan Rang!" The surrounding congratulatory voices surged like a tide.

With this, the part of the celebration for the return with honor came to an end.

Then came the banquet.

Xu Donghui not only set up the banquet in the county government office but also arranged many feast tables in the surrounding streets.

He established a separate box for Zhao Xing’s family and friends.