Chapter 35: The List

Chen Shijie promised Zhao Xing a quota for contributors, which would be in place by next month, starting from the Bai Lu Festival. The rewards for the ranks of the ointment fire are divided into levels. In the first month, one can only receive the 'Mid-Level Ointment Fire,' but if Zhao Xing can still achieve Jia next month, Chen Shijie can apply for him to be promoted to 'High-Level Ointment Fire.'

For mid-level contributors, the monthly reward is five taels of silver, and for high-level contributors, it is ten taels. How long this continues depends on Zhao Xing's performance. Of course, if Zhao Xing can officially become an official next year, then this reward will no longer be available. At that time, if he performs outstandingly, there will be other rewards.

Five taels a month, ten taels a month, calculated according to the prices during Emperor Jing's reign, is already considered a huge reward for contributors! You must know that those beaten by the Zong Young Master, upon hearing thirty taels of silver for a punch, immediately chose to be 'beaten on the street' rather than 'report to the authorities.' Ordinary people, after being hit eighteen times, would instantly become rich, leading many people to later seek out the Zong Young Master to be beaten!

However, for those with aspirations to cultivate and ascend the Qing Cloud path, this amount of resources is not much, just enough for the current stage. The official rewards are just a gesture of goodwill from Chen Shijie, but the private assistance he provides is enough to be called generous!

"I will send you 15 Tianyuan Pears every month. If you achieve Jia again, I will give you that Tianyuan Pear tree. If it can be cultivated to maturity, it can also serve as a resource for post-cultivation methods." Chen Shijie pointed to a small tree in the seedling area.

Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised. Chen Shijie was truly willing to invest heavily. The Tianyuan Pear tree was a third-grade quality item, and even as a young tree, it was not cheap. If it could be cultivated to maturity, it would be a money tree!

Although he wanted it very much, he still had to put on a show: "Such a generous gift, Zhao Xing accepts it with gratitude."

Chen Shijie, however, didn't care and said, "I have a family fortune. After serving in Nanyang County for three years, I cultivated a pear garden. Giving you a young tree is no big deal. Just accept it. In the future, we might have a day where we can advance together."

Xue Wenzhong couldn't help but be moved. This was clearly beyond his expectations. What was even more surprising was Chen Shijie's attitude. This was not the way to treat a junior; it was clear he regarded Zhao Xing as a peer who could fight alongside him!

Xue Wenzhong thought to himself, "This Chen Great Man is truly an enigma, impossible to fathom."

But this was a good thing. Although the Tianyuan Pear sapling was not as valuable as a legendary painting, it had longevity. In the long run, its value would eventually surpass that of a legendary painting.

Hearing this, Zhao Xing no longer declined and straightforwardly accepted: "Then many thanks to Chen Great Man."

Chen Shijie smiled and left. If he wasn't worried about Zhao Xing being envied by others, he would have directly given him a mature pear tree. He had a family fortune and had gained considerable wealth from the military, so a Tianyuan Pear tree was nothing to him.

After three years in Nanyang County, he saw that his colleagues were all mediocre, and none matched his taste. Zhao Xing's performance was just right for him.

Moreover, what Chen Shijie said about advancing together was not a joke. He truly thought, "I won't stay in Nanyang County for long. The military will eventually need me again. At that time, when I return to the army, perhaps I can include him in the list."

After the autumn assessment, Zhang Bang announced that only fifteen people were rated Jia. Compared to the last time, it was half as many. The assessments were becoming stricter, all for the final selection of the list.

After Zhao Xing left the Hundred Herbs Garden, he was immediately surrounded by many people.

"Zhao Xing is out!"

"Brother Zhao, congratulations!"

"Congratulations, Zhao Erjia!"

"Next year, when you become an official, your name will definitely be on the list, Zhao Great Brother!" Qian Dong laughed and congratulated.

Seeing this, Zhao Xing grabbed Qian Dong's dog head and laughed, "Then why do you still call me Zhao Great Brother? Shouldn't you call me Zhao Great Man!"

"Oh, it's my slip of the tongue. This is my ritual for Zhao Great Man."

"Hahaha."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Not far away, Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang stood together, their brows slightly furrowed. Although some people congratulated them, this time the popularity was much less.

"Hmph, this guy really knows how to handle things," Zong Shichang said with a stiff tone. Although he was beaten, he couldn't bring himself to hate Zhao Xing. It was just a matter of face; otherwise, Zong Young Master would also want to join in the fun.

"Let's go, Brother Zong, let's have a drink," Li Chengfeng said, taking a deep look at Zhao Xing before calling his friends to leave.

Compared to Li Chengfeng, Zhao Xing gave people a more approachable and down-to-earth feeling. Although Li Chengfeng had the title of a gentleman, there was always a subtle air of superiority about him that sensitive people could feel.

Of course, this was secondary. The main reason Zhao Xing was so well-received was his rating. This time, only three people achieved Jia: Li Chengfeng, Zong Shichang, and Zhao Xing.

Xiao Ze and Wen Nanxing, who performed outstandingly, only achieved Jia Zhong. After the assessment, they shut themselves in for three days and nights. When they came out, they returned to normal but never mentioned being set up. When asked, they only said they were out of sorts.

Do they know who set them up? Of course, they figured it out!

"I was unknowingly robbed of my Yuan Qi, and I didn't notice for four days and three nights?" Wen Nanxing lamented as he closed the door to drown his sorrows.

Sitting opposite, Xiao Ze was also drinking heavily. Remembering Chen Shijie's comments, his face turned red with embarrassment.

"Lack of vigilance, lack of vigilance..." These five words kept echoing in his mind.

Xiao Ze thought of his teacher's disappointed look and took a fierce gulp of wine, then slammed the cup on the table with a bang.

"What a Zhao Erjia, next time there's an assessment, if I have the chance, I will definitely repay him in kind!"

"Brother Xiao, keep your voice down!" Wen Nanxing replaced his cup, "Just keep it to yourself."

The rules did not allow them to speak out, but in their hearts, they had already put Zhao Xing on the list of rivals, waiting for the next opportunity to regain face.

"Falcon Protector, the evaluation results of the autumn assessment in Valley City have been announced. This person has achieved Jia twice in a row and even reportedly defeated Zong Shichang. Should we include this Zhao family member in the capture list?"

On the eastern edge of Gu County, in a humble dwelling in Sanwan Town, three people were eating at a table. An old man, a man, and a woman, they looked like a family of three. However, their identities were actually the Falcon Protector of the Xuantian Sect and two hall masters.

The old man, known as 'Falcon Protector,' had kind eyes and a full head of white hair, looking like he was about to retire. The middle-aged man was the 'Three Bay Hall Master,' with an ordinary appearance and prominent cheekbones. The woman, a deputy hall master, wore a headscarf and a yellow leather belt, with no distinguishing features, even a bit ugly.

The one speaking was the Three Bay Hall Master, pointing at Zhao Xing's name on a public list from the Department of Agriculture.

Falcon Protector opened his eyes, his gaze changing from murky to clear: "Oh? Achieved Jia twice and can defeat Zong Shichang? Is this sudden enlightenment or the result of accumulated strength? Let me see the detailed information before deciding whether to include him in the list."

(End of Chapter)