Chapter 47: Zhao Sanjia, The Tianyuan Pear Tree

"I actually got a B rank? It was worth the effort after all." Chen Ziyu was quite excited. Although he only got a B rank, it was still on the B list! Any progress is a good thing, especially since last time he was only a C rank!

"You're this excited over a B rank?" Qian Winter couldn't understand why his good friend was so thrilled.

"This year I got a B, next year I might get an A. Step by step, gradually, there will always be a day of success." Qian Winter paused, then nodded, "That's true, not everyone can progress as quickly as Brother Great."

Chen Ziyu clenched his fist, "Even Brother Great took time to build his foundation. Before he reached the top three, he didn't get many B ranks either. We accumulate slowly; if not this year, then next year, or the year after... there will always be an opportunity!"

The two chatted and laughed as they walked away.

Li Chengfeng listened to the conversation nearby, his brows furrowing. Others were thrilled with a B rank, but he had gotten an A rank and couldn't muster any excitement. Because there were people even more outstanding than him.

Ding Mountain and Liang Bai, those kinds of people, were not in the same league as him. Getting an A rank didn't mean much; it wouldn't get him an official position anyway.

But Zhao Xing had a chance.

"Zhao Xing, Zhao Xing... everyone is talking about him now." Li Chengfeng felt a wave of irritation. That name kept appearing in his ears, making them itch.

In the past, he was the focus of these discussions, the center of attention, but now things were slowly changing.

"Brother Li, did you see it?" Zong Shichang ran up to Li Chengfeng.

"See what?" Li Chengfeng asked absentmindedly.

"Zhao's top three answer sheet." Zong Shichang said, "The examiner Chen Shi has circulated his answer sheet for everyone to study, saying his answers are concise and powerful, hitting the mark with precision. Not only useful for the temple exams but also for future exams."

"You know, I did take a look. It's really something, no wonder he got an A rank." Li Chengfeng watched the enthusiastic Zong Shichang, feeling a mix of emotions. Why was even Brother Zong praising him like this?

"Brother Zong, I have something to do, I'll take my leave..."

"Huh? Where are you going, Brother Li?" Zong Shichang called out a few times, but Li Chengfeng didn't respond, leaving him puzzled. What was wrong with Brother Li?

At the county office, Li Wenzheng was handling administrative affairs when a clerk came over, presenting the Department of Agriculture's assessment results.

"County Magistrate, the Department of Agriculture's Bai Lu assessment results are out."

"Oh? How many got an A rank, any outstanding talents?" Li Wenzheng asked casually.

"Three people got an A rank: Zhao Xing, Ding Mountain, and Liang Bai. None are under my jurisdiction; the first two are under Xue Wen's jurisdiction, and the latter is under Tang Wan Chun's jurisdiction," the clerk named Pang Fei replied. He had previously delivered a review letter to Zhao Xing and was also the son of Ninth Grade Sinoong official Pang Yuan.

Li Wenzheng pondered, "Hmm, Zhao Xing... this name sounds familiar. If I remember correctly, this is his third time getting an A rank?"

"Yes," Pang Yuan nodded, "Last month, the examiner Chen Shi even applied for a contributor quota for him, which you personally approved."

"Oh, so that's how it is," Li Wenzheng realized, "There's still about a year left until the Winter evaluation. Are there any new talents in the Heavenly Workshop or the Weaving Supervision?"

The Temple and County Office's civil and military departments didn't need to be asked, as they were right under Li Wenzheng's nose.

"Yes, in the Weaving Supervision, there's a weaver named Lin Baiwei who created the He Luo Magic Robe, rated A rank in the last assessment. In the Heavenly Workshop, there's a craftsman named Han Bi who solved the 'Twelve Lock Chain' mechanism left by Master Gong Sun Jin, both consecutively on the First List and rated A rank last time."

"How old are they?" Li Wenzheng asked.

"Lin Baiwei is sixteen, Han Bi is eighteen, both are local residents of Valley City," Pang Fei added, "Both come from rather poor backgrounds."

Li Wenzheng nodded in satisfaction. Pang Fei was a clerk he found very useful; with just a slight inquiry, he would voluntarily provide all the information Li Wenzheng wanted to know.

"Since Zhao Xing just got a contributor quota, it's not appropriate to assist further. As for Lin Baiwei and Han Bi, personally verify their family situations. If they are indeed poor, send twenty-two silver coins from my wife's funds."

"Consider it a contribution to Valley City," Li Wenzheng said.

"The County Magistrate is benevolent, I will ensure your intentions are delivered," Pang Fei replied.

In the east of Gu County, in Sanwan Town.

The two hall masters of Three Bay Hall also welcomed the arrival of the Falcon Protector.

"Greetings to the Protector," a man and a woman both performed a ritual.

The elder dusted off the dirt on his body, looking quite travel-worn, as he had just rushed over.

He was not only focused on Valley City but also on the other counties of Nanyang County.

"Any new information?" the Falcon asked.

"Protector, in the Weaving Supervision, Lin Baiwei created the He Luo Magic Robe, rated A rank in the recent assessment. In the Heavenly Workshop, Han Bi solved the mechanism lock, the Twelve Lock Chain, also rated A rank. Zhao Xing from the Department of Agriculture also got an A rank, but we can't understand his answer sheet, not knowing how it was evaluated."

The two hall masters couldn't comprehend Zhao Xing's answer sheet, so they didn't know where Zhao Xing's excellence lay.

"Add Lin Baiwei and Han Bi to the capture list," the elder pondered, "As for Zhao Xing... is there a copy of his answer sheet?"

"Yes."

The elder took a look, and after reading it, the paper suddenly self-ignited, quickly turning into a pile of ashes.

The Falcon Protector pinched the ashes with his fingers, then lightly blew them away, "Place Zhao Xing's name in the fifth position."

"Additionally, gather some information on this person. You can use a few new disciples to make contact, to understand his lifestyle and personality."

"Remember, do not act rashly, and especially do not act within the city. Just make contact inadvertently."

"East Lake Mountain is about to open for autumn division, and the government is on high alert. Even the slightest trace of a spider's thread or horse's track could be detected. Do not rush for merit and act hastily. Otherwise, if things go wrong, even ten thousand deaths would not be enough to atone."

The two hall masters nodded solemnly, "Yes, Protector."

In the west of the city, at the Chen residence, in a pear garden.

"This Tianyuan Pear Tree is in its sixth year of life. I spent quite a bit of effort to transplant it into a pot. Be careful when you plant it back," Chen Shi instructed.

In front of Chen Shi was a small tree about the height of a person, the Tianyuan Pear Tree he promised to give to Zhao Xing.

The Tianyuan Pear Tree matures in ten years, blooms one year, and bears fruit the next. At six years, it is still considered a young tree, only after surpassing the seventh year does it enter a mature period.

Zhao Xing, using Five Elements Observation, saw that this young tree was already six years and ten months old. Chen Shi had given him great convenience within the promised range, not taking two or three years to delay himself.

"People lean on the living, trees lean on the dead. Old Chen leaning on this pear tree must have also put a lot of thought into it. His character is truly admirable," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

"Then I won't be polite, thank you very much."

Activating Rising Wind Magic Arts, Zhao Xing rolled up the Tianyuan Pear Tree and headed home.

(End of Chapter)