Chapter 34: Angel Investor Chen Shijie

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There was no dispute over the ratings of those who had performed exceptionally well or exceptionally poorly.

But when it came to Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze, some disagreement arose.

Both had chosen roughly fifty Tier-Two plants.

Looking first at their foundation scores—the Tier-Two Intermediate- and Low-Grade plants—the survival rate was only eighty percent, and thirty percent of them had failed to reach maturity.

None had been killed outright, but considering their abilities, these results were somewhat underwhelming.

Then there were the plants intended to raise their scores: the Tier-Two High-Grade varieties.

Wen Nanxing had chosen two such plants: Seven-Star Flowers and Separation Fruit Saplings.

Both possessed extremely high medicinal value.

Wen Nanxing had planted four of each, yet only one of each variety had reached full maturity and attained its highest medicinal value.

Xiao Ze’s results among the Tier-Two Low- and Intermediate-Grade plants were much the same as Wen Nanxing’s.

As for the Tier-Two High-Grade varieties he had planted—Ice Lotus and Bitter Earth Ginseng—only one more plant had reached maturity than in Wen Nanxing’s case.

There was no question that both of them deserved a Grade A rating.

The disagreement concerned whether they deserved the Superior level.

Eight officials had taken part in the evaluation. With Chen Shijie abstaining from expressing an opinion, three of them felt that the two should not receive Grade A Superior, and that Grade A Intermediate was the most they deserved.

They had failed to bring every plant to maturity. Their performance had not matched their cultivation at the fourth level of Essence Gathering.

The other four believed that the standards should be applied uniformly and should not vary from person to person. Since neither Wen Nanxing nor Xiao Ze had lost any seedlings, and mature plants could be found among their Tier-Two Low-, Intermediate-, and High-Grade specimens, they should receive Grade A Superior.

With opinions divided, the final decision rested largely with Chen Shijie.

“My lord, how should they be ranked?” the county office’s clerk asked softly.

Xiao Ze and Wen Nanxing were somewhat uneasy as well.

Neither had expected to perform below their usual standard. Li Chengfeng had chosen plants of no lesser difficulty, so how had he managed to bring every one of them to maturity?

Under the circumstances, their Grade A ranking could rise or fall. Since an objection had been raised, they could only wait to see what Chen Shijie, the presiding official, decided.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Shijie looked toward them. “Let me ask you both this: during the four days and three nights of the examination, did you notice anything unusual?”

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Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze exchanged a glance, then shook their heads. “No.”

Upon hearing this, Pang Yuan and Tang Wanchun sighed inwardly. They knew that Grade A Superior was now impossible.

It was not truly their fault. Zhao Xing had been far too devious.

With everyone else, he had taken whatever he wanted by force. Against these two experts, however, he had used the slow and subtle method of boiling frogs in warm water, stealing bit by bit.

As a result, Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze both believed that they had simply performed poorly, never suspecting anything else.

Chen Shijie nodded. “Both of you cultivated plants that were difficult to grow out of season, so a Grade A ranking is justified. But your vigilance was too poor, preventing the plants from reaching full maturity. I shall therefore rank you Grade A Intermediate.”

“Yes,” the clerk replied at once, recording the decision.

What? Poor vigilance? What kind of evaluation was that?

Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze were utterly baffled.

Only after Chen Shijie had walked away did Tang Wanchun and Pang Yuan, who had fallen behind, reveal the truth to their students.

“You two are truly obtuse. You were tricked by Earth-Vein Essence Synthesis and did not even realize it! Go back and reflect properly on what happened!”

Earth-Vein Essence Synthesis?

Xiao Ze and Wen Nanxing looked at each other, their expressions changing immediately.

Someone had actually used a spell from the School of Earthly Advantage—and had silently stolen their earth-force and vital essence?

“Who could have used it on us... Wait, could it have been him?!”

The two stared at that expanse of golden color, and suddenly everything became clear. Regret and frustration overwhelmed them.

* * *

“Zhao Xing, at the second level of Essence Gathering, cultivated one hundred mature specimens of five Tier-Two plants, including twenty Tier-Two Superior Diamond Bamboos. Courageous and resourceful. Grade A Superior!”

This time, Chen Shijie did not even consult the people beside him. He spoke directly to the county officials.

The admiration in his eyes was impossible to conceal; he even seemed impatient to announce the result.

Gao Linong felt somewhat displeased. The “courageous” part of Zhao Xing’s evaluation clearly referred to his performance in his clash with Zong Shichang—and Zong Shichang happened to be his favorite student.

Tang Wanchun and Pang Yuan were also uncomfortable. Zhao Xing’s “resourcefulness” had been directed against their own prized students, and those two had not realized it even by the end. How could that not be infuriating?

Yet setting aside their personal feelings, all three genuinely felt that Zhao Xing deserved the evaluation. They even wished he were serving under them.

“My thanks for your hard work, my lords.”

As usual, Zhao Xing cupped his hands toward the officials who had come to inspect the results.

The inspection should have continued, but Chen Shijie did not leave. He sent the other deputy officials to determine the remaining Grade B and Grade C rankings, then kept Zhao Xing behind together with Xue Wenzhong.

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Zhao Xing had no idea what this meant. But it would be too undignified to wait for his superiors to speak first; he had to ask himself.

“Teacher, my lord, is there anything else you require?”

Xue Wenzhong spoke. “The qualifications for the court’s Temple Examination are submitted by each county and then reviewed by the commandery. Only after that does one have a chance to participate.”

“The number of places varies from county to county and commandery to commandery. To give promising clerks a better chance of passing, every year the county office pools its resources and allocates funds from the treasury to provide support for clerks who perform exceptionally well in their respective departments. This applies not only to the Agricultural Administration, but equally to the Celestial Works Bureau, the Weaving Bureau, the Military Office, the Judicial Administration, and all other departments.”

Zhao Xing nodded. Of course he knew this.

The founding emperor of Great Zhou had not merely spoken of gathering “all the realm’s talents into his net.” He had written the principle directly into law.

The Tribute Candidate Statute stated: “Among the students and clerks of every department, those outstanding in law, practical skills, the classics, and the arts shall be selected according to fixed quotas, and supplied each month with lamp oil, paper, and writing implements as a reward.”

Put plainly, it amounted to scholarships and grants for the needy.

Law, practical skills, the classics, and the arts referred to the various areas on which candidates were assessed. Students and clerks meant both the pupils of official academies and scholarly societies established by the court, and clerks like Zhao Xing.

The difference was that students could receive both need-based aid and scholarships, whereas clerks could receive only scholarships. After all, clerks had jobs. No matter how poor a person was, surely he was not so destitute that he could not afford to eat.

The selection standards were relatively strict. In principle, two Grade A Superior evaluations should not have been enough for Zhao Xing to receive such resources. Yet judging from Xue Wenzhong’s meaning, it seemed that Lord Chen intended to help him secure them.

Sure enough, Chen Shijie continued, “Elder Xue tells me that you began cultivating the Essence-Gathering path rather late. If you wish to pass the winter assessment and the Temple Examination, you will need sufficient resources. I have also heard that your family is not particularly wealthy. If you could obtain a sponsored-study place, your cultivation might progress more quickly.”

Zhao Xing listened quietly.

“Strictly speaking, you have received Grade A Superior only twice and are not yet qualified for sponsorship. But I believe you have great potential. It would be a pity if you were eliminated.”

“So I have decided to apply for a sponsored-study place on your behalf. In addition, your teacher and I will provide you with further assistance for your cultivation expenses until you complete the Temple Examination.”

Chen Shijie spoke plainly and without affectation. He did not refer to himself as “this official” before Zhao Xing, but simply said “I.” It was clear how highly he regarded him.

Zhao Xing had no reason to refuse when such good fortune came knocking. Though he remained calm inside, he put on a suitably grateful display. After all, Chen Shijie was his angel investor.

He immediately bowed deeply. “Thank you, Teacher and my lord, for your grace in giving me a new life. I shall never forget it, and will devote myself day and night to repaying your kindness!”

At his words, Chen Shijie smiled faintly and helped the bowing Zhao Xing to his feet.

This investment was secured.

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