Chapter 35: The List

The stipend quota promised to Zhao Xing by Chen Shijie will take effect next month, beginning with the start of the White Dew solar term.

The stipend rewards are categorized into different tiers. For the first month, Zhao Xing will only receive the "intermediate clerk stipend." However, if he achieves an "A-plus" rating again next month, Chen Shijie can apply to promote him to the "upper-tier clerk" level. An intermediate clerk receives five taels of silver per month, while an upper-tier clerk receives ten taels. How long these payments continue depends entirely on Zhao Xing's performance. Naturally, if Zhao Xing officially joins the imperial civil service next year, these specific rewards will cease, replaced by other accolades should he continue to excel.

Five to ten taels a month, by the standards of the Jing Emperor's era, is a massive reward for a clerk. It is said that those beaten by Young Master Zong would immediately choose to be beaten in the street rather than report it to the authorities upon hearing that each punch was worth ten taels. Ordinary people would become wealthy overnight after receiving eighteen of his punches, leading many to eventually beg the young master to strike them. However, for those aspiring to cultivate and walk the path of the elite, these resources are merely sufficient for the current stage.

The official reward was merely a gesture of convenience for Chen Shijie, but his private sponsorship was remarkably generous. "I will send you fifteen Heavenly Origin Pears each month. If you achieve another A-plus, I will gift you that Heavenly Origin Pear tree. If you can keep it alive, it will serve as a resource for your future cultivation," Chen Shijie said, pointing to a small sapling in the nursery area.

Zhao Xing was taken aback. Chen Shijie was truly investing heavily. The Heavenly Origin Pear tree is a third-tier treasure; even a sapling is worth a fortune. If cultivated to maturity, it would be an absolute gold mine. Though he coveted it, he felt compelled to feign modesty: "Such a generous reward—I am unworthy of it, sir."

Chen Shijie waved it off dismissively: "I am quite wealthy. In my three years as magistrate of Nanyang County, I have cultivated an entire pear orchard; gifting you a single sapling is a trivial matter. Accept it. Perhaps one day we shall walk the path of success together."

Even Xue Wenzhong was moved, as this was clearly outside his expectations. More surprising was Chen Shijie’s attitude; this was not how one treated a mere junior, but rather how one treated a peer capable of fighting side by side. Xue Wenzhong thought to himself, "This Magistrate Chen is truly an anomaly; he is impossible to read."

Yet, this was a good thing. Though the sapling was worth slightly less than a master’s painting, its value was enduring, and in the long run, it would eventually surpass the painting. Seeing this, Zhao Xing stopped hesitating and accepted the gift cleanly: "Then, I thank you, Magistrate Chen."

Chen Shijie left with a smile. If he hadn't feared drawing envy upon Zhao Xing, he would have gifted him a fully mature tree. He possessed significant personal wealth, and his military service had yielded great rewards; a single tree meant little to him. In his three years in Nanyang, he had found his colleagues to be soft and mediocre, not a single one to his liking. Zhao Xing’s performance had finally caught his eye.

Furthermore, Chen Shijie’s mention of walking the path together was no joke. He truly thought, "I will not remain in Nanyang County for long. The General will eventually re-employ me, and when I return to the army, I might be able to add him to my list."

***

After the Autumn Equinox assessment, the results were posted. Only fifteen people achieved an A-tier rating—half as many as the previous time. The assessments were becoming increasingly rigorous as they filtered candidates for the final nomination list.

As soon as Zhao Xing emerged from the Hundred Herb Garden, he was swarmed by a crowd.

"Zhao Xing is out!"
"Brother Zhao, congratulations!"
"Congratulations on the A-plus, Brother Zhao!"
"When the official appointments are made next year, Brother Zhao’s name will certainly be on the list!" Qian Dong cheered.

Seeing this, Zhao Xing grabbed Qian Dong by the scruff of the neck and laughed: "Then why do you still call me Brother Zhao? Why not call me Magistrate Zhao?"

"Oh, my mistake! My apologies to Magistrate Zhao."
"Hahaha!" The crowd burst into laughter.

Not far away, Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang stood together, their brows furrowing imperceptibly. Although some congratulated them, their popularity had waned significantly this time.

"Hmph, this fellow really knows how to curry favor," Zong Shichang remarked, his tone stiff. Despite having been beaten by Zhao Xing, he held no real hatred, only wounded pride; otherwise, the young master would have joined the celebration as well.

"Let’s go, Brother Zong. Let’s go for a drink." Li Chengfeng took a long look at Zhao Xing before calling his friends and leaving. Compared to Li Chengfeng, Zhao Xing felt more easygoing and grounded. Even though Li Chengfeng was known as a gentleman, there was always a sense of pretension about him that sensitive people could detect. Of course, that was secondary; the reason for Zhao Xing’s popularity was his rating. This time, only three people achieved an A-plus: Li Chengfeng, Zong Shichang, and Zhao Xing.

***

Xiao Ze and Wen Nanxing, who usually performed exceptionally, only managed a B-plus. After the exam, they had locked themselves away for three days. Upon emerging, they acted as if nothing had happened and refused to speak of being sabotaged; if asked, they simply claimed they had underperformed.

Did they know who had sabotaged them? Of course they did.

"I had my vital energy stolen without even noticing for four days and three nights?" Wen Nanxing lamented, shutting himself away to drink in secret.

Sitting opposite him, Xiao Ze was also downing wine, his face burning at the memory of Chen Shijie’s comments. "Lack of vigilance, lack of vigilance..." those words echoed in his mind. Thinking of his teacher’s disappointed expression, he took a deep swig of wine and slammed his cup onto the table.

"A fine 'A-plus Zhao'! If there is an opportunity in the next assessment, I will surely make him pay!"
"Brother Xiao, keep your voice down!" Wen Nanxing handed him a new cup. "Just keep it to yourself."

Their dignity forbade them from speaking of it, but they had secretly added Zhao Xing to their list of primary rivals, waiting for the next opportunity to regain their lost face.

***

"Guardian Hunting Falcon, the results for the Gucheng Autumn Equinox assessment have been posted. This person has achieved an A-plus twice in a row, and it is even rumored he bested Zong Shichang in a duel. Should we add this Zhao boy to our capture list?"

East of Gu County, in the town of Sanwan, three people sat at a table in an inconspicuous house, eating a meal. An old man, a man, and a woman appeared to be a family of three. In reality, these three were a Guardian and two Hall Masters of the Xuantian Cult.

The old man, known as "Guardian Hunting Falcon," looked kind-hearted with his white hair, appearing as if he were on the verge of death. The middle-aged man was the "Sanwan Hall Master," a plain-looking man with prominent cheekbones. The woman, the Deputy Hall Master, wore a headscarf and had a stout, unremarkable figure.

It was the Sanwan Hall Master who spoke, his finger pointing at Zhao Xing’s name on a list of notices from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Guardian Hunting Falcon opened his eyes, his gaze shifting from cloudy to clear. "Oh? Two A-plus ratings, and he managed to defeat Zong Shichang? Is this a sudden enlightenment, or the result of long accumulation? Show me his detailed file, and then I will decide whether to include him on the list."