Chapter 19 Preparation for the quiz

There are four seasons and eight solar terms, among which eight solar terms are compulsory, namely, Beginning of Spring, Vernal Equinox, Beginning of Summer, Summer Solstice, Beginning of Autumn, Autumnal Equinox, Beginning of Winter and Winter Solstice.

Depending on the situation of each county, at least twelve solar terms will be tested. For the most stringent upper-class counties or upper-class counties, all twenty-four solar terms will be tested.

The three stages of becoming a regular employee are "harvest in the jurisdiction", "moral assessment" and "ability assessment", which are combined into one, collectively known as the "winter assessment".

After that, you will have to go through another "temple examination". If you pass it, you can become an official and enter the Qiyun Dynasty system.

The 'ability assessment' in the winter assessment, that is, the test based on the 24 solar terms, accounts for a relatively large proportion.

If you fail this test and are not recommended, you will not be able to take part in the temple examination.

Officials who aspire to become full-time employees will basically not miss any ability assessment.

Xue Wenzhong's first lecture after returning to Huailiuyuan attracted a large number of officials to visit.

"Mr. Xue, are you well?"

The old minister smiled and said, "It's all right now."

"Teacher, I have a hundred-year-old Rehmannia root here, please accept it."

"I appreciate your kindness. Please take it back."

"Mr. Xue..."

Not only the officials under Xue Wenzhong, but also the officials from other courtyards came to visit.

It's not that I'm kind-hearted, but I'm here to listen to the class.

Because the last two Lesser Heat assessments were given by Chen Shijie, this time during the Beginning of Autumn and the next one, it will be Xue Wenzhong's turn.

"Xue Sinong, for the Beginning of Autumn test, you won't give us tricky questions like Lord Chen did, right? If there's another 'grain-eating bird disaster', I'm afraid no one in Gu County will pass this year."

"Yes, there are no doves in my south."

A bold official asked this question, which caused a burst of laughter.

If it were any other Si Nong, basically no clerk would dare to joke like this, but Xue Wenzhong was well-known as a good guy with a mild personality. The atmosphere during the lectures was quite good, so the clerks dared to joke boldly.

The old minister of agriculture said, "You all want to know what the test on the beginning of autumn is?"

"Yes, old Sinong, can you tell us about it?" Everyone stretched their necks and pricked up their ears.

Xue Wenzhong smiled slightly: "On the day of the beginning of autumn, you will know naturally."

"Harmful……"

There was another burst of laughter from below.

Although it was nonsense literature, Zhao Xing liked this kind of atmosphere. He had also attended classes in other academies, but they were either very serious or very profound and difficult to understand, and only the few people who could understand them at the highest level were taught, which was very unfriendly.

Seeing Xue Wenzhong's rosy complexion again, he seemed not to be affected by the illness a while ago. He felt relieved, but there was still a trace of sadness between his brows, as if he was worried about something.

After the explanation in the front yard, Zhao Xing went into the back yard to practice alone as usual.

Xue Wenzhong saw that he was still holding something in his hand, and his face immediately became unhappy: "Why do you want to learn how to give gifts?"

Zhao Xing put the three tied ducks into the poultry barn in the backyard and said, "This is not a gift. Teacher, you forgot that I was practicing the straw man before and chased one of your ducks away. I caught it back for you."

Xue Wenzhong pointed and asked, "Why are there three?"

Zhao Xing said seriously, "This duck went out for a few days, found a companion, and gave birth to another baby. I am kind-hearted and couldn't bear to separate the family, so after asking the duck's opinion, I brought it back with me."

Xue Wenzhong couldn't help but be amused when he heard his serious nonsense, and cursed with a smile: "Nonsense!"

This smile was a tacit agreement. He could tell that Zhao Xing was trying to please him. It wasn't the kind of flattery between superiors and subordinates, but the kind of concern between teachers and students.

Zhao Xing could also sense that Xue Wenzhong's attitude had changed after he came back this time. Whether chatting or teaching, he felt that he was a teacher rather than a superior.

This is a good phenomenon. As for what happened before, old Sinong won't tell him, and he won't ask, so as not to touch on other people's sad memories.

"Liqiu is the beginning of autumn. Although it is still very hot, the yang energy is gradually declining and the yin energy is gradually growing. It is a transition from the strong yang to the strong yin, and the crops are moving from lush growth to maturity."

"Rainfall and climate will begin to turn downward, and crops will also be affected."

"The Four Agricultural Books once said: 'In autumn, the Yin energy begins to descend, so all things are harvested.'"

When the practice was about to end, the old Sinong suddenly said these words.

Zhao Xing was stunned at first, then nodded and said goodbye.

On the way home, he savored the old Sinong's words.

"Xue Wenzhong mentioned the maturity of crops in all three of his sentences. It seems that the Beginning of Autumn assessment is related to plant cultivation."

"It seems I need to practice more cultivation spells in the next few days."

When they got home, it was past dinner time. Zhao Ruide was nowhere to be seen. When Mrs. Cai saw this digestive ghost coming back, she naturally didn't look happy again and walked straight in.

Zhao Xing didn't take it seriously and went to the kitchen to find something to eat. However, Zhao Zheng ran out from his mother's room again and excitedly helped his elder brother serve rice and dishes.

"Brother, I practiced martial arts for two hours today, and my father even praised me!" Zhao Zheng looked at Zhao Xing eagerly, with some anticipation.

"Good, keep up the good work." Zhao Xing said perfunctorily and started eating.

After a few bites, he realized that the taste was not right: "Why is this food not as delicious as last night's?"

Zhao Zheng said: "How could it be, big brother? This is what happened last night."

Zhao Xing: "..."

Zhao Zheng continued, "Mother said that you are a great digester, you can eat anything and you have a big appetite, so she saved some for you... She has never praised me like this before."

"..."

Okay, okay, thank your mother for me.

Zhao Xing smelled it and found that it was not spoiled even in such a hot day. However, the taste was a little off, so he ignored it and wolfed it down with his eyes closed.

"Brother, what is a digestive ghost? Have you ever seen a ghost? I heard that people who know magic can see ghosts and even call on gods, just like the emcees in temples."

Zhao Zheng was chattering around like he had a hundred thousand questions.

"You'll understand when you grow up. Okay, clean up the dishes and go play."

"Oh……"

After sending his cheap brother away, Zhao Xing returned to his room to draw talismans, guiding talismans and soul-soothing talismans. In the past month or so, his proficiency has improved a lot, but there is still no movement in the Daming Academy.

"It seems that I have to make great progress before I can benefit from it." Although he came back empty-handed after entering a treasure mountain again, Zhao Xing was not in a hurry. There were still hundreds of years waiting for him to explore.

Remembering the reminder from old Si Nong during the day, Zhao Xing took out three books from the cabinet.

"Compendium of Materia Medica, Daguanmu, and Baiwu Gang, these are all books on identifying plants. They may be useful in the Beginning of Autumn exam, so I should review them."

"The court passed down the magic, and all kinds of classics have magical effects. Although they are not as strong as those in the temples, they can also help us understand magic."

"Hopefully I'll get a few useful passive spells."

After lighting the oil lamp, Zhao Xing began to read carefully.

(End of this chapter)