Chapter 57: Opening of the Altar
Climbing the mountain to collect spiritual beauty is suitable for all officials, that is to say, no matter whether they are from the Sinongjian, Tiangongfang, Zhinujian, Wusi, Wenfang, Temple... as long as they belong to the government department, they are eligible to participate.

"It's been so lively these two days. Apart from the Spring Festival, the busiest time of the year is probably the Autumn Festival." Chen Ziyu walked on the street, looking at the people coming and going, and couldn't help but grin.

His family opened a shop in Anpingfang. With a large flow of people, business is good, so of course he is happy.

"Qian Dong, are you going with Qiu Fen to leave the mountain?" Chen Ziyu looked at Qian Dong beside him. He didn't even ask Zhao Xing, because he knew his brother would definitely go.

"Go, why not?" Qian Dong said.

"Aren't you afraid of being beaten black and blue? There are many masters coming this year." Chen Ziyu asked.

"Would I be afraid?" Qian Dong snorted, "I would go only if there were more experts. If there were fewer experts, I wouldn't go!"

"Oh? Why is this?" Chen Ziyu was puzzled.

"I have just entered the second level of Ju Yuan. If I clash with masters of the eighth or ninth level of Ju Yuan, they will beg me not to die." Qian Dong said with his chest puffed out.

Zhao Xing: "..."

No, what are you proud of?
Chen Ziyu said: "Dongzi, there are rules prohibiting killing when climbing mountains, but you can't expect others to not rob you just because they see you as weak, right?"

Zhao Xing suddenly said, "If you really meet a ninth-level Ju Yuan warrior, he can rely on his superb control to cut you a hundred times and avoid the vital parts with every strike."

Qian Dong: “…”

"We can't not go, it's only once a year." Qian Dong was a little discouraged.

"I don't recommend you go. You are only at the second level of Ju Yuan. If you encounter the ferocious beasts on Lingshan Mountain, you won't even know how you died." Zhao Xing said.

"I know bro."

"You have to be extra careful when climbing this time. You are only at the fourth level of Ju Yuan. If you meet a master, take a detour. Once you have something to gain, go down the mountain immediately. Don't force it." Xue Wenzhong said earnestly.

He originally did not recommend Zhao Xing to go, but Chen Shijie held the opposite opinion, thinking that Zhao Xing was capable of handling it. In addition, Zhao Xing himself wanted to go, so Xue Wenzhong was persuaded.

"I understand, teacher. I went up the mountain just to try my luck. I will first ensure my own safety, and then look for Lingxiu."

The Si Nong profession is somewhat weak and not known for its combat effectiveness, so it is normal for Xue Wenzhong to have this concern.

After giving Zhao Xing some instructions, the old minister of agriculture took him to the study and gave him a bamboo box with slings that was half the height of a person.

"This is a bamboo box. I made it myself. I keep a batch of seeds in it."

"Among them are the 'King Kong Bamboo' and 'Ivy' that you are familiar with."

"You are good at making straw figures. After the mountain is opened, you don't have to rush up the mountain to compete for the first incense stick on the first day. Just make some straw figures for self-defense and then walk around the foot of the mountain."

“There are also five magic talismans, ten organ-protecting pills, and fifteen Tianyuan pears inside…” The old Si Nong muttered as he put the bamboo box on Zhao Xing’s back.

"Thank you teacher."

Zhao Xing turned around and felt his shoulders sink after he put his hands on his back.

The bamboo box is quite heavy. How much stuff is inside it?

Asparagus fern, whose real name is warm bamboo, can be used to make bamboo boxes that can prevent its fruits from rotting and keep its seeds preserved for a long time.

Climbing the mountain to collect spiritual objects is dangerous, so officials are not prohibited from carrying treasures, but they cannot exceed three levels.

Zhao Xing was considered one of the officials in Gucheng who had a relatively good chance of becoming an official. Xue Wenzhong and Chen Shijie did not want him to miss the opportunity and were also worried that something might happen to him, so they filled a bamboo box with gifts for him.

"A superior from the county will come tomorrow, so Chen Shijie and I won't have time to see you. Don't overtrain in the next two days and get enough rest." Xue Wenzhong kept nagging.

"I understand, teacher." Zhao Xing listened quietly until Xue Wenzhong stopped talking, then he said goodbye.

On September 21st, Ji Ming, a sixth-rank official from the Nanyang County Supervisory Office, Fan Dongping, a sixth-rank official from the Ministry of Agriculture, and several seventh- and eighth-rank officials from other departments arrived at the east gate of Gucheng on the Liuyun flying boat.

Li Wenzhen led the crowd to welcome them three miles outside the city, and the guard of honor beat drums and gongs all the way to the city to welcome them.

The people inside and outside the city immediately knew that a high-ranking official had arrived in Gucheng.

The petty officials of Sinongjian were not qualified to participate in the reception outside the city. But in the afternoon, Fan Dongping from the same system came to Sinongjian for inspection, and had the opportunity to see the majesty of a sixth-rank strongman.

"They actually sent a sixth-rank official here. Old Chen is highly valued." Zhao Xing was watching from afar on the pavilion of Huailiu Courtyard.

Normally, there won't be a big opening this year, so just send a seventh-rank person over to show your respect. It's just a formality anyway.

Since there is no other reason, it can only be that Chen Shijie, the chief officer, is powerful and valued by his superiors.

"Jin Gong, you are from Xishan County. Are you used to it after three years in Nanyang County?" Fan Dongping asked with a smile.

Jingong is Chen Shijie's courtesy name.

Chen Shijie followed Fan Dongping half a body behind. When he heard what he said, he chuckled and said, "Thank you for your concern, sir. Nanyang County has beautiful mountains and rivers, and rich resources. My hard bones have become a little soft."

Fan Dongping raised his eyebrows, "Chen Jingong, you are so good, you are indirectly criticizing me, the Minister of Agriculture of Nanyang County, for being greedy for enjoyment and not striving for progress, right?"

"How dare I? In my mind, Lord Fan has always been wise and powerful."

"Hahaha." Fan Dongping stroked his beard and laughed.

The officials accompanying him, such as Gao Linong, Tang Wanchun, Pang Yuan, etc., were all a little surprised. Why was Fan Dongping so easy-going when chatting with Chen Shijie? Could it be that Chen Shijie really had a background? Was it because of him that Fan Dongping could come this time?

September 22nd, Autumnal Equinox.

At the foot of Donghu Mountain, Ditan Square.

From the hour of Mao, the temple master of ceremonies has been busy making arrangements for the opening ceremony of the mountain sacrifice.

Around the Ditan Square, there are various symbols of ministries, dividing the viewing area.

Zhao Xing arrived at Ditan Square early in the morning and came to the viewing area belonging to the Sinongjian.

There were dozens of long platforms on the Ditan Square, on which were placed three sacrificial animals, jade ritual vessels, incense, candles and yellow paper.

At the end of the Mao hour, the officials and clerks who were watching the ceremony took their places one after another, and soldiers from the East Lake Army were maintaining order because there were too many tourists and vendors who came to join in the fun.

At 1:00 pm, the sacrifice officially began.

First, the temple master of ceremonies prayed and sang lyrics, worshiping the gods (the Yin gods canonized by the court), mainly Donghu Bo, Caoxi, etc.

Next, the county lord Li Wenzhen came on stage. With a resounding voice that could be heard a hundred miles away, he prayed for good weather, good harvests, and peace and health for the people of Gucheng.

After completing this whole process, it was already 1:00 p.m.

But the number of people around me only seems to increase, not decrease.

After all, this is an annual event.

"Why isn't it over yet? I almost fell asleep while listening to it."

"It's almost time. It will be the turn of the Xishan guy to appear on the stage."

"Shh, be careful not to be heard by Chen Shijie."

"Don't you call him by his first name? Why are you pretending?"

"..."

"Coming!"

"Look, mom, the mountain is about to be opened!"

Officials and citizens are eagerly awaiting it.

Chen Shijie, the chief officer of the Sinong Bureau of Gucheng, and the other seven Sinong officers climbed up the Altar of Earth and performed the Kaishan Method.

(End of this chapter)