The Old Minister of Agriculture wanted to give someone individual guidance, which made many people envious. Especially since he left midway through the lecture, it seemed rather unusual.
Some sensitive clerks began to speculate whether the Old Minister had grown bored and restless, perhaps preparing to take on an official disciple, or maybe vying for some commendable political achievement?
Zhao Xing did not think much about it; he dutifully followed Xue Wenzhong to the backyard.
The front yard was as warm as spring, while the backyard was hot like summer, as if two different seasons existed.
In the south of the yard stood a lush green Chinese scholar tree, the north had a firewood room neatly arranged, the east side had several golden haystacks, and the west was a small vegetable garden with various flowers and plants. Adjacent to the garden was a trellis filled with green and purple vines.
The Old Minister of Agriculture seemed to treat the company like his home, fully dedicated to his work.
Zhao Xing thought to himself as he stood beside the haystacks with Xue Wenzhong.
"Grass and Trees are Soldiers is a spell that uses plants as a medium. Based on this spell, you can extend and advance into many higher-level spells, primarily focused on attack and defense," he explained.
"This is usually a foundational spell that every Military Minister of Agriculture Officer should master, including spells like Planting Beans into Soldiers and Willow Leaf Gold Saber."
"The divine temple teaches you this spell, which means you might have the potential to become a Military Minister of Agriculture Officer. If you officially become a Minister of Agriculture in the future, you can consider this direction," he added.
Zhao Xing naturally knew this, but he still appreciated Xue Wenzhong's reminder, "Thank you, Mr. Xue, for the reminder."
Xue Wenzhong grabbed a handful of dry straw from the haystack and handed it to Zhao Xing, "That's the theory, but since you are not yet an official Minister of Agriculture, you can't learn those military spells according to the rules. Let's teach you how to craft grassman puppets first."
Zhao Xing nodded. The Grass and Trees are Soldiers spell was just a prerequisite; one had to expand and apply it further to master more intermediate and advanced spells to achieve the true essence of Grass and Trees are Soldiers.
Learning the Grassman Puppet skill from Xue Wenzhong was also very beneficial. This spell was highly practical.
"The key to Grassman Puppets lies in the technique and materials. What agricultural books have you read?"
"I've dabbled in the Compendium of Materia Medica, Great View Wood, and the Hundred Objects," Zhao Xing humbly replied.
Unexpectedly, Xue Wenzhong frowned, "What do you mean by dabbled? Have you memorized them all or not?"
Honest people are straightforward; there's never an ambiguous measurement standard in professional fields. Zhao Xing knew that humility wouldn't do here. He had to let Xue Wenzhong know his actual level.
So, he repeated, "I have them memorized by heart."
Xue Wenzhong admonished, "Memorized means memorized. When learning from me, don't use any vague words. If you can't identify them all and use poisonous materials incorrectly, the resulting grassman would have severe repercussions."
"Yes, I understand," replied Zhao Xing.
"This is primordial rice straw. Ten strands make one handful. I'll teach you Liu's Technique of Weaving, which contains eighty-one methods. They aren't particularly profound. If you're not tested on grassmen this year, it's fine. If you are, it will definitely be among these eighty-one skills. Follow me to learn them."
Xue Wenzhong conducted the lesson on the spot, next to the haystacks.
Zhao Xing's eyes lit up. The complete Liu's Eighty-One Skills had been partially lost. In the latest version, only forty-nine skills remained.
Grassmen were very practical, whether in combat, retreat, ambush, or support. Many Minister of Agriculture players often posted on forums, wishing they could obtain the full version early in the game.
In his previous life, Zhao Xing painstakingly collected seventy-two skills. Even now, the divine temple of the court only passed down nine skills to officials. Great Zhou taught practical skills according to actual needs. Knowing nine was enough for most situations. Teaching more would merely scatter focus and increase burden. Military Minister of Agriculture Officers might have ways to learn more.
Unexpectedly, Xue Wenzhong had the complete version. While more skills seemed unnecessary now, future changes could make some spells, like the classic Grassman Skill, powerful again!
He felt truly fortunate.
"This is the first weaving method. Did you see the technique clearly just now?"
"No, I didn't," Zhao Xing honestly answered. Xue Wenzhong had moved too quickly while weaving the first grassman, and Zhao Xing had been distracted by some thoughts, unable to keep up completely.
"No problem. I'll demonstrate again, slower this time," Xue Wenzhong nodded. Grassman skills were difficult; mastering them in one go was unlikely.
So he patiently demonstrated the technique in slow motion.
Zhao Xing stopped overthinking, focusing entirely, and followed Xue Wenzhong's moves closely.
The primordial rice straw seemed like thread, and his fingers deftly wove through it.
When one devotes their full attention, everything becomes more efficient. Plus, after consuming the Tao Embryo Pill, Zhao Xing's memory, primordial energy control, and comprehension were gradually improving.
When Xue Wenzhong finished weaving, Zhao Xing's grassman also began to take shape—four limbs, torso, head...
"Not bad, not bad," Xue Wenzhong praised after a glance, "Only three mistakes."
"Huh?" Zhao Xing was puzzled. He thought everything looked identical!
Xue Wenzhong didn't explain but let primordial energy flow from his fingertips into his grassman.
"Creak," the grassman waved its arms and legs, as if it had come to life, moving in sync with Xue Wenzhong.
Zhao Xing infused a wisp of primordial energy into his own grassman, but it remained motionless.
"Liu's Technique of Weaving constructs a model for your primordial energy to flow through. The primordial rice straw is like a human's meridians. Adding or missing a single strand will obstruct the grassman's meridians, stopping the spell from functioning."
Zhao Xing realized that this was why his panel hadn't indicated success or improved skill proficiency.
He had indeed failed.
Xue Wenzhong removed a strand of straw from the grassman's chest, abdomen, and armpits, discarding each one. He then added a new strand to the head, reweaving it before saying, "Try it again."
Zhao Xing channeled a second dose of primordial energy into the grassman. Immediately, it moved. Its golden body seemed to emit a faint glow, and a weak connection appeared between him and the grassman.
[You have grasped "Liu's Technique of Weaving·Fragment," mastering one grassman crafting method]
[You crafted a Grassman Puppet (Repeating)]
[Grass and Trees are Soldiers proficiency +1]
[Grassman Puppet (Repeating)]
[Proficiency: 1/9999]
[Effect: Follows orders, repeating movement.]
Mr. Xue was amazing! Zhao Xing thought to himself ecstatically.
He hadn't expected to quickly regain the divine skill from his previous occupation as the Minister of Agriculture.
Repeating Grassman had been one of the essential survival skills in his past life. Whether in large-scale battles or small trade deals, its applications were incredibly broad.
Of course, given the current era, this spell's effects were still weak, but it would inevitably shine gloriously again one day!
"Practice this a few more times here. I'll check on the front yard and return to teach you the second method."