Chen Shijie had promised Zhao Xing the tribute officer's quota, which would be available next month, starting from the Bailu season.
There were several levels of rewards for allowances. In the first month, he could only receive the 'intermediate officer's allowance,' but if Zhao Xing could achieve a top grade in the following month, Chen Shijie could recommend him for the 'superior officer' level.
Intermediate officers received a monthly allowance of 'five taels' of silver, while superior officers received ten taels.
The duration would depend on Zhao Xing's performance.
Of course, if Zhao Xing could be officially appointed next year, then these rewards would cease. By then, if his performance was excellent, there would be other rewards.
Five taels per month or ten taels per month, according to the prices during Emperor Jing's period, were considered enormous rewards for an officer!
It should be known that when people who were beaten by Mr. Zong heard of thirty taels of silver per punch, they immediately chose the former between 'being beaten in public' and 'reporting to the authorities.'
Ordinary individuals who endured eighteen punches from him instantly became wealthy, leading many later to plead with Mr. Zong to hit them!
However, for those aspiring to cultivate and climb the path to Qingyun, such resources were not abundant; for now, they were just sufficient.
Chen Shijie's official rewards were merely a gesture, but his personal support was indeed generous!
"I will send you 15 Tianyuan pears each month. If you achieve the top grade again, I will give you that Tianyuan pear tree. If it survives, it can serve as a resource for your future cultivation." Chen Shijie pointed to a small tree in the sapling area.
Zhao Xing was a bit surprised. Chen Shijie was indeed willing to spend heavily. The Tianyuan pear tree was of third-rank quality, even as a sapling, it was valuable. It was known that if it could be cultivated to maturity, it would be a veritable money tree!
Although he very much wanted it, he had to feign modesty. "Such a generous reward, Zhao Xing feels unworthy."
Chen Shijie nonchalantly replied, "I have considerable family assets. After coming to Nanyang County and taking office for three years, I have cultivated an entire pear orchard. Giving you a sapling is a trivial matter. Please accept it; maybe one day in the future, we can advance together."
Even Xue Wenzhong couldn't help but be moved. Clearly, this was beyond his expectations.
What surprised him more was Chen Shijie's attitude. This was not how one usually treated a junior; it was as if Zhao Xing was being regarded as a peer and fellow cultivator!
Xue Wenzhong thought to himself, "This Mr. Chen is indeed an oddity, truly unpredictable."
But this was a good thing. While the Tianyuan pear sapling was slightly less valuable than the Preaching Painting, it had long-term potential. In the long run, its value would eventually surpass that of the Preaching Painting.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing no longer declined and readily accepted. "Then I thank Mr. Chen."
Chen Shijie walked away with a beaming smile. If he weren't worried that Zhao Xing would be envied, he would have directly given him a mature pear tree.
He had considerable wealth. His military service had also brought him substantial gains. A single Tianyuan pear tree was nothing significant.
After spending three years in Nanyang County, he saw that his colleagues were mostly idle and incompetent, none meeting his expectations. Zhao Xing's performance precisely caught his eye.
Additionally, Chen Shijie's talk of 'advancing together' was no joke.
He genuinely thought so, "I won't stay in Nanyang County for long. The General will eventually need me again. When that time comes, perhaps I can include him in my ranks."
......
After the Start of Autumn evaluation, the rankings were posted, showing only fifteen people received the top grade.
This number was half of the previous time.
The evaluation was becoming increasingly strict, all to filter the final list for recommendation.
After exiting the Hundred Herbs Garden, Zhao Xing was immediately surrounded by many people.
"Zhao Xing is out!"
"Congratulations, Brother Zhao!"
"Congratulations, Zhao Erjia!"
"Next year, when officials are appointed, Brother Zhao's name will surely be on the list!" Qian Dong laughed and congratulated him.
Seeing this, Zhao Xing grabbed Qian Dong's head humorously and said, "Then why are you still calling me Brother Zhao? You should call me Mr. Zhao!"
"Oh, I misspoke. I apologize to Mr. Zhao."
"Ha ha ha." Everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Not far away, Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang stood together, their brows slightly furrowing.
Although some people still congratulated him, this time there were significantly fewer.
"Hmph, that fellow surely knows how to attract attention." Zong Shichang said with a stiff tone, looking across. Although he had been beaten, he couldn't bring himself to hate Zhao Xing; it was just a matter of pride. Otherwise, Mr. Zong would have eagerly joined in the fun.
"Let's go, Mr. Zong. Let's drink." Li Chengfeng glanced deeply at Zhao Xing, then called his friends and left.
Compared to Li Chengfeng, Zhao Xing gave a more approachable and down-to-earth impression.
Although Li Chengfeng was reputed to be a gentleman, he always maintained an air of aloofness, perceptible even to those with less sensitivity.
Of course, that was secondary. The primary reason Zhao Xing was so popular was his rating.
This time, only three achieved top grades: Li Chengfeng, Zong Shichang, and Zhao Xing.
Consistently excellent performers Xiao Ze and Wen Nanxing only received the second-highest grade.
After the evaluation, Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze shut themselves in for three days. When they emerged, they resumed their usual behavior but never mentioned having been sabotaged. When asked, they merely said they had performed poorly.
Did they know who sabotaged them? Certainly, they figured it out!
"I can't believe my Primordial Energy was stolen without my noticing for four days and three nights." Wen Nanxing, after learning the truth, locked himself in and drank in grief.
Sitting opposite, Xiao Ze was also drinking heavily, recalling Chen Shijie's comments, he felt thoroughly embarrassed.
"Lack of vigilance, lack of vigilance..." These five words echoed in his mind.
Thinking of his teacher's disappointed gaze, Xiao Ze took another heavy swig of wine and then slammed the cup onto the table.
"Good for you, Zhao Erjia. Next time I have a chance during an evaluation, I will surely pay you back!"
"Brother Xiao, keep your voice down!" Wen Nanxing handed him another cup, "Just remember it in your heart."
Their pride would not allow them to speak of it, but they had marked Zhao Xing as their primary competitor and were determined to reclaim their honor from him the next opportunity they got.
.......
"Falcon Guardian, the evaluation ratings for the Start of Autumn in Gucheng have been posted. This person has received the top grade twice in a row, and it is rumored he even bested Zong Shichang. Should we add this Zhao Family member to the capture list?"
On the eastern edge of Gu County, in Sanwan Town, in an unremarkable house, three people were gathered at a dining table.
An old man, a middle-aged man, and a woman appeared to be a family of three.
However, their secret identities were as guardians of the Xuantian Sect and two Hall Masters.
The old man, whose title was 'Falcon Guardian,' had kind eyes and a benevolent face, with a full head of white hair, looking as though he might soon pass away.
The middle-aged man, the 'Master of Sanwan,' had an unremarkable appearance with prominent cheekbones. The woman was the Deputy Hall Master with a headscarf, yellow skin, and a stout waist. She had no distinct features and was somewhat unattractive.
The one speaking was the Master of Sanwan, who had spread out a list of postings from the Minister of Agriculture Supervision on the table and was pointing at Zhao Xing's name.
Falcon Guardian opened his eyes, his gaze turning from murky to clear. "Oh? Twice receiving the top grade, and even able to defeat Zong Shichang? Is this sudden enlightenment or gradual accumulation? Get me the detailed information before deciding whether to include him in the list."