Chapter 17: Treasure
“What's that? The old Minister of Agriculture is ill? Ziyu, who told you this?” “Someone from the Xue family came to the Agricultural Bureau last night to request leave. Lord Chen then informed Willow and Locust Courtyard.”
Zhao Xing frowned and asked, “Is it serious? Do you know the specifics?”
Qian Dong, standing nearby, shook his head, “They only said he is unwell and needs rest for a while, but didn’t mention how long. The daily affairs of Willow and Locust Courtyard are temporarily handled by Lord Chen.”
Zhao Xing pondered, “I want to visit the Xue family. Would you like to come along?”
Chen Ziyu shook his head, “I’m afraid not. Lord Chen specifically told us not to visit to avoid disturbing the old Minister of Agriculture. Someone went early, but the Xue family closed their doors and refused visitors.”
Zhao Xing's frown deepened. Something is off.
First, taking leave without a set date—if it’s just a minor illness, why go this far? Then they’re closing the doors and refusing visitors, not even allowing a visit. This is strange.
“Xue Wenzhong is ninety-eight years old. The court even extended his life. Logically, it’s not his time yet, so he shouldn’t be on the verge of dying.”
“But the court's life extension and salary increase don’t guarantee a peaceful old age free of illness. It’s normal for the elderly to get sick. But forbidding visits and for such a long time—what kind of illness is it? If he’s bedridden for a year or more and unable to return to his post... sigh, old Minister of Agriculture, you must hold on.”
“Uncle, you have to stay strong. Ba’er will be fine.” In the Xue residence, by the sickbed in a side room, an elderly man with graying hair looked at the bedridden Xue Wenzhong, deeply worried.
The speaker was Xue Quan, Xue Wenzhong’s nephew.
The court’s life extension and salary increase typically don’t extend blessings to wives and children for ninth-rank officials. In theory, Xue Wenzhong could live to 150, but his wife and children didn’t share this fortune. His wife passed away at eighty-three, and his son and daughter-in-law died in their seventies.
So now, the only one accompanying Xue Wenzhong is this close nephew, Xue Quan, who himself is already over sixty.
Xue Wenzhong gazed out the window and muttered to himself, “Such misfortune, such misfortune.”
At this moment, his lips were pale, clear signs of illness, but the actual problem wasn’t serious.
The reason he was bedridden was purely due to anger.
Yesterday, a household servant informed him that his grandson, Xue Bai, had gotten into trouble in the county city and was arrested.
The incident started when Xue Bai was out enjoying himself in the county city. After getting drunk, he had an argument with someone and ended up severely injuring them. Causing a disturbance in the city, he was swiftly arrested, and now he’s sitting in jail, awaiting judgment.
Leaving aside the consequences of paying fines or imprisonment, to Xue Wenzhong, a man known for his uprightness, this was an enormous disgrace. Out of rage, Xue Wenzhong couldn’t control the energy fluctuations within him and fainted.
“Ba’er knows he’s wrong now,” Xue Quan consoled.
“Knows he’s wrong? Knows he’s wrong?” Xue Wenzhong’s gaze fell on his nephew. “How many times has this happened?”
Xue Quan thought about his nephew’s past and was speechless.
Xue Wenzhong held a reputable position in the Agricultural Bureau, known for his character and good reputation. His son, engaged in business, accumulated some wealth, showing his own merits.
But when it came to his grandson’s generation, perhaps because Xue Bai was an only child, he had been spoiled from a young age and had always been trouble.
Now, he had grown from a problematic child into a problematic young man.
Has he truly realized his mistake? Even Xue Quan wasn’t convinced.
Still, he had to persuade him: “After all, you only have Xue Bai as your bloodline. If you don’t save him, are you really going to let him suffer in prison?”
Xue Wenzhong shook his head, “Before, he was just wasting money, but now he’s hurt someone and broken the law. What’s next, capital punishment? Whatever the law dictates, so be it. You are not to go to the county city.”
“But he’s not even married yet. If something happens to him in prison, why not let my son Ping’er go in your place...”
“His father spoiled him too much, leading to today’s situation. If you shield him this time, do you plan to protect him for life? I can only ensure he gets a fair trial. If no one else can discipline him, then let the law do it.”
“But uncle...”
“That’s enough. I’m tired. You may leave now.” Xue Wenzhong seemed to have made up his mind.
Xue Quan could only sigh and bow out, realizing it wasn’t the right time to interfere.
A sigh echoed through the room as Xue Wenzhong recalled the earlier conversation, his eyes full of worry. He could use his long-standing connections and resources to save his grandson, but would Xue Bai really learn from his mistakes? When he eventually passed away, who would look after him and protect the family’s wealth?
“Zhao Xing, Lord Chen wants to see you at Hundred Flowers Courtyard.”
Just as he was about to leave Willow and Locust Courtyard, someone called out to him.
What could the boss want to see him about?
Could it be that his talents had finally been recognized?
When he arrived, Zhao Xing realized he had been overthinking.
Because all the Top List candidates were there. Chen Shijie had not only called him but also summoned the officials who had made it to the Top List.
Not just from the last Minor Heat, but anyone who had made it in this year's exam—though it wasn’t many, fewer than fifty in total.
When they arrived at the hall of Hundred Flowers Garden, it was clear something was different from usual.
“What’s going on? Why are there people from the county office?”
“Isn’t that Wang Long, the head of the martial office?”
“There are at least seven ranked martial artists. What’s going on? Did someone at the Agricultural Bureau break the law?”
“I don’t know. Let’s stay quiet. Lord Chen has arrived.”
Zhao Xing listened quietly.
After a while, Chen Shijie arrived, quieted the crowd, and then nodded to Wang Long, who stepped forward and saluted the group. “Today, Lord Chen has gathered everyone here because strange events have been occurring in Nanyang County recently. A group of mysterious demon cultists has been specifically targeting officials from the Agricultural Bureau and Engineering School, kidnapping them.”
“Under the command of the county governor, all county offices are strengthening their defenses and pursuing the culprits. In the city, you all have nothing to worry about, but if you leave the city, it’s best to travel in groups during the day. If you notice anyone following you or acting suspiciously, report it immediately.”
“The Donghu Army and various government departments have already been mobilized. The culprits will soon be caught, so there’s no need for excessive panic.”
A stir ran through the crowd. How could there still be such bold criminals these days?
Zhao Xing was also surprised. Did the Xuantian Sect really have such power now, forcing the government to take such drastic measures?
After Wang Long finished speaking, Chen Shijie addressed the crowd:
“The talents of the Top List are all potential future officials of the Agricultural Bureau. If they come to Gu City, you all will be their targets.”
“As a precaution, I specifically applied to have a batch of treasures transferred from the Transport Division.”
“I won’t go into the specifics of their functions. They are all items reserved for official Minister of Agriculture use, so they are only temporarily loaned to you for self-defense.”
“Don’t be overly alarmed. You may not even need to use them, but it’s better to be prepared.”
After he finished, officials moved through the crowd, distributing the treasures one by one.
As for why they were only given to the Top List candidates, it was explained: the kidnappers were only after exceptional talents, so the rest didn’t need to worry.
Soon, Zhao Xing received his treasure.
While he wasn’t unfamiliar with the standard equipment of an official Minister of Agriculture, he was still a bit surprised when he saw it: “Huh? These two items? The quality is actually quite good.”
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