Mountaineering for spiritual essence is open to all officials, meaning that regardless of whether they are from the Agricultural Department, the Heavenly Works Workshop, the Weaver Girl Department, the Martial Department, the Literary Office, or the Temple… as long as they belong to a government department, they are eligible to participate.
"These past two days have been truly lively. Besides the Spring Festival, the Autumn Equinox mountain opening is probably the most bustling event of the year," Chen Ziyu said, walking down the street, grinning at the crowds.
His family owned a shop in Anping Ward, so with high foot traffic, business was good, and he was naturally happy.
"Qian Dong, are you going to the Autumn Equinox mountain opening?" Chen Ziyu asked Qian Dong beside him. He didn't even bother asking Zhao Xing, knowing his older brother would definitely go.
"Yes, why wouldn't I?" Qian Dong said.
"Aren't you afraid of getting beaten black and blue? There are quite a few experts coming this year," Chen Ziyu asked.
"Would I be afraid?" Qian Dong snorted, "It's precisely because there are many experts that I should go. If there were few experts, I wouldn't bother!"
"Oh? Why is that?" Chen Ziyu scratched his head, puzzled.
"I've only just entered the second stage of Qi Gathering. If I were to clash with an expert at the eighth or ninth stage of Qi Gathering, they'd have to beg me not to die," Qian Dong said, puffing out his chest.
Zhao Xing: "..."
No, what are you so proud of?
Chen Ziyu said, "Dongzi, there's a rule against killing during the mountain climb, but you can't expect people not to rob you just because you're weak, can you?"
Zhao Xing suddenly interjected, "If you really encounter a ninth-stage Qi Gathering Martial Artist, with his superb control, he could cut you a hundred times, and each cut would avoid a vital point."
Qian Dong: "..."
"But I can't just not go, can I? It only happens once a year," Qian Dong said, somewhat deflated.
"I don't recommend it. You're only at the second stage of Qi Gathering. If you encounter a fierce beast on the Spirit Mountain, you wouldn't even know how you died," Zhao Xing said.
"Understood, Big Brother."
"This mountain climb, you must be extra careful. You're only at the fourth stage of Qi Gathering. If you encounter an expert, go around them. Once you have a harvest, descend the mountain immediately. Do not push your luck," Xue Wen Zhong said earnestly.
He originally advised Zhao Xing not to go, but Chen Shijie held the opposite opinion, believing Zhao Xing was capable of handling it. Coupled with Zhao Xing's own desire to go, Xue Wen Zhong was persuaded.
"I understand, Teacher. I'm going up the mountain to try my luck. I'll prioritize my safety first, and only then seek spiritual essence."
The Agricultural Department profession is somewhat disadvantaged, not excelling in combat power, so Xue Wen Zhong's concern was normal.
After the old Agricultural Department official's instructions, he took Zhao Xing to the study and gave him a half-human-tall, backpack-style bamboo box.
"This is a Wen Bamboo Box, which I made myself. It contains a batch of seeds."
"Among them are the 'Adamantine Bamboo' and 'Evergreen Vine' that you are familiar with."
"You are skilled in the Straw Man technique. After the mountain opens, don't rush up the mountain on the first day to compete for the first incense. First, make some straw men for self-defense, then just wander around the foot of the mountain."
"Inside, there are also five Divine Speed Talismans, ten Organ Protection Pills, fifteen Heavenly Origin Pears..." The old Agricultural Department official muttered as he helped Zhao Xing put on the bamboo box.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Zhao Xing turned around, feeling his shoulders sink after putting it on.
The bamboo box was quite heavy. How many things were packed inside?
Wen Bamboo, originally named Warm Bamboo, is used to make bamboo boxes that prevent fruits from spoiling and seeds from perishing.
Mountaineering for spiritual essence is dangerous, so officials are not forbidden from carrying treasures, but they cannot exceed the third rank.
Zhao Xing was considered one of the most promising officials in Gucheng to be appointed to a higher position. Xue Wen Zhong and Chen Shijie didn't want him to miss the opportunity, but also worried about his safety, so they filled a bamboo box with items for him.
"Tomorrow, officials from the prefecture will arrive. Chen Shijie and I won't have time to see you again. Don't over-train these two days; get plenty of rest and keep your spirits up," Xue Wen Zhong kept nagging.
"Understood, Teacher." Zhao Xing listened quietly until Xue Wen Zhong stopped speaking, then he took his leave.
On September 21st, Ji Ming, a sixth-rank official from Nanyang Prefecture's Supervision Department, Fan Dongping, a sixth-rank official from the Agricultural Department, and several other seventh and eighth-rank officials from various departments, arrived at Gucheng's East Gate aboard a Flowing Cloud Flying Boat.
Li Wenzheng led the crowd to greet them three li outside the city, and the honor guard paraded them into the city with gongs and drums.
The citizens inside and outside the city immediately knew that high-ranking officials had arrived in Gucheng.
The junior clerks of the Agricultural Department were not qualified to participate in the welcoming outside the city.
But in the afternoon, Fan Dongping, from the same system, came to inspect the Agricultural Department, giving them a chance to witness the prestige of a sixth-rank expert.
"They actually sent a sixth-rank official. Old Chen is quite important," Zhao Xing observed from the pavilion in the Huailiu Courtyard, watching from afar.
Logically, this year wasn't a major mountain opening, so sending a seventh-rank official to show some presence would have been enough; it was just a formality.
Since there was no other reason, it could only be that Chen Shijie, as the chief official, had influence and was valued by his superiors.
"Jingong, you are from Xishan Prefecture. Have you gotten used to Nanyang Prefecture in the three years you've been here?" Fan Dongping asked with a smile.
Jingong was Chen Shijie's courtesy name.
Chen Shijie followed half a step behind Fan Dongping, and upon hearing him speak, he chuckled, "Thank you for your concern, Sir. Nanyang Prefecture has beautiful mountains and rivers, and abundant resources. Even my old bones feel a bit softened here."
Fan Dongping raised an eyebrow, "Well, well, Chen Jingong, are you implying that my Nanyang Prefecture Agricultural Department officials are greedy for pleasure and lack ambition?"
"How dare I? In my heart, Sir Fan has always been wise and mighty."
"Hahaha." Fan Dongping stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
The accompanying officials, such as Gao Linong, Tang Wanchun, and Pang Yuan, were all somewhat surprised. How could Fan Dongping and Chen Shijie chat so casually? Could it be that Chen Shijie really had connections? Was Fan Dongping's visit this time because of him?
September 22nd, Autumn Equinox.
At the foot of Donghu Mountain, Earth Altar Plaza.
From 5 AM, temple officiants were busy setting up for the mountain-opening sacrifice.
Around the perimeter of the Earth Altar Plaza, various departmental banners marked the viewing areas.
Zhao Xing arrived at the Earth Altar Plaza early in the morning and went to the Agricultural Department's designated viewing area.
He saw dozens of long altars in the Earth Altar Plaza, on which were placed sacrificial animals, jade ritual vessels, incense, candles, and yellow paper.
By the end of 5 AM, officials and clerks, along with Donghu Army soldiers maintaining order due to the large number of tourists and vendors, had gradually taken their places.
At 7:15 AM, the sacrifice officially began.
First, the temple officiants chanted prayers, bowing to the various deities (Yin Gods enshrined by the imperial court), primarily Donghu Bo and Cao Xi.
Next, County Magistrate Li Wenzheng appeared, his voice resonating powerfully and carrying for a hundred li, praying for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and peace and prosperity for the people of Gucheng.
This entire process took until 9:15 AM.
But the crowd around only grew, it did not diminish.
After all, this was an annual grand event.
"Why isn't it over yet? I'm almost falling asleep listening."
"Soon, it'll be the old man from Xishan's turn."
"Shh, be careful Chen Shijie hears you."
"You're calling him by his name too? What are you pretending for?"
"..."
"Here they come!"
"Mommy, look, they're going to open the mountain!"
As officials and commoners eagerly awaited.
Chen Shijie, the chief official of Gucheng's Agricultural Department, and seven other Agricultural Department officials, ascended the Earth Altar to perform the Mountain Opening Ritual.