Your Nanwu County Scorching Sun Department wants to claim this merit for Nanwu County—do you even have what it takes?

Why did Fuyu Mountain come? Their visit was filed in advance. It's because a zombie bullied one of the people from Fuyu Mountain, so they came here to vent their anger on the zombie.

They weren't invited by your Nanwu County Scorching Sun Department to help out.

Now you don't want to contribute a thing, and you're not even getting a whiff of the action.

Looking again at the conditions clearly listed on the document, everyone feels that, well, the terms are actually so-so. Probably the result of Minister's grueling effort bargaining them down.

Cai Qidong glanced around the room, and continued speaking.

"Since no one has any major objections, let's proceed with the next point.

This time, for the Ascension Ceremony, we hauled Fuyu Mountain onto the boat halfway through—I'll take the blame for that.

For how it happened, many of you were directly involved.

Given only our own preparations, whether there was even a one percent chance of success—you all know that in your hearts.

As for the details, I won't get into them. Even if I did, you'd probably be too scared to listen.

Anyway, it's enough for me to take the fall on my own.

As for all those conditions up above, add one whole level on top, across the board.

Additionally, we'll provide an extra annual fund to sponsor Fuyu Mountain.

In the warehouse, let Wen Yan and Qin Kun go in themselves to choose one item each, no restriction on the category.

Wen Yan counts as our Scorching Sun Department staff in Nanwu County—even if unofficial—so let's further upgrade his access and give him some extra allowance. No need to go into the details now.

Now let's discuss—speak your minds, say whatever you want."

Cai Qidong leaned back in his chair, picked up his thermos, and didn't look at anyone else.

Someone wanted to say something, but a woman in her forties sitting next to him immediately grabbed his arm, shaking her head gently.

They waited a good while, but still no one had any objections.

"No objections from anyone?"

"I do have one small suggestion."

"Oh, Director Chen from the logistics department—go ahead, speak freely."

Chen Xiang flipped through the document and glanced around the room.

"I've considered the situation in our sub-department.

Letting Fuyu Temple pick people first is fine by me. I think these kids should get an extra scholarship—those who excel in both academics and conduct should get an annual bonus scholarship.

The training at Fuyu Temple is different from an ordinary person's decade-plus of schooling. Making those kids take regular exams is a waste of their time.

I have plenty of connections with universities in Yu State, so for those who are outstanding in moral character, academics, or have special talents, let's allocate some special recruitment slots.

Those students with special talents, before they graduate, I can arrange for them to intern at the Scorching Sun Department.

As for everything else, we'll do as the Minister says.

Also, for Qin Kun and Wen Yan—when they go to pick things out in the warehouse,

since it's "whatever they wish," and given their current contributions, letting each pick three items isn't too much to ask.

Minister, you're new here, so you may not be familiar with the warehouse's situation. My suggestion is: make it three apiece.

Other than that, I have no comments."

After Chen Xiang finished, the person beside her had a change of expression, but in the end said nothing.

"Any other opinions?"

"Seconded."

"Seconded."

All in favor, no objections at all.

Earlier, those who hadn't thought that deeply about it, suddenly understood everything once Chen Xiang sweetened the deal.

They didn't care about rumors—they only trusted what their own eyes saw.

A Flying Zombie personally turning up from Fuyu Mountain—that's not something you can fake.

Besides, this time, with the Calamity Protector Goddess's ascension, Fuyu Mountain was involved—which basically guarantees their disciples can get bestowed the Calamity Protector Goddess Talisman.

Now the people are picked from Nanwu County, the money is from Nanwu County, with extra scholarships and better incentives, so when it comes time for college, people will want to choose Nanwu County first.

Hey, doesn't that make Fuyu Mountain into a talent pipeline for Nanwu County?

Doesn't matter how many end up actually joining the Scorching Sun Department in Nanwu County in the end.

As long as a couple of them—outstanding in every respect—get granted the Calamity Protector Goddess Talisman and stay in Nanwu County,

from then on, all the weird stuff in Nanwu County's West River water system will have to behave themselves.

All those Water Gods in the West River water system—if they dare act up, the Scorching Sun Department can strike hard.

So what if it costs a bit of money now?

What's the harm in offering better incentives?

Is the Minister making Nanwu County bleed here?

No: the Minister is busting his brains to strengthen the Scorching Sun Department in Nanwu County.

This blood—we must be the ones to spill it; we definitely won't ask higher-ups for anything.

The higher-ups have it hard too. Our Scorching Sun Department in Nanwu County should understand that. So let's grit our teeth and make a show of generosity.

As for the quota, everyone squeeze a little and let a few spots out—no big deal.

And as for the personal treasures, letting them gather dust in the warehouse is a waste anyway.

Isn't using things for their purpose natural?

The atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly became extremely harmonious. Everyone was cheerfully chiming in with extra details.

Everyone was all too happy to chip in—afraid someone else might beat them to it.

Anyway, on top of the terms proposed by Cai Qidong, everyone kept adding to the pot.

Cai Qidong slouched back in his chair, eyelids drooping, sipping his medicine from the thermos—not the least bit surprised at how things were playing out.

Feng Yao was sitting next to Cai Qidong, unable to hold back a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

No wonder he made it to Minister.

After all these years, Feng Yao had never seen anything like this.

He'd only seen every department, every division, fighting for their own share.

When had they ever seen everyone bleeding together, fighting to outdo one another in generosity, and then actually feeling grateful to Minister Cai for it at the end?

Minister Cai wraps things up here, and then can go over to Fuyu Mountain and win their goodwill too.

Feng Yao thought for a moment, and wondered to himself whether, even when Minister was giving Wen Yan conditions the other day, he had already planned all this out?

No wonder for days, Minister hadn't mentioned any of this in the office, and only brought it up today instead.

Once the meeting ended, Cai Qidong emptied the medicine in his thermos, turned around, and unhurriedly left.

After Cai Qidong left the conference room, someone next to him sighed.

"The Minister must be under too much stress—it's giving him internal heat. He's even started drinking herbal tea now. When he first arrived, he said he couldn't stand herbal tea—too bitter…"

Feng Yao kept a straight face, looking at the rest of them, quietly thinking: Herbal tea, my ass. That's medicine—medicine for treating injuries!

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