Chapter 470 – Where Are the Talents? (Part 1)
There exists a kind of creature that works overtime when others clock out, toils away during holidays while others celebrate, and pours over tasks even when everyone else is on vacation. The moment that someone is getting cozy, getting married, or preparing to have kids, this creature is still buried under work… Searching through the crowd for him a thousand times, I suddenly turn around, only to find that guy still working late…
You can find several such creatures back at the Xiangyang County Government.
With so many overtime hours piling up, even the most diligent subordinates can’t help but feel a bit bitter.
Especially when the Lord is slacking off while the subordinates are working like dogs—
“Ever since Zixiao has slightly recovered and started taking over some responsibilities, the Lord has been slacking off even more…”
Qi Guanrang let out a soft sigh. As the year-end approached, various matters piled up like a mountain, yet the boss was goofing off every day, which was exhausting.
What brought him a bit of joy was the new colleague, Wei Ci. He appeared distant but was soft-hearted and kind, had excellent work capability, and disliked unnecessary chatter.
What brought him discontent was that the boss lazed around every day, and unlike before, where she’d at least show her face at the administrative hall, now she didn’t even leave a shadow behind.
Xu Ke slouched comically over a thick pile of documents, half-opening his eyes in an exhausted manner.
In the past few days of reviewing documents, he had already used up an entire box of ink sticks. At this rate, he might run out of ink, “After getting through these days, the Lord promised a week-long vacation… Why does it feel like this is the only seven days we’ll get off all year?”
Hearing this, Qi Guanrang raised an eyebrow and bluntly stated, “Not a word of what the Lord says is to be trusted.”
Xu Ke paused for a moment, then slowly lumbered up from his desk, sat up straight, and seriously replied, “I couldn’t agree more.”
After being duped by empty promises too many times, Jiang Pengji’s credibility had long gone bankrupt; even her subordinates didn’t believe her anymore.
Wei Ci wanted to laugh but had to stifle it, a tickle in his throat forced him to press a fist to his lips, allowing a few light coughs to escape.
After a few coughs, he felt somewhat better and said, “Right now, things aren’t too bad, but come next year… cough cough… it may be even more difficult…”
His delicate eyebrows furrowed, making others uneasy as they wished they could help him cough it out.
Wei Ci was naturally quiet, but if he sincerely wanted to build a good relationship with someone, few would dislike him.
Even someone as guarded as Qi Guanrang had fully accepted Wei Ci now, and their work exchanges were rather pleasant.
Smart teammates are always more likable than clueless ones.
Seeing Wei Ci struggling, Qi Guanrang’s heart softened a bit, saying, “You look like you’re coughing quite hard, why not take a break first?”
Wei Ci smiled softly, saying, “It’s nothing, just my old issue. Once we get through this harsh winter, I’ll be fine.”
Seeing he truly didn’t look like he was forcing himself, Qi Guanrang felt a bit more at ease and shifted his concern to another matter.
“You mentioned it’ll be busier next year?”
Wei Ci nodded. Everyone knew that Jiang Pengji wanted to deal with the Green Garment Army in Fengyi County after spring, but he felt that this statement could not be fully trusted. She had always acted on a whim; whoever offended her, she would mobilize troops against them, completely disregarding rules. Next year, it was likely that fighting would continue from start to finish.
“Looking at the current situation, with Changshou Wang and the Emperor at odds across the river, we may face a tough battle after early spring… Regardless of who wins or loses, all of Dongqing will be engulfed in a chaotic situation with various factions fighting… At that time, all manner of freaks will emerge. Blame it on… cough cough… the Lord running Xiangyang City too well; even if she doesn’t provoke anyone, there will be plenty who will envy her and come to seek a beating.”
Wei Ci’s eyes held a hint of pity.
Of course, knowing Jiang Pengji’s character, even if no one came to provoke her, she’d find an excuse to saunter over to someone else’s doorstep.
Qi Guanrang’s expression went stiff, while Xu Ke reacted even more dramatically, almost tossing the ink stick out of frustration.
He looked at Wei Ci with discontent, saying, “Is there any way you could pretend you don’t know about this?”
Wei Ci’s expression froze for a moment, then he burst into laughter, a radiant smile lighting up his face.
“Great!”
From Wei Ci’s perspective, this lifetime’s Lord was a million times better than the last.
At least in this lifetime, she was concerned about development and slowed down the pace of warfare; in the previous life, she was all about taking territory, wasn’t she?
If Qi Guanrang and the others knew what their Lord was like in the past life, they’d probably unsheathe their swords and pray never to work overtime again!
Thinking of that scenario made Wei Ci’s lips curl into an involuntary smile.
Xu Ke grumbled, “Once the Lord firmly establishes her position next year, will she maybe post a recruitment notice…?”
If they didn’t expand their staff soon, he thought they might just die in the paperwork.
Wei Ci frowned in contemplation before regretfully stating, “It’s still not the right time; if a recruitment notice goes out, the Lord might become a target. I do have some friends with good relations; the Lord shares some ties with them as schoolmates, and once we write a letter, we can see if they’d be willing to come…”
Xu Ke’s eyes lit up as he thought, how could he have forgotten?
Since Wei Ci was Mr. Yuanjing’s closed-door disciple, his network must be strong; casting a wide net would surely bring in some juicy catches.
Qi Guanrang thought more comprehensively and added, “It’d be best… if their backgrounds were simple…”
Wei Ci understood the implication and nodded in agreement.
Jiang Pengji’s current circle, apart from Feng Jin, had simple backgrounds, and there were fewer interests involved, which was beneficial for early development and internal unity.
Had it not been for the upheavals in Dongqing, Feng Jin wouldn’t have even ended up in Jiang Pengji’s hands; his inclusion was completely unexpected.
Fortunately, Feng Jin had an open mind, was insightful, and was truly a kind-hearted gentleman.
He was neither as rigid as the aristocratic youths nor as temperamental as the high-born clans, easily fitting in with Jiang Pengji’s people. In terms of work, they coordinated well, and there hadn’t been any conflicts or disagreements yet; everyone discussed matters amicably.
If someone unfamiliar and difficult to work with came in, Qi Guanrang genuinely worried about internal unity.
Wei Ci aimed to assist Jiang Pengji in regaining her throne, so he naturally tread carefully in this aspect.
This was akin to the previous life, where she had started off without any capable scholars beside her; it was a true grassroots rise.
Once she had established some foundation, families of noble descent wanted to scheme against her; they would attach themselves to her but secretly attempt to undermine her power, which proved to be no different than provoking the King of Hell.
It was precisely because of this incident that she didn’t crave those who offered themselves up but preferred those she recruited on her own.
This led to an interesting phenomenon: at the founding of Jiang Zhao, aside from a multitude of military generals, 80% of the strategists were forcibly recruited; they all had served under the previous Lord, and every last one of their former bosses ended up executed by her hand.
For these vanquished individuals, they either created a new dynasty with her or chose to end their own lives.
She was domineering and willful, giving them no third choice whatsoever.
And oddly enough, Wei Ci liked this kind of unruly, unrestrained version of her, admiring and adoring her.
Reforging the sacred tripod of the Nine Provinces, unifying the broken mountains and rivers—it took immense courage and determination.
Thank goodness, she didn’t lack either.
