I Cultivate in a Government Office

Yang Wenqing was prepared. He quickly took a folder out of his Storage Bag. Inside were copies of his great-uncle’s household registration, identification, and other documents, which he had retrieved from the internal City Defense System and printed out. They bore the verification stamp from the branch’s records department, making them legally valid.

Vice Director Gao took it, flipped through it casually, and instructed, "At nine in the morning, three days from now, have this person go directly to the City Defense Bank and find Manager Zhao of the credit department. He’ll have someone receive him. If any supplementary materials are needed, they’ll tell him on the spot."

He added with special emphasis, "Remember, you are to stay out of this from start to finish. All official business and signatures must be handled by this person as the legal representative."

Yang Wenqing was greatly relieved. "Yes, Vice Director Gao! I understand. Thank you for going to all this trouble!"

"Mm. Go on. Keep up with both your cultivation and your official duties."

Vice Director Gao waved his hand, signaling the conversation was over.

Yang Wenqing stood up, bowed respectfully, and exited the office. He glanced at the nameplate on the door and couldn’t help but give a wry smile. ’I owe this leader more and more favors. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to repay them.’

...

For the next two days, Yang Wenqing’s life returned to a regular and fulfilling routine.

Every morning, he would meet his father and the clan elders at a breakfast stall near the guest house, briefly ask about their progress, give a few instructions, and then hurry to the branch office.

For most of his time at the branch office, he was buried in the complicated official duties of the deputy head of the Major Case Team.

Things with Four Seas Trading Company progressed unexpectedly smoothly. Wang Qi was truly a capable helper. He knew the ins and outs of the County Civil Affairs Bureau, and with Wang Ren’s influence, the paperwork process was green-lit all the way.

Following Yang Wenqing’s instructions, Yang Jianmu was never stingy where it was necessary to grease some palms. With Wang Qi’s guidance, everything was handled both quickly and flawlessly. The company’s key documents—its registration papers, business license, and tax registration—were all obtained in succession within just two days.

On the morning of the third day, Yang Dehou went to the City Defense Bank, accompanied by Yang Yong and Yang Tie, just as Vice Director Gao had instructed. Manager Zhao of the credit department had already been given a heads-up, so the evaluation process was swift. The bank readily approved a loan of 200,000 with a favorable interest rate and a relatively flexible repayment period.

Everything went so smoothly it felt unreal to Yang Wenqing. But he knew this seamless progress was thanks to Vice Director Gao looking out for him and the network of connections from people like Wang Ren. It was also due to the hidden perks that came with his own position. It made him realize more clearly than ever what crucial lubricants and accelerators power and connections were within the system.

Just as the initial matters for the trading company were settling down and the entire branch office had fully recovered its calm after the tense "Jinghai" Operation, Yang Wenqing was summoned by Vice Director Gao that afternoon.

He tidied his appearance and quickly made his way to the vice director’s office on the top floor.

"Vice Director Gao, you were looking for me?"

Vice Director Gao was sitting behind his desk, working on some documents. When he saw Yang Wenqing enter, he put down his pen, a gentle smile gracing his features. "Ah, you’re here. Have a seat."

Once Yang Wenqing was seated, Vice Director Gao took a palm-sized, deep blue velvet box from a drawer and pushed it toward him.

"Open it and have a look."

Puzzled, Yang Wenqing opened the box. A simply designed medal lay nestled inside.

"A Third-Class Medal of Merit."

Vice Director Gao said, "It’s awarded for your outstanding performance in the earlier Zhenyuan Mining case, as well as your subsequent assistance in the ’Jinghai’ Operation and your work maintaining order and stability in the Port District."

Yang Wenqing respectfully accepted the velvet box, his posture straightening. "Thank you for your guidance and support, Vice Director Gao!"

Vice Director Gao waved his hand. "You earned this yourself."