I Cultivate in a Government Office

At noon the next day, the atmosphere was lively in a spacious and elegant private room on the third floor of Fengtai Pavilion.

Wang Ren was hosting a banquet today for Yang Wenqing and his father, Third Elder Yang Dehou, and representatives sent by Xiao Liang and Wang Jianchao. It was both a formal meeting for the partners and an opportunity to deepen the ties between their respective families.

During the banquet, glasses clinked as everyone chatted and laughed. The conversation mostly revolved around local customs and family matters. As a junior, Wang Qi bustled about, attending to everyone attentively and proving himself exceptionally sociable.

After a few rounds of drinks, when the mood was just right, Wang Ren, the initiator of the venture and the highest-ranking official among them, set down his chopsticks. He cleared his throat and said with a smile, "Everyone, it’s rare for all of us to be gathered here. The leaders of our Four Seas Trading Company have now formally met. While we’re all in high spirits, why don’t we clarify the general division of labor to avoid any confusion later on."

Everyone set down their cups, their expressions turning serious.

Wang Ren continued, "Brother Wenqing, with your roots in the Yang Family Village and the surrounding villages, you’re the perfect person to handle sourcing and initial procurement. And though Brother Jianchao is far away in Xiaoqiao Town, that area is also rich in resources. Plus, since Jianchao is the local director, it’ll be even more convenient for him to coordinate locally and organize the supply."

"So, procurement will be jointly handled by Wenqing’s and Jianchao’s families. You two can discuss the specific details of your cooperation in private."

Yang Wenqing and the representative sent by Wang Jianchao both nodded in agreement.

Wang Ren looked at Xiao Liang. "Brother Xiao Liang, you’re stationed at the East City Public Security Office, where warehouses and businesses are concentrated. That makes you the man for sales, warehousing, and logistics."

Xiao Liang slapped his chest. "Don’t worry, Section Chief Wang. Leave the sales and warehousing to me. I guarantee our goods will come in smoothly and go out looking sharp!"

"As for me," Wang Ren said with a self-deprecating smile, "from my position in the General Affairs Section, I’ll run errands for everyone, coordinate with the various county departments, handle some paperwork, and try to secure some favorable policies."

No one objected, and they all raised their glasses in celebration.

As the banquet drew to a close and the other guests had departed, Yang Wenqing set down his teacup. Looking at the Third Elder, Yang Dehou, he brought up another matter. "Third Grandpa, regarding the assessment quotas I mentioned in my letter, how are the family’s preparations coming along?"

Yang Dehou’s expression immediately grew solemn. "I’ve been thinking about that constantly. This is a matter of great importance, and the family feels it would be best for you to make a trip back in person. You should meet the children and discuss the plan in detail with the other elders."

Yang Wenqing pondered for a moment. He still hadn’t taken his Spring Festival vacation, so now was indeed a good time.

So, he nodded and said, "I still have my Spring Festival vacation. I’ll submit a request to Vice Director Gao. Once I’ve sorted out my work at the branch office, I’ll head back for a few days."

Yang Dehou was overjoyed. "That’s wonderful."

After the banquet, Yang Wenqing returned to the branch office and went straight to see Vice Director Gao to discuss taking his vacation.

After listening, Vice Director Gao nodded. "Taking some time off is a good idea. The Zhenyuan Mining case has put Director Zhang in a very difficult position. Going back for a few days will also let you lie low for a bit. Just remember to keep your communication channels open."

"Yes, thank you, Vice Director Gao!"

As he spoke, Yang Wenqing suddenly felt a pang of homesickness.

Vice Director Gao held up his left hand and added, "However, you need to finish up any urgent matters first. I haven’t had time to deal with the Major Case Team’s files recently. The backlog of work will be waiting for you to help with when you get back."

Hearing this, something stirred in Yang Wenqing. He suddenly realized his superior’s demeanor seemed different than before. He guessed that the man must have also gained significant benefits from the recent series of events. ’Maybe he even broke through to a new Cultivation level during this time.’

But as a subordinate, it wasn’t his place to ask. Besides, Vice Director Gao signed Yang Wenqing’s leave request and promptly dismissed him.

...

Yang Wenqing had wanted to return to the village with his family, but Yang Jianmu and Third Elder Yang Dehou insisted on leaving early the next morning. Their reasoning was sound: the trading company’s loan had just come through and the paperwork was complete. It was the perfect time to go back to the village to organize the first shipment and a critical moment to contact the neighboring villages.

Meanwhile, the two young men, Yang Yong and Yang Tie, were left behind at the company’s temporary base in the county seat to handle the subsequent preparations.

Unable to persuade them otherwise, Yang Wenqing could only take his father and the elder to the station the next morning. He watched them board a rather old-looking bus and drive out of the county seat.

After seeing his family off, Yang Wenqing’s life returned to the rhythm of work.

For the next few days, he efficiently handled the Major Case Team’s backlog of urgent cases and daily affairs, organizing everything meticulously. He also did a handover with Captains Liu Xin and Wu Qianjun in advance, ensuring the team could operate normally in his absence.

At night, he unfailingly meditated and practiced his Qi Cultivation. The auxiliary materials for the Third Refinement he’d ordered from Rain Pavilion had not yet arrived, but he wasn’t impatient. ’The more solid my foundation, the more stable it will be when I use external aids to break through in the future.’

「Five days later.」

Yang Wenqing’s most urgent work was finally done. After reconfirming the follow-up plan with Liu Xin and Wu Qianjun one last time, he quietly packed a simple bag. One morning, before dawn, he changed into plain clothes, slipped out to the long-distance bus station, and boarded the early bus back to Sanhe Town.

He deliberately chose a corner seat by the window, pulled his hat down, and closed his eyes to rest.

The bus started moving in the morning twilight, leaving the still-sleeping county seat behind. As the wheels turned, familiar scenery began to flash past the window. The artificial scent of the city gradually faded from the air, replaced by the crisp fragrance of earth and plants from the mountains and fields.