I Cultivate in a Government Office

After returning from the Yang Family Village, Yang Wenqing kept a low profile at the sub-bureau, spending his days handling paperwork. He only went out for cases that required his personal presence on site.

When it came time for the county exams, three people from the Yang Family Village passed. Yang Wenqi was admitted to the city’s Civil Affairs Academy, while the other two enrolled in the Police Academy and the Rune Technology Academy, respectively.

Yang Wenqing paid them little attention at the time. He knew their talents were only average, and if they wanted a good post in the county after graduation, they would inevitably come to him for help.

...

「Four years passed in the blink of an eye.」

In Qianjiao County Town, a large hover-truck was parked in a quiet, cobblestone alley near the edge of the city center. In front of a recently renovated small courtyard, several workers in matching uniforms were unloading furniture and trunks from the vehicle, each piece carefully wrapped in thick cloth.

Inside the courtyard, a calm young man of about twenty was directing the workers. He was none other than Yang Wenyuan, who had distinguished himself in the Yang family’s clan trial four years prior and was subsequently recommended by Yang Wenqing to study at the county’s Police Academy.

Compared to four years ago, the academy had honed a steady composure in him, erasing his former timidity.

Standing beside him was a middle-aged man in a white cotton shirt. He had a somewhat portly figure, and his gentle gaze held the characteristic shrewdness of a businessman. This was Yang Wenyuan’s father, Yang Jianye.

"Be careful with that rosewood table. Put it on the east side of the main hall. That’s right, against the wall," Yang Wenyuan instructed, pointing to a piece of furniture the workers were carrying.

Meanwhile, Yang Jianye ambled over to a just-opened chest. Inside was a complete set of fine porcelain tea ware and various study ornaments. He picked up a teacup, held it to the light to examine its glaze, then instructed a worker who looked like a foreman, "Move these fragile items to the west wing for now. We’ll arrange them properly after the large pieces in the main hall are in place."

"Yes, Boss Yang," the worker replied respectfully.

Watching the workers bustle about in an orderly manner, Yang Jianye turned to his son. His voice carried a businessman’s shrewdness tinged with emotion. "This house Wenqing bought is in an excellent location, not far from the City Defense Bureau and the Civil Affairs Bureau. The courtyard isn’t lavish, but you can see the care that went into the materials and design."

Yang Wenyuan nodded in agreement. "It’s practical, and it maintains a certain dignity."

Yang Jianye lowered his voice. "I heard from your uncle that over the past two years, the profits from just a few specialty medicinal herbs supplied by Qingyuan Manor in Xiaoqiao Town to our own Four Seas Trading Company have been substantial. And that’s not even counting Wenqing’s network in the county or the silent partnerships you can’t see."

"I hear even Director Zhao from our Sanhe Town is doing business with them. He’s made a lot of enemies because of it. When he had problems with a shipment last year, it was because his competitors targeted him."

Yang Wenyuan listened in silence. He had graduated two years ago. After a year on patrol duty at the basic level like everyone else, he was transferred to the General Affairs Department just half a month after his position became permanent. From that day forward, he found that all his colleagues had become incredibly friendly.

"Wenyuan." Yang Jianye’s tone turned serious. "Your Brother Wenqing asked you to help set up his new home. That means he considers you one of his own, and it’s a chance for you to gain experience. From now on, work hard. Watch more, learn more, and say less. Wenqing has made his way in the world. If you have the ambition, you can make something of yourself in the future, too. But you have to take it one step at a time and build a solid foundation."

"I understand, Father," Yang Wenyuan replied respectfully. He was well aware that although he had worked hard, his journey from the village to the county academy was primarily thanks to Brother Wenqing’s recommendation and unspoken support. It was a debt of gratitude and an opportunity he would always remember.

As they spoke, workers carried in several pots of fine-looking orchids and pine bonsai. Yang Wenyuan hurried over to direct their placement.

Time trickled by. Sunlight streamed through the new home’s spotless windows, casting shifting patches of light on the polished floor. The flurry of activity in the courtyard began to wind down, and one by one, every object found its place.

Yang Wenyuan saw off the last truck of workers, then stood with his father, Yang Jianye, in the living room. It was still somewhat sparse, yet already felt vibrant. They were quietly discussing what small trinkets they might still need to add.

At almost the exact same moment, the atmosphere was completely different in a private, street-facing room on the second floor of Linjiang Pavilion—an elegant restaurant in Qianjiao County’s East City District famed for its river delicacies.

Yang Wenqing sat by the window, an untouched cup of tea before him.

He wore a well-pressed, dark gray suit and exuded an aura of calm competence. At twenty-five, he had already reached the Fourth Refinement and become a pivotal figure in the county’s sub-bureau.

At the moment, however, his face was devoid of expression as he gazed calmly at the young man seated opposite him.

The young man appeared to be eighteen at most. He wore an expensive-looking white training uniform, his hair was cut short and neat, and his features were refined. His bearing conveyed the confidence of a privileged upbringing, mixed with a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of detachment.

His name was Lin Xingyan. He came from the provincial capital and was the scion of some influential figure at the Provincial Hall. More importantly, he was a rare cultivation genius. At just eighteen, he had already reached the Qi Cultivation Third Refinement. Officially, he was in Qianjiao County on an academic exchange, but his true purpose was the set of Dharma Seals deduced by Wang Jianchao.

"Yang Group Leader. I’ve heard a great deal about you." Lin Xingyan spoke with perfect courtesy, but it failed to completely mask his condescending, appraising gaze. "Director Gao mentioned that Director Wang Jianchao would be coming over from the town today?"