Chapter 160: Work Governance and Business (First update)

Cheng Xinzhan put away "Fire Refining Red Sky" and left Bai Hu Mountain.

Subsequently, he went to Zhongling Mountain.

Zhongling Mountain is the location of the Sanqing Mountain gate and also the station of the Foreign Affairs Institute.

He came to the Foreign Affairs Institute. There were many people coming and going here. He also found that some fellow disciples he knew here looked at him with different eyes. He looked at the White Tiger bracelet. That's right, he was wearing it on his right hand.

"Xinzhan, good job!"

Someone passing by said this beside him.

Cheng Xinzhan guessed it. This was that the morning's affairs had already spread here.

He smiled at the person and walked quickly into the Foreign Affairs Institute, wanting to finish the business and leave quickly to return to Mingzhi Mountain. This kind of thing can be done, but it is not suitable to talk about it.

Arriving at the reception, he found the fellow disciple on duty and asked,

"Fellow Daoist, is there a visiting post from the Xiao family of Kong Que City in Baiyujing?"

The one on duty was an extremely young Daoist boy, looking about the age Cheng Xinzhan was when he first entered the mountain gate.

"Wait a moment, Fellow Daoist."

The young Daoist boy flipped through the book and said,

"Fellow Daoist, is it one called Xiao Hou? Oh, she submitted two visiting posts. One is to add a signature to Cheng Xinzhan, the Daoist of Mingzhi Mountain, and the other is to add a signature to our Institute Master Huo of the Foreign Affairs Institute."

Cheng Xinzhan smiled and nodded upon hearing this, "Yes, I am Cheng Xinzhan."

At the same time, he thought: Sure enough, this is Eleventh Sister. It's impossible to come here just to take the alchemy.

Remembering that the first time she came to Sanqing Mountain was also invited by him. The main purpose was to invite her to send sea food to Green Chi and Third Sister and take away the talisman paper he had drawn. Another reason was that Eleventh Sister had made a name for Sanqing Mountain in a Baiyujing restaurant, so he invited her to visit Sanqing Mountain as a token of gratitude.

That time, Eleventh Sister brought many people, handled the delivery of fish and taking of talismans in two or three strokes, and then she asked him to help bridge the gap to the Duchu Institute.

Cheng Xinzhan helped with this favor, and Eleventh Sister also seized this opportunity to reach a supply of sea food for the Duchu Institute from the Bohai Sea Market. They talked for a long time, but it was nothing more than promoting high quality and low price.

Yu Zhang is located in the inland of Shenzhou, and indeed few people have eaten sea food. After a demonstration of cooking by the shop assistants of the sea market, the Institute Master of the Duchu Institute tasted it and felt it was good. Plus, Eleventh Sister had made a name for Sanqing Mountain in Baiyujing, and she was from a large family, so the Duchu Institute Master agreed to this deal.

So now the registered disciples of Little Wan Mountain have many more patterns in their meals, and even many direct disciples living on various mountains often return to Little Wan Mountain just to taste this bite.

It's just that I don't know if Eleventh Sister's good ranking in the report to Haiqing City last time has anything to do with this.

Coming this time, Eleventh Sister wants to visit the Institute Master of the Foreign Affairs Institute directly. I don't know what kind of business she wants to talk about.

"This Fellow Daoist Xiao submitted the post yesterday, and it was approved very quickly. It should be that she has been here before."

The little Daoist took one from a cabinet specially used for visiting posts and handed it to Cheng Xinzhan, and said,

"This is for you, Fellow Daoist. The other one was signed by our Institute Master. By the way, Fellow Daoist Cheng, she submitted an ordinary visiting post. Remember not to take

Cheng Xinzhan nodded, took the visiting card, signed his own name, and returned it to the young Daoist.

At the same time, he thought to himself that he had forgotten about this; next time he would mention it in advance and invite Eleven Niang to sit for a while in Mount Mingyue, as it would be fine with him accompanying her anyway.

The young Daoist put away the visiting card, having finished the task, and then looked at Cheng Xinzhan with bright, piercing eyes.

"Are you the White Tiger Envoy in person?"

Cheng Xinzhan cupped his hands, "I am he."

"For speaking up for us, we are truly endlessly grateful!"

The young Daoist said excitedly.

Cheng Xinzhan's expression changed instantly, "Does the External Affairs Department also have issues with abuse of power?"

The young Daoist hurriedly shook his head, "No, no, the External Affairs Department is very good. I spent some time in the Atmosphere Rectification Department a few months ago, but later, because the work was too busy, I resigned. At the time, Director Ma of the Atmosphere Rectification Department even said I lacked ambition. Later, I came to the External Affairs Department, and it was much better; the salary is not low, the official hours are short, and it doesn't delay my cultivation."

Cheng Xinzhan then turned his anger into joy, "That's good, that's good."

The young Daoist said with a smile, "Although I am no longer there, I still have to thank you, Daoist Brother, for being able to speak up for those of us who sit in the offices."

Hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan suddenly had an epiphany, and he asked,

"In the past, if there were injustices in the offices, where would you go to appeal?"

The man shook his head upon hearing this, "That depends on the nature of the matter. If it involves corruption, abuse, or withholding of salary, then naturally one would go to the Atmosphere Rectification Department to lodge a complaint. However, such things rarely happen here at Mount Sanqing, and I haven't seen much of it since I entered the sect. But if it's about cancelled rotation leave, private assignment of extra work, or extended official hours, it's actually hard to say, and even if reported to the Atmosphere Rectification Department, they don't care."

Cheng Xinzhan pondered for a while after hearing this. He himself had also sat in an office at Mount Shuji and had a general understanding. In Mount Sanqing, there were tens of thousands of people holding concurrent office positions, most of whom were registered disciples, mostly young, and without even a personal master. He asked again,

"With so many people holding concurrent office positions, have you never thought of uniting to form a 'Governance'?"

The young Daoist was stunned, "'Governance'? What kind of governance?"

Cheng Xinzhan then explained, "Let's call it an 'Office-Worker Governance' for now—something that unites all those who hold concurrent office positions. When you are wronged, you can reflect it to higher levels through this 'Office-Worker Governance'. After all, to be heard, one must either have high status or many people."

The young Daoist listened, a look of terror appearing on his face. Wasn't this setting up one's own faction?

Cheng Xinzhan looked at his expression, knowing what he was thinking, and said with a smile,

"It's not as serious as you think. It's just a place to voice opinions. Inside, everyone is a fellow disciple, and there won't be a division between superior and inferior like in an official office. It's just that the Governance Head will have to work harder, listening to and asking for everyone's opinions more, and then reflecting them upward."

The young Daoist still felt a bit afraid while listening, but also somewhat moved. He asked,

"Is this really okay?"

Cheng Xinzhan said with a smile, "Why wouldn't it be? In the end, we are cultivating the Dao, not seeking officialdom. I will propose this matter to the Sect Master. If the Sect Master agrees, how about you become this Governance Head?"

The young Daoist felt a bit dizzy for a moment, "Can I do it? I have only just opened my Dantian, and my cultivation is shallow."

Cheng Xinzhan said with a soft laugh, "Why wouldn't you be able to?"

————

He did not wish to delay, and after leaving White Tiger Mountain, he went directly to the Sanqing Palace. This was a major matter for the entire sect; finding any Vice Sect Master would be useless.

Ji Hehe nodded after hearing Cheng Xinzhan's thoughts,

"What you say makes sense. We are cultivating the Dao, not seeking officialdom. Having such an 'Office-Worker Governance' is also a warning to those who consider themselves officials. Let's do it this way. You can find people to prepare it first, and I will mention it during the sect's regular meeting."

Cheng Xinzhan acknowledged and took his leave.

Upon returning to Mount Mingyue, Cheng Xinzhan wrote a letter to reply to Eleven Niang, telling her to just arrive tomorrow morning.

————

Waiting until the next day.

At the hour of the Dragon (7-9 AM), he came to Mount Zhongling again and found the young Daoist on duty from yesterday, telling him that the Sect Master had already agreed. The young Daoist was both surprised and delighted, because Cheng Xinzhan had also said that he should be the one to plan this matter; as long as the regulations were drafted and the Sect Master had reviewed and approved them, the matter would be settled, and he would be the first Governance Head of the "Office-Worker Governance".

The young Daoist did not expect that this matter would be implemented as soon as it was proposed, so he was a bit flustered at first, but he immediately calmed down and told Cheng Xinzhan that he was willing to do this.

Thus, Cheng Xinzhan also learned his name.

Wen Qingzhang, a disciple of Mount Mo'ya.

Upon hearing his name, Cheng Xinzhan felt a bit dazed. When he entered the sect, there wasn't even a "Qing" generation yet; it had already been passed down to the forty-ninth generation!

While waiting here for Eleven Niang, he suggested to Wen Qingzhang how to contact people, how to manage the roster, and since there were so many official offices in Mount Sanqing, sub-governances would also need to be established.

Just as they were talking, he saw someone descending from the sky, falling straight toward the gate of Mount Sanqing.

"Let's stop talking for now; you think about it yourself, you can do it!"

He waved at Wen Qingzhang with a smile and went to welcome Eleven Niang.

To outsiders, Mount Sanqing is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round. If one accidentally wanders into the clouds and mist, one will walk and walk, only to walk out on one's own, returning to the place where one first entered.

!

If one forces their way in repeatedly, the time spent trapped by the formation will only be longer.

If one attacks this cloud and mist, one will be swept into it and never come out again.

And in this vast sea of clouds, only a tiny green dot on the east side sticks its head out. Looking from afar, it is like a lotus leaf floating on the water, very eye-catching and easy to find.

When people land on this lotus leaf, they will find that this lotus leaf is exceptionally large—a huge, flat high-mountain lawn, sufficient for docking dozens of flying shuttles and cloud ships.

This high-mountain lawn exposed outside the Great Mountain-Protecting Formation is actually a cliff protruding from the east side of Mount Zhongling. A little further inside are the office buildings of the External Affairs Department.

Standing on the lawn is a giant rock over ten zhang high, with two columns of ten characters on it, written with iron-like strokes and silver-hook flair; they are:

Lotus Peak Blessed Land,

Mount Sanqing Cave Heaven.

At this moment, Cheng Xinzhan was at the foot of this giant rock.

Eleven Niang saw that the person under the rock was already there, gave a sweet smile, and descended on her cloud.

"Eleven Niang, long time no see."

Cheng Xinzhan saw her land and stepped forward to greet her, while also seeing an old man behind Eleven Niang, and asked again,

"Eleven Niang, who is this?"

Eleven Niang introduced him on his behalf, "Xinzhan, this is my third grand-uncle, Xiao Qing. He is the elder with the highest cultivation in my lineage, specifically here from Haiqing City to Kong Que City to protect me in doing business. Third Grand-Uncle, this is Daoist Cheng Xinzhan, Daoist Cheng."

The old man cupped his hands in salute to Cheng Xinzhan and said with a smile,

"I have met Daoist Cheng; I have long heard of your great reputation."

Cheng Xinzhan returned the salute, "Lay Practitioner Xiao, you are too polite. It is just a bit of fleeting fame. Come, please enter the mountain gate."

Cheng Xinzhan led the way, Eleven Niang followed closely, and Xiao Qing followed a few steps behind.

The group passed through the clouds and mist and soon saw the External Affairs Department built against the mountain. The offices of the External Affairs Department were built quite elegantly; those who didn't know might think it was just a Daoist temple.

Cheng Xinzhan then asked, "I heard that Eleven Niang also wants to visit Director Huo. Paying respects to the elder first is the proper thing to do. Shall I take you and Lay Practitioner Xiao over first? I have just inquired, and Director Huo is in the department right now."

Eleven Niang looked at him and said yes upon hearing this, feeling sweet in her heart, thinking that he really didn't blame her for being meddlesome, and if he were there, it would naturally be easier to talk to Director Huo.

The three entered the External Affairs Department and asked someone to report to Director Huo on their behalf.

It was just that because Cheng Xinzhan had only recently taken office as the White Tiger Envoy, the great stir he had caused was still spreading, and those working here were mostly registered disciples holding concurrent positions; these people looked at Cheng Xinzhan with extra reverence.

Eleven Niang and Xiao Qing saw this and gained a new understanding of Cheng Xinzhan's status in Mount Sanqing.

The three did not wait long outside the door of the Director's office before the door opened and someone came out; it was Huo Jingyan sending someone off. Xiao Qing of the Xiao family knew at a glance that this person was wearing the Daoist robe of the Jingming Sect and was also in the Golden Core Realm.

At this moment, the great cultivator of the Jingming Sect saw Cheng Xinzhan and said with a smile,

"Little friend Xinzhan, when you have time, come to my Wan Shougong to sit for a while and guide those naughty monkeys in the sect, so they don't look down on everyone every day."

Cheng Xinzhan recognized this as one of the Golden Core leaders of the Jingming Sect at the Longhu Fa Hui, known as Daoist Gao Jin.

He cupped his hands and replied with a smile, "Daoist, you are joking. But I will definitely disturb you in the future to ask the Daoist brothers of Wan Shougong for guidance on water techniques."

Daoist Gao Jin laughed loudly, looked at the two from the Xiao family, nodded in greeting, and strode away.

Huo Jingyan then invited the three in to sit.

"I wonder what advice the two have for seeking me out?"

Huo Jingyan said with a smile.

Eleven Niang and Xiao Qing hurriedly said they dared not, first reporting their family names, and then Eleven Niang said,

"Mount Sanqing is the ancestral court of a great sect, the immortal lineage of Immortal Ge Hong, most devoted to cultivating the Dao, quiet and inactive. My Xiao family is a place of copper-smelling wealth, and I have long yearned for it, but I dared not disturb you lightly. It was only by chance that I got to know Xinzhan that I mustered the courage to submit a visiting card. Please forgive my abruptness."

"Lay Practitioner Xiao is a distinguished guest from Bai Yu Jing; why speak so humbly?"

Huo Jingyan said with a smile.

"Director Huo, please allow me to report: my family has some industries in Bai Yu Jing and has previously had dealings with your sect's Kitchen Department. This visit to Director Huo is to deepen our dealings."

"Oh, please speak."

"The high disciples of Mount Sanqing—I am talking about the Daoist masters of the first and second realms—are all people of profound Daoist techniques. Your sect also cultivates all methods. In daily cultivation, there must be output of talismans, elixirs, magic treasures, spiritual plants, etc. With output, there must be input, which requires talisman paper, gold and stone, materials, spiritual seeds, etc. Moreover, some of the output is the practice work of your sect's high disciples, not for their own use; most of it is traded among fellow disciples, or thrown away as a blindfold during magic duels."

Huo Jingyan nodded, looked at Eleven Niang, and signaled for her to continue.

"Actually, the practice work of your sect's high disciples is an incredible treasure in the hands of some impoverished rogue cultivators. Director Huo, do you think it could be like this: the practice work of Mount Sanqing's high disciples should not be wasted easily. Your sect can collect them centrally, and my Xiao family will collect them. As compensation, we can pay in gold and silver, or send raw materials. My Xiao family has its own firm, and we can get precious materials from all over the world."

Xiao Eleven Niang finished speaking, her eyes fixed on Huo Jingyan, not blinking at all.

Cheng Xinzhan listened from the side, thinking to himself that Eleven Niang had found inspiration from him.

Huo Jingyan closed his eyes and pondered quietly.

After a long while, Huo Jingyan opened his eyes. He nodded to Eleven Niang, but turned to Cheng Xinzhan and said,

"Xinzhan, it's rare for Lay Practitioner Xiao to come to Mount Sanqing. You take her around for a stroll. As for Daoist friend Xiao Qing, I will arrange for someone to receive him. This matter involves not only the External Affairs Department but also the Teaching Department, the Affairs Department, and the various mountains. I will go talk to them. When there is a result, I will invite the two to discuss it in detail."

Xiao Eleven Niang and Xiao Qing were overjoyed, stood up to salute, and kept saying they were troubled.

(End of chapter)