I Am Cultivating in the Apocalypse

Chapter 715: Minister Niu’s Promotion Banquet

Compared to the panic of the regular employees at the Power Bureau, the people at the Medicine Association were much calmer. The first reason was that Jing Shu, the Vice President, had previously earned Wu City significant prestige in the Imperial Capital. Wang Danai was still leading a group of people operating a pharmaceutical factory there. Because of this, the Medicine Association’s benefits had increased significantly, and so had their salaries. Although they no longer had white rice to eat, they did often get synthetic meat.

Oh, and it should be mentioned quietly, Jing Shu, the Vice President, had greatly distinguished herself last time. She was rewarded and recognized, but as far as promotions went, she had reached the ceiling. After all, any further up would be the ’President’ position—a treasure of Wu City, indeed. Yet, while she couldn’t become President, her job grade could still be upgraded, so Jing Shu had indeed moved up one more level.

While her benefits hadn’t increased much, her prestige surely had. So, if one were to seriously discuss it, Jing Shu’s position might even be considered higher than Mrs. Jing’s.

Secondly, the people from the Medicine Association always carried themselves with confidence, no matter where they were. This was especially true out on the roads, where they were needed even more, even though they were primarily farmers and cultivators of medicinal herbs.

They might not be as popular as doctors, but what use is a cook without rice? Doctors can treat, but without medicine, they are helpless. Nowadays, traditional Chinese medicine is so precious, not even the dregs are thrown away. Not to mention the relocation; the Wucheng Town Government would surely ensure the entire Medicine Association was relocated safely and completely. On the road, the members of the Association would have to look after the medicinal herbs and make medicine pills. They had a multitude of tasks.

It was amid these rampant rumors, with the whole city feeling uneasy, that Mrs. Jing’s boss, Minister Niu, got promoted again.

And the timing was just perfect, as it coincided with Minister Niu’s birthday. So this time, Minister Niu threw a grand banquet! The venue was set up at Xishan Phase 2, converting the conference hall into a banquet hall, and a large number of people were invited!

In the past five years, Minister Niu’s career had shot up like a rocket, and Mrs. Jing, following closely behind him, had reaped many benefits. Now, Mrs. Jing was subtly becoming Minister Niu’s top lieutenant.

Previously, Minister Niu was in charge of all of Wu City’s agricultural affairs and grain supplies; Wu City had 13 districts and one solar energy base. Mrs. Jing managed one of those districts and the output of the solar energy base.

Now Minister Niu was promoted and was about to manage Wu City’s entire food industry. After the apocalypse, when the new laws were made public, a new management system was established.

Now, anything related to food was under Minister Niu’s jurisdiction—food processing, food production, agriculture, livestock, and breeding industries. Even critical resources like salt and their entire supply chains were all under his control.

This step could be described as a massive leap. Now, he had truly entered the upper echelons of Wu City’s power structure and could hold serious sway.

There used to be six individuals at the same level as Minister Niu in this industry. Now, they all were his subordinates.

For this occasion, Minister Niu invited not just his former subordinates from the Ministry of Agriculture but also the newly added six subordinates. In Minister Niu’s own words, "From now on, we all need to assist and work with each other as ’colleagues,’ so it’s good to meet and learn to deal with one another."

Of course, not everyone was invited, only those ’qualified.’ A Director’s position wasn’t enough to make the cut. Still, the whole system was quite large.

Minister Niu got promoted, it was his birthday, and he was hosting everyone; how could they not show up? Would they dare not to?

Mrs. Jing was already Minister Niu’s top lieutenant, so she absolutely had to go. Mr. Jing was the deputy manager of a breeding farm, so he definitely had to attend as well.

Although the Medicine Association wasn’t under Minister Niu’s jurisdiction, as a friendly department, they were also allocated an invitation. Fine, Jing Shu would go as well.

But what to give as a gift had become the biggest headache for the Jing family.

Mrs. Jing had been dealing with such matters for many years and knew all the ins and outs perfectly. The more complex it got, the harder it was to handle. She was very frustrated.

"With Minister Niu’s promotion, his old position is now vacant, and the entire Ministry of Agriculture is practically going blind from coveting it," Mrs. Jing lamented. "Other departments also want to plant their people in there. The neighboring vinegar brewery is even openly declaring their intent to angle for a position."

Talking about this, Mrs. Jing also showed contempt, "They don’t even consider what positions they’re reaching for. Minister Niu’s dozen or so subordinates are all desperately trying to climb upward. But lately, someone’s been playing dirty, spreading rumors that I’m the most trusted by Minister Niu. They say that with his promotion, his previous position will inevitably fall into my hands, and plenty have heard this."

A few years ago, Mrs. Jing might have been secretly pleased, but now the seasoned Mrs. Jing practically spat, "If I ever find out who’s spreading these rumors, humph, I’ll make sure to take them down a peg! Especially at a time like this, I wish I could skin that person alive!"

Minister Niu did trust her, and the good relationship between the two families was inseparable from Mrs. Niu. Who else could make the gifts the Jing Family brought on holidays always hit the spot for Mrs. Niu?

Minister Niu knew how to deal with people and, even more, how to handle affairs. He particularly liked people like Mrs. Jing, who was competent and knew how to get along with others. So, Minister Niu had indeed quietly conveyed to Mrs. Jing that he could keep the position for her.

"If I give something too good, too eye-catching, that’s not good with the relocation coming up, and it’s also problematic to stand out too much," Mrs. Jing continued, her brow furrowed. "But giving something ordinary... given our relationship, that really wouldn’t do, and it might even invite scorn from others."

No matter how many people there are in Huaxia, for birthday banquets and promotion celebrations, the custom has always been to bring gifts; an exchange of courtesies—it’s habitual. How can you show up to a feast just bringing an appetite? That doesn’t fly even after the apocalypse. So gifting, it’s an art.

Jing Shu furrowed her brows but asked, "Mom, I feel like there’s something more to this banquet."

Mr. Jing laughed on the side, "Daughter, this banquet is definitely not ordinary. Who is Minister Niu? All these years without any scandals, when has he ever hosted anything like this before? No one has held such a high-profile feast since the beginning of this year. Minister Niu is the first one, and many people say he’s become arrogant."

Could Minister Niu possibly be arrogant?

Mrs. Jing shook her head, "That’s why, this banquet might have the green light from above."

Jing Shu also thought it was strange. Approved by those in charge to have a grand banquet? Openly accepting gifts? This was something officials always tried to avoid, a real taboo.

"But even if it’s approved by those above," Mrs. Jing mused, "I estimate that no one can bring a light gift. We’re all part of the same circle. If you bring a light gift, you can’t afford to lose face. If it’s too heavy, it gives a bad impression."

And just conveniently, right before the relocation, this kind of turbulence arose. Jing Shu felt that there had to be another meaning behind Minister Niu’s banquet. Maybe it had something to do with the relocation?

If someone like Jun Bao, who is in power, were to handle this matter, what scheme would he concoct? It wasn’t that simple. They were plotting something; there was an underlying thread, but she just couldn’t grasp it.

"That’s why we can’t go wrong with the gift this time," Mrs. Jing concluded firmly.

"We can’t give something too good, too valuable, nor something too insignificant that becomes a laughing matter. We need to give something that lands right in the heart of Minister Niu."