NOVPUB"Indeed! I knew it was my time to shine!"
He knew the ministers of the departments far too well.
He was absolutely certain that no one would be able to handle this data properly.
The reason was simple: including himself, everyone only worried about how to deal with these records, but would never actually put their mind to it.
They were all very busy, and as ministers or vice ministers, their cultivation time was already limited; spending energy on what they considered insignificant clerical tasks would be a loss.
If it wasn’t for the higher-ups pressing for it, they would have no incentive to care.
As above, so below, the members of the departments were even more so.
Of course, at this moment, he felt even more grateful for Wang Ba.
If it hadn’t been for Wang Ba sorting out all the records of the Spirit Food Department, he certainly would have been one of those being criticized just now.
And there certainly wouldn’t be the him that was now receiving praise.
At this time, he also heard Song Dongyang’s voice, full of appreciation:
"Minister Cui, why don’t you share with everyone how you made this chart?"
"Hmm?"
Cui Daqi was taken aback. There was this step too?
How the chart was made?
He didn’t know a damn thing.
He had to ask Wang Ba!
But fortunately, being an old hand at this, he replied calmly:
"Master Song, there is really nothing special about this chart; showing it to everyone, with the wisdom of the ministers here, you will easily understand."
Cui Daqi’s words, however, received Song Dongyang’s approval.
Song Dongyang recalled the spreadsheet. It was indeed very simple; not only cultivators but even mortals could understand it. He gave a slight nod: "Old Li."
Enforcer Li immediately passed on the replicated ’Spirit Food Department’s October Material Usage, Damage, Retention Chart’ to each department minister.
Seeing this scene, Cui Daqi was slightly startled, and then cursed silently in his heart at the sly fox.
Song Dongyang had obviously been ready to show it to the ministers. He had just conveniently used him as a mouthpiece.
When the ministers received these replicated spreadsheets and saw that they were as straightforward as Song Dongyang had described, they were immediately astonished.
"This, this format is indeed much simpler... I’ve never heard of it before."
"Did Old Cui really do this?"
"Truly one should not judge a book by its cover..."
Some of the ministers were surprised and looked up at Cui Daqi with a new assessment.
It was unimaginable that Cui Daqi, a cook, could come up with such an innovation.
Especially Minister Ma Shengxu from the Spirit Plant Department, who looked at Cui Daqi up and down several times, full of disbelief.
And as Cui Daqi heard these discussions and felt the complex glances from the other ministers, he couldn’t help but feel amused yet annoyed at the same time.
What does ’do not judge a book by its cover’ mean?
I have an eye for talent, okay!
But now that the ministers had seen the chart, they were indeed tempted to give it a try.
And this was precisely what Song Dongyang wanted to see.
Seeing this, he nodded slightly and then said:
"Alright, everyone has important tasks. I won’t keep you any longer. Take this chart back and study it. Remember, don’t share it outside. If there’s nothing else, you may all leave."
On hearing this, everybody was about to scatter like birds and beasts.
But at this moment, a voice rang out from the crowd:
"Wait, Master Song, I have something to say."
Song Dongyang was momentarily stunned, then turned to look, only to see it was Qi Yan, the Beast Control Department minister who had just been criticized by him.
With a thought flickering through his mind, no expression could be seen on his face:
"What brings you here, Minister Qi?"
Qi Yan greeted with a slight bow, then immediately turned to look at Cui Daqi, his face revealing a rare smile:
"As it happens, our Beast Control Department is severely short-staffed of late. The top Golden Core Realm beastmaster from this Dao-asking Conference happens to be in your Spirit Food Department, Minister Cui. I’m thinking of transferring him to assist with our Beast Control Department’s work."
Upon hearing this, Cui Daqi’s expression changed immediately.
Meanwhile, Song Dongyang furrowed his brows and then recalled:
"Are you referring to the current Vice Minister of the Spirit Food Department, Wang Ba?"
"Exactly!"
Qi Yan nodded in affirmation.
Song Dongyang pondered for a moment:
"The number one Golden Core Realm beastmaster is indeed somewhat wasted in the Spirit Food Department..."
"I disagree!"
Cui Daqi quickly stepped up to Song Dongyang, his expression slightly agitated as he spoke.
Despite Cui Daqi’s approach, Song Dongyang’s attitude was much warmer, and he said with a smile:
"Minister Cui, haha, don’t rush... I remember that Vice Minister Wang Ba’s identity plate hasn’t been issued yet. As a newly advanced Golden Core craftsman, his value to your Spirit Food Department is not significant. Why not... just transfer him to the Beast Control Department?"
Although he favored Cui Daqi more, his position required him to consider the bigger picture.
And a beastmaster talent like Wang Ba could indeed play to his fullest potential in a struggling Beast Control Department.
But Cui Daqi wouldn’t relent: "Wang Ba is the number one beastmaster, but he is also the second-best Golden Core Spiritual Cook."
"This..."
Song Dongyang wanted to say that it wasn’t the same thing at all, beast control was much more profound than spirit food, but it wasn’t the kind of thing that could be discussed openly, so he quickly tried to persuade him again.
However, no matter how Song Dongyang tried to persuade him, Cui Daqi just wouldn’t budge.
Although he was the Vice Hall Master, he couldn’t outright go against the Minister’s wishes, and he was somewhat annoyed with Cui Daqi’s non-cooperation:
"Minister Cui, Wang Ba is a Golden Core who hasn’t even taken office yet. Is there something so important that he must stay to get it done?"
Realizing he couldn’t sidestep the issue,
Cui Daqi glanced around, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke:
"Let’s discuss this matter privately, Master Song."
Song Dongyang was momentarily stunned, then glanced around and nodded:
"Everyone, you may head back first!"
Noticing Qi Yan was somewhat reluctant to leave, he also hurriedly dismissed him:
"Minister Qi, you go back first, I need to talk with Minister Cui a bit more."
Soon, only Song Dongyang and Cui Daqi were left in the hall.
And a few breaths later, one could hear Song Dongyang’s voice, laced with mild surprise:
"You’re saying the spreadsheet you did was actually done by Wang Ba?"
"Cough... Master Song, keep it down."
Cui Daqi said with an air of embarrassment.
Outside the hall, the dark-skinned Ma Shengxu, looking at the spreadsheet in his hand, smiled:
"I’m well aware of what kind of goods you are, Old Cui. You’re really not meeting my expectations!"
"Now it’s going to be tough for my disciple!"
...
Dusk.
The Spirit Food Department was bustling with activity.
Wang Ba, who had been slacking off and cultivating for the day in the department, promptly finished his shift on time.
After waiting a while and not seeing Bu Chan, he thought for a moment, then simply sent out a Sound Transmission Talisman to inform him and flew straight to Tiandao Peak.
