The integration of new materials and Daoist arts was a sudden idea from Wang Jiaqian, while Sun Qinglu had been contemplating it. Since he no longer had to attend school and earn a degree, he naturally wanted to contribute by staying by his master's side.
Therefore, Sun Qinglu spoke at length, filled with ambition, "Teacher Wang Jiaqian and I will be responsible for the specific operations of the laboratory. We'll have money and people!"
Sun Qinglu spoke with an air of authority, already exuding the demeanor of the heir to Chaoge's wealthiest family.
However, the laboratory staff were not pleased.
What was this all about...
Crazy, insane, we don't understand a word of what he's saying.
Several project leaders changed their expressions on the spot and turned to leave. In the end, only about a dozen students from the department remained, sitting there in a daze.
Qin Yexuan immediately said to Sun Qinglu, "Go apologize quickly. The matter of new materials needs to be approached slowly. How can you just say these things from the start? They don't understand you."
Sun Qinglu looked embarrassed, "I was a bit too eager."
"It's not about being eager, it's about your approach being wrong."
Qin Yexuan shook his head, "Go catch up to them. Remember, if you can persuade them to stay, do so. If not, give them generous compensation, ten times their annual salary based on their current lab treatment. Well, do you have money?"
Sun Qinglu smiled, "Although I'm not as rich as you, Master, in Chaoge City, I'm definitely second to none."
Qin Yexuan had always deeply respected talent.
Sun Qinglu's "financial persuasion" indeed worked, and the core personnel of the new materials laboratory agreed to stay.
Meanwhile, on the academy's side, Zhu Xiaoqing was about to hold a plenary meeting and had already preemptively announced the next step in rectifying academy discipline.
"Leaving the academy requires a leave request. Sick leave of more than one day requires a doctor's note. Self-study starts at 6 AM and ends at 8 PM, all to be converted into academic credits..."
"Every Wednesday, there will be a report on discipline, ideology, and culture. All students must write their reflections and upload them..."
"Dormitory power will be cut off at the appointed time, and the main doors must be locked. Entry and exit require clocking in."
"Monthly comprehensive tests, various drills, and reflection sessions..."
...
A new official makes three swift moves, and these few regulations alone caused an uproar throughout the academy.
"Looking at it this way, Chairman Qin is much better. He doesn't bother with these trivial matters!"
"Let's wait and see what happens at the plenary session tonight. What will both sides say? Who will we listen to?"
Amidst the discussions, the plenary session was about to begin.
In her brand-new spacious office, Zhu Xiaoqing looked at the newly purchased air purifier worth over a hundred thousand yuan and casually signed it over to her secretary, "This expenditure will be counted as public school expenses. Make the accounts look presentable."
This was all old hat; the secretary was accustomed to working with her.
She quickly balanced the accounts, making them appear completely normal.
"But Dean Zhu, the regulations you've issued have already caused dissatisfaction among the students. I really don't understand, aren't those rules and regulations too strict?"
Zhu Xiaoqing said proudly, "There's a lot of wisdom in this. You should learn from it. If you can understand the subtleties, you won't just be a little secretary."
She waved for everyone to leave and then opened her computer, contacting the newly appointed Mayor, Zhu Xiaotian.
At this moment, Sun Qinglu and An Ya were also looking at the new regulations.
"Chairman Qin, why is this new dean implementing so many pointless regulations right off the bat? Is it just a new official's show of power?"
Qin Yexuan glanced at Zhu Xiaoqing's official documents, his eyes flashing, "There's more to this than meets the eye."
"What is it?" Sun Qinglu leaned closer, accidentally brushing against An Ya's hand.
The two young people exchanged glances, both blushing.
Qin Yexuan's lips curved upwards; he pretended not to see.
He explained calmly, "Zhu Xiaoqing will first enact a series of strict, unreasonable regulations and then deliberately leak them to the entire student body. That way, at the plenary session tonight, she will intentionally announce that, for the students' consideration, all these regulations will be canceled, and more benefits will be provided."
Huh?
Sun Qinglu and An Ya looked bewildered.
Qin Yexuan smiled, "It's like selling a product. I'll first raise the price tenfold, then have a sale with a 90% discount. The actual selling price hasn't changed, but the effect is completely different."
Zhu Xiaoqing wanted to win people over but couldn't offer real benefits, so she resorted to this tactic.
To shock people with strict measures, then cancel these meaningless ones to win their favor.
She must think she's very clever and impressive.
Unfortunately, this time Qin Yexuan would show her what true "benefits" and "winning hearts" meant!
In the dean's office, Zhu Xiaoqing reported her plan and strategy to Zhu Xiaotian one by one.
Zhu Xiaotian sneered on the video call, "That old dean, a dog, and you let him off so easily?"
Zhu Xiaoqing dared not speak.
Zhu Xiaotian slammed the table, "Find a way to do it. If you can't find evidence of corruption and illegal activity, forge it! That old man must be sent to prison!"
Zhu Xiaoqing lowered her head and remained silent; she didn't want to do that.
Zhu Xiaotian snorted in displeasure, "Let's not talk about that for now. There's a female teacher at the school named Wang Jiaqian. Find an excuse to have her come see me. Hmph, I want to enjoy this slut tonight!"
Ah!
Zhu Xiaoqing's expression changed. Just as she was about to refuse, Zhu Xiaotian roared, "I'm not telling you to go manage the school; you have another mission. Zhu Xiaoqing, as a member of the family, don't disappoint me!"
Sweat dripped from Zhu Xiaoqing's forehead.
Zhu Xiaotian's expression softened, "You also know that I'm not here in Chaoge to save it, but to accomplish something big. Who is backing our Zhu family? You know, right?"
Zhu Xiaoqing wiped her sweat, "Yes, it's the Thirteen Guards of Dongling Battle Department!"
The Thirteen Guards of Dongling existed independently of other battle departments.
They were originally the monk army guarding the Eastern First Buddhist Temple, Dongling Temple.
After training and transformation, they had become the strongest combat force of Buddhism.
Zhu Xiaotian's voice came through, "The power structure in Great Xia has undergone immense changes. The battle departments have been divided into various factions. Like Li Tianxing, how glorious was he before? Now, he's assigned to guard the mountains of Lingmeng Mountain, like a clown. This is clearly continued suppression!"
Zhu Xiaotian waved his hand, "Therefore, the Thirteen Guards of Dongling I brought are intended to replace Li Xiaochou and become the premier battle force in Great Xia!"
For years, the Thirteen Guards of Dongling had guarded the vicinity of Dongling Temple. As a Buddhist force, they had long infiltrated the Korean continent through the border along the eastern coast.
Zhu Xiaotian's voice became low, "There are three supreme sects on the Korean continent: Goryeo Dao, Silla Sword, and Baekje Monk. You, using your identity as the dean, must investigate the successor of Goryeo Dao... Hmm, this fellow named Kim Go-wol. This person must die!"
Zhu Xiaoqing's heart sank in panic.
She didn't understand how these chaotic power struggles were related to an academy!
"Zhu Xiaoqing, pull yourself together. These are additional tasks. You must remember the main mission: find the 'Heavenly Wisdom Jade' that fell into the academy. This is a death order from Dongling Temple to our Zhu family!"