Zhang Guodong sold several million yuan worth of medicinal herb seeds to Jixing Village. He also supplied a variety of medicinal herb seeds to several neighboring villages. From these seeds alone, Zhang Guodong earned nearly ten million yuan, which he deposited in the bank. He doesn't know the exact amount now, but it's been around one hundred million yuan intermittently.
This doesn't even include the shares in Shennong Holdings' subsidiary, which are now worth 200 million yuan. This is all worldly wealth that Zhang Guodong unintentionally created. Although he doesn't care much about it, he hasn't refused it either.
Several villages, including Jixing Village, were mentioned. Zhang Guodong didn't take the village affairs to heart. To put it bluntly, it was truly a transaction. Although it greatly promoted the economic development of Zhangba Township, Zhang Guodong scoffed at it. The fat man bringing this up was probably setting a trap for Zigong.
This guy is definitely a product of the bureaucracy. He's been working his way up layer by layer.
Why are they mentioning Party members? What are they talking about for their significant contributions to township development? What are they trying to achieve? Are they trying to become an official themselves?
The fat man coughed and said, "Guodong, given your significant contributions to Zhangba Township, your background as a Party member, and your experience as the executive deputy village head in grassroots management, the Zhangba Township Party Committee has decided to appoint you as the assistant to the township head. We will then submit a report to the district to apply for your administrative benefits, at the deputy section chief level. Originally, we planned to appoint you as the secretary's assistant, but generally speaking, the title of secretary's assistant is not very substantial. Appointing you as the township head's assistant is more normal, since it's related to the economy! What's your opinion?"
Zhang Guodong was stunned.
"Fatty, you're not serious, are you? You know I'm not interested in being an official, otherwise I wouldn't be entering the bureaucracy now, right?" Zhang Guodong frowned and said. But Fatty was serious. His expression wasn't joking; he simply changed his tone and said, "Hey, Guodong, we're brothers for life. To be honest, I like politics, but I don't like the steady, methodical advancement our fathers have taken. I prefer challenges. Otherwise, life is too peaceful. After decades, all I've achieved is a department-level position? That's not the life I want! I don't lack family connections. I just lack opportunities, and truly challenging opportunities are what I crave! I'm sure you feel the same way! Although your status is different, is this kind of stable life really what you like? Have you ever thought that many things can be perfectly resolved through worldly power, not through force? This way, we can preserve our strength to the maximum extent. Keep a low profile, yes, keep a low profile! Haha! Besides, I think a few decades in the secular world actually pass very quickly. Rather than a lifeless existence, constantly going into seclusion for cultivation, why not enjoy a few decades of freedom now, and then start cultivating properly later? Hehe! What do you think of my idea? Guodong, let's work hard together!"
The fat man looked at Zhang Guodong earnestly, trying to persuade him to at least accept the title. He believed that once Zhang Guodong accepted it, he would surely fulfill his duties based on his understanding of Zhang Guodong.
But Zhang Guodong's reply to the fat man was: "I think you're crazy! You should know that the cultivation world is in turmoil right now. If we don't become stronger, other cultivators will devour us. I don't have the time or energy for that. There are already too many troublemakers around!"
“How could I not have the time and energy? Guodong. You're overthinking it. Being an assistant is just a nominal position. You don't have to come in regularly, and you don't have to do anything. Just do your own thing normally, and occasionally I'll ask for your opinion and suggestions when I encounter a big problem. It's that simple,” the fat man said immediately.
Zhang Guodong naturally didn't believe it.
He's already been granted an administrative rank, yet he's only working sporadically. Doesn't that break the rules of officialdom? Does he even know how complex officialdom is? So many competitors and political enemies are watching him, looking for dirt on him. If he really took the position himself, wouldn't people say the fat man "made a bad choice of personnel"?
It's important to understand that personnel decisions are a crucial political issue. What does Zhang Guodong think of the fat man? He feels the fat man is going crazy, almost possessed, to come up with such a scheme! Doesn't he realize how politically immature this is?
But Zhang Guodong absolutely refused. Firstly, he was afraid of trouble, and secondly, he didn't have the time or energy to deal with such political matters. If he agreed to the fat man's offer, he'd certainly be in for a lot of trouble. Zhang Guodong understood perfectly well what a township head's assistant position entailed. A township head's assistant position generally meant receiving the administrative benefits of a deputy township head—basically, a deputy township head at the very bottom of the rankings!
So it's better to refuse now.
The fat man tried a lot of persuasion, but Zhang Guodong remained unmoved, smiling broadly, which made him somewhat discouraged. He decided to bring out his most powerful weapon: the assassin's pay.
"Guodong, aren't you worried that Zheng Le and Sister Xiang might suffer in officialdom? Although my father secretly takes care of them, there are some rules of officialdom that even he can't control. For example, if someone from the central government comes and specifically requests that Zheng Le or Sister Xiang accompany them for drinks... well, just an example. Can my dad really do anything about it? Can he refuse? These kinds of things happen all the time." The fat man said cautiously.
He could feel the murderous aura emanating from Zhang Guodong, which made him feel cold.
Clearly, this had touched a nerve with Zhang Guodong, and the fat man was secretly delighted. However, what he said was true; it was just that he brought up a sensitive topic at an inappropriate time to get Zhang Guodong's attention, thus amplifying the effect!
"However, if you can stand in a high position, then even if Zheng Le and Sister Xiang need to receive people from above, who would dare to have any dirty thoughts? This is the deterrent power of secular power! This is something that force cannot do! Unless the deterrent power of force can be made public! But, can your force be made public now? Wouldn't that cause great chaos in the secular world? But having secular power is different. It can save you a lot of trouble. You can get many things done with just a few words. Although they are just ordinary people, their strength lies in their numbers and considerable power."
"Of course, this is only a very one-sided explanation. In short, worldly forces can also greatly help you and me! You won't deny that, will you?"
Becoming the township head's assistant is just one thing. He may not do any work or concern himself with anything, but he has a powerful figure standing by his side. This powerful figure, of course, is Fatty!
Zhang Guodong glanced at the fat man a few times, making the fat man's heart pound.
"You fatso, you want me to be your lackey?" Zhang Guodong said.
"Ha, it's not as bad as you make it sound. But it's undeniable that I'm a few months older than you, hehe." The fat man said shamelessly.
Zhang Guodong ignored it.
"Let's go, it's almost noon, let's go out for lunch!" Zhang Guodong stood up, but changed the subject. The fat man was secretly anxious, but helpless. Perhaps this guy still needed to consider it? Or was he just unyielding?
"Okay!" the fat man said.
There are several restaurants and eateries in Zhangba Township, and they all have a nice ambiance. This is related to the fact that Fatty was in charge of ensuring the township's environment met standards. A clean township will certainly make visitors feel comfortable, which is also very attractive to investors.
A green town, a medicinal herb town, and a livable town. Now, thanks to Fatty's efforts, this is gradually becoming a reality. In time, Zhangba Township will surely be transformed and realize its long-term vision.
After the meal, Zhang Guodong didn't linger in Zhangba Township. He also didn't promise Fatty anything. It was as if the two of them hadn't even mentioned it.
The fat man felt frustrated, but he couldn't say it out loud now, so he could only wait for an opportunity to bring it up again. Just then, city leaders came to inspect the work in the township, and the fat man started working again. As the secretary and township head, no matter how well he did, it had to be seen by the leaders to count, so leaving a good impression on them was the best way to get promoted.
Zhang Guodong drove home.
But Mei's mother was playing with Rubik's Cubes and joking around with her three children in the living room, while Zheng's father, father, and mother were nowhere to be seen. Zhang Guodong scanned the room with his divine sense and immediately knew what was going on.
This time, it was the three elders' turn to cultivate Jiang, while Mei's mother was responsible for taking care of the three little ones.
Zhang Hao, Zhang Xiaotong, and Zhang Xiaowen are now running around happily on the ground. It seems like only yesterday that the children were growing up. Time flies so fast.
"Guodong is back?" Aunt Mei stood up and asked in surprise.
As soon as the three little ones saw Zhang Guodong, they cheered, called out "Dad," and rushed over.
Zhang Guodong felt a sense of relief. Thankfully, he still had the three little ones. He quickly knelt down, kissed each of them, and presented them with gifts. They were just picture books; he didn't neglect any of them. He held his daughter, and his two sons, one on each side, walked towards the sofa.
"Sure. Tong's gained quite a bit of weight compared to six months ago!" Zhang Guodong's mood improved as he watched his daughter giggle. He kissed her and praised her. "Have you been naughty? Have you been disobedient to Grandma?"
"Xiaotong is very well-behaved, it's just that Haohao and Xiaowen, those two boys, are naughty!" said Aunt Mei. Xiaotong immediately nodded vigorously and said in her childish voice, "Daddy, Xiaotong is very well-behaved, it's my older brother and younger brother who are naughty!"
"Ha, so you're tattled on me!" Zhang Guodong laughed. "Mom, you've worked so hard taking care of these three little ones, it must be tiring, right?"
"I'm not tired. Your parents and I take turns looking after them. The three little ones are very sensible!" said Mei's mother kindly.
After the arrival of the three little ones, Zhang Guodong became irresponsible and rarely home, much to the delight of the four elders, who found the house much more lively. Now that the four elders have obtained a cultivation technique, they have found a new direction to strive for. One of them stays home during the week while the other three cultivate, taking turns. On weekends, everyone stops cultivating, and the family goes for walks in the park or to the zoo.
After playing for a while, the three little ones went back to their rooms for a nap.
Only then did Zhang Guodong inquire about the cultivation progress of Mei's mother, Zheng's father, and his parents. The four elders possessed below-average talent, but there were differences among them. His mother had the highest talent, while the other three lagged slightly behind.
"Your parents, Lele's dad, should be waking up soon. I'll go call him. It's Friday, they usually wake up around this time!" After chatting with Mei's mom for a while, Mei's mom got up and said.
Zhang Guodong nodded, but then suddenly said, "Mom, wait a minute, call me later!"
He sensed his mother's room and suddenly his life force surged violently, so he quickly floated towards his mother's room!
Chapter 3 Governor Wang's Sudden Invitation
"What's wrong?" When Mei's mother saw Zhang Guodong suddenly appear in front of her, she asked anxiously.
Zhang Guodong placed his palm on the door of his mother's bedroom, released his magic, and the door quietly opened.
His mother sat cross-legged on the bed, having used most of a low-grade crystal in her hand. Her complexion was rosy, and her breathing was even, showing no signs of qi deviation. Zhang Guodong immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Huh!" Zhang Guodong sensed it carefully and immediately understood what was going on. His mother was actually breaking through!
With a wave of his hand, Zhang Guodong created a soundproof barrier that enveloped him and his mother, then exclaimed happily, "My mother is breaking through! Once she succeeds, she'll have reached level four cultivation!"
Mei's mother was only at level three, as was her father, and Zheng's father was almost there as well. Reaching level four would still take some time, but only Mei's mother broke through at this point. The difference in talent becomes increasingly apparent as one progresses. The difference in their individual talents is now evident.
Of course, there are exceptions, and Zhang Guodong is not one of them. His talent is mediocre, but his cultivation speed is terrifying. Yuan Xuan and Qing Hui, these gifted individuals, are practically freaks.
It's unclear whether their talents were subtly altered by the Nine-Story Pagoda, a treasure of unknown level. But the truth is, Li Yun, Qin Lina, and Qingzhu, the three women on the first level of Peach Blossom Spring, experienced a meteoric rise in their cultivation speed amidst the dense spiritual energy.
"Really?" Aunt Mei's eyes lit up, a hint of envy in them. "Your mother's talent is the best among the four of us!"
Zhang Guodong accompanied Wu
“While talent is innate and difficult to change, the cultivation environment is extremely important. As long as there are enough crystals, everyone’s cultivation speed is very fast below level 49! Once you reach level 48 or 49, you’re considered a master!” Zhang Guodong said.
Why only levels below 49? Levels 49 and above require more than just enough crystals. That truly demands talent and comprehension; otherwise, leveling from 48 to 49, or from 49 to 50, wouldn't be so difficult!
One in a thousand!
Both opportunity and insight are indispensable.
"That crystal must be very precious, right?" Aunt Mei asked.
“They are extremely precious to ordinary people. They are also very precious to cultivators. Without crystals, they can only absorb spiritual energy and refine it into life force, which slows down their cultivation speed by tens or even hundreds of times!” Zhang Guodong nodded and said. “However, Aunt Mei, you don’t need to worry about crystals. Others may lack crystals, but I don’t. You can focus on your cultivation! In half a year, the crystals I gave you were almost used up. This time, I’ll leave some more!”
Mei's mother wanted to say something, but she held back.
They had a basic understanding of the origins of the crystals—they were mined from veins. They were very precious! But Zhang Guodong told them to focus entirely on cultivation and grow stronger. At the very least, they could protect themselves.
About an hour, two hours later, Mom slowly opened her eyes. Zhang Guodong and Mei's mother had stood there for two hours, watching her closely.
"Congratulations, Mom! You've broken through to level four!" Zhang Guodong laughed.
"Oh, son, mother-in-law, what are you doing standing at the door? Wait a minute, I'm going to take a shower!" The mother got up, turned around, and saw Zhang Guodong and Mei's mother. She was momentarily stunned, but then ran over...
room.
Each breakthrough in cultivation involves expelling toxins and impurities, resulting in an unpleasant odor emanating from the body. Even experts at levels 70 or 80 experience this.
After their breakthrough, they will expel some impurities of magical power that cannot be refined and purified from their bodies. These are not necessarily toxins or useless impurities.
For lower-level cultivators, it's far from that stage. What their bodies expel are only toxins and impurities, not impurities like life force or demonic energy.
After taking a shower and changing her clothes, Mom came to the living room with a look of excitement on her face. The feeling of becoming stronger was indeed wonderful, and Mom had already taken a liking to cultivation.
"Son, how could you bear to come back? But if you hadn't come back soon, your mother would have run out of crystals in a month!" Mom said as she sat down, stretching out her hand.
The action was quite natural. Zhang Guodong gave a wry smile, took out two hundred low-grade crystals, thought for a moment, and then took out fifty mid-grade crystals.
The same was given to Mei's mother: two hundred low-grade crystals and fifty high-grade crystals.
The two elders stared at the mid-grade crystal with puzzled expressions. The mother asked, "Such vibrant life force! Son, is this a mid-grade crystal? Or a high-grade crystal?"
Zhang Guodong was surprised and said, "Mom, you're amazing! How did you guess? Is this your first time seeing a mid-grade crystal?"
An example!
"Mom, I'm not a child anymore!" Zhang Guodong covered his forehead, sweating profusely. His mother still treated him like a child.
Mom said smugly, "No matter how old you are, you're still my son! This crystal's green color has deepened so much. Its life force is dozens of times greater than a low-grade one, and you still can't guess? Do you really think your mother is stupid?"
“Hehe, of course Mom isn’t stupid. These fifty are mid-grade crystals. In the cultivation world, one mid-grade crystal can be exchanged for one hundred low-grade crystals, but usually no one exchanges mid-grade for low-grade. These fifty mid-grade crystals are enough for you to cultivate for two years!” Zhang Guodong said with a smile.
This takes into account the increased life force and demonic energy absorbed by Mom as her cultivation level increases.
In two years, Mom leveled up to level 15. That's fast; 5,000 low-grade crystals should be enough.
"So many?!" Mom and Mei's mother were both astonished. Five thousand low-grade crystals! This was an extremely large sum of money for them.
After carefully placing the mid-grade crystal into the black storage bag like a precious treasure, they chatted for a while before Dad and Zheng's father woke up from their meditation one after the other.
"Congratulations, Dad! Your cultivation has improved greatly, haha!" Zhang Guodong said. "You rascal!" Zheng's father chuckled. He looked like a middle-aged man, but his vitality was boundless. "But it feels so good to be young! Guodong, what brings you back this time?"
Dad went to the bathroom, so Zheng's dad had to wait and didn't sit down.
"Can't you come back when Guodong's alright?" Mei's mother said unhappily. Her daughter was longing for her husband's return, and this old man...
"Ha, I'm going to take a shower in another bathroom. Let's have dinner together tonight!" Mr. Zheng chose to leave, avoiding the limelight.
“Mother-in-law, tell me about your cultivation progress!” Mei’s mother immediately changed her focus and started talking to her mother about cultivation, leaving Zhang Guodong out in the cold.
Zhang Guodong was bored, so he went back to his room.
As soon as Zhang Guodong entered, he was startled by the two distinct scents of women wafting into his nostrils. Could it be that Zheng Le and Ye Yun often shared a bedroom? Had they become such close sisters? This scent belonged to Zheng Le, but the other to Ye Yun.
Distinguishing smells is something Zhang Guodong considers an "expert." In fact, every cultivator is an expert in distinguishing smells and auras.
Zhang Guodong smiled slightly, got into bed, and unknowingly fell asleep.
In his dream, the two women were getting along harmoniously, which made Zhang Guodong very happy. Just as he was about to get to the main event in his dream, a loud knocking on the door shattered the dream.
"Guodong, it's time to get up and eat!" It was Ye Yun's voice from outside.
Zhang Guodong checked the time and realized he had slept for four hours. By evening, he felt completely refreshed!
"immediately!"
Outside the door, Zheng Le and Ye Yun were together.
The two women are now as close as sisters, and the invisible barrier between them has disappeared.
"Sister Yun, does this guy never sleep outside? He slept for more than four hours in broad daylight?" Zheng Le asked with concern.
Since they began cultivating, their sleep time has decreased significantly, but their sleep quality has improved considerably. However, one of them is involved in politics, and the other in business, so they have many things to do every day. Therefore, in terms of cultivation, they are far behind the four elders. Zheng Le is only at level two. Ye Yun is slightly better, but she hasn't broken through to level three yet.
But the two women are now stunningly beautiful, as gorgeous as swans and as pure as white lotuses. No matter where they stand, they are the center of attention.
When Zhang Guodong opened the door, he was also astonished, noticing the significant change in the appearance and demeanor of the two women who had been talking in hushed tones. He couldn't help but recall the fat man's words: women like these, especially in the cutthroat world of politics, would be impossible to keep from causing trouble!
Crisis!
Zhang Guodong is very domineering. But at the same time, he can't deny the two women their pursuit of their own careers, otherwise, would he have to quit their jobs and keep them as kept women, keeping them as dependents?
Zhang Guodong can't do that! Women also need respect. Otherwise, what's the point of this family? Everyone has their own pursuits and is busy; that's what makes family life vibrant.
I had just stepped out the door when my phone rang in my pocket.
He took it out and saw it belonged to the fat man. This kid still won't give up?
"Fatty, don't rush me on that. I need time to think about it. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up!" Zhang Guodong frowned and answered the phone irritably.
"Hey, wait a minute, it's my dad looking for you. He wants you to come to my house in a bit, he has something to tell you!" the fat man said hurriedly.
"Got it!" Zhang Guodong hung up the phone.
Meeting the two girls' curious gazes, Zhang Guodong laughed and said, "It's that fatso's call. Let's go, let's eat first!"
Note: Chapter 58 of the main text, counts as two chapters. Next, the plot has made great progress, and the story will get exciting!
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