[Ministry of Education Building]
Soon, Xiao Zhigang received a message from South Glory University.
When Li Wang handed Zhao Longfei's message to Xiao Zhigang, he kept his head down, unwilling to make eye contact with him.
He was afraid that Xiao Zhigang would take his anger out on him.
Xiao Zhigang glanced at the message and sneered, "I knew it. That scarhead Zhao Longfei would jump out and cause trouble!"
Li Wang kept his eyes on his nose, his nose on his heart, and remained silent.
Being able to call Zhao Longfei a scarhead meant their relationship wasn't great.
Speaking of which—
Ever since Xiao Zhigang took office as the Minister of Education, his relationships with the presidents of various universities had been terrible.
Xiao Zhigang didn't care in the slightest, "This just gives me a chance to set an example. Li Wang, issue a document immediately, stating that the Ministry of Education has removed Zhao Longfei from his position as university president!"
Li Wang was taken aback, "Remove Zhao Longfei as president?"
"What? Can't I?"
"But… Zhao Longfei wasn't appointed by our Ministry of Education…"
"It doesn't matter whether he was appointed by us or not. South Glory University is just a university under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education."
"The process by which he became president was already against regulations. I let it slide to save him some face. Instead of being grateful, he's stepping on my head and dancing the tango?"
"If I don't show him who's boss, he'll really think the Ministry of Education belongs to him!"
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Another young man entered, holding a stack of papers.
"Just now, Commissioner Li left his seat, saying he was coming to find you, Minister. But after he left, several universities sent messages one after another. I printed them all out and brought them to you."
"Only universities? No research institutes?"
"Right, only universities."
Xiao Zhigang took the papers and looked them over.
"East Glory University…"
"West Glory University…"
"Central Glory University…"
As he read, he clenched his teeth.
"Alright. They all want to rebel, huh? Seems I've been too soft on these university presidents."
"If they're all so eager to kick the Ministry of Education out of the core distribution of Vine Core, then forget it!"
"All presidents who sent messages—removed from office! Perfect timing. These old fossils stepping down will give young people a chance!"
Li Wang sighed.
'Minister Xiao is really obsessed with squeezing into the core of Vine Core.'
'Is it to rack up political achievements, or to curry favor with his superiors?'
'But this is getting out of hand.'
Even a young guy like him knew that none of these university presidents were pushovers.
Just as Xiao Zhigang was fuming, the phone on his desk suddenly rang.
RING! RING! RING—
Still burning with anger, Xiao Zhigang answered the call in a rather unfriendly tone.
"Hello, this is Xiao Zhigang, Minister of Education. Who is this?"
"Secretary-General Gu?"
"What a surprise! What brings you to call me? Do you have any instructions for me?"
His attitude instantly did a 180-degree turn. His face was all smiles, looking utterly ingratiating.
"Come on now, if you needed me, just have someone notify me directly! I was just thinking about visiting you—it's been a while since we last met…"
"No, no, how could I have any complaints about you? I reflect on myself. My tone just now was off—that was my fault for being careless in my work attitude. Yes, yes, I'll make sure to avoid that in the future."
"But you don't know—I've been having a headache dealing with those university professors making a fuss…"
"Ah, so that's what you're calling about? Please, go ahead."
"Hmm, that's right. Hmm, hmm."
"Yes, you're absolutely right. I also believe that the education sector's budget is tight, making conditions at universities quite difficult."
"Exactly, those university professors have it tough, and being a president is even harder."
"I understand, I completely understand. Just look at President Zhao of South Glory University. I heard they had to convert their laboratories into guesthouses just to raise funds—it's honestly heartbreaking…"
"Yeah, Zhao Longfei used to be such a proud man, but even he has to bow his head for money now. I see."
"Rest assured! I will fully support their work! I will not create unnecessary obstacles for them!"
"Yes, since they've requested it, the Ministry of Education will initiate the special recruitment process ahead of schedule this time. This way, they can start enrolling students early and have some peace of mind."
"Alright, I'll get on it immediately. I'll issue the approval for early special recruitment right away!"
"Yes, goodbye. Hmm, I'll definitely visit you when I have time! Goodbye!"
Xiao Zhigang hung up the phone, and his expression darkened again.
Standing nearby, Li Wang and the other young man were amazed by his ability to change faces so quickly.
Just moments ago, he was saying he'd fire all those university presidents.
But over the phone, he agreed to Secretary-General Gu's suggestion and approved the early special recruitment.
Xiao Zhigang said, "Li Wang, issue an announcement in the name of the Ministry of Education. The special recruitment originally scheduled for June will now start tomorrow."
"Also, notify these university presidents to check the Ministry of Education's website and official announcements."
"Understood."
"Alright, you may go."
After Li Wang and the young man left, Xiao Zhigang sat back in his office chair, "To be able to mobilize Gu Weiyang to speak up… it's definitely that old bastard Han Shuo from Central Glory causing trouble."
"These universities owe everything to the Ministry of Education, yet instead of being grateful, they bite the hand that feeds them."
"Vine Core… what a pity."
"Sigh, Vine Core… Vine Core…"
Xiao Zhigang sighed a few times, looking somewhat dejected.
———
[Blue Star Era: February 28, 2010]
[Western Calendar: Sunday]
[Lunar Calendar: Gengyin Year, First Month, Fifteenth Day. Auspicious for opening ceremonies, inauspicious for marriages.]
Following Xiao Zhigang's orders—
At exactly midnight, Li Wang posted the Ministry of Education's announcement about the early launch of the special recruitment for high school ability users on the website.
At 12:01 AM, dozens of vehicles set off from various universities, all heading toward the same destination—an underdeveloped area they had never heard of before.
District 14121.
———
At the same time, Qin Siyang's phone blew up.
Four Glories and Five Pillars Universities, Three Prosperities and Five Virtue Research Institutes, various private organizations, and even government-affiliated institutions—
All of them were calling him.
The content of these calls was basically the same.
They wanted to arrange a meeting with Qin Siyang to discuss terms.
Qin Siyang answered them one by one.
He looked at Li Tianming and Qian Wenzhao, "Gentlemen, this year's special recruitment has started early. A new round of battles is about to begin."
Qian Wenzhao and Li Tianming exchanged smiles, "Xiao Qin, this early recruitment was set up just for you."
"That's right. If it weren't for an anomaly like you, special recruitment would've gone as planned."
Qin Siyang shook his head, "It's not because of me."
"It's because of Vine Core, Old Li, the other professors… oh, and that kindergarten principal."
"That guy has nothing to do with it, though."
Qin Siyang leaned back on the sofa, hands behind his neck.
"The me of today hasn't shown enough value yet—I'm just the trigger."
'But soon, they'll know… throughout this deal, I'm the most valuable one.' [T/N: 😜]
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