MWC – Chapter 208 Congratulations, You’ve Won the Prize

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

At the community service center—

A young man in his twenties was currently pouring out his woes to a junior civil officer, complaining about how even though his monthly salary had crossed the hundred-yuan mark, he still couldn’t afford a good apartment or a nice car. He lamented that even getting a decent meal was difficult since the community cafeteria didn’t serve anything tasty, and he hoped things would improve in the future.

In truth, the man had rented a two-bedroom apartment in the area and drove a Lingwei Kadu worth over a thousand yuan.

In Beiguan, a monthly salary of over a hundred yuan was already considered part of the high-income bracket. After all, while the average salary might not be indicative, the median salary hovered around just fifty yuan. Earning over sixty yuan a month meant you were earning more than half the population.

Generally speaking, the median income tends to be lower than the average. The larger the gap between them, the greater the disparity between the rich and the poor.

So his “complaints” to the civil officer had a touch of the humblebrag to them.

Indeed, compared to most people, the young man earned well, lived a carefree life, and was brimming with confidence. Clearly, he had developed an interest in the junior officers at the service center—young women who looked even more striking in their blue-uniformed skirts. His real purpose in offering “feedback” was just a pretense—his true interest lay elsewhere.

What he didn’t realize was that these seemingly average front-desk staff, resembling shop assistants, were actually highly educated elites. To even be here required not only outstanding appearance but also the ability to excel in professional assessments. After fierce competition, they earned their positions in the MPs’ office, with monthly salaries typically around 200 yuan.

Naturally, these junior officers had high emotional intelligence. They didn’t mind the young man’s boastful remarks and listened patiently, kindly recording his “suggestions.”

Meanwhile, Lu Ming was staring blankly at a classified document he had just opened. Inside was a letter of appointment.

It was a formal commission from the Governor’s Office of Jiangning Province, appointing Pamela as the county magistrate of Longgang County in Heishan City.

Along with the appointment letter was a hiring contract, recruiting entrepreneur Pamela to serve as Longgang County’s magistrate. The goal was to bring her professional perspective and entrepreneurial spirit into local governance, revitalizing Longgang’s development and addressing the chaotic state of its coal industry.

Lu Ming was momentarily speechless. The wise and astute Lady Christine had essentially played her trump card—sending her beloved concubine to this post. Would he dare not help now?

He had looked through the information over the past few days.

Heishan City was the economic backbone of Jiangning Province. Most of the province’s mineral resources were located there. Its western regions were rich in vast mountain ranges brimming with iron ore, while the plains housed numerous high-quality coal seams.

Longgang County contained dozens of coal mines, large and small. Longgang coal had always been well-known. The largest mine, the “Jordan” Coal Mine, as its name suggested, was once owned by the imperial Jordan family. A century ago, their ancestor had served as Governor of Jiangning Province.

But in recent years, the family had declined. Shortly after Chackson took office five years ago, the Jordans sold their coal company in Longgang. Nowadays, that company was entangled in lawsuits and appeared to be struggling.

Moreover, the remaining coal mines in Longgang often experienced violent disputes over ownership rights.

Under Chackson’s administration, such chaos had only worsened. The practice of kidnapping illegal laborers and forcing them into slavery in the mines had become all too common.

And now they wanted Pamela to serve as magistrate in such a place?

Still, with appointments like this, the person didn’t necessarily have to show up in person, let alone actually sit in the government office. A staffer could be sent to act on their behalf and handle administrative affairs.

A few centuries ago, the governors of the five southern provinces often appointed Westerners to government posts. Many Western aristocrats simply lent their names to the positions—they never had to go there in person. After all, those areas were seen as remote and impoverished. They’d just send servants to the region to exploit local resources.

But as the people gradually became more enlightened, the practice of appointing local individuals as regional officials became increasingly common.

A hundred years ago, basically, except for the governor who was appointed by the imperial capital, all other local officials were appointed by the governor from among the local gentry. Gradually, a promotion system of their own had also taken shape.

However, it was not unheard of for external professional managers to handle administrative duties locally from time to time.

Pamela, for instance, was one such external manager.

These external managers were usually highly specialized talents or influential figures who could bring substantial benefits to the local area.

Only governors who were genuinely determined to achieve results during their term would rack their brains to invite talents from other provinces to join them in developing the region.

After all, who among the outstanding talents and influential figures from other parts of the empire would be willing to come to the five southern provinces of Jiangnan?

Someone like Governor Clarkson definitely wouldn’t have such aspirations.

Naturally, it must have been Christine who somehow managed to persuade her Uncle Clarkson to issue this letter of appointment.

In fact, if he hadn’t held the position of Municipal Committee Member of Beiguan, Christine probably would have just written his name on the appointment directly.

But while Municipal Committee Members weren’t professional officials, during their term they were still part of the governing hierarchy, and one could not hold a position in Beiguan while also being the county magistrate of another province.

After thinking it through, Lu Ming picked up the phone and dialed Pamela’s number — he wanted to talk with her.

…

Office in Liberty Tower.

Murong Xue and Master Gong were sitting in slightly lower, soft chairs in front of a large desk.

After discussing work for a bit, Lu Ming smiled at Master Gong. “Old Gong, I’ve got a new job for you — Chief of Staff and Assistant to the County Magistrate in another province. But the county magistrate is never around, so you’ll basically be doing the magistrate’s job and have all the magistrate’s authority. Congratulations!”

Master Gong was stunned. His face darkened — out of town?

Even being a real county magistrate couldn’t compare to the comfort of serving as Deputy Secretary in a councilman’s office in Donghai.

Anywhere outside the capital wasn’t fit for people to live in.

Even the capital was too repressive — the entertainment life there couldn’t match the carefree pleasures of Donghai.

Lu Ming added, “The nominal county magistrate is the Third Madam. You’ll go in her stead, and I’ll still be paying your salary. You’ll be helping me.”

“Boss, I… I will give my utmost, serve with all I have until my dying breath!” Master Gong was somewhat reassured knowing he’d be standing in for the Third Madam, but the smile on his face was a bit forced.

Lu Ming nodded. “Then I’m relieved. Jiangning Province, Heishan City, Longgang County — from now on, I’ll be calling you County Magistrate Gong.” He looked at Murong Xue. “What are you standing there for? You should be happy for Master Gong too. Oh, I mean, you should start calling him County Magistrate Gong!”

Murong Xue snapped out of it and quickly congratulated him: “County Magistrate Gong, congratulations!”

Heishan? Longgang? Master Gong’s mind buzzed with dread.

He knew about Longgang’s coal. But Longgang was part of Heishan? He didn’t know much else about Heishan — only that even in the 1950s, it was still plagued by mountain bandits!

Looking at the boss’s genuinely joyful expression, Master Gong was close to tears. His little goatee quivered as he mumbled, “Yes, yes. I will not fail in my duty, and I’ll hold the line for the Third Madam!”

Lu Ming nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Murong Xue: “Later, recommend someone as his deputy. Though I doubt we’ll find someone with Master Gong’s level of ability, we’ll just have to make do.”

Master Gong forced a bitter smile at the side.

Lu Ming then looked at him seriously. “Old Gong, to be honest, I see this as a real opportunity for you. Think about it carefully — a seasoned horse still dreams of galloping a thousand miles. Have you really given up on all ambition?”

Master Gong froze and silently nodded, lost in thought.