Chapter 705
The agricultural team at the nursing home wasn't large, and their skills were modest. Yet now, they were tasked with cultivating spiritual herbs in over a hundred secret realms, which was bound to wear them out.
With the automatic spell-casting devices, things became much simpler—though they still required mental focus, there was no need for actual spellcasting. If it came down to it, others could lend a hand.
"On the other hand, she said you were short on manpower, and these devices could save a lot of labor."
"Why would she…"
Zheng Fa asked, puzzled.
These small devices had an even greater impact in the Jiu Shan Realm, where agriculture was already renowned for its excellence, and now it was like adding wings to a tiger.
For the development of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, they were invaluable tools.
But Tang Lingwu… why did she have to push her own thoughts onto Teacher Tian?
Upon hearing this, Teacher Tian sized him up and smirked, "Silly girl's little schemes."
Zheng Fa was confused.
"She doesn't want contribution points."
"Huh?"
Zheng Fa was even more bewildered.
"She wants to be… different from others," Teacher Tian said, gazing in the direction Tang Lingwu had left, shaking her head.
…
Teacher Tian had prepared the seeds, and Tang Lingwu and her team had created several types of agricultural automation devices before Team Leader Yang hurried up the mountain.
"Director, we've reached an agreement."
Team Leader Yang handed Zheng Fa a document.
Old Bai and the others gathered around, their faces filled with curiosity.
They weren't fools; they understood that this was a matter of global significance and were eager to see what it entailed.
"The Immortal Path Confederation?"
Old Bai was taken aback, seemingly not expecting this.
"Yes, this is just a principle. To fully finalize the agreement will likely take a long time," Team Leader Yang explained as Zheng Fa perused the document. "We've tentatively agreed that countries with secret realms will unite in a confederation."
"Each country will handle its internal affairs independently, and disputes between them will be resolved by… the confederation, and must not be violated."
Zheng Fa nodded as he listened. He wasn't particularly concerned about the situation; he was more focused on the clauses regarding the various secret realms.
"The management rights of the spiritual veins will be transferred to the confederation, while the output will belong to the nursing home."
"Each member country will send students to study at the nursing home."
Every word in this document had the potential to change the world, yet it wasn't complicated. As Team Leader Yang said, it was a principle clause meant for Zheng Fa's approval before they could discuss the specifics.
In simple terms, it meant the establishment of a governing body that would oversee the countries, with the most crucial aspect being the management of immortal affairs.
After reading for two or three minutes, Zheng Fa closed the document and nodded at Team Leader Yang, "I have no objections."
Old Bai, however, was curious, "How did you come up with this format?"
Team Leader Yang sighed, "It wasn't our idea; many countries really want to do something like that island nation did before…"
"…"
Old Bai's eyes widened in surprise, "Then why not agree?"
"Honestly, they don't dare and don't want to."
"Huh?"
"You might not have seen the previous news," Team Leader Yang sighed, "After we agreed to the other party… well, there was a huge backlash online."
"Backlash?"
"They felt that getting into the nursing home would be even more competitive."
Old Bai paused, then realized, "That makes sense. Competing for immortal cultivation spots, it doesn't matter if they share the same ancestor; even if he were my ancestor, it wouldn't work…"
Team Leader Yang nodded in agreement, "It's not just online; many people in higher positions are also reluctant to accept so many newcomers."
Old Bai summarized, "The pursuit has changed."
Zheng Fa found it interesting and asked, "So what about this confederation?"
"They requested it," Team Leader Yang glanced at Zheng Fa and smiled, "If I didn't know you were already inclined to teach them, I wouldn't have come here."
Zheng Fa chuckled lightly.
"Let's take it step by step. The confederation is relatively simple; it doesn't require too many adjustments, and it can control the number of international students, making it a less controversial choice."
Old Bai suddenly stroked his chin and said, "This confederation sounds a bit strange."
Zheng Fa looked at him and saw him clap his hands, seemingly having an epiphany: "Offering rare treasures and sending students, isn't that like tribute?"
(End of this chapter)
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Chapter 488: Industrial Transformation, On-Site Guidance
Zheng Fa set down the document in his hands, thought for a moment, and then slowly nodded, "That could work."
He turned to Teacher Tian, who was sitting nearby, "Then the task of opening up medicinal fields in various spiritual veins will be entrusted to you."
"I've been prepared for a long time. The small devices designed by Lingwu and the others have already been produced in considerable numbers," Teacher Tian replied, then added, "But… we still lack manpower."
Indeed, they were short on people.
The nursing home had fewer than twelve hundred staff members in total, most of whom were top scholars from both the country and the world. Asking them to go out and farm felt like a waste of talent.
To be honest, the confederation didn't matter much to Zheng Fa, but the nursing home's model needed some adjustments.
"Team Leader Yang," he said, "I want to expand and split the nursing home."
"Go ahead, Director."
"First, the agricultural team, and even the pharmacy team," Zheng Fa organized his thoughts as he spoke, "Currently, cultivating spiritual herbs is the nursing home's primary task, so the agricultural team must recruit more members."
Team Leader Yang immediately understood, "Graduate entrance exams?"
"Exactly. The nursing home can start preparing to recruit graduate students for the first time."
After a moment of thought, Team Leader Yang cautiously asked, "Only for domestic students?"
Zheng Fa shot her a glance, recognizing her cautious mindset. It was clear that Team Leader Yang wasn't an internationalist when it came to immortal cultivation; she wanted to secure benefits for the domestic side as soon as she saw an opportunity.
That was fine.
"Let's trial it domestically first."
After all, it was the first graduate entrance exam, and Zheng Fa thought it would be wise to observe the results, especially in how to select suitable talents for the nursing home—there was still much to explore, as immortal cultivation and academia were somewhat different.
Team Leader Yang stood up, her expression one of relief, "In that case, I can explain it to others."
It was evident that she had been under considerable pressure regarding the confederation.
Old Bai, however, was concerned about another matter, "Splitting? Does that mean the agricultural team won't be going to other places? What about Xiao Tian?"
Upon hearing this, Teacher Tian became flustered, quickly reaching out to pat Old Bai's shoulder, but the smile at the corner of her mouth was impossible to hide.
Zheng Fa glanced at the elderly couple, knowing that Old Bai was worried about the prospect of long-distance separation, and explained, "Many spiritual herbs require different environments to grow. For instance, the Linglan that thrives in Hongshan might not grow well elsewhere."
"I was thinking of splitting some research departments, transforming the agricultural team into an agricultural institute. In the future, wherever spiritual herbs can grow, we will establish project teams there."
Teacher Tian wiped the smile from her face and nodded seriously, "That is indeed necessary. I spent twenty years working in different places back in the day."
"Back then, we weren't even married."
"Grandpa Bai, I'll send you there in the future!" Tang Lingwu quickly interjected, "I can fly fast."
"Teacher Tian doesn't necessarily have to go to other places," Zheng Fa suddenly spoke up.
Old Bai looked stunned, turning to Zheng Fa as he said, "I meant to establish branches based on local conditions, but Hongshan will still be the headquarters of the research institute."
Zheng Fa's idea was straightforward.
Establish branches in various spiritual veins.
In the mountains, they could experiment with spiritual herb cultivation.
In the waters, they could try aquaculture.
If spiritual material mines were discovered, they could conduct both smelting and research on-site.
But since he had managed Hongshan the longest, he certainly wouldn't abandon it.
Team Leader Yang clapped her hands and smiled, "I thought of this too. It would be best for Hongshan to serve as the central research institute for the confederation."
"Hongshan will be the central research institute, the educational headquarters, and the commercial center," Zheng Fa explained to the group. "Since we need to recruit people, Hongshan is limited in size, and it will definitely not be enough in the future. Splitting is inevitable."
Everyone nodded in agreement, seeing the logic in it.
"So… what about Xiao Tian?"
"Teacher Tian, as the head of the agricultural institute, may be a bit busy in the near future, but she should still spend most of her time in Hongshan, overseeing the various affairs of the agricultural institute."
This was something Zheng Fa had already considered; the identities of Teacher Tian and her colleagues would likely shift towards management in the future.
Old Bai nodded, seemingly convinced.
Zheng Fa added with a smile, "Besides, Teacher Bai, if you also reach the Golden Core stage, wouldn't it be convenient for you to travel back and forth?"
Old Bai's expression darkened as he looked at Zheng Fa, muttering under his breath, "I'm not at the Golden Core stage; it's not that I don't want to be."
"So, Teacher Tian is going to other places to cultivate spiritual herbs, isn't that also because of you?"
Upon hearing this, Old Bai's eyes sparkled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
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