A mountain of documents over one meter high was filled with three desks. The room was unbearably hot, and the little girl and her two assistants were busy going back and forth between the desks.
The mountain of documents was so high that only shouts, footsteps, and the clash of pen tips and paper could be heard in the room. No one could be seen. This was the first impression I saw when I walked into the city lord's office.
Beside the wall, bamboo swords, bamboo dragonflies, backgammon and other small toys were scattered on the floor, and they were also covered with a thick layer of dust. It seemed that the boy Adam had not returned to this room for a long time.
To be honest, he is unique among dungeon masters in being able to turn the city lord's office into an entertainment room.
Anne was a full 1.7 meters tall, which was considered tall among human women, but at this moment, she looked like a dwarf elementary school student stuck in front of the desk. From the side view, she could only see books and documents, but no one.
The little girl had thick dark circles in her eyes and was so busy fighting with the sea of documents that she didn't even notice that I came in.
Walking over, I signaled to stop the assistant who was about to call Annie, and took out a few documents and looked at them.
"Repair plan for municipal facilities damaged in the riots from Seventh Avenue to Ninth Avenue", "Three suggestions for completing drainage ditches before the rainy season", "Temporary draft of the residential area for the four new ethnic groups in the city."
"Sir, Sleepless Man, this is what Margaret wants. All documents of B level and above in the Executive Yuan must be reviewed by Miss Anne and signed. Then Lady Margaret will sign her opinion, and finally return to Miss Anne for review.
Decision."
In other words, before each document was completed, Anne had to process it once, and then Margaret attached her own opinions on how to deal with it. Finally, Anne made the decision, going back and forth at least twice.
This was a step-by-step tutorial, and I sighed silently. It seemed that Margaret was really planning to quit, so she used cramming teaching to help Anne quickly grow up to the point where she could handle administrative matters independently.
"Is this how your Executive Yuan handles clerical affairs? All documents are ultimately reviewed and signed by Margaret herself? Can one person handle all government affairs?"
I got a natural answer from the other party. Looking at this incredible mountain of documents, I couldn't help but click my tongue. The total population of Sulfur Mountain City is nearly three million. Just thinking about it, I know that it is an astronomical number of government affairs. Looking through them one by one? I understand.
This explains why Margaret has always lived in seclusion. Fortunately, Margaret is a racial immortal who basically does not need to sleep, but...
"This way of handling government affairs is too primitive. Just like ancient kings, they only make judgments based on wisdom and knowledge. An immortal who never sleeps and is always rational may be able to do it. In human terms..."
With so many documents, it might only take a day or two. If all of them are handed over to the city lord for processing in the future, I'm afraid she will have no free time at all.
My mission is to cultivate a qualified lord, not a lunatic overwhelmed by government affairs, so I coughed lightly and informed the trainee city lord of my arrival.
"Annie, do you know what the essence of administration is?"
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What is the essence of administration? Let everyone live and work in peace and contentment? Let the so-called utopia concept become a reality? Let all races coexist peacefully?
No, no, it's not that complicated. Administration can only operate within the established framework. Ideally, administrative means alone cannot achieve this.
But administration is not that simple. The lack of administrative organs in a city will directly paralyze the entire city. Too low administrative efficiency will lead to extreme dissatisfaction among citizens. It is indeed an indispensable presence in any town.
"As the city lord, I...I will try my best to make everyone live a good life."
"Don't think so much, little head. I'm just asking you what the essence of administration is. Forget it, I'll tell you directly. It just so happens that you also need to rest."
He took the little girl and sat aside and motioned to the assistant to serve him a cup of tea.
The little girl's face was a little sluggish, her fiery red hair had lost some luster, and she seemed to be in a lack of energy. She looked at me a little evasively, as if she was worried that I would blame her.
Shaking my head, I already guessed what happened. Margaret was an impatient and perfectionist. She always assigned tasks to those below based on her abilities.
"I can do it, why can't you", "Don't give me reasons, ifs and assumptions are meaningless" are all her mantras, but in fact she is known as the sage of the mobile library.
She is still an immortal who is always full of energy. How can ordinary people keep up with her progress...
To be accepted as a disciple by Adam, Annie's martial arts talent and physical condition are excellent, but in terms of intelligence...for pure warriors, intelligence is the most useless attribute. Adam's kid's intelligence is only 9 points (here)
Intelligence is the main attribute of the mage, related to understanding ability and thinking speed. It is 10 points for ordinary people. It is difficult to improve the basic attributes in this book). I am not very happy. In my system, Anne's intelligence
With 11 points, she is already much better than her stupid adoptive father, but if the teaching tasks are based on Margaret's 26-point intelligence standard... let alone 26 points, half and half, 13
The learning requirements of a little intelligence will drive her to death.
Inexplicably, I seem to know why the Executive Yuan became her one-man agency in the end. Maybe she couldn't stand those "low-intelligence" and "sluggish" subordinates, so she did all the work herself, and finally got used to it.
Just don't let others interfere.
Such people were the so-called virtuous kings in ancient times, but once they fail, the next successor will feel very uncomfortable. After all, you can't count on the son of a virtuous king. His grandson is also a virtuous king who never sleeps and is astonishingly wise.
Bar.
"Oh, you are worthy of being an immortal. She didn't tire out of her even after doing this. Anne, Margaret must have taught you a lesson. Don't worry, her teaching methods are too unreliable. Back then, Eliza and
Kalle was almost beaten to death by her, and they are also mages."
Hearing this, the girl started to sob and shook her head vigorously.
"Sister Margaret didn't lecture me. She was just very disappointed. Anne is useless. Anne is so useless. Anne doesn't have the confidence to be a good city lord."
Tears fell from the girl's eyes. It seemed that Margaret's cold eyes after disappointment, then the way she shook her head and left silently, hurt her severely.
This kind of silent abandonment, this kind of disappointment from the bottom of the heart, makes the other party feel more uncomfortable than any sharp sarcasm, and makes the other party doubt his own ability and intelligence...
Why do I know so clearly? When her study progress was not ideal in the past, Eliza was so depressed because of it that she secretly vented her anger on me... Although it was true that I was the first to use this trick to hurt Ma.
Gretel's. Humph, who told her that her chess skills were so bad, her thoughts were so rigid, and she couldn't do it well.
Well, the person who untied the bell must also tie the bell. I also know why Margaret insisted that I come to see Anne today. She must have subconsciously used this trick to make Anne cry, but she didn't know how to end it.
"Ha, don't cry. Come on, let Uncle Bones teach you. In fact, what Margaret did is wrong. It's only normal that you can't learn it. If you do, it will be really troublesome."
Annie's eyes widened with confusion.
"Administration is actually not that mysterious. Its essence is to solve problems. Yes, administration is just a means to solve troubles and problems."
Yes, administration is just the act of solving problems, and the Executive Yuan is an institution specifically designed to solve problems.
"This work does not fall within the scope of our functions. Please transfer it to the higher authority." = "Brother, this is a big trouble. We can't handle it. You can talk to our boss."
"This plan should indeed be implemented, but the costs involved are too high and cannot be completed under the current conditions. Implementation is suspended." = "Brother, I'm sorry, what you said is very good, and we also want to do it. But the fiscal treasury is out of money.
Leave it alone for now."
"We can understand your difficulties, but this work involves personal privacy. Our department is not suitable to intervene. Please make your own decision." = "Fool, don't waste our manpower. Take care of such a small matter yourself."
Why is it so complicated and sacred? The goal of administration is to solve the problems and troubles that will inevitably arise in life and development, so that most people's lives are stable and normal... I personally compiled "The Art of Speech, Step-by-Step Teaching"
"How Do You Respond to Complaints and Resolve Conflicts (also known as the official slang manual)" was well received. It has indeed greatly improved the administrative capabilities of our judicial organs. The visiting citizens even said, "Although I didn't understand it, it sounded very good."
"Awesome, my opinions seem to be respected." But the sequelae is that many people look at me very strangely, and some people even read the manual I compiled while listening to me...
"Actually, you all underestimated Adam, that idiot with nine intelligence. In fact, in my eyes, he is a very good city lord."
Hearing this, Anne raised her head in surprise, her face full of disbelief. These days, she has heard countless complaints about her adoptive father.
"But... everyone said that he can be a good city lord with the help of Sister Margaret. If he can take on more responsibilities, everyone will be easier and life will be easier..."
"Then Sulfur Mountain City is not far away from being destroyed. Yes, he relied on Margaret to handle most of the government affairs, but even if Margaret is not around, he can still recruit other people to handle it, although the efficiency may be lower.
Low point. His greatest advantage is that he knows how to use people well, trusts them, leaves things to them, and never causes trouble."
"You are the city lord, not the president of the Executive Yuan. What you need is to find someone who can solve the problem, and then throw all the trouble to him instead of shouldering it yourself."
Anne was about to say something else, but I interrupted her.
"You see, he left the judiciary to me, the Executive Yuan to Margaret, and the complicated people's livelihood issues to the Parliament. No matter what, at least this city is now the fastest growing in the entire underground world.
, and the winner does not need to be blamed. Moreover, the city lord also has the responsibilities of the city lord, but there are far more important things than these boring government affairs."
"The responsibilities of the city lord?"
"Yes. Why do you think the citizens still respect Adam very much even though he is very idle every day? It is because he has fulfilled his most important duty as the city lord."
"The responsibilities of the city lord?" She savored the word carefully and thought of her adoptive father's daily actions. Suddenly, sparks shone in her eyes, and the girl regained her brilliance.
"Will you protect everyone? Will you be able to live peacefully in this chaotic underground world?"
I nodded and smiled.
"Yes, it is the duty of the city lord to protect everyone, guide everyone in the future direction, and let everyone have good expectations for the future. As for those trivial matters, find a few guys with good heads and leave them to them.
If they mess up, they will be dismissed and replaced, and there will always be a suitable one."
"In this chaotic dungeon world, force is a must. In this regard, you must be very talented. Sulfur Mountain City, no, I am afraid you are the youngest quasi-legend in the entire dungeon world."
Hearing this, it seemed that she had finally found her own strengths. Anne nodded vigorously. In my eyes, she was like a cute puppy who had finally found her strengths and was content to have fun.
"My adoptive father said that I am just one step away from being a legend. As long as I accept the last phoenix heart of the inheritance, I can directly enter the intermediate level of legend, and then enter the holy realm within thirty years."
"Hey, dear. This speed is really outrageous." Even I was frightened by this astonishing speed. The average age of normal legends is over a hundred years old, and Anne is less than 20 years old. This is the first time I have popularized the name of Sanctuary.
At that time, she was more than a hundred years old. "However, to be able to smile so cheerfully, I'm afraid she doesn't know what the heart of the phoenix is."
Shaking his head, this is their family matter. I don’t have the position to say anything, and it’s not my place to say anything. Now, my goal is just to complete the main mission and train Annie to become an outstanding city leader...
"Well, in two days, you and I will go to the Underground Covenant. Along the way, I will teach you another part of the city lord's responsibilities, "how to use both soft and hard tactics in diplomacy to gain more benefits for one's side." However, since it is an underground city,
, I’m afraid, I can only teach you how to be hard.”
"Anyway, this time we are going to have a strong demonstration. You will have many opportunities to take action along the way, and strive to directly enter the legend in the battle. This time Xiao Hong will also go with me, and I will also bring the most trouble-making person in the city, Bea.
Brother, Storm Eagle, for the few live treasures under my command, you will be responsible for the strong demonstration in public, and let me do the rest. Together, we will turn the dungeon covenant upside down and play a big game."
"Adam's soul emblem is the immortal phoenix. He is best at protracted battles. As long as he cannot be destroyed in one breath, he will absorb the damage, continue to become stronger through nirvana, and finally explode in one breath. But although they are the same inheritance, I feel
You may not be suitable for his path. I think you should be very suitable for a full-scale suppression fighting style. This requires actual combat training, so you should try your best to find fights in the underground alliance."
Sure enough, she still has the temperament of a little girl. When faced with the annoying government affairs, she can only do it with a sad face. When she talks about what she likes, she immediately jumps up and down with joy...
"Government affairs? It's simple. Isn't it just about solving problems? Find a few small businessmen who can manage finances and let them manage the accounts. Well, let's make it a newly established department of the Executive Yuan... Let's call it the Finance Department."
"Let's hire masons and builders for municipal construction, but we need to divest their own interests first. By the way, let's call the construction department."
"Don't follow Margaret's example, it's too tiring. You just put up a framework and then select people to apply it. If you can't do it well, replace people. In order to protect this city in the future, you have to put most of your energy into practice.
Among them, hehe, I really want to hear the legendary deeds of the new generation of Red Lotus Braves."
"Don't worry, you are much better than that idiot. Adam back then was much more useless than you. He was so stupid. It was his first time to deal with other people's housework disputes, and he actually..."
Slowly, Annie, whose mood changed repeatedly and had not slept for two nights, was exhausted to the extreme. She actually fell asleep leaning against me while listening.
Looking at the girl who was sleeping softly on her knees, I couldn't help but think of the past.
"Human beings are such miraculous beings. Yesterday I was a naughty kid with a clear nose. Today, in the blink of an eye, I have become an adult."
At that time, when Adam brought Annie back, she was only a little bit young. Now, she is about to become an adult and is planning to take on the important responsibilities left by her elders.
Looking at the dark circles under Anne's eyes, I couldn't help but feel a little resentful towards Margaret.
"Really, you are so permissive to idiot Adam, but so strict to Anne. The same goes for Adam, Phoenix Heart, Phoenix Heart, such a heavy burden, are you sure she can accept it after knowing the truth?"
"Uncle Bones, Sister Margaret, Father..." Suddenly, the sleeping girl shed tears silently, but called our names.
"...Don't go!! Don't leave Annie! Annie will be very good."
The crying babble made me pause as I stretched out my hand to wipe away my tears...
I never said I was leaving, and Margaret and Adam would not publicize the death of the city lord... But it seems that we have all underestimated this carefree and informal girl.
After half a minute, I continued, carefully wiping away her tears with my sleeves and gently stroking her hair.
Even I couldn't hear the apologetic whisper clearly.
"I'm sorry, little Annie, adults are all very selfish... We are all a bunch of selfish bastards."
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But I didn't know that there were two people saying the same thing as me in the city lord's mansion.
"I knew that the problem could be solved by letting Roland come. Don't blame yourself, Margaret, little Anne is actually much stronger than you and I think."
"..."
"...Don't cry, Margaret. This is not like you. If you are reluctant, you can still stay."
Yes, the girl who is sobbing silently in the corner at this moment is the one who accidentally hurt Anne, but asked me for help, and then was too worried, and violated the principles and used means to eavesdrop. The sage Margaret who is always calm as ice.
...
After hearing this heartless man's sarcastic words, Margaret, who still had tears in her eyes, suddenly looked angry.
"You don't have to die! Then everything will be solved! You selfish bastard!" If eyes could kill, Adam would have already pierced his heart with thousands of arrows.
"...Yes, we are all selfish adults. I'm just sorry for little Annie, and...hehe, don't worry too early."
"Are you laughing? You are..."
"Don't worry, I am Anne's father anyway. How could I not know what she wants and needs the most? Haha, don't worry, I have already made arrangements. In the end, it will definitely end in a comedy, a great comedy.
.”
"I believe you again, for the last time!! You selfish bastard!" This was the roar of the sage who gritted his teeth and lost his image.
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PS. As Adam said, squirrels like joy and don’t write tragedies.
