Chapter 544: Spring of Civil Engineering, Company Expansion

Chapter 544: The Spring of Civil Engineering and Corporate Expansion

"Madness! The Demonic Sect has raided the cemetery, severing the underground spiritual veins! Casualties exceed a thousand! Experts claim repairing the veins will cost tens of thousands of spirit coins!"

"The Demonic Sect has hijacked the Spirit Realm; the university city's defensive arrays have become accomplices to the slaughter! The city-wide array system is in urgent need of an update!"

"Multiple magneto-magnetic conduits have been severely damaged; the city's former lifelines have turned into man-eating beasts! The university city has issued a red alert, suspending all magneto-magnetic conduit operations, with a pledge to complete repairs as soon as possible."

Reading these news reports, Tu Lishan sighed: "This Demonic Sect is truly ruthless. Not only are they looting everywhere, but they’ve also destroyed the anti-gravity conduits, magneto-magnetic channels, mana circuits, spiritual energy loops, and all the gravity, temperature, and humidity control equipment across the university city."

"They’ve even wrecked the city’s entire array system."

"They didn't even spare the student dormitories. This Demonic Sect is truly wicked. Damn it... why didn't they tear down the teachers' dorms too?"

"Students, in the coming days, we bear a heavy burden. How soon the city is restored depends on us; we must not let the teachers and students of this city down."

Deep down, Tu Lishan thought: "Sigh, if only the Demonic Sect could raid us once a year, my Civil Engineering Department would surely become the premier school of the Ten Thousand Laws."

Watching the irrepressible smile on Tu Lishan’s face, Ying Xin and Shi Yunxiang exchanged glances, their minds racing with trepidation.

Ying Xin thought to herself: "Damn... we only destroyed one magneto-magnetic conduit's mana circuit, right?"

Shi Yunxiang wondered: "Who on earth blew up every single magneto-magnetic conduit in the entire city?"

Following the economic crisis, the wave of unemployment had gradually eased.

Within the university city of Ten Thousand Laws, due to the deaths, bankruptcies, and disappearances of many, a shortage of workers had emerged, leading to competition for labor.

With the Demonic Sect’s rampant destruction and the launch of various infrastructure projects, students from the Civil Engineering Department became highly sought after, entering a blissful era of daily overtime.

Zhang Yu felt the vibrant energy of the construction sites and watched the workers’ faces, glowing with the satisfaction of overtime pay. He had to admit that after the Demonic Sect’s assault, the economy of the university city seemed even more active.

Fu Ji remarked: "Kunxu is like this. Sometimes it’s just a test of endurance. As long as you survive a great catastrophe, those who remain can reap a wave of dividends."

Zhang Yu nodded, determined to seize this opportunity to make money and prepare for the refinement of his prototype machine.

Consequently, Zhang Yu began accepting numerous projects from the Artifact Refining Department in the name of his company.

Although civil engineering students were essential for the city’s reconstruction, many projects were managed by the Artifact Refining Department.

The city-wide magneto-magnetic conduits and anti-gravity channels, for instance, involved the Artifact Refining Department’s investment and responsibility for equipment manufacturing and installation.

Leveraging his status in the Artifact Refining Department and his connection to the Magneto-Pole Sovereign, Zhang Yu was able to secure many projects that were low in labor intensity but high in profit.

However, as projects multiplied across the city, workers became a precious commodity.

After all, more workers meant higher efficiency, allowing for more projects to be accepted and completed sooner.

Zhang Yu’s current staff was clearly insufficient.

Thus, with the end of the economic crisis, Zhang Yu began another expansion of his company.

His first targets for recruitment were the very people from the Civil Engineering Department who had shared in his bankruptcy.

...

Tu Lishan looked at Ying Xin, frowning: "Are you sure you want to leave?"

"I’m about to give you a raise."

"The upcoming projects are endless; I guarantee you’ll have enough overtime to keep you satisfied until graduation."

"And aren't you already working part-time as an accountant for Zhang Yu? Isn't that enough?"

Hearing the words "raise," Ying Xin hesitated, clearly tempted.

But after a moment’s thought, she said: "I’ve already promised Zhang Yu. I’m going to his company to work as an accountant while also heading to the construction sites."

Tu Lishan sighed helplessly: "Sigh, how can Zhang Yu’s new company compare to our established credentials?"

"Fine, go ahead, but my door is always open if you want to return."

At this moment, with projects everywhere, Tu Lishan was desperate for labor. Every extra worker meant more profit, and his attitude toward the students had become unprecedentedly kind.

Shortly after Ying Xin left, Shi Yunxiang approached with the same request.

Hearing that he, too, was heading to Zhang Yu’s company, Tu Lishan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, thinking: "How much money did this kid Zhang Yu spend to poach my people?"

The next day, seeing Xiao Qingxuan also looking to jump ship, Tu Lishan was even more surprised: "Have you thought this through?"

"It’s not easy to find a job after graduation, especially at a departmental company. That’s a prestigious brand in the civil engineering world."

"If I were you, I’d work steadily for ten years, build up your experience and credentials, rather than jumping to a new company with an uncertain future."

Xiao Qingxuan insisted: "Teacher, I’ve made up my mind. Please, let me go."

...

Being poached by Zhang Yu for several days in a row, it would be impossible for Tu Lishan not to feel annoyed. But considering the Magneto-Pole Sovereign and Director Gao behind him, he chose to act as if nothing had happened.

Seeing Zhang Yu leading his crew on-site one day, Tu Lishan greeted him with a smile.

Noticing the potent stimulants Zhang Yu was distributing, Tu Lishan asked: "You feed your employees this every day?"

Zhang Yu replied: "It makes them work harder."

Tu Lishan thought: "A boss is a boss, no matter what. Taking this daily, no matter how good their constitution is, they won't be able to hold up."

However, seeing Shi Yunxiang and the others willingly taking the medicine, Tu Lishan secretly gave Zhang Yu a thumbs up: "Impressive."

He messaged Zhang Yu: You have a knack for training your employees.

Zhang Yu could hardly tell him that with his and Le Mulan’s Deep Cold Dharma Pulse, combined with Xiao Qingxuan’s ancient medical arts, he could neutralize the side effects of the stimulants.

So, Zhang Yu replied: Just a small trick.

Tu Lishan: That’s no small trick. Getting them to take the medicine willingly must have taken a lot of effort.

Tu Lishan: When can we exchange experiences?

Tu Lishan was genuinely curious about how Zhang Yu managed to squeeze his subordinates so ruthlessly.

Just as they shared a smile, Shi Huaiyu approached and said: "Master, I intend to move to Zhang Yu’s company."

If Xiao Qingxuan’s departure had merely surprised Tu Lishan, Shi Huaiyu’s resignation made him genuinely angry.

Especially since Shi Huaiyu was a key student in the Civil Engineering Department, possessing the Seven Wonders of Civil Engineering, with a high probability of obtaining a military certificate and mastering the Heaven Kunlun Mountain-Moving Power. She was a disciple with an incredibly high return on investment in Tu Lishan’s eyes.

Thinking of this disciple jumping to Zhang Yu’s company to be exploited, Tu Lishan took a deep breath. His golden dharma skeleton glowed with mana circuits, indicating his mana was circulating faster.

Looking at his elegant disciple, Tu Lishan couldn't help but ask: "You’re going to Zhang Yu’s company too?"

Seeing Shi Huaiyu nod, Tu Lishan looked around, not wanting to be overheard, and sent a private message: "Foolish!"

Tu Lishan: Why leave a legitimate, major civil engineering firm to work at Zhang Yu’s little startup?

Tu Lishan: Don't think that because you competed together, your relationship is any different. He’s only using that to suppress your wages and squeeze more profit out of you.

Shi Huaiyu opened her mouth, wanting to say much, but finding nothing to say. In the end, all her words condensed into one sentence.

Shi Huaiyu: Zhang Yu is different.

Tu Lishan said with heartbreak: Different? How is he different?

Tu Lishan: Let me tell you, all company bosses are the same. I know exactly what’s in their heads!

Tu Lishan: They are all full of filth, thinking only of how to exploit you, how to suppress your wages, and how to make you work more for less pay!

Tu Lishan: Listen to your master, stay here and work hard. Once you graduate, you’ll be a full-time employee and move into management.

Shi Huaiyu sighed helplessly: Master, I have already given Zhang Yu my word.

Tu Lishan persisted in his persuasion: Shi Huaiyu, I have spent years cultivating you, not so that you might rot your life away on a construction site, but so that you might one day leave it behind to earn me a fortune.

Shi Huaiyu: Master, Zhang Yu is truly different.

Shi Huaiyu: I believe that by following him, I will be able to earn far more in the future.

Shi Huaiyu: In any case, I am determined to join Zhang Yu’s company.

Shi Huaiyu: Besides, my arrangement with the department’s firm is merely temporary; if you do not approve, so be it.

Watching Shi Huaiyu turn and run toward Zhang Yu, Tu Lishan sent a message in a fit of rage: If you dare to go, don't even think about coming back here for overtime!

Shi Huaiyu: Rest assured, Master; Zhang Yu has promised that once I join, he will keep me working twenty-four hours a day.

Seeing Shi Huaiyu take the potent elixir from Zhang Yu’s hand and swallow it without a moment’s hesitation, Tu Lishan felt a sharp pang of heartache.

Tu Lishan: Is he lying to you about being able to get you into the Artifact Refining Department?

Tu Lishan: Let me tell you, the mouths of bosses are full of deceit; not a single word they say can be trusted. He cannot possibly get you into the Artifact Refining Department.

Shi Huaiyu: Zhang Yu never claimed such things.

Shi Huaiyu: I simply wish to work under his command.

Shi Huaiyu: Enough, we shall speak of this after I finish my shift; President Zhang does not like his employees chatting while on the clock.

Watching Shi Huaiyu’s diligent demeanor, Tu Lishan could not help but glare at Zhang Yu and send a message: Huaiyu is a student the department intends to cultivate as a priority.

Tu Lishan: Feed her less of that medicine; do not ruin her health.

Zhang Yu: Rest easy, Teacher Tu, I shall be careful with how I utilize my staff.

Tu Lishan gritted his teeth in silence: First the magnetic poles, now Zhang Yu—is the Artifact Refining Department now teaching students how to poach talent in their lectures?

Beyond Ying Xin, Shi Yunxiang, Xiao Qingxuan, and Shi Huaiyu from the Civil Engineering Department, Zhang Yu naturally sought to recruit a new batch of soul cultivators to labor for him.

Considering the value and affordability, Zhang Yu brought in a group of bankrupt talents from the Songyang hometown group.

With this wave of corporate expansion, the team’s construction efficiency soared, allowing Zhang Yu to take on more projects and pushing his monthly income from this venture toward 30 spirit coins.

More importantly, as the projects found their rhythm, there was less and less need for Zhang Yu to intervene personally.

Especially with Fuji helping him handle all the trivialities, overseeing the finances, and managing the staff without pay.

Thus, Zhang Yu only needed to spend a few days each month at the site, exerting his Heavenly Kunlun mountain-moving strength to complete the heavy tasks.

The company’s revenue could essentially be classified as his passive income.

Adding in the 40 spirit coins from his laboratory subsidy, Zhang Yu could maintain an income of nearly 70 spirit coins per month while enjoying a vast amount of leisure time. Furthermore, Zhang Yu knew that once the company reimbursements from the magnetic poles and Director Gao resumed, and his sister’s repayments continued, his monthly profits would grow even further.

With such confidence, Zhang Yu could finally set his mind at ease and begin the refinement of the prototype for the Heavenly Sun Radiant God machine.

Requesting monthly tickets.

(End of chapter)