76: This damn program

Lu Fan checked his watch. It was too early for dinner and too late to run errands. He couldn't decide where to go for the time being.

“Let's go home!”

After getting into the car, having nothing else to do, he started flipping through the newspaper Ah Fu had given him.

A quick glance at the *Shen Bao* revealed a few inconspicuous pieces of social news that caught his attention.

One report mentioned that an official at the Jiangnan Salt Administration Supervisory Office was internally investigated for “extravagant living and obvious discrepancies between income and expenditure.”

But ultimately, the investigation “found no concrete evidence, and the official was transferred to another post.”

Believe this news who may, but he certainly didn't.

Another news commentary, the size of a bean curd block, subtly mentioned that the Salt Administration system was experiencing “frequent personnel changes, suggesting something fishy.”

These seemingly scattered pieces of information quickly took root in Lu Fan's mind like fragments.

The Salt Administration has historically been a lucrative government post, and under the current government, it was chaotic and corrupt.

Lu Fan keenly sensed the opportunity within.

His system task required an official rank at the “Jianren” level, related to commercial activities.

Salt Inspection, which nominally supervised the transportation and sale of table salt, was directly linked to commercial activities—the conditions were perfectly met.

Furthermore, these types of positions were often hotbeds for the buying and selling of sinecures.

To confirm his conjecture and obtain more precise information.

He immediately changed his destination. “Acheng, go to Yifan Trading Company.”

Lu Fan didn't know many people in Shanghai. To inquire about this kind of news, he could only seek help from Seventh Miss Sheng.

Half an hour later, inside the Sheng Family Trading Company General Manager's office.

After Sheng Aiyi heard Lu Fan's purpose, her delicate face showed deep disgust.

“Salt Administration Supervisor?” She picked up her fine porcelain teacup and took a sip. “That's a completely rotten swamp, and Jiangnan Dao is the hardest-hit area.

From the Supervisor himself down to the small heads of the regional sub-offices, how many are clean?

It's not 'clearly marked prices,' but the fact that 'positions have a price' is an open secret within the circle.”

She put down the teacup, her tone carrying the specific bluntness of a noble family's daughter, her eyes sharp and worldly-wise.

Hearing this, Lu Fan asked, somewhat confused, “Does Jinling not care about this blatant buying and selling of official positions?”

“It's rotten to the core. How can they manage it?”

Sheng Aiyi sharply pointed out the crux of the matter, her words cutting and showing no restraint in her dissatisfaction.

Upon hearing this, a strange sorrow arose in Lu Fan's heart. Baldy Jiang, you truly are incompetent~~

What good outcome could possibly come from employing a Traitor like Wang Jingwei?

Even mountains of gold and silver would be squandered by you.

However, sadness aside, the ability to purchase an official position provided him with a shortcut to complete his second system task.

So, he asked straightforwardly, “I want to get a sinecure. Do you know how I might manage it?”

Sheng Aiyi was clearly surprised by Lu Fan's idea and couldn't help but laugh aloud: “Why bother with that sort of thing?

You are a british viscount! That title is ten thousand times better than some mere sinecure!”

“It's just about having one more official position, one more path.”

Lu Fan lit a cigarette and chuckled lightly: “Only with an official position can one truly bring honor to their ancestors and be worthy of returning to their hometown in glory.”

“I really don't understand you. Your thinking is still so rigid after studying abroad.” Sheng Aiyi complained, but she took the matter seriously.

She pondered for a moment and said, “I do have contacts at the Modu Liaison Office, and the positions there are ‘flexible’.

Sinecures with impressive titles like ‘Inspection Commissioner’ or ‘Consultant’ are specifically created to ‘settle’ people.

As long as the money is right and the key people are properly managed, getting a nominal position isn't difficult.”

Lu Fan felt reassured. As long as there was a chance, it was good.

Sheng Aiyi glanced at the smiling Lu Fan, and her voice became low and serious: “I can make contact for you beforehand.

However, let me warn you upfront, Sun Bogui, the Salt Administration Supervisor, has a huge appetite.”

“Oh? How big is his appetite? I'd like to hear. Are one hundred thousand silver dollars enough?”

Lu Fan raised an eyebrow, dismissive of Sheng Aiyi's warning.

Sheng Aiyi rolled her eyes at Lu Fan, the nouveau riche: “Yes, of course, it's enough. This man is greedy for money and goods, and he's bold.

As long as the money is sufficient, a Jianren-level sinecure is just a matter of stamping a seal and issuing a letter of appointment for him.”

Sheng Aiyi paused, reminding him, “This person has a considerable appetite and is slippery. It's best to have a reliable intermediary during the transaction.”

Lu Fan waved his hand dismissively, acting like a VVIP: “Anything that can be solved with money is not a problem for me!”

Sheng Aiyi curled her lip, teasing him with slight dissatisfaction: “That's true, you're so poor you only have money left. You handle it.”

Hearing this, Lu Fan gave an awkward smile, realizing his unconscious display had annoyed Sheng Aiyi.

“Understood. Thank you for the guidance, Miss Sheng. Try some of this new chocolate!” He quickly offered a sugar-coated bullet.

“That's better. Wait here, I'll make the call~~~”

Sheng Aiyi picked up a piece of chocolate and slowly left the office.

Since the matter had potential, Lu Fan leaned back in his chair and relaxed.

Remembering he still hadn't claimed his mission reward, he casually opened the system to draw a blind box.

[Mimicry: Change current voice, eliminate accent]

[Blueprint: Fully Automatic Oil Pressing Production Line]

The skill and blueprint drawn this time were a bit disappointing.

However, his current mood was good, so he figured having more skills never hurt.

Not long after, Sheng Aiyi returned from her call and gave Lu Fan a look of affirmation: “It's done. Tomorrow night at six o'clock, Peace Hotel.”

“It really worked?”

Lu Fan looked surprised; happiness had arrived too suddenly.

The system required an “official rank,” not actual power.

“Inspection Commissioner” or “Consultant” at the Jiangnan Salt Administration Supervisory Office's Modu Liaison Office perfectly met the requirements.

Salt Administration was nominally related to commerce, and the Jianren rank also satisfied the requirement.

More importantly, it could be acquired quickly through a transaction.

Just imagine completing the second system task in the next couple of days—no one else could match that speed.

From then on, Lu Fan's target was locked: Salt Administration Office, sinecure, Sun Bogui.

Based on what Sheng Aiyi had just said, he estimated that if he wasn't afraid of spending money, this position could probably be upgraded further.

Thinking about completing the mission ahead of schedule and obtaining the reward, his excitement was utterly uncontrollable.

Lu Fan was so overjoyed he forgot himself, immediately standing up, embracing Sheng Aiyi, and spinning around to celebrate.

As their eyes met, sparks flew, and the heavenly thunder ignited the earthly fire.

For a moment, the scene in the office was slightly unsuitable for minors.

Five minutes later, Lu Fan returned to the car with a bright red slap mark on his cheek.

“Home!”

He wore a wry smile, covering his injured cheek while looking angrily at his own hand for its lack of self-control.

The slap he received wasn't unwarranted. When he hugged and kissed her, Sheng Aiyi hadn't retaliated, and had even responded somewhat.

The problem lay with this damned hand. He wondered how Nüwa had set up the Program.

Whenever he kissed someone, this hand would automatically and precisely navigate, running the Program for controlling the 'mountain peaks'.

And thus, the sacred and inviolable 'mountain peaks' territory.

Consequently, the five-finger mark appeared on his cheek.

Getting hit is one thing, but speaking of which, that natural feel was really good...