196: Epitome of the Decade of Development (Part 2)

"Chairman Andy, good news."

"Our laboratory's rating for this year is out; it's still Excellent, still number one on the leaderboard. Now our tax rebate quota for this year will be even larger, and the laboratory's profits will be even higher. Chairman, what do you think? Should we hand out some bonuses to celebrate with everyone…?"

Looking at the group of Wizard Apprentices before him, all staring at him with eager, hungry eyes, even Wizard Andy felt a bit overwhelmed.

"You guys, our laboratory's benefits have consistently ranked first among 3-star laboratories, and are even much better than some 4-star laboratories. Are you still not satisfied?"

"Haha, that's easy to say, Chairman. Who would turn their back on money?"

"That's right, Chairman. You are the best and most outstanding Chairman in our academy. If you could give us a bit more of a bonus, we'd have an even better year."

"Chairman, we all have elderly parents to support and children to raise. If you could hand out more bonuses, we could provide our children with a bit more potions, and we could afford to eat black pork twice more a month. Our whole family's happiness rests on your decision."

Among the forty-plus Wizard Apprentices present, more than two-thirds were married with families.

Half of them were students recruited from outside the academy. Andy Laboratory's massive growth was thanks to the rapid development of Plant Heart Academy over the past decade.

Ever since the reforms and opening up of Plant Heart Academy, Wizard Andy had followed the advice of Lord Green Anglet and joined the ranks of innovation and entrepreneurship, establishing a new Pharmacology laboratory in Auxiliary Wizard Tower No. 1.

Over the past decade, under the secret care of Lord Green and bolstered by the dividends of the era's development, Andy Laboratory grew from nothing, expanding from 3 Wizard Apprentices to 45. Its annual revenue went from barely 10,000 magic stones to over 1,000,000 magic stones, with a profit margin maintained at around 20%. For 8 consecutive years, it had dominated the top spot in the 3-star laboratory rankings.

All of this could certainly be called a small miracle.

"No."

Wizard Andy shook his head decisively and said to his subordinates without ceremony:

"Everyone, there's no need to think too much about it. You're all aware of the Three-Year Savings Plan issued by the academy, aren't you? Why hold onto such unrealistic ideas?"

"Although our laboratory has earned many magic stones this year, and both our turnover and profit margins have increased significantly, we must still follow the academy's regulations and deposit 80% of our profits into the academy bank."

"Furthermore, this is the third year of the Three-Year Savings Plan. According to the regulations, we cannot increase employee wages or benefits, and we certainly cannot defy the rules."

"Everyone should think more about how to get through next year. According to the academy's statistics department, the economic situation next year will not be easy; we may face widespread stagnation in exports and a decrease in orders…"

"Chairman Andy, what does that matter? Who doesn't know about your relationship with Lord Green?"

"Even if the economic situation is bad next year, and orders decrease, you won't be short of anything, right?"

"Exactly, exactly. With Chairman Andy here, what do we have to fear?"

Half of the Wizard Apprentices began to clamor.

The other half remained silent, though they also looked on with expectant eyes.

Who didn't know about the relationship between Chairman Andy and Lord Green? Over the past few years, they had seen Chairman Andy and Lord Green go to the Battle Axe Bar to drink together several times.

Besides, if not for this connection with Lord Green, how could their laboratory have taken the number one spot on the leaderboard for 8 consecutive years? How could they get so many high-quality potion orders every year? How could they attract so much high-quality talent to join?

You have to know, they were just a 3-star Pharmacology laboratory, yet they had 12 3-star Apothecary Apprentices, 23 2-star Apothecary Apprentices, and the remaining 10 were all excellent trainee Apothecary Apprentices. Such a talent configuration exceeded that of 80% of 4-star Pharmacology laboratories. If it weren't for the fact that Chairman Andy's strength was stuck at the Senior Intermediate Wizard Apprentice stage, making him unable to obtain a 4-star Apothecary Apprentice certificate, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call their laboratory a 4-star Pharmacology laboratory.

It was precisely because of these many layers of beneficial buffs that Andy Laboratory was recognized by all Wizard Apprentices as one of the top ten Pharmacology laboratories worth joining in Plant Heart Academy.

"Sigh…"

Wizard Andy looked at these talented individuals before him with a headache. Sometimes, having too much talent under one's command wasn't necessarily a good thing.

In terms of potion refining levels, 5 of the present Wizard Apprentices surpassed him, and there were 3 others with great potential who were very likely to become Advanced Wizard Apprentices and had hope of becoming 4-star Apothecary Apprentices or even higher in the future.

The three of them were currently the ones making the most noise. After all, Andy Laboratory hadn't raised wages for two years, and benefits had remained at the level they were two years ago. Now it was the third year. Over these three years, the development of Andy Laboratory could be described as changing with each passing day; the total volume of production and sales of various potions had increased by over 50%, and work intensity had also increased by 30%...

But these employees' wages hadn't risen, and no empty promises were being made either, so it was no wonder their minds were drifting, wanting to take the opportunity to make demands and stir up trouble.

Wizard Andy understood, but he would not soften his heart.

"You don't need to say anything more. This year will be the same as always. Even if we earn more, I will not be handing out bonuses."

"I advise you to give up on this idea. I will not cross the academy's red line."

"It is precisely because my relationship with Lord Green is good that I must set an example and take the lead in complying with all the academy's rules and regulations."

"The academy is also planning ahead. You all know that the academy's 6 Auxiliary Wizard Towers were built in the 8th year of the 10-year plan, and in the 9th year, the complete coverage of the entire underground magic network array was finished. The dividends of the great construction era are fading…"

"And next year, which will also be the first year after Lord Joyce's departure, our academy will definitely face major changes, and war may even break out. The academy's implementation of the Three-Year Savings Plan is also for the sake of the future."

"Three years without pay raises, three years of strategic savings, three years of preparing for war and famine—all of this is to ensure our academy can successfully endure the upcoming battle of destiny."

"In the face of the grand momentum, every one of us is an ant. The only thing we can do is huddle together for warmth and obey the academy's unified command. If some people still insist on pay raises and bonuses, then look for greener pastures elsewhere; my small temple cannot accommodate such great deities."

"Let's part on good terms; that can be considered leaving each other with a shred of dignity."

Everyone fell silent. Even the few who had been shouting the loudest stopped making noise, and everyone was secretly making their own plans.

As for what choice they would make, that was everyone's own freedom. Wizard Andy didn't bother with these matters anymore and instead continued to busy himself with his own work.

"Meeting adjourned. If you have any matters, you can talk to me privately…"