The Debating Conference was held at the Start of Autumn in the first year of Yuan Shuo, but the promotion began in the spring.
The Debating Conference of the Grand Minister of Agriculture was naturally no small matter, and once the decision was made, officials at all levels imdiately took action.
Besides the officials from the main departnt of the Minister of Agriculture joining in to discuss the details, the leaders from the three Minister of Agriculture Holy Lands, Xuantian, Kunyuan, and Shangluo also participated, along with Qingmu, Lianhua, and ten other top academies offering their plans and strategies.
The planning eting for the ceremony of the Debating Conference was assigned to Jiang Hua, the superintendent of the Ritual Departnt, ranked from first class.
The Ritual Departnt and the Society God Master that Zhao Xing once served are of the sa nature, both being overlapping official institutions.
Jiang Hua, ranked from first class, is both a Ritual Repairer and a Priest.
From early spring to midsumr, countless etings large and small were held.
Jiang Hua found himself quite troubled while presiding over the etings.
With the strength of three Holy Lands and ten top academics, coming from different factions and different state mansions, coordination was very difficult.
To give a simple example, it was the seating arrangent for the etings.
If they were officials, it would be easy; Jiang Hua could arrange them by rank.
But many were not officials, as the Debating Conference not only invited incumbent Minister of Agriculture experts but also many from outside.
In terms of experience, reputation, and strength, many were similar, with only a distinction being their different academic affiliations.
In the past, Jiang Hua would have arranged the seating according to the customs of the Three Sects, with Heaven first, Earth second, and the Self Sect after that, which posed no problem.
But now, it was completely unfeasible, and the Self Sect strongly protested this seating arrangent.
"Mr. Jiang!" Zhuang Daren exclaid loudly, "The venue is at my Shangluo Academy; the major breakthrough announced at this Debating Conference is also related to the Path of Self!"
"How can you let our Shangluo Academy sit in the third row, huh?!"
Listen to that volu!
If it were two hundred years ago, would Zhuang Daren dare to speak so loudly?
But now, it's different! The Self Sect has completely stood up!
Zhuang Daren's spittle nearly splattered onto Jiang Hua's face!
The elders of the Self Sect behind him also glared at Jiang Hua, as if ready to lie down on the ground if they weren't seated in the first row.
Jiang Hua was not one to be trifled with; having worked in the Dao Ceremony Bureau for so many years, what occasions hadn't he encountered?
Contesting the central seat was a common issue.
"Gentlen, please calm down." Jiang Hua wiped his face and maintained a smile, "This was a miscommunication from the clerk below; the Council Hall is not in Liu Hall, so this is not the seating arrangent either."
"How dare I underestimate such distinguished elders? Please lower your sleeves; it's a bit cold, and you wouldn't want to catch a chill."
Hearing Jiang Hua's words, the group of Old Minister of Agriculture behind Zhuang Daren, although their expressions slightly softened, still refused to let it go.
"Since it's a mistake, Mr. Jiang, please quickly present a plan so as not to delay the Grand Minister of Agriculture's matters."
Jiang Hua waved his hand, and a water screen rippled in the air, revealing a seating chart.
"Please have a look, this is the actual seating chart for the venue."
After looking at it, Zhuang Daren's expression beca sowhat peculiar.
Because Jiang Hua had innovatively arranged it as a roundtable eting, with the table forming a large circle and the central position for the emcee.
This way, there wasn't a front or back, and no distinction between first and second seats.
Although Zhuang Daren and several others were dissatisfied with Jiang Hua's equivocal approach, they ceased to make a fuss.
After all, everyone was there for the discussions, not necessarily to compete for prominence in such settings.
"Mr. Jiang, make sure your staff doesn't make mistakes like this in the future."
"Of course, of course." Jiang Hua replied with a smile, watching as the group of bare-chested Ministers of Agriculture left.
The Assistant Officer whispered, "Sir, we don't have such a Council Hall, do we? We've always arranged it this way, and it has never been an issue..."
Jiang Hua glared at his assistant and said, "The past is the past; now is now. The Self Sect is not what it used to be!"
"If we don't have such a Council Hall, can't you have the Ministry of Industry build one?"
"I'll get on it right away." The Assistant Officer nodded hastily.
"Wait, make several more. Any etings related to the Debating Conference, regardless of their level, should be held in such Council Halls."
"Yes, I understand."
...
As the eting progressed, the details of the Debating Conference were becoming more refined.
Jiang Hua also witnessed Zhao Xing's awe-inspiring prestige as the Grand Minister of Agriculture.
Because more and more people were joining, not just participants but many offering suggestions too.
A month after the promotion started, Jiang Hua realized that the venue initially prepared was no longer sufficient.
"Sir, the number of registrations for this Grand Minister of Agriculture's Debating Conference has surpassed any Debating Conference we've hosted." The Assistant Officer remarked.
"Is there really no place in Dao Yuan Continent that can accommodate such numbers?" Jiang Hua asked, "And why so many – did people from abroad co too?"
"According to this growth trend, by the ti it officially convenes in the autumn, the numbers will have multiplied tenfold."
"Don't just talk about Dao Yuan Continent – there isn't such a large debating venue in the entire Nineteen States." The Assistant Officer replied with a wry smile.
Jiang Hua pondered, "In that case, I will report to the Grand Minister of Agriculture and see if we can disperse through Yun ng Academy."
"Hmm? You an..."
"Since there isn't a suitable venue in the Nineteen States, perhaps we could have the Grand Minister of Agriculture allocate so of his ti to lecture at Yun ng Academy."
"This way, it could spare many from traveling back and forth, and those unable to reach Dao Yuan Continent could still listen to the Grand Minister of Agriculture's lectures."
"Wise, Mr. Jiang!"
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