On Monday afternoon, fresh out of Zhao Dezhu’s office, Li Banjia felt as though he were walking on air.
It wasn't because he had been scolded—quite the contrary. In a rare display of amiability (relatively speaking), Zhao Dezhu had officially handed him the pilot project for the "Golden Idea" proposal, even symbolically approving an initial budget of "up to two thousand yuan for reimbursement" (though Li Banjia doubted he would ever see that money).
"Li Banjia, the company is paying close attention to this pilot project. Do not hold back; make something happen, and I won't treat you unfairly. Take Wang Mengmeng on as your assistant for now. If you’re short on hands or need coordination with other departments, come to me in time." Zhao Dezhu patted him on the shoulder, his tone filled with a measure of expectation.
The script for a "new official taking office" seemed to have been written, just waiting for him to light the fuse. Though, his "official" rank was pitifully low, and his entire "army" consisted of but one "soldier."
He had barely returned to his desk to digest President Zhao’s "imperial favor" when his phone habitually buzzed.
He opened the system app.
"Clang!"
[Detected: The Sovereign has officially been tasked with commanding a region (Pilot Project). Imperial Majesty is emerging; the path to hegemony begins.]
[Triggering major main-line quest series: Imperial Expedition: Pilot Storm.]
[Phase One Quest: Swift and Decisive Project Launch]
[Quest Objective: Within three days, complete the preliminary planning for the pilot project, confirm core resources (personnel and budget), and clearly communicate and assign Phase One tasks to subordinate [Wang Mengmeng].]
[Phase Reward: [Imperial Majesty] +5, [Imperial Treasury Silver] +50 (granted as "Royal Favor for the Expedition").]
"Imperial Expedition? And 'Pilot Storm'?" Li Banjia stared at the cringeworthy names, then looked at the resources at his disposal, unable to stop himself from grumbling. "My 'grand army' is just an intern, and my 'military rations' consist of these fifty taels from the system and two thousand yuan from President Zhao that may or may not be reimbursable. How is this war supposed to be fought?"
Complaining aside, the mission had to be done.
He took a deep breath, opened his computer, and created a new document titled: "[TOP SECRET] Operational Blueprint for the New Media Matrix User Engagement Pilot Project (Authored by Rank 9 Junior Secretary Li Banjia)."
With the [Policy Discourse] Lv.1 skill activated, he began dissecting Zhao Dezhu’s requirements and the core of his own proposal. Project goals, key milestones, expected outcomes, potential risks… he listed them out with clarity. Then, activating [Meticulous Calculation] Lv.1, he began drafting a budget for the 50 taels of "Royal Favor" and the company's "hypothetical" two thousand yuan, trying to stretch every single "tael" until it could be split in two.
The afternoon slipped away as he buried himself in his work.
Tuesday morning. (The [Imperial Treasury] balance: 360 (following the rewards in Chapter 10) + 1 (Tuesday stipend) = 361 taels. Imperial Majesty: 12.)
Li Banjia called Wang Mengmeng to a corner of the coffee shop downstairs—he felt it wasn't appropriate to discuss "military intelligence" at their desks, and treating his "minister" to a coffee with his system rewards could be considered "Imperial Benevolence."
"Mengmeng," Li Banjia said, taking a sip of his twenty-yuan "Imperial Jade Nectar" (an Americano) to start the "pre-expedition strategy meeting." "President Zhao has officially put me in charge of the new media pilot project, and you are my primary officer."
Wang Mengmeng’s eyes lit up, her face flushed with excitement. "Really, Brother Jia? I’ll work hard. I won't hold you back!"
Li Banjia nodded in satisfaction, opened the system app, navigated to the [Imperial Court] interface, chose [Issue Edict], and used [Diligence Decree] again (consuming 2 taels of silver; Imperial Treasury: 359 taels).
In the edict, he wrote: "Commanding Document Officer Wang Mengmeng to immediately conduct in-depth user profile research for the first phase of the 'Golden Idea' pilot project, and to collect initial promotion strategies from similar successful cases. Report back in three days."
He closed his phone and explained the specific requirements to Wang Mengmeng in detail, sharing his initial planning logic. Wang Mengmeng nodded repeatedly, taking diligent notes in her small notebook.
"Don't worry, Brother Jia, I guarantee I'll finish the mission!" the young girl declared, full of fighting spirit.
Just as they were in the heat of their discussion, a snide voice drifted over.
"Oh? Isn't this our Marketing Department's great hero, Li Banjia? I hear President Zhao green-lit a 'major project' for you. Are you here in the coffee shop mapping out grand strategies for victory?"
Li Banjia and Wang Mengmeng looked up to see Liu Ming standing by their table, holding a coffee with a mocking smirk.
Wang Mengmeng looked at Li Banjia, clearly nervous.
Li Banjia sneered internally; this "rebel vassal" was well-informed. Outwardly, he remained composed, smiling faintly with a calm tone. "You’re teasing me, Manager Liu. It’s just a small pilot, still in the exploration phase. I’m sure I’ll have much to learn from your vast experience in the future." His 7 points in [Strategy] and 5 points in [Charisma] made it much easier to handle such scenes than before.
Liu Ming said with a thin smile, "I wouldn't dare lecture you. I’m just offering a reminder: for new projects, no matter how good the idea is, execution always hits unexpected obstacles. Don't let it be a case of 'all thunder and no rain' and end up disappointing President Zhao." With that, he let out a meaningful "heh," sipped his coffee, and sauntered off.
"Brother Jia, he..." Wang Mengmeng looked indignant.
"It's nothing, just a clown jumping about. Don't pay him any mind," Li Banjia waved his hand to soothe her. "Let's just focus on our own work. Come, back to the company. My 'Imperial Expedition' is about to officially begin!"
Back at the office, Li Banjia organized the project plan and confirmed the details and deadlines for the first phase with Wang Mengmeng.
That afternoon, the system notification arrived on cue.
"Clang!"
[[Imperial Expedition: Pilot Storm] Phase One Quest: [Swift and Decisive Project Launch] completed! Rating: Good (Detailed plan, capable subordinate, minor disturbances from petty individuals, but of no consequence).]
[Phase Reward: [Imperial Majesty] +5, [Imperial Treasury Silver] +50 (The "Royal Favor for the Expedition" has been issued).]
Li Banjia’s [Imperial Majesty] reached 17 points, and his [Imperial Treasury] now held 409 taels (359 + 50).
On the system interface, the status of the [Imperial Expedition: Pilot Storm] quest updated:
[Phase Two Quest: Steady Progress and Early Results] (Not Started)
[Objective: Within ten days, complete the user profile analysis and competitor strategy research, submit the first project weekly report, and gain approval from the superior (Zhao Dezhu).]
"Ten days..." Li Banjia looked at the new objective, feeling the weight of the pressure, but even more so, the thrill of the challenge.
His "empire" was only just beginning to be built.