Zhang Yang smiled faintly. Zhou Yichen's eyes were blazing with fury, as if he wanted to tear Zhang Yang limb from limb, yet he reluctantly nodded, agreeing to Zhang Yang's proposal.

Xiao Bin, who had just lost his position in the Secretariat, somehow miraculously found himself appointed Minister of the Club Department. He hadn't even understood the entire process, unsure what method Zhang Yang had used to suddenly push him into the role of Minister for that department.

After the decision passed, Xiao Bin was still somewhat stunned, feeling as though he were dreaming.

Although the nature of the work was similar, the rank and benefits were entirely different from before. A Minister was a genuine senior cadre of the Student Union, and even if Zhou Yichen wanted to deal with him now, it wouldn't be so easy.

Moreover, with the title of Minister, he would have a significant advantage when graduating and entering society to look for a job. The current Student Union wasn't like ten years later, when dozens of vice-presidents would pop up after graduation; the Student Union at this time still had relatively little 'water' (i.e., less inflated status).

At this moment, Xiao Bin didn't know what to say, merely looking at Zhang Yang with deep excitement.

"Minister Xiao, why don't you quickly thank Chairman Zhou for his support!"

Zhang Yang said with narrowed eyes and a smile. Xiao Bin paused slightly, then immediately stood up and offered Zhou Yichen a solemn expression of thanks. However, Zhou Yichen's inner world was on the verge of exploding with rage.

This thank you from Xiao Bin was a naked slap in the face, signifying Zhou Yichen's complete failure in this confrontation with Zhang Yang.

"I hope the several Ministers will work hard after their adjustments. Chairman Zhou, there is one matter I wish to discuss with you!"

Zhang Yang spoke again, which only intensified the heat of Zhou Yichen's anger.

What was this talk about several Ministers working hard after their adjustments? That should have been something Zhang Yang heard, not said. This was his right as Chairman. Zhang Yang was completely usurping the host's role today, showing he paid Zhou Yichen no mind.

But before Zhou Yichen's anger could fully subside, the reactions of the other department heads added fuel to his roaring inferno.

Gao Jie and Xiao Bin both nodded in agreement, and even Wang Guohua followed suit with a slight nod.

These few people, effectively, showed no respect for him as Chairman either.

"What is it!"

Zhou Yichen stated stiffly. After all, he was a man of guile and insidious intentions, and he hadn't completely lost his reason yet.

"Chairman Zhou, since I'm no longer the Director of the Secretariat, I must be given something to do. I can't just remain idle; you must arrange some work for me!"

Zhang Yang's words made Zhou Yichen's vision suddenly go dark; he nearly collapsed right there.

Zhang Yang had voluntarily stepped down, and now he was demanding new work? What did he take Zhou Yichen for? The great Chairman Zhou now desperately wanted to bite Zhang Yang a few times.

"Chairman Zhou, Zhang Yang is quite capable. Letting him remain idle would be a great waste. I believe he should be assigned a new post!" Gao Jie immediately chimed in.

It was merely a suggestion, and he wasn't afraid of Zhou Yichen overthinking it. Moreover, Gao Jie had discerned that someone needed to check Zhou Yichen's increasing assertiveness.

That person must possess the strength and courage to confront Zhou Yichen. Among everyone present, only Zhang Yang was the most suitable; they absolutely could not let Zhang Yang leave the Student Union.

Zhang Yang had just delivered a significant blow to Zhou Yichen, boldly staging a drama in this very Student Union meeting where the subordinate dictated the master's domain. In the process, Gao Jie himself had become a beneficiary, which only increased his confidence in Zhang Yang.

"I second Minister Gao's opinion!"

This time, Wang Guohua was the one expressing his view. Zhou Yichen’s direct refusal to allow a collective decision earlier had served as a stark warning to him as well.

His thoughts were similar to Gao Jie's. Although he had sided with Zhou Yichen, it didn't mean he had to obey Zhou Yichen in everything.

After the two stated their positions, several others expressed their support. Zhou Yichen looked at these people coldly, his entire circulatory system feeling close to boiling over from sheer rage.

"I also feel that student Zhang Yang is a talent and shouldn't be wasted like this!"

Hu Tao suddenly interjected. Zhou Yichen froze violently, turning his head to glare fiercely at him.

He could tolerate the support from Xiao Bin, Gao Jie, and even Wang Guohua, but Hu Tao's support was intolerable. Hu Tao was someone he had personally promoted and considered his most loyal subordinate; this statement was tantamount to betrayal.

Before Zhou Yichen could question him, Hu Tao continued, "The External Liaison Department has always been vacant, hasn't it? Student Zhang Yang is very capable; I suggest appointing him to the External Liaison Department so he can contribute more to our Student Union!"

The External Liaison Department?

Zhou Yichen blinked slightly, a faint smile slowly spreading across his lips.

Hu Tao glanced at him flatteringly. Seeing the satisfied expression on Zhou Yichen's face, he felt relieved, nodding obsequiously toward the Chairman.

The others, upon hearing Hu Tao’s suggestion, showed looks of astonishment.

The External Liaison Department was a very peculiar branch within the Student Union, at least at Changjing University.

Other departments might lack power, but at least they didn't have overwhelming pressure. The External Liaison Department was different; they carried a massive burden of sponsorship targets.

This situation had begun with the previous Student Union executive committee.

The main work of the External Liaison Department was to connect with student unions from outside schools, organize activities with other student organizations, or handle reception duties.

In a renowned university, such work would be highly coveted. However, Changjing University was just an ordinary school; they rarely interacted with student organizations from other institutions and had minimal need for reception tasks.

Furthermore, major national university competitions, such as the CUBA, required the External Liaison Department to manage the reception, but since Changjing University's sports teams had never even left their own city, the department had no need for such services.

The previous Student Union Chairman, seeing the External Liaison Department perpetually idle, assigned them a sponsorship quota.

If you can't manage external connections or reception, then go secure sponsorships.

As a result, this task nearly crushed the members of the External Liaison Department. Students finding corporate sponsorships was difficult enough, and the requirement of twenty thousand yuan per semester nearly drove the few members of the External Liaison Department to distraction. In the first semester, they failed to secure even two thousand yuan in sponsorship.

Twenty thousand yuan in 1998 was no small sum; it could buy a small house in some counties.

The former Chairman was stubborn. He had set strict rewards and punishments in advance: failure to meet the quota meant immediate removal of the External Liaison Minister's position. That Minister simply gave up, thinking, if you won't let me do the job properly, then I won't do it at all, since it was impossible for him anyway.

Subsequently, another Minister was promoted, but he resigned voluntarily in less than three months due to the immense pressure.

Finally, a third Minister was appointed, and this one was even quicker: in less than a month, he quit the Student Union along with the External Liaison Department's sole remaining member, claiming the job was simply not meant for humans.

Since then, the External Liaison Department had become the Student Union's purgatory—a place people would rather leave the Student Union entirely than join.

Thus, the External Liaison Department remained empty. When Zhou Yichen took over as Chairman, he made no move to reform the department or abolish the previous Chairman's quota, so the position naturally remained unfilled.

Hu Tao's suggestion to send Zhang Yang to the External Liaison Department was anything but benevolent; it was pushing Zhang Yang into a pit of fire.

"Zhang Yang, if we assign you to the External Liaison Department, what are your thoughts?"

Zhou Yichen understood Hu Tao's intention immediately and followed up quickly. He was quite pleased with Hu Tao's suggestion. He didn't have time to clean up the mess in the External Liaison Department himself, so using the previous Chairman's leftovers to deal with Zhang Yang was perfect.

"That works for me; I have no objections. Since Chairman Zhou shows such regard, I will accept the position of Minister of the External Liaison Department. However, since the department is empty, I will need the freedom to recruit two members to assist me. That shouldn't be an unreasonable request, right?"

Zhang Yang grinned and agreed immediately.

In truth, even if Hu Tao hadn't suggested it, he would have proactively aimed for the External Liaison Department. Ever since proposing to leave the Secretariat, that department had been his target destination. Others feared the pressure of fundraising; Zhang Yang worried about it not at all.

With his medical skills, he could easily attract substantial sponsorship by healing just a few people. More importantly, some of the External Liaison Department’s peculiar regulations would be more convenient for him, allowing him to make Zhou Yichen’s life difficult whenever he wished in the future.

……………………………… Thanks to Yan Hui Man for the second round of rewards. This is the first chapter. It’s already Wednesday, and the number of recommendation votes hasn't broken a thousand yet. Could friends who have recommendation tickets please lend a few more to Xiaoyu? I beg you! C