Chapter 29: Taking the Civil Service Exam in the Apocalypse (1)

Candles were lit in the room. Although they had found the generator at Mary Hospital, there hadn't been time to get it running that day. They planned to coordinate everything after finalizing the organization structure. Supplies were scarce, and no one knew how long the generator would last, so electricity had to be saved for critical moments.

"Tian Yali did an excellent job," Li Fengyi said as he looked over the detailed résumé. "The format she designed is thorough. I propose that she becomes the first Minister of the Organization and Human Resources Department."

"Agreed, it's very comprehensive," both Li Qiang and Commander Liu nodded. "Sun Xiuqing should be appointed as the Party Secretary of that department."

Thus, one of the eight departments was settled.

Tian Yali recalled her initial thoughts when she received the assignment. Remembering that she was a Party member, her face flushed even more deeply. Given the current circumstances, she truly was the most suitable candidate, so she accepted the post without hesitation. Sun Xiuqing also did not decline.

"When the Organization and Human Resources Department allocates personnel, those with a wide range of skills should be prioritized for frontline departments. The rarer skill sets should be assigned to safer posts," Li Fengyi added thoughtfully. "Now that our national education institutions have been destroyed, these people with scarce expertise represent the cutting edge of human knowledge in their fields. Unless absolutely necessary, we must not risk losing them."

"That's right," Commander Liu agreed. "During the war years, even someone with a primary school education was a key asset—not for any other reason, but because they could contribute more. Now, with higher education levels, sorting people by their areas of expertise is a good approach."

"We're thinking of designing some tests so that, within categories with many people, we can establish a priority order for protection. It's not discrimination—it's for the good of humanity as a whole," Tian Yali shared the afternoon's discussion from her department.

"Excellent, that's very comprehensive," everyone concurred. "We should also consider daily performance and work ability, to ensure that those who stay are both capable and of good character."

"Li Qiang should take the position of Minister of the Armed Forces Department," Li Fengyi suggested.

"I'm too young—only twenty-five," Li Qiang protested. With so many retired military leaders present, how could a greenhorn like him take the post? That was what he thought.

"None of us old-timers have ever fought zombies," Commander Liu shrugged off his concerns. "Twenty-five? There have been corps commanders as young as twenty-three. Youth isn't a drawback—you're quick to learn and have seen more zombie encounters than most. Who else has saved as many people as you?"

"I myself was rescued by Director Li," Li Qiang admitted. "All the subsequent rescue operations were also organized by him."

"Which is why he's to be the Director of the Special Committee," Commander Liu continued. "Settled, then—Director Li will also serve as Party Secretary of the Armed Forces Department."

Li Fengyi was startled. "Me? But I only just joined the Party. Commander, you should be the Secretary."

"So what?" Commander Liu rolled his eyes. "In the military, the capable take the lead. Anyone who objects can go fight zombies and see for themselves. Besides, you think these old bones of mine are fit for bayonet charges or wrestling with zombies?"

And so the Armed Forces Department was settled as well.

"Today, there's a Dr. Ou Fuchun from the hospital—very capable, well educated, and definitely a key figure to protect," Li Fengyi said, looking at his résumé. "He'd make a good Minister of Health, but he's a member of the Chinese Peasants' and Workers' Democratic Party."

"That doesn't matter—we'll pair him with a Party member as Secretary," Commander Liu remarked, thinking the young ones were more conservative than he was as an old Party member. "Our Party has integrated countless such parties. Anyone committed to saving humanity is welcome—it's the united front, after all."

Li Fengyi and Li Qiang couldn't help but think of the glorious history of the united front, feeling a deep sense of yearning.

"Sun Xiaoshan is perfect for Minister of Industry and Information—he has a master's in mechatronics, extensive experience, and strong abilities," Li Fengyi recommended someone close to him without hiding the fact.

Commander Liu and Li Qiang looked over Sun Xiaoshan's résumé. "Yes, he's the one."

"For Minister of Civil Affairs, Wang Shujuan is an excellent choice," Li Qiang said, recalling how she led the team that cooked when he was first rescued—the food had been delicious.

"Agreed, she’s done well leading the logistics team," Commander Liu said, recalling the orderly life of the survivors when he arrived that night.

"But her specialty isn't in this field," Li Fengyi reminded them awkwardly. "Besides, she's a Party member."

"Then she'll be the Party Secretary of Civil Affairs," Commander Liu and Li Qiang decided without hesitation.

There were still a few positions for which suitable candidates could not be found for the moment.

Li Fengyi offered a suggestion: "The civil service exam approach is a good one, haha."

Commander Liu and Li Qiang laughed. "Yes, let's see who measures up—give them a try."

Outside, rain poured down in torrents. "If the rain doesn't stop tomorrow, we'll focus on internal affairs—get all departments organized, clarify responsibilities, and speed up rescue and resource collection. Each department must verify its staffing needs to ensure the front lines are covered," Li Fengyi proposed.

"Agreed," Li Qiang and Commander Liu echoed. Everyone was well aware of the problems caused by redundant staffing.

With the core departments settled, basic operations could be guaranteed; the rest would be filled in as needed.

The leaders of these core departments received appointment letters, signed by Li Fengyi and issued by the Organization and Human Resources Department, which were posted on the bulletin board in the gatehouse. Of course, with the rain pouring and darkness all around, no one dared go out to look for now.

Alongside that, a civil service exam notice was also posted...

The next day, the rain continued to pour. The Special Committee called a meeting—now, counting everyone, there were about five hundred people, all crammed into one building with the doors open. The building had six floors, and Li Fengyi, Li Qiang, and Commander Liu stood on the third floor, loudly announcing the establishment of the Post-Apocalyptic Beijing Special Working Committee, along with various appointments and the civil service exam notice.

The sound of the rain was so loud that there was no need to worry about being overheard—they could announce everything at the top of their lungs.

"Exams again, huh?" The crowd had no objections to the committee's formation; in fact, they were quietly glad to see the Party leading it. Despite their usual complaints, in a crisis, they still felt the Party and the military could be relied upon.

They just found the civil service exam part a bit absurd. Was this a new form of democracy? They thought back to all the scandals around civil service exams before the apocalypse and wondered if there would be any backroom dealings this time.

With a structure largely modeled on the former government—right down to things like term limits—the rest of the institutions followed similar patterns. For now, the rule was a five-year term, with up to two consecutive terms allowed.

"The question is, can humanity even survive for five years?" A shadow crossed Li Fengyi's heart as he looked at Li Qiang, Commander Liu, and the crowd. The expressions on everyone's faces were equally uncertain.