Old-time musicians

Fan Ning frowned as he spoke: "The result of our discussion before was that I would be named an associate professor at the Conservatory of Music and occasionally give theoretical lessons to the students?..."

"As for the permanent conductor of the Santa Lenia Symphony Orchestra? You know, it's not that I'm not happy, but I don't have enough energy..."

Now that Fan Ning has graduated, his main plan is to renovate and expand the Turner Art Museum and resume his father's previous business. At the same time, relying on this, he will gradually plan a professional symphony orchestra and create a comprehensive art venue...

Then, the mysterious side tracing plan of the graduation concert incident is also his top priority.

This incident involved more than just the casualties of the students and the sacrifice of Dean Gould. The deep-seated purpose of the Special Patrol Office is related to the track of the audio fragments, the murder of Teacher Anton, and his father's previous experience. Several secret organizations, including the Harmony School, are also related to Joan's memory and the tracing of radioactive sources in the labor case. And aftercare, etc…

Fan Ning's energy may not be up to the intensity of the work of a permanent commander.

In the symphony orchestra of the Theoline Empire, the chief conductor and the permanent conductor are two separate people. The chief conductor is also called the music director, which is equivalent to the "top leader". He is the oldest in terms of musical qualifications and artistic attainments, and is not only responsible for Conductors also need to deal with all walks of life, win the support of nobles, factory owners or investors to raise funds, maintain relationships with the art world, plan annual performance plans, negotiate cooperation with guest conductors and concerto soloists, and decide on the appointment and removal of orchestra personnel. Waiting for questions...

With such a busy schedule, the chief conductor is destined to personally direct only the most important performances every year.

The orchestra's daily training, repertoire rehearsals, assessment execution, and large and small performances are naturally handed over to the "second-in-command" permanent conductor.

The symphony orchestra system in the Western Continent is slightly different. For example, in the Kingdom of Holy Janus, the chief conductor and permanent conductor of several of their famous orchestras are actually the same person. They are purely responsible for music. There is also a "resident conductor" under the permanent conductor. "Conductor" serves as the upward path for assistant commanders, while other administrative matters are handled by the "Operations Director".

In terms of the structure of the conductor staff, the Santa Lenia Symphony Orchestra naturally refers to the domestic professional orchestra, but it is a miniature version. The music director, permanent conductor and assistant conductor are arranged according to 1:1:2, and the guest conductor is in an active cooperative relationship. The number is usually limited to 3-5 people.

At this time, Roy explained: "Mr. Fan Ning, this time the school invites you to be the permanent conductor. There will be no minimum term or workload limit. When will you get everything at the art museum on track? You can resign at any time. If there is a busy period before that, your arrangement will be given priority... We will provide you with the salary of a permanent conductor in accordance with the highest standards. We will pay you a weekly salary of 28 pounds, which will be superimposed on the weekly salary of an associate professor of about 26 pounds. Distributed…”

The look in Fan Ning's eyes gradually changed.

"Miss Roy, are you sure you set the salary like this?... Honorary associate professor and full-time associate professor are not the same thing, and under normal circumstances, the workload of the permanent conductor of the symphony orchestra is very saturated. If this is what you said... my salary is almost Most of it was obtained for free..."

"Am I misunderstanding something, or do you have other intentions?" Fan Ning's tone was full of suspicion.

In fact, just looking at the salary standards for each grade, this is similar to the guidance school. After becoming a full-time employee, his weekly salary has increased from 8 pounds to 12 pounds, and due to a series of achievements in a series of actions, it has become 16 pounds. Judging from the expectations of staying through the qualifications, he will be equal to the Saint in 5-10 years. The standard for associate professor at the University of Lenia is close.

But the key point is that he is an honorary associate professor, not a real faculty member, and it is normal for professors in the school to hold multiple positions. The salary is definitely not based on such a superposition algorithm. Furthermore...according to Roy, he still has The permanent commander’s working hours can be freely arranged…

This is how I got two salaries with ease... No, plus my original salary, this is three salaries!

When Roy heard Fan Ning's question, he frowned and sighed: "Mr. Fan Ning, you know the situation in the school very well now. The situation in the Conservatory of Music has reached the worst level in so many years..."

Fan Ning knew this.

Members of the school were injured, rebelled, and died...especially, a high-ranking knowledgeable person was sacrificed. This is simply a loss that may not be recovered for decades.

"How are the two principals doing?" he asked with a concerned tone.

"The injury has been recovering for almost a month, and there are no major problems. However, it will take a long time to return to the previous intact physical and spiritual levels. Dean Graham of the Department of Chemistry spent a lot of money to deploy some The elixir taken in the medium to long term should be able to eliminate permanent damage..." Roy told Fan Ning very specifically.

"Dean Graham..." Fan Ning listened and thought, and then asked, "The Special Patrol Office should have interviewed all of your members except the two principals, right?"

At the final stage of the graduation concert, members of the school were waiting outside. The audience and members were unconscious, dead and injured. A large number of police rushed in to rescue. Benjamin took action to seal or contain the "phantom man"... The Special Inspection Office did not deliberately avoid or suppress the news. In the public eye or in reports, the "attacking monster" was dealt with by Fanning, but it is not difficult for members of the Bologna School to know the real situation.

If in this incident, Fan Ning's dissatisfaction with the Special Patrol Office was indirect, connected with reasoning, and stemmed from simple emotions in his heart, then the Bologna School should be directly and strongly angry after their interests were seriously damaged!

He couldn't help but think of what Dupont said when he joined the meeting: "Caron, the strength behind the Special Patrol Office is far more terrifying than you imagine... Speaking of which, their increasingly tough methods in recent years have caused many Officials with knowledge are feeling uneasy..."

At this moment, he wanted to see if he could see from Roy some of the Bologna School's attitude towards the Special Patrol Office.

The girl didn't smile much outside the camera today. She nodded and replied: "Vice President Xu Ci's interview only lasted a few minutes, while the others lasted from an hour to several hours before they were called to the Special Inspection Department. release."

...What does this mean... Fan Ning thought to himself.

Could it be that apart from a few knowledgeable people who participated in the war at that time, the only member of the Special Inspection Office who was completely trustworthy was Vice President Xu Ci, who usually had a very straightforward impression in his mind?

When Roy said this, he pursed his lips and said, as if he was considering it: "Mr. Fan Ning, could you please take a moment to speak?"

"Oh? Okay."

The two walked around the crowds of people taking pictures in graduation gowns and walked to a small forest in the square.

"Roy would like to take the liberty of asking, was it for Miss Nehemiah that you gave up your qualification to premiere at the graduation concert?"

The girl's clear blue eyes looked at Fan Ning without blinking.

"...No." Fan Ning answered simply.

Seeing that Roy still pursed his lips and said nothing, he added: "Long before the Special Inspection Hall came to find me, I had made a plan to have a infiltration premiere in the square."

The girl said thoughtfully: "But Roy remembers that the night before you issued the renunciation statement, we were together, talking about suggestions for the premiere of that symphony..."

"Exactly what I was thinking after you left that night."

"Is there something about me?"

"More or less...but mainly because of the teachings Teacher Anton once gave me." Fan Ning answered truthfully.

There was a fleeting smile in the girl's eyes at this moment: "Yesterday, the imperial capital headquarters of the school sent a message, appointing Miss Nisimi to be stationed in the branch of St. Lenia University. Principal Sternikai found me overnight and asked me to convey the message. Your gratitude...The branch has added a member who is extremely talented and has reliable character. The establishment is an addition rather than an existing one. Under the current situation, this is exciting news for everyone.”

"You're welcome." Fan Ning smiled easily: "So you called me here to ask me because you wanted to find out the motive behind the Special Patrol Office's interview with me that day, right?"

"...Right." Roy said after being silent for a few seconds.

The two walked back to the square slowly, and the girl's tone gradually became worried again, "...I want to ask you to take up a permanent conductor position again, precisely because the situation in the Conservatory of Music is now extremely bad..."

"Professor Lorraine, the first vice-president, died, and Dean Gould died again. As the interim head, Vice-President Schütz has not had a full sleep for more than a month... As for the Santa Lenia Symphony Orchestra, the previous music director The concurrent chief conductor is Professor Lorraine, the permanent conductor is Professor Commons, and there are also two assistant conductors... Later, after Professor Lorraine died, Professor Commons became the music director. He was busy with affairs, and the permanent conductor was always vacant. In this incident, an assistant conductor also died unfortunately... After barely making up for the graduation concert, it was almost at a standstill. "

Fan Ning felt miserable when he heard this. When did command become a profession with such a high casualty rate! ?

"Graduation season is the time when new and old grades change, and it is also an important node for personnel changes...the replacement of grade leaders, the change of symphony orchestra personnel and the adjustment of the principal, and even the adjustment of the dean's position...your joining will make our life better during this period. The situation is more stable, and of course, your suggestions will have a certain weight on many important issues..."

"What's more urgent is that the summer art festival hosted by the Tioleian Empire Culture and Media Committee is coming in two months. Our commercial performance contract at the opening ceremony was signed a year ago. By then The live box office, record sales and social response will directly affect the updated ranking of the Santa Lenia Symphony Orchestra among student orchestras across the country..."

"You know that the requirements for commercial performances are completely different from campus performances or charity performances. If the current situation of the Conservatory of Music is like this, I am worried that it will be a problem to even rehearse a team that can perform... Therefore, the school asks you to come forward this time , I just hope that I can help the Santa Lenia Symphony Orchestra to some extent. Even if you spend 10% or 20% of your energy, your identity, extraordinary strength and artistic attainments will be worth the reward we provide..."

Fan Ning nodded slowly, taking into account Roy's previous help to her, the impact and practical difficulties suffered by the school, and several other factors that he was considering, and then said: "Miss Roy, thank you for your trust. "

He decided to try to accept this high-paying and sincere employment invitation first.

At least, I can help out a little bit in my spare time and bring out the repertoire for the Summer Art Festival in the past two months.

"So, Mr. Fan Ning agreed?"

"But, Miss Roy, let me make it clear first." Fan Ning emphasized, "Since you are going to perform in the Imperial Capital under my name, my training standards for the orchestra will not be as improvid as before."

"Since I ask you to be the permanent conductor, you will naturally implement your own artistic requirements. As the principal cellist, Roy will set an example." The girl immediately expressed her position.

She obviously knew this, because Fan Ning gradually read a hint of "those classmates will suffer" from the look in her eyes.

She continued: "Although the current chief conductor, Professor Commons, is not a member of the school, he is also an old conductor who comes from a musical family, has solid foundation, and is rigorous and serious. However, he has been involved in too many administrative affairs of the orchestra in the past six months. Yours Joining it will definitely make him happy.”

Fan Ning nodded: "I hope so."

After the graduation ceremony, he, Sheeran, and Joan took a carriage to East Mecklen.

The purpose of this trip was the Turner Art Museum.

Since the plan had already been made, he set out immediately after graduation to conduct a detailed survey of the museum's geographical environment and hardware facilities.

The purpose was to determine the overall idea for the renovation and expansion, roughly estimate the budget, and call on the two of them to see if they could provide some ideas.

Xilan and Qiong started chatting in the car. In addition to today's photo shoot, the content mainly focused on Fan Ning's employment position, especially his salary and benefits.

"Xilan, how much was Uncle Anton's previous salary?" Joan asked her best friend a very personal question.

"The weekly salary is close to 50 pounds. Dad was hired as a professor at the age of 35. Unexpectedly, Carolne's total income now exceeds him." Although Sheeran only responded with a smile, his tone was obviously very happy.

Since the postponed graduation concert ended and Fan Ning took Xilan to see Teacher Anton again, her heart has opened up a lot, at least she is in a good mood more often than before.

"This is generally reasonable. After all, Professor Fan Ning is also a professor." Qiong nodded seriously, "The total weekly salary is about 70 pounds, which is more than 3,000 pounds based on annual income... No, no, I think this is more or less. Outrageous…”

Indeed, this income has already exceeded the ceiling of the middle class. In Tioleon, it is generally believed that the average annual household income of the middle class is between 300 and 800 pounds, and an income of 3,000 pounds is probably more than most squires or the top of the city. of lawyers, doctors or clergy.

Seeing the two little girls chatting about private topics without any scruples, Fan Ning couldn't help but smile, and he also jokingly asked: "Qiong, you said I'm outrageous, how much is your family's annual income? Do you want it?" Come out and attack us?"

"Maybe... close to 10,000 pounds?" Joan answered seriously, but her eyes were confused and she didn't seem to be very clear. "Professor Carloen, you can't compare work income with land or industry income, and this is the income of our entire family. The income belongs to you alone..."

When Qiong said this, she curled her lips pitifully and said, "Look at me, after I joined the club yesterday, they said at school that my current weekly salary is only 5 pounds..."

"Are they bullying you for being a sophomore?" Sheeran questioned, "But I'm one year younger than you, and my weekly salary at the Guidance School is 8 pounds..."

Joan continued to help Fan Ning make plans seriously: "Caron, you have to know that in Tioline, 1,000 pounds is an important dividing line. Such a family can hire at least 4-6 servants... Wait until you pass. After a few years of getting married, you can have a more decent life. One of my classmates whose family income is slightly higher than yours can maintain about 16 servants in their family, including male and female housekeepers, valets and maids, cooks and dishwashing maids. Domestic maids, laundry maids, nursery maids, pantry maids, waiters, grooms, gardeners, laborers and footmen... You have to know that maintaining the status quo and functioning of people's daily lives is an extremely repetitive, trivial and boring thing , this allows you to get rid of your burdens and focus all your energy on the areas of study you are interested in, or on things that are relaxing and enjoyable..."

Fan Ning was a little dumbfounded at this time. He always felt that he had just heard similar words to these words.

From a certain perspective, Joan's point of view is objective. Not only the middle class and above in Tiolein pursue this kind of life, but also the knowledgeable people, such as the members of the University of St. Lenia, and those who A banned person with another glamorous public identity. This is a necessary choice to maintain sufficient energy to study hidden knowledge.

"Qiong, you should use this active thinking to make suggestions later." Fan Ning said with a smile, "The annual income of 3,000 pounds may be rich from a family perspective, but if I want to support my next plan, I’m afraid we have to continue to expand our sources of income…”

This is also one of the factors that made Fan Ning consider agreeing to the school's invitation. His current income and expenditure are very high, but he lacks stable cash flow. He can only increase part of it.

Take the salaries of musicians and clerks in professional symphony orchestras as an example. My current weekly salary is 70 pounds, which seems outrageous, but how many musicians can I actually afford? If you want to create a band yourself, you have to come up with more attractive conditions.

If you include the purchase of musical instruments and auxiliary equipment, venue construction, operation and GG expenses, performance travel expenses, cooperation expenses with concerto soloists or record publishing companies, and miscellaneous expenses...this is not an occasional resale of extraordinary items. I can handle it...

Lu spent some of the 1,800 pounds of his manuscript bidding reward in the composer's cabin, and later purchased some extraordinary items, including helping Sheeran buy the "Desolate" phase road sign... The current balance is 900 pounds.

In terms of income from music score publishing, 1. Three Little Pieces, 2. Sales of "Death and the Maiden" are growing well and have also begun to spread in the Western Continent. Currently, they can bring themselves a share of 100 pounds per month, 3. "Symphony No. 1 in D Major" 》It is not yet clear what the income is... The current balance is 600 pounds.

The reward from the Special Patrol Office, 1,000 pounds for destroying the secret gathering point of the Joyful Listening Society, and 1,000 pounds after the graduation concert incident... He was so emotional at the time that he asked them to add the latter to the Guidance School's public account.

Fanning currently has about 2,500 pounds in cash on hand.

Therefore, the renovation and expansion of the art museum is imperative, which is not only the support for the future venue, but also a new source of income after the resumption of operations.

The start-up capital may still be insufficient, and we have to think of another way.

For example, reselling the Yaozhi Spirit Liquid, or investing in Lala or something?

While thinking about this in his mind, the carriage stopped at the Woodpecker Consulting Office. Fanning first went upstairs and changed his redundant graduation dress into an informal thin light-colored shirt, and then took similar items as the last time he first visited the art museum.

The three walked to the most prosperous area of ​​​​East Mecklen, passed a bright and clean cafe, turned inward at the animal sculpture, walked into a narrow downhill alley, and stepped into the rusty iron fence of the yard.

Today was sunny, and the courtyard was not as desolate as when Fanning came last time. However, the walls of the art gallery were still thick gray, and the oval windows folded in the narrow arches were locked tightly, with no signs of life or vitality.

The three of them first walked around the building, then climbed up the small hill behind to take a bird's eye view of the surrounding environment, casually discussed a few ideas for renovation and expansion, and then returned to the main entrance and walked up the steps.

Fanning once again moved the dusty and greasy closure notice rack away, leaned his chest upward, and used the key hanging around his neck to open the heavy brass lock.

After a few seconds, the door closed, and the vision fell into darkness again, except for the lanterns held by the three people, which provided a few meters of visible light.

But the expressions of the three people were a little strange at this time.

Fanning frowned even more.

The faint stench on the first floor last time seemed to be more obvious now!