In Capital City, in an office bearing the Ministry of Education's plaque, Long Gang, China's Minister of Education, was holding a video conference.
More than fifty separate windows were visible on the video call. Even the Fire-type Elite Four member Yu Xiao could be seen among them.
"Sorry, comrades. Making you attend a meeting over the New Year-I'm sorry for the trouble."
"Oh, Minister Long, there's no need to say that. Whatever you need, just give us your instructions."
"Exactly. You've stayed in Capital City to work over the New Year, Minister Long. You have it much harder than any of us."
Long Gang smiled. "There's one main issue for today's meeting: our results at the Pokémon World Championships after our current Elite Four members retire." His expression grew serious. "You should all know that our results haven't been good these past few years. Our veterans fight single-handedly and struggle to break through the encirclement, while our newcomers have talent but still lack strength. Yu Xiao, tell everyone about our results at this year's championships."
"Yes." On the video call, Yu Xiao, China's current Fire-type Elite Four member, wore a solemn expression. "Officials, our country's best result this year was sixteenth place, achieved by the Steel-type Elite Four member Yang Yonggang. Everyone else's run ended outside the top thirty-two."
For a country as vast as China, this certainly wasn't a good result. Everyone on the video call fell somewhat silent at this...
Long Gang's fingers kept tapping rhythmically on the wooden desk as Yu Xiao continued reporting the Chinese Elite Four members' rankings for the year.
"Officials, of our eighteen Elite Four positions, each specializing in a different type, only fifteen are currently filled. The Electric-type, Fairy-type, and Ice-type positions remain vacant. In addition, six of our Elite Four members