My girlfriend is Kusunoko Saiki

A gold award winner can receive a reward of about 600,000 yuan and a professional certificate. The rest are two silver awards and three bronze awards.

So strictly speaking, those who can win the award are basically in the top ten.

The effort reward and commendation reward are basically related to your efforts. However, although this kind of reward has a bonus, there is no relevant certificate, which can only be said to be better than nothing.

In addition to the establishment of awards, there are also various categories. In addition to the most popular oil painting that Naoto participated in, there are also other categories such as photography, sculpture, etc.

However, since art students basically don't touch photography and sculpture, and it is precisely because of this that the oil painting area every year can be described as a Shura field. If you are not careful, you may turn into a pool of meat paste.

The competition for the gold prize was so terrifying that it was unimaginable.

But this time Naoto didn't think too much about it. After all, Naoto has strong self-confidence in his work.

Moreover, he had really given his best performance, and Naoto had no other choice but to ask him to do better.

Besides, this competition itself is not about whether or not one can win the gold prize. It is enough for Naoto to defeat Nan Yunxiao.

Oh, by the way, now we have to add Ying Lili.

Therefore, Naoto doesn't really care about what specific ranking he will get this time.

However, just when the art award was about to be decided, the president of the Tokyo Art Association, Fujino, actually visited Naoto.

"President Fujino? Why are you here?"

Seeing President Fujino suddenly coming to his house, Naoto hurriedly brought tea to the president.

Although Naoto is now considered a star in the industry, compared to this president, he is still just a small character.

I didn't expect that this mid-level leader in Japan would come to visit me specially.

"Naoto-kun, it's been a while since we last met. The last time I saw you was probably at the Youth Painting Awards ceremony."

"Yes, it has been about half a year now. And, thank you very much for your help in that matter."

"It's nothing, just a small favor. Even without me, your influence is enough."

What Naoto was talking about was the last time on the Internet when President Fujino stood up and helped Naoto.

Because of President Fujino's intervention, many painters stood by Naoto at that time, which made Naoto very grateful.

Although it may be a piece of cake for the president, it is indeed a great help to Naoto.

"I wonder what exactly the president is here for this time?"

"In fact, Naoto-kun, you also know that the selection for the Art Awards will begin in three days, right?"

It is indeed a matter of artistic creation awards.

Naoto wasn't at all surprised that the president came to him because of this matter.

After all, apart from this matter, there seems to be nothing else that could make the president come here specially.

"I do know about this matter. I wonder what you mean, President?"

"In fact, there are some changes in this art award. The judges this time are different from those in previous years."

"Hmm? Excuse me, is there anything different this time?"

"In fact, I don't know whether you are lucky or not, because the judges in the previous times were all the presidents of the Academy of Fine Arts, but this time, there is a new special guest judge, and this one may be the most important one in history. It can be said that whether you can get a ranking depends entirely on what this person says."

"Hmm? I wonder who this person is...?"

"Naturally, the current Minister of Culture, Mr. Tsukimizu Chidori."

Chapter 181: Crisis and Opportunity

"Minister of Culture... Mizuki Chidori?"

For a moment, Naoto couldn't figure out what the name of the Ministry of Culture meant.

After hearing the president's explanation, Zhiren finally understood how high this position was.

The full name of this position is Minister of Culture, Science and Technology of Japan. He is the highest official in charge of culture and science, and is at the same level as the most well-known Minister of Defense.

It is mainly responsible for managing domestic matters related to education and art. Even if Japan's unfortunate Prime Minister wants to get involved in education, he has to wait until the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology approves the specific plan.

If it were China, it would probably be equivalent to the giant Education Bureau.

In Neon, there is even a special award given to those who are very good in art. Those who can win this award are all leading figures in the art world.

Although there is a similar award in China, it may not be as internationally recognized as this award.

The fact that such a high-ranking official was to serve as a judge this time was enough to shock the entire art world.

"But why would the Minister of Culture want to participate in this competition? After all, even if the Art Awards is a joint competition of the five major art academies, it doesn't mean that it can attract the Minister of Culture, right?"

After all, he is a high-ranking official of a country. If someone of this level is to participate, it must be at least an international-level competition.

"It may be because of you that the Minister of Culture is so concerned about you."

"Ah I?"

Naoto was very troubled by what the president said. Why did this matter have anything to do with his car?

Naoto was completely confused as to why the Minister of Culture came to participate in this competition because of him.

"Naoto-kun, do you still remember Miss Sawano?"

"Ms. Sawano?"

"Yes, that's the one who participated in the Youth Painting Award."

After hearing the president's reminder, Naoto remembered something.

At the Youth Painting Awards, there was a person who did not get along well with Nan Yunxiao, and that was Sawano Kiyoko.

Naoto didn't have much impression of this girl. After half a year, he almost forgot that there was such a person.

It was not until now, when the president mentioned it, that Naoto remembered that in addition to defeating Nanyun Xiao, he had also defeated Sawano Kiyoko in the Youth Painting Award.

"But what is the problem between this Miss Sawano and the Minister of Culture?"

"That's naturally because Minister Suigetsu is actually Miss Sawano's uncle."

"what?!"

Hearing the president say this, Naoto was naturally shocked. He didn't expect that Miss Sawano's uncle would be such a big shot.

That makes sense. After all, anyone who can go against Nan Yunxiao can't be an ordinary person.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been against Nan Yunxiao before.

But Naoto didn't expect that the other party's uncle would be such a huge man.

"Could it be that the minister came here to seek revenge because I defeated Miss Zeye?"

The president smiled at Naoto's inexplicable panic.

"It's not that serious. Although the minister cares about you for a certain reason, generally speaking, there are other reasons why the minister pays attention to you."

"what is that?"

"The first one is, of course, because you defeated Miss Sawano as a high school student, and the second one is what happened between you and that guy Nanyun on the Internet."

From what the president said, the Nanyun family and the Sawano family are old friends.

The Minister of Culture was naturally particularly interested in this man who had defeated his proud niece and was betting with the boy from the Nanyun family.

Especially after seeing Naoto's incredible resume, even the Minister of Culture became a little restless.

In just one year, he became the number one young man in the comics world and has also won many domestic art awards. It is no wonder that the Minister of Culture would be interested in such a person.

"I think that having the minister as a judge is both a crisis and an opportunity. If the minister doesn't care about what you do, then if you win the minister's praise, it will be a step up. So, Naoto-kun, you must seize this opportunity."

Naoto naturally understood the president's heartfelt advice.

To receive praise from the Minister of Culture is truly extraordinary.

Even if you just get attention, it is equivalent to being among the immortals.

However, Naoto was exceptionally calm at this time.

"I appreciate the president's kindness, but now that my work has been submitted, I can't try to please the judges."

In Naoto's opinion, whether he can win an award or get attention is not something he cares about.

A straight person cannot kneel down and beg someone for an award or a little something, no matter how high the status of that person is.

"I think any competition should be decided by strength. Whether it's Nanyun Xiao or Miss Zeye, I will defeat them fairly. If I have to beg for something, I will just feel ashamed."

"Hey~ you, forget it. I already guessed that you would say something like this."

President Fujino was not surprised that Naoto would say this.

After all, it is normal for young people to be full of energy.

"Whether the minister praises me or suppresses me, my ability is already there. Even if the minister forcibly suppresses my ranking, I believe my work can also be recognized by others. If my ability is not enough, no matter how high my ranking is, I will just be a clown who does not deserve the position."

At this moment, the president looked at Naoto, and the strong confidence in him seemed to soar into the sky.

For some reason, when the president looked at Naoto in front of him, it was as if he saw himself back then, the young man who believed that he could make a name for himself with his own strength.

"Haha, well, since you have chosen your path, then you can go on without any worries. But Naoto-kun, if you can't hold on any longer one day, you can come to me, an old man. Although I am old now, I still have some ability."

"President...me."

"Okay, you can rest assured about this matter. Although the Minister will definitely be biased towards Miss Sawano or Nanyun, he will not be too harsh on you for what you did. After all, you are a true genius now. As long as you show your due strength, no one will say anything."

After saying that, President Fujino drank the tea in his hand and walked out of Naoto's house.

Chapter 182: Thrilling Selection

"Really? Is your uncle the judge this time? Is it because of Yamashita Naoto?"

At the Sawano family, the eldest daughter, Kiyoko Sawano, was listening to her mother talking about the judges for this art award.

When she heard that her uncle would also serve as a judge, Kiyoko Sawano was surprised, and at the same time she began to wonder why there were such big changes in the jury this time.

"Your uncle came here specially for this art award. It seems that Qingzi, you should be able to get a good ranking in this competition."

Qingzi frowned slightly at what her mother said.

Although the judge this time is her uncle, Qingzi still wants to achieve results with her own strength.

In fact, when Naoto and Nanyun Xiao challenged each other, the person who should have been the most angry was Sawano Kiyoko.

Putting aside other things, shouldn't you, Nan Yunxiao, be her opponent? Now you abandon me and go to deal with a young boy, what kind of thing is this?

There is also Naoto Yamashita. She was also a rival in the Youth Award, so why did she seem to be left out? No one remembered that she was the third place in the Youth Award. Everyone was discussing the match between the first and second place winners of the Youth Award.

I feel like a nobody.

But although Qingzi was very angry, she could not deny that these two people were very strong, especially strong.

She wanted to use her own strength to defeat these two people and let them know that she, Kiyoko Sawano, was also their opponent.

She didn't want to get such a ranking just because the judges were her relatives.

Faced with her mother's nagging, Qingzi sighed silently.

On the other side, Chidori Mizuki, who was a judge, tidied her clothes and then went to the judging site of the competition accompanied by Mystic.

As a competition among the five major art academies, most of the judges are naturally teachers and professors from the academies.

In addition, of course, some well-known professional painters and sculptors will be invited to serve as judges, but they account for a very small proportion of the total number, so they are just there to make up the number and show that "the art creation awards held by our five major art academies are fair and open", to shut the media up.

But in fact, the right to speak is basically still in the hands of art academies.

However, that was before, because now their immediate superior, Chidori Mizuki, will be the judge.

As the Minister of Culture, he naturally plays an important role in this selection.

Even if there is no veto power in the entire judging panel in name, as long as he speaks up, even if there is no veto power, it will become a veto.

Let me ask, among the entire judging panel, who would dare to provoke someone like the Minister of Culture?

So basically, whether it can be passed or not is just a matter of a word from the minister.

Although the judges do not think that the minister will interfere too much in all the works.

When Mizuki Chidori arrived at the meeting place, everyone in the meeting room looked at her.

In fact, as the Minister of Culture, Chidori Mizuki is not very old, probably only around 40 years old. Among the many high-ranking Japanese officials, she is one of the youngest.