Chapter 377: The Gao Family Village Disciplinary Committee
Feng Jun smiled. "With your intellect, my friend, how could you not know that a county magistrate can be reappointed? It's just that when it concerns yourself, one struggles to think calmly. Take a deep breath, and ponder it carefully. We discussed this once, over wine at the Donglin Academy, remember? Someone brought up... the longest-serving county magistrate in our Great Ming..."
Liang Shixian paused, slightly taken aback. Was there such a precedent? He needed to think this through carefully!
The highly learned Liang Shixian immediately entered a memory recall mode. Conversations with old friends, bizarre anecdotes he’d heard, and notable figures of the era spun like a carousel through his mind. Then, with a sudden 'ding,' it stopped on a name.
Bai Zheng, courtesy name Siqi, was born in Fengrun County, Shuntian Prefecture, during the Ming Dynasty. In the twelfth year of Yongle, he served as the magistrate of Huarong County. He understood the people's plight, was incorruptible, and, when faced with major decisions, consulted with the county residents before acting, earning profound respect from the populace. After serving for twelve years as Huarong County Magistrate, he was promoted to Cizhou Prefectural Judge. The local people, unwilling to see him leave, sent representatives to the capital to petition for his retention. The Ministry of Personnel then reassigned him as Prefectural Judge of Wuchang Prefecture, Huguang Province, while allowing him to concurrently hold the position of Huarong County Magistrate for another ten years. He served a cumulative total of twenty-one years, making him the longest-serving county magistrate in Ming Dynasty history.
At this thought, Liang Shixian's eyes brightened. "That's right! There's this method! If I were to ask some local gentry and county residents to jointly write a petition, presenting it as a plea from the people, to ask the imperial court to let me serve another term... perhaps I could 'leech' onto the position of Chengcheng County Magistrate for a few more years. But... I'm not sure if the local gentry and residents would be willing to write such a petition for me, alas." He lacked confidence in himself.
Feng Jun murmured, "Brother Liang, you've governed Chengcheng County so well; the common folk live in peace and contentment. I see they all hold you in high regard. Writing such a petition shouldn't be difficult. We can also ask some old friends from the Donglin Academy to lend a hand. This matter might not even need to reach the Emperor; a quick turn through the Ministry of Personnel should resolve it."
Liang Shixian felt a little awkward. "It's just a small matter, this reappointment. Bothering my friends from the Donglin Academy for it... I fear it wouldn't be appropriate."
"A small matter? This is no small matter," Feng Jun whispered. "Brother Liang, you are simply too upright. Official appointments and transfers—these are momentous affairs! How can they be small? Let alone your desire for reappointment, even if you wanted to climb a rank or two, our old friends above would be more than happy to help."
Liang Shixian finally understood. Wasn't this precisely what was called forming factions and cliques? The Eunuch Party had operated this way back then, and now, astonishingly... He couldn't help but hiss faintly.
*But I can't do without Brother Liang here. With him in Chengcheng, I, the magistrate of Heyang County, feel at ease. If he were transferred, my position as Heyang County Magistrate would become unstable. I'd constantly worry about Gao Family Village rebelling and invading Heyang County. How could I, with my life, block Gao Family Village's terrifying firearm troops?*
With that in mind, Feng Jun took full responsibility. "Brother Liang, I have an idea. Don't rush back to the capital for your report. Drag your feet a bit, and leave this matter to me. I'll immediately write a letter and get your reappointment settled."
Liang Shixian genuinely didn't want to use his connections, yet he wished to remain the Chengcheng County Magistrate. He was torn for a moment: should he adhere to his principles as a man, or choose the path he truly desired for his life? After much deliberation, he finally sighed. "Then I'll leave it to you, Brother Feng."
Watching this, Li Daoxuan also let out a soft sigh. *If Liang Shixian can remain in his post, that would, of course, be excellent. But to secure his reappointment by relying on the Donglin Party's support and forming factions... it feels rather strange. In this world, one is often caught in circumstances beyond their control.*
Meanwhile, a man pulling a wooden cart had just entered Gao Family Village. If Gao Yiye were here, she would have recognized him: the owner of the "Fresh Hele Noodle Shop" from Heyang County.
The wooden cart he was pulling was laden with all the crucial equipment for his business: a large pot, a big slotted spoon, long chopsticks, ceramic bowls, and a heap of other items.
The shop owner had finally made up his mind: he was coming to Gao Family Village to try his hand at business. Ever since Gao Yiye suggested it, and after the Gao Family Village Militia had spent a significant sum at his establishment, Gao Yiye and the militia had departed, and Heyang County had reverted to its usual quietude.
After all, Heyang County's economic recovery would take time, and his shop's business had again grown dismal. Earning only a few copper coins a day left him feeling anxious. So, with a grim determination, he decided: *I'll go to Gao Family Village.*
Pulling the cart for dozens of *li*, he was utterly exhausted.
The owner sat at the village entrance, gasping for breath. The sight of Gao Family Village made him feel a little apprehensive. Flat, smooth cement roads stretched everywhere. Around the tall, imposing fortress, houses painted in the Heavenly Lord's vibrant colors, alongside newly constructed cement buildings, dotted the landscape.
Its massive scale felt too grand to be called merely a town; it was already progressing towards becoming a "prefectural city" or even a "provincial capital."
The owner felt like a country bumpkin entering a city, finding everything he saw novel and exciting. *I'm so nervous. Can I really establish myself here?* he wondered.
Just as he stood there, wavering, a squad of young men approached. Each wore an armband on his sleeve, emblazoned with three characters: "Disciplinary Committee."
The owner didn't understand what "Disciplinary Committee" meant, but the moment he saw such figures, he knew they were not to be trifled with. He quickly put on a deferential smile, attempting to slip away.
But it was too late to evade them; the Disciplinary Committee was clearly heading straight for him.
The middle-aged man leading the group grinned at the owner and pointed to his cart. "Are you from out of town? Come to Gao Family Village to make a living?"
The owner quickly nodded. "Yes, I am. May I ask... who... you are?"
The middle-aged man chuckled. "My name is Zhang Laowu. I'm the head of the Gao Family Village Disciplinary Committee. *Ahem*, actually, Third Manager San Shier originally named us the 'Village Management Team,' but for some reason, the Heavenly Lord disliked the term 'village management.' He issued a divine decree, changing our name to the 'Disciplinary Committee,' or 'DisCom' for short."
The owner still had no idea what kind of organization this was, so he simply continued to offer a fawning smile. "Greetings, Chairman..."
Zhang Laowu continued, "What's your name? Where are you from? What do you plan to do in Gao Family Village? Just a simple registration. After registering, you'll be able to receive subsistence relief grain. This relief grain will ensure you're fed and won't starve, but it won't make you rich. To prosper, you still need to work."
The owner quickly introduced himself. "My name is Liu You. I'm from Heyang County, and I plan to come to Gao Family Village to start a business, opening a small eatery selling fresh hele noodles."
Zhang Laowu exclaimed, "Oh? What are fresh hele noodles? I've never had them before."
Liu You hastily launched into a detailed description of his specialty dish.
When he finished his explanation, he looked up to see the entire squad of Disciplinary Committee members drooling. "Wow, Mr. Liu You, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and open your shop! Quick, quick, quick! We'll take you to the Gao Family Commercial District to find a storefront, and you can open right away!"
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