Chapter 377: Gaojia Village Discipline Committee

Feng Jun smiled and said, “With your abilities, brother, how could you not know that a county magistrate can be reappointed? It’s just that when it concerns yourself, it’s hard to think calmly. Take a deep breath and ponder carefully again. Back when we were drinking and chatting at Donglin Academy, someone did mention… the magistrate with the longest tenure in our Great Ming…”

Hearing this, Liang Shixian was momentarily startled: had such a thing truly happened?

He needed to think hard!

Liang Shixian, knowledgeable in many matters, instantly activated his memory recall mode. Past chats with friends, strange tales he had heard, and notable figures all spun in his mind like a revolving lantern. Then, with a “ding,” it settled on one name.

Bai Zheng, styled Siqi, born in Fengrun County, Shuntian Office, became the magistrate of Huarong County in the 12th year of the Yongle era. He understood the people’s sentiments well, served honestly and selflessly, consulted county residents on major issues before acting, and won deep respect. After 12 years as magistrate of Huarong County, he was promoted to deputy magistrate of Cizhou. The county people didn’t want him to leave, so they sent representatives to the capital to plea for his retention. The Ministry of Personnel then reassigned him as deputy magistrate of Wuchang Prefecture in Huguang Circuit, while he continued as magistrate of Huarong County for another 10 years.

In total, he served for 21 years, making him the magistrate with the longest term in Ming Dynasty history.

At this thought, Liang Shixian’s eyes involuntarily brightened: “Right, there’s this method! If I ask some village elders and county residents to jointly draft a petition, pleading on behalf of the people, to request the court to retain me for reappointment, maybe I could linger in the post of Chengcheng County Magistrate for a few more years. Yet… I wonder if the local village elders and county residents would be willing to write this petition for me, sigh.”

He wasn’t very confident in himself.

Feng Jun whispered, “Brother Liang, you’ve governed Chengcheng County so excellently, with the common folk living in peace and contentment. I see they all respect you. Writing such a petition shouldn’t be hard. And we can seek help from some old friends at Donglin Academy to put in effort together. This might not even need to reach the emperor; it could get resolved just within the Ministry of Personnel.”

Liang Shixian felt a slight awkwardness: “But it’s only a minor matter of reappointment. To trouble my friends at Donglin Academy—isn’t that improper?”

“A minor matter? This is far from minor.” Feng Jun murmured low, “Brother Liang, you’re simply too upright and honest. The transfer of officials—isn’t that an enormous affair? How could it be small? Forget wanting to stay put; even if you hoped to climb a level or two, the senior friends above would happily assist.”

Liang Shixian grasped it now: wasn’t this the so-called forming cliques? Back in the day, the Eunuch Party had done the same, and now… He couldn’t help hissing.

Seeing his apparent disdain, Feng Jun secretly thought: Brother Liang is more upright than me! He doesn’t want to operate through connections.

But he couldn’t afford to lose Brother Liang here. With him in Chengcheng, he, the Heyang County Magistrate, felt secure. If Liang left, his own position as Heyang County Magistrate would be shaky, always fearing Gaojia Village might rebel and invade Heyang County. How could he risk his life against Gaojia Village’s terrifying firearm troops?

With this thought, Feng Jun had to take charge: “Brother Liang, here’s the plan: delay your return to the capital to report duty. Hand this over to me. I’ll draft a letter immediately and arrange your reappointment for you.”

Liang Shixian truly didn’t wish to use such connections, yet he wanted to remain Chengcheng County Magistrate. For a moment, he was torn between upholding his principles or choosing the life path he desired. After much internal debate, he finally heaved a long sigh: “Then, I leave it to you, Brother Feng.”

Li Daoxuan, watching this, also sighed softly: If Liang Shixian could be reappointed, it would be splendid, but to rely on Donglin Party backing and clique-forming felt truly strange.

In the jianghu, a person has little choice.

At the same time, a man dragged a cart and had just entered Gaojia Village.

Had Gao Yiye been there, she would have recognized him as the owner of that “Fresh Water Hele shop” in Heyang County.

On the cart he pulled were all his essential business tools: a large pot, a big colander, long chopsticks, porcelain bowls, and a heap of other items.

The boss had finally resolved to come to Gaojia Village to try his luck at business.

After Gao Yiye gave him that suggestion, and the Gaojia Village Militia spent a hefty sum at his place, Gao Yiye and the militia soon departed, and Heyang County returned to its usual quiet.

After all, Heyang County’s economy took time to recover. His shop turned sluggish again; he earned few coins all day, making him anxious. So, gritting his teeth, he came to Gaojia Village.

He was truly exhausted after dragging the cart for several dozen li.

The boss sat panting at the village entrance. Gaojia Village before him unnerved him: smooth cement roads were everywhere; around the grand and lofty fortress stood colorful “Deity-colored” houses alongside newly built cement structures.

Its immense scale even dwarfed a town; it was evolving towards a “prefectural city” or “provincial capital.”

The boss felt like a country bumpkin in the city, finding everything novel.

His heart fluttered: Could he establish a foothold here?

As he wavered in doubt, a group of young men approached, armbands reading “Discipline Committee” on their sleeves.

The boss didn’t understand “Discipline Committee,” but seeing such figures, he knew they weren’t to be crossed. He managed a smile and tried to slip away.

But it was too late to avoid; the Discipline Committee was heading straight for him.

A middle-aged man at the front grinned at the boss and pointed at his cart: “You’re an outsider? Here to make a living in our Gaojia Village?”

The boss nodded hastily: “Yes, I wonder… you… what is it?”

The middle-aged man chuckled: “I’m Zhang Laowu, head of Gaojia Village’s ‘Discipline Committee.’ Cough, actually Thirty-Two originally named us ‘Village Management Brigade,’ but for some reason, the Deity disliked ‘village management’ and decreed we be renamed ‘Discipline Committee,’ abbreviated to ‘Discipline Committee.'”

The boss still didn’t know what this group was. He forced a smile: “Hello, chairman…”

Zhang Laowu said, “What’s your name? Where are you from? What do you plan to do in Gaojia Village? Just register briefly. After that, you can receive minimum livelihood aid and food. But aid only fills your belly; it won’t make you rich, so you still need to work to prosper.”

The boss quickly introduced himself: “I’m Liu You, from Heyang County. I aim to run a business here, opening a snack shop selling Fresh Water Hele.”

Zhang Laowu: “Huh? What’s Fresh Water Hele? Never tried it.”

Liu You hastily gave a detailed description of his snack.

After the introduction, he looked up: the entire “Discipline Committee” team was drooling. “Wow, Mr. Liu You, why wait? Hurry and open your shop! Quick, quick, we’ll lead you to Gaojia Business Circle to find a storefront and open immediately.”