Chapter 314: Selling the Shop

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 Chapter 313: Visiting

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 Chapter 815: Xu family, Xu Dali

Shu Yu was stunned. She was being asked to choose the person who would replace her?

"Sir, the estate's management should naturally be chosen by someone of your rank. How can I have the qualifications for that?"

"You do have the qualifications. I have recently arrived in Heichang County, and especially when it comes to Zhengdao Village, I am not familiar with the matters here. It's not easy to find someone who meets the requirements. Moreover, the county government is short-staffed, and there are many vacancies that can't be filled."

What do you mean by "can't be filled"? She was just a small record-keeper in the estate. There was no need to make things difficult like this.

Shu Yu understood that the County Magistrate was trying to leave a good impression before he left.

After all, he wouldn't lose anything, but he could establish a good relationship.

Since that was the case, Shu Yu stopped declining.

However, she had only been in Zhengdao Village for about half a year, and she didn't know many people.

The ones she had good relationships with were the Zhang family, Ma Lu, Fang's family, and Xu's family.

The first few families might be fine for other tasks, but for the job of record-keeping, at the very least, they needed to know how to read.

The Zhang family, Ma Lu, and Fang's family might recognize a few characters, but it was clearly not enough. Moreover, the handwriting they produced might not be very legible.

After thinking it over, the most suitable person was Xu's family.

Xu Dali had one hand amputated, Xu Zhensheng was still a young child, and Lin Shi was weak and frail. Although the three of them worked hard together, their living conditions were still quite difficult due to their physical limitations.

However, Xu Dali knew how to read. His father used to work for a certain noble who wanted to rebel. At that time, their family conditions were still good, and Xu Dali had received an education.

He didn't need to write articles and pursue a career, so recording simple matters would not be a problem for him.

Moreover, the hand he had lost was his left hand.

If Xu Dali worked in the estate, the Xu family would definitely have a much easier time, and even Xu Zhensheng wouldn't need to go to the wasteland to pick up pieces of dirt every day.

After going through her thoughts, Shu Yu said to the Prefect, "There is a candidate, but this person had one of his hands amputated while hunting before. I don't know if his handwriting is good now."

"The amputated hand is not a big deal. As for the handwriting... why don't we call him back and give it a try?"

After saying that, the County Magistrate looked at Wang Changdong, who was by the side.

Wang Changdong quickly said, "I'll go and get him."

The County Magistrate didn't actually intend for him to go personally, he just wanted him to make the arrangements.

But Wang Changdong was an honest person. After saying he would go, he immediately ran out.

The County Magistrate looked at his figure and said to Shu Yu, "I wasn't lying. The county government is indeed short-staffed."

After the previous County Magistrate was dismissed, some of the government officials who were involved with him were also dealt with.

The remaining constables were used to doing things in their own way, and they weren't very efficient.

"Wang Changdong is an honest person. He is diligent, doesn't make excuses, and is quite clever."

Shu Yu raised her eyebrows. It seemed that Big Brother Wang's wish to transfer to the county town might come true?

She nodded, "Indeed, Zhengdao Village used to be under master Lan's management, and it was chaotic back then. It gradually improved after Wang Changdong took charge."

"Well, I'll take another look. If he is suitable, I will transfer him to the county town." The County Magistrate rubbed his chin. "But in that case, Zhengdao Village will be short of someone in charge."

Shu Yu said, "Sir, this time I really don't have any candidates."

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Chapter 814: Let Shu Yu Recommend a Successor

Therefore, Shu Yu could only say to her grandmother, "I think it's probably because the heat patches were really useful."

The old woman thought about it and agreed, "That's right. The heat patches are indeed very convenient. They're cheap and effective."

Didn't the imperial edict say so? "Benefit the Dynasty and benefit the people." The old woman understood those words, which meant that the heat patches were being used in more places than she had imagined.

While they were talking, Shu Yu had already led the old woman to the kitchen.

She said to Fang Auntie, who was busy in the kitchen, "Auntie, my grandmother will rest here for a while. Could you please help her make a bowl of noodles?"

The dishes in the banquet hall were almost ready, and the people in the kitchen were planning to cook something for themselves. Seeing this, they naturally agreed to make a bowl of noodles for the old woman without any trouble.

Shu Yu said to her grandmother, "Grandmother, you can chat with Auntie Fang here in the kitchen. I'll go and meet the gentlemen in the front. I'll find you later."

The old madam urged her, "Alright, go quickly. I can take care of myself."

Shu Yu returned to the banquet hall. Qi Chan waved his hand, inviting her to sit next to him and have a meal together.

His attitude towards Shu Yu was exceptionally good. Ministry Qian and Ministry Shi thought it was because of the heat patches that Qi Chan was able to return to the court. Only magistrate Cheng knew in his heart that this young lady had been helping him long before this incident.

Just yesterday, Qi Chan had mentioned to him that if it wasn't for the complexities of the Qi family and the fact that he had just been reinstated, with his deep involvement in the political vortex of the court, he would have considered adopting this young lady as his goddaughter.

But now, looking at his actions, even if he hadn't officially recognized her as his goddaughter, he still genuinely cared for her.

Shu Yu arrived late and didn't eat much. Most of the time, she listened to their conversations.

However, in her presence, they couldn't discuss national affairs. They only talked about trivial and interesting things.

Shu Yu found it uninteresting to listen to. She was still hoping that they would talk about the noble families in the capital, but it seemed that she was expecting too much.

After the meal, the Prefect magistrate was about to leave.

Qi Chan was returning to the capital in a few days. Since the Emperor had allowed him to return, he couldn't delay. He had to leave as soon as possible.

Today, she was lucky to be able to take the time to meet Shu Yu in Zhengdao Village. It was already quite rare.

After drinking a few sips of tea, the group left the estate, but the County Magistrate decided to stay behind.

The County Magistrate sent Qi Chan and the others to the village entrance. After seeing them leave in the opposite direction of the county, he returned to the estate.

Shu Yu had been accompanying him all this time. She thought that after Qi Chan and the others left, the County Magistrate would also return to the county.

But unexpectedly, he had no intention of leaving. Since the County Magistrate wasn't leaving, she naturally couldn't go home either.

After they arrived at the estate, the County Magistrate suddenly smiled at Shu Yu and said, "Village Chief Lu, please have a seat. I have something to ask you."

Shu Yu's face showed a hint of doubt, but she obediently sat on a nearby chair and said, "Please go ahead, sir. I will tell you everything I know."

"Don't be so nervous. It's not something difficult. It's about your current position."

The County Magistrate said, "Now that you have regained your good reputation and can return to your hometown soon, but you have been diligent and responsible in your position here in the estate. I have also reviewed the records you kept, which are simple, easy to understand, and very clear. Now that you're leaving, it would be best if your successor is also capable. Take a look, do you have any candidates in mind that you can recommend?" 

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 Chapter 312: Double-Skin Milk

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 Chapter 311: Broadening Knowledge with Miscellaneous Records

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 Chapter 813: Mind Your Own Business

As soon as the old lady entered the estate, she breathed a sigh of relief. Since the imperial edict was read out, everyone had started approaching her one by one to talk. If it weren't for auntie Zhang by her side and the official guards blocking the entrance, she wouldn't have been able to handle it.

Shu Yu also thought about this, so she didn't ask her to return home immediately. There was only her grandmother at home, and she wouldn't be at peace if she went back. It was better to let her rest in the estate for a while.

Seeing that the old lady didn't have any urgent matters, Shu Yu looked up and said to Auntien Zhang, who was still standing at the door, "You've worked hard, Auntie. I still have some unfinished business to attend to. When I have time later, I'll come and thank you."

Auntie Zhang quickly waved her hand. "What are you saying? The gentlemen inside are still waiting for you. Go ahead and take care of your business. Don't worry about me."

Shu Yu nodded and then said to the villagers who were still lingering outside, "It's already past noon. You should go back and have your meal."

She said her piece, but no one left.

This kind of excitement was rare to come by. Even though some people were already hungry, they couldn't bear to leave.

Someone directly asked Shu Yu, "Village... Village lord Lu, what exactly is going on? What does the imperial edict mean?"

Shu Yu didn't have the time to answer their questions here. Seeing that they weren't leaving, she simply said, "Even I'm surprised. Everyone, please disperse."

With that, she turned around and walked away with the old madam, ignoring the questions from the people behind her.

The villagers, unable to get any answers from her, and with the old woman, who might have known something, gone, looked around and saw Zhang Auntie, who had a good relationship with the Lu family.

"Zhang family, how did this Lu steward become the village chief?"

How could Auntie Zhang know? She was quite overwhelmed herself.

But the crowd insisted on getting some answers from her, and the constant chatter in her ears made her dizzy.

Although she didn't want to leave, she couldn't bear being surrounded by everyone, so she quickly squeezed out of the crowd and went home.

Outside the estate's main gate, it was still bustling, with no one willing to leave.

Among them were Qingqing and Xiaoqiao, who had just been talking to Shu Yu by the river. They were still holding wooden basins with clothes in their hands, and their expressions were particularly complex at the moment.

Especially Xiaoqiao, who had originally suspected that Shu Yu had caused some trouble and brought the gentlemen over to investigate and punish her.

She had even taken pleasure in someone else's misfortune. Who would have thought that not only did they not come to punish her, but she also pardoned her crimes? Moreover, she soared to the sky and became the village chief, a position that she had never dared to dream of.

She couldn't help but feel sour in her heart and then looked at Qingqing next to her. Suddenly, she sarcastically said, "Little sister is now the village lord. As for her older brother, when it comes to getting married, he can pick anyone he want, right? After all, he don't fancy us girls from this exiled land."

Qingqing's face flushed red, and she turned her head to give her an angry look. "Mind your own business."

The two of them glared at each other like roosters fighting, while Shu Yu, holding the old woman's hand, went straight to the backyard. Along the way, the old madam held onto her arm tightly. Although she didn't say a word, her expression was filled with excitement.

It was only when they reached a place where no one could see them that she lowered her voice and asked, "Ah Yu, how... how did you become the village chief?"

Well... even Qi Chan couldn't guess the reasons behind it, let alone her.

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 Chapter 812: When to Return Home

Shu Yu had a rough idea in her mind, but she still wanted to confirm with Qi Chan.

He smiled and said, "Thanks to your blessing, I have also been reinstated in my official position. After finishing up the matters at hand in a few days, I will set off for the capital with Minister Qian."

Shu Yu was pleasantly surprised. "Then I congratulate you, sir."

Qi Chan waved his hand. "Thank you, thank you. Speaking of which, it is all thanks to you. If not for you, I wouldn't necessarily have been able to return to the capital."

"You're being too modest, sir. With your abilities and talents, even without me, you would surely have been able to return."

"You can still call me 'sir.' Here, the title 'sir' sounds more pleasing to the ears."

"Sir," Shu Yu readily agreed. However, she had another question that she was quite curious about. "Sir, it's not surprising that I was acquitted and released thanks to the heat patches offered to the emperor. However, isn't the title of village lord a bit too sudden?"

At most, they could have rewarded her with more silver, or perhaps a plaque with some inscribed words. That would have been a normal course of action.

Qi Chan smiled and said, "Actually, I find it strange as well."

The emperor wasn't known for his generosity, and in front of him, Shu Yu was just a criminal from a remote area surnamed Lu. Offering the heat patches was commendable, but being acquitted was already a favor, not to mention the additional rewards in silver.

Yet, he had bestowed her with the title of village lord.

Qi Chan rubbed his chin and said, "Once we return to the capital, I'll inquire about this matter. But regardless, it's still a good thing for you."

As a young girl who didn't involve herself in court politics, even if she became a village lord, she wouldn't obstruct anyone's path.

Qi Chan assured her to rest assured, but then he changed the subject and asked, "Now that you are no longer a exiled criminal and don't need to continue working, have you decided when to return to Jiangyuan County?"

"Although I don't need to work anymore, I still need to find people to take over the estate and hand over the register before leaving. It shouldn't take more than ten days. If we delay further, the weather will become hot, and it won't be ideal for traveling."

Qi Chan nodded. "That makes sense. After today, we will be going our separate ways. We might not have a chance to see each other again. I've been quite compatible with you, and every time you surprise me. Speaking of which, I still owe you a favor, and I don't know when I will be able to repay it."

"If you never repay it, it means I haven't encountered any major troubles. I actually hope things continue to go smoothly like this."

Qi Chan burst into laughter. "That makes sense. But you have helped me many times before. In the future, it doesn't necessarily have to be because of troubles that you seek me out."

After saying that, Qi Chan handed her a note. "This is the address of the Qi family in the capital. If you have the opportunity to come to the capital, come to this place to find me."

Shu Yu graciously accepted it. "Thank you very much, sir."

This was the residence of a high-ranking official in the capital, greatly favored by the emperor. He was a powerful backer, and having a good relationship with him was undoubtedly a good thing.

Shu Yu finished her conversation with Qi Chan, and at that moment, Cheng Daren and the others returned after their tour. Judging from their expressions, it seemed they didn't have much of an impression of the estate.

Taking advantage of the opportunity when they were being led by Wang Changdong to the flower hall for a meal, Shu Yu hurriedly ran out and quickly pulled her grandmother into the main entrance.

The others wanted to approach her and have a conversation, but Shu Yu moved too quickly, pulling the old lady inside without giving them a chance.

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