Magistrate Zhang glanced at the chairs beneath everyone, then at the two men sitting by the brazier in the hall, and shook his head speechlessly.

It's a local custom to gather around a fire for warmth in winter, and there weren't many chairs available... so he couldn't say anything.

Just because Magistrate Zhang didn't speak doesn't mean everyone else didn't. Everyone was sitting properly, except for those two sitting in the middle, which was truly impolite.

Song, the village head, scolded in a low voice: "Jiang, what kind of behavior is this? Go find your place."

Jiang Zhi knew that her actions were very abrupt. Nobody wants to be the flower in the middle of the conference table, with every move seen by the leader.

If we don't sit here, we have to sit by the wall or in the corner. Whether we can sit on the table is another matter, but those places are really too cold.

Of course we should warm ourselves by the fire, and besides... we'll be sharing the shame with Scholar Xia, so we're not afraid!

She pretended not to hear Song Lizheng's reprimand!

Jiang Zhi could pretend not to hear, but everyone else heard what Song Lizheng said. They all turned to look, not at the two people warming themselves by the fire in the hall, but at Song Lizheng.

Because Xia Xiucai was lost in thought with a blank expression, Jiang Zhi pretended not to hear or care.

The two men didn't react, but Song, the village head, reacted much more strongly.

His face flushed red as he tried to save face: "Jiang, this is in front of the county magistrate. You mustn't be rude and disrespectful. Hurry up and take a seat over there."

Jiang Zhi remained unmoved, leaving Song Li in a difficult position, and he became as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

"Alright! I've only come here to have a chat with you all. It's cold, so please make yourselves at home!"

Magistrate Zhang gave Village Chief Song a way out, allowing everyone who wanted to warm themselves by the fire to do so, since they were just chatting anyway.

How could one possibly warm oneself by a fire in front of the magistrate? Not only would it be an unseemly act, but it would also create a smoky, unpleasant atmosphere. Moreover, one couldn't even warm one's own satin and leather robe, which was a fine garment specially prepared for going out.

However, after the magistrate said this, and his attendants brought tea, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became more relaxed.

Everyone chimed in, "The county magistrate is so approachable; he's already visiting people everywhere before the New Year holidays are even over. It's a great honor for us!"

"Pingchuan County is truly fortunate to have a magistrate like Magistrate Zhang!"

Immediately, the hall was filled with flattering voices.

Magistrate Zhang smiled faintly, raised his hand to quiet everyone, and then said, "Everyone manages Pear Blossom Town, just like you, braving wind and rain and working tirelessly."

As soon as he mentioned Pear Blossom Town, the group immediately became serious. They had come out not for the people, but for themselves.

Magistrate Zhang didn't keep everyone in suspense and said directly, "Pear Blossom Town has suffered a calamity, and the former village head was killed. This year, we must promote someone to take charge."

At this point, Magistrate Zhang looked around at everyone and continued, "Fortunately, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Village Chief Song, Lihua Town has returned to normal. From today onwards, Song Junheng will serve as the head of Lihua Town."

Song Junheng is Song Lizheng, this old man with bulging eyes has a good name!

Although there had been rumors that Song Li was going to be promoted to pavilion chief, the fact that Magistrate Zhang said it still made several people's expressions change, but they still had to say a few words of congratulations.

The newly appointed Pavilion Chief Song was all smiles. He didn't bother to exchange pleasantries with the others and quickly thanked Magistrate Zhang: "I am not very talented, but I am fortunate to have been appreciated by Magistrate Zhang. I will definitely do my best to help the people and appease the local populace, and share Magistrate Zhang's burdens."

It must be said that Song Lizheng was quite capable.

The town of Lihua under his jurisdiction was peaceful throughout the year. From the initial strict checks on foreign migrants by the town officials to the opening of each market, no major problems arose.

While everyone was in a meeting, Xia Xiucai remained blankly indifferent, while Jiang Zhi hid behind others and listened intently.

Magistrate Zhang announced the personnel arrangements for Lihua Town one by one.

After the Xujiacun post station is established, there will be one postmaster, ten postmen responsible for delivering messages, and five miscellaneous servants.

Zhang Juntou's patrol and inspection team completed its temporary mission and was no longer stationed in Xujia Village, but instead moved to Lihua Town.

A place needs to be built there for the patrol soldiers to rest and work.

With each sentence spoken by Magistrate Zhang, Pavilion Chief Song nodded in agreement, indicating his willingness to cooperate.

After arranging things in Lihua Town, Magistrate Zhang re-elected two village heads to oversee the villages below, which immediately brought joy to some and sorrow to others.

After giving his explanation, Magistrate Zhang suddenly said, "Chief Song, I heard you have some complaints about the current Village Chief Jiang of Xu Family Village?"

The people in the hall immediately looked at Song Tingzhang and the two men roasting by the fire, their expressions becoming subtle.

Song Tingzhang didn't just have some complaints about Jiang; he was clearly extremely dissatisfied and full of resentment!

Upon hearing Magistrate Zhang's question, Song Tingzhang was taken aback, sensing something amiss. However, he tried to calm himself and said, "I am concerned that Xu Family Village is a gathering place for refugees, and I am worried that Jiang, a single woman, is not capable enough to manage the village's affairs... Well! Managing one household is different from managing dozens of households. If she leads the villagers astray, it will be another disaster."

His words made everyone laugh. Song Tingzhang was lying through his teeth. Xu Family Village was no longer a source of trouble.

Magistrate Zhang's face darkened: "Is this your true intention? From now on, as the head of Lihua Town, your job is to support the village chiefs and neighborhood chiefs, not to use your power to suppress your subordinates!"

When Jiang Zhi heard that she was being addressed, she quickly and obediently stood up, but didn't say anything, wanting to hear how this old man with the bulging eyes would respond.

Before Song Tingzhang's joy had subsided, he was drenched in cold sweat by a few questions from Magistrate Zhang.

He immediately realized that his dispute with the Jiang family had long been noticed by the county magistrate, and all his words at this point were useless and would only be considered sophistry.

After a moment's thought, he decided to speak his mind: "Since the county magistrate has entrusted Pear Blossom Town to my administration, I will venture to say a few words."

“There was indeed a conflict between Jiang and me before, but that was due to trivial matters in the village.”

Jiang once incited the ignorant villagers to be disrespectful to me, but I did not hold a grudge against her for it. Instead, I dealt with those who had made mistakes in the town and did not harass Xu Family Village again. Jiang should acknowledge this.

“Magistrate Zhang, I have a suggestion. Xujia Village was previously in chaos due to displaced people. It would be fine for the Jiang family to take over its management.”

Now that a new village has been established, it is advisable to find a more reliable person to serve as the village chief.

After he finished speaking, Jiang Zhi was almost furious. This old plague was a monster.

The fact that those thugs from the Wang family didn't cause any more trouble in the village is thanks to Zhang Juntou. With the patrol battalion nearby, they naturally didn't dare to cause any more trouble.

This old plague not only brings glory to himself, but also wants to work as a waiter.

Trusteeship?

You think you can steal credit just by saying you're temporarily in charge? Fine! Old Song, since you're so ruthless, don't blame me for being ruthless too!

Before Magistrate Zhang could speak, Jiang Zhi suddenly stood in front of Song Laowen, who was so frightened that he leaned back and shouted, "Don't you dare make a scene in front of the magistrate!"

Old Man Song had seen this shrew beat people before; she had whipped several thugs with a yellow thorn stick, leaving them covered in welts.

If he were to throw a tantrum and scratch himself, he would lose face in front of the county magistrate.

Seeing the old man terrified by her, Jiang Zhi flicked the ashes off her hands and sneered, "Chief Song, you don't need to be afraid."

Although I am a woman, I know what I can do and what I can say. I know not to speak recklessly based on imagination, and I know not to steal credit from others. Tell me, what wrong have I done since I became the village chief?