Chapter 15 Self-recommendation to become an assistant manager

The crowd below whispered among themselves, finding Zhao Zhou's actions utterly despicable.

At this moment, Su Jingge asked, "Should we arrest this Wu San and interrogate him properly to see if he took money from someone? The officials don't want people to say that he accepted bribes, do they?"

Zhao Zhou stroked his beard. When did Su Jingge become so clear-headed and sharp-tongued?

Isn't she stupid?

The people below the stage glared at Zhao Zhou, and one of them shouted, "Protecting him! The county magistrate is protecting him!"

Wu San started to panic. When he looked down at the audience, Zhao Liu's men had already left.

Damn it! They actually sold him out!

Wu San looked at Su Jingge. It seemed that the little bitch's illness had been cured. If she insisted on suing him, this matter would be really difficult to handle.

He began to plead, "Manager Su, I misjudged you. I didn't realize you were going to Fengyang Town to buy things, haha." Then he covered his lips with his hand and whispered in her ear, "Zhao Liu's men have spread the word throughout the market. Anyone who dares to sell will die!"

Then Wu San smiled and looked at everyone: "Since Manager Su is a purchasing agent and has broken off her engagement with the young master of the Xiao family, haven't I misunderstood?"

"I don't want the morals of Yuxiang County to become so corrupt, do I?"

Some people praised Wu San for being bold, responsible, and outspoken, and began to commend him.

"I suppose Brother Wu San was acting under someone's orders. If it's just a misunderstanding, then I won't pursue the matter." Su Jingge was too afraid of trouble. For nothing serious, suing someone involved taking statements, signing documents, and making countless trips to the county government.

She's very busy.

Everyone gave a thumbs up: "Manager Su is kind-hearted and generous, and Mr. Su has excellent family upbringing."

"Smack!"

The gavel struck again, and Zhao Zhou's face turned pale and his eyes twitched. He dared to openly say that the morals of Yuxiang County were corrupt!

This guy, Wu San, has some nerve.

"Someone, bring me the '53' textbook!"

Wu San was dumbfounded. He stared with wide eyes and said, "No, Manager Su has already stopped accusing me, so why are you still detaining me, sir?"

Zhao Zhou's face was sinister as he said in a dark tone, "You falsely accused me of causing chaos and disorder in Yuxiang County. You have a problem with me! Take him away."

"Huh? Wu San looked miserable. He came to sue Su Jingge, but now that the person involved hasn't pursued the matter, he's angered the county magistrate and is in big trouble."

He knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly: "My lord, I—"

The officers simply obeyed orders and paid no heed to the cries of pain.

"If there's nothing else, let's adjourn the court!" Zhao Zhou yawned; it was time for his afternoon nap.

"Keep it a secret, there's something else I need to ask the adults."

"Speak quickly if you have something to say." Zhao Zhou sounded slightly impatient and was also very sleepy.

"The funds for repairs have come through. When will the county government begin repairs?"

Upon hearing this, the person who was about to leave suddenly stopped.

Everyone was astonished.

"The repair money has come through? Does that mean we can start repairing Yuxiang County now?"

"Great! After three years, is it finally time for repairs?"

Zhao Zhou, who was exhausted, suddenly opened his eyes and was instantly wide awake.

His expression grew even colder as he glanced at the registrar beside him.

Fan Tong was startled by the stare, his face turning pale. He quickly waved his hand, indicating that he was not the one who had leaked the information.

Zhao Zhou then turned his gaze to Xie Mo. The man had a calm expression, clear eyes and a righteous demeanor.

You little rascal.

He dares not say he hasn't come down yet, otherwise so many people would definitely cause trouble.

Zhao Zhou stroked his beard, his eyes flashing coldly, and said seriously, "The money has come in, but we're not repairing it because we don't have the manpower or the technology. It's not a year of great disaster, so why would the imperial court send people down to help, right?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expectations were dashed once again.

Each of them had a sorrowful expression.

They started discussing it in hushed tones:

"That's true. Even if the Ministry of Revenue allocates funds for repairs, without the Minister of Works or an Imperial Commissioner, the people in the city who know how to repair things are basically not up to par."

"Old Mr. Su has died again, alas!"

Seeing that everyone believed him, Zhao Zhou smiled.

He knew all too well the desire of the people to build a city, so he sighed with a sorrowful expression: "Just repair the threshold and patch up the walls, and we can continue the main construction once the people come down."

Fan Tong chimed in, "Magistrate Zhao understands everyone's feelings best. He's truly at his wit's end, repeatedly writing to his superiors, requesting assistance from those with technical expertise, but... alas..."

"Does that mean we can never go back to how things were before?"

"Then you should find someone who knows repair techniques."

Zhao Zhou looked helpless: "Yuxiang County is in a terrible state now. How difficult would it be to repair it? This is a huge project, not just patching up your own backyard."

“Road repairs, city wall repairs, and gate construction are all major projects. How can a seventh-rank county magistrate like me possibly get the higher-ups to agree to these tasks?”

The man was heartbroken, and his eyes were filled with heartache as he looked at everyone.

"So, are we really beyond saving?"

This scene might fool others, but it won't fool Su Jingge.

That bastard is such a show-off!

"I'll be the assistant manager!"

Su Jingge's words reached everyone's ears.

The room, which had been quiet, suddenly erupted in cheers.

Zhao Zhou blinked and gave a sarcastic smile: "What did you say? You want to be the assistant manager?"

"Hahaha." Fan Tong couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"A little girl, spouting golden words, saying she wants to be an assistant manager."

The audience burst into laughter.

Frost and clear moon were both shocked.

Σ(°ロ°)!

"Oh no, Miss's had another attack!" Qingyue was terrified, but she couldn't get in.

The woman remained composed and unperturbed, ignoring the mockery.

"This is a provision in the system. Does Lord Zhao not recognize it? If not, then he is showing contempt for the law!"

After these words were spoken, no one dared to laugh out loud anymore.

Zhao Zhou leaned forward, his expression serious, and squinted at her: "You have no official position, how can you be an assistant administrator?"

“An assistant manager does not necessarily have to hold an official position. It is determined by one’s own abilities and experience. My father participated in important construction projects in the city. He became an assistant manager even though he did not hold an official position.”

The woman said firmly.

This reminded everyone of Mr. Su, and they began to concentrate fully.

At this moment, Zhao Zhou's eyes flashed: "Your father was indeed an assistant manager when he was alive, and he certainly made important contributions to the town, but he is dead now. Manager Su, don't be silly, go back."

Zhao Zhou picked up the gavel, about to strike it, but Su Jingge stopped him again.

"Wait!"

Zhao Zhou's anger remained burning, and he sat back down in his chair, even though he had already gotten up.

"You mean you know about repairs?" Zhao Zhou's voice was even colder.

"Yes." Su Jingge's eyes were sharp.

Zhao Zhou laughed, and then burst into laughter.

“Did you hear that? She said she knows about repairs.” Zhao Zhou then stopped smiling, his eyes sharp. “The imperial court has this system. The position of assistant manager requires knowledge of repairs, and they can offer their skills to local areas.”

"Either you donate a large amount of construction funds to officials to become an assistant manager, and Miss Su is the latter?"

"It's the former."

Zhao Zhou paused slightly, then snorted coldly, "Manager Su sells goods, supplies, and runs a restaurant. I didn't expect you to know this too?"

Everyone else also felt that what Su Jingge said was unreliable.

I had given up hope at first.

At this moment, Xie Mo spoke up: "According to the regulations of the imperial court, it is permissible."

Zhao Zhou glanced at the two of them and realized that they had probably communicated beforehand.

“Alright, then let’s proceed according to the rules.” Zhao Zhou’s eyes narrowed slightly. “How do you plan to renovate Yuxiang County?”