"Since we're going to develop a scenic tourist area, we can't skimp on food, lodging, transportation, entertainment, and other necessities along the way. This will create a series of shops, which we'll need to operate ourselves. We'll discuss whether to run some small businesses in the shops based on the amount of investment, and we'll waive several months' rent depending on the amount invested!"

"Of course, if some people don't find renting too troublesome or inappropriate, they can choose to take over the entire shop, and then the shop will become yours. As for how you use it later, we don't need to ask too much!" Jiang Ling said, rattling off her ideas all at once.

"As for those who didn't invest, don't worry, you can still rent shops, but you can only rent them after all the investors have made their selections!" Jiang Ling thought for a moment and then added.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Erleng's wife immediately raised her hands: "Me! Me! Me! I want to rent a shop right now!"

Ever since Zhao Erleng's wife took over Jiang Ling's spicy hot pot stall, business has been booming. As the business gradually expanded, Zhao Erleng's wife had her own ideas. She wanted to open a branch, and now that the opportunity had come up, she quickly signed up.

Jiang Ling nodded and said, "Anyone else who wants to rent or sell a shop can register with me and reserve a spot in advance. Also, anyone who wants to be a member of the supervisory committee can vote here, or you can nominate yourself. But I need to make one thing clear: these three people must have different surnames. If the person with the most votes has the same surname, then the person with the next lowest surname will be ranked lower. Does anyone have any objections?"

After hearing this, everyone shook their heads and then busily surrounded Jiang Ling, asking her about the shop.

The transformation of Lujia Village began in full swing under the impetus of Jiang Ling and the village chief.

Three days later, in Lujia Village, Jiang Ling held a grand banquet.

Everyone was cordially invited to attend the celebration of Jiang Suihe's desk.

Upon hearing the news, Magistrate Duan and Zhao Qianyu also rushed over with gifts.

Shen Congxin originally wanted to help wash vegetables and cook, but Jiang Ling was worried that it would be inconvenient for Shen Congxin, who was heavily pregnant, so she refused Shen Congxin's offer. After thinking about it, Shen Congxin sent her personal maid to find Shen Qianhe. Upon hearing this, Shen Qianhe immediately sent more than twenty servants to help Jiang Ling.

Wu Xiucai was invited by Jiang Ling to the first table as an honored guest. However, when he saw Magistrate Duan, he was stunned. Magistrate Duan's expression also turned into a mixture of emotions after seeing Wu Xiucai.

At first, Jiang Ling was so busy entertaining everyone that she didn't notice the expressions on Magistrate Duan's and Scholar Wu's faces. It wasn't until Jiang Suihe rushed to Jiang Ling's side and said, "Mother, something bad has happened! Scholar Wu and Magistrate Duan seem to be arguing!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ling's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked, "What happened?"

"I...I don't know either. I was just about to go to the room to get something when I heard people arguing behind our house. I peeked out the window and saw it was Scholar Wu and Magistrate Duan. Mother, you should go and see!" Jiang Suihe was very anxious, and her originally rosy face turned pale with worry.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ling nodded and ran towards the location Jiang Suihe had indicated.

Sure enough, before Jiang Ling even reached the destination, Wu Xiucai's highly recognizable voice rang out.

You've mistaken me for someone else!

"No, I didn't! Are you surnamed Wu? Brother, how did you end up as a schoolteacher in Lujia Village? What exactly happened? Everyone was saying you..."

"Enough! I told you, you've mistaken me for someone else! Stop arguing with me!"

As he spoke, Wu Xiucai stormed out from behind. Perhaps because he was angry, he didn't even greet Jiang Ling when he saw her.

Before long, Magistrate Duan also hurriedly came out.

"What is this?" Jiang Ling asked, grabbing Magistrate Duan.

"This...I...I don't know if I've mistaken you for someone else!" Magistrate Duan glanced at Jiang Ling, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"What's going on?" Looking at Wu Xiucai's violent reaction just now, Jiang Ling felt that something was wrong.

Magistrate Duan glanced at the noisy banquet, thought for a moment, and said to Jiang Ling, "It's not appropriate to talk about this today. Why don't you come find me after you've finished with the harvest? I'll tell you."

Jiang Ling thought about it carefully. What Magistrate Duan said didn't seem to make any sense. Right now, things at home were in a mess, and it wouldn't be good for her to be away for too long. Thinking this, Jiang Ling nodded and replied, "Alright, then it'll be as you say. I'll come find you in a few days after I've finished dealing with the harvest! You should go back and sit down first!"

Jiang Suihe's banquet lasted for three days before it finally came to an end. After Jiang Ling and the others finished tidying up the house, she had Jiang Yaojie drive the carriage to the county government office.

Jiang Ling had no intention of letting Jiang Yaojie in, so she made up a reason to send him shopping to buy something for Shen Congxin.

Jiang Ling arrived at the county government office alone, and Zhao Liu tactfully pushed her out.

At this moment, only Jiang Ling and Magistrate Duan were sitting in the inner room.

Ever since Magistrate Duan broke the ice and Jiang Ling was unexpectedly betrothed, their feelings for each other have been completely exposed. Although they didn't say anything afterward, they both harbored a little ambiguity towards each other.

"What happened between you and Wu Xiucai a few days ago?" Jiang Ling asked.

"This... I... I'm actually not sure if it's him or not!" After several days of calm reflection, Magistrate Duan increasingly felt that he might have mistaken the person.

"Then tell me about this person you're looking for!" Jiang Ling asked.

Magistrate Duan nodded, and then revealed a secret he had kept in his heart for many years.

More than 20 years have passed since this incident. That year, Magistrate Duan, like other students preparing for the county-level examination, was preparing to take the exam to become a scholar.

Upon arriving in Luozhou, he overheard his fellow students discussing a certain person. After Magistrate Duan inquired carefully, he learned that one of their students this year was named Wu Mingsheng, who was said to be exceptionally intelligent and talented. He had been the top student in the previous examinations and was certain to be the top scholar this year.

Magistrate Duan was somewhat skeptical of the incredible stories told by the students, but after the exam results were released, he became convinced that the top scorer was none other than Wu Mingsheng, a student who had passed the preliminary exam.

Two people who were originally strangers became acquainted through some events, and then both felt that they had met kindred spirits and cherished each other.

However, all good things must come to an end. In the end, the two exchanged contact addresses and waved goodbye.

When I learned of Wu Mingsheng again, his reputation was already ruined.

At the time, Magistrate Duan was just an eighth-rank official in charge of tax collection. He overheard some rumors about Wu Mingsheng, who was said to have become a seventh-rank magistrate but was upright and incorruptible, thus offending powerful figures.

In the end, he was forced to admit to embezzlement and bribery.

What's even more ridiculous is that the so-called embezzlement and bribery ultimately resulted in the discovery of less than ten taels of silver in his home.

Although Wu Mingsheng was later exonerated, the rumors persisted, and he eventually resigned from his post, disappearing without a trace.