Chapter 512 The Ice is Broken
At the same time, other villagers were also discussing the matter.
"Does the New Deal really let us decide whether officials stay or go?"
"That should be the case. Otherwise, why would they go to the trouble of putting this together?"
"Zhang Yong is not a good person. If he continues to hold office, he will continue to oppress the people. We must not allow him to succeed smoothly."
“But can the new policy listen to us?”
"Just give it a try. Anyway, Lord Ning just said that we'll all go into the tent individually, so no one else will know what you pressed. And Lord Ning also said that he would keep it a secret for each of us and wouldn't announce whether we pressed the check mark or the cross."
"That's great."
There was a village tyrant in their village, and his daughter was married to County Magistrate Zhang as a concubine. They really didn't want Zhang Yong to continue to be their official, but they were worried that if he was exposed, they would be retaliated against.
"The New Dealers do things appropriately."
At this time, Yan Zhonglei, the village tyrant they were talking about, was walking around the house in annoyance.
Seeing this, his confidant asked, "Master, should we go around to each household?"
After a round, these peasants would know how to choose. If that didn't work, they would bring ink pads and ask them to press their fingerprints on the hook behind Master Zhang.
Yan Zhonglei glared at him, thinking he was full of idiots. "Master, I do want to, but have you seen those soldiers? Do you think you can avoid them?"
At this time, the village tyrant Yan Zhonglei felt that Zhang Yong was finished.
The same scene happened in every county, town and village in Youzhou.
After three busy days, the day to reveal the mystery finally arrived.
Lu Songli was in charge personally, and many ordinary people came to watch.
Everyone understood the criteria for the officials' stay or departure. If more than half of the people put a cross, the person would be dismissed from office. If more than two-thirds of the people put a check, the person could continue to serve as an official.
There are twelve counties in Yuyang County, and twelve groups began to count the votes.
Each group has four people, with two people in each group. One person in the group is responsible for counting the votes and the other is responsible for keeping count.
At this time, Li Jue was drinking tea with Pei Zheng, the son of a noble family in Hedong, in the most luxurious restaurant not far from the Youzhou Governor's Mansion.
They were now in the box on the third floor with the best view. When they opened the window, they could see the scene in front of the gate of the Youzhou Governor's Mansion.
The woman in the crimson official uniform sitting in front of the armchair is the current ruler of Pingzhou?
Is that her official uniform? Pei Zheng thought uncertainly, but it wasn't a casual outfit at all.
The outfit that Lu Songli was wearing was a modified official uniform.
Was it her? Li Jue recognized Lü Songli. They had dealt with each other two or three years ago. At that time, they had a batch of medicinal herbs, and they had bypassed Duan Kaishen to purchase them. Duan Kaishen, intent on robbing his fellow thieves, ultimately met his end in silence. Even his uncle, Duan Chen, the chief clerk of Youzhou, was unable to find the murderer.
When he was dealing with the other party, he felt that they were not simple people, but he didn't expect them to be so extraordinary.
"What's the matter, Brother Li, do you know Governor Lu?" Pei Zheng asked.
Li Jue sighed in his heart that Pei Zheng was worthy of being from the prestigious Pei family in Shanxi. His observation ability was very sharp. He was noticed by the other party when he showed a little surprise at the beginning.
But even if he saw it, it would be useless. He couldn't tell Pei Zheng the secret.
"How could I possibly know him? I just didn't expect the Lord of Pingzhou to be so young."
Pei Zheng nodded with a smile, "I heard that she is only eighteen years old."
Li Jue sighed in her heart, she is only eighteen years old, but she is already in charge of a state, what an extraordinary woman.
As they were talking, the statistics in front of the governor's mansion were nearing completion.
All the officials in Youzhou who chose to stay were very nervous facing the unknown outcome. However, as the result got closer, their mood gradually became cheerful as they looked at the correct words under the check marks.
Zhang Yong's face looked very ugly. There were only a few sparse correct characters under the tick mark under his name, while the column under the cross was full of glaring correct characters.
These untouchables are rebelling!
Another person who received the same treatment as him was Zhuo Jin from Hunu County.
The other Youzhou officials looked at each other and tacitly stayed away from the two men, as if they were plague gods.
Zhang Yong and Zhuo Jin, who were originally standing in the crowd, suddenly became visible. There was no living person within ten feet.
If it weren't for local restrictions, other officials could have retreated even further.
"Governor, the statistics are in."
The result was just as Lu Songli expected. Most officials remained in office, with only two receiving more than half of the crosses.
"Come here, dismiss Zhang Yong and Zhuo Jinyan from their posts. The others will temporarily retain their original positions."
Zhang Yong and Zhuo Jin looked ashen when they heard this. They regretted it so much that they should not have been so optimistic. They should have left when Youzhou was taken over by the Pingzhou military.
Upon hearing this, the other officials in Youzhou first breathed a sigh of relief, and then their brows lit up with joy. Does this mean that they have boarded the ship of Pingzhou's new policy?
This wasn't the end. Lu Songli solemnly announced, "Zhang Yong, Zhuo Jin, during the public notice period, someone anonymously reported you two for dereliction of duty, disregard for discipline, corruption, bribery, and disregard for human life. This governor is now detaining you. I will investigate all your crimes before making any further decisions."
Zhang Yong and Zhuo Jin's instinct for survival made them fight to the death.
"No, you can't do anything to me!"
"Yes, we are officials appointed by the court. You have no right to deal with us."
Lu Songli said sternly, "No, I have the right to punish you. When you didn't follow the crowd and leave Youzhou, it meant you abandoned your status as officials appointed by the Dali court. When our new policy in Pingzhou planned to use some of the previous officials to govern Youzhou, and you tried to sneak into our team, I had the right to punish you. If you lose the bet, you will have to pay the price."
Zhang Yong and Zhuo Jin's faces were as white as snow and their bodies were as soft as mud.
"Come here, take them away, and then seal off the Zhang and Zhuo families."
Just after the two were taken away, the people around them seemed to react.
The people of Lu County couldn't help but cheer, Oh my God, they didn't expect this result, this result is so good!
It can be said that Zhang Yong was eliminated because they voted for him one by one.
Unexpectedly, their vote was actually useful.
Then, the people of Hunu County also reacted and began to tell each other.
Zhuo Jin can no longer act tyrannically in their Hunu County!
Their efforts were useful.
Lu Songli looked at the joyful people and smiled slightly. Is this considered breaking the ice?
In a restaurant not far away, Pei Zheng smiled and shook his head. The people's hearts, the people's hearts, Lu Songli is really good at this.
After this incident, Youzhou returned to its roots.
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