One sentence broke the silence.
Zhou Zhengan's originally serious expression seemed to melt in an instant and turned into a smile. He was a little fat, and the smile was actually somewhat friendly, and the previous majestic aura disappeared.
When working in the officialdom, being able to change your face at any time is a basic skill.
When seeing your superiors, you have one face; when seeing your subordinates, you have another face; when seeing the people, you have another face.
Zhou Zhengan looked away from Song Chi and said with a smile, "I haven't seen you since you took office. I had some time today so I came to see you."
He has a broad smile and a friendly face, making people feel like they are in the spring breeze.
It seemed that he came here not to support Dong Weimin, but to really see Feng Yuan. This was his brilliance.
"It was my fault for not visiting the prefect."
Feng Yuan bowed and clasped his fists, saying, "I'm a new official. Perhaps because I've just arrived, the county clerks and runners are all being insincere with me. No one listens to what I say. I was just trying to find a time to visit Mr. Zhou, but I didn't expect you to get here first."
"Your Excellency must be aware of the difficulties I've faced and support me."
His face was full of sincerity.
But Zhou Zhengan was slightly stunned. What did this mean?
Normally, new officials will encounter such problems when they take office, but they will try to find ways to solve them on their own. They will never complain to their superiors, let alone seek help, because doing so will make you, as a county magistrate, appear incompetent.
You are a county magistrate, but you can't even control a few yamen runners. How can you be expected to govern the people?
Zhou Zhengan knew all about these things. It was he who asked Dong Weimin to sideline Feng Yuan, and Dong Weimin would report to Zhou Zhengan everything he did.
But Feng Yuan complained in public, and it could even be said that he was filing a complaint.
Dong Weimin and others immediately turned pale. This was really against Tiangang. What should Governor Zhou say?
He turned to Song Chi.
It goes without saying that this must have been taught by Song Chi, and only he could think of such a wicked method.
Sure enough, Zhou Zhengan was a little distracted. He was about to hit Feng Yuan, but was stumped by the question.
I support you?
Are you kidding me? I want to kill you, okay?
"How can this government interfere in the affairs of the county government at will? You are the county magistrate and you can handle it yourself." Zhou Zhengan replied coldly.
"I feel relieved with your words, sir."
Zhou Zhengan frowned slightly, "I don't think the government said anything?"
"Didn't you say I should handle this? You're backing me up." Feng Yuan said hurriedly, "You don't know that County Magistrate Dong Weimin relies on his position as a senior official in the county government and his deep-rooted influence in the local area. He simply doesn't listen to what I say and has even opposed me many times. Please, sir, make a decision for me."
Zhou Zhengan was stunned again.
This is a young and inexperienced person.
Aren't you ashamed to say such things in public?
Besides, don’t you know that Dong Weimin is my man?
He did it on purpose!
Zhou Zhengan couldn't help but get angry when he saw Feng Yuan pretending to be serious. This man looked serious and old-fashioned, but he didn't expect his words to be so sharp.
The atmosphere of the trial had changed. Su Mingyue hung her head. "My knees are aching from kneeling," she said. "You're all chatting here, assuming I, the victim, don't exist. I've already beaten the drum to protest my grievances."
"Please, sir, make the decision for me!"
Feng Yuan shouted again, "I beg the prefect to remove County Magistrate Dong Weimin from office!"
Dong Weimin's face turned even darker.
Many people present were confused, only Song Chi was laughing in his heart.
I just want to ask you if you are confused.
Didn't you come here to support Dong Weimin? Then I'll strike first. Feng Yuan had been working as an editor in the Hanlin Academy before. This was his first time being sent out as an official. He was a novice, an official idiot, and he didn't understand the officialdom, so he said whatever he wanted.
It was his idea, of course.
First, block Zhou Zhengan's mouth so that he can't make any noise even if he wants to.
Moreover, this also brought out the contradiction between him and Dong Weimin in public. As the prefect, Zhou Zhengan could not express his position even if he was Dong Weimin's backer. Could it be that he could side with the county magistrate instead of the county chancellor?
What is a county magistrate? In the eyes of the imperial court, a county magistrate is not even an official.
Zhou Zhengan had been trying to act friendly, but now he couldn't. He said directly, "When I was outside the government office, I heard someone beating drums to complain about their grievances. Is this true?"
This turn is quite abrupt.
Song Chi winked at Feng Yuan, meaning that he should just respond and there was no need to dwell on what had just happened.
"Someone has indeed beaten the drum to complain about his grievances, and I am preparing to hear the case."
"snort!"
Zhou Zhengan snorted coldly, "The drum for reporting has never been sounded before, and you've only been in office for a few days and someone is already beating the drum to complain. Do you know how big of a fuss this will cause? Can you still do your job as magistrate? If not, go back to Beijing!"
Originally he wanted to pretend, but Feng Yuan made a subtle remark about him, so now he is too lazy to pretend anymore.
Dong Weimin couldn't help laughing. Let's see how long you can be so proud. The pressure from your superiors is not easy to bear.
Feng Yuan's face remained calm. "As you said, I've only been in office for a few days when someone started beating drums to complain. This must be because there were grievances before, but no one was there to address them. Furthermore, the victim said the grievances occurred before I took office..."
"You're sharp-tongued and good at evading responsibility."
Zhou Zhengan said coldly, "Bring me a chair. I want to sit in on the discussion."
He was stating his intention directly, which was to find fault with you. As long as there was anything unreasonable, Zhou Zhengan would punish you.
"Sir, please sit here with me." Dong Weimin gave up his seat and stood aside, ready to interrupt at any time. With the prefect coming to support him, he was not panicked at all.
The two looked at each other, knowing the seriousness of the matter.
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