Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Backing
Da Liang has forty provinces and three hundred counties, with a total of one thousand and three prefectures. From a political standpoint as a seventh-rank official, County Magistrate Mo is considered quite insignificant.
However, in the county government of Li County, there are only four proper court-appointed officials, and beneath the former County Magistrate Cai is County Magistrate Mo. According to the customs of Da Liang’s officialdom, upon County Magistrate Cai’s removal, either another official is appointed by the court, or County Magistrate Mo is promoted.
How could County Magistrate Mo be convinced when someone like Steward Cai, a poor scholar who resembles a black rat, ascends? There’s no choice but to explain this to the Commandery Princess.
Jiang Shaohua maintained her composure, still smiling: "I am young and act recklessly, solely based on personal interest. For such a minor position as County Magistrate, why should I hesitate in promoting whomever I want?"
County Magistrate Mo: "..."
County Magistrate Mo’s face was nearly swollen.
Unfortunately, County Magistrate Mo was out of touch. If he knew that even a standard seventh-rank chief steward of the Prince Mansion had been swiftly dismissed, he would be more cautious, fearing the Commandery Princess’s "recklessness," and would not dare to speak out.
Jiang Shaohua turned to the other two: "Do you have any doubts?"
Having witnessed the Commandery Princess’s power, how could they dare speak up? They responded in unison: "No, we don’t."
Then they stood up, cupped their hands, and greeted the newly appointed County Magistrate Cai.
County Magistrate Mo also rose reluctantly to pay his respects.
Cai Ye was normally busy running around the county government, like a diligent old ox, always keeping his head down while working. He had never received such courtesy and admiration before. His face turned red for a moment, even his eyes were slightly red.
Jiang Shaohua said nothing, just smiled at him.
A surge of warmth filled Cai Ye’s heart, and suddenly he felt confident.
With the Commandery Princess backing him! There’s nothing to fear! He wanted to be a good County Magistrate of Li County so that everyone would know he hadn’t betrayed the Commandery Princess’s trust and appreciation! He wanted to work tirelessly for the Commandery Princess, until his death!
"I would like all three of you to rise," Cai Ye reached out to each of them, sincerely saying: "Thanks to the Commandery Princess’s favor, I have become the acting County Magistrate. From today onwards, I will work diligently in my duties, and I ask the three esteemed gentlemen to assist me. Together we will govern Li County well and serve the Commandery Princess!"
No matter the grumbles in their hearts, the three managed to keep their expressions neutral and agreed unanimously.
Jiang Shaohua said: "For this bandit suppression, all government officials contributed, especially Tang Yamen Runners, who fought bravely with a manly spirit. They should be heavily rewarded."
"From now on, let Tang Yamen Runners be the overseer of the three classes of government officials and follow your orders."
Cai Ye agreed wholeheartedly: "Yes."
The three from County Magistrate Mo’s side grumbled internally again.
The Commandery Princess truly has an unconventional way of promoting talents; all those government officials are seasoned veterans, letting a young greenhorn take charge... yet they still dared not utter a word.
But that’s not all.
Jiang Shaohua pondered for a moment before saying: "In this bandit suppression, there are more than thirty wounded soldiers who cannot be moved temporarily. Let them stay in the county government’s backyard to recuperate for now. I’ll leave a military doctor to look after them. When they recover, County Magistrate Cai can find some duties for them. After six months, when County Magistrate Cai’s formal appointment papers arrive, they can return to the military camp."
The new County Magistrate Cai was invigorated again, feeling almost tearfully grateful: "Thank you, Commandery Princess."
The Commandery Princess probably feared he couldn’t handle the county government pressure on his own, hence leaving him some manpower intentionally. Besides those gravely injured within the thirty wounded, the rest could be assigned duties after recuperation. Even if they couldn’t work, they were ears and eyes of the Commandery Princess. County Magistrate Mo wouldn’t dare make any moves now.
With six months as a buffer, if he still couldn’t secure his position, being removed from the job wouldn’t be anyone’s fault but his own.
Chen Zhuo remained silent until this point before smiling: "I didn’t have the chance to congratulate the Commandery Princess on subduing the Black Pine Village! By the way, how will the bandits from Black Pine Village be dealt with?"
Jiang Shaohua smiled and raised her eyebrow: "No need for any dealings."
"Why is that?" Chen Zhuo feigned appropriate surprise.
Despite having received the Commandery Princess’s letter perfectly yesterday, still acting like this.
On the side, Yang Zheng secretly grimaced, actually curious as well. Only Chen Zhuo had seen the letter; he didn’t know what was written inside.
Jiang Shaohua said nonchalantly: "All three hundred bandits have been beheaded, with corpses displayed outside the camp fortifications for ten days."
Everyone: "..."
County Magistrate Mo and the others felt a chill down their spines, wishing they could bury their heads in their chest. Yang Zheng was a step slow in lowering his head, caught by the Commandery Princess’s gaze, feeling an unexpected chill in his heart.
Three hundred bandits!
All beheaded!
And the bodies displayed!
This is a show of power, intimidating all those with ulterior motives!
Despite the Commandery Princess’s youthful age, her methods are vicious and seasoned!
Chen Zhuo promptly continued: "This past year, bandits have been rampant across Nanyang County’s various prefectures, truly unsettling. The Commandery Princess’s approach is indeed appropriate."
Jiang Shaohua beamed brightly, with a tone as light as a typical charming little girl: "Before, I worried that Chief Historian Chen would find my methods brutal and damaging to harmony. As Chief Historian Chen also agrees, it seems I didn’t act wrongly."
"There’s another bandit nest in Li County, Qin Zhan is leading people to encircle it. We’ll stay in the county government for a few days, wait for Qin Zhan’s good news, and check on Li County’s spring farming meanwhile."
Chen Zhuo agreed happily, looking at Cai Ye: "Commandery Princess has arrived, County Magistrate Cai, please arrange accommodations and also, after everything is settled, organize a banquet. Both to welcome the Commandery Princess and celebrate County Magistrate Cai’s promotion."
Cai Ye agreed respectfully.
...
Former County Magistrate Cai departed in a state of desolation, taking his wife, children, and two concubines, along with two cartloads of belongings. Leaving quietly, with nobody seeing him off.
The evening banquet was lively, though.
Two tables in total, with the Commandery Princess seated at one, accompanied by Chief Historian Chen and the new County Magistrate Cai. At the other, Yang Zheng was accompanied by County Magistrate Mo and three others.
The Commandery Princess, being young, did not drink, so the others only had a few sips, indulged in small talk, and dispersed.
The county government of Li County seemed rather outdated, but the backyard was spacious, clean, and elegant. It could be seen that the former County Magistrate Cai had some merit; at least he was refined and had a taste for high living standards.
Yin Zhu and Tu Bai were quick in their actions, having replaced all the bedding and curtains on the bed, attending to the Commandery Princess’s dressing and grooming.
Tu Bai whispered: "I don’t understand why the Commandery Princess supports that Steward Cai so much."
Jiang Shaohua chuckled quietly, not speaking.
Yin Zhu, being more astute than Tu Bai, whispered with a smile: "Do you still not understand? Without the Commandery Princess, Steward Cai would never be able to become the County Magistrate. Even to maintain his position in the future, he must rely completely on the Commandery Princess. From now on, all of Li County will be under the Commandery Princess’s command."
"Additionally, the same principle applies to Tang Yamen Runners. He has received immense favor from the Commandery Princess, promoted exceptionally. He will definitely be grateful and work wholeheartedly."
Tu Bai suddenly understood: "So that’s how it is."
Jiang Shaohua smiled again, glancing at Yin Zhu: "That’s enough, understand it in your heart, no need to say it so clearly. Also, don’t go around boasting."