"Brother Jiang, to be frank, I am also unfamiliar with this place, Yao County, as an official. I don't have many capable people around me, and I am often constrained because of it. If you could come, you would be a great help to me."
"As for literacy, it's not a difficult matter. I'll have the scribes teach you later. It's not like pursuing scholarly studies; recognizing common characters is quite easy."
With County Magistrate Cheng having said all that, if Jiang Pan were still unmoved, he would be less than a man and very unappreciative.
"Brother Cheng, as long as you don't mind my clumsy hands and feet, I am willing to be at your service at the yamen."
County Magistrate Cheng smiled and said, "Then Brother Jiang, you can start working at the yamen tomorrow. With you here, I'll be able to worry less from now on."
Jiang Pan thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll report to the yamen early tomorrow morning then."
After the two returned to the Jiang family courtyard, County Magistrate Cheng proposed to take his leave. He had official duties to attend to and many matters at the yamen, so he naturally didn't have much free time.
Cheng Sinian refused to leave, clinging to the Jiang family's gate, as if he would only move if he and the gate were carried away together. He had none of the demeanor of a young master.
"Aren't you ashamed!"
Madam Cheng chided him with a smile.
Chen Yuezhi smiled and said, "If he doesn't want to leave, let him stay. We can send him back along with Sanlang when he goes to school tomorrow morning."
Madam Cheng was a little surprised. "Sanlang is going to school? How come I didn't know about this? You're really something, such an important matter as enrollment, and you didn't ask me? Are you trying to be distant with me?"
Chen Yuezhi quickly replied, "How can I be distant? Where are you getting that idea? I was thinking that our family is settling down here in Yao County, and we can't always rely on you for everything. Besides, enrolling wasn't a difficult task. If it were truly unmanageable, wouldn't I ask you?"
Madam Cheng then gave her a reproachful glance. "Which school is he attending?"
Chen Yuezhi said, "It's Master Zhong's private school in the city. He's been attending for half a month already."
Madam Cheng frowned. "That Master Zhong has a very peculiar temper. Sanlang going to school there, won't he be wronged?"
Chen Yuezhi smiled. "What harm can a little hardship do to a boy? Besides, a strict teacher ensures good scholarship, doesn't it?"
Madam Cheng thought that made sense, so she didn't say anything more. She left Cheng Sinian there and returned to the city with County Magistrate Cheng.
After they had left, Jiang Pan told his family about his impending job at the yamen.
Everyone was startled by this sudden news.
Chen Yuezhi was very excited. "Really? Working at the yamen? Won't this trouble Lord Cheng?"
Jiang Pan, who had been suppressing his joy, finally showed an excited expression. "Your man isn't that useless!"
Jiang Wan smiled and nodded. "That's right, my father is amazing!"
Pleased by his daughter's praise, Jiang Pan scooped her up and lifted her high.
Eldest Brother and Second Brother were also delighted. Their father had transformed into someone working for the yamen. This meant their own status would also change.
After a moment of happiness, Chen Yuezhi asked again, "If you're working at the yamen, how will the village chief position be arranged? Although there aren't many major issues in the village, there are plenty of trivial matters in every household. We can't wait until you return from the yamen to resolve them, can we?"
Eldest Brother's eyes lit up and he said, "The village chief position is passed down from generation to generation. If my father can't do it, then I..."
"Then you what?"
Jiang Pan glared at him. "How many steamed buns have you eaten? Your facial hair hasn't even grown in yet, and you want to be village chief? Why don't you try flying to the sky!"
Eldest Brother shrunk his neck, being retorted, and said softly, "I didn't say I wanted to be."
Jiang Pan glared at him again, then turned to Chen Yuezhi and said, "I've thought about it. I'll return the village chief position. Uncle Zhao has been the village chief for half his life, and the villagers respect him. It would be most appropriate for him to take charge again."
Chen Yuezhi strongly agreed. "Indeed, there is no one more suitable than him."
Jiang Pan put Jiang Wan down, letting her go play with Cheng Sinian, and then he got up and went to the old village chief's house.
Since he was going to work at the yamen tomorrow, this matter had to be settled today.
When the old village chief learned of Jiang Pan's intention, his first reaction was to refuse.
After all, Jiang Pan had served as village chief better than he had, and he felt too embarrassed to shamelessly accept the position again.
"Uncle, please don't refuse. This small village has become more prosperous year after year under your leadership. If you don't serve as village chief, what will the villagers do?"
"I am young, and I have little experience. I am not as thorough as you in handling matters. My methods that worked on the road before are useful, but now that we've settled down, the villagers might resent it. For the harmony of our village, you must come out of retirement and take charge again."
Zhao Xianlin also persuaded him, "Father, Dapan is right. No one else can bear this burden but you. Besides, Dapan is going to work at the yamen. No matter how capable he is, he can't split himself in two, can he?"
Jiang Pan nodded. "Yes, Uncle, please take pity on me, won't you?"
The old village chief cast a subtle glare at Zhao Xianlin. He knew his son's intentions. The position of village chief was passed down from generation to generation. If he could become village chief again, then Zhao Xianlin would be the next village chief.
When he had previously yielded the village chief position to Jiang Pan, Zhao Xianlin had actually been somewhat displeased, but given the circumstances at the time, Zhao Xianlin dared not be presumptuous, so he had no choice but to agree to his decision.
Now that Jiang Pan was willing to give up the position of village chief, Zhao Xianlin was naturally overjoyed.
Turning to Jiang Pan, the old village chief said, "Since that's the case, then I will shamelessly accept this burden. However, this burden must be returned to you later. Dapan, you are capable and a good person. I am at ease entrusting the small village to your care."
Zhao Xianlin's expression immediately darkened, but he ultimately dared not say anything unpleasant.
Jiang Pan knew Zhao Xianlin's thoughts but was not angry. After all, something that was destined for him from birth was suddenly given away without his consent; how could he feel good about it?
So he smiled and said, "We'll talk about it later. I'm sure there will be a more suitable candidate than me by then."
After the matter was settled, Jiang Pan and the old village chief together struck the bell under the large tree in the village to notify the villagers of Xiaoshan Village to gather for a meeting.
It turned out that the old village chief had also brought the bell that originally belonged to Xiaoshan Village.
Just like before, Jiang Pan found a tree in the center of the village and hung the bell that had witnessed the growth of several generations of Xiaoshan Village's people.
As soon as the bell rang, the villagers knew they had to assemble.
This was a tradition passed down through generations of Xiaoshan Village's people.
When they heard that Jiang Pan was going to work at the yamen and that the village chief position was being returned to the old village chief, the villagers were momentarily unsure how to react.
If they were to be happy, it seemed inappropriate, as it would make it appear as if they were dissatisfied with Jiang Pan as village chief.
But if they were not happy, being able to work at the yamen was not something anyone could do. Moreover, the old village chief might misunderstand that they were dissatisfied with him.
So, they were conflicted!