After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1129 - 1111: Election

Da Shan said, "But I heard that Grandpa Guan wants to be a village elder."

"He’s already the village chief, why would he also want to be a village elder?"

Da Shan replied, "Both roles do not conflict, I heard from someone at the county government that you can hold both positions."

"No, no, my son went to the county town and said that the government is distributing seeds and farming tools to each village. If we let Grandpa Guan be both the village chief and a village elder, half of our village’s seeds will be taken away again this year."

"Exactly, the newly established villages received more wheat seeds before autumn than we did. Sigh, we used to be glad that our village was hidden away in the mountains, away from disaster, but now it seems it would have been better to suffer a disaster and rebuild a new village."

"Pei, pei, pei, take those words back. Do you really think the ravages of war are easy to bear? Look at how many people died in other villages. It’s tough now, but at least there’s no loss of life," someone said. "I heard at the notice board that the Great General despises those who embezzle funds. So this time to enforce policies, many Imperial Censors have been sent down. I spent two cents to get information from the guard at the notice board and heard that the County Magistrate wants to personally meet with the village elders."

"Therefore, if we petition the County Magistrate, we can definitely get Da Shan appointed as a village elder."

"Indeed, we can pool resources for the travel expenses. Once Da Shan is a village elder, we won’t have to fear Grandpa Guan withholding our seeds."

"And during tax collection, we won’t have to fear him using larger measures."

Without a village elder, they would be heavily oppressed by the village chief. The Guan Family was the largest in this area, and villagers had to go through him to reach the county government.

But now it’s different. Although the village chief is still above the village elder, the Great General has said that village elders can also meet the County Magistrate; they have the right to meet and report to the County Magistrate.

They now have another channel to communicate with the higher-ups.

Unlike them, other villages were openly lively.

Lai’an Village was bustling. Their village chief banged drums to read the new policies aloud and then asked everyone to elect a village elder.

The village chief banged the gong twice and said, "The Great General has said that the village elder need not necessarily be old, but they must be capable, virtuous, consider the community, have the ability, and know how to lead everyone to farm more, earn more, and have more children."

"Me, me, village chief, let me be the village elder. I’m a really good person, the best farmer in the village."

"Hogwash, you being the best farmer in the village, then I must be the best in the township, the best in the county. During the autumn planting, I told you to dig an extra two inches deep, said there would be heavy snow this winter, needed deep plowing, and you wouldn’t listen. How much of your wheat is damaged by frost now?"

"Pei, pei, pei, who says my wheat is frostbitten? It’s just that the weather hasn’t cleared yet. Wait until the snow melts and the spring breeze blows, they’ll come back to life instantly, but look at your wheat, short and stubby, will you even have a harvest this year?"

"Nonsense, my wheat seedlings are thick and strong. Once the spring breeze comes, they’ll shoot up like chives, definitely better than yours. You’re not fit to be the village elder, it should be me!"

Many in the village were vying to be the village elder, and someone directly asked the village chief, "Village chief, if a village elder performs well, can they become the village chief?"

Village chief: "That would have to wait until I’m dead."

"Can’t they be replaced, not even by the County Magistrate?"

"You haven’t even become a village elder yet, and you’re thinking of replacing me?" The village chief said in annoyance, waving his hand: "You’re not eligible, next one, who else wants to be the village elder?"

Everyone laughed, pushing several people forward. A capable woman also stepped forward and said, "I will be the village elder. I can farm, weave, sew clothes, and keep accounts, more capable than all of you."

"That’s not allowed, you’re a woman!"

"What’s wrong with being a woman? The Great General is also a woman!" The woman said. "The Great General has appointed female officials. Why can’t there be a female village elder? There’s nothing in the Great General’s announcement that says the village elder must be a man. Everything depends on ability, and I have more ability than you all!"

"But... but the announcement also says to consider public opinion, and you need enough people in the village to agree."

As soon as the words fell, someone immediately shouted, "I agree! I think Zhen Niang is great."

"I also think Zhen Niang is great!"

"That’s not fair, you’re all women, naturally siding with her. Only one representative per household can speak. Let your household head speak."

"Why should only the household head speak? I also want to establish a separate household, especially now as it’s possible for women to establish households."

"Do you think establishing a female household is as easy as you think? Once separated, how will you bear the increased labor and taxes? Can you, a single woman, handle that?"

The issue of vying for the village elder slowly veered off course, turning into whether only the household head could vote or if the female head could also vote.

Many villages quickly selected village elders after receiving the announcement, but many, like Lai’an Village, couldn’t decide due to differing opinions.

Previously, such matters would never reach Zhao Hanzhang’s ears, but now, as the country stabilizes, Song Xin and Yuan Li’s intelligence operatives were scattered everywhere to gather information for her. Since many prefectures and counties were newly managed by her appointees, once these messages reached the County Magistrate and Prefectural Governor, she would soon know.

Zhao Hanzhang first received reports from Song Xin and then received some reports from the prefectures and counties.

After a brief thought, she realized her oversight and gathered Ji Yuan and others for a discussion. Before long, new policies were released.

For matters like electing village elders and village chiefs requiring a vote, all citizens over the age of twelve, regardless of gender, were eligible to vote.

Those below twelve, unless they were household heads, didn’t have voting rights.

Once the announcement was made, soon the village elder in Lai’an Village was decided. Zhen Niang successfully became the village elder and went to the county to meet the County Magistrate with the village chief.

Liu Kun couldn’t have imagined that not only was there a female village elder under his administration, but there was also a female village chief. Unable to accept it, he went to see the County Magistrate of Lv County, softly asking, "County Magistrate Zhang, what’s going on here?"

County Magistrate Zhang replied with a serious expression, "Sir, Lv Village Chief is very reputable in Lv County. During the Northern Expedition, not only did she provide relief for the county’s disaster victims, but she also donated a large amount of grain and fodder. When chaotic soldiers invaded Lv County, it was Lv Village Chief who led the people to resist, thus preserving the livelihoods and wealth of the common people. Her capability, virtue, and reputation are worthy of being a village chief."

If not for her age, he would have even considered petitioning the Great General to let her take the position of County Magistrate. He believed she would be a better County Magistrate than him.

Granny Lv lifted her head, quickly glanced at Liu Kun, then bowed her head and humbly asked, "Sir, don’t you like women serving as officials?"

"No, no, no," Liu Kun quickly denied. He did not distrust women’s abilities but found it inconvenient, "It’s just that I’m not accustomed to working with female officials yet."

But she was just a village chief, whom he would hardly ever see.

Liu Kun relaxed and said with a smile, "Since the people have chosen, let it be. Today, everyone stay, I’ve arranged a new song and dance, inviting you all to enjoy it together!"

Everyone agreed, and Granny Lv lowered her eyes, hiding the mockery in them, and also agreed.