After leaving Carpenter Zhang's home, Chen Xiaobei was walking back along the street when he suddenly heard someone calling him and turned around to see it was Chen Sanqiu.
Since becoming the head of the village, I have had more interactions and contacts with most of the villagers, but this Chen Sanqiu has almost no contact with me. Perhaps it is a bit of arrogance as a scholar.
"Oh, it's Brother Sanqiu." Chen Xiaobei greeted with a smile.
"What's the matter with you?"
Chen Sanqiu hesitated for a moment, then handed over a cloth bag in his hand.
"I heard that you are going to set up a school. I have a few books here. You can give them to the children. It's a little thought of mine."
This surprised Chen Xiaobei, and he remembered what Cui Hongyu told him a few days ago that Chen Sanqiu wanted to be a teacher.
When talking about this, Chen Xiaobei did not reach out to pick it up, but directly asked, "By the way, I heard from Hong Yu that you want to teach children to read in a school, right?"
Chen Sanqiu nodded, "Yes, yes, I have nothing to do at home."
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly, "That's nothing, but the ugly thing is that I don't charge tuition for children in the village to go to school. The village will bear the cost of hiring a teacher, so it won't be too high."
Upon hearing this, Chen Sanqiu had a look of astonishment on his face, "You are so stubborn, why don't we charge some tuition and split it equally between the two of you?"
Chen Xiaobei fully understood Chen Sanqiu's intention, and his face straightened, "Brother Sanqiu, we have some money in the village and let our children study for free. This can be considered a good thing for everyone."
"Besides, the school is built in the village. It's inappropriate for you to teach and charge tuition."
After hearing these words, Chen Sanqiu's face changed slightly, "You are so stupid. Where can you find a private school teacher in this poor mountain valley?"
After saying that, he turned around and left angrily.
Watching Chen Sanqiu go away, Chen Xiaobei shook his head with regret. Some people still couldn't see clearly the current situation. Like Chen Sanqiu, I'm afraid they won't have a foothold in the village in the future.
But the appearance of Chen Sanqiu reminded me that it was time to find a teacher.
After thinking wildly all the way, Chen Xiaobei returned home.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw Cui Hongyu teaching Chen Qiaoer to write with a tree branch. Seeing this scene, Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but his eyes lit up.
Yes, isn't this ready-made? Cui Hongyu can do this job.
Thinking of this, he smiled and said to Cui Hongyu, "Hongyu, I want to discuss something with you."
After hearing this, Cui Hongyu immediately stood up and said, "Husband, if you have anything to do, you can just give me my instructions."
"No, this matter is very important. You have to think about it clearly."
Seeing how serious Chen Xiaobei was, Cui Hongyu stopped smiling.
Chen Qiaoer also put down the branch in his hand and stood up, as if listening.
Chen Xiaobei tapped her head gently and said, "It has nothing to do with you. You can continue practicing calligraphy."
Chen Qiaoer immediately squatted down obediently and continued writing.
"Kuyu, school will start soon, and I want you to be the teacher and teach the children how to read."
Upon hearing this Cui Hongyu, a trace of panic clearly flashed in his eyes.
"No, no, husband, I can't do this."
"I believe you can do it." Chen Xiaobei encouraged her again.
Cui Hongyu still shook his head in refusal, and his face turned red obviously.
Well, maybe this step is too big, and it may be difficult for Cui Hongyu, who is slightly introverted, to do it.
"Okay, then I'll go to the county to find someone else."
Upon hearing this, Cui Hongyu perked up.
"I know someone who can be a husband."
Oh, Cui Hongyu actually has resources in this area, which surprised Chen Xiaobei at the time.
"But one is not enough. I think so. Not only can I teach the children to read, but also the adults in the village who want to read. So I need at least two gentlemen."
Cui Hongyu frowned and thought for a while, "Then let her find another one."
Chen Xiaobei couldn't wait to hitch the donkey cart and rush to the county town with Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiaoer.
At this time in the county.
Zhao Chunqiang came again to see Hu Fan.
Zhao Chunqiang was unwilling to be dismissed from his post by Hu Fan, thinking that after so many days, Hu Fan's anger should be gone.
Hu Fan was working in the study. When he heard that Zhao Chunqiang was coming, he frowned.
"Let him go, I won't see him."
Master Mao Youmao, who had been by his side all the time, spoke up, "Master, don't miss him. As the saying goes, murder kills the heart, so you have to make him give up."
After listening to his words, Hu Fan suddenly laughed, "Killing people and killing people's hearts, this is a good word, a wonderful word!"
As he spoke, he waved his hand and said, "Let him come in."
Soon the police brought Zhao Chunqiang into Hu Fan's office.
As soon as he came in, Zhao Chunqiang knelt down and said with a flattering look on his face, "I have met Magistrate Hu and Master Mao."
Normally, the most Zhao Chunqiang would do to Mao is nod his head and say hello, how could it be so humble?
Hu Fan asked coldly, "What's the matter with you coming to see me?"
Zhao Chunqiang took a step forward again, took out a writing brush from his sleeve like a magic trick, and put it on Hu Fan's desk.
"Magistrate Hu, this is Langhao, and I have someone specially commissioned to do it for you."
Langhao was the most high-end brush at this time. It was definitely not cheap. Hu Fan was a literati and he really liked this kind of thing.
But since he had made up his mind to kill someone, he naturally couldn't ask for the wolf hair.
Hu Fan's face darkened, "Zhao Chunqiang, you are clearly bribing me. Do you know your crime?"
Zhao Chunqiang bowed again and said, "Magistrate Hu, I know I made a mistake. I will correct it in the future."
Hu Fan shook his head slightly, "No need to do it later, you have no chance."
After speaking, he turned to look at Mao You and said, "By the way, the candidates for the new township magistrate have been submitted to the state capital, and they will be able to take office once they are appointed."
"This, this." Zhao Chunqiang was dumbfounded and felt a sense of despair in his heart.
"Okay, you are no longer a township official. Go back and vacate your office. Remember to move out today."
After saying that, Hu Fan flicked his sleeve and swept the wolf hair directly to the ground.
Zhao Chunqiang had no choice but to step forward, pick up the wolf and leave silently.
Seeing Zhao Chunqiang land and walk away, the two looked at each other and smiled knowingly.
After being ridiculous, Mao You said again, "Sir, you have driven Zhao Chunqiang away. This village cannot be left empty!"
Hu Fan nodded, "Yes, then who do you think is appropriate?"
Mao You chuckled, "Sir, what do you think of Chen Xiaobei?"
Hu Fan couldn't help but was stunned, "Chen Xiaobei has only been a village chief for a few months, how can he become a township official all of a sudden?"
Mao cupped his fists and said, "Sir, as the old saying goes, age does not matter if you have ambitions. Besides, I heard that Chen Xiaobei has a close relationship with the Liu family."
Hu Fan laughed after hearing this, "Yeah, I remembered what you said. A few days ago, Liu Rumei showed me the edict issued by His Highness the Crown Prince, saying that Chen Xiaobei was the Prince's man.