Completely Stunned

The Prefect nodded and said, "The young man is impressive. Someone, bring the appointment letter."

The clerk immediately brought the appointment letter with both hands. The Prefect read it aloud on the spot, appointing Zhang Mu as the village chief of Haizi Village and several surrounding villages.

After the Prefect announced it, the villagers, upon hearing it wasn’t John Thompson, were relieved and the crowd instantly erupted in cheers, all praising the Prefect, shouting "The Prefect is wise!".

Mark Hunter was very excited upon hearing this. He accepted the appointment letter and cupped his fists to the Prefect, saying, "Thank you, Prefect. I will definitely fulfill my duties and be a good village chief."

The Prefect nodded and smiled, "Good, I hope you can think for the people and seek benefits for the villagers."

"Definitely, definitely!" Mark Hunter replied.

John Thompson was completely dumbfounded. What was going on?

"Second Uncle, wasn’t it agreed that I would be the village chief? How did it become Mark Hunter?!" John Thompson was stunned.

Director Zhang was also confused. He had personally gone to see the Prefect and even slipped some silver; there shouldn’t be any unexpected changes!

John Thompson suddenly panicked and shouted anxiously, "Villagers, stop cheering! There must be a mistake, a mistake!"

John Thompson rushed to the Prefect and said, "Sir, my name is John Thompson. Are you mistaken? I’m supposed to be the village chief!"

The Prefect looked at Zhang Zhuzi with disdain and snorted coldly, "Hmph, a mere troublemaker dares to question this official!"

"No, no, Sir, the village chief position is mine!" John Thompson turned and pointed at Mr. Jenkins, hurriedly saying, "My Second Uncle said the village chief must be me. There must be some mistake. Prefect, did you misread the name? Why don’t you check the appointment letter again?"

"Scoundrel!" The Prefect flicked his sleeve, and immediately two constables pulled Zhang Zhuzi aside.

Seeing that the village chief position was lost, John Thompson went crazy, shouting at the top of his lungs, "I’m the village chief! Second Uncle, say something!"

Director Zhang was sweating profusely, with everyone staring at him.

Director Zhang walked up to the Prefect and whispered, "Sir, didn’t we agree on this? Why the sudden change?"

The Prefect’s eyes flashed coldly, "Who told you that? What agreement?"

Director Zhang blurted out, "It wasn’t just the two of us. The village chief position was for my nephew. I even gave you a generous gift."

"Bribery!? Hmph! I was going to deal with you back at the office, but since you came to me yourself, I’ll just charge you with bribing a court official! Guards, arrest Zhang the Scholar and bring him back to the office for questioning!" The Prefect ordered, and two constables immediately bound Zhang tightly.

The situation changed too quickly. Zhang the Scholar hadn’t even reacted before he was tied up, completely stunned.

John Thompson saw his second uncle being tied up and was extremely anxious, stomping his feet and shouting, "Second Uncle, help me! I want to be the village chief!"

Only then did Zhang the Scholar come to his senses and spat at Zhang Zhuzi, "Shut up!"

Then Zhang the Scholar finally had a change of heart, thinking that someone was definitely trying to frame him by bringing up the bribery issue.

Dean Chandler, now desperate, maliciously glared at Su Li and Mark Hunter, and said to the Prefect, "Sir, I am at least a scholar with a degree, not an ordinary person. Su Li and Mark Hunter openly assaulted a scholar. According to the law, they should both be arrested and punished! If you don’t arrest them, it would be favoritism. I won’t accept that!"