Li Gouzi Wants to Be Village Mayor

Most of the villagers were quite happy when they found out because the village chief was one of their own. That meant the corvée labor wouldn't be so harsh in the future. As for letting Su Li choose, the villagers had no objections since it was Su Li who funded the school, allowing the chief to come from their village.

But there was a small group who were jealous and envious behind the scenes, gossiping about why Su Li, a mere woman, was allowed to nominate the village chief. They said it was breaking tradition.

Qin Sanniang leaned against the courtyard gate, gossiping with a few young wives, sourly saying, "It's just a bit of money to build a school, what's the big deal? Choosing the village chief is a man's job, how can a woman decide? Su Li knows nothing—ignorant women know nothing."

Beside Qin Sanniang was a woman named Hong Saozi, whose husband was related to Zhang Zhuzi, making her a distant relative. Since Zhang Zhuzi's family came into sudden wealth, Hong Saozi had grown close to Qin Sanniang.

Hong Saozi nodded, saying, "Exactly, how can a woman nominate the village chief? Look at Su Li, why doesn't she run for emperor? Just because she has some money, pfft!"

Following Qin Sanniang's words, Hong Saozi made her feel very pleased. She glanced back at Zhang Zhaocai chopping firewood and cursed, "Lazy child, hurry up or no dinner for you tonight!"

Zhang Zhaocai lowered his head, gripping the axe silently without a word.

Qin Sanniang turned back to Hong Saozi, saying, "What about my Zhang Zhuzi? He's quite lively, knows many people, has wide connections. I think Zhang Zhaocai would make a good village chief."

Hong Saozi clapped her hands, "Yes, your man is lively, and by his looks, he has the aura of wealth and nobility. He's surely destined to be an official!"

"Really!?" Qin Sanniang, hearing Hong Saozi say Zhang Zhuzi was destined to be an official, thought to herself, "I'm already an official's wife," and felt elated. She said, "I think so too. Though Zhang Zhuzi isn't much now, if he becomes village chief, he'll definitely make a name for himself."

Hong Saozi said, "But who becomes village chief is up to Su Li."

"Well..." Qin Sanniang was troubled. She had tried to curry favor with Su Li before, but Su Li was indifferent to her. Qin Sanniang couldn't figure out Su Li's preferences or how to get close to her.

Hong Saozi saw Qin Sanniang lowering her head and knew she was scheming to get the village chief position. Hong Saozi also pondered quietly, thinking her husband Liu Chang wasn't bad either. If he could get the village chief role, during corvée labor, wealthy families would bribe to avoid work, which meant quite a bit of money!

Both women were lost in their own thoughts when a skinny, dirty little girl ran over, shouting to Hong Saozi, "Mom, come home for dinner!"

The little girl was Hong Saozi's eldest daughter, Liu Xiaoning.

"Alright, I'm going home to eat first. I'll find you tomorrow," Hong Saozi said as she got up and headed toward Liu Xiaoning. Liu Xiaoning said, "Brother wet his pants again."

Hong Saozi frowned and said, "So what if he wet his pants? Can't you change him? Why tell me? Hurry up, let's go home for dinner, I'm starving."

After Hong Saozi and Liu Xiaoning left, Qin Sanniang went back inside and saw Zhang Zhuzi sleeping soundly. She kicked him and said, "Stop sleeping, get up! I want to ask you, do you want to be an official?"

Zhang Zhuzi, still groggy, pulled Qin Sanniang close and said, "What official? Is it prestigious?"

Qin Sanniang said, "Village chief, in charge of several villages. Don't you think it's prestigious?"

Zhang Zhuzi immediately woke up, his eyes shining brightly. "What? You want me to be the village chief? Sure, sure, that sounds great!"