Chapter 101: The Managing Official System

Zhang Ping'an did not go directly to the Eighty-five Courtyard, but waited at the entrance of the alley; before long, Wang Xiaoling came bouncing out.

"Xiao Ling, over here."

"Zhang Ping'an, you actually came."

"Of course, didn't I promise you yesterday? I brought some thin-skinned buns I learned to make in Beijiang; you can try them later." Zhang Ping'an wanted to help Wang Xiaoling put some weight back on her baby-fat cheeks.

"Mm, okay."

"Let's go to Master's place to eat; I brought plenty."

"Okay." At this moment, Wang Xiaoling looked just like an obedient little wife.

"Master, Mistress, I brought quite a bit of breakfast, let's eat together."

"Grandpa, Grandma, let's eat together."

"No, Grandma is getting on in years, a light meal in the morning is fine."

"Let me try this bun. Mm~ the taste of Beijiang, I haven't had this in many years."

"Grandma, you try one too."

"Alright, alright, alright, it's delicious." The Mistress couldn't resist Wang Xiaoling, so she had to eat one.

"Ping'an, what are your plans for the future?"

"Master, I plan to work hard at the Rolling Mill and earn money to take a wife."

Wang Xiaoling blushed on the side, while the Mistress watched with a smile. Lao Wang simply couldn't bear to look at his granddaughter; the other person hadn't even said anything yet, so what was she blushing for? The lively and cute granddaughter from before had grown up after all.

"Ping'an, come with me."

"What is it, Master?" Zhang Ping'an asked in the study.

"I originally wanted you to take over the Pharmacy, but recently I heard that all business storefronts will become a Public-Private Partnership. I don't know if this is good or bad."

"Master, I've heard it too, but no matter what, it's the general trend, and we can only go with the flow. If you want to retire, Master, then just hand it over to the two senior brothers; I still have to go to work." During the two months Zhang Ping'an was away, his eldest nephew Jia Dongxu had been covering his shifts.

"So be it."

Wang Lao did not force the issue. Although he wanted Zhang Ping'an to take over, he also had to consider the feelings of his two disciples. Since Zhang Ping'an didn't have the heart for it, it saved him from being in a difficult position.

"Master, if possible, let's be the first to do it."

"Alright, I understand. Come over on your tricycle around eight or nine tonight."

"Okay."

Afterwards, Zhang Ping'an stayed busy at the Pharmacy until noon, bummed a meal at his Master's house, and then went to the Rolling Mill to look around.

On the tricycle, Zhang Ping'an placed a portion of the cured meat he had previously acquired from Fang Dahu, added two baskets of eggs, and took three black parcels filled with Red Dates, raisins, and walnuts.

"Ping'an, what have you been busy with these two months? I haven't seen you come by."

"Hehe, I won't hide it from you, Brother Tan, I went on a long trip. Please distribute the things inside to the brothers."

"Yo, this isn't light, haha, alright." Then Tan Jun pulled him aside and whispered:

"Ping'an, in October, the factory might be taken over by the State, something about a partnership. I didn't quite understand it, but in short, it might not be as casual as before in the future. Our rice bowls might not be secure."

"It shouldn't be that bad, Brother Tan."

"Hi~ who can say for sure? I heard they are going to audit historical accounts and all sorts of miscellaneous things. Anyway, let's all be careful, and you should keep that in mind."

"Got it, thanks, Brother Tan."

Zhang Ping'an went to the kitchen warehouse, and Wu Qiang also spoke to Zhang Ping'an about the Public-Private Partnership.

"Don't worry, Qiang Ge, I'm sure the State will understand normal human interactions. Besides, we are all human; it's normal to make small mistakes."

"Alright, hearing you say that makes me feel much more at ease. Take the slip and go find Director Lou."

"Okay, this is a little local specialty I brought; take it home for your wife and children to try."

"Alright, I won't stand on ceremony with you."

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in."

"Director Lou."

"Yo, you kid are a rare guest. You've been gone for over two months; it's a good thing you have a good nephew."

"Hehe, there was a change of plans halfway, otherwise I would have been back long ago. I brought you some local specialties."

"Hehe, alright, give me the slip."

After settling the accounts, Zhang Ping'an gained another million-plus. Late in the evening, Zhang Ping'an made a trip to the Police Station.

"Li Ge, this is a local specialty I brought for you."

"Hehe, alright, thank you, Ping'an."

"Li Ge, there seem to be a lot of new faces."

"Mm, the Military Control Commission has been dissolved, and our Police Station has added quite a few people. From now on, we are a Sub-bureau."

"No wonder, then hasn't Uncle Wang been promoted?" Zhang Ping'an whispered.

"Hehe, that's right. Not just Director Wang—ah, ptooey, it's Bureau Chief Wang—I'm also a Deputy Section Chief now."

"Congratulations, congratulations," Zhang Ping'an said, bowing in jest.

"You kid, you only gave to me, didn't you bring anything for Bureau Chief Wang?"

"Right, you take Uncle Li's portion back too. I'll have Si Jie bring Uncle Wang's over later."

"Alright."

In the evening, Zhang Ping'an sent Wang Xiaoling home. Upon returning to the courtyard, he found people gathered in twos and threes.

"What's the situation, Teacher Yan?"

"The Street Office has been established, hasn't it? This afternoon, Director Wang from the Street Office said there was something to announce and asked us to gather in the Front Courtyard at six-thirty."

Zhang Ping'an's heart stirred. Could it be that they were going to elect a Managing Master? Looking at the timing and the situation, it was eight or nine tenths likely.

Zhang Ping'an did not go back either; instead, he pulled over a stool from Yan Bugui's house and sat down right there, a handful of melon seeds appearing in his hand at some point.

"Come, Teacher Yan, since we're just sitting around anyway, have some melon seeds to freshen your mouth. By the way, how come I don't see your wife?"

"Ahem, Yang is with child, so she's resting at home."

"Teacher Yan, you're impressive."

Since she was resting, she was likely at least seven or eight months along; the fourth child, Yan Jiedi, was about to be born.

"Go on, go on with you," Yan Bugui's old face flushed red.

"Hahaha."

Before long, a woman in her thirties walked over, accompanied by two young men who looked like cadres.

"The one leading them is Director Wang."

"She doesn't look that old, either."

"Mm, she's about the same age as Liu in the Back Courtyard."

"Everyone, quiet down. Is there one person from each household present?"

"Everyone is here."

"Good. Two matters: first, the Street Office has just been established and is short-staffed. To assist the Street Office, the position of Managing Official has been set up in every Siheyuan, primarily responsible for the security and resident management of the Siheyuan."

"At the same time, they will relay and convey documents and legal education from the Street Office. Therefore, the Managing Official is required to be literate, have a base of support among the masses, and possess prestige."

"Your courtyard is the largest one I have handled so far, with about fifty people currently registered. Although it's not many, more people will certainly move in later."

"Therefore, you will have one Managing Official for each of the Front, Middle, and Back Courtyards. Please hold a spontaneous election now, and we will tally the results in a moment."

Liu Haizhong's tiger-like body shuddered; the moment Director Wang mentioned electing a Managing Official, he became excited. This was an official post practically tailor-made for him.

"Alright, starting with the Front Courtyard, there are currently only three families: the Zhao family, the Han family, and the Yan family. Who do you choose?"

"Director Wang, I'm just a rough fellow, I don't know a single character."

"Same here."

"Teacher Yan, then it's you." Yan Bugui became the undisputed Managing Official of the Front Courtyard.

"Done. Thank you all for your trust. I will certainly fulfill the tasks assigned by the Street Office and coordinate and handle resident relations well."

"Good, everyone give a round of applause."

"Clap, clap, clap." Yan Bugui bowed to all sides.

"Good, next is the Middle Courtyard: the Jia Family, the He family, the Yi family, the Zheng family, and is Zhang Ping'an here?"

"I'm here, Director Wang, that's me."

"Good, your Yueliangmen is situated between the Middle Courtyard and the Back Courtyard, so for now, it will be counted as part of the Middle Courtyard."

"Understood."

"Good, everyone, please nominate someone spontaneously."

"Brother, you do it. This Middle Courtyard is just..."

"Eh~ Lao Yi, you know I don't like to manage things. You, He, and Zheng, you all decide."

"Lao Yi, it should be you. You've helped out plenty with the big and small matters of our courtyard before."

"That's right, Lao Yi."

"This... well, alright then."

After having a child, Yi Zhonghai was not as keen on power, but the Deaf Old Lady still hoped he would take on this responsibility.