The art of positioning was a delicate matter.
In official circles, those with higher ranks walked in front, while those with lower ranks followed behind.
Even in the business world, assistants always walk behind or beside their bosses. The only ones who could walk ahead of their superiors were guides or bodyguards clearing the way!
Chen Wang Da only recognized Magistrate Fang who was walking at the back. The other villagers of Qi Jing Village didn’t even know who Magistrate Fang was.
The official walking at the front was visibly excited, holding Tang Hong En’s hand and refusing to let go. Despite being older than Tang Hong En, with obviously dyed black hair, he still insisted on calling Tang Hong En “old leader.”
“I’m just handling some personal matters. I didn’t mean to disturb everyone during the New Year celebrations.”
This had indeed been Tang Hong En’s original intention. If he hadn’t encountered Tian Xiao Yan kneeling at Xia Xiao Lan’s doorstep today, he wouldn’t have immediately called Little Wang to arrest Tian Hu.
One phone call had stirred up the entire chain of command, and these officials had likely rushed here from the provincial capital or other cities.
When Tang Hong En called it a personal matter, none of them dared to inquire further. They were all shrewd individuals who sensed something wasn’t quite right, but how could they possibly press for details? Tang Hong En led several people into the house, and no one followed. Grandmother Yu asked Xia Xiao Lan to make tea.
“Just set down the tea and come out. They must have things to discuss.”
Grandmother Yu truly no longer considered Xia Xiao Lan an outsider. On one hand, she took the liberty of calling Tang Hong En, and on the other, she was teaching Xia Xiao Lan proper etiquette.
Xia Xiao Lan understood such social cues perfectly well, and she appreciated Grandmother Yu’s concern… Though she had wanted to confront Grandmother Yu earlier, now she felt there was nothing to be angry about.
“I understand.”
Magistrate Fang hadn’t even managed to squeeze inside and could only stand outside in the snowy wind. Looking around, he saw the village crowds, and an elderly man looked particularly familiar.
“…Aren’t you Representative Chen?”
“Magistrate Fang, you’re correct, it’s me.”
A village chief wouldn’t be recognized by the county magistrate.
But Chen Wang Da had once been elected as a county people’s representative, which was why Magistrate Fang found him familiar. He shook Chen Wang Da’s hand and said, “Representative Chen, I’d like to understand some details from you…”
Chen Wang Da walked aside with Magistrate Fang.
Elder Tian was already too frightened to speak. He might not have feared Chen Wang Da, thinking the village chief cared too much about face to escalate village conflicts. He could speak in front of Tang Hong En because Tang’s position was ambiguous, just a “leader.”
But Chen Wang Da had recognized Magistrate Fang, and even rural farmers knew that in An Qing County, the highest official was the Party Secretary, followed by the County Magistrate!
The County Magistrate was countless ranks above a village chief, yet here he was, standing outside in the wind… Elder Tian didn’t dare to think further. The mere thought made his internal organs ache with fear, leaving him breathless.
“Brother?”
Second Sister-in-law Tian wondered what they could do now!
Elder Tian, looking terrified, finally spotted Tian Xiao Yan hiding in the crowd and rushed forward to grab her:
“You ignorant, worthless girl, you’ll be the death of our entire family!”
Villagers quickly held him back, with Liu Yong stepping in front, “Why are you taking it out on a child? How can adults blame their wrongdoings on children?”
Liu Yong wasn’t stupid. Now that Tian Xiao Yan had become evidence of Third Brother Tian’s child abuse, why would he let the Tian family take her back just so they could coordinate their stories?
Elder Tian didn’t dare confront Liu Yong. Tang Hong En had clearly shown he was taking the Liu family’s side.
Regarding Tang Hong En’s position, Elder Tian now only dared guess that it was higher than the County Magistrate’s, though he wasn’t sure by how much… Even if it wasn’t higher than the County Magistrate’s, whether it was some bureau chief or even a township head, having someone directly backing the Liu family meant Elder Tian couldn’t afford to cause trouble!
He now deeply resented Liu Yong, hating how the Liu family had been so low-key.
Having connections but not flaunting them had led the Tian family to think they could take advantage.
But he didn’t dare accuse Liu Yong, and instead had to carefully bow his head in apology: “Brother Yong, I know I was wrong. I’ll do anything you ask if you’ll just let me off this time… I was blind and foolish and didn’t raise Tian Hu properly… I… I was wrong!”
Liu Yong suppressed a cold laugh. The Tian family hadn’t truly recognized their mistakes; they were just terrified of Tang Hong En, reduced to this state out of fear.
“Tian Da Long, you’re older than me, I don’t deserve to be called ‘Brother Yong.’ Our two families weren’t meant to interfere with each other, but your family went too far. You think saying ‘I was wrong’ once makes everything fine?”
Liu Yong wasn’t that magnanimous; he still felt indignant on behalf of Liu Fen!
Damn it, they tried to shed blood at his sister and niece’s doorstep on New Year’s Eve—such a vicious act—and now they thought a few soft words would make Liu Yong forget everything? He would be failing Tang Hong En’s grand gesture if he did.
Elder Tian wanted to speak again, but Xia Xiao Lan poked her head out:
“Uncle, Uncle Tang is asking for you inside.”
Magistrate Fang, who had been gathering information from Chen Wang Da, watched enviously as Liu Yong entered the room he couldn’t access.
There was no helping it—he was neither Tang Hong En’s former subordinate nor of sufficient rank to approach Tang Hong En. He was only allowed to come along because those inside didn’t know the situation and thought that since An Qing County was under his jurisdiction, he could help lead the way.
Watching the slim Liu Yong enter, Magistrate Fang couldn’t help but remark to Chen Wang Da:
“Our An Qing County truly produces exceptional people, especially your Qi Jing Village—it’s a place that nurtures talent.”
Magistrate Fang had just learned that Xia Xiao Lan was the provincial top scholar of 1984. When the county wanted to reward her last year, she attended the ceremony, though Liu Fen had collected the county’s reward money on her behalf.
Had Magistrate Fang met Xia Xiao Lan before, how could he possibly have forgotten? He would have recognized her immediately.
Chen Wang Da agreed with the Magistrate’s words; this was his favorite topic. He hoped Qi Jing Village would produce more outstanding individuals, as that was the key to the village’s future development. However, Magistrate Fang’s expression turned serious as he added:
“A place that nurtures talent must be well protected. We cannot tolerate any troublemakers who disrupt unity and stability!”
Thud—
Elder Tian heard clearly. Being labeled a troublemaker by the County Magistrate meant nothing good awaited the Tian family.
“You’re right.”
With things having escalated to this point, Chen Wang Da no longer cared about keeping village scandals private.
How could Chen Wang Da speak up for thugs like the Tian family? With Xia Xiao Lan and Liu Yong’s significance, Chen Wang Da would only help the Liu family. But his previous support hadn’t been strong enough, because only today did he realize that Liu Fen, whom everyone had overlooked, was the most formidable one!
Magistrate Fang wanted to speak with Tang Hong En—what good was it to have all these villagers watching? He needed to disperse these people.
Sister-in-law Chen left with a group of people, the wind hitting her face as she remained in a daze.
After walking far enough, Fourth Sister-in-law Chen finally patted her chest and said, “That was terrifying! What kind of leader did Fen get involved with? Even the County Magistrate doesn’t rank high enough to speak with them?”
Sister-in-law Chen didn’t know.
Even if she knew, she wouldn’t want to answer.
Compared to this impressive high-ranking official, her relative who worked as a machinery factory worker was… Sister-in-law Chen felt the sting of invisible slaps, her entire being seeming to lose its soul!