I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 97 Absolutely the Minority (Bonus Chapter by zason)
After everyone exchanged greetings, Su Suiran stepped out from the crowd and headed straight for Xue Xiang. His face was warm and friendly. He reached out his hand from afar and patted Xue Xiang's shoulder as he approached, saying, "When you were in the Seventh Academy, I knew you were no ordinary person, but I never expected that you would have such an opportunity in such a short time. I admire you."

We are now reunited in Suiyang, old friends. I hope Chief Xue will offer me much guidance.

His gaze was gentle, and his words were sincere.

Xue Xiang secretly gave this guy's acting a perfect score, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart how wonderful it would be if all the opponents he encountered in his life were hotheads like Li Shaobai and Su Ziming.

"Vice President Su, you flatter me. If it weren't for your guidance, I wouldn't be where I am today. I will never forget your great kindness."

Xue Xiang stepped forward and gave Su Suiran a bear hug.

Su Suiran had never seen such a shameless guy before, but she couldn't push Xue Xiang away, so she could only suppress her disgust.

An hour later, the two groups of officials from the ferry met in the council hall of the Suiyang Town government.

Guo Xiong announced Su Suiran's latest appointment as the magistrate of Suiyang Town.

Despite being mentally prepared, Deputy Town Magistrate Cai Gaoyi, who was in charge of the situation, still looked somewhat stiff.

Immediately afterwards, Guo Xiong announced the second transfer order.

Cai Gaoyi is no longer serving as the deputy magistrate of Suiyang Town and has been transferred to Anping Town as the deputy magistrate. Chu Zhao has taken over as the deputy magistrate of Suiyang Town.

Chu Zhao, a chubby man with a red face who came with the team, was in his early thirties. His eyes were always wandering over Xue Xiang, and Xue Xiang had noticed him long ago.

The moment the appointment was announced, Tsai Kao-yi seemed to age ten years in an instant.

Xue Xiang thought about it and felt sorry for Cai Gaoyi.

Having managed Suiyang Town for so many years and served as acting magistrate for almost half a year, he was at the height of his power when he was suddenly sent away to another place to start anew.

Anyone would feel stifled in this situation.

On second thought, the above is clearly clearing obstacles for Su Suiran to take full control of Suiyang Town.

Once the deeply entrenched Cai Gaoyi is removed, who in the entire Suiyang Town will be worthy of being Su Suiran's opponent?

After announcing the appointment, Guo Xiong prepared to take his leave.

As is customary, everyone should see them off at the door.

Su Suiran clasped his hands in a fist salute to Guo Xiong, saying, "Elder Guo, I'm new here and very busy, so I won't see you off."

"When we return to Yunmeng, I will host a banquet to apologize."

Guo Xiong said cheerfully, "It's better for you to keep things running smoothly than anything else. You go ahead and get busy."

As soon as Guo Xiong left, Su Suiran went up to the main seat where Guo Xiong had been sitting and said loudly, "Director Jin, bring over the official seal and stamp."

Jin Guang was surprised by Su Suiran's urgency and quickly instructed the clerk in charge of meeting services to rush to the second room to notify Deputy Director Du to bring over the seal.

A moment later, Su Suiran received his official seal, while Cai Gaoyi gave his own seal to Chu Zhao and left the meeting room with a desolate expression.

Su Suiran gently stroked the seal, his eyes seemingly filled with profound meaning, as if he were stroking the official seal of Yunmeng City.

"Gentlemen, although I am new here, I am not unfamiliar with Suiyang."

Su Suiran said loudly, "Suiyang is now prosperous, all thanks to the efforts of you all."

Su's purpose in coming here was not, as outsiders have speculated, to plunder; his sole aim was to elevate Suiyang to a higher level.

I've looked at the commercial tax bills from Suiyang over the past few months, and they're quite good.

However, it was truly a stretch to manage such a large situation with just the Suiyang Ferry Administration Office and Wang Anshi, a mere deputy director.

I propose establishing a new supplementary office to oversee Suiyang Ferry. What do you all think?

Xue Xiang said loudly, "Although Suiyang Ferry is prosperous, it is actually complicated and not easy to change course rashly. I urge Magistrate Su to think it over carefully."

"Is that so? In that case, I will think it over carefully and discuss this matter later. Meeting adjourned."

After Su Suiran finished speaking, he immediately stood up.

Jin Guang, the head of the second office, quickly caught up with them, and Chen Tong, the head of the first office, followed.

Xue Xiang was not surprised by their reactions.

Jin Guang is a fence-sitter and a staunch supporter of the former town magistrate, Kang Mian. It's not surprising that he would side with Su Sui Ran now that Su Sui Ran has come along.

Chen Tong's grandfather was Hong Tianxia's teacher, and he and Su Suiran were naturally in Hong Tianxia's circle.

As for Chu Zhao, Xie Haiya's letter also mentioned that this man came from Canaan County and had a close friendship with Li Shaobai. This is another potential rival.

With Su Suiran's arrival, in the blink of an eye, he became an absolute minority in the Zhangyin Temple.

Su Suiran, a newcomer, proposed to make a move at Suiyang Ferry, which was tantamount to seizing the initiative and revealing his work focus.

But when Xue Xiang objected, he restrained himself.

Xue Xiang understood even better that this was a declaration of their stance, a declaration of their opposition to him, Xue.

Let everyone who is willing to discern the wind direction see clearly and understand which side they should stand on.

………………

The hot pot is bubbling, with fatty beef, tender lamb, red peppers, green garlic, and green spinach rolling in the rich, fragrant broth.

Su Suiran, Chu Zhao, Chen Tong, and Jin Guang sat around the stove, enjoying their meal.

Su Suiran had already removed his official robes, wearing only a shirt robe with the sleeves rolled up high, looking like he was at home.

This approachable attire quickly bridged the gap between him and Jin Guang and Chu Zhao, whom he had only just met.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the conversation gradually turned to Suiyang Ferry and Xue Xiang.

Chen Tong said, "Chief Xue is young, but he is a rare talent. He deserves great credit for the current situation at Suiyang Ferry."

I wonder what the town magistrate thinks?

Although he was naturally aligned with Su Suiran, he also had his own interests and demands.

The development of Suiyangdu is in everyone's interest, and he does not want Su Suiran's arrival to ruin the good situation.

"What do you think, Chief Kim?"

Su Suiran said with a smile.

Jin Guang laughed and said, "I will do whatever the town magistrate says."

A person can't function without a head, a bird can't fly without a head, and a town also needs someone to steer it.

"Isn't that right, Deputy Commander Chu?"

Chu Zhaodao said, "I'm new here and know nothing."

But I've heard that the man surnamed Xue is sharp-tongued and not easy to get along with. Let's wait and see.

"Well said, let's wait and see."

Su Suiran said, "In short, I came here for the betterment of Suiyang, not for retaliation or to target anyone in particular."

But one thing is certain: even if anyone is missing from this world, the sun will still rise as usual.

The future of Suiyang Ferry cannot be determined by any one person. There is still Zhangyin Temple in Suiyang Town, and everyone is still sitting in Zhangyin Temple.

Come on, raise a glass!

Everyone agreed and raised their glasses to drink heartily.

While they were enjoying their hotpot meal, a haggard-looking Cai Gaoyi had been gazing at the yellow flowers after the rain for quite some time.

Deep in thought, he picked up his bamboo flute and began to play it, his voice filled with mournful lament.

Besides the yellow flowers by the window, there was also Xue Xiang, who had walked to the door and was about to knock.

After a sad tune had finished playing, Xue Xiang knocked on the door.

The dark door opened, revealing a tired and dejected middle-aged man's face to Xue Xiang.

“Lord Cai.”

Xue bowed.

"Director Xue."

Cai Gaoyi returned the greeting and quickly reached back to tidy her messy hair.

(End of this chapter)