The playboy county magistrate

Seeing this, Magistrate Cao, who was standing nearby, immediately leaned close to Li Xuanzhi's ear and whispered something:

"That's Gu Pan'er, the sixth daughter of the Gu family. She's helped our yamen a lot over the years. Her father is a famous shrewd businessman. Even when the neighboring county came to our area to snatch her away, they couldn't get her by offering a lot of money. If we're talking about the most respected person in Fuyu County besides our official officials, the village head is the most trusted person. Gu Pan'er's father is the second most trusted person."

Li Xuanzhi raised an eyebrow, only one thought in his mind—

Such a beautiful girl, but she's been made to look emaciated.

Come to think of it, even if you eat well, it's just that you drink one more bowl of porridge than others.

"This Miss Gu is good at accounting, and she manages everything both inside and outside the household. For example, last time she went to the next county with her father to buy fabric, she got the idea to weave her own cloth. Recently, she's been staying at home all day researching fabric production. If it weren't for the sudden downpour, she wouldn't have been able to come and help. You'd really have to wait a while to see her."

Li Xuanzhi thought to himself: Which eye of yours saw that I wanted to see her?

Before Li Xuanzhi could even refute, Magistrate Cao had already beckoned to Gu Pan'er, signaling her to come over.

Gu Pan'er blushed slightly.

She had heard from others that a new magistrate had come to Fuyu County, a pretty boy from the capital.

Looking at him now, he certainly has the potential to be a gigolo. All the men in the entire Fuyu County combined are no match for this Magistrate Li.

Seeing Magistrate Cao beckoning to her, Gu Pan'er blushed with unusual shyness, but her steps were quick and firm as she walked towards Li Xuanzhi.

"Lord Li, this is Miss Gu Liu."

Gu Pan'er smiled and bowed to Li Xuanzhi. Although she couldn't compare to the noble ladies of the capital, her movements were still quite standard.

"This humble woman, Gu Pan'er, greets Lord Li."

Li Xuanzhi was surprised to find that this girl, who seemed quick-witted and clever, had a soft and sweet voice that was quite pleasant to listen to.

However, since the young lady had already stood in front of him and taken the initiative to speak, and he was a grown man, a county magistrate at that, if he remained silent, he would easily be looked down upon.

"I've heard that Miss Gu has been quite helpful to the yamen over the years, which shows she's both insightful and capable. I wonder if we can still hire Miss Gu to work for the yamen in the future? Don't worry, you won't be wasting your time; you'll be paid according to the yamen's hiring standards."

Miss Gu thought that with a new county magistrate, she wouldn't be needed in the government office anymore.

After all, she had heard that the magistrate had not come alone, but had brought two assistants with him.

But judging from Magistrate Li's words, not only does the government intend to continue employing her, but it will also pay her money?

Miss Gu was shocked.

It's been almost nine years since she started making good use of her cunning, and she's been helping out at the government offices for free.

When I was lucky, I could eat my fill at the government office; when I was unlucky, I might only get a bowl of thin porridge. When did I ever see a single copper coin?

Li Xuanzhi had his own reasons for saying this.

The fact that those people in the yamen entrusted such an important task as accounting to someone completely unrelated to the yamen, and a woman at that, shows that the yamen lacks talent in this area.

Although Uncle Wang is an expert in accounting, he can't be burdened with all these responsibilities.

On the contrary, this Miss Gu was not only familiar with the accounts in the yamen, but also knew more about the people of Fuyu County than the rest of them who came later.

Combined with what Magistrate Cao said, among the people of Fuyu County, the two with the highest prestige is Gu Liu's father.

Perfect timing, let's tentatively appoint two non-official managers.

One was naturally the village head, and the other was Gu Liu's father.

By keeping Miss Gu by his side, he could also prevent her father from having any ulterior motives. If he became disobedient or caused any trouble, at least he would have a weakness in his hands.

Secondly, it also conveys a message that Li Xuanzhi is good at recognizing and utilizing talent.

Look at him, he's willing to employ even women if they have talent. And he does it through proper channels, paying them salaries. Who would dare gossip behind their backs or spread rumors about them?

Once you've secured a job in the government, you're considered one of its people. Anyone who dares to spread rumors or cause trouble deserves to be thrown in jail and flogged.

"What's wrong? Does Miss Gu have some concerns?"

It's normal to have concerns, after all, before I arrived, any one of those people in the yamen could be Miss Gu's father.

Miss Gu smiled and shook her head.

What opinions could she possibly have?

Her biggest dream is to earn more money to supplement the family income and ease the burden on her parents.

Although my married sisters all married well and their husbands were all of excellent character, one or two of them are no longer from Fuyu County. Even if they come back every month to send money and provisions, it won't be much, and they certainly can't be thorough in their efforts.

She didn't want to leave Fuyu County; she only wanted to stay by her parents' side and fulfill her filial duties. But looking across the entire Fuyu County, she couldn't find a single man who could catch her eye.

But if it were Magistrate Li in front of us...

Gu Pan'er blushed not only in face, but also in ears.

"I am willing, and I have no concerns. Thank you, sir, I am deeply grateful."

With the matter settled, Li Xuanzhi nodded with a smile.

"Once the rain stops and the houses are repaired, come to the yamen to report. I'll have someone build a separate house for you to move into."

From now on, the accounts will need to be checked every day, and the round trip is not short. It's really not safe for a young woman to walk back and forth all by herself.

"Don't worry, the families of Magistrate Cao and the others also live in the yamen, so they won't damage your reputation. If your parents are worried, they can move in with you."

It will be even easier to use them then; the whole family should work together to serve Li Xuanzhi.

The head of the Gu family is capable, and the sixth daughter of the Gu family is also formidable. How could the mistress of this family be anything less?

Since we want all the people of Fuyu County to get involved, isn't it normal to have a few more female managers?

Gu Pan'er looked at Li Xuanzhi with even more excitement, and her heart beat faster and faster.

After Gu Pan'er left, Magistrate Cao, with a bitter face, leaned close to Li Xuanzhi's ear again.

"Lord Li, what you're doing is very good. But... aside from the differences between men and women, our yamen really doesn't have any money left!"

Li Xuanzhi smiled and waved to stop Magistrate Cao from continuing, "If Fuyu County relies on able-bodied men for everything, it will still be just as poor in a few decades. If it gets any poorer, everyone will be a bachelor. Do you want to watch the entire Fuyu County die out?"

The continuation of the family line is a major matter; how could Magistrate Cao dare to object?

Seeing that he remained silent, Li Xuanzhi smiled and added:

"As for the first sum of money for the construction and renovation of Fuyu County, the government will naturally not have to pay for it."

Magistrate Cao opened his mouth wide, tears welling in his eyes, just about to express his gratitude, when he was stunned by Li Xuanzhi's next words.