Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 53 - Hands-on Lesson on How to Be a County Magistrate Part 2

On the street.

The young man led the ‘lost’ Cui Xian back home.

The dynamics between them had shifted, with Cui Xian now taking the lead.

Seeing the young man lost in thought, Cui Xian asked, “Do you still want the Mohoulo figurine?”

The young man felt a lump in his throat.

Of course, he wanted it!

If he didn’t, why would he be trailing behind a child, trying to curry favor?

So he forced a smile, somewhat pathetically, and said, “Yes!”

Cui Xian glanced at him sideways, “Then you’ll have to help me out. You said you work in a restaurant. What’s your rank there?”

The young man hesitated for a moment before replying, “I’m ranked first, I suppose.”

Wow!

So he is a leader.

Being ranked first in a restaurant, he might be a big shot in some department.

He looked young, a typical civil servant, exuding the aura of a ‘naive and clueless college graduate.’

Most likely, he had just started working and lacked experience.

To become a department leader right off the bat, could he have connections at home?

Cui Xian couldn’t quite figure it out, so he feigned surprise, “So you’re the Proprietor? The whole restaurant is yours? That’s great!”

The young man’s face fell, “Well, it’s complicated. Although I’m the Proprietor, there are many things I can’t decide.”

Oh.

So it seems he doesn’t have connections.

A rookie thrown into the deep end, becoming a leader right after starting work, likely ‘parachuted’ into the position.

The people below are dissatisfied, undermining the leader.

So, as the head, he can’t make decisions on many things within the unit.

Hmm… this point remains uncertain.

No experience, no background, young age-how could he parachute into a leadership role?

Could he be pushed out as a scapegoat?

Due to insufficient information, Cui Xian couldn’t make a conclusion.

Following the young man’s words, he questioned, “Nonsense, the Proprietor is the biggest, how can you not be in charge? Are you deliberately making excuses, unwilling to help?”

The young man’s face grew even more bitter.

Before taking office, he naively thought that being the head meant being the biggest!

But reality taught him a harsh lesson!

It turns out, the head can also be the most useless.

Even spending days idly reading Storybooks, wandering the streets buying Mohoulo figurines, to pass the time and find solace.

Facing an eight-year-old child, the young man let down his guard, vaguely explaining, “I’m not making excuses. It’s just that there are too many powerful figures in the restaurant, each hard to deal with.”

But the young man didn’t realize he was only fooling himself.

In a few words, he had revealed his situation.

Cui Xian laughed unceremoniously, “Fool, no matter how hard they are to deal with, you’re still the Proprietor.”

The young man, confident in his status, naturally didn’t bother arguing with a child.

The reality was much more complicated!

Seeing him silent, Cui Xian continued, “You clearly seem dissatisfied, so let me take a guess. As the Proprietor, yet unable to speak up in the restaurant, it indicates that the one ranked second is a formidable figure.”

“Not only is the second-ranked person formidable, but they have also allied with the third and fourth-ranked individuals to form a coalition.”

“The iron triangle is unbreakable, so you, the Proprietor, are powerless, and your position is threatened. Am I right or wrong?”

The young man initially listened casually.

But as he continued, his eyes widened in disbelief-this kid had hit the nail on the head!

Seeing the young man’s bewildered expression, Cui Xian mused to himself.

This guy is in the Yamen, a rookie who parachuted into a leadership role without any “office politics” experience.

Clearly not from a noble family, most likely a small-town academic whiz with great theoretical skills but zero political acumen.

Not a buddy, so why did you parachute into a leadership role?

Strange.

Unaware of Cui Xian’s thoughts, the young man, realizing the kid had nailed it, felt a strange sense of anticipation and asked, “Is there a way to solve this?”

After asking, the young man silently chuckled at himself.

How pathetic was he, seeking political advice from a child?

Political battles are fierce, full of intrigue and danger!

Yet, in the next moment.

Cui Xian casually replied, “Of course there is, it’s quite simple! First, you need to realize that you are the Proprietor. Your position naturally gives you an advantage, meaning that whatever you do, your subordinates will scrutinize.”

The young man replied helplessly, “But right now, I can’t do anything. Whatever I try, those three will band together to oppose me.”

This is typical of a “rookie leader.”

Being bullied by subordinates is hardly surprising.

Because he’s new, hasn’t found his footing, and doesn’t understand “managing subordinates.”

Cui Xian, wanting to make an ally of this person, offered advice, “You’re thinking about it all wrong. The three are opposing you because you’re trying to make a big move to prove yourself.”

“You’re too eager to seize power, and your intentions are obvious, naturally drawing caution.”

“Change your approach. Let me ask you, when you go to the restaurant tomorrow, can you have the entire staff clean the place thoroughly?”

Huh?

The young man was stunned, then stammered, “I can do that, but what’s the point?”

There’s a big point!

As a leader, making small actions have a big impact is key to commanding respect!

Cui Xian said, “Announce the cleaning of the restaurant in front of the second, third, and fourth-ranking individuals.”

“Then, look earnestly at the fourth-ranking person, but sigh regretfully and assign the task to the third-ranking person. After the cleaning is done, praise the third-ranking person publicly.”

The young man asked eagerly, “What next?”

Cui Xian smiled slyly, “Next? Give all substantial rewards to the fourth-ranking person.”

The young man was taken aback.

He might lack experience in office politics, but he’s not stupid.

After hearing Cui Xian’s plan, his heart started racing-this might actually work!

Just as the young man was getting excited.

Cui Xian said, “I’m home now, see you another day.”

Cui Xian dashed off.

The young man realized-he hadn’t bought the Mohoulo figurine yet!

And the kid had mentioned needing help from someone in the restaurant business but hadn’t said what help was needed.

Oh well, at least he knows the kid’s address, he can come back another day.

With that thought, the young man hurried home.

The next day, the young man woke up early, carefully recalling his conversation with Cui Xian, then donned the County Magistrate’s official robe and headed to the Yamen.

After a long while.

Vice Magistrate Zhao, Assistant Magistrate Liu, and Clerk Ma finally arrived, leisurely.

Ye Huaifeng, the County Magistrate, secretly gritted his teeth.

But he held back, saying, “Today, I noticed that the Yamen is really too messy and dirty. So I’ve decided to have the entire Yamen thoroughly cleaned.”

Clean the Yamen? What kind of whim is this ‘little County Magistrate’ on now?

Zhao Zhi and the other two exchanged glances, not opposing it for the moment-such a trivial matter wasn’t worth opposing.

It worked!

Magistrate Ye felt a surge of excitement; this was the first time he spoke without facing opposition.

Thus, he pressed on, looking earnestly at Clerk Ma.

Clerk Ma was taken aback, thinking the young County Magistrate intended to assign the task to him. Well, it’s just cleaning the Yamen, might as well accept it.

Unexpectedly.

Ye Huaifeng sighed regretfully and said, “Let’s have Assistant Magistrate Liu handle this. You are always steady, and I trust you the most.”

Clerk Ma: ?

What does that mean, I’m not as steady as Liu?

Such a small matter, Assistant Magistrate Liu didn’t refuse either, and ordered the Yamen to be cleaned thoroughly.

Magistrate Ye praised Assistant Magistrate Liu in front of everyone at the Yamen.

Assistant Magistrate Liu found it amusing; cleaning the Yamen, yet the young County Magistrate was praising him as if he had done something arduous.

However, by the afternoon, Assistant Magistrate Liu was no longer amused.

Because the young County Magistrate specifically granted Clerk Ma a two-day leave and assigned several lucrative tasks to him.

Even Zhao Zhi didn’t oppose.

Goodness, I worked hard all day and didn’t get any benefits.

All the perks went to Clerk Ma!

Why?

That day, Assistant Magistrate Liu and Clerk Ma didn’t speak a word to each other, unlike their usual camaraderie.

Seeing all this, Magistrate Ye was so thrilled he was speechless-

It worked, it really worked!

He actually learned something valuable from a mere child!

Oh heavens.

Thus, the young Magistrate Ye immediately made a decision in his heart!

He would keep his connection with that child under wraps and continue to learn deeply from him on how to be a County Magistrate!