Under the County Magistrate, the positions of County Captain and County Magistrate are considered "local officials."
Transient officials are appointed by the Court, while local officials are appointed locally, and over time they become entrenched powerholders, working with the county clerks and local strongmen to the extent they can marginalize the County Magistrate.
The Zhang and Chen Families are already local strongmen, and now they are vying for the position of County Captain, with ambition that clearly aims to establish themselves as a County-Respected Family.
As the Qinghe County Magistrate, Lü Wenxuan is displeased with their actions, but feels helpless.
After all, they are entrenched figures, deeply rooted and wealthy, and their connections extend even to the Prefecture Government Office. Even if he as the County Magistrate dislikes them, there's not much he can do.
