Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

On the second day of March, before dawn, Meng Changqing had just finished his exercise in the back hall when he heard Bafang running in and saying, "Master Qi is back, and he brought an old couple with him."

Meng Changqing wiped the sweat off his forehead and said with a smile, "He really found it. Go and settle the old master that Lord Qi brought back. Let Lord Qi have a rest first."

"Lord Qi wants to see you. He said he has something urgent to tell you." Bafang said, "I asked him to wait in the study."

"I'll be there right away."

In the study, Qi Ren was pacing inside. When he saw Meng Changqing coming, he immediately went to the door and greeted him, "Sir."

"Master Qi came back at this time, he must have traveled overnight..." Meng Changqing hadn't finished his greetings when he saw Qi Renli's anxious expression, so he went straight to the point, "What happened?"

"I found people who can raise silkworms in a place called Hongfu Village in Dazhou. But when the local people heard that I was an official, they asked me to help them get rid of the local bully." Qi Renli said, "I am just a county magistrate. How can I cross the state to take care of other people's affairs? So I said I would ask my superiors."

Meng Changqing sat down on the chair and pulled the chair next to him away, motioning Qi Renli to sit down and talk.

"So you came back to find me?" Compared to Qi Renli's impatience, Meng Changqing was very calm and deduced: "The old couple you brought back are from that village, right?"

"Yes." Qi Renli told Meng Changqing what the shopkeeper had said to him.

"The situation you mentioned is not uncommon," Meng Changqing said. "For those who have the means to make money and the power to gain more benefits, the easiest way is to squeeze those at the bottom, and the ones who suffer are always the people at the bottom.

This is also the reason why our dynasty has increased commercial taxes. But obviously, starting with taxation, nothing can be solved.

However, you only listen to one side of the story and cannot see the whole picture. Have you ever met the so-called bully? Have you ever known him? What is the attitude of the local government that has the final say over everything?"

Qi Renli said honestly, "Actually, I just wanted to bring the people back quickly, and didn't think much about what was happening over there." At this point, he looked a little ashamed, "I really shouldn't have done that, but even if I'm ignorant, I know that it's not the turn of our Liangzhou officials to take care of Dazhou's affairs.

If I take action, I will not only get myself into trouble, but I will also cause trouble for you."

Qi Renli sat on the chair, feeling frustrated. He had been traveling for days, and his face was tired, with dark circles under his eyes. "How did I become such an official? When I followed you to Beishan County, I was wholeheartedly serving Daliang and the people.

The people of Hongfu Village in Dazhou are also people. When they encounter problems, they come to me for help, but I find it troublesome.”

The man from Qi stood up and blamed himself endlessly.

"Brother Qi, you want to help them, but you know that this matter is not easy to handle, and you are concerned about Beishan County and me, so you have this idea." Meng Changqing poured hot tea and sent it to him, "Since they have come to you for help, and you are willing to take care of it, then go ahead and do it.

I am busy with spring ploughing and cannot leave for the moment, but I will write a letter to the prefect and ask him to come forward and say hello to the Dazhou Prefecture.

This is a necessary process. But you have to know that once Liangzhou Prefecture informs Dazhou Prefecture, the officials in the counties below will soon know about it. If there is indeed collusion between officials and businessmen to oppress the people, the most likely thing they will do is to shut up the person who raised the question.

You go and take care of this matter, but don't let them get into danger because of your interference."

Qi Renli's expression became even more hesitant, "If I don't care about this matter..."

Meng Changqing: "Then I didn't hear what you said before."

After all, what Qi Renli couldn't get over was the hurdle in his heart.

"If I really don't care about this matter, the old couple who came with me won't be so at ease to teach us the silkworm breeding technology." Qi Renli made an excuse for himself, "If we sort out the things over there, maybe we can even solve the sales of silk cocoons.

After Hongfu Village, I wonder where there are still silkworm farmers? Even if there are, there is no guarantee that it won’t be the next Hongfu Village.”

Qi Renli made up his mind, "Since I am serving the people as an official..." He stood up and saluted Meng Changqing, "Please write a letter to Liangzhou Prefecture."

While they were talking, Bafang had already prepared breakfast, but how could Qi Renli have the heart to eat at this moment?
Meng Changqing immediately wrote a letter, sealed it and handed it to Bafang, "Go have breakfast first, and then personally deliver it to the prefect after breakfast."

"Brother Qi, let's have breakfast together. There's no rush for the matter in Hongfu Village." Meng Changqing led him to the small round table. "Now that the silkworm breeder has been found, as you said, we can also inquire about the sales of silk."

After the people sat down, Meng Changqing served him a bowl of porridge and said, "You have worked hard these days, eat more, and then go to rest. If the governor wants to send a letter, it will take some time."

Qi Renli didn't have time to rest. After dinner, he went to Liangzhou Prefecture with Bafang.

In the afternoon, Bafang came back alone and said that Lord Qi had already set off for Dazhou with his subordinates and the token given by the prefect.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Meng Changqing carefully put down the dustpan containing the seedlings, "Go and call Captain Yang and have him appoint a group of runners and horses."

After Bafang ran away, Meng Changqing quickly wiped his face and hurried back to the county government office.

This Qi Renli, with those few people, dared to meddle in other people's affairs. Uncle Wei was too easy to talk to. After seeing her letter, he didn't say a word and directly handed the token to Qi Renli.

By the time Meng Changqing returned to the county government office and wrote out the identity documents for Yang Zheng and others, Yang Zheng had already lined up with a dozen people.

"Brother Yang, please hurry up and catch up with Master Qi before he arrives in Dazhou. Please protect his safety. If the situation is not right, don't worry about any gains or losses, and save your life first." (End of this chapter)