Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Meng Changqing thought to himself that since he had become a bandit, why should he be loyal? Of course, strength and means were the most important.

"Pull him out, I have something to ask."

Hearing this, Yang Zheng took a few steps forward, grabbed the man by the back of his collar, and dragged him out of the crowd.

Meng Changqing added: "He is the head of the family after all, so he should save face. It is better not to interrogate him in front of his subordinates."

Yang Zheng dragged him further away and stopped behind a tall strange rock.

I don’t know how I can save my face when being dragged on the ground.

"What's your name?" Meng Changqing asked.

The head of the Ma family was very wary of Meng Changqing's questions and did not answer.

"I have to remind you that you have fallen to this point. What awaits you in the future depends entirely on my thoughts. You don't need to be so defensive against me." Meng Changqing comforted him, "What else do you have to lose?"

After hearing these words, the head of the family was confused at first, but then he realized that the official must want to keep him as a secret weapon.

"Master Meng." Ma Qing gritted his teeth, raised his head and smiled flatteringly, "My name is Ma Qing. If you have anything to say, just say it. I will definitely serve you."

"Ma Qing, even though you are in the mountains, you have sharp ears and sharp eyes." Meng Changqing said, "I can tell from your face that you are a smart person."

Ma Qing's smile showed some sincerity, "Lord Meng speaks much better than other officials."

"Really?" Meng Changqing smiled. "You can't just listen to it for nothing, right? Tell me about the situation on the mountain. How many people do you have? How many people are there in total on the mountain? Are there any people out there?"

"Why are you asking this, Lord Meng?" Ma Qing said, "I can do whatever you ask me to do for you."

"Oh." Meng Changqing sighed, "I just said that you are sharp-eyed and sharp-eared, but I was wrong. You only knew my name, but you didn't know my temper." Ma Qing laughed again, "No matter how bad your temper is, sometimes you have to control it, don't you think so, sir?"

Meng Changqing nodded and said seriously: "What you said makes sense, but I don't know if you can still stick to your principles when you roll down the mountain."

After saying that, Meng Changqing turned around and was about to leave.

Ma Qing shouted, "Master Meng, let's talk it over. Let's talk it over!"

Meng Changqing turned back and said, "Then just speak properly."

Ma Qing wanted to defend himself, "I told you these things, which is equivalent to handing my life over to you. If you want to punish me in the future, it will only take a word."

"Isn't it now?" Meng Changqing asked back, and then without waiting for the other party to answer, he said: "According to the laws of Daliang, as long as you don't rebel, you may not be sentenced to death. But how many people in the world act according to the law? Do you think I am like that?"

Ma Qing didn't dare to respond.

"I will give you two choices. First, I will choose a way for you to die that you don't like. Second, you can continue to live your life as before." Meng Changqing asked, "Which one do you choose?"

"The second one." Ma Qing said, "Of course I choose the second one."

"Are you waiting for me to pass on your message before you continue?"

"Most of the people in the mountains are here. I have a brother who lives in Yangmen County with two other people. They only send some things here periodically."

"Regularly, which period?"

Ma Qing looked hesitant, but still said, "Every fifth day of the month." (End of this chapter)