Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 475: I Can't See You Often

Bafang returned to Beishan County that afternoon and told Meng Changqing, "Prefect Liu is indeed up to something. He excluded Captain Li and Sun Xiang, and I don't know what he is conspiring with Mao Chunfang."

"What do you mean?" Meng Changqing asked.

Bafang carefully relayed the news he had gotten from Sun Xiang. "President Sun was right. What did Liu Dexiang plan to do that required him to replace all the people around him with his own? It's definitely not a good thing!"

Meng Changqing knew it of course, but even though he knew it, he couldn't do anything about Liu Dexiang for the time being.

This is the helplessness of being in a very low position as an official. If the people above you have any bad intentions, you will be in trouble.

"Young Master, the life that Sun Tongpan is leading now is really unbearable. That tiny room is filled up with just a few things. The key point is that there is no kang in his room, and he relies on a charcoal basin for heating. How can he bear it if the weather gets colder?" Bafang talked about it again, feeling unhappy.

Meng Changqing frowned and asked, "Why?"

"Yeah, I don't understand why this Liu would go to such lengths. Lord Sun is also too easy to talk to. He will just let Liu deal with him." Bafang is a kind-hearted person. He said, "Master, I really can't stand it. After all, we have been friends with Lord Sun for several years. We have to help him."

Meng Changqing put away the documents on the table, looked up and asked, "How can I help?"

"Send some money." Bafang thought it was simple.

"Do you think it's a good idea?" Meng Changqing asked back, "Knowing that someone above him is watching him, you still approach him and offer him something. Is this helping him?"

Seeing Bafang's face turn pale, Meng Changqing slowed down his tone and said, "I know you mean well, but the worst thing to do when helping is to make things worse.

We don't know whether Mr. Sun is short of money, but one thing is clear: any money transactions between officials are forbidden. If they really investigate, who can guarantee that Sun Xiang will be able to withstand the investigation? By then, can we explain the purpose of this money?"

He was willing to learn from all sides, but after Meng Changqing said this, he became worried about another thing, "What about those for Lord Wei..." He lowered his voice when he said this.

Meng Changqing taught him, "The two situations are different. At that time, there was no one watching over Lord Wei all the time. If the things were in his hands, as long as no one caught them at that time, it would have nothing to do with us.

Besides, our relationship with Lord Wei is closer after all, and he will accept the money we give him.

But do you think, given our relationship with Lord Sun, he would be willing to accept the money? Can we ensure that we will not be caught when we send the money?"

"I didn't think it through." Bafang scratched his head and thought of a more considerate solution. "Otherwise, let's send someone to help him wash his clothes and cook for him."

Bafang was bothering Meng Changqing because he saw that she had nothing to do.

Meng Changqing changed her approach this time. She said, "What a good idea. Who should we send?"

"Call for wealth and go."

"When Lord Wei was here, how many people in the government office didn't know you and Lai Cai? You two are equivalent to me. Now is not the time to openly stand with Lord Sun."

"So, how is Mancang?" Bafang said, "She has grown up in the past two years and looks different from before."

Meng Changqing looked at him without saying anything.

Bafang slapped his lips and said, "There are differences between men and women. I guess Lord Sun won't want it." He bent down and sat on the stool next to him, and said dejectedly, "It seems that we can't help him at all."

"Don't underestimate Lord Sun. The difficulties in life are only temporary, and he doesn't take them to heart." Meng Changqing said, "But you didn't pay attention to what he really wanted to say."

"What did he really want to say?" asked Bafang.

Meng Changqing didn't continue to talk to him about Sun Xiang, and turned to ask Doctor Hu, "How is the drugstore?" "I asked Doctor Hu, and he said there is nothing abnormal at the moment. By the way, Master! I took this opportunity to ask Doctor Hu to move to Beishan County. Guess what he said?" Bafang said happily, "He said he would consider it, and he didn't refuse! It shows that there is hope this time!"

Doctor Hu wanted to board her pirate ship and was forced to move from the capital to Liangzhou. Now he can't even stay in Liangzhou.

Meng Changqing will always feel guilty towards Dr. Hu's family because he only accepted the other party's efforts but never gave equal return.

When Meng Changqing had free time, he always thought about these things, and he felt that he was hypocritical.

Whether it was Doctor Hu's family or the old people in Liangzhou Prefecture, they were all affected by this new prefect. Who was he and what was his purpose?
Meng Changqing decided to give him a try.

At the end of this month, Meng Changqing asked his subordinates to deliver an official document to Liangzhou Prefecture.

To put it simply, the content of the official document is asking for money to repair the city wall.

Meng Changqing waited at home for five days, but there was no movement from Liangzhou Prefecture. It was neither certain nor uncertain, as if they had not seen the official documents that Meng Changqing had sent up.

Meng Changqing had anticipated this, so he felt that he had waited long enough, so he asked Bafang to choose gifts and head straight to Liangzhou Prefecture.

Arriving at the gate of the government office, Bafang stepped forward and spoke to the gatekeeper, "My master wants to see the governor, please pass the message."

"Hold on."

Only after watching the yamen runners enter did Meng Changqing get off her horse. Knowing that Lord Liu would not let her in easily, Meng Changqing was not in a hurry. She just had time to waste with Liu Dexiang.

As she expected, after an incense stick of time, the person who had entered earlier came to the door and said, "Master Meng, please come in."

Meng Changqing took the gift box handed over by Bafang, and Bafang whispered, "Master, at this rate, you won't be able to see the prefect many times."

"Don't worry, it's just this once."

Everyone was trying to figure out what Meng Changqing meant, wondering if she was talking about the last time she would see Liu Dexiang or the last time she would give him a gift.

"Master Meng, please come in."

Meng Changqing followed the leading yamen runners into the government office. From the main gate to the reception room, he changed three or four guides along the way.

You still have to wait when you get to the door.

Meng Changqing didn't care about the apparent arrogance. She came here just to try out what this person could do to her.
After about another cup of tea, the thick curtain was lifted from the inside, and the person who had gone in to report earlier stretched out his hand and waved at her.

Meng Changqing smiled and followed him in.

"Your humble servant Meng Changqing, I pay my respects to the prefect." Meng Changqing came forward with a gift box in his hand and said, "When I was sorting out the storeroom yesterday, I accidentally found this pair of jade bottles. At that time, I thought that such fine jade bottles would be perfect to be placed in your study. It would be a waste if they were left with me."

After Meng Changqing finished speaking, he handed the box in his hand to the old servant beside him.

The old servant first looked at Liu Dexiang's expression before reaching out to take it.

The old servant held the box and placed it in front of Liu Dexiang, who opened it himself.

When the lid was removed, Liu Dexiang saw a pair of crystal white jade bottles embedded in the red silk cloth. The jade bottles were neither too big nor too small, just the right size to be held in the hands and played with.