Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 554 Unable to Help
"What did Lord Xu see?"

Seeing Xu Xiaoyun's furrowed brows, Feng Zhong'an tentatively asked a question.

Xu Xiaoyun smiled at him, "It's best not to move around to avoid disturbing the guests."

Feng Zhong'an could tell that there was something more to his words, but it was not convenient to delve into it at the moment. "It's good that Lord Xu knows."

Xu Xiaoyun sensed the warning in his words but didn't take him seriously. She turned to him and asked, "I wonder if Prefect Liu has arrived yet?"

Obviously not.

Upon seeing Xu Xiaoyun return, Li Daolang delivered his prepared remarks, "My lords," he said with a smile, moving closer to them, "The tax offices in Liangzhou, except for Beishan County, have been almost thoroughly investigated. When will you two go to Beishan County?"

Feng Zhong'an's expression remained unchanged.

Xu Xiaoyun agreed, saying, "Indeed, in the entire Liangzhou, only the tax office of Beishan County has not been investigated yet. It's time to go to Beishan County."

“Both of you are gentlemen,” Feng Zhong’an said. “We are willing to make an exception for Lord Meng.”

Just as Li Daolang was about to explain, Feng Zhong'an continued, "However, who can blame him but Lord Meng? The son of General Meng, he became the head of a county at a young age simply because of his father and brother's merits."

His Majesty has made exceptions for him many times, let alone for us.”

Xu Xiaoyun hadn't realized who Meng Changqing was at first, and even thought he was quite interesting when she saw the invitation. But after hearing Feng Zhong'an's words, all her previous goodwill vanished.

If Lord Feng hadn't mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten that Lord Meng was just someone who got his official position by relying on his relationship with the Crown Prince.

He was the one who most disdained partisan struggle.

What goodwill could one possibly have towards Meng Changqing, who is clearly a princeling?
Li Daolang said with a smile, "Right now, it's more important to complete the task assigned by the court. No matter what Lord Meng is like, as long as there are no problems with the tax collection in Beishan County, that's fine."

“Lord Li is right,” Feng Zhong’an replied with a smile. “Sir, Prefect Liu has arrived.”

After the yamen runners announced the news, Liu Dexiang was already standing at the door.

"Prefect Liu, what have you been so busy with until now?" Feng Zhong'an asked.

Before Liu Dexiang could answer, Xu Xiaoyun said, "I'm afraid Prefect Liu is only getting up now because he's been busy all night. He must have been too busy."

When Liu Dexiang saw him smiling at him, he quickly pretended to wipe his sweat, using his sleeve to block the other man's view, and explained with his head down, "Lord Xu, you misunderstand. This humble official went to prepare lunch for you gentlemen."

After hearing this, Xu Xiaoyun smiled and said, "Prefect Liu is really thoughtful. But before you were preparing lunch, why didn't you ask us if we had time to eat?"

Liu Dexiang smiled and said, "I will have the restaurant prepare it and send it over. It will not take up any of your time."

Xu Xiaoyun said, "Sending it here might not be in time. Let's send it to Beishan County instead."

"Beishan County?" Liu Dexiang turned to Feng Zhong'an and asked, "Are the adults going to Beishan County?"

Feng Zhong'an raised an eyebrow. "His Majesty is still waiting in the capital for the matters assigned by the court. We dare not delay. It's time to go to Beishan County."

Liu Dexiang avoided the gazes of others, glanced into the courtyard, and then said, "This humble official will make the arrangements immediately."

By the time he finished making the arrangements, it was already noon. During this time, Liu Dexiang's men had already gone to Yangmen County to ask Mao Chunfang if the matter he had been entrusted with had been completed.
Of course it didn't go well; Mao Chunfang only said that she hadn't found a suitable opportunity yet.

In the dead of winter, Liu Dexiang was sweating profusely with anxiety.

"Master," the servant had to speak up to remind him, "Lord Xu in the front courtyard asked if we had locked up their horses."

Liu Dexiang pointed at the person who spoke and cursed, "You can't count on any of them! Useless bastards!"