Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

The tea on the table was cold; it had been poured half an hour earlier. The courtroom doors were wide open, without any curtains to block the wind, and a cold breeze was blowing in.

Meng Changqing knew perfectly well that after everyone sat down, she was the only one who didn't touch the tea.

Everyone else picked it up and then put it down.

"Magistrate Meng," Feng Zhong'an said, a puff of white mist rising from his lips, as this place was even less warm than the carriage. "As you wish, we've arrived. When will you be able to produce these account books?"

Meng Changqing stood up and replied, "The account books are in the boxes behind you gentlemen."

To convince them, Meng Changqing personally went over and opened the box, which indeed contained stacks of account books.

Meng Changqing distributed the numerous account books evenly across the table for the three men, then said to the yamen runner at the door, "Light the lamps!"

Each of the yamen runners carried several lanterns as they went inside.

Xu Xiaoyun had a vague premonition that something was wrong; the lanterns were practically surrounding the three of them. "What are they doing?"

Meng Changqing said with a smile, "The light is not good at night, so please light more lamps for the three of you to avoid making it difficult for you to check the accounts."

Xu Xiaoyun retorted, "Who said we had to investigate now?"

"So it wasn't you here to investigate taxes now." Meng Changqing said, putting the account book back into the box. "I misunderstood. If you're not here to investigate taxes, then what important matter brings you three gentlemen to my county office at night?"

Just to give them a warning.

Didn't you invite us here? We've been busy with official duties, and finally managed to find the time to come, but what does it mean if your county government office is closed when we arrive? Are you unwilling to cooperate with the tax investigation?
Even if you receive the news and open the door to wait, there will still be accusations to be made.

When Meng Changqing learned that they were turning onto Xinjie Street, he knew what they were up to.

I prepared the venue and everything specifically to shut them up. I'm opening the court to welcome you; I can't be wrong, can I? The court is a bit cold, so what? This place is just that cold.

Since you're here on official business, it's not wrong for me to prepare everything you need, is it? As for whether you want to stay up all night to investigate, that's your business.

It would be best to investigate overnight, otherwise how will the three of you explain coming to our door so late at night?

Beishan County is not without its own post stations. Why go to court late at night to seek justice?

However, officials are officials; just because they can't say anything serious doesn't mean they have nothing to say.

"Lord Meng has been in Liangzhou for several years, and he has become increasingly capable in his work." Feng Zhong'an began, but what followed was clearly even more unpleasant.

Meng Changqing didn't give him a chance to continue. He loudly ordered the yamen runners to put out the lanterns, then turned to Feng Zhong'an and said, "I'm not well-off here, please forgive me, gentlemen."

Since there's no need to audit the accounts overnight, please, gentlemen, rest at the post station.

This place is different from other places. If my county government office doesn't close its doors late at night, it might arouse suspicion. If some wicked person spreads rumors, the people's hearts might turn against us.

Feng Zhong'an wanted to give Meng Changqing a good scolding, but ultimately failed to do so.

Instead, he was ridiculed by Meng Changqing.

When the carriage arrived at the entrance of the post station, he got off but did not go inside. Instead, he waited for Xu Xiaoyun to walk up to him.

Xu Xiaoyun asked him, "What are your orders, Lord Feng?"

Feng Zhong'an said, "If His Majesty didn't suspect there were problems with the Liangzhou tax system, he wouldn't have sent us here. But after investigating for the past few days, we've only managed to find Zeng Jing. How are we supposed to report back to the capital?"
Today, upon arriving in Beishan County, even a brief look reveals numerous problems. Lord Xu, please don't hesitate to show leniency out of consideration for Lord Meng's past relationship. We are here to serve you, and must share your burdens. (End of Chapter)