Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Xu Xiaoyun touched the stone bricks on the city wall. He had heard people say how powerful Meng Changqing was, but he only thought it was absurd and laughable.

Even if they achieve something at such a young age, it's all thanks to the people around them.

But when he actually stood in front of this city wall, he suddenly realized.

Who would willingly relinquish such credit? Who would dare to steal such credit?
"Lord Feng, Lord Xu," Meng Changqing called to the two men who were standing there dumbfounded, "Let's go up."

Feng Zhong'an walked past Xu Xiaoyun with a smile, "Lord Xu, let's go."

Xu Xiaoyun was surprised by the change in Feng Zhong'an's attitude.

Once I reached the city wall and looked out into the distance, I felt a change in my state of mind.

Xu Xiaoyun looked out of the city and saw nothing but wasteland and rocks.

The most striking feature is the river that flows through this area. The cold winter forces the river to freeze over, but there is always an unyielding flow of water.

He looked up further north, heartbroken at the loss of the cities of Daliang; this place should not be so desolate.

Coming to his senses, he heard Meng Changqing point to a place to the west, "That is the barbican that was added this year. It is not yet finished. Would you gentlemen like to come closer and take a look?"

Xu Xiaoyun looked at the height, which was almost level with the original city wall, and knew that the construction was nearing completion, although there were still many laborers working outside the city wall.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that there were quite a few women among those performing labor.

Xu Xiaoyun was dissatisfied with this: "Why are women being dragged here to do hard labor?"

Meng Changqing explained, "I no longer force people to do manual labor here. All the people who come here are recruited by the county government."

“They say it’s a recruitment drive, but who would dare not come if the county government wants people?” Xu Xiaoyun said.

“There are plenty of people who won’t come,” Meng Changqing said. “They’ll go wherever the pay is higher.”

"Wages?" Xu Xiaoyun shook her head. "How much do you pay them?"

"Forty to ninety coins a day."

"One day?" Before Meng Changqing added those two words, Xu Xiaoyun thought it was a month's wages. She even thought that Meng Changqing wasn't a very good person. He always talked about how good he was to the people, but he was only willing to give a few copper coins.

"You get paid according to how much effort you put in, regardless of gender," Meng Changqing said. "This has been the case ever since I came to Beishan County."

Hearing Meng Changqing say this, Xu Xiaoyun thought of the female clerk in the county government. Feng Zhong'an smiled and said, "Magistrate Meng is not bound by social status when employing people, he is fair in handling affairs, and he is clear in rewarding and punishing. Only in this way could this city wall be built in such a short time."

"You flatter me, sir," Meng Changqing said, not out of modesty.

Firstly, she did not reveal these things to Feng Zhong'an; his words were merely empty praise.

Secondly, she felt that Feng Zhong'an had ulterior motives.

Li Daolang raised his hand, "Alas, Lord Meng, there's no need to be so modest."

The group walked towards the section where construction had begun, talking as they went.

On the city wall, the guards on both sides kept their eyes fixed straight ahead, still watching the areas under their jurisdiction.

Led by Meng Changqing, the three visited the barbican under construction up close.

When Zuo Datou saw them coming, he stepped forward to greet them.

"This is the county constable of my Beishan County, and he is in charge of this construction project," Meng Changqing introduced.

Xu Xiaoyun asked, "Why is the county magistrate in charge of the fortifications?"

Meng Changqing said, "There are few people, and the county government is not fully staffed. We can only ask the Left County Lieutenant to do more work. We also owe a lot to the Left County Lieutenant for the construction of the official road and the new street."

Xu Xiaoyun began to envy Zuo Datou again. How come Meng Changqing's subordinates are all capable people?
"The Left County Commandant looks like he comes from a military background." Xu Xiaoyun wanted to say a few more words to someone she admired in order to build a closer relationship.

"Lord Xu has a good eye," Meng Changqing said. "The Left County Commandant is indeed from the Weishan Camp."

Xu Xiaoyun asked in confusion, "Then how did I end up next to Lord Meng?"

Zuo Datou replied, "We are acting on the Emperor's orders to protect Lord Meng."

Upon hearing this, the three people opposite him had completely different thoughts.

Li Daolang was glad he hadn't chosen the wrong side, Xu Xiaoyun felt the emperor was too biased, and Feng Zhong'an secretly clenched his fist in his sleeve.

The current situation at the county government is unknown. If Meng Changqing is truly angered, someone will likely have to be pushed out to take the blame.

(End of this chapter)