Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 592 is his tortoise shell.
When Liu Dexiang came over, he saw that all his men were lying on the ground.

Looking at Meng Changqing, it seemed he hadn't had enough of beating him and was about to take him down for good.

"How dare you!" Liu Dexiang hid behind Hua Rujin before pointing at Meng Changqing and roaring, "How dare you injure my household servants!"

"Are you sure these are yamen runners from your Liangzhou Prefecture?" Meng Changqing asked with ill intent.

Liu Dexiang sensed the hostility in the other party's tone. "What do you mean by that?"

"Yes," Hua Rujin said, walking towards Meng Changqing. "Is there something wrong with these constables?"

“There’s a big problem,” Meng Changqing said. “When I came over, these men were trying to steal my horse. I thought they were just bandits disguised as yamen runners, but since Lord Liu has acknowledged their identities, their attempt to steal the horse must have been at the behest of the Prefect.”

Meng Changqing stepped forward, approaching Liu Dexiang, and said, "This humble official does not understand. Please explain, sir, what is the meaning behind this action?"

"What horse-stealing? That's just your side of the story. I only saw you attacking my officers without cause." Liu Dexiang even believed his own words. "You're so rude, I'll have to appeal to the imperial court!"

Meng Changqing and Liu Dexiang each had their own version of events, and if anyone present had to believe one of them, it would certainly not be Liu Dexiang.

Luo Mao stepped forward and advised, "Please don't get angry, sir. You'll know the truth by asking these constables."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Luo." Meng Changqing thanked Luo Mao. She understood Liu Dexiang's intentions and didn't want to argue with him.

There's no need to argue about who's right and who's wrong; survival is the key.

So when Xi Bei brought the horse over, Meng Changqing immediately mounted it. "The prefect knows perfectly well what he wants to do, so why ask?"

Xi Bei and Chu Mufeng also mounted their horses and stood guard on either side of Meng Changqing.

Meng Changqing bowed to Liu Dexiang and said, "I will remember your move today, sir."

As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Changqing spurred his horse and rode away. "This... Guards, guards!" Liu Dexiang shouted angrily, his face covered in dust kicked up by the horse's hooves.

Hua Rujin handed a handkerchief to Liu Dexiang, saying, "My lord, please calm down. Lord Meng has always been kind and has never laid a hand on anyone. It must have been these yamen runners who were rude and disruptive, which is why Lord Meng misunderstood you."

Cao Hongxing, who was listening nearby, found it amusing. What did Meng Changqing have to do with kindness?
These constables were really unlucky; after being beaten by Meng Changqing and his men, they might even be blamed by Liu Dexiang.

Hua Rujin's words obviously failed to dissuade Liu Dexiang. Seeing that he was ordering the yamen runners to set up a roadblock to arrest Meng Changqing, Cao Hongxing said, "Prefect, you should not make a fuss. Lord Feng and the others have not gone far yet. If things get to them, how will you handle it?"

“Yes!” Hua Rujin continued to persuade, “Why should you get upset over such a trivial matter, sir?”

"A trivial matter?" Liu Dexiang glared at Hua Rujin. If his eyes hadn't been naturally small, his eyeballs would have popped out.

"Magistrate Meng only had a disagreement with a few constables; he did not do anything disrespectful in front of you, sir."

"Look, those few who weren't bloodied or injured are really no big deal," Hua Rujin said.

This is not about whether the yamen runners were injured or whether there was any bloodshed.

In Liu Dexiang's mind, Meng Changqing had slapped him in the face.

"As Lord Cao said, even if you are dissatisfied, you should not start a big fight with Magistrate Meng at this time. At least wait until Lord Feng and the others leave Liangzhou," Luo Mao also advised.

Liu Dexiang thought to himself, "Is it too late?"
Meng Changqing is a turtle, and Beishan County is his turtle shell. Once he crawls into his shell, it will be difficult to deal with him.

Let alone waiting until then, it will be too late; even in the time it takes to say these few words, it will be too late.

What kind of horse did Meng Changqing ride? In the entire Daliang region, there were few horses faster than it.

Once outside Liangzhou City, Liu Dexiang wouldn't have time to set up a checkpoint.