Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

She's the one who locked people up, and she even asks you, "What are you doing here?"

Although Meng Changqing had only been an official for a short time, he had already grasped the essence of being an official.

Old Lin was like a normal person who had been locked up in a mental hospital for a long time. He looked at Meng Changqing without being excited or angry, because he simply didn't have the energy to show those emotions.

"Hey, what are you all standing there for? Open the door and let Steward Lin out," Meng Changqing said to the jailer.

"Yes, yes, yes, I'll open it right away." The jailer quickly opened the cell door.

Meng Changqing said to the person inside, "Butler Lin, come out."

Butler Lin didn't move, remaining motionless in his original position. "Lord Meng, you only just realized I was here?"

“Yes,” Meng Changqing said. “Lord Liu mentioned this to me a couple of days ago, and I found it strange.”

I thought to myself, "Why is Lord Liu asking me for someone? I've never even seen Steward Lin before. Who would have thought, who would have thought, that I'd end up in jail?"

Butler Lin sneered several times, "The master is putting on quite a show."

The jailer standing by the cell door pointed at Old Lin and yelled, "How dare you speak to my master like that!"

Meng Changqing raised his hand to the jailer, "Sigh, we should still be more polite to Steward Lin."

The jailer obediently replied, "Yes."

Butler Lin watched Meng Changqing put on airs in front of him, and he hated him to death, but since he was on Meng's turf, he could only swallow his hatred.

Seeing that Old Lin was really out of strength, Meng Changqing said to the two jailers who were watching the show behind him, "Go and help Steward Lin."

Two jailers went in and, one on each side, helped Old Lin out of the cell.

Stepping out of the cell, Butler Lin felt his muddled mind clear up a little.

"Lord Meng, do you really not know that I'm being held here?" Butler Lin asked.

"I only found out you entered Beishan County two days ago, and immediately ordered people to look for you. Today I learned that a group of people were being held in the prison, so I rushed over to check on the situation. As soon as I saw you, I immediately ordered them to release the people." Meng Changqing spoke with utmost sincerity.

"I don't believe a single word you say." Meng Changqing said, "That doesn't matter."

"Does Lord Meng think the Prefect will believe this?" Steward Lin's eyes held a threatening glint as he looked at Meng Changqing.

Meng Changqing found it amusing. You're not even safe yet, and you dare to threaten me? Aren't you afraid I'll just find a hole and bury you?

"Whether the Prefect believes it or not is his business, it's none of my concern," Meng Changqing said.

The ruthlessness in Old Lin's eyes faded, replaced by a hint of panic. "You really want to let us go, and not kill us?"

“I’m not your master, I don’t like to take lives like dirt.” Meng Changqing kicked the cell twice, startling the other people locked up inside. “Aren’t you all leaving?” Meng Changqing said, “If you don’t leave soon, I’ll start charging you room fees, ten coins per person per day.”

Upon hearing this, the people inside rushed outside.

But they were stopped by the jailers as soon as they reached the door. Seeing the ropes in the jailers' hands, the men resignedly stretched out their hands.

They were brought in bound in the same way they were brought out bound in the same way.

The only advantage over the trip was that there was a carriage to ride in when we left. Although it was an open-air cart, it saved us a lot of walking.

Meng Changqing led two groups of yamen runners to escort these people who had mistakenly entered the prison to the gate of Yangmen County.

"Steward Lin," Meng Changqing said to Old Lin as he dismounted, "I have many official duties at the yamen, so I can only escort you this far. Please forgive me."

Despite their apologies, the yamen runners from Beishan County showed no mercy, dragging each person off the cart.

When the soldiers guarding the city gate of Yangmen County saw a group of people who looked like refugees about to enter, they were so frightened that they quickly went to inform Mao Chunfang.

"Please wait a moment, Lord Meng. There are too many people crossing the pass, and we cannot make a decision on our own. We have already sent someone to invite Lord Mao," the guard on the wall called out, shading the sun.

Because Yangmen County refused to open its gates, Meng Changqing also forbade them to enter Beishan County again, so Lao Lin and his group were blocked at the city gate.

Besides Lao Lin, the others were also tied up with hemp rope.

These men were timid and filthy, looking as if they had just been dug out of the ground. It was understandable that the Yangmen County garrison suspected their identities were unclear. (End of Chapter)