Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 609 The Power of Kind Words

When Meng Changqing spoke up, the crowd became even more lively, and those who were about to go home stopped in their tracks.

The yamen runners around Meng Changqing became nervous and stepped between Meng Changqing and the workers, separating the two.

“There’s no need to stop them,” Meng Changqing said. “They are all people from Beishan County, there will be no danger for them.”

She said that, but the knife on her body was never out of her sight.

While she was responding to the workers' enthusiasm, Zheng Xidong and Luo Yun, who were distributing wages, also noticed Meng Changqing.

The two quickly finished what they were doing, walked through the crowd to Meng Changqing, and greeted him with surprise, "Sir."

"Xi Dong, Luo Yun," Meng Changqing spoke to them in a familiar, elder-like tone, "Are you settling in well here?"

Luo Yun nodded repeatedly, replying, "I'll get used to it!"

Meng Changqing looked at the account books they were carrying and asked with a smile, "Have you finished what you were doing?"

"Yes, it's over."

"Would you be willing to spend some time showing me around?" Meng Changqing asked again.

The two looked at each other in disbelief, then exclaimed excitedly, "Yes! Of course we're willing!"

Zheng Xidong was alright, but Luo Yun was so excited that her face turned red. She followed behind Meng Changqing and almost couldn't walk properly.

Meng Changqing waved to the workers and called out, "Go back now. Some of you can continue on your way, while others can rest."

The group headed towards the city wall, and halfway there, Zuo Datou came up to them, saying, "My lord."

"How is it?" Meng Changqing asked him.

Zuo Datou led Meng Changqing toward the construction site. "It's in the final stages now, mainly involving repairs and inspections." "Okay." Meng Changqing didn't ask any further questions. After all, a project like this was right in front of her; there was no way to fake it, at least not with her frequent inspections.

As they reached the top of the city wall, they happened to witness the changing of the guards, and Zhang Yuan was there as well.

Upon seeing Meng Changqing approach, he quickly came over to greet him, "Sir."

Meng Changqing smiled at him, "It's been several days."

“Yes, sir, you are busy with your affairs, and I should not disturb you. However…” Zhang Yuan took a step closer and whispered, “The prefect of Liangzhou has been replaced, so there should be fewer problems in the future.”

Meng Changqing nodded in agreement, "With the project finished here, the guards will have an easier time."

“Yes, once it’s completely over, they’ll switch back to their previous shifts.” Zhang Yuan’s gaze fell on Zheng Xidong and the others. He had noticed them quite often these days, since Zuo Datou was quite conspicuous with two female apprentices behind him.

"Brother Zuo told me that these two young ladies are clerks you recruited into the county government, sir?"

"Not bad." Meng Changqing's eyes never failed to reveal his appreciation for the two of them.

Meng Changqing could see their determination from the fact that the two of them were able to stay patiently on this side of the city wall.

Compared to before, their exposed skin was darker and rougher, and their hands had several more cracks. Zheng Xidong's changes were less noticeable, after all, she had also done hard labor before. Luo Yun had her parents supporting her before, so she had never experienced such hardship, but she endured it just the same.

Meng Changqing saw and remembered their changes.

“I often hear Brother Zuo praise these two girls; they’re smart and hardworking. The adults have good taste,” Zhang Yuan said.

“It’s not that I have good judgment,” Meng Changqing said. “They are all quick-witted people; otherwise, how could they have passed the written test?”

Zheng Xidong and Luo Yun were surprised. They had thought that they were not as good as Meizi, which was why the adults had thrown them to the wall. They never expected that the adults would think they were so good.