Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 626 Arrived Just in Time

After the constables left, only the father and daughter remained in the hall.

Zheng Jiasheng didn't know how to start the conversation. It was rare for him to feel so awkward when facing his daughter.

Xi Dong didn't say anything; she wanted to hear what her father would say.

The two stared at each other, a stalemate, a contest.

Clearly, Zheng Jiasheng is no longer in a position of power.

He spoke first, "How...are you doing?"

Xi Dong smiled politely, "It's alright."

"Oh, oh." Zheng Jiasheng felt uncomfortable standing there. "Your...your uncle told me to come and get the money."

Xi Dong was puzzled at first, then laughed self-deprecatingly, "Give me money? How much money do I have to give you?"

"Hey, that's not how it's supposed to be! Did he tell you that?" Zheng Jiasheng gradually became agitated.

Compared to him, Xi Dong's emotions were very stable. She said, "How long have I been at the county office? I only have half a month's salary on me. I gave it to him, and now you're asking me for it again. Are you determined to force me to my death?"

"What? What!" Zheng Jiasheng's mind went blank for a moment. "You gave it to him, but he didn't tell me."

“When has he ever told the truth?” Xi Dong said. “This morning he blocked my way at the county government office and forced me to hand over the money. The county magistrate saw it with his own eyes. If you don’t believe me, you can go and ask him.”

Zheng Jiasheng said in an odd tone, "How could I dare to ask the county magistrate?"

"So you had no choice but to force me." Xi Dong looked at him coldly. "Dad, don't blame me for speaking harshly, but if our family didn't have Uncle, life would be much more comfortable than it is now."

"What are you saying? Even if he took some of your money, it's your duty as a junior to show respect. You're supposed to be working for the government, yet you don't show any filial piety at all."

Xi Dong smiled. "Okay, I remember what you said. Whenever I have extra money each month, I'll give it to him, and then you can ask him for it." "This..." Zheng Jiashen stammered for a long time, "I'll let it go this time, but you can just give it to me directly next month."

Xi Dong nodded, then asked, "What if he asks for it before you do? Should I give it to him or not?"

"Are you such an obedient person?" Zheng Jiasheng teased Xi Dong. "He asked you for it, and you actually gave it to him?"

Xi Dong retorted, "Can I not give it to him? If he makes a scene, I'll lose my job. What will I eat? What will I use? Can I still rely on my family?"

Zheng Jiasheng had no way to respond to this; he felt embarrassed.

He needs others to be even more embarrassed than him to make him feel awkward. These others can't be just ordinary people; they have to be people of lower status than him, people who wouldn't dare to talk back or fight back even if he beats or scolds them.

There used to be three such people, but in the last two years, Zheng Xichun went to school, and he had to save face for the boys, so there were only two left. Now there is only one left.

Xi Dong became the one who embarrassed him.

"How can you, as a daughter, talk to your father like that? Is this how the official school taught you?" Zheng Jiasheng's face turned red as he managed to utter these two sentences.

Xi Dong didn't argue with him and walked away.

After she left, Zheng Jiasheng remembered where he was. Fear took over again, and he shrank his neck and looked around. Not daring to stay any longer, he hurriedly walked out.

After leaving the county government office and walking a distance, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Before he could catch his breath, someone slapped him on the shoulder, and he almost lost his breath.

"Brother, how much did you get?" It was Zheng Linsheng who spoke. He hadn't gone far and had been watching from a corner.

He was still figuring out how to sell Zhou Erya and Zheng Xichun for a high price if Zheng Jiasheng got arrested, but before he could figure out the details, Zheng Jiasheng was released again.