Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Luo Mao quickly stood up, waiting for the other party to speak.

"Lord Luo has been in Liangzhou for many years and is very familiar with the local situation. He must continue to support the work of this government in the future."

"Yes, yes, of course I support you." Luo Mao's face was warm and his words were polite, but who knows what he was really thinking?
"Please sit down." Zheng Jie took a few more steps to the side and forward.

This direction is aimed at Meng Changqing.

Before the other party could even get close, Meng Changqing stood up. As soon as the other party spoke, Meng Changqing fawned, "Your Excellency, please feel free to give any orders."

Zheng Jie smiled, but there wasn't much sincerity in that smile.

"Before leaving the capital, His Majesty spoke to me about Lord Meng. You built the city wall in a short time after arriving in Beishan County, which is truly commendable for someone so young." Hearing him say this, Meng Changqing felt that this person was being sarcastic and strange.

The words were kind, but the tone was off; it seemed this person had a problem with her.

"Your Majesty flatters me," Meng Changqing said politely with a smile.

"My lords," Zheng Jie turned around, "I dislike official formalities. In the future, let's skip the formalities and be straightforward in everything we do."

Straightforward?

Meng Changqing harbored many suspicions about the new prefect. Her mindset was always petty and mean. After hearing Zheng Jie's words, she thought to herself: Don't just allow yourself to be blunt, but consider it insubordination for others to be blunt as well.

Upon exiting the main hall, Meng Changqing noticed that Hua Rujin seemed to have something to say to him, so he quickened his pace and asked as soon as he stepped outside, "Where's my horse? Bring it here quickly!"

The yamen runners were quick; Meng Changqing took the reins and was about to mount his horse when he was stopped by an unexpected person.

"Lord Meng, please wait a moment." The man who arrived was dressed in the official robes of a county magistrate. He was young and handsome, and upon closer inspection, he was indeed quite good-looking. It was just that the prefect's large, flamboyant figure overshadowed the man's charm.

Meng Changqing didn't know whether he was Xu Tongjun or Zhao Zeyu, so he politely smiled and asked, "Is there something you need, sir?"

"Magistrate Xu Tongjun of Luojiang County. I have something I'd like to ask of you."

"Lord Xu," Meng Changqing always said generously, "please just ask if you need anything, and I will never refuse if it is within my power."

"Lord Qi of Beishan County once did me a favor. It just so happens that we are now gathered together. I would like to ask you to pass on a message to Lord Qi, inviting him to meet in Liangzhou City." Meng Changqing did not expect this, and readily agreed, "I will pass on the message to Lord Qi."

Xu Tongjun didn't linger; he thanked him and left.

But while he left, Meng Changqing couldn't leave, and Cao Hongxing came over.

It's not a big deal that Cao Hongxing came over, the key issue is that Hua Rujin is waiting in line behind him.

Meng Changqing has a big head.

"Did you know Lord Xu before?" Cao Hongxing asked.

"No, it's an acquaintance of my county magistrate who asked me to pass on a message."

Cao Hongxing asked again, "What message do you want to convey?"

"It's nothing serious that an old acquaintance wants to meet up in Liangzhou City."

“Lord Meng is truly magnanimous,” Cao Hongxing said. “As far as I know, Lord Mao was killed by bandits on his way to Liangzhou City.”

Meng Changqing sighed, "That's what I heard too." She then changed the subject and asked in a low voice, "Does Lord Cao believe it?"

Cao Hongxing curled his lip, "Even a fool wouldn't believe that nonsense! But what good is it if I don't believe it?"

Hua Rujin, standing nearby, could naturally hear their conversation. Hearing this, she took two steps forward and stood next to Cao Hongxing and Meng Changqing. "Since Lord Meng doesn't believe us, why won't you lend a helping hand?"

Instead of answering, Meng Changqing asked, "Didn't Madam Mao tell you?"

"What did you say?" Hua Rujin asked.

Cao Hongxing also wanted to ask, what should Madam Mao say?
There was some commotion going on inside that he was unaware of. He really wanted to stay and listen, but considering the new prefect had just taken office, it was rather unseemly for the three of them to be huddled together at the entrance gossiping. So he had no choice but to take his leave. (End of Chapter)