Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 656 Unjust Money

"Of course, Brother Qi, the kindness you have shown me cannot be repaid with just this silver ingot." Looking at the silver ingot he had given away, Xu Tongjun felt a complete release of his past self. "In the future, if there is anything I can do to help you, Brother Qi, please just ask, and I will never refuse."

Xu Tongjun's sincerity left Qi Renli at a loss for words.

This is different from what he thought.

The so-called banquet for fellow villagers was just a setup by them, leaving him no choice but to pay for a meal he didn't deserve.

As for giving money to others, he often gives money to people, so he doesn't quite remember, but perhaps there was such a thing.

Qi Renli was deeply moved. What he had done unintentionally had greatly helped the person in front of him, and what was even more remarkable was that the other party remembered his kindness.

This is rare, extremely rare!

He gave me so much money, and I've heard thank you verbally countless times, but this is the first time I've ever received money back.

Oh, not only is there money to be made back, but also this table of food and drinks.

Qi Renli said, "It's just a small matter. I'm sure even without me, Brother Xu will be able to overcome this difficulty."

Xu Tongjun shook his head slightly, "It's a small matter for Brother Qi, but for me, it's an immense favor."

Since then, I've always thought that I must repay you handsomely when I have more money in the future.

Actually, after the imperial examination, I kept asking my fellow villagers about your whereabouts. Unfortunately, I didn't have a deep relationship with them. Those who were also successful candidates looked down on my family background and didn't want to associate with me. Those who didn't pass the imperial examination were even more sarcastic and didn't tell me the truth.

I finally got news of you, but by then you had already arrived in Liangzhou.

I had thought I'd never be able to repay this silver ingot, but I never imagined I'd have this opportunity today.

Upon hearing this, Qi Renli felt that the world was full of wonders. He never imagined that when he was down on his luck back then, someone in the same capital city would go to such lengths to find him.

Qi Renli thought to himself that if he had been found by him back then, he probably wouldn't have bothered to take the five taels of silver.

After all, the other party was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), while I was merely a Tongjinshi (another successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Perhaps when we met, I wouldn't be able to resist making a few sarcastic remarks to him.

"Brother Xu, what brings you to Liangzhou to serve as the county magistrate?"

“What’s wrong with coming to Liangzhou?” Xu Tongjun honestly replied, “Actually, this position was not originally meant for me. A few months ago, when I was appointed as the magistrate of Luojiang County, I submitted my application for the position of a person in mourning. The Ministry of Personnel had already selected someone else. It wasn’t originally my turn.”

But then Liangzhou was hit by a series of incidents, and the emperor appointed me.

Naturally, both the current prefect and Lord Zhao of Quping were appointed by the Emperor himself.

Qi Renli was unaware of such a thing happening inside, and thought that he should tell his superiors about it when he got back.

The two chatted for a while longer, with Xu Tongjun doing most of the talking while Qi Renli listened.

The main issue was that when Qi Renli was asked to speak, he couldn't say anything, as he felt the two weren't really familiar with each other.

The meal lasted for more than an hour before the two said their goodbyes.

Xu Tongjun didn't ask him to do anything or give him anything. He only said that they would meet again after he finished his official duties at Luojiang County Government.

When the Qi people returned home, they breathed a sigh of relief.

When he returned to the county government office, he grabbed Meng Changqing and told him about this strange incident.

Meng Changqing was busy with things in the fields and shouldn't have had a moment to spare, but he stood on the edge of the field, hands on his hips, and listened very attentively.

Another month has passed in the blink of an eye. Day after day of busy work, there seems to be never enough time.

The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and spring planting is almost over.

That day, Meng Changqing received news that the prefect of Liangzhou had summoned the county magistrates from various regions to the prefectural capital.