Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 666 Even without the Immortal Seeking Town
Zheng Jie looked at the person in front of him and took a deep breath.

Although he didn't speak, Luo Mao understood perfectly well that Lord Zheng's look was all too clear: you are indeed incompetent.

The tea and snacks have finally been served.

Those who served Luo Mao had never seen anything like this before.

In the past, his master was the most powerful person in the county government. For many years, only his master had to give others attitude. Now, his master also has to give others attitude.

The maid who was serving tea was afraid that she had come at the wrong time and would be disliked by the master, so she waited outside for a while and only went in when there was no more noise inside.

"What day is it today?" Zheng Jie suddenly asked.

Luo Mao, not understanding his intention, replied, "The sixth day of the fifth month."

"When was the annual mountain worship ceremony held in Xunxian Town in previous years?" Zheng Jie asked.

"This... is not necessarily true." Under Zheng Jie's scrutinizing gaze, Luo Mao hurriedly said, "These are all matters within Xunxian Town. If they don't make a fuss, outsiders will hardly know."

However, as far as I know, the customs for mountain worship differ among the various villages in Xunxian Town. Some villages only perform the worship when the harvest is poor, while others do it during the autumn harvest. It's not always the case.

Zheng Jie's gaze toward Luo Mao grew increasingly sharp. "Since you don't know the situation, then find someone who does."

After a few exchanges, Luo Mao roughly understood the temperament of the person in front of him and realized that showing weakness all the time was not a wise move.

"To be honest, when I first came to Bishan County, I was furious when I learned about the customs of Xunxian Town. I wanted to stop them, but they wouldn't listen to reason."

Left with no other choice, I had to compromise for the time being.

But I have never given up.

Over the years, I have encouraged them to travel more outside the town, and I have even personally funded the education of young people in Xunxian Town.

The idea was simply to broaden their horizons and help them learn more, hoping that the words of the sage could enlighten them.

Unfortunately, something happened last year. Since then, the young people in Xunxian Town have been forbidden from going out to study, and even those who go out to buy things are strictly monitored.

They're already wary of outsiders, so it's really difficult for them to make a move now.

After hearing Luo Mao's long speech, Zheng Jie was no longer angry.

After all, Luo Mao did try, but he didn't succeed. That's a matter of ability, not attitude.

Did Zheng Jie not know about Luo Mao's attempts before he came to find him? Obviously he did. He had heard about it from the officials of Liangzhou when he was inquiring about Xunxian Town, but since Luo Mao himself didn't say anything, he pretended not to know.

Zheng Jie picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip of tea, and said, "Let me first state my thoughts and see if you agree with them."

We must first try to persuade them with courtesy before resorting to force. Only after confirming that they are truly beyond redemption and change should we take military action.

If it really comes to the point where force is not an option, we must frighten them once and for all, and never give them a chance to retaliate.

I will then speak with General Song of the Weishan Camp and ask him to jointly petition the court to persuade the Weishan Camp to send troops.

Luo Mao sat respectfully, making sure the other party had finished speaking before saying, "What you say makes perfect sense, sir, but..."

"But what?" Zheng Jie was straightforward, and now that he held absolute power in Liangzhou Prefecture, he openly displayed his likes and dislikes.

Disapproving of Luo Mao's hesitant attitude, he frowned and said, "Just say what you have to say!"

Luo Mao said, "It would be best if we could persuade them. But if it really comes down to violence, I have fought with them before. On flat ground, they are no match for the constables. But the terrain in Xunxian Town is complicated, and outsiders can easily get lost. That's not all, the people in the village are very good at setting traps. I suffered a great loss at their hands last time."

Although the principle of "courtesy before force" was to be followed by force, both men knew that the only option that would work was the soldier in the back.

Now that Luo Mao had said that, Zheng Jie felt a little hesitant.

But this hesitation could not shake his resolve; arbitrary killings under his rule were certainly unacceptable.

“We’ll take it one step at a time,” Zheng Jie said. “But this has to be done, even if it means the end of Xunxian Town.”

Luo Mao finally understood Zheng Jie's meaning and immediately expressed that he would do his best.

At this point, the two had reached a consensus.

But how should we observe the proper etiquette beforehand?

This isn't like visiting someone's house and buying a few pastries to walk in and talk to the host.

In the end, Luo Mao sent a messenger to Xunxian Town to deliver a message, using the pretext of the new prefect's arrival to get the chieftains of several villages to come to the county government office to pay their respects to the prefect.

The constable took on the task and ran back and forth very quickly, but unfortunately he failed to bring the person out.

"They refuse to come out, saying that there was no such rule before," the constable said.

Luo Mao was about to unleash a torrent of abuse on the yamen runners for their poor performance when Zheng Jie stopped him. "Magistrate Luo, save your breath. I don't have time to come here every day. Now that I'm here, I must see those people in charge today."

"Yes."

Luo Mao had no choice but to go and invite them in person. He lingered for a long time by the stone tablet in Xunxian Town with the messenger, making promises and concessions, before finally managing to persuade the village chiefs to leave the town. However, they insisted on not going to the Bishan County government office.

That's government territory after all. Even if we can bring people from the mountain stronghold there, how can we guarantee there won't be an ambush?

Having fought several battles with the government, these village chiefs knew very well how much the official in front of them wanted to kill them.

Having no other choice, Luo Mao had to start with Zheng Jie. Didn't he say he had to see these people in charge today? He didn't say where he would meet them. Meeting them next to the boundary marker in Xunxian Town should be acceptable, right?

Although Luo Mao thought this way, he was actually prepared to be scolded.

To his surprise, after listening to his report, Zheng Jie didn't scold him at all, but immediately set off for Xunxian Town.

Seeing Zheng Jie set off, Luo Mao directed his men to hurry ahead and prepare.

When Zheng Jie and Luo Mao arrived at the place, tables and chairs had already been set up, and the people of Xunxian Town were gathered together but did not sit down.

Upon seeing the two officials arrive, the people of Xunxian Town did not bow. Instead, they huddled together, pointing at Zheng Jie and Luo Mao and talking amongst themselves.

Zheng Jie and Luo Mao couldn't understand what they were saying, but judging from their expressions, it probably wasn't anything nice.

"Gentlemen," Zheng Jie said, walking to the table and addressing the group of people, "Sit down and let's talk."

A young man on the other side whispered a few words to a few older men, and only then did they come over.

Luo Mao took this opportunity to introduce Zheng Jie, "Those four with animal bones tied around their waists are the village chiefs. They don't understand Mandarin, so the young man behind them has to translate for them."

Seeing the four people sit down with wary postures, Luo Mao predicted that no matter what, this matter was unlikely to succeed.

Luo Mao coughed twice and said loudly, "This is the newly appointed prefect of Liangzhou. Why don't you bow and sit down when you see the prefect?"