Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 674

After Li Ting left, Xiao Dai returned to Meng Changqing's side and asked, "Young Master, should we retrieve those two letters?"

He said this to guess Meng Changqing's meaning, since judging from his young master's expression, he didn't seem very willing.

“No need,” Meng Changqing said. “What I said earlier was the truth.”

After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Dai said, "Young Master, this Prefect Zheng is acting rather strangely. You have no troops under your command, so you shouldn't be able to help him. Why is he dragging you into this?"

"What do you think?" Meng Changqing asked in return.

Xiao Dai said, "Although I don't understand his intentions, I can sense that he is plotting against you."

"Who?" Bafang suddenly appeared from nowhere. "Who's plotting against the young master?"

When Meng Changqing saw him, he only asked one question: "Have you finished reading the book?"

Bafang, who had been full of enthusiasm, immediately lost his spirit and said aggrievedly, "Young Master, I can't stare at books all day long."

Meng Changqing countered, "Why not?"

Bafang was used to joking around in front of Meng Changqing, saying things like, "I still need to go to the toilet, eat, and sleep."

Meng Changqing ignored him and asked, "What month is it now?"

"May."

"How long until the college entrance exam?" Meng Changqing pressed.

"You're asking a question you already know the answer to; there are still three months left."

Meng Changqing sneered twice, "Three months? The provincial examination starts in August, and there's still time to travel back and forth, so at most there are only a little over two months."

Although Bafang stopped arguing for himself, his expression clearly showed that he was still unconvinced. Meng Changqing shook his head and said, "If you can guarantee that you will pass this year's academy exam, I won't urge you to study anymore."

“That’s right, Bafang.” Xiao Dai also said, “Young Master has put so much effort into this for you. It’s only been a few days, so don’t slack off.”

“Brother Dai, it’s one thing for the young master to criticize me, but why are you joining in?” Ba Fang mercilessly exposed his shortcomings, “You were the one who refused to study back then too.”

Xiao Dai looked embarrassed, while Ba Fang, thinking he had won the round, approached Meng Changqing and asked, "Young Master, what were you two talking about just now? Who plotted against you?"

Meng Changqing leaned back in his chair and deliberately said, "Prefect, he's openly plotting against me. How do you plan to help me?"

"This..." Upon hearing that this was his young master's superior, Ba Fang realized he couldn't help. "Please don't fall into his trap. If all else fails, ask the Grand Tutor for help?"

Meng Changqing sighed, “Grand Tutor is getting old. How many more years can he take care of me? There’s no one in the court to help us. If you and Lai Cai can’t pass the imperial examinations and enter officialdom, I’ll be the only one on this path, and it will be too difficult to walk.”

Meng Changqing rarely spoke to Bafang in this tone. Bafang felt uncomfortable after hearing it, and without saying a word, went back to his room to study late into the night.

After Bafang left, Xiao Dai was about to say a few words of comfort to Meng Changqing when Meng Changqing crossed his legs and laughed, "He's all talk and no action. We'll have to use some tricks to deal with him in the future."

"Young Master, about Prefect Zheng..." Xiao Dai began to say, but Meng Changqing waved his hand, "Don't worry, everything's fine for now."

Meanwhile, in Hongjia County and Weishan County, the two magistrates received the letters in the middle of the night.

Upon hearing that it was an urgent message from Beishan County, they would all jump up and throw off the covers.

Both of them were speechless after reading the letter.

Cao Hongxing added, "Meng Changqing is so idle, he has to meddle in everything! Sending a message in the middle of the night just for this!"

"Sir, the yamen runners from Beishan County haven't left yet; they're waiting for your reply."

"I have to reply to him about this?" Cao Hongxing threw the letter on the table. "Tell him to tell Meng Changqing, fine! I'll go to Liangzhou Prefecture tomorrow!"