Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 683 Still Not Ruthless
Meng Changqing also knew that revealing these methods would not be good for her image, and that Zheng Jie would most likely not do them.

So Meng Changqing said, "I really can't think of a good solution right now, but it's almost dawn. Shouldn't we find a place to settle the people I moved out last night?"

To be honest, this was done very crudely. Those people came out in the middle of the night and just sat there dumbfounded all night.

It is precisely the time to build their trust in the government. It would be unwise to make them wait for so long instead of arranging everything in one go.

Meng Changqing brought up this matter on her own initiative, naturally for a reason.

These are all people. If she can get these people to Beishan County, then her involvement in this matter won't have been in vain.

Unfortunately, Zheng Jie did not do as she wished.

Luo Mao had already made the follow-up arrangements, and Zheng Jie called the people over, asking him to settle the people in as soon as possible.

"Yes, I will go right away."

Luo Mao had been an official for many years, but none of those two days had been as tiring as the last two days. There was nothing he could do; his superiors were watching him closely, and he couldn't even steal a moment's rest.

As soon as Luo Mao moved, Meng Changqing's gaze followed him.

Meeting Meng Changqing's gaze, Luo Mao knew perfectly well what the other was thinking. It was so blatant; his eyes were like a dog eyeing meat.

He bowed to Meng Changqin and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled you with this, Lord Meng."

Meng Changqing understood; it meant: Don't bother looking, it's impossible to give it to you.

Having stayed for so long, and only eaten a few bites of dry rations, Meng Changqing was starving, and the bloodstains on his outer robe always gave off a foul smell.

"My lord." Meng Changqing seized the opportunity to take his leave, and not only did he leave, but he also took Xi Bei and fifty personal guards with him.

There are enough people here; we don't need to make up for the fifty or so. They did their work last night and got the credit they deserved.

Meng Changqing had already received the benefits from Zheng Jie. It wasn't in vain that she had put in the effort to get Hua Rujin and Cao Hongxing to help Zheng Jie.

“Alright, you can’t stay away from Beishan County for long.” Zheng Jie agreed.

Meng Changqing immediately instructed Xi Bei to count the number of people and horses, preparing to go home.

After Xi Bei reported that the assembly was complete, Meng Changqing wanted to say goodbye to Zheng Jie before leaving. Zheng Jie was currently troubled by Xunxian Town and probably didn't want to pay much attention to her.

But Meng Changqing still added annoyingly, "Lord Zheng, we must decide quickly whether to fight or retreat. We cannot allow the soldiers of Hongjia and Weishan counties to remain here for long."

Zheng Jie never expected things to develop to this point, which was far from his expectations.

There's no way around it; profound theories and rich imaginations can never outweigh the absurdity and cruelty of reality.

That morning, after a short rest, the soldiers of Xunxian Town received orders from outside to destroy all the houses in the village and to shout into the mountains that those who intended to surrender to the government would be given a new place to live and food subsidies.

The people shouting came in waves, their voices ringing out from morning till afternoon. Several people's throats were hoarse from shouting, but not a single person surrendered.

The messenger informed the two officials outside of the situation inside.

After listening, Luo Mao thought to himself, "Just as I thought," but Zheng Jie couldn't understand and asked in a low voice, "Who are these people?"

"Your Excellency has a kind heart, but these people are unruly and wild, unlike ordinary people." Luo Mao knew that things had come to this point, and it was time for him to step in, clean up the mess, and then praise his superior's achievements.

"Sir, let's first put those twenty-odd men in jail and see if we can get any useful information out of them," Luo Mao suggested.

"Go and do it," Zheng Jie said, raising his hand again. "I see a few of them are seriously injured. Find a doctor to take a look at them, so they don't die in prison."

"Yes."

Meng Changqing was relaxed on the way back, deciding to mind his own business.