Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Jia Wang raised his hand to signal the servants to serve tea, and said with a smile, "Magistrate Meng, you are too kind. I am new here, and it is only right that I should visit you."

Meng Changqing pretended to take a sip of the tea beside him, but didn't actually drink it. He just touched his lips, and when he got closer, she could smell the scent of lotus leaves.

“This tea tastes refreshing.” She deliberately looked into the teacup, “but it doesn’t seem to be all tea leaves.”

“That’s right. This green tea has lotus leaves added to it. Drinking it at this time of year can soothe the dryness and heat in the five internal organs.” Jia Wang also picked up the tea beside him and took a sip. Of course, he really drank it.

"Are you quite knowledgeable about health preservation?"

"I wouldn't presume to call myself an expert; I only have a slight understanding," Jia Wang said modestly.

There was no point in continuing the casual conversation; it was time to get down to business. Meng Changqing tentatively asked, "Where did Magistrate Jia previously serve?"

Jia Wang smiled and said, "Magistrate Meng is a man of high status and has a bad memory."

Meng Changqing sensed something was wrong. These words meant that the other person knew her, but she didn't remember ever seeing him.

Meng Changqing's smile remained unchanged, only now tinged with doubt. "So, we've met before?"

Jia Wang smiled and waved his hand, "I have met Magistrate Meng before, but Magistrate Meng has never met me."

This means that he previously served as an official in the capital.

But why did he come to Liangzhou to be a county magistrate? Judging from his appearance, he doesn't seem to have been demoted; he must have been a minor official before.

How could someone of such low rank be able to be transferred to Liangzhou?

Thinking about it this way, Meng Changqing felt that this person's background was even more unfathomable.

Since he was from the capital, Meng Changqing became even more wary.

Who can guarantee what connections he used to get things done? What if he's on the Third Prince's side? He could easily kill her.

After all, Mao Chunfang killed without hesitation back then; these people are insane. Thinking this, Meng Changqing put down his teacup and continued chatting with Jia Wang, "Perhaps our fate wasn't back then, but now."

Jia Wang laughed heartily after hearing this, "Magistrate Meng is right!"

"I heard that you and Prefect Zheng are close friends." Meng Changqing was making this up; she had never heard of such a thing.

Jia Wang chuckled and said, "Where did you hear that? If I really had a close friend like Prefect Zheng, I wouldn't have only managed to become a minor county magistrate by now."

"It must be a rumor spread by outsiders," said Meng Changqing, the person who spread the rumor to my face. "There are also many rumors about me. Unfortunately, people don't care about the truth; they only believe what they want to believe."

Jia Wang shook his head, "That's why I say 'public opinion is always right.' I just arrived, and such rumors are already circulating. It's really both laughable and frustrating."

"So what made you decide to become a county magistrate in Liangzhou, such a remote place?" Meng Changqing continued to ask.

Jia Wang smiled and said, "It's already a rare opportunity for a nobody like me to have this chance. I have to thank Chief Li for his help."

"Manager Li?"

“Li Daolang, the chief clerk of the Ministry of Personnel,” Jia Wang said. “Magistrate Meng should know him, right? Chief Clerk Li mentioned you to me before.”

"I know him, of course I know him." How could Meng Changqing not know Li Daolang? But when did he become a sixth-rank official? It was probably when he accompanied Feng Zhong'an to Liangzhou to thoroughly investigate the tax records, and the court considered them meritorious.

Everyone gets rewarded for their merits, but not her. That group of people at the top is really no good.

"I wonder why Steward Li brought me up?" Meng Changqing asked quite a few questions.

Jia Wang's gaze remained unwavering. "He said you are a kind person and reminded me that I could ask you for help if I encountered any difficulties."

Meng Changqing didn't believe Li Daolang had said those words. "Of course, our two counties are neighbors, and we should help each other. If there's anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask." Whether he would help or not was another matter. (End of Chapter)