Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 720 Passing the Exam
The days passed in Meng Changqing's waiting.

When people start waiting for something, time seems to pass very slowly. Before the letter from the capital arrived, the spies sent out from Beishan County brought news that Hua Rujin had left.

"Gone?" Meng Changqing's tone changed as she stood up. "What do you mean by gone?" she asked Zhou Xing, who had rushed back to report the news.

"He's retired and returned to his hometown," Zhou Xing said.

Meng Changqing breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a little more at ease; it wasn't the one she had imagined who was gone.

However, how come she didn't know anything beforehand about such a major event as Lord Hua retiring to his hometown?

"Are you sure you're retiring to your hometown?" Meng Changqing asked again, still not entirely convinced.

“It’s confirmed. The people of Hongjia County saw him off all the way, and even presented him with a plaque.” Zhou Xing asked, “Sir, would you like to go and see him off as well? He shouldn’t have left Liangzhou yet.”

Meng Changqing lifted the hem of his shirt and was about to walk out, but he stopped after taking only two steps.

Seeing this, Zhou Xing asked, "What's wrong?"

"Did the other officials go to see them off?" Meng Changqing asked.

"I didn't see it when the message came back, so I'm not sure."

Meng Changqing walked back behind his desk and plopped down. "I know the news. You can go back now."

"Aren't you going to deliver it?" Zhou Xing asked.

"No need to see me off. I can't explain the source of the information. Go about your business."

That's what they say, but everyone knows that each of them has their own channels for gathering information.

Meng Changqing didn't go, because even if she did, she wouldn't know what to say. If Lord Hua saw her, he would probably be unhappy. Putting aside everything else, just considering the matter of overturning Mao Chunfang's case, seeing Madam Mao begging right in front of him and not helping at all, but instead throwing it to Hongjia County, Meng Changqing felt that this matter was handled very unfairly.

Let's not go. It's better to see each other less and avoid getting in each other's way.

Having been in Liangzhou for less than four years, he had seen almost every official around him change. Only Cao Hongxing of Weishan County and Luo Mao of Bishan County remained familiar faces. The rest had either died or scattered, with only Uncle Wei remaining, who could barely be considered to have been promoted.

When these thoughts cross my mind, I feel a little sad.

Of course, the sadness wouldn't last long, since it's someone else's business.

On the tenth day of the ninth month, Meng Changqing finally received a letter from the capital. The envelope was opened, and inside were the handwritings of three people.

The replies from Dai Shu, Lai Cai, and Ba Fang were stacked together.

Meng Changqing first looked at Uncle Dai's report, which was concise and clear, and mentioned that he was listed as one of the "Eight Directions of Wealth" in the list.

Upon seeing this news, Meng Changqing finally felt completely relieved and was able to continue reading.

The letter also stated that Bafang Laicai wanted to return to Beishan County, but he stopped him and asked Meng Changqing for his opinion on whether they should stay in the capital to prepare for the exam or return to Beishan County for a while.

Then, looking at what Cai had written, he only expressed that he wanted to return to Beishan County and asked him to write back to Uncle Dai so that Uncle Dai could release the people.

When it was Bafang's turn, he became very verbose, writing several pages of densely packed paper. First, he boasted about passing the imperial examination, then he complained that Uncle Dai was preventing them from leaving the capital, and urged Meng Changqing to quickly reply to Uncle Dai, as he couldn't wait to return to Beishan County.

After finishing his own story, he mentioned that Chen Xingqi had visited them and brought them some snacks, asking if they wanted to visit Chen Xingqi before leaving the capital. He then talked about the Crown Prince's wedding, with the Shi family sending their daughter off in a grand procession of red bridal procession, and how he and Lai Cai had gone to the streets to watch the spectacle.

Finally, he said that he saw the Meng family from Dongcheng on the street. He originally wanted to teach them a lesson, but Lai Cai pulled him back.

After reading through all that rambling, Meng Changqing felt his head buzzing.

Ba Fang had so much to say. If it weren't for Uncle Dai stopping him from sending letters to Beishan County so often, Meng Changqing would probably receive letters from Ba Fang every day.

Meng Changqing wrote back, only giving one key point: Lai Cai Bafang should stay in the capital and focus on preparing for the exam, instead of wasting time traveling back and forth to Beishan County. If there was anything he didn't understand in the books, he should bring gifts back to his original academy to ask his teacher. If he really encountered a problem, he could also go to the Zongfu to ask.

Now that the provincial examination is over, the imperial clan can finally make some connections.

Meng Changqing was happy for the wealth coming from all directions, but also regretted that she herself had no chance to take the imperial examination.

If all the candidates from all directions can pass the academy exam, then if it's her turn, she'll most likely pass as well.

Such fantasies can only circulate in one's own mind. If one were to say them out loud, people would think she has something wrong with her head. Why would she insist on taking the exams to climb the ranks when she could already be an official?
Of course, Meng Changqing was not envious of the hardships of scientific expeditions; she regretted not having a platform to prove herself.

Meng Changqing sent a reply, while he himself took the letter from the capital to show to Wen Shi and Liang Qiuqiu.

In the backyard, Mancang and Liu Bao'er sat together at the stone table, one practicing calligraphy and the other making clothes.

"Everyone's busy," Meng Changqing greeted them.

Liu Bao'er put down her work and stood up. "Young Master, what are your orders?"

"It's nothing, you all go about your business." Meng Changqing entered Wen's room, where Wen was giving Liang Qiuqiu advice on patterns.

"Changqing?" Madam Wen saw what was in her hand and guessed, "Bafang and the others sent a letter?"

“Mother’s prediction is correct.” Meng Changqing handed the opened letter, along with the envelope, to Madam Wen.

Liang Qiuqiu also went over to look and knew that Bafang Laicai had passed the exam. She was happy for them. "Such a good thing, only the steward is with them. I wonder if he has made them anything good to eat." Liang Qiuqiu said, "When they come back, I will have to make them something they like. Madam, let's calculate the days and slaughter a sheep in advance."

“Mother, don’t worry about that,” Meng Changqing said. “Let them stay in the capital to prepare for the exam. There’s only about a year left until next autumn’s exam.”

Although Liang Qiuqiu was disappointed that she couldn't see wealth coming from all directions for the time being, she knew that Meng Changqing's arrangement was reasonable.

If we were to actually go to Beishan County, the journey would take a considerable amount of time. Staying in the county government office would inevitably involve various matters that would bother them.

Wen said, "Let them focus on preparing for the exam first. We can meet again the year after next when they pass the imperial examination."

"Once you pass the imperial examination, you have to hurry up and choose an official position, so you'll have even less free time," Meng Changqing said.

If things go smoothly, this separation means we're destined to be apart for many years.

But there's nothing to be sad about in this kind of parting. It's best if everyone keeps going uphill and eventually meets up at the top.

“You’re busy, but your mother and I are. Once Bafang Laicai passes the imperial examination, we’ll have to go back to the capital.” Madam Wen had already planned ahead. “How many connections do those two kids have in the capital? Even if you write letters to have someone make arrangements, it depends on whether they take it seriously. It’s better if I go back directly and contact the ladies I used to know. That way, I’ll find out what vacancies are available.”

"Mother's thinking is the most thoughtful." Although Meng Changqing said this, he was worried about whether his two elders could withstand the fatigue of the journey.