Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

“Okay.” Zheng Jie took it and, without even looking at it, said to Meng Changqing, “Sit down. Beishan County has a small population and simple tax collection. I know how much it should be.”

He quickly glanced through the ledger, then closed it. "No problem. Find a time to have the grain delivered. The tax isn't urgent; it can be delivered before the New Year."

"Thank you, sir."

"It's all official business, don't bother with thanks." Zheng Jie looked at Meng Changqing with a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "An official should be conscientious and responsible, not afraid to take on responsibilities. There are fewer and fewer people like this in the court. It's good to meet you, Magistrate Meng, in Liangzhou."

"The events in Hongjia County have truly made me see you in a new light."

Actually, I should have seen it long ago. When I first arrived in Liangzhou, many people sent gifts and pleaded for favors, but you didn't. I thought you were young and didn't understand the intricacies of officialdom, but now I realize that you disdain doing such things.

You could have reprimanded and disciplined those scoundrels in Hongjia County, but instead you summoned both the Prefect and General Song to prevent anyone from seeking personal gain.

Your way of handling things is very similar to mine; you do things the way they should, and that's good.

Meng Changqing listened with a smile on her face, her mind racing as she countered every word the other person said.

What do you mean by not allowing anyone to seek personal gain? You yourselves still sought personal gain, and even conspired to do so.

These words, seemingly praising Meng Changqing, aren't they actually a roundabout way of praising you, Zheng Jie? Is being like you really so great? What kind of saint are you?
Zheng Jie may not be a saint, but Meng Changqing is definitely a villain.

She inwardly criticized the other person, but outwardly thanked the master for the praise, saying the master was too kind.

Zheng Jie raised his hand to stop Meng Changqing's self-deprecating words, "Although you are younger than me, you are more disciplined than most people. I like your personality very much, and we should get along well."

He said to Meng Changqing, "Magistrate Meng, if you think highly of me, how about we treat each other as friends in private?"

Meng Changqing immediately stood up, bowed, and said, "I am overjoyed that you think so highly of me."

Zheng Jie offered a gesture of support, "Please sit down. Do you have any writing on your back?"

“I don’t have a courtesy name yet,” Meng Changqing replied. “Although you are young, you are already an official, so you should have a courtesy name,” Zheng Jie said, then added, “In that case, I will call you Changqing.”

"Yes."

Shangguan wanted to get closer to her, and Meng Changqing naturally agreed, since it was easier to talk to someone from her own circle.

Zheng Jie was able to say these words not because he was particularly virtuous.

To the seasoned veteran Meng Changqing, these words sounded like a sign of forming cliques, an attempt to win over his cronies.

Not content with mere verbal courtship, Zheng Jie invited Meng Changqing to lunch at the government office.

“A county magistrate is coming this afternoon, you can get to know him then,” Zheng Jie said.

Meng Changqing didn't ask which magistrate it was, but since he was going to get to know him, he must not have known him beforehand. After a rough calculation, he figured it was probably the newly appointed magistrate of Hongjia County.

The lunch prepared by the government office was normal, neither too extravagant nor too frugal. There was no alcohol, and the two toasted each other several times with tea instead of wine.

During the meal, the more Zheng Jie talked with Meng Changqing, the more he felt that this person suited him. He used to think that she had obtained her official position through her father's power, but he did not expect that she was also well-read.

Meng Changqing was very good at flattering people; otherwise, how could the Crown Prince still remember him after several years of separation?

Speaking of poetry and literature, Meng Changqing took the opportunity to show off, "I have two sworn brothers who participated in this year's provincial examination. Fortunately, they both passed the exam. I grew up with them since I was a child, because they also studied for several years."

Zheng Jie knew that this was Meng Changqing's modest way of putting it.

Since his sworn brothers possessed such abilities, his scholarship must surpass that of his two sworn brothers. He also considered that Meng Changqing had once been a tutor to the Crown Prince; without some talent, he couldn't have remained by the Crown Prince's side for so many years based solely on his family background. (End of Chapter)