Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

"What!" Cheng Guang was stunned by the news and stood there for a long time without recovering.

Meng Changqing patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "Don't be so nervous, they won't attack immediately. Besides, it's not like we haven't fought them before. Back when the city walls weren't even built, we were able to drive them back. Now that the city walls are up, they can't easily break through."

Cheng Guang nodded, "I know."

He wasn't afraid; he had just been living a comfortable life for too long and had forgotten the actual circumstances of his situation.

Meng Changqing patted him on the shoulder, "Take it easy, wait for me to come back."

"Yes."

Stepping out of the study, a cold wind greeted me.

Meng Changqing ordered his men to prepare horses and gave Xi Bei, who had just arrived, some instructions, telling her to stay home and watch over the Wen family and others, while he himself only took Chu Mufeng with him.

The two walked halfway before it got dark, thinking they would have to wait at the city gate for a while. But to their surprise, as soon as they reached the city gate, they heard someone on the gate shout, "Who is it?"

After Meng Changqing identified himself, someone immediately opened the door and let the two of them in.

Meng Changqing secretly rejoiced that she hadn't waited until tomorrow, as the people from the government office were clearly waiting for her.

Sure enough, as soon as the two arrived outside Liangzhou Prefecture, a yamen runner came up to them. "Lord Meng, my master is waiting for you in his study. Lord Bai, my master said that if you come, you should go in with Lord Meng."

Chu Mufeng was slightly surprised.

After Zheng Jie took office, Meng Changqing had come to the government office several times. Zheng Jie had always pretended that he didn't exist, so why was he suddenly called out by name today?

"understood."

The two men handed the horses to the constables and strode towards the gate of the government office.

As soon as they entered the government office gate, they saw Cao Hongxing walking quickly out.

"Lord Cao." Meng Changqing stopped, wanting to say a few words to him, but Cao Hongxing bowed and hurried past, clearly having to attend to some urgent matter.

Meng Changqing was even more certain that the reason he had summoned her was definitely to discuss the matter of the Yan army sending troops.

Inside the study, Zheng Jie had dark circles under his eyes, bloodshot eyes, and his hair looked somewhat disheveled.

He hasn't slept for two days and one night, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he won't be able to sleep tonight either, and may even have trouble sleeping for a long time to come.

"Sir, Magistrate Meng and his entourage have arrived."

"please."

Zheng Jie wiped his face, picked up the strong tea beside him, and drank it all in one gulp.

Meng Changqing and Chu Mufeng entered and bowed, "Your Excellency, Prefect."

"Please sit down," Chu Mufeng said to Chu Mufeng, who was standing behind Meng Changqing. "Young Master Bai, please sit down as well."

Chu Mufeng stepped onto a stool next to him and sat down.

"Changqing, the matter is urgent, so I'll get straight to the point." Zheng Jie went straight to the point, "This afternoon we received a notice from the imperial court that the Yan army is very likely to attack our border. Beishan County, Weishan County, and Hongjia County must prepare quickly."

After taking a deep breath, Zheng Jie continued, "The reason for this deduction is that the seventh prince of Yan has already gathered most of the power in Yan and will soon ascend the throne."

If he wanted to secure his throne, he would have to reconcile the conflicts of interest among the various ethnic groups in the Yan state.

As you all know, the internal conflicts within Yan are not easily resolved.

Since that's the case, the only solution is to create an even bigger conflict: start a war. If successful, he will be a sage ruler who expands the territory for future generations.

Meng Changqing sneered, "What a beautiful dream! But our Great Liang is not so easily bullied. If they dare to reach out to us, we will definitely chop off their claws!"

Zheng Jie's gaze was fixed on Meng Changqing. His words were well-chosen. Ever since he received the news from the court, he had been feeling uncertain. As the message was passed down, he saw too many heavy and fearful expressions. Only Meng Changqing looked like a mad dog.

Like a mad dog holding its breath, waiting for someone to pet it.

"Changqing, just tell me what Beishan County needs," Zheng Jie solemnly promised.

"Thank you, sir." Meng Changqing stood up and said, "I plan to build another city wall between the dangerous mountains in the east and west of the county. That place was the site of the old city wall in the early years, but unfortunately, it could not be built several times because of the bandits in the dangerous mountains."

Now that the bandits have been eliminated and war is imminent, I believe it is essential to rebuild this city wall.

"In your opinion, the current city walls of Beishan County cannot withstand the Yan army?" Zheng Jie asked.

“No,” Meng Changqing replied firmly. “In my opinion, the current city walls are sufficient to withstand the Yan army. The reason for building new city walls is to reassure the people and prevent panic from spreading and causing chaos in the county.”

Zheng Jie asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

“I am short of manpower and funds,” Meng Changqing said. “If the Yan bandits attack the border of Daliang, it will most likely be in the spring. I want to repair the city wall before spring, but the number of people in my county is simply not enough.”

"This prefecture will immediately levy labor service from Luojiang, Quping, and Bishan. As for the silver, once the imperial court allocates funds, it will be given to you first. If it is still not enough, this prefecture will report to the imperial court."

"Thank you, sir."

"It's not for your personal matters, so there's no need for thanks." Zheng Jie looked at Meng Changqing, but he didn't say what he wanted to say. If it were really as Meng Changqing said, then it would be a blessing from heaven for the Great Liang.

Meng Changqing and Chu Mufeng returned to Beishan County overnight.

Inside the county government office, there were many more yamen runners on duty than before, and Cheng Guang paced back and forth in the courtyard.

The cold weather and his anxiety caused his hands to tremble uncontrollably.

Upon hearing that Meng Changqing had returned, he quickly went to greet him.

"My lord." He calmed his restless heart and reported the situation first, "The task you assigned has been completed. Zhang Xiaowei's scouts have been sent out, and there is no news coming from outside the city for the time being."

The old lady just asked me what happened, but I didn't dare reveal the truth.

"I understand." Meng Changqing led him into the study and told him the news he had heard from Liangzhou Prefecture.

"So, this battle is unavoidable." After saying this, Cheng Guang felt calmer, whether because he accepted reality or because Meng Changqing was there and he felt more confident.

Meng Changqing asked him jokingly, "Are you scared?"

Cheng Guang said, "Since I've gone out to join the army, why should I be afraid of war?"

"Good! That's the kind of warriors my Great Liang should be!" After encouraging them, Meng Changqing said, "You've been up most of the night, go back and rest now. Tomorrow morning at the end of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), have all the yamen runners assemble at the county office. I need to adjust the shifts for guard duty and patrols."

"Yes!"

After Cheng Guang left, Meng Changqing took out a piece of paper and spread it in front of her. She had to write down what arrangements she needed to make.

She spent a long time grinding ink, but she didn't put pen to paper.

She kept thinking to herself, why be so passive? If the predecessors are not up to par, then the successors will be slapped in the face.

Unfortunately, she was the descendant of the one who got slapped.

There was a sudden knock on the study door. Meng Changqing knew from the sound of the knock that it was Xi Bei.

Before she could say "come in," the study door was pushed open, and the person knocking was indeed Xi Bei.

He walked up to Meng Changqing and asked cautiously, "What happened?" (End of Chapter)