Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

How will you make up for Chapter 758?

With war looming, who would willingly ask others to send out weapons and provisions?

Meng Changqing was naturally unwilling, but he also wondered what kind of reason Zheng Jie would give.

Knowing that Zheng Jie was coming, Meng Changqing arranged all the necessary matters and then went to the gate of Yangmen County to wait for him.

When it got dark, Zheng Jie arrived with a group of men.

Clearly, at this juncture, Song Qingfeng could not easily leave the military camp; the person representing him was the junior officer beside him.

"Magistrate Meng, are the supplies ready?" Zheng Jie asked from his horse.

Meng Changqing maintained his bowing posture and did not answer.

Zheng Jie initially thought he hadn't heard him and asked, "What did you say?"

Meng Changqing spoke up this time, saying, "Your Excellency, I didn't say anything."

Zheng Jie dismounted and took Meng Changqing a few steps to the side, whispering, "I know you're unhappy, but this is what the higher-ups want."

Meng Changqing asked, "Why is the court making things difficult for me? Knowing that I also have to fight the enemy, why are you asking me to hand over my weapons and provisions?"

"No, no, no," Zheng Jie explained, "The imperial court didn't ask you, Beishan County, to give it. It's just that other places can't come up with the funds right now, and the Xueye tribe has been waiting for too long. What would it look like if they had to wait any longer? So we'll give it to you first, and then I'll make up the difference."

“Prefect Zheng, you are a straightforward man, so I will speak my mind,” Meng Changqing said. “If you had it, you wouldn’t have asked me to give it to you. How long would it take to send it from Liangzhou Prefecture to Beishan County?”
Since you don't have it, how are you going to make it up to me?

“This is a difficult task.” Zheng Jie frowned and set a tone, but what’s the use of setting a tone?

“Changqing, consider this a favor to me,” Zheng Jie said. “The weapons and provisions you’re offering aren’t much. Even if you do give them, it won’t cripple your Beishan County.”

Dozens of knives and a dozen bushels of grain—they certainly wouldn't cause any serious injury, but the way this was done was disgusting.

Are there any counties in Liangzhou that are poorer than Beishan County?
Which of the other counties couldn't produce these items? Surely Liangzhou Prefecture could too?
Even if Zheng Jie were to speak up and have several counties share the burden equally.

Instead of doing that, he directly pressured Meng Changqing, his so-called "own man."

Meng Changqing knew that Zheng Jie had lost power. No matter how brilliant his past achievements or how lofty his ideals, in this Liangzhou Prefecture, it was like a flower fallen to the mud—rootless and helpless, how could he survive?

With disaster looming, everyone is scheming for themselves. Zheng Jie, having just arrived, is unable to control the seasoned veterans below him.

Not to mention Zheng Jie, even Fang Yun from the front line made many concessions to them.

Meng Changqing hated those people intensely, just like Zheng Jie.

If Zheng Jie had simply discussed things properly with Meng Changqing, Meng Changqing wouldn't have pulled this stunt. She could have helped him think of a solution, or she could have raised funds from other counties—both would have been feasible.

But you, Zheng Jie, can't just take your anger out on Meng Changqing after you've been wronged at the government office.

Becoming one of Zheng Jie's own people, you won't get any benefits, but you'll at least get some bad luck first, right?

"Don't you know that in the entire Liangzhou, my Beishan County is the poorest?" Meng Changqing said. "How can I explain to the people if I give these things away?"

They talk about giving an explanation to the people, but I've never seen an official give anything to the people.

It's just a nice-sounding excuse.

Zheng Jie wasn't saying he would just let Meng Changqing suffer losses; he had come up with a plan, but he still hoped it would be unnecessary.

"What you give will be converted into tax silver and tax grain. The amount you give will determine the amount of tax you will be exempted from after this year's autumn harvest."

It's like paying taxes in advance.

Meng Changqing also agreed with this approach. Things couldn't be stuck on her side; to continue, some compromises would have to be made.

But she can't always be the one compromising, Meng Changqing reminded herself.

“My lord, I’m a soft-hearted man. Since you’ve asked me, I can’t possibly refuse to help you.” Meng Changqing had intended to take the opportunity to ask him for some benefits, but the words were already on the tip of his tongue when he suddenly stopped. What he wanted to ask for benefits turned into, “My lord, if the Yan bandits really dare to come, we’ll have to fight a decisive battle to turn the tide.”

Zheng Jie looked into the distance, "We have to turn things around."