Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

On the way back, Meng Changqing asked Zheng Jie from horseback, "Sir, will this year's county examination still be held at the prefectural academy?"

Zheng Jie had forgotten about the matter, but now that Meng Changqing brought it up, he gritted his teeth in hatred. He hated the people in the prefecture for causing trouble, hated that he wasn't ruthless enough, and hated that the complicated affairs didn't give him any chance to breathe.

"February is just around the corner," Meng Changqing said. "This is the only time the children have had to study so hard for so long."

When it comes to taking exams, Zheng Jie has the deepest experience.

He himself was a product of the imperial examinations. Although he came from a scholarly family and lacked no material conditions, knowledge wouldn't just magically appear in his head because of his family's wealth; he still had to learn it himself.

Looking back now, I still feel that those days were tough, no matter how hard I studied, how I felt about the results, or how agonizing it was to wait for the exam results.

"I'll ask the relevant person in charge when I get back, and then I'll get back to you," Zheng Jie added. "I'll definitely send you the message by tomorrow morning at the latest."

Meng Changqing thanked him verbally.

She had just reached a fork in the road. She stayed where she was and watched Zheng Jie and the others walk a distance before leading her men back to the county government office.

After what happened, Meng Changqing knew he wouldn't get much sleep tonight, so he simply didn't go to the back office and instead took a nap in the study.

I don't know if it's because I've gotten used to it lately or what, but I woke up after only a short nap. Looking out the window, it was just getting light.

Still feeling tired, but unable to fall asleep even with his eyes closed, Meng Changqing simply got up and washed his face.

Hearing the commotion, the guard on duty outside the study tentatively asked, "Sir, are you awake?"

"Okay." Meng Changqing opened the door and said to the guard, "Go to the kitchen and see what food they have."

"Yes. The yamen runners from the prefectural government just came by and said that the county examination will be held as scheduled, at the prefectural school."

"Understood." Meng Changqing walked around the study twice. The sun hadn't risen yet. Judging by the time, Prefect Zheng had just arrived in the prefecture and went to inquire about this matter.

While having breakfast, Meng Changqing sent a message to the academy, instructing Mo Lixiao to take the children to Liangzhou Prefecture in the next couple of days to make preparations.

Fortunately, Mr. Cai from the academy was still there. He was quite familiar with the county examination process, so Meng Changqing didn't need to spend too much time on it.

February has arrived.

As the weather warms up, people's tense mood gradually relaxes.

People used to talk about war all the time, but nothing has happened yet, so most people think it's impossible for a war to break out.

People's lives gradually returned to normal, and many even went to ask Qi Renli whether silkworm farming, weaving, and embroidery could resume as before.

The man from Qi made an excuse that spring planting was about to begin, telling these people to focus on their farming and to inquire about the situation once this busy period was over.

Qi Renli came to see Meng Changqing that very day. He was also wondering if the Yan army was not coming. What if something else went wrong within the Yan state?

"Hopefully they won't come. But without concrete news, we should remain on guard." Meng Changqing didn't continue the conversation on this topic and instead asked about his and Shu Erhua's situation.

"I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to think about these things." Qi Renli's eyes flickered as he thought of several unopened letters from home.

Judging from his expression, Meng Changqing knew that he definitely had something to say but didn't say it.

Although she enjoys asking questions, she has her limits. Right now, exhausted and with a sword hanging around her neck, she doesn't have the time or inclination for that.

That night, Meng Changqing was still lying in bed thinking about whether it would be more advantageous for him to fight or not to fight.

To be frank, we'll have to fight sooner or later, so we might as well do it sooner. Even if we break through the city gates, the Yan bandits can only damage so much. After all, Beishan County doesn't have much of value to begin with. But if we wait a few more years, how can she bear to let the bandits ruin Beishan County?

Thinking this, Meng Changqing rolled over, inwardly cursing himself. Could he really be so willing to give it up now?

Meng Changqing fell asleep while thinking about it.

The night was only half over when Meng Changqing was awakened by urgent knocking on the door.

"My lord! Wake up! Captain Zhang's men have sent word that spies from abroad have discovered traces of the Yan army."

Meng Changqing woke up with a start.

He grabbed the clothes next to him and quickly put them on.

Before he could even fasten his belt, he heard someone running outside, "Is the master awake? Captain Zhang has sent word."

Meng Changqing called out loudly towards the door, "What news?"

"The Yan army is less than five li from the city wall." The speaker was panting heavily, whether from running only a few steps or from being too nervous.

Meng Changqing slipped on his shoes and quickly opened the door. "Where are the people from Weishan Camp?"

"They're already on the city wall." The messenger who came from the city wall was pulled forward by Meng Changqing's personal guards. He explained in detail, "The men from the Weishan Camp and the Hongjia Camp have already climbed the city wall. The soldiers from both camps are spreading out towards us from both sides, and the weapons have been distributed."

"Prepare the horses."

"Yes!"

Xi Bei and Chu Mufeng also rushed over. These two had excellent hearing, and they overheard the entire conversation before they even arrived.

“Master,” Meng Changqing said, “I need to go up the wall and take a look. Please take good care of the family for me.”

Xi Bei's brows had never furrowed so deeply before. "Have someone call Xiao Dai over to keep an eye on things. I'll go with you."

Seeing that Meng Changqing was about to say something more, Xi Bei said directly, "I'm not at ease, and neither are your mother and the others."

"Okay, please get ready quickly." In front of everyone, Meng Changqing locked the study door again, went inside to use the restroom, and then came out.

She opened the door again, wrapped her cloak around herself, and took out her knife.

"Let's go."

Several horses were already prepared outside the East Gate. The one in front was Meng Changqing's horse, which was still chewing grass. When it saw Meng Changqing coming, it raised its head at her.

Meng Changqing patted its face before taking the reins and mounting the horse.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard his personal guards shouting from behind, "Sir, news from the wall says the war has begun."

Meng Changqing's heart skipped a beat, and he could vaguely hear the sounds of battle raging by the wall.

Of course, it was all in her head.

"Understood. Keep an eye on the county office. I'll be right back." Meng Changqing spurred his horse, and it immediately bolted off.

Seeing this, the others immediately followed suit.

Soon the group arrived near the city wall and could see torches blazing on it from afar. The closer they got, the clearer the sounds of battle between the two sides became. (End of Chapter)