Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

"Only eight people passed?" Meng Changqing wasn't too satisfied with the result. She had another question left unsaid: 'What were the others doing?'

Mo Lixiao sensed the dissatisfaction in his tone and felt it necessary to explain.

"My lord, a total of twenty people from Liangzhou County passed the examination this time. Our county has the most people passing. Neither Hongjia County nor Weishan County had any passers."

“Other counties are other counties,” Meng Changqing said with a smile. “We can’t compare ourselves to other counties; we should lower our standards.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the reception room. Meng Changqing pulled out a chair, invited Mo Lixiao to sit down, and then poured her a cup of tea.

She was polite in her actions, but not in her words: "These thirteen people were all deemed capable by the teachers and allowed to take the exam. So why didn't they pass?"

Mo Lixiao was speechless when asked the question.

That's definitely not the case.

Meng Changqing added, "Although taking the exam is a difficult task, most people cannot pass it on their first try."

But our original intention in establishing this academy was to enable more students from Beishan County to succeed. Since we have this goal, we are destined to work harder than most people, and we cannot simply become part of the majority.

Mo Lixiao, who was initially somewhat happy, was no longer happy after hearing Meng Changqing's words.

“You’re right,” Mo Li said with a smile. “From now on, I will supervise them more strictly.”

Unexpectedly, Meng Changqing waved his hand, "As the dean of the college, you have done enough. Besides, learning is not very useful when supervised by outsiders; they have to change their own mindset."

Mo Lixiao was confused by these words, so she simply asked Meng Changqing, "Then what should I do?"

"This is a long-term matter, something that needs to be done, not something that can be accomplished in a short time. Students will only know how far they have to go when they see most of their peers pass the imperial examination."

Meng Changqing is somewhat morbid.

An individual's mindset is always changing due to various experiences.

The Meng Changqing of today is nowhere to be seen; he no longer possesses the gentleness and consideration he once had for others.

She added, "In the short term, firstly, as the dean, you don't need to be too happy and make those who didn't pass the exam nervous. As for those who passed, they should be even more nervous and prepare, since they still have a long way to go."

Mo Li smiled thoughtfully and said, "I understand." Although she said she understood, she would just do as Meng Changqing said. As for whether she agreed with Meng Changqing, she didn't really.

While Meng Changqing was directing Mo Lixiao on what to do, she was unaware that in a field not far from her, a family had just learned that their son had been arrested.

The old man didn't believe it at first, and laughed as he told the villager who came to deliver the news, "How could that be? You're lying to me."

"Why would I lie to you? My youngest son just came to tell you the news," a fellow villager said. "My eldest son passed the imperial examination this year and became a student. He also told me that your son was arrested after the county magistrate found out he stole money."

No one would feel comfortable hearing that.

A fellow villager suggested, "You should go and take a look at the county government office."

"Impossible. I know my child. It's not like we're poor. He wouldn't do something like this."

"Hey, who can say for sure? I'm just telling you out of kindness." A fellow villager picked up his hoe. "Anyway, I've told you, believe it or not is up to you."

Upon suddenly hearing such news, who could remain calm? The child's family members stood there dumbfounded, their hearts pounding.

"Father, did my little brother really steal money?" the second daughter asked.

The eldest daughter dropped the farm tools she was holding. "Never mind whether it's true or not, Father, go to the county government and ask around."

"This..." the old man hesitated, "We have nothing on us, how can we ask around?"

“If you’re not going, I will.” The eldest daughter of the family lifted her foot and walked away.

The old man had no choice but to chase after them, leaving the mother and her two daughters to continue working in the fields, but their hearts were uneasy.

The two arrived at the entrance of the county government office. The eldest daughter asked a question, and the person she asked was Cheng Guang, who was returning from the wall.

Upon inquiring, it was discovered that the person had indeed been arrested and was being hung on the city wall.

The old man collapsed on the spot.

The eldest daughter even knew how to say nice things, promising to double the amount they stole. (End of Chapter)