Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 771 Differences
But they were dealing with Meng Changqing, so would compensation and kind words be enough?
Based on the city officials' understanding of Meng Changqing, they are certain that he will do what he says.

If they say they'll tie you up for three days, then they definitely will tie you up for three days.

Cheng Guang felt sorry for the father and daughter in front of him, especially the old man, who seemed unlikely to wait for his son to come down from the city wall.

He softened his tone and patiently advised, "You don't need to act like this. Hanging him for three days will only cause him some physical pain and teach him a lesson. It won't really cause any harm to him."

How could the child's family be comforted by such words? They continued to plead for leniency.

Cheng Guang's patience was also running out. "I'm trying to reason with you, but you won't listen, will you? Do you really want to take this to the county magistrate? Do you think things will end up badly then?"

These words stunned the father and daughter.

“Let me tell you, he brought this on himself, and it’s also because you, as his father, didn’t discipline him properly. Didn’t the people from the government office who were on patrol tell you to watch your hands and feet and not to cause trouble at this critical moment?”
"You insist on defying the law, insist on getting the county magistrate to execute you as a sacrifice to the monkeys. Who can save you?"

The woman realized that no matter what they said, there was no way to change the situation.

"Sir, is my younger brother really going to survive?" The eldest sister wanted a definite answer from Cheng Guang.

She was still young and naive, willing to believe the person in front of her, thinking that the person in front of her would not break their promise.

Cheng Guang said impatiently, "I can now, but if you keep pestering me, I can't guarantee what will happen."

“Let’s go now.” The older sister pulled her father up. “Dad, let’s go home and pay back the money.”

The younger brother was still being pulled back by his older sister, but after retreating a distance, he struggled to get up and crawl forward on his knees, begging Cheng Guang to let him see the child on the city wall.

Cheng Guang smiled at him, "He's hanging on the north city wall, go see him."

Just as the old man was about to express his gratitude, Cheng Guang continued, "Anyone who trespasses into the war zone without permission, regardless of who they are or why, will be considered a spy for an enemy country. If you're not afraid of death, then go ahead and meet them."

After saying this, Cheng Guang turned and left. They're both human, so why is one standing tall and proud while the other kneels and begs for mercy? Leaving aside the past events, the most crucial point is that one has power while the other has none.

The old man was taken back by the older sister.

The commotion outside the county government office wasn't significant, and Cheng Guang handled it promptly, so the guards at the gate didn't report it inside, and Meng Changqing was unaware of this development.

When Cheng Guang went in, he happened to run into Mo Lixiao saying goodbye.

The two met under the eaves and greeted each other.

"Dean Mo." Cheng Guang was full of resentment and had no one to confide in. He happened to run into Mo Lixiao. Considering the child's age, he was still a student of the academy. He should know what kind of thing the person in front of him had done.

"Registrar Cheng." Mo Li smiled, seeing that he hadn't responded for a while, and had to ask, "Is there something you need?"

Cheng Guang asked with a smile, "Among the children who went to our academy, did any of them pass the preliminary examination for the lowest level of the imperial examination?"

When Mo Lixiao told Cheng Guang the result, Cheng Guang praised Beishan County for its good fortune, saying that the adults' expectations had not been disappointed.

Mo Lixiao sighed inwardly. Before she could even mention Meng Changqing's attitude toward the matter, Cheng Guang took the opportunity to complain about how different people's fates were, mentioning that a child was currently being hung on the city wall by Lord Meng for stealing.

Mo Lixiao could hardly believe her ears. In her mind, Meng Changqing had always been kind, tolerant, and cared about the people. How could he punish a child so severely for such a trivial matter?

He immediately asked, "Is this true? Is there any hidden story that we haven't discovered? Your Excellency is not one to impose harsh punishments."

Cheng Guang touched his nose, thinking to himself that this man still didn't understand Meng Changqing.

“There is indeed no hidden reason. The lord’s actions are for the sake of easier management in the future.” Cheng Guang sighed, and then said, “It is because we people did things improperly that the lord became angry.”

Cheng thought that the principles for being a person and doing things should come from the classics to be reliable. If Dean Mo could preach more to the students in the academy, the students would know what they can and cannot do.