Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 799 The New Street Today

After leaving the racecourse, Meng Changqing told happy Dong and Zuo Datou to go back to the county government office first, while she herself headed to Xinjie.

There are regulations in Beishan County's new street that prohibit horseback riding. These are rules set by Meng Changqing himself, so of course I wouldn't break them.

When they reached the street corner, she dismounted and led her horse inside.

Walking down the street, you can clearly feel that there are far fewer people than before.

Of course, the shortage of people is not entirely due to the war. After all, it is currently the busy farming season, and most of the able-bodied men in families with land have gone to work in the fields.

After passing three or four shops, only one was open, and it mostly sold basic daily necessities.

There are fewer food vendors now.

This is the most direct manifestation of the decline in consumption levels within Beishan County.

Meng Changqing comforted himself, saying that this was not something that could be changed overnight and would inevitably require several wars. The Great Liang needed to have an overwhelming advantage over the Yan bandits, and the people needed to feel proud and believe that the place they lived in would not be affected by the war. Only then would they have the energy to think about things beyond survival.

Only then can Beishan County have the potential for commercial prosperity.

Meng Changqing and his group walked until they arrived at Shu Erhua's pastry shop.

There's a large steamer in front of the dim sum shop, but the steamers on top of it have fewer layers than before, which shows that business isn't good.

Just then, Shu Erhua walked out of the shop and saw Meng Changqing and his group parked at the door.

"My lord!" Shu Erhua exclaimed in surprise, "You've come at such a perfect time! My first batch of steamed cakes is just ready. Let me treat you all to a plate."

Before Meng Changqing and the others could refuse, she had already lifted the pot lid, taken a clean plate and chopsticks, and asked, "What flavor do you want?"

"Give me jujube cake." Meng Changqing asked the people behind him, "Tell me what you want to eat, and don't forget to thank Manager Xie Shu."

The other two, naturally following Meng Changqing's example, showed no politeness whatsoever.

While eating jujube cake, Meng Changqing asked Shu Erhua, who was brewing tea, "How's business lately?" Shu Erhua just smiled and said, "It's alright."

They said it was alright, but during the time they were there, they didn't see any customers come in.

Knowing that it was a gesture of respect to give her, the county magistrate, Meng Changqing didn't press the matter, as doing so would only embarrass himself.

Shu Erhua served the tea to Meng Changqing and the others, saying, "This is tea from Lord Qi's hometown. I can't tell the difference between good and bad, so please try it, sir."

Meng Changqing took it and pretended to taste it, but said, "I just find it refreshing. Such an elegant thing as tea tasting is only for people who are interested in tea. Only they are willing to study and ponder it. I am an impatient person and can't appreciate it."

"I haven't seen Lord Qi for two days," Meng Changqing asked her. "Has he been here?"

"I've been here." After accepting Qi Renli's advances, Shu Erhua had always been open and honest with him. However, the two of them did not get married, and it was unknown how long Qi Renli would continue to argue with his family.

"I just came here for a walk, I should be in the market now."

"I'll go see him. Thank you for your hospitality, Manager Shu." Meng Changqing said, taking out a string of copper coins and placing them on the wooden shelf.

Shu Erhua quickly said, "I'm treating you, how can I accept your money?"

Meng Changqing laughed and said, "This isn't for the pastries we just had, it's a deposit. I'm ordering two baskets of pastries from you. You can deliver them to the county government office whenever you're free today, and I'll treat the people there to them."

"Hey!" Shu Erhua happily put away the money. "I'll deliver it in a bit."

Upon arriving at the market, they indeed found Qi Renli inside.

At first, there were constables guarding the market entrance, but as the new street became more lively, fewer and fewer people came to the market, and the constables guarding the market entrance were withdrawn.

Later, as the market's purpose changed, many merchants from outside the county began trading here. To maintain order within the market, several constables were stationed at the entrance to guard it.

But now, there are hardly any people in the market, and the original guards have been seconded elsewhere.

When Meng Changqing entered, he saw Qi Renli standing on the main road, muttering something in a mysterious way to the houses on both sides.