In less than two-quarters of an hour, the master came back with the masons.
Mao Chunfang said: "Sir, I introduced you to a business. This is the magistrate of Beishan County. I have not yet met Mr. Meng."
The leading mason, with gray hair and a crooked back, kowtowed to Meng Changqing and Mao Chunfang, "The little man Bai Dalu pays homage to Master Meng."
"You will follow Mr. Meng to Beishan County later. I can tell you that Mr. Meng is from the capital. He has seen all kinds of pavilions and pavilions. Don't fool him.
When the time comes, your shame will not count, and you won’t even be able to save my face. "
"How dare you fool me when you work for an official?" Lao Baitou said, cupping his hands and saying, "It will be an honor for me, Lao Baitou, to be remembered by you, Mr. Mao, for the rest of my life. I will definitely do my best to do what you asked me to do, but you, Mr. We also know that we are from a small place and have never seen the big world.
If you do something wrong, please ask the people at Master Meng's side for advice. "
Meng Changqing said: "Since Master Mao is the one holding the string, of course I believe in your character and skills.
There is nothing unusual about the government office I want to build. You just have to follow me to Beishan County to see it and then talk about it. "
"yes."
Seeing that it was time for lunch, Meng Changqing stood up to say goodbye. Although Mao Chunfang stayed with her warmly, Meng Changqing returned to Beishan County on the pretext of having too many things to do.
As soon as he approached his county government office, Meng Changqing discovered that there were several more horses at the stable.
Apparently someone is coming.
Sure enough, when Laicai came to take the horse, he told her, "Master Wei is here."
Meng Changqing looked up at the time. It was the middle of the day, but Wei Fangyun had never been here before.
"Where is your lord?" Meng Changqing asked.
"At your residence, Madam and Colonel Yang are talking to him."
Meng Changqing walked over quickly and said to Bafang on the way: "Take Lao Baitou around the county government office and tell him where the front office is and how many rooms the back office has.
If he asks you something you don’t understand, write it down and ask me later. "
"yes."
Meng Changqing quickly came to his mud house and said hello to Li Ting who was guarding the door, "Captain Li."
Li Ting nodded to her, "Mr. Meng, Mr. Futai is waiting for you in the house."
The reason why she said these two words at the door was to tell the people in the room that she was back.
Sure enough, Wei Fangyun asked loudly inside: "Is Changqing back?"
"Yes." Meng Changqing untied his cloak and walked in. Seeing that there was no one else inside, he saluted Wei Fangyun and said, "My nephew has met my uncle.
Mother, I'm back. "
Wen Shi nodded and took her cloak.
"I heard from your mother that you went to Yangmen County to buy bricks?"
"Yes, thanks to Mr. Mao's care, he helped me find a mason and asked me to bring him back."
Wen stood up at this time and left the room with Yang Zheng on the pretext of pouring tea.
Only Meng Changqing and Wei Fangyun were left in the room.
"Uncle, why did you come here today?" Meng Changqing asked.
"The emperor's reward has arrived. This is the official document sent. Read it yourself." He took the thing out of his arms and handed it to Meng Changqing.
Before he opened this thing and looked at it, Meng Changqing's heart dropped to his feet.
Based on Wei Fangyun's expression, is there any need to look at it? Failure to maintain the above is not a reward.
Meng Changqing took it calmly, opened it and quickly scanned the contents inside.
It only briefly mentioned four things. First, Wei Fangyun was promoted to the fourth rank Zhenwei General. Second, each of the two battalions of soldiers who participated in the battle was rewarded with five coins.
Third, people who participate in labor service in Beishan County will be exempted from taxes for one year.
One last thing, Beishan County is exempt from taxes for three years.
Meng Changqing read these words from beginning to end twice, and there was no mention of her at all between the lines.
Wei Fangyun sighed, "I don't know why this official document contains these things. At first, I thought the emperor would give you another reward. I specifically asked someone from the palace, but the person said that the palace only issued this official document. .”
Meng Changqing respectfully put the official document back on the small table, "Congratulations, uncle, for being promoted to the fourth rank of General Zhenwei."
"Hey, this thing." Wei Fangyun said, "You should have noticed that I am a rough man who always speaks straightforwardly, and I will say some things directly."
"Uncle, please speak."
"I won't humble myself and tell you whether I deserve this fourth-grade general. It's just that there is no reward from you on it. I really can't stand it."
Meng Changqing said: "The imperial court must have considerations from the imperial court."
"You should be rewarded for your merits. You have made such a great contribution. What is the imperial court's consideration? They won't even give you a tael of silver?" Wei Fangyun said angrily, "I don't care, I didn't mention you even a word. This kind of approach It’s really chilling.”
Meng Changqing didn't say anything, just smiled politely.
"That's too much!" Wei Fangyun said loudly, patting the small table.
"Uncle." Meng Changqing advised: "I made a mistake and was sent to Liangzhou. It is normal for the court to do this."
"What mistake did you make? You just offended the Xiao family." Wei Fangyun said angrily: "After all, this world is still a world with the surname Chu, not their Xiao..."
"Uncle!" Meng Changqing quickly stopped him, "Uncle, please keep your voice down. Trouble comes from your mouth. You don't have to say these things for me."
"Why can't you do it!" Wei Fangyun said, "You have no elders to rely on now. If I can't say a word for you, how can I be called your uncle?"
"I regard you as my biological uncle." Meng Changqing softened his tone, "You probably don't know that I don't have much contact with the Meng family clan."
Wei Fangyun looked at her puzzled.
"You are willing to stand up for me. I will not hide some family scandals from you. Since I was born, I have been assassinated many times by people. Those people are sent by the clan." Meng Changqing added, "You should have noticed the family members around me. , mostly veterans who followed my father back then.
The reason why they stayed with me was to protect my life from the clan. "
"For this reason, I just thought that I had no clan or uncles until I met you. Although you and I are not related by blood, you have helped me many times. Changqing is really grateful for your kindness and does not want you to get involved with me because of me. My own official career." Meng Changqing saluted Wei Fangyun and said, "You must not say those words just now again."
Wei Fangyun took deep breaths and said, "Okay, okay, I won't say anything."
"Don't stand, sit down and talk."
Meng Changqing sat down on the other side of the small table and touched the teapot on the table. It was still warm, so he picked it up and gave Wei Fangyun a cup of tea.
"Things related to the imperial court." Wei Fangyun spoke slowly, "I am a soft-spoken person, so I can't really say anything. Just like this time, when I sent you the memorial to ask for merit, I just pretended it was invisible.
Probably because I am a military attache.
Although I am appointed as the fifth-grade magistrate, I know in my heart that I am a military attache. When Liangzhou is truly at peace, the magistrate will be replaced by someone else. "
