Chapter 159 Qi Heng's Dilemma
"You..." Zhou Rang pointed at the old man with an ugly expression.
Although Zhou Rang is not young anymore, he does not look old because he is rich and lives a comfortable life.
When there is a smile on his face, he looks like Maitreya Buddha.
However, when he got angry, he looked very ferocious.
The old man was so frightened that his dark face turned pale, but he still didn't give in.
Sheng Changbai blocked Zhou Rang's sight and said calmly, "Mr. Zhou, you must have heard it. If you have nothing else, please go back."
Zhou Rang took a deep breath and smiled, "Then I won't bother you, sir. I'll have someone deliver the land deed to you later."
After saying this, he bowed and got into the sedan chair.
Four sedan bearers lifted the sedan, but because Zhou Rang was too fat, he left with the sedan creaking.
Sheng Changbai watched Zhou Rang leave, then glanced at the old man, retracted his gaze, and directed his men to continue measuring the Zhou family's fields.
At first, he did not realize that there was anything wrong with the old man's family. He just thought that the news of his land clearance had spread, and the old man's family had the idea of seeking redress.
But the old man's behavior just now made him a little suspicious.
Ordinary people like these all believe that it is better to have less trouble than more.
What's more, Zhou Rang just said that the land on the other side was his family's. It was impossible for the old man not to guess Zhou Rang's identity.
When Zhou Rang expressed his intention to return the old man's land, the old man was unwilling to accept it and said he wanted justice.
Although this choice agrees with his thoughts, it is irrational.
Sheng Changbai thought about it carefully and felt that the old man's appearance itself was suspicious.
He already had some guesses in his mind, and he didn't want to think too much about it, nor did he want to delve into it further.
…………
Weishi County
At dusk, a horse-drawn carriage drove into the county town.
The carriage was surrounded by people and protected by strong guards. It was obvious at a glance that the people in the carriage were not simple.
"Miss, we are in Weishi County now. My uncle is the county magistrate here. I don't know if I can run into him."
Inside the carriage, a little maid looked at her mistress and said.
"What nonsense are you talking about? You are becoming more and more unruly. I will ask Mother Wu to give you a good beating when I get back." The young lady glared.
"Miss, I was wrong." The little maid said pitifully.
"Don't act pitiful in front of me. It's a bit hot. Fan it for me," said the lady.
"Yes." The little maid responded with a smile and picked up the palm-leaf fan to fan herself.
After a while, the carriage stopped at an inn.
A servant boy went in, ran out after a while, came up to the carriage and said a few words.
The young lady and her maid got off the carriage and entered the inn.
The weather was hot and I felt sticky and uncomfortable after sitting in a carriage all day. When I arrived at the room, the lady asked someone to prepare hot water so that I could take a shower and change clothes.
"Girl, girl, something's wrong."
While the young lady was eating, the little maid ran in hurriedly and said anxiously: "Young lady, I heard that many people in Weishi County went to block the gate of the county government today."
The young lady saw the maid's panic and wanted to scold her, but she put down her chopsticks and frowned, "Why are you blocking the gate of the county government?"
"I heard it was about compensation or something. I didn't hear it clearly, so I hurried back to report to the young lady." said the little maid.
"Caihua, ask someone to find out the whole story." said the young lady.
"Yes!" the little maid answered and trotted out.
The young lady lost her appetite and asked someone to take the food away.
After waiting for about half an hour, the servant who was sent out to inquire about the news came back.
When the young lady heard the news, she called someone in.
"Greetings, Third Miss." The servant bowed.
"Have you found out the news?" asked the young lady.
"Miss Third, I have already found out everything. Some time ago, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince took over as the prefect of Kaifeng and ordered all counties in Kaifeng to measure the land. After Young Master Qi came to Weishi County to take office..." The servant repeated the news he had found out in detail.
After listening to this, the young lady said, "Thank you for your hard work, Caihua. Take two taels of silver and give him some wine." Upon hearing this, the little maid Caihua took out two taels of silver and handed them to the servant.
"Thank you, Miss San!"
The servant thanked him and happily left with the silver.
"Miss, your brother-in-law seems to be in trouble." Cai Hua said worriedly.
The young lady did not scold Caihua this time. She pondered for a while and said, "Send someone with my business card to invite Young Master Qi."
"Yes." Cai Hua responded, found the business card, and trotted out.
…………
Weishi County Government Office
Qi Heng sat in the study with a worried look on his face. Last time he said he would compensate the families whose crops were trampled during the land measurement.
However, after a few days, all the money of the county government was lost.
Those people who did not get the money directly blocked the gate of the county government.
Qi Heng had no choice but to pay for it himself before he could send the people away.
Even though Qi Heng had no experience, he realized at this moment that he had been deceived by those people.
Otherwise, why didn’t anyone inform him in advance that the county government had no money?
He didn't know about it until the people surrounded the county government office.
However, even though he knew it, he didn't know how to deal with it.
The rest of the officials in Weishi County had all colluded to deceive him, and his mind was now in a state of confusion.
"Son!"
Buwei hurried in and bowed, saying, "Someone just sent me a business card, asking you to come over and see me."
Qi Heng came back to his senses and unfolded the business card. He was stunned when he saw the contents on it.
In fact, business cards are somewhat similar to business cards in later generations, and are used to prove identity.
The owner of this business card is the third daughter of the Shen family.
Qi Heng also knew that his parents had arranged a marriage for him, and the other party was this Miss Shen San.
He didn't know why Miss Shen San was here. It was already late, and it didn't seem appropriate to go over and meet her.
After hesitating for a while, Qi Heng said, "Go and invite the person in."
"Yes."
Buwei responded and walked out.
After a while, Buwei came in with a servant.
"Greetings, young master." The servant bowed.
"Please go back and tell your master that it is getting late and it is inconvenient for us to meet. I will go to see her tomorrow during the day." Qi Heng said.
The servant bowed and said, "When I came here, the young lady said that she had a way to solve the young master's current troubles."
"Did your young lady really say that?" Qi Heng frowned.
"It's absolutely true. I dare not lie." said the servant.
Qi Heng hesitated for a while and said, "No, let someone prepare the car."
…………
"Young master, we're here." Buwei reminded.
Qi Heng came back to his senses, took a deep breath, got off the carriage, and entered the inn under the guidance of the servant.
The servant brought Qi Heng to Miss Shen's door and bowed, saying, "Miss, the young master is here to see you."
squeak~
The maid Cai Hua opened the door and said sideways, "Young Master, please come in."
Qi Heng nodded and walked in.
Buwei wanted to follow, but was stopped by Caihua.
Qi Heng walked around the screen and saw a woman. He bowed and said, "Meet the Third Miss Shen. How is your makeup?"
Miss Shen San bowed and said, "Young Master, please take a seat."
(End of this chapter)