Chapter 1222 - 16: The Pearl Collector and the Princess
Chapter 1222: Chapter 16: The Pearl Collector and the Princess
Li Anqing only sighed inwardly, as these national affairs are far too remote for the likes of ordinary folks like them.
What he is more concerned about now is the newly arrived County Magistrate, who is rumored to be announcing some new decree. In the evening, his good friend Cao Liangjun has invited him for drinks, and he’s wondering what kind of snacks to prepare, and to ask about this decree.
In the evening, Cao Liangjun arrived on time, carrying a roast chicken. Cao Liangjun had started to gain weight in recent years, becoming quite chubby, but his disposition improved, always cheerful day in and day out. Li Anqing often said he had a wide heart and fat body. But today, Cao Liangjun’s face, usually adorned with a smile, bore traces of worry.
After three cups of wine, Li Anqing asked if Cao Liangjun had anything on his mind. Cao Liangjun mulled over it before quietly saying, "Brother, I’m worried. This new County Magistrate has issues."
"What issues?" Li Anqing asked with a furrowed brow.
"Greedy and shortsighted. He got the Magistrate position here through his wife’s connections. His son is also a philanderer; when they had just moved here, he harassed a maid in the estate. When the maid resisted, the County Magistrate’s Wife even wanted to punish her. You know that maid, she’s the daughter of old Liu from our village. Luckily, she had a short-term contract, came to me for help, and I took her back home. The County Magistrate’s Wife probably holds a grudge against me now." Cao Liangjun sighed. He has now become an arrest officer, having had a very good relationship with the previous County Magistrate. Now with this person coming in, the days ahead may not be easy.
"What? Such things are happening!" Li Anqing furiously pounded the table, "Is Liu’s daughter alright?"
"Alright. That little girl was clever, yelled and made a scene, didn’t let the County Magistrate’s son succeed." Cao Liangjun said, "I was wondering why the people they brought didn’t have any young maids, but instead brought several chamber maids. Apparently, the reason lies here." I’m afraid those chamber maids used to be regular maids, those who resist don’t appear here.
"How did someone like this get assigned here?" Li Anqing frowned, worrying, as a foreboding feeling settled in his heart.
"Because our area is wealthy. They want to come here and milk some profits." Cao Liangjun sneered.
"What should we do about this?" Li Anqing expressed anxiously.
"Don’t worry too much. Precisely because our area is wealthy, many have their eyes on it, he wouldn’t dare mess things up too much. He initially wanted to announce a new decree, but after receiving a letter, his face turned ashen and he dropped the matter. Seems he was scolded by those backing him." Cao Liangjun comforted.
"Alright, but I still feel uneasy. Hearing what you said, the County Magistrate’s family is really trouble. There’s a saying, folks should not fight officials, as we common people are always at the lowest level. Even if we wanted to fight, we couldn’t win." Li Anqing sighed.
Cao Liangjun fell silent, the words truly resonated with him. But what can be done? The only hope is that this County Magistrate does not have the audacity to do anything outrageous.
"Forget it, don’t think about it, just be cautious and prudent. Make sure Qinghe also doesn’t go out much." Cao Liangjun raised his glass, urging him to drink.
"Mhmm, drink!" Li Anqing also raised his glass to clink glasses with Cao Liangjun.
...
Early the next morning, Li Anqing instructed Li Qinghe not to go out recently. Instead of telling her to go out less if unnecessary, he strictly forbade her from going out at all. Hearing Cao Liangjun’s words, Li Anqing felt that the County Magistrate’s family did not just have problems, but rather had enormous ones.