While Meng Changqing was reading the letter, Wei Fangyun asked Hua Rujin and Cao Hongxing, "What do you two adults think?"
Cao Hongxing spoke first, "The three adults in the south have decided not to go against public opinion, so I don't have any other ideas.
It's just that our losses do exist, and I hope Mr. Meng can come up with something practical to compensate us. ”
"This is as it should be." Wei Fangyun looked at Meng Changqing, "Mr. Meng."
Meng Changqing put away the letter, suppressed the random thoughts in his heart, and pretended to think for a moment, "Any strong laborer who moves to Beishan County will be counted as fifty taels per person, and the Beishan County government will compensate each county."
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Hua Rujin raised her head suddenly, as if wondering why Meng Changqing was so rich.
"Fifty taels is too much." Wei Fangyun said: "Beishan County may not be able to come up with this money."
There was a tacit understanding among those present that there was no discussion of the population other than the strong labor force. The price Meng Changqing gave was high enough that he could ignore the other population and only settle the matter based on the strong labor force.
"Yes." Meng Changqing said, "I will try my best to give. If there is not enough, I will pay it off before the end of next year."
Cao Hongxing asked: "Mr. Meng, do you think that no one will go to your Beishan County, or do you have the financial resources to support it? If Beishan County cannot afford it, will you, Mr. Meng, pay it yourself?"
Meng Changqing smiled and replied: "In my opinion, the former is more likely. Beishan County is a deserted place. Although I welcome it with open hands, how many people are willing to come?"
Cao Hongxing smiled and said nothing.
Hua Rujin said, "I don't think so. Many people in Hongjia County want to go to Beishan County, and they will give you land and houses."
Meng Changqing said: "The land is also wasteland. It can't compare with the fertile fields that are cultivated intensively every year. Mr. Hua, I served as a local magistrate for just one year, which is nothing compared to you. Even if I promise more things, I can't compare with you." .
There was a loud discussion among the people, probably just for fun after dinner. ”
"Master Hua, I gave it to a village in Hongjia County before and didn't get a single copper." Cao Hongxing said, "Now he only gives fifty taels to a strong laborer. Compared with me, you are not losing money. "Mao Chunfang sighed, "Although the treasury income of these fifty taels can almost cover the population of a household, this money will also fall into the county government treasury. When the officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs come to investigate, I can't give it to them. Sir, please read the IOU!”
"I think you are too busy." Cao Hongxing took a sip of tea and said, "It's better to calculate the time before saying this."
Hua Rujin kindly reminded me, "Mr. Mao, the population will not change this year. If next year it is true as Master Meng said, it will happen to be stuck before the officials and subordinates investigate. The money will be put into the treasury and will not be hindered."
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Wei Fangyun, who was sitting in the seat, said, "It seems that Master Cao and Master Hua can accept Master Meng's way of making amends."
The two men nodded in unison, and Wei Fangyun asked again: "Master Mao, what about you?"
Several county officials agreed, and he was the only one left. He could only agree, "Since the other adults have no objections, I can only accept it." He said to Meng Changqing: "Mr. Meng, please don't make it difficult for me. Do it.”
"Absolutely not."
"In that case, the matter ends here." Wei Fangyun stood up, "Changqing, come to the study with me."
"Three adults, Changqing will leave first."
Meng Changqing followed Wei Fangyun to the study. Before he could sit down, Wei Fangyun said, "You have finished reading the letter. Since you have to obey the imperial order, you have to return to the capital."
"Yes."
Wei Fangyun saw Meng Changqing frowning and said: "I am also worried about your safety on the road, so in addition to the people you brought with you, I will also send ten trustworthy people to escort you all the way back to Beijing."
"I'm not worried about myself." Meng Changqing said: "I won't be able to take my family with me when I go to the capital this time. I really don't feel comfortable leaving them in Beishan County. I have a presumptuous request, please allow them to stay in Liangzhou Prefecture. Stay in the post house temporarily until my nephew returns." (End of this chapter)