Zhao Qingyan took the silver notes and counted them.
"Father, this is quite a lot. Thank you, Father. Here, consider this thousand taels as your errand fee."
Zhao Minggeng tapped his daughter on the head.
"You brat, what do I need your money for?"
"If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't have been able to govern Hongling County into what it is today."
Governing a county town is a long process, whether it's Hongling County or Lingbei County.
Two years later, thanks to the tireless efforts of the people of both counties, the mountain ridge between the two counties was finally split apart.
The red soil unearthed from the mountain, used to make bricks, tiles, and ceramics, not only transformed the houses of the people in the two counties, but also gave a new look to the surrounding cities.
The ceramics produced in the two counties are highly popular among the people because of their exquisite craftsmanship and novel designs.
With the help of the Zhao family's caravan, ceramics from the two counties were sold all over the country.
Ceramics have become the economic pillar of Lingbei County and Hongling County.
Meanwhile, the newly reclaimed land in Hongling County has been planted with a large number of sweet potatoes, so the people of the county no longer have to worry about having enough to eat. On the basis of having enough to eat, Zhao Minggeng has also established a flour milling workshop.
Sweet potato noodles have once again become a signature product of Hongling County.
Various dried mushrooms from Lingbei County, after being packaged, have also become specialty products.
Everything is developing in a thriving direction.
During those two years, Zhao Qingfeng got married.
There's a story behind marrying this woman.
On his way to the prefectural city, Zhao Qingfeng was stopped by a girl who rolled down the mountain.
None of the Zhao family members were not cautious; when they saw someone rolling down the mountain, they did not immediately try to be heroes and save the damsel in distress.
Instead, they planned to take a detour, fearing they might encounter someone trying to stage an accident.
Don't say anything like, "Officials of the imperial court are supposed to save lives and heal the wounded, they're not doctors."
Just as Zhao Qingfeng was about to take a detour, the girl suddenly looked up and cried, "Save me."
His face was covered in blood; the only thing you could clearly see were his large eyes.
Overwhelmed by the will to survive, Zhao Qingfeng looked into those eyes and felt as if his heart had been struck by something.
He dismounted as if possessed, intending to check on the girl's condition.
At this moment, several people came down from the mountain, shouting as they walked down.
"Damn it, I've never seen such a fast-running little wench. If I catch her, I'll definitely tear her tendons out and skin her alive."
Seeing this situation, Zhao Qingfeng knew he couldn't leave even if he wanted to.
He turned around and told the servant to help the girl who had fainted, and then stood in front of the two of them.
The group of people coming down from the mountain saw the woman and were about to rush forward when Zhao Qingfeng blocked their way with his outstretched hand.
"Get out of the way, and if you know what's good for you, hand that little wench over to us brothers. She's our runaway slave."
"It was said by an ordinary-looking man."
Zhao Qingfeng sneered, "Your family's runaway slave, may I ask if you live on the mountain?"
The man got annoyed and said, "None of your business."
Zhao Qingfeng continued,
"As far as I know, the people living in the mountains are all bandits, and the people in the hands of bandits are usually robbed."
The man was displeased. He glanced at Zhao Qingfeng, then at the servant behind him, and at the two horses.
The men exchanged glances. "Since you say we brothers are bandits, then why don't we become bandits for a while?"
So, the group started slashing at Zhao Qingfeng's body with knives, while others slashed at his legs.
As Zhao Qingfeng swiftly dodged, he drew a soft sword from his waist and slashed at the hand of the nearest person.
All that could be heard was the man clutching his arms and screaming wildly.
After a few rounds, Zhao Qingfeng took them down.
The man whose tendons were severed first, seeing that his side had no chance of winning, ran for his life, only to have his thigh pierced through by the broadsword thrown by Zhao Qingfeng.
Seeing that the group had lost their ability to move, Zhao Qingfeng took the woman from him, fed her some water, and then took out a piece of candy from his pouch and put it in her mouth.
When asked why a county magistrate like Zhao Qingfeng carried candy in his purse, the answer was simple: he loved to eat it.
I've also heard Zhao Qingyan say that it's good to carry some candy when you're out and about, as it can be a lifesaver in a pinch.
Therefore, when the Zhao family went out, in addition to money, they would also carry water, sugar, salt, a tinderbox, hemostatic medicine, and anti-inflammatory medicine, just in case.
Well, that's exactly what happened today, and the sugar cubes and water came in handy.
The servant finished tying them up and came over to ask, "Master, the men are tied up, what's next?"
Zhao Qingfeng thought for a moment, "You stay here and watch over her. I'll take this girl to the clinic first and call someone over."
The servant nodded, and Zhao Qingfeng was about to carry the girl away when he heard what sounded like horses' hooves in the distance.
He straightened up and looked into the distance. Half an hour later, a horse-drawn carriage came running by.
Zhao Qingfeng stopped the carriage, being very polite.
"I am the magistrate of Qi County. I happened to witness the villains committing crimes and managed to subdue them. Now I am preparing to hand these people over to the authorities."
Do you have space for your carriage?
If it's convenient, could you please deliver these to the government office for me?
The man in the carriage glanced at Zhao Qingfeng and the woman leaning against his leg, then looked at the thugs whose arms and legs had been broken.
He frowned, a hint of disdain in his expression.
"I believe you should put the woman in the carriage, and just throw the men on the horses."
Do they even deserve to ride in a carriage?
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingfeng replied, "Yes, I've thought it through. Thank you for your help."
Then, they carried the girl onto the carriage.
Then came four men.
They put the horse on its back, one horse and two people, and tied the horse to the back of the carriage.
The servant sat on the carriage sill and took over the man's job of driving.
Zhao Qingfeng sat in the carriage, taking care of the woman.
They soon arrived in the prefectural city. Zhao Qingfeng first took the woman to a clinic, gave her money, thanked the man, and then sent the thugs to the prefectural government office.
When they arrived at the government office and were questioned, they learned that the men were human traffickers.
These people insisted that the woman was bought from an old woman for one tael of silver.
As for why they attacked first, these people insisted that someone had tried to snatch someone from them, and naturally they had to take them back.
Zhao Qingfeng sneered, "Do you think I'd believe that? You bought that girl, but did you have a contract of servitude?"
Under the watchful eye of the prefect, Zhao Qingfeng couldn't afford to be too violent.
"My lord, these men are skilled fighters. Their movements as they slashed at my head, body, and legs were swift and decisive."
The rest of the interrogation will be in your hands, sir.
As for the woman, she has been sent to Chunhui Medical Clinic by this official. If you wish to inquire about the case, you may seek her out at the clinic.
"Does Your Excellency have any further instructions? If not, I will take my leave now."
The prefect was furious at the sight of Zhao Qingfeng's hasty escape.
"Magistrate Zhao, you've come to the prefectural city without any reason. Could it be that you're just here to play the hero and rescue the damsel in distress?"
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