It's really hard to just farm peacefully.

Zhang Cai, Yang Pozi and Zhou Li went out early and came back late for three more days. On the fourth morning, when they were about to go out, they were stopped by the doorman, who said that the master wanted to question them.

The three of them walked silently through the two courtyards without looking around. After reporting, they entered the outer study of the Rongcheng County magistrate one by one.

In addition to the county magistrate, there was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen sitting at the top of the table. She was wearing a blue skirt, a jade ornament on her head, and had fair skin and a beautiful face.

"Meet the County Magistrate."

"Good morning, cousin."

Mrs. Yang leaned forward swiftly to greet them, while Zhou Li and Zhang Cai, not knowing the girl's identity, were a step behind in greeting.

After about a cup of tea, the three of them heard the girl at the top of the table whisper, "Stand up."

"Aunt Yang, tell me how things are going. I heard that you've been going out early and coming back late these days, and it's really hard work."

Mother Yang looked ashamed. "My dear cousin, I am incompetent. Dongshan Village is very wary of outsiders. Every day, the villagers hold sticks and try to stop us from entering the village to investigate."

The situation is still at the village entrance, and it is not known whether they have picked up and hidden the stolen goods.

"Don't you know of other ways?" The girl picked up the white porcelain teacup on the table and slowly scraped the tea lid.

"Reporting to my cousin, I have tried many tactics, including showing weakness, bribery, coercion, and even forcing my way in, but the people of Dongshan Village remain unmoved."

Mrs. Yang was quite good at talking. Zhang Cai lowered his head and thought back to what they had done over the past few days: the first day's serious show of weakness and inducement, the second day's symbolic threats, the third, fourth, and fifth days of sitting at the village entrance for an hour... It was indeed correct.

"Oh? So difficult to deal with?" The girl remained silent.

Mrs. Yang said angrily, "Cousin, you don't know that I used the title of Magistrate Zhang of the Zhang Mansion to hint to them that they should be sensible, otherwise they would suffer.

As a result, this group of country bumpkins said that there was no Zhang Mansion in Rongcheng County. They thought I was lying and were not afraid at all.

We want to force our way in... but our three men's six punches are no match for the chaotic clubs."

The county magistrate was sitting aside, sipping tea as if it had nothing to do with him. He felt a little embarrassed when he heard Mrs. Yang mention the Zhang Mansion, but fortunately no one noticed.

"If that's the case, why don't you return home and call for help as soon as possible? Instead, you go out every day and waste your time!"

Mrs. Yang became distressed: "We originally wanted to invite people from outside, as it would be more discreet, but everyone was afraid that it would be an excuse for conscription and they would leave and never come back. Until now, no one has come forward to sign up.

Later, some other things happened, and we felt it would be awkward to mobilize the government officials and avoid embarrassment."

"What happened later? Don't be so hesitant." The girl slammed the teacup in her hand on the table with a thud, looking very impatient.

"Those scoundrels said everyone in the city knew the county magistrate's surname was Huang, not Zhang. If we really asked the government for help... their explanations would be inconsistent, which would be embarrassing."

……

"Huang - County Magistrate... you are indeed filial. When I return, I will definitely commend your filial piety to my uncle." The girl glanced at County Magistrate Zhang, and seeing him smile awkwardly, she said nothing more.

She directly instructed Zhou Li to go to the front yard to check on people and set off for Dongshan Village after noon.

……

The three of them left the study together.

Zhang Cai had been invisible during the previous questioning, but his ears were erect and he didn't miss a word.

After walking for a while, he saw that there was no one around, so he secretly gave Yang Pozi a thumbs up and quietly praised her: "Sister, you are the one! Please tell me, brother, which family your cousin is from? My master has to be stabbed in front of her."

Mrs. Yang had always maintained a stable temper in the mansion. She quickly pressed down Zhang Cai's finger and walked towards the shade without stopping, with a serious and earnest face.

Only through the gap between her lips could she utter a frantic complaint: "Get lost! You didn't do your job properly. I'm worried about what tricks that girl will use to punish me."

Zhang Cai didn't quite believe it: "Your previous bad posture didn't look like you were afraid of being punished."

"Humph, the people of the Fu family are so capricious. I get punished if I do well, and I get punished if I don't. What's there to do if no one is watching?"

Zhou Li also took the initiative to speak: "That's right."

Zhang Cai: ...