After traveling through time, I rely on force to survive

Inside Zuiyuexuan.

Mu Yunjing has already met Xie Xuan'an, and with them is the young general Li Feng from Zhennan, who has come to take Mu Yunjing back to the Southern Protectorate.

"You were suspected by the prince, so you came to Yuntai County to be the county magistrate?" Mu Yunjing asked expressionlessly.

"Yes." Xie Xuan'an was somewhat helpless and continued, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince seems to have some suspicions about me, thinking that I am secretly doing business for you and trying to win me over, hoping that I will work for him.

I learned that Yuntai County was vacant and very close to the Southern Protectorate, so I petitioned the Emperor to grant me the position, alleviating the Crown Prince's suspicions. However, I had a reputation for being a playboy, so the Emperor ordered me to make Yuntai County prosperous within two years, or I would be dismissed and investigated.

As Xie Xuanan spoke, he secretly groaned in his heart.

He knew that Yuntai County was a poor and remote area. At most, he could get money from other places and invest it here, but thinking is one thing and doing is another.

In front of him was the bully Mr. Liu, but he couldn't do anything to him. He could only find solid evidence to bring the bully to justice.

Ah! Different professions are like different worlds. Being a county magistrate and doing business are indeed two different things.

"So you want Zhou An to be the county magistrate in your place?" Mu Yunjing glared at Xie Xuan'an, speechless.

Although he admired Zhou Yimo's talent, he was just a student now, and his status was not legitimate. It was thanks to Xie Xuan'an that he came up with this idea.

"I'm not asking him to be the county magistrate in my place. He should continue to take the imperial examinations, but he's helping me secretly." Xie Xuan'an looked at Mu Yunjing with resentment.

"Brother Yun Jing, don't you know that the Emperor and the Crown Prince are both very paranoid? I have no choice but to come here to serve as the county magistrate!"

Seeing that Mu Yunjing didn't say anything, Xie Xuan'an's peach blossom eyes flashed and continued:

"According to my inside information, the Emperor seems to be interested in making the southern region your fiefdom, and Yuntai County happens to be located within this area. If this area can become prosperous, won't you benefit in the future?"

After hearing this, Mu Yunjing raised his eyebrows slightly, and a trace of deep thought flashed in his eyes:

"Your plan is a brilliant one. You can be a hands-off boss and still gain a good reputation. Zhou Yimo is indeed a capable person, I don't deny that. But you have to understand that if he really wants to help you, he has to have a legitimate reason. How do you plan to convince him?"

Xie Xuanan heard Mu Yunjing's question and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. He said confidently:

"I naturally know this won't be easy. However, I've obtained some information from Dean Bai of Qiushui Town Academy. Zhou An, also known by his courtesy name Yimo. Back then, Zhou An's grandfather, having no legitimate son, took a concubine, who gave birth to Zhou's father. When Zhou's father was seven, his eldest legitimate half-son was born. When they reached adulthood, they each started their own families. Zhou's father had a son, Zhou An, while his eldest legitimate son remained childless.

Seven years ago, Zhou Yimo's stepmother expelled her from home, believing that his father's family was blocking the legitimate lineage from carrying off heirs. After many twists and turns, she arrived at Lihua Village in Qiushui Town. When Zhou Yimo's father was still alive, he had hoped that he would return to his ancestral home after achieving success in the imperial examinations.

According to Dean Bai, that boy, Zhou An, topped the exam and is a surefire success in the next February's examination. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he'll surely pass the August Autumn Examination. I intend to persuade him to temporarily assume the position of county magistrate. If he governs Yuntai County effectively, and he passes the examination, I will submit a petition to ensure he can legitimately assume the position. If Zhou Yimo wishes to fulfill his father's last wish, he will certainly agree to this."

Mu Yunjing looked at Xie Xuanan, feeling somewhat helpless.

"You are quite persuasive. Although a Juren cannot directly serve as a county magistrate, if he has made some achievements, he can be promoted as an exception. However, how will you arrange it then?"

"Me? Everyone knows that I'm a playboy. If Zhou An governs the county well, I can be considered a hero. At most, I'll be scolded by your father." Xie Xuan'an laughed.

"In this way, wouldn't it mean that an unarmed scholar would have to face a bully like Mr. Liu?" Li Feng, who had been sitting silently on the side, suddenly asked.

Xie Xuanan replied with a smile: "Brother Yun Jing can arrange for shadow guards to protect him. Also, General Li, you may not know that Zhou An's wife is quite skilled in martial arts and may be able to compete with you."

When Li Feng heard this, his eyebrows slightly raised, and there was a hint of teasing in his tone:

"So, after all you've said, you're still unwilling to give Zuiyuexuan 20% of the profits?"

Xie Xuanan then said seriously:

"That's not the case, General Li. I'm a man of my word, and I must give you the 20% profit. What's important now is that I can use this opportunity to ask them to help me bring greater benefits to the people of Yuntai County.

Furthermore, if Mr. Liu is indeed secretly trafficking in weapons, we can collect solid evidence as soon as possible so that we can bring him to justice. Otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous."

Mu Yunjing nodded in agreement:

"Young Master Xie is right. Ensuring the people live and work in peace and contentment is the fundamental way to ensure long-term stability in our Great Yuan Nation. Zhou An and Li Qingqing are indeed useful talents. I'll let Yun Ying stay and have him send someone to protect you and Zhou Yimo. Since you have made up your mind, I will set off immediately to rush back to the Protectorate."

Here, County Magistrate Xie is desperately trying to be a hands-off boss.

At this time, Li Qingqing and the others had just arrived in Qiu Shui Town and had no idea that County Magistrate Xie was already keeping them in mind.

The soldiers sent by Governor Qian were still guarding the gate of Qiu Shui Town. Li Qingqing and the others took out the ivory cards, and the soldiers checked them one by one before letting them in.

There was only one cattle and horse business in Qiu Shui Town. Zhou Yimo knew the location of the cattle and horse cart shop, so he brought a few people directly to the door of the shop.

Normally, this kind of unique business should be extremely prosperous. However, although Qiushui Town has a large population, most of them are poor families with relatively low purchasing power, so business is slow.

After Zhou Yimo and Li Qingqing walked in, the boss immediately came up to them warmly and greeted them with a smile on his face.

"Dear guests, welcome. Do you want to buy cows or horses?" The boss's eyes revealed a hint of anticipation.

Li Qingqing looked around and saw that there was a pen of cows in one part of the shed and a pen of horses in another. Although the space here was not large, everything seemed to be in good order, making people feel very comfortable.

She said to the boss, "Boss, we want to buy an ox cart or a horse cart. Can you recommend one for us?"

"Okay!" Seeing that there was business to be done, the boss immediately started talking:

"Horse-drawn carriages are sturdy and durable, suitable for long journeys; ox-drawn carts are stable and reliable, suitable for transporting heavy loads or traveling across rugged mountainous terrain. They each have their own advantages, but most people prefer ox-drawn carts, which can also be used for plowing during busy farming seasons."

Zhou Yimo nodded, agreeing with his boss. He turned his head to look at Li Qingqing and asked for her opinion: "I think an ox cart is more suitable. What do you think?"

Li Qingqing pondered for a moment, then replied:

"Then let's buy an oxcart. After all, we'll be traveling between towns most of the time, so it should be enough for short-distance transportation. Besides, if we really need to travel long distances, we can buy a horse-drawn carriage later."

After hearing this, the boss nodded repeatedly:

"This lady is right. Oxen carts are indeed more suitable for your needs. Moreover, the oxen here are carefully selected. They are strong and gentle. They will definitely satisfy you."