Reborn as a Cube Man in the Late Ming Dynasty

"Your Excellency, the people who came are waiting for you in the waiting room. There were two families in total. After the clerk left, another family came," the gatekeeper stepped forward and whispered, "The latter family is the Fan family of Jiexiu."

Jiexiu Fan family?

Why are they here too, and at this time? I just came back from praying at the City God Temple, and they already know?

My whereabouts are completely under someone else's nose!

These Shanxi merchants have probably been eyeing me for a long time.

"What about the other one?" Meng Yongnian then asked.

"The other one," the gatekeeper turned his head, glanced at the clerk, shrank back, and said cautiously, "the other one is from Licheng."

"Licheng? That's not right!" Meng Yongnian pondered for a long time, frowned slightly, and couldn't help but say, "If I remember correctly, isn't Licheng also in Shanxi Province? What exactly are these two groups of Shanxi merchants trying to do, extending their reach so far into Chengcheng, Shaanxi?"

"What exactly are these Shanxi merchants plotting?"

The clerk beside him had an increasingly strange expression.

"Which company specifically?" Meng Yongnian asked thoughtfully.

The gatekeeper lowered his voice and said, "Liu Family Village."

"Liu Family Village???" Meng Yongnian looked astonished. He wondered if he had misheard and asked incredulously, "Say it again, which village?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, it's Liu Family Village, one of the villages under the jurisdiction of Chengcheng," the gatekeeper said with a mournful face.

Village? City?

It turned out to be a group of bandits who had settled down in the area.

Weren't all the bandits in the area wiped out by Brother Wu? How come there's still a group left, and they've even become a force to be reckoned with? Why didn't Brother Wu ever tell me about this?

Could it be that even Brother Wu is helpless against him and has suffered a setback?

No, I need to ask Brother Wu carefully when he gets back.

Meng Yongnian's expression was complicated. He turned around and looked at his advisor with a wry smile: "Is this the reason you said was hard to explain?"

"Your Excellency is wise," the clerk stammered. "I don't know what to do. I can only send you back. Do you think we should order the soldiers to arrest them?"

This is like grasping at straws when you're desperate!

"No need, it's not the right time yet. The Fan family from Jiexiu are here too. We can't let them know that even bandits can come and go as they please in Chengcheng. We'll talk about this later," Meng Yongnian said slowly.

Once the truth is revealed, one is already at a disadvantage, which will only lead to paying a higher price in subsequent negotiations.

"Understood, you may leave." With a solemn expression, Meng Yongnian nodded and waved for the gatekeeper to leave.

He walked hurriedly through the corridors of the government office, his brows slightly furrowed, his heart filled with worry.

The clerk, following cautiously beside him, said, "Your Excellency, we can disregard that village, but this group of Shanxi merchants is probably up to no good. They sensed your approach as soon as you went to the City God Temple. This is clearly premeditated, just waiting for you to make a mistake!"

"When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it. Let's see what these Shanxi merchants want from me!" Meng Yongnian said, his eyes gleaming.

With his hands gently tucked into his sleeves, he swayed lightly with each step, silently rehearsing his words for the moment.

When he arrived at the waiting room, before the last door, he took a deep breath, concealing any trace of emotion, and his face blossomed into the warmest smile.

That was the smile typical of officials.

His gaze swept over the visitors in the room.

The two parted ways and rose to return the greeting.

She wore a tall turban, a round-necked satin robe with a wide belt around her waist, wide-legged trousers, and a decorative, skirt-like cape with exquisite embroidery. She wore jade pendants and a folding fan, and her face was lightly powdered.

Secondly, he wore a short-sleeved shirt on top and long pants on the bottom. The only thing worth mentioning was his temperament, which didn't match his clothes.

He must be the strategist of that band of bandits.

It's a pity that having good looks alone isn't enough. How could this kind of attire possibly fill the gaps in his character, especially considering he's a bandit?

Meng Yongnian shook his head inwardly, ignoring Miao Zhiming, and bowed to the first person, saying sincerely, "Haha, I've kept you both waiting. Please have a seat. Master, please make tea for our two distinguished guests!"

While the tea was being brewed, Meng Yongnian asked with a beaming smile, "May I ask your esteemed names and where you reside?"

His words were polite but tinged with scrutiny.

"To your esteemed lord, my surname is Fan, and my given name is Wenshi. I am descended from the Fan family of Jiexiu," Fan Wenshi replied respectfully.

Miao Zhiming also cupped his hands in reply, "My surname is Miao, my given name is Zhiming, and I live in Licheng, which I consider my home."

Licheng?

Fan Wenshi glanced at Miao Zhiming and grinned.

He was also a Shanxi merchant, but judging from his attire, he was probably just trying to take this opportunity to curry favor with the county magistrate by giving him gifts.

Whatever this guy wants to do, it shouldn't pose too much of a threat to him.

He is a branch of the Fan family of Jiexiu!

Fan Wenshi and Meng Yongnian began exchanging pleasantries, neither of them glancing at Miao Zhiming at all.

Miao Zhiming was happy to have some peace and quiet. He sipped his tea, observed the two men, and pondered deeply.

The Fan family of Jiexiu~

They probably want to take this opportunity to take a big bite out of Chengcheng.

The magistrate looked like he had just returned from outside and was rushing to this place without stopping, still wearing his official robes.

At this time, the Fan family's people arrived again. The magistrate of Chengcheng County had probably just gone to the temple to worship.

Pshaw, it's much more useful to worship my White Immortal Lord than that clay statue.

It seems that the newly appointed magistrate of Chengcheng County is facing a critical situation, and I have arrived just in time.

Everything was under Bai Xianjun's control.

Chengcheng belongs to the Immortal Lord; we cannot allow these profit-driven merchants to taint it!

Miao Zhiming smiled confidently.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if I found a good place next time and took advantage of Bai Xianjun's opportunity to travel with him? Hahaha~

Before he knew it, the two of them lowered their voices, and Miao Zhiming came to his senses.

Fan Wenshi didn't continue speaking, but turned to look at Miao Zhiming with a half-smile, saying, "I have important matters to discuss with the county magistrate. Those who are not involved should leave immediately."

You want to kick me out?

"All matters here are under the jurisdiction of Your Excellency," Miao Zhiming said respectfully, bowing to Magistrate Meng Yongnian. Then he turned to Fan Wenshi and said sarcastically, "He hasn't even spoken yet, how dare this brat interfere? Does he really think he's in charge?"

Actually, I also want you to leave quickly, so that the Fan family of Jiexiu won't find out.

Meng Yongnian thought to himself.

After criticizing Fan Wenshi, Miao Zhiming continued meaningfully, "Your intentions are known to both me and the county magistrate. You merely wish to drive me away so that there will be no one to resist me in future conflicts."

This statement served as a reminder to Meng Yongnian.

He really couldn't drive these bandits away.

This Fan family of Jiexiu, did they not know he was a bandit?

Once they've been appeased, they won't dare to raise their bids too high until the other party makes an offer; they'll only dare to quote a lower price!

No wonder, Brother Wu probably didn't really gain anything from this band of bandits.

This guy's a little fox too!