How could this happen! How could this happen!" Huang Qingya paced back and forth in the study with this leaflet, completely unable to understand. He asked Ma Youqi: "Brother Ma, maybe it is Zhangqiu's land, Huang's official position is small, and the people from the East Band have never counted it."

Ma Youqi drank a drink by himself and shook his head: "Sir, think about it, what is ahead is not counted. Dongfan has established the Qingdao Fortress in Jiaozhou Bay for fifteen years. In these fifteen years, it has been inseparable from the hinterland of Shandong. You have been Zhangqiu's parents for more than three years. How could Dongfan not know what you did? I think that Dongfan has investigated you clearly, but... I just don't think you are guilty and will never forgive me."

Huang Qingya couldn't believe this conclusion. In recent years, from Liaodong in the north to Guangdong and Guangxi in the coastal areas, there were not 10,000 officials who had been liquidated by the United States, and some of them in Central Plains and Huguang even died of assassination, and countless county magistrates were killed.

Seeing him confused, Ma Youqi asked, "Sir, do you think carefully, have you done anything that is extremely sinful in the past three years as the magistrate of Zhangqiu County? Have you slaughtered the people? Have you suppressed the uprising? Or have you plotted against the Dongfan people?"

Huang Qingya kept shook his head, and Ma Youqi continued, "You have never done it. You have studied hard for more than ten years and became the magistrate of Zhangqiu County. Although you are not as honest as Hai Rui, you are not a person who is levied and levy. You just let the people who have increased taxes and cannot afford to pay them over the years. You just let them owe them first, and you did not force his wife to sell their daughters. In a few years, there have been many reliefs to the victims and reclaim wasteland. There are also few local officials. People like you are not a traitor, so why should you force your life to the East Fan?"

"Yes, yes, Zhou Lianggong was lenient. Soon he said that his herdsmen were virtuous and dedicated to the people. I have been an official for several years and have never lost a lot of money. I just do what I should do." Huang Qingya recalled the past and couldn't help but say.

But after thinking about it, it was not possible: "No, no, don't be impulsive. If I really don't take care of me and act rashly, wouldn't my family be insured?"

Ma Youqi shook his head and laughed. He originally wanted Huang Qingya to understand his current situation and then persuade him to try to contact the United States outside the city. Now it seems that he doesn't need to persuade him. Ma Youqi said: "Sir, why should you be so worried? I am willing to go out of the city to find out the situation and Dongfan's attitude towards you. It's not too late for you to make plans."

"Now?" Huang Qingya became alert. He ran to the door and heard that there was no movement outside. He said: "Brother Ma, you can't be too fucked. Now that the Qing Dynasty and Dongfan have not yet decided on the victory or defeat, how can you bet on Jiaxiao?"

Ma Youqi asked, "Sir, I guess that officials from all over Shandong are so hesitant now. I guess they know that the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty was going to personally fight and dispatch hundreds of thousands of elite troops. I don't know who won or who lost. But on the other hand, after Dongfan wins, you will make a statement. Just a county lord, what kind of treatment can you earn? But if you invest now, Dongfan will only buy horse bones for a thousand gold coins, and you should also give you a higher level treatment."

Huang Qingya is a man who is old and doesn't understand this truth, but he has been cautious for most of his life and hesitated: "It's better not to be radical. If you are not careful, you will be alive..."

Ma Youqi quickly persuaded: "Sir, you are different from other Qing officials. Even if you apply for the results at this time, you will have no worries. Others should consider their family and family interests, and dare not take risks. What do you have to take care of?"

Huang Qingya was stunned, yes, what should I take into account? The family of the clan in my hometown has long been liquidated and has been separated from each other. There is neither land nor decent property in Zhangqiu. The wife is a bad wife, and her mother's family is also from Fujian. Because she has no power and power, her son has never passed the exam, and is right next to her. If she has negotiated with the United States, what can she do even if the United States is defeated? Take your wife and children and go overseas directly. Can the Qing Dynasty still fight overseas? After thinking about it carefully, Ma Youqi's family is similar. A few acres of thin fields and a few tiled houses cannot be abandoned. Two people can play bachelors and do business without foundation. What are they concerned about?

After thinking about it, Huang Qingya said, "Brother Ma, I still have one last thing to worry about now. You have also heard that the Eastern cavalry came from the east, not only captured many gentry, but also made money in many towns. They were born in Zhangqiu and didn't get anything. The gentry in the countryside had been taken to the city by me, and the food was also placed in the official warehouse. Today, they also shot those shells on the city wall. Oh, now they think about it, these are all serious crimes."

Ma Youqi laughed out loud: "Sir, you are confused. What kind of crime is this? It is a great merit. You think that you organized the gentry to enter the city and transferred all the food, livestock and gold and silver from the countryside. If you reach an agreement with Dongfan, you will help them catch all the gentry. Think about it yourself. If you don't help, relying on the cavalry outside the city to scrape the ground by themselves, can you get these things? Can you catch so many people?"

When Huang Qingya heard this, he slapped him in the thigh: "Yes, Brother Ma, you are really my mentor. Next, how should you and I do things?"

Ma Youqi had been thinking about it, and he said, "You can stabilize the gentry in the city, let me go out of the city to consult Dongfan to see what conditions and treatment they give. Let's discuss it again, how about it?"

"You're going in person?" Huang Qingya asked.

Ma Youqi said solemnly: "Yes, sir, it's related to the lives of both of you and me. I can't rest assured to anyone who goes."

Huang Qingya nodded. He also knew that Ma Youqi must have selfish intentions. If he could still be regarded as a traitor and war criminal, Ma Youqi, the master, was at most an accomplice. If he could earn Zhangqiu for the United States, he would not only be exempted from punishment and protect his family, but also gained a half-time position. After all, Ma Youqi had no fame and fortune, and was born as a small landlord, and the United States did not look at the appointment of fame and reputation. However, it was also necessary for Ma Youqi to take risks in this situation.

"Okay, then I'm writing a letter to you." Huang Qingya went to get paper and pen, but because he drank wine, he almost fell down. Ma Youqi supported him and said, "You can't write. I don't know what the situation is right now. We'll leave a handle after writing the letter."

Huang Qingya nodded. This matter could not be known to others. After thinking about it, Ma Youqi came up with an idea and used the county magistrate's seal to prove his identity. Ma Youqi did not drink too much. In the second night, he found an opportunity to leave the city and did not reply for two consecutive days. Huang Qingya was uneasy for two days, and finally, on the evening two days later, Ma Youqi came back.

"What's wrong, Brother Ma?" Huang Qingya asked.

Ma Youqi said: "Mr. Tianyou, after leaving the city, he just met the official of the Eastern Army outside the city yesterday. He was a colonel. He said he could lead 4,000 soldiers and was no less than the power of the general. He expressed his intention to come. After hearing this, the officer was very satisfied. He hoped that you could cooperate with him inside and outside!"

"Did you give me what kind of treatment?" This is what Huang Qingya wants to know the most.

Ma Youqi said: "That man said that this is not within his authority, but after the matter is completed, in addition to ensuring the safety of your family and my family, there is also a heavy reward."

"This...the Dongfan people are honest, but...this answer makes people feel anxious." Huang Qingya couldn't make a decision.

Ma Youqi said: "I'm talking to the Dongfan people in this way. You know, according to the rules of Dongfan, front-line generals are not allowed to interfere in political affairs. Only the Military Control Commission and the Anti-Trait Liquidation Committee can give it. The Dongfan people said, let me bring your letters and go to Qingdao together." The fastest update was mobile: https://

"Did you agree?" Huang Qingya asked.

Ma Youqi shook his head: "You have to decide this, but I feel that I can't listen to the Dongfan people. If I really go to Jiaodong with him, it will be difficult to keep this matter confidential. Then there will be no way out for the Qing Dynasty."

"Yes, yes, Brother Ma is considerate." Huang Qingya is glad that he has a staff member like Ma Youqi.

Ma Youqi said: "I thought about it on the way back next time that Qingdao still needs to go, but I plan to go by myself and talk to the other side in person. After the negotiation is completed, I will come back to report to you. How about it?"

"Go to Qingdao? This is a messy man. If you encounter Qing soldiers or Eastern soldiers on the road, what should you do?" Huang Qingya asked. Unlike the last time, you can't go empty-handed this time, you have to bring a token and enough sincerity.

Ma Youqi said, "I think so below. Write two letters, one to Dongfan to prove your sincerity, and the other to the Governor General of Qingzhou Camp, and then prepare some silver notes. In the letter to the Governor General, I only said that I was sent to send military pay. In this way, I had a support and was taken by the Qing army, so I directly indicated my identity. After getting out, I went to Qingdao. If I was taken by Dongfan soldiers, I could also indicate my identity. I just didn't mention the silver. What do you think?"

Huang Qingya thought about it and thought that this was the best way, so that he could also disclose Ma Youqi's place to the gentry in the city. After all, Ma Youqi can't come back in Qingdao once. Huang Qingya asked: "Brother Ma, how should the Eastern cavalry outside the city respond?"

Ma Youqi said: "I have already explained to them that I need to discuss it with you. It is impossible to make a decision in a short period of time. In a few days, if there is any abnormal movement outside the city, you can send the noble son out of the city. To be honest, it doesn't matter."

Huang Qingya knew that the matter here could not be entirely relied on Ma Youqi, and he had to make some contributions, so he immediately wrote a letter and gave his private seal to Ma Youqi. He also took 8,000 taels from the treasury silver, and collected his own 2,000 taels of silver bills totaling 10,000 taels of silver bills to Ma Youqi, and agreed with him a one-month period.

On the second day, Huang Qingya invited several gentry to go on a grand journey for Ma Youqi. Several gentry also donated 3,000 taels to serve in the camp. When he returned to the county government, Ma Youqi placed his family, his wife and concubine at Huang Qingya's home, and then he left as a fortune teller.

In addition to the city, Ma Youqi went east and walked around the night with 13,000 taels of silver notes in his arms. He left Jinan Prefecture in three days and bought a mule in a Zhendian. In the middle of the night, he hid all the silver notes outside the town in a hidden place. Ma Youqi looked at the marked and said to himself: "It would be fine if the Dongfan people gave a clear road. If they didn't give it, this would be the support for Ma for the rest of his life."

Ma Youqi walked forward in a ragged clothes. On the way, he encountered the Qing army trying to capture a strong man. Seeing that he was powerless and over 70 years old, he lost interest. When he met the cavalry of the United States, he was never embarrassed. He was only robbed, and the broken silver on his body was stolen. After suffering some flesh and blood, Ma Youqi really did not dare to take risks anymore and had to seek help from the United States. He did not want to reveal his identity, but found that several counties and towns in Qingzhou, including Linzi, were already conquered. Whether it was counties, towns, or docks and ferries, there were United States troops recruiting workers and going to Qingdao to work.

Although Ma Youqi had no skills, he could speak fluent official language and write and calculate. He was directly admitted to a workshop, ate the rice and grain given by the workshop, and took a cart to Qingdao in a big cart, which was why he got rid of the predicament of the past few days.

Ma Youqi had some knowledge of the United States. When he arrived in Qingdao, he found an opportunity to run away and went directly to the Purge Committee for advice. At this time, the person in charge of the Purge Committee was He Changming, Minister of Justice of the United States, which also showed the high standards of this agency. He Changming did not expect that the war has not yet begun, and the United States and the Qing Dynasty have not yet decided on the victory or defeat, and someone came to take effect. He directly asked someone to invite Ma Youqi to the office.

"Zhangqiu County Magistrate?" He Changming heard this little official and read Huang Qingya's letter. After a while, someone sent Zhangqiu's information, a whole box of information. Even if it was Huang Qingya, the magistrate of Zhangqiu, it was so thick that Ma Youqi was sweating coldly. At this time, he realized how complete the information from Shandong had been collected. Not only Huang Qingya, he also saw his name on the label hanging on the side of the folder.

Ma Youqi asked carefully: "The magistrate Huang County has long had the ambitions, but he is afraid that his family will be unfair, so he wants to ask what sins the Xin Dynasty has condemned him. If he sacrificed Zhangqiu County and the gentry in the county, can he be exempted from the crime?"

He Changming carefully read Huang Qingya’s information and said, “Mr. Huang is really a cautious official.”
Chapter completed!