Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“How much of the memorial I gave you yesterday did you actually read?”

Inside the warm pavilion, Emperor Jing stared at Li Yuanzhao with an unpleasant expression.

Both ruler and subject were present, Li Yuanzhao lowered his head, his face somewhat pale.

“The Northwest is experiencing a severe drought, and the local memorials propose disaster relief methods. What exactly did you draw on them!” Emperor Jing angrily threw the memorial on the desk towards Li Yuanzhao.

The memorial was thrown open on the ground, and a strange pattern was added to the dense text.

There were wheels and connecting rods, looking like some kind of mechanical structure.

Li Yuanzhao knew he was in the wrong and stammered, “Your son indeed did not finish reading it. Yesterday, I was a bit tired... While reviewing the memorial, inspiration suddenly struck, so I casually drew on the memorial.”

“Oh, then tell me, what is it that you drew?” Emperor Jing said coldly.

Speaking of the drawing, Li Yuanzhao immediately perked up, picked up the memorial, and said animatedly, “This is extraordinary!”

“When your son first saw this article yesterday, the disaster relief methods were simply unremarkable, nothing more than transporting grain for disaster relief, with nothing commendable, making one drowsy.”

“Unexpectedly, inspiration suddenly struck. Transporting grain is quite laborious, and the waterways are blocked, and land transportation has too much loss. Therefore, your son thought, perhaps this train doesn't necessarily have to run on rails and can run directly on the road?”

The ruler and his ministers looked at each other in dismay.

What nonsense is he talking about? How can it run without rails?

“Before, I remember an article appearing in Dongjiao University that solved the steering problem of four-wheeled carriages. That means it's entirely possible to install a steam engine on a carriage, without horses pulling it, and add a structure to control the direction, controlled by people to drive the vehicle. Wouldn't that save the need for rails? Your son was afraid of forgetting, so I drew it on the memorial.”

Emperor Jing frowned: “Nonsense! What carriage can withstand a steam engine? And carrying coal along the way is simply redundant!”

The ministers also nodded in agreement.

Even if it were possible.

Steam engines are magical, but they are not used like this.

That big iron lump would have to be smashed on the road, and carrying a pile of coal along with it is not as convenient as using horses.

Spreading salt in your crotch, you're just too idle!

Li Yuanzhao raised an eyebrow and said, “It doesn't have to be like a train pulling so much. Wouldn't it be fine to find a way to shrink it a bit? However, coal is indeed a problem... I think we can try fierce oil, which doesn't take up space and is convenient to carry.”

“Alright, alright! I don't want to listen to your nonsense!” Emperor Jing said sternly, “That's not a reason for you to scribble on the memorial.”

“I ask you, what have you been doing lately? You're not seen in court meetings, not seen in the palace, and you dare to be drowsy when I ask you to review memorials?”

Li Yuanzhao immediately wilted again: “Your son was with Lao Fang, solving the problem of those troublemaking scholars, and then I left first. Your son was really exhausted yesterday... The day before yesterday, the Embroidered Uniform Guard distributed salaries, and Lao Fang entrusted your son to personally distribute them, which took a whole day.”

The ministers in the warm pavilion exchanged glances.

Emperor Jing's expression softened slightly: “Hmph, he knows how to find work for you. How is the problem with the scholars resolved?”

“Presumably, there shouldn's be any major problems. Your son left early and doesn't know how he handled it later. Has the Embroidered Uniform Guard not reported to Father Emperor?”

“Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has reported!”

Sooner or later, it's better to be on time. As soon as Emperor Jing finished asking, everyone in the room turned their eyes to the entrance of the warm pavilion.

Emperor Jing gave Guo Tianyang a look, and Guo Tianyang quickly jogged to the door.

After retrieving the message, Emperor Jing raised his hand and said, “Read it.”

Guo Tianyang unfolded it and read: “Your subject recently placed the troublemaking scholars in a residence to ease the conflict, allowing them to study the courses of Dongjiao University. Although it has already shown results, they still harbor resistance. Therefore, your subject has taken the next step according to plan, sending them to work in factories. Hoping that they will soon understand the good intentions of the imperial court and abandon their resistance. Your Majesty, do not worry, your subject will immediately return to court to report after the matter is concluded.”

As soon as the voice fell, the warm pavilion collectively fell into petrification.

What! What!

Fang Zheng gave the scholars a place to study the books of Dongjiao University, and because he felt that the cooperation was not enough, he sent them to work in factories?

“How did he do it?” A sigh couldn't help but be uttered.

Emperor Jing came back to his senses, took the memorial, rubbed his eyes, and carefully read it several times.

In the end, he had to admit that he had not misheard.

That's right, that's what happened!

Fang Zheng did indeed send the troublemaking scholars to work in factories.....

“Unimaginable.” Emperor Jing squeezed out a word from his mouth after a long time.

Besides unimaginable, there was no other word to say.

“Quickly! Go and call the Embroidered Uniform Guard who just delivered the message to me and tell me what's going on!”

Guo Tianyang immediately ran out upon hearing this.

Emperor Jing looked at Li Yuanzhao and asked, “You were with Fang Zheng before, how exactly did he do it?”

Li Yuanzhao said hesitantly, “I know about the matter of letting the scholars study earlier.”

“Lao Fang's intention at the time was to understand the enemy first in order to defeat them, and then those scholars were incited, but your son didn't know anything about him sending people to work in the factory!”

As Li Yuanzhao spoke, his heart was full of regret.

It seemed like he had missed a wonderful show! I should have stayed two days later if I had known.

Everyone suddenly understood, this was also reasonable, but how to explain the matter later?

At this time, the Embroidered Uniform Guard who had originally left had been dragged back by Guo Tianyang.

Emperor Jing immediately asked, “How did Fang Zheng send those scholars into the factory?”

The Embroidered Uniform Guard said cautiously, “Master Fang said that the factory united with Dongjiao University to exploit laborers, so he asked them to go and collect evidence in person. Later, he moved them with emotion and reasoned with them, and they went, with a total of seven hundred and sixty-five people enthusiastically signing up.”

“......” Emperor Jing was silent for a moment, “What is he planning to do next?”

“Following Master Fang's intention, he is preparing to let them personally see the lives of the people and the changes that the new science has brought to the lives of the people. Once those scholars have personally seen it, they will no longer object. Master has actually already made some arrangements for the factory, but this humble officer is not very clear about the more detailed details.”

Emperor Jing's face twitched a few times.

He handles heavy tasks lightly.... It's really unimaginable that there could be such an operation, and perhaps only Fang Zheng could think of it.

Just as Emperor Jing was silent, the voice of a minister suddenly came from behind.

“It is said that the factory's recruitment is unusually lively. How could there be more than seven hundred places to fill in one go?”

The Embroidered Uniform Guard said, “You can arrange it by finding a broker. They have many factories to connect with, and they even give two taels of silver for sending a scholar.”

“So you spent more than a thousand taels to arrange jobs for these people? It's worth it if more than a thousand taels can solve a big problem.”

“No, it's the broker giving us money. The Embroidered Uniform Guard earned more than a thousand taels.”

“？ ？ ？ ”

Suddenly, the room fell silent.

Emperor Jing only felt his scalp tingling.

The officials in the court were all facing this matter as if they were facing a great enemy.

If not handled properly, it would spread and involve more people, causing dissatisfaction with the court.

But Fang Zheng made a move and sent people to the factory.

No, it's not as simple as sending scholars to the factory, this is directly selling people to the factory!

Guo Tianyang was shivering all over!

He's stronger, Fang Zheng is stronger than before!

Isn't this the work of a human trafficker? According to his character, the scholars might even have to count money for him!