Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Emperor Jing's desk was piled high with memorials in two rows.

Guo Tianyang stood by as usual, promptly replacing the cold tea with hot tea.

Emperor Jing reviewed the memorials for a long time, and after three cups of tea had been replaced, he finally put down his brush and relaxed his muscles and bones.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he reached out and began rummaging through the pile of memorials.

He opened one memorial after another but couldn't find the one he wanted, and his brow began to furrow slightly.

Then, he rubbed his brow and muttered, "Why isn't it here... Where did it go... It shouldn't be..."

Seeing this, Guo Tianyang quickly approached Emperor Jing and asked solicitously, "Your Majesty, what are you looking for? This servant can help you find it."

Emperor Jing waved his hand: "It's nothing... By the way, how are things going recently with Fang Zheng and Yan Guoan? Has there been any progress?"

"Your Majesty, everything is going well on Lord Yan's side."

"According to the reports from the Imperial Bodyguard, Dengjin Ward is now well-organized under Lord Yan's management, with clean and tidy streets and orderly public security."

"Moreover, it is said that he has gathered many scholars who recite poetry and discuss Taoism in the pavilions along the street. The common people who pass by benefit greatly from it."

"The Imperial Bodyguard inquired with a minor official, who said that this is called subtle influence. Over time, the common people will naturally be educated."

"In just a few days, even the common people have been able to restrain themselves and return to propriety! Even the merchants who used to shout loudly in the streets now speak with gentleness and elegance and no longer make loud noises."

"Many scholars and successful candidates in the ward have praised Lord Yan's governance!"

"In short, it's very good! The people are all delighted and encouraged!"

"Oh?" Emperor Jing smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. "I naturally have no doubts about Yan Qing's abilities. It is only natural that he does well, but I didn't expect him to do so well in such a short period of time!"

"Alas... It's just a pity that the Crown Prince and he don't get along well, and he can't listen to his lectures. Otherwise, with his erudition, he would be more than capable of teaching the Crown Prince."

"Although Fang Zheng is also doing well, his temperament is too lively and not steady enough. I often feel a little uneasy."

Guo Tianyang remained noncommittal, but he didn't speak.

Anyway, he had learned his lesson. He wouldn't inquire about anything related to Fang Zheng, and he wouldn't say a word! If I can't afford to provoke him, can't I avoid him?

If I say the wrong thing, I'll be criticized by the Emperor again.

I can't scold him, and I can't lick up to him... Let's just leave it at that. Why was I, Guo Tianyang, born when Fang Zheng already existed!

"Then how is Fang Zheng doing?" Emperor Jing asked.

Guo Tianyang began to stammer. Fang Zheng's situation was really hard to describe, a bit tricky...

"Hmm? Why aren't you talking?"

"Ah... yes, Your Majesty, the situation in Banshan Ward is a bit special... There are no other changes, but it is said that the sanitation is very good."

"But... according to the reports from the Imperial Bodyguard, they say... that someone who spat or urinated anywhere was arrested by the minor officials on the street."

"The people have quite a few complaints about this..."

Emperor Jing laughed: "That Fang Zheng! I knew it! He's even more excessive in Banshan Ward than he was in Taoyuan County."

"I think he might have a bit of a cleanliness obsession. Didn't you get fined a few copper coins when we went to Taoyuan County back then?"

"However, it is a bit too much to be arrested just for spitting anywhere."

Guo Tianyang chuckled awkwardly.

"Yes... Lord Fang is skilled at sanitation."

"Also, the walls in Banshan Ward have been plastered with slogans to remind the people to pay attention to hygiene and not to urinate anywhere..."

"Furthermore, Lord Fang even organized a toilet lottery..."

"This is...?" Emperor Jing looked at Guo Tianyang in confusion. He seemed to have heard this term some time ago, but he didn't pay attention to it. Now that he heard Guo Tianyang mention it again, he suddenly remembered.

But what exactly is a toilet lottery? Isn't it too strange? How can the words 'toilet' and 'lottery' be linked together?

Guo Tianyang explained: "It's to encourage people to use public toilets."

"As long as you relieve yourself in a public toilet, you can participate in the lottery, with a maximum prize of five taels of silver."

"However... this matter has also caused the people of Banshan Ward to complain, calling the government liars! They lure people to the latrine and then don't give them money!"

Emperor Jing's expression began to look unnatural.

What kind of talk is that? You went to the latrine, so what loss did you suffer?

You get a free lottery opportunity, and you still have so many problems?

"It is said that after a few rounds, the people of Banshan Ward who didn't win the lottery are all clamoring that they will never... shit in Banshan Ward again, even if they're paid!"

"........"

Emperor Jing suddenly felt that the tea in his hand was no longer fragrant, even a little disgusting, and slowly put down his teacup.

"Excessive! Fang Zheng is really excessive. Hasn't he done anything else besides these things?"

Emperor Jing couldn't believe it and even thought that there was a problem with the Imperial Bodyguard's information.

He had seen Taoyuan County, and there was no reason why Fang Zheng wouldn't act at all.

"Nothing else..."

Guo Tianyang's expression also looked a little ugly.

Fang Zheng, you're letting me down! What can I do? It's as if I'm deliberately saying bad things about him to His Majesty!

Emperor Jing's expression darkened: "Then what about the Crown Prince? What is the Crown Prince doing?"

"The Crown Prince... Fang Zheng created a team of several thousand people for him, called the Sanitation Brigade, and put the Crown Prince in charge, specifically responsible for the ward's sanitation. He even took over the sanitation management of the surrounding wards and markets, and he's doing a great job!"

Emperor Jing's expression softened slightly upon hearing this.

He didn't care too much about the Crown Prince managing the Sanitation Brigade, after all, he had dealt with soldiers when he was in the military.

Managing thousands of people is a major undertaking, certainly not as easy as it seems on the surface. It would be great if the Crown Prince could get some training.

He was very satisfied with Fang Zheng in this regard.

"The Crown Prince inspects the work on the streets every day and never disturbs the people, so his reputation in the ward is also very good."

Emperor Jing smiled again and praised: "Good! Putting other things aside, Fang Zheng has a knack for teaching people."

"However... it would be a bit unreasonable to keep doing sanitation like this."

"Your Majesty, should we issue an edict to reprimand him, so that Fang Zheng can actively adjust? If this continues, I'm afraid he will be far inferior to Lord Yan."

Emperor Jing picked up his tea again, took a sip, and said faintly: "No need, true gold fears no fire. If he has real ability, what difference does it make whether I say it or not?"

"There are still more than two months left, let's see how they both perform."

"Reporting, Your Majesty, Lord Fang Zheng has an urgent memorial." As he spoke, a young eunuch entered the hall with a memorial in his hands.

Emperor Jing perked up: "Bring it up!"

Guo Tianyang hurried down to present the memorial, feeling a little strange in his heart.

His Majesty's reaction seemed a little unusual. He had been rummaging through the pile of memorials earlier, could it be that he was looking for Fang Zheng's memorial?

Emperor Jing took the memorial, opened it, and began to read.

Guo Tianyang glanced curiously, and then his eyes widened suddenly.

TMD.....

The words on the memorial were crooked and written very large, making them easy to see at a glance.

It read: "My dearest and most beloved Majesty, have you eaten? I haven't written you a memorial for two days. The temperature dropped sharply last night, please pay attention to adding more..."

Emperor Jing quickly scanned it, then closed the memorial and threw it aside.

He let out a long sigh of relief.

After not seeing this thing for two days, I always felt like I was missing something.

Now, I feel comfortable.....