Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Two days later.

In the imperial court, Fang Zheng Yi felt he hadn't fully recovered, yet Yan Guoan had already launched a fierce attack!

"Your Majesty! The recent play 'Fan Jin Passing the Imperial Exam' in Banshan Ward has caused resentment among many scholars."

"Your subject is not targeting Lord Fang, but if this play continues, I fear those scholars will cause trouble and gather to riot."

"Therefore, I believe it is best to ban this play and prevent the actors involved from ever performing on stage again."

"I beseech Your Majesty to make a wise decision!"

After speaking, he inadvertently glanced at Fang Zheng Yi.

The courtiers were also discussing animatedly.

Zheng Qiao whispered to Li Yansong, "Lord Li, have you seen this play?"

"Yes, yes, this old man has seen it. The performance is indeed good, but there is no reason to ban it. Let's just watch that Fang Zheng Yi solve it himself."

Zhang Dongxiang leaned over: "I think it's performed too well! Not only should it not be banned, but it should also be promoted throughout the city! Do you two think it's just average?"

Li Yansong stroked his beard, smugly saying, "This old man has never been second in exams since childhood, so I don't feel anything watching this play."

Zheng Qiao echoed, "Me too."

Zhang Dongxiang said with grief and indignation, "Why haven't I always been first? But I only got a Jīng Kuí in the provincial exam, a lifelong pain!"

Li Yansong and the other immediately looked enlightened. No wonder you are willing to watch a play like 'Fan Jin Passing the Imperial Exam'.

Getting third place in the provincial exam... isn't that more uncomfortable than death? Unimaginable!

"Alright, silence! Silence!" Emperor Jing swept around with dissatisfaction.

朕 haven't even spoken yet, and you guys have already started chatting. It seems many people in the court have seen this play, 'Fan Jin Passing the Imperial Exam'.

"朕 have heard about this play, but 朕 have not seen it in person. Fang Qing, what do you have to say?"

"Your Majesty, I second the motion. This play has a great impact, so why not just ban it to save Your Majesty trouble?" Fang Zheng Yi said with a sincere face.

"I didn't expect Lord Yan to bring such a trivial matter to the court. I didn't expect it."

"Lord Yan only needs to tell this official that this matter will affect the Emperor, and this official will naturally not let it be performed. Why bring it to the court for discussion?"

Yan Guoan looked at Fang Zheng Yi in astonishment.

He had prepared a bellyful of words, but couldn't utter a single one. Did Fang Zheng Yi just concede so easily?

"However, there is one thing I cannot agree with. Those actors are innocent. Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents. Lord Yan, you are killing people!"

Fang Zheng Yi suddenly raised his voice.

Yan Guoan clutched his heart, glaring fiercely at Fang Zheng Yi after being shouted at.

Almost scared to death... Damn it, this dog thing!

"Very well! 朕 grant it. Those actors, except for not being allowed to perform 'Fan Jin Passing the Imperial Exam' again, can continue as usual."

"Your subject! Thanks Your Majesty!"

Fang Zheng Yi glanced triumphantly at Yan Guoan.

You little brat want to spray me, huh? Would I give you the chance?

Shut your trap!

Then, Fang Zheng Yi strode to the center of the hall and bowed, "Your subject has a memorial to present!"

"Present it."

Emperor Jing looked at Fang Zheng Yi with some anticipation.

This kid has suddenly become serious. Is he going to come up with something new again?

The memorial was handed up by the eunuch. Emperor Jing opened it, glanced at it twice, and then twitched the corners of his eyes violently before closing it.

"Fang Qing, please speak."

"Yes! Your Majesty, your subject has discovered a type of gambling game circulating among the people of the capital, a lottery using numbers."

"Your subject believes that this type of gambling game is extremely harmful. I beseech Your Majesty to strictly ban this method of lottery. Without special permission, no gambling games may be established!"

After Fang Zheng Yi finished speaking, everyone was shocked.

Isn't this your, Fang Zheng Yi's, game? Did Yan Guoan provoke you?

You won't let the play be performed, and now you're cutting off your own arm. What is this operation?

"Very good, Fang Qing has a good heart. Does any other courtier have anything to say?"

Fang Zheng Yi turned his head to look at Li Yansong and the other two, then started winking at them.

The lip movements looked like he was saying 'Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, Third Uncle...'

The three Grand Secretaries felt a toothache. After thinking about it, it didn't seem to conflict with their interests, so they reluctantly said, "Your subjects second the motion!"

As soon as the three of them finished speaking, a person at the end of the line stood up and said loudly, "Your subject seconds the motion!"

Everyone looked at him... It turned out to be the sneaky-eyed Yang Fengfan.

The people in front of him were all staring at him with unfriendly expressions. The Grand Secretaries just finished speaking, and you, at the end of the line, called out first. Do you understand the rules?

Yang Fengfan naturally didn't fear at all.

What's wrong with me shouting with my uncle? You bunch of trash!

Fang Zheng Yi looked at him and gave him a thumbs up. You've got guts!

With the affirmation from my backer, my future is definitely promising this time!

Yang Fengfan immediately looked delighted, staring at his superior one glance at a time.

The people he stared at all turned their heads with unfriendly expressions.

This person is crazy, stupid. After the court session, we have to think of a way to deal with him!

Except for Yan Guoan and Zhang Shi, who didn't express their opinions, almost everyone else agreed.

Although they felt Fang Zheng Yi's memorial was a bit strange, no one thought much about it. After all, none of it conflicted with their own interests.

Banning gambling is also a good thing!

Emperor Jing slammed the imperial desk excitedly: "Good, then朕 will decide on this matter! Without imperial permission, no one is allowed to establish number lottery gambling games!"

"Fang Qing, later give朕 another memorial with the details..."

After speaking, he looked at the memorial on the table again.

It detailed the gameplay, profit distribution, market prospects, income expectations, and was almost a simplified business plan...

Thinking of the shocking numbers written inside, Emperor Jing even felt a little uneasy.

As expected of Fang Zheng Yi, he really has a knack for making money!

Fang Zheng Yi nodded in agreement, then retreated back to the ranks, looking at Li Yuanzhao sitting above, and the two smiled at each other.

It's done, this is today's main event.

The lottery was actually within Fang Zheng Yi's plan for a long time. He had previously arranged for people from Taoyuan County to train a group of talents to specialize in selling lottery tickets.

The reason for delaying until now was because that group of people from Taoyuan County had just been delivered, and the special anti-counterfeiting paper and ink that Fang Zheng Yi had requested had also just been made and delivered to the Si Yamen. Just yesterday, Fang Zheng Yi had specially trained the lottery ticket sellers again, to avoid any more problems when the subsequent plan was implemented.

In the short term, there is probably no better tool for accumulating wealth than the lottery. The cost investment is infinitely low, and the money sold is basically pure profit.

However, this thing must be treated with utmost caution! If he can do it, others can definitely do it too, so he must take advantage of the fact that everyone is not aware of the huge benefits it contains, to involve imperial power and lock down the opportunity for others to intervene!

When it is done, it will be a monopoly! You want to do it? Then go to jail!

As for whether or not to cancel 'Fan Jin Passing the Imperial Exam', it is not important at all. What Fang Zheng Yi wants is money! No matter how well the play is performed, it will not bring about substantial changes for the people.

With money, everything is easy to say!

What we are doing is a welfare lottery! No uniforms, no one impersonating, a live broadcast welfare lottery!

Now, Taoyuan County has sent all the people and materials he needs to Banshan Ward.

The previous small-scale shenanigans can be considered over, and the real money-making plan should begin!

Fang Zheng Yi was full of joy, constantly calculating the subsequent plans, and naturally ignored the discussions of the courtiers.

By the time the court session ended, the hand in his sleeve was still making gestures.

Li Yuanzhao leaned over: "Old Fang... what did you mean by smiling at me just now?"

Fang Zheng Yi looked at Li Yuanzhao speechlessly. I thought you knew, but it turns out you didn't hear a word of what I was training the lottery sellers in the Si Yamen yesterday afternoon!

"Your Highness will know later, don't worry."

"Then... the play 'Fan Jin Passing the Imperial Exam' will not be performed?"

"It won't be performed. His Majesty won't let it be performed. Besides, the people are tired of watching it. Tomorrow, we'll have a new play, 'Yan Guoan Passing the Imperial Exam'."

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