Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

As Fang Zheng Yi's voice rang out, Master Huijue abruptly opened his eyes and looked towards the source of the sound.

Familiar voice, familiar smiling face... that demon has returned!

"Master... let's find a place to chat. This official has some questions to ask you." After speaking, Fang Zheng Yi strolled towards the main hall with his hands behind his back.

Master Huijue hurriedly got up and followed.

Arriving at the chaotic main hall, Master Huijue looked around before bowing respectfully to Fang Zheng Yi, fawningly saying, "Lord Fang, long time no see."

"So, Huang Sheng Rong, you really became a monk? Making good money, huh?"

Fang Zheng Yi wandered around the main hall, feeling that there should be some kind of secret treasure vault inside.

Huang Sheng Rong flattered, "Not bad! Not bad! Better than before!"

"And much more comfortable..."

Fang Zheng Yi grinned and sat on the offering table in front of the Buddha statue: "You've got some nerve. Don't you know Banshan Ward is my territory? Dressing up as a monk to swindle money here, who sent you?"

Huang Sheng Rong quickly shook his head: "I don't know."

Fang Zheng Yi sighed, looking up: "Old Huang, be honest!"

"I'm taking good care of your wife and children for you. Let's talk about your children, they have Go lessons every day at mao shi (5-7 am), learn to play the zither at chen shi (7-9 am), learn to ride horses at si shi (9-11 am)... learn woodworking at zi shi (11pm-1am). This official is raising them like my own sons, and I'm paying for their tuition."

"Your wife and concubine are also plump and healthy under my care, each weighing over two hundred catties."

"You must know how to be grateful!"

Huang Sheng Rong originally thought his will was strong enough, but he didn't expect to break down after only a few words with Fang Zheng Yi.

As soon as Fang Zheng Yi finished speaking, Huang Sheng Rong hugged Fang Zheng Yi's leg and wailed.

"Lord Fang! Lord Master! They are still children... studying like this will kill them!"

"No pain, no gain. I'm treating you so well, and you actually think I'm abusing your sons? If you don't believe me, you can call your wives over and ask them now!"

"No need for that!"

Huang Sheng Rong said with a dejected face: "My lord, I really don't know! Some strangers came and asked me to stay at Fuyun Temple in Banshan Ward for a month."

"I know that you are in the ward, how dare I go there."

"They offered too much..."

"And even if I didn't come, other monks would, it's all the same."

Fang Zheng Yi lowered his head and thought: "The other monks didn't come from the same temple as you?"

Huang Sheng Rong shook his head: "No, we don't know each other. They should have been invited from different temples by those people."

Fang Zheng Yi suddenly understood, that's right.

So many monks gathering in Banshan Ward for no reason, it must be Yan Guo An who sent them.

That old fart is really useless, so despicable!

After thinking for a while, he was too lazy to think about it anymore, such a weak opponent was worthless.

Then he asked: "Did Prince Wu contact you?"

Huang Sheng Rong sighed: "No, I guess they gave up on me. Since I left you, no one has contacted me again."

Then he knelt down and continued: "My lord, please let me go... You can't possibly not let me be a monk! And those children of mine, can you please not make them take extra lessons?"

"Old Huang, I live for my children, if they are exhausted to death, I won't live either!"

Fang Zheng Yi looked at him and couldn't help but marvel. Good fellow, he really turned over a new leaf after being scolded! There's something to him!

"Tsk tsk tsk, being a monk is different, your state of mind has improved. Alright, this official won't make things difficult for you. In the future, if anything related to Banshan Ward happens, you must come and report to me."

"Later, settle the tuition and food expenses, and take your wives and children away. I'm too lazy to raise them for you."

Huang Sheng Rong chuckled twice and rubbed his hands: "That... I don't want the wives, can the tuition and food expenses be discounted?"

"Get out!"

..................

Inside the palace, Emperor Jing stood at the entrance of the main hall, sighing at the gloomy weather.

Heavy rain had been pouring down for several days recently.

Thinking of the floods that occurred in the capital every year, Emperor Jing couldn't help but feel a headache.

He wondered how many disasters would be caused and how many people would be affected.

Guo Tianyang took a shawl and walked to Emperor Jing's side: "Your Majesty, the wind is still a bit strong now, why not close the door."

Emperor Jing raised his hand and said: "No need... My Great Jing is truly plagued by disasters. This year's rainfall is so heavy, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau is truly useless..."

Guo Tianyang also sighed, then suddenly seemed to think of something and said: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's bet with Lord Yan is due, should this servant arrange for people to investigate below now?"

Emperor Jing smiled playfully: "Heh, I had forgotten about this matter."

"There have been too many things lately, no need to send anyone. Anyway, the rain has stopped now, and I haven't left the palace for a long time. Why not go and see for myself? Prepare the sedan."

Guo Tianyang responded, just turned to leave, Emperor Jing's voice rang again.

"Forget it, there must be a lot of accumulated water outside the palace, no sedan, a carriage."

Guo Tianyang nodded in agreement, then trotted out of the hall.

He hadn't gone far when he ran into Li Yansong who was coming in a hurry. Guo Tianyang smiled: "Lord Li, are you going to see His Majesty?"

Li Yansong smiled politely: "Yes, there has been flooding in the city, and I thought it would be better to personally tell His Majesty."

"Then you've come at the wrong time, His Majesty is preparing to leave the palace to take a look. I'll go and arrange the carriage for His Majesty first."

After speaking, Guo Tianyang left.

Li Yansong was stunned for a moment, then looked up at the sky.

Why go out of the palace in this ghastly weather, it might rain again in a while.

Then he understood and smiled wryly. It must be that the Crown Prince's bet with Yan Guo An was due, and he was worried about the Crown Prince.

Having understood, Li Yansong also lifted his leg and left.

................

Not long after.

The emperor set off with Guo Tianyang, as well as the three Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet.

The three old men were squeezed into a carriage, feeling a little awkward.

Zhang Dongxiang said: "Alas, Lord Li, why didn't you advise His Majesty? Why did you drag the two of us along? There is serious water accumulation outside the palace now, and it will be even more troublesome if it rains in a while."

Zheng Qiao said: "His Majesty wants to see the Crown Prince's achievements during this period. He is anxious, and we haven't been there for some days, so it's good to go and take a look. Anyway, it won't be long, so it doesn't matter."

"I think Fang Zheng Yi and the Crown Prince are doomed to lose. You must have heard the news in the city. Many scholars on Yan Guo An's side are praising his successful governance."

"What about Fang Zheng Yi's side? Many scholars are saying that Banshan Ward has lost all its refinement, with merchants everywhere and demons dancing wildly."

"Although it looked good when we went last time, it was just a superficial show, with no achievements in education!"

"I think Fang Zheng Yi and the Crown Prince are in trouble."