Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

With Emperor Jing's command, the carriage began to turn around.

Fang Zheng Yi didn't rush to follow, jumping back into his own carriage.

The group of Hanlin scholars before him all lowered their heads, not a single one making a sound.

Fang Zheng Yi continued, "Wouldn't you all like to see how the Crown Prince and I have governed the market district?"

"You are welcome to go and point out any flaws you find! I will acknowledge them all!"

The knees of the crowd were already aching terribly, and at that moment, quite a few people were hesitating to get up.

However, Yang Yingcai, the leader, still had his head lowered without making any move, so everyone dared not rise rashly.

Seeing no one act, Fang Zheng Yi continued, "Lord Yang... please rise."

Yang Yingcai raised his head, glaring at Fang Zheng Yi with hatred, and said mockingly, "Lord Fang has quite a silver tongue. His Majesty now listens to your every word; I am truly impressed."

Fang Zheng Yi smiled dismissively, "Without benevolence, the balance of power shifts."

"I am genuinely practicing benevolent governance, but what about you? Sitting and discussing empty theories, spouting grand words, shouting slogans that shake the heavens."

"Good advice is hard to persuade a doomed ghost, and compassion cannot save one who seeks their own end."

"Alas, I, Fang Zheng Yi, am just too kind to say so much to you."

"Alright, I'm leaving. If any of you wish to go to Banshan Market, go straight there. If you don't want to go, continue kneeling. I will have someone watch you."

"But I advise you to leave now, while your farts are plentiful and you can still walk lightly!"

With that, Fang Zheng Yi ducked back into the carriage, and the carriage sped away.

The Hanlin scholars cursed loudly behind him.

After hesitating for a long time, Yang Yingcai still trembled as he got up.

At that moment, he felt pain all over his body, especially his knees. He had knelt for a full day and night; who knew what lasting damage it would cause.

The group of Hanlin officials behind him were likely the same, all rubbing their knees after getting up.

Yang Yingcai turned his head and said, "Let's go! We will go to Banshan Market and see how Fang Zheng Yi has governed it!"

"If we allow such a villain to continue to be arrogant, how can we maintain our dignity!"

The crowd bitterly smiled.

Where was there any dignity left now? It was probably all lost long ago....

Gu Tian, from the crowd, hesitantly opened his mouth, "What if Fang Zheng Yi has truly governed it well?"

Yang Yingcai angrily said, "What do you mean, governed it well! Such heavy rain in the capital comes every year or two. Does Fang Zheng Yi have magic! How could he possibly solve it!"

"But His Majesty clearly visited Banshan Market, and Fang Zheng Yi looked so confident. I'm afraid..."

Yang Yingcai said, "Bah! Such a villain is probably only putting on a show. You are all first-rate intelligent people; can't you see through Fang Zheng Yi's petty tricks?"

"In my opinion, he is just a petty man who has gained power and become carried away with himself. We are going to expose his pretense!"

The Hanlin scholars weakly echoed, "We are willing to follow Lord Yang."

"Everyone's bodies can't take it anymore. Does anyone have any silver on them? Let's find a few carriages first."

Upon hearing this, everyone began to search their belongings.

Then, one after another, their faces began to change.

"My money is gone!"

"Ah! Mine is gone too! I brought ten taels when I went out and only spent five. How... how can the remaining silver be gone?"

"My silver is also gone!"

Yang Yingcai looked at the crowd searching for silver, tears almost bursting out, and wailed, "All gone?"

Someone gritted their teeth and said, "Gone! All gone! There must be thieves among those commoners! How hateful!"

"Yan Guoan deserves to die! The security in the market is so poor! Useless! He eats the Emperor's food in vain!"

"Then are we still going to Banshan Market?"

"Go! Since things have come to this, what else can we do!"

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

Inside Banshan Market, Fang Zheng Yi had already arranged for Zhang San to inform Ding Quan.

So, he urgently notified the people of the streets.

The cleanliness of the streets must be spotless! Those from the outer market who do not follow the rules must be driven away!

Those who do not listen will be taken away to sift sand.

Brothels are not allowed to solicit customers proactively! When scholars walk on the streets, they must loudly discuss poetry and lyrics next to the tea stalls!

All kinds of service establishments must warmly welcome distinguished foreign guests.

Children were also arranged to be polite and not noisy.

The sanitation team had a large number of people and strong mobilization ability!

Although it was not Taoyuan County, Fang Zheng Yi was very confident in handling this little matter.

........

After a while, the Hanlin scholars arrived late.

It was impossible to leave; they really couldn't move anymore. Someone had gone home to get silver and hired carriages to send them over.

Along the way, the carriage was naturally filled with curses.

It was just that it was no longer clear whether they were cursing Yan Guoan or Fang Zheng Yi.

After going through all kinds of hardships, the Hanlin scholars were dumbfounded as soon as they arrived at Banshan Market.

Although there were not many pedestrians on the streets in front of them, there were definitely not few.

On Dengjin Market Street, besides the people Fang Zheng Yi had found, not a single commoner could be seen.

The stone road was clean, and although there were some small puddles in some places, the overall look was already insignificant.

The crowd stood blankly on the street.

Someone asked Yang Yingcai, "Lord Yang... what do we do?"

Yang Yingcai gritted his teeth, "Education is the key. The road has no standing water; Fang Zheng Yi must have spent money to rebuild the aqueduct.... Look at their security and education. Let's split up and go!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd scattered weakly.

They were tired, really tired.

It was meaningless to deceive themselves at this point.

I just want to admit defeat now.......

The Hanlin scholars divided into several groups and began to inquire about various places in Banshan Market.

Yang Yingcai walked on the street, listening to the sound of reading aloud from the teahouses and restaurants, becoming more and more desperate.

The petty officials on the street wore knives on their waists, walking upright on the street.

The surrounding people regarded them as nothing.

They even dared to bargain with him when buying vegetables in front of the people's stalls.

The petty official also took the initiative to pick up the garbage on the ground.

This scene shocked Yang Yingcai.

Usually, due to the arrogance inherent in scholars, these Hanlin scholars and even all officials looked down on these petty officials.

The imperial court is a system, then they are the bottom screws in the system.

Even if they are screws, they are not within the establishment.

Moreover, they are full of all kinds of "characteristics" that ordinary ignorant people have.

Treachery, laziness, gluttony, slipperiness, deceiving superiors and deceiving subordinates, should be the norm in his impression.

Therefore, ordinary officials must use both power and punishment to manage these people so that they can honestly and safely use their lives.

They will not listen without whipping.

However, the petty officials in Banshan Market were neatly dressed, spoke reasonably, and did not show the slightest arrogance towards the people.

This had completely exceeded Yang Yingcai's impression of petty officials.

What he didn't know was that the security of Banshan Market was a task that Fang Zheng Yi grasped with one hand.

The sanitation team was handed over to Li Yuanzhao, but he would not allow him to mess around with security.

In Fang Zheng Yi's eyes, although sanitation was very important and had a strong chain reaction.

But what he valued most was safety. If the people could not ensure their personal safety, then everything would be out of the question.

Therefore, Fang Zheng Yi's management of petty officials was also particularly ruthless, using both kindness and power.

The method used was a cumulative complaint system.

Each petty official had his own form. If he was complained about by the people, a note would be made on his form after the reason was found out.

After accumulating too many, they would be directly expelled after severe punishment.

In this world, no one will talk to you about human rights. Fang Zheng Yi likes to use direct and violent methods to solve problems.

In the early stage, Fang Zheng Yi personally supervised the execution of petty officials who committed crimes.

If things were not big, such as secretly extorting the people, Zhang Biao would drag them to the street and break a few thin sticks.

All the petty officials watched in fear.

Of course, Fang Zheng Yi was never stingy with money. He would also send some eggs, rice, flour, and oil on weekdays, so the lives of the petty officials had improved a lot.

If the people personally went to the official office to thank them, there would be special rewards.

Therefore, the atmosphere of the petty officials in Banshan Market quickly changed, and very few people expressed dissatisfaction.

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