Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The banquet was in full swing, and Liu Xun looked at Fang Zheng Yi toasting glasses with others, a bit of disdain already in his heart.

News from the capital said that this person had some ability, but his behavior was eccentric.

Having arrived at Jianjiang Prefecture, he couldn't see anything eccentric about him, only flattery in his words.

He must be taking advantage of the Crown Prince, but now that he has arrived in a foreign land, without a backer by his side, he has begun to lower his eyebrows and become obedient. Heh heh... This is a true villain!

But it's good, at least he's easy to manipulate.

However, thinking that such a person can also be so successful, Liu Xun couldn't help but feel that he was born at the wrong time.

The Emperor actually trusts Fang Zheng Yi? Truly blind!

Liu Xun carefully recalled all kinds of rumors about Fang Zheng Yi, but he was still a little uneasy.

So he raised his glass and smiled at Fang Zheng Yi, saying, "Master Fang, I have long heard that you are unparalleled in poetry in the capital. I wonder if everyone will have the chance to appreciate it today?"

Fang Zheng Yi raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Then he said boldly, "Okay! This official has just arrived in your esteemed territory. Since Lord Liu has kindly invited me, how can this official refuse!"

"It's just that... this official has never written a complete poem in front of His Majesty. If it's not well done, please forgive me!"

Writing a few lines of poetry is nothing, after all, even if I'm a bad student, I can still remember a couple of poems, and I happen to remember one that fits the occasion!

Now that I want to mingle with Liu Xun and the others and blend in, I must first give him enough face.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Liu Xun showed a smug expression and stroked his beard with satisfaction.

After a short while, Fang Zheng Yi raised his glass and said loudly, "Hoeing millet under the midday sun! Sweat drips onto the soil beneath the millet, who knows that every grain in the plate is the result of hard work!"

He recited "Ode to the Farmers" stiffly, like a student being called upon by the teacher to recite the text.

Everyone looked at Fang Zheng Yi in surprise after hearing this.

Although the poem was recited without any emotion, as if shouting slogans.

But good heavens, he spoke poetry on the spot! Without even thinking, this is amazing!

Although simple and straightforward, the emotions are sincere and overflowing.

Some people in the crowd couldn't help but praise him.

Liu Xun glanced at Fang Zheng Yi, who had only eaten two bites of food, and his eyes twitched.

As expected, a hypocrite who doesn't practice what he preaches!

But he still praised, "Good poem! Master Fang speaks poetry on the spot, with outstanding poetic talent. This official is inferior."

Fang Zheng Yi smiled slightly, "Just showing off, just showing off!"

Liu Xun smiled and said nothing, but he became even more disdainful of Fang Zheng Yi in his heart.

It seems that it is not enough to have a clever tongue, Fang Zheng Yi really has some substance in his belly.

Only in this way can he coax the Emperor and the Crown Prince to spin around.

After another half an hour, the banquet came to an end. The people at the table chatted happily, but more than half of the food on the table was left.

Fang Zheng Yi saw it in his eyes and kept it in his heart.

Then he approached Liu Xun and whispered, "Lord Liu, this official is a little tired today and wants to take my leave first."

Liu Xun looked him up and down in surprise.

What a good-for-nothing! Can't even handle this little bit of drinking?

But he didn't intend to keep him, and got up and said, "Everyone, I think you all know Master Fang now."

"In the future, if there are any problems, you should help each other. Let's end the banquet here today, so as not to delay tomorrow."

Then he whispered to Fang Zheng Yi, "Where do you live? This official will send two maids over to take care of your life."

Fang Zheng Yi nodded and quietly gave his address.

Then the group walked outside the restaurant. It was already dark.

Carriages had already been prepared outside the restaurant. Liu Xun smiled and said, "Come, this official has already prepared carriages to send you home. It might not be safe to walk back at this hour."

Fang Zheng Yi said, "Thank you, Lord! But this official wants to walk around. Please go back first."

Liu Xun was in a slightly tipsy state at the moment, with a mysterious smile on his face. He pointed at Fang Zheng Yi and smiled, "I understand! Go ahead, then this official will go home first."

After speaking, he got into the carriage and drove away into the distance.

Watching everyone get into the carriage and leave, the smile on Fang Zheng Yi's face disappeared.

He said to the coachman beside him, "Wait for me here, I'll go out for a walk to digest, and come back in a while."

After speaking, he walked away with his hands behind his back.

After walking a few steps, Fang Zheng Yi looked around, and seeing that there was no one around, he turned into a dark alley.

The alley was extremely dark and quiet, without a trace of light.

Fang Zheng Yi could even faintly hear his own heartbeat.

After a while, a voice sounded, "Master, I'm here."

"Well, have you noted down all the people at the door just now?"

"I've noted them down."

"Go and follow the old man in the lead, his name is Liu Xun, and he is the Prefect of Jianjiang. Judging by the direction, he should be going back to the yamen. If I'm not mistaken, they should be going to eat. See what they are eating and who are there, and pay attention to safety."

Bai Rui's heart was full of doubts.

He hesitated and said, "Master, didn't you just finish eating?"

In the darkness, Fang Zheng Yi licked his lips. The food just now had no oil at all, it was really not tasty, and he hadn't eaten anything all day, so he was really hungry.

Liu Xun and the others should be in a similar situation. In order to pretend in front of him, they didn't eat much oil all day, and they must be very hungry.

This is like a wedding feast, the first part is just to show face.

The second part is a small gathering of friends and relatives, which is the real deal.

The first feast is never important, the second part is the real highlight worth caring about.

Whether or not you can integrate into the circle depends on whether or not you can eat the second course.

And for Liu Xun and his group, what they eat and with whom is what Fang Zheng Yi cares about.

The only news now is still difficult to judge how corrupt Jianjiang is.

Outside the city, there are large numbers of disaster victims, and time does not allow him to delay. He needs to collect evidence as soon as possible and cut through the mess quickly.

"No need to ask more, go and do it. Find a chance to come and find me again during the day tomorrow."

Bai Rui responded and turned to climb over the wall and disappeared without a trace.

After hearing the sound, Fang Zheng Yi also left the alley, returned to the restaurant, and went straight into the carriage.

Then he instructed the coachman to wander around the city, and found that many brothels and restaurants were still doing brisk business at the moment.

Especially several larger brothels, the women in front of the door were dressed lightly, and the sounds of singing and solicitation were constant.

After taking a look, Fang Zheng Yi urged the coachman to rush back home.

When he arrived at the door, three people unexpectedly appeared.

Judging from their clothes, there were two delicate maids and a strong-looking guard.

As soon as the three saw Fang Zheng Yi get out of the car, they immediately gathered around.

One of the maids, with a pair of watery eyes, looked at Fang Zheng Yi affectionately and said in a delicate voice, "May I ask, are you Master Fang?"

"That's right, who are you?"

"This servant is Hong Yao."

Another maid also said in a delicate voice, "This servant is Green Willow."

"This humble one is Zhou Dahai!"

Fang Zheng Yi said with satisfaction, "Good! You should have been sent by Lord Liu, come in."

..........