Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Seeing that the situation had stabilized, Fang Zheng's heart, which had been on edge, relaxed slightly.

Indeed, crowds are particularly easy to sway, especially when these people are mostly illiterate.

They instinctively have a sense of submission and trust towards officials and scholars.

Fang Zheng once again picked up the loudspeaker and shouted: "Now, brothers of the Ironclad Sect, line up and listen to my commands!"

"Attention!"

"Eyes right... dress!"

With a rustle, a large group of people stood at attention and simultaneously looked to the right.

Those who couldn't distinguish left from right, or didn't understand the commands, could only follow suit.

Although the movements weren't synchronized, they were obedient enough.

"Everyone! Automatically align!"

Fang Zheng recalled the way the drill instructor looked during military training. He originally wanted to shout 'at ease,' but he figured they wouldn't understand, so he didn't.

The Ironclad Sect members began to adjust themselves in an orderly fashion.

The originally chaotic crowd began to develop a spontaneous order due to the appearance of a leader.

Rows with insufficient numbers would automatically step forward to fill the gaps.

In just a few minutes, the crowd was roughly aligned.

Although it didn't meet the standards of military training, it was similar to the formations at school sports meets.

Nie Zheng looked at the formation, then at Fang Zheng, and his eyes twitched violently.

This guy is a talent! He clearly showed that he didn't even have the common sense of fighting a war just now.

This... in the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, he's managed to organize people like this? No wonder His Majesty is paying so much attention... he's truly a monster!

"Very good! From now on, you are all members of the Carefree Sect!"

"From now on, we will share clothes, share beds, and share food!"

"Not only will you live a good life, I guarantee you! Your children will all have the opportunity to study in the future!"

A round of applause erupted from below.

Everyone's face was filled with beautiful expectations for the future. Their own lives were set.

If their children could study, wouldn't they be above others?

"Everyone, stand in place and wait for arrangements. Someone will help you assign jobs in the future. Tell them your skills."

"Whether you can do carpentry, blacksmithing, or weave bamboo baskets, just tell them everything you know!"

After speaking, Fang Zheng climbed down the ladder and rode his horse towards Shen Zhaoxuan.

"Go, take people now to divide them into groups and record them. We'll arrange things slowly later."

Shen Zhaoxuan was filled with excitement. He didn't expect that even though the master hadn't done this kind of work for so many years, his skills hadn't diminished.

"Yes!"

Shen Zhaoxuan responded and led a group of people who had been prepared in advance, holding paper and pens to register the Ironclad Sect members.

Afterward, Fang Zheng rode his horse towards Nie Zheng, only to see him looking at him warily. He couldn't help but smile and say: "What's wrong, Lord Nie?"

Hearing him ask this, Nie Zheng was momentarily speechless.

After a long while, he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "If there's nothing else, then I'll take my leave."

"Lord, please stay. While the position of prefect is vacant, I will temporarily fill it. I will report the matter of Liu Xun to His Majesty as well."

"In addition, in a few days, I plan to publicly execute Liu Xun and a group of corrupt officials. I hope you won't take it to heart at that time."

Nie Zheng looked into Fang Zheng's eyes and saw that he had no fear at all. In fact, he already believed everything.

He could only helplessly say: "Alright, since His Majesty has bestowed upon you the Imperial Sword, after my men have investigated the situation of the granary, then you naturally have the right to execute Liu Xun."

"You..."

Nie Zheng hesitated, glanced at the Ironclad Sect members below, hesitated for a moment and said: "This matter must be reported to His Majesty. Considering that you are currently busy with affairs, I will give you a month. Within a month, you must report all matters that have occurred in Jianjiang to His Majesty. As long as you don't rebel, do whatever you want!"

After speaking, he rode his horse and left with his soldiers.

Fang Zheng scratched his head as he listened.

Why would I rebel? Am I so full that I want a shorter life?

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

That night, inside the pleasure boat.

Fang Zheng and the others sat around a large table, which was filled with various delicacies.

Everyone's face was filled with joy.

Fang Zheng stood up and said: "Brothers, now that we're all alone, this matter has come to an end for the time being. You've worked hard these past few days. Let's have a big meal tonight, and we'll talk about things while we eat."

Everyone raised their glasses in celebration and began to eat and drink heartily.

Fang Zheng sat there smiling and watching them. It had been a long time since they had such a gathering.

Shen Zhaoxuan drank a glass of wine and walked over with a notebook.

"Master, we've finished counting the Ironclad Sect members and our people today."

"There are indeed quite a few carpenters, blacksmiths, and basket weavers, but how do we deal with those who are good at slacking off? We can't arrange anything for them in the future, can we?"

Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow: "Slacking off is good, slacking off is also a skill!"

How many anglers go empty-handed every day, even after heavily baiting the water!

Being able to catch fish is a great skill!

Flipping through the pages, Fang Zheng frowned and pointed to the words on the notebook and said: "What's going on with this 'idle'? We've included those who slack off, how come there are still hundreds of people who can't do anything?"

"This..." Shen Zhaoxuan's face was full of embarrassment, "Well, they just can't do anything! We asked and asked but couldn't get anything out of them. They're probably just some idlers in the village who can't even speak properly."

"They can't do anything, so we can only write 'idle'..."

"Alas..." Fang Zheng shook his head helplessly.

"These things will all have to be reported to His Majesty in the future. If I have hundreds of people under my rule who are idle, wouldn't I become incompetent? What will His Majesty think of me in the future?"

"We'll talk about how to arrange these people in the future."

"Change it for me, change it to 'flexible employment'!"

"Ah, this... Master, what is 'flexible employment'?" Shen Zhaoxuan wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Stupid, it's just being idle."

"........"

Isn't that the same thing! Shen Zhaoxuan put away the notebook, muttering to himself as he walked away.

"Does anyone else have anything to report?"

"Yes!" Wu Sheng raised his hand and responded.

"Master, the brothel is almost decorated. Now we should find someone to inscribe the name and set the plaque. Please give it a name."

Fang Zheng smiled. Finally, something easy had come up.

He waved his hand and said: "Our brothel can't be called a brothel, it should be called a club! Do you understand what a club is?"

"It should be distinguished from ordinary brothels. We're doing a high-end, business, entertainment, and gourmet integrated service platform."

Everyone was dumbfounded and said in unison: "Master, what is a club?"

Fang Zheng curled his lips: "Don't you even understand this? As the name suggests, it's a place for meetings!"

Everyone present sneered in their hearts. After all that talk, isn't it still a brothel! Which businessman doesn't discuss things in brothels and restaurants? Could it be like the government, sitting in public offices to discuss things? How ridiculous!

"As for the name, let's just call it the Nine Demon Club."

91? What a terrible name? The master really doesn't have much culture.

Everyone had this thought in their hearts.

"What do you think?"

Zhang Biao, who had been eating, opened his mouth and said: "I don't think it's very good. It's not as good as Snow Moon Tower."

"In my opinion, calling it the Celebrities Club would be great."

Everyone immediately praised in unison: "Yes, yes, yes! It has to be Brother Biao."

What a load of crap! A bunch of country bumpkins!

Fang Zheng shook his head violently. How did he raise such a group of uncultured people? Are we opening a barbershop here?

"What I said isn't good? Then you come up with another one!".

Wu Sheng stroked his beard: "In my opinion, it's better to call it Heaven on Earth."

"Yes, yes, yes, this is also good!"

Fang Zheng sadly drank a mouthful of wine. This name can't be used! It's unlucky.

Seeing everyone starting to discuss it, Fang Zheng slammed the table: "Alright, alright! Let's just call it Wind Flower Pavilion."

Everyone immediately fell silent and lowered their heads to pick up food.

It's really uncreative and so corny, Snow Moon Tower, Wind Flower Pavilion. You're the master, you can say whatever you want.

"Okay, the name is decided."

Fang Zheng looked at Xie Xian: "Old Xie, have you recorded the information of those officials and other situations?"

Xie Xian stood up, took out a notebook, and handed it to Fang Zheng: "The specific situation of those people, how many people are in their families, how much silver they have embezzled, and the entire network of relationships have all been explained clearly."

"In addition to the officials in the prefectural office, the pavilion chiefs of the grain pavilions along the way to Jianjiang from various counties have also been recorded. That assistant prefect explained the most clearly. It seems that he has always been doing the dirty work under Liu Xun."

Fang Zheng simply flipped through it: "The recruitment is quite comprehensive, didn't you use torture?"

"I did."

"Good job."

"Release all the officials below the assistant prefect and let them perform their duties tomorrow. I'll personally interrogate those two wealthy merchants later. There's nothing else for the time being."

"Oh, and one more thing, you've made quite a few wealthy friends, haven't you? Which wealthy merchants are there, and what are their hobbies? Have you recorded them all?"

Xie Xian smiled confidently: "Don't worry, Master, when I'm out and about, I still have this level of skill."

Fang Zheng was very satisfied: "Very good, then try to invite those people over when we open, let them have a good time, and we'll need to use these people to recruit and hire workers in the future."

Xie Xian hesitated upon hearing this: "Master... there's a problem, quite a few of these wealthy people have a liking for men, then we..."

Fang Zheng said nonchalantly: "Then recruit a few more men! Dress them in women's clothing, and give them a surprise at that time!"

At the dinner table, someone's eyes suddenly lit up and said: "That's easy! Brother Gui likes this, why not let Brother Gui go, he's always horny!"

Fang Zheng looked at Lian Gui with a strange expression: "How horny is he?"

"Hornier than my piss!"

Lian Gui's face was flushed red as he loudly retorted, "You're full of shit! Can't you speak human language? If I go, I'll be on top!"

The crowd burst into laughter, and the painted boat was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

After everyone finished laughing, Wu Sheng stood up again and said, "Master, the name Feng Hua Lou has been decided, but what about the rest? You haven't told us yet."

"What will be served in this brothel, and what kind of services will be offered? Please tell us in advance so I can send people to arrange it."

Fang Zheng Yi leaned back in his chair, looking up as he recalled his experiences from his previous life.

After a long while, he sat up straight and said, "For this Feng Hua Lou, we need to implement a membership system with diamond, gold, silver, bronze, and iron tiers. Custom membership cards will be issued based on spending, and each tier will enjoy corresponding services."

"Each floor and each room should also have a tiered ranking."

"We should also have a study and reception room inside, and collect as many rare books as possible to make it seem more cultured!"

"Hot springs are a given. As for gold and jade inlays, you can handle that yourselves and come back to me for reimbursement."

"Food is of utmost importance! It must be expensive! Rare! Exotic!"

The crowd couldn't help but look at him askance.

Wu Sheng wondered, "Master, aren't abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, and fish maw enough? There aren't many restaurants in the entire Jianjiang that can make these dishes."

Fang Zheng Yi waved his hand and said, "No, that's not enough! Find me the best chefs in the city!"

"Also, hire a group of hunters! Get me tigers, iron-eating beasts, peacocks, and pangolins!"

"When you cook them, make sure they are thoroughly cooked! Even if they're burnt, that's fine, but if there's even a hint of rawness, the chefs can forget about working here!"

If anything undercooked caused an epidemic in ancient times, Fang Zheng Yi really couldn't handle it.

As for whether the animals were precious or not, even if they were eaten to extinction, he wouldn't care at all!

People can't even afford to live, yet you care about animals? Get in my belly!

Everyone couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement after hearing this.

My goodness, Master is different after entering the capital. He's much more generous than he was in Taoyuan County. Is he no longer satisfied with just oxen now?

Wu Sheng looked up at the ceiling, as if recalling, "Oh, I've eaten peacock and tiger in the countryside, but I've never heard of anyone eating pangolin. Is it edible?"

"Why can't you eat it? It's very nourishing! It promotes lactation!"

Xie Xian was confused. He was interested in the art of healing when he was young and even read many medical books, so he curiously asked, "Master, where did you hear that pangolin promotes lactation? I've studied some medicine, but I've never heard of that."

"It can burrow, so it can definitely promote lactation. Do you even need to think about it?"

Everyone was speechless. Mice can also burrow, but no one eats mice to promote lactation!

Xie Xian hesitated, "That... that's not right, is it?"

Fang Zheng Yi glared and said, "How is it not right! This is the wisdom of our ancestors! Don't ask about the ancestors' affairs! Even if the ancestors didn't say it, I'll be an ancestor in a thousand or eight hundred years after I die!"

Everyone was helpless. That's just how Master is. They're used to it!

Xie Xian muttered unwillingly, "How come I don't know about this?"

Fang Zheng Yi heard him and sneered.

Heh heh, of course you don't know, that's my ancestor!

Seeing that everyone was silent, Fang Zheng Yi continued, "Venerable Master Huijue, find some time to go out and wander around, mingle with other temples to build up your reputation."

"When the brothel opens, we'll put some aphrodisiacs in the guests' tea, and you can bless their lower bodies to build up your reputation!"

"Once your reputation is high, wouldn't it be easy to get people to donate money to build a temple? Many rich people are superstitious!"

Huang Shengrong, who was happily eating a plate of pig ears, was stunned when he heard Fang Zheng Yi's words.

The plate fell on the table with a thud.

First drug them, then bless their lower bodies? Is that something a human could come up with?

"Also, the service in Feng Hua Lou must be like being at home. Things like running errands go without saying. Even if a guest's cat is lost, we should help find it if we can."

"In short, we need to give them the impression that Feng Hua Lou's service is all-encompassing! We can also facilitate big business deals here, understand?"

"Some of you will be managing Feng Hua Lou in the future."

"At that time, suppress your bad tempers and prohibit hitting or scolding customers!"

Everyone nodded in unison, "Understood!"

Fang Zheng Yi stood up and patted his clothes, "Alright, you guys eat. I'm going to interrogate those two wealthy merchants."

Just as he was about to turn around and leave, he suddenly felt like something was missing. He glanced at everyone and asked in confusion, "Hey, where's Lu Fa? Where did he go?"

"He's interrogating Liu Xun! The two of them have been glaring at each other all day!"

..........

You weren't satisfied with the last daily chapter, is this one considered daily? A combined two-in-one chapter.