Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

It was Emperor Jing's first time traveling at night in Taoyuan County.

To light the way, he even borrowed a lantern from the innkeeper before leaving.

On the road, Emperor Jing, carrying the lantern, unexpectedly discovered that there were quite a few businesses still open.

Especially the street stalls, where there were a considerable number of people buying things.

The heat and aroma of cooking food continuously wafted through the streets.

The capital had implemented a curfew for nearly ten years, so Emperor Jing found this scene particularly novel.

However, he didn't linger and hurried to the yamen, as official business was the priority.

Under the archway at the entrance of the yamen, two constables stopped Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing directly took out the emblem that had been affixed to his carriage and showed it to the two constables.

The two looked at each other and said, "Please wait here, we will go in and report first."

Before long, Xiao Tao gracefully walked out from inside and said to Emperor Jing in a crisp voice, "You must be Mr. Li, please follow me."

The plaza in front of the yamen was pitch black, and the two walked one in front of the other.

"How should I address you, miss?"

"Just call me Xiao Tao."

Emperor Jing continued, "I wonder when Magistrate Fang usually rests?"

Xiao Tao chuckled softly, "Our young master usually goes to bed around this time, but today he must have something on his mind and is still sitting in the courtyard drinking."

"May I ask what brings Mr. Li to see our young master?"

"The Jian River flood. I heard that Magistrate Fang has a solution, so I have come to pay a special visit."

"Oh? The Jian River is flooded? It's rare to have a flood at this time of year. Perhaps that's why the young master hasn't rested."

Hearing Xiao Tao say this, Emperor Jing was a little surprised. During the day, Fang Zheng had acted as if he didn't care at all, but he didn't expect him to behave like this in private.

Perhaps this maidservant was mistaken.

So he continued to ask, "The Jian River flood has already affected tens of thousands of people. I once heard Magistrate Fang mention that the flood could be resolved by using heavenly lightning to split the mountain and block the river channel."

"Could it be that Magistrate Fang can really summon heavenly lightning?"

"Heavenly lightning?"

Xiao Tao suddenly stopped, and the scene of Fang Zheng taking her to visit the asphalt mine developed with gunpowder a few years ago floated into her mind.

At that time, she was so frightened that she trembled, and Fang Zheng had to hold her to calm her down.

Recalling this memory, a smile appeared on the corner of Xiao Tao's mouth.

"How could our young master know how to summon heavenly lightning! Those are all lies to deceive children. But if the young master really said that! Then the flood will definitely be resolved!"

"Oh? Why?" Emperor Jing was overjoyed.

"There shouldn't be anything in this world that the young master can't do."

Emperor Jing's heart sank again. This statement was just like the flattering words that his ministers said to him in the court.

Worthless!

"However... I think the young master probably knew that Mr. Li would come tonight."

"Oh?"

"Before you came, I saw the young master preparing two cups of wine on the table. I think one of them should be for you, sir."

Emperor Jing's spirits lifted! That meant there was room for discussion! If there was room for discussion, there was hope!

He hadn't realized that Fang Zheng, at such a young age, actually had the ability to predict things like a god!

While talking, the two had already arrived at the back courtyard.

Xiao Tao took a step ahead into the courtyard and then notified Emperor Jing to enter.

Emperor Jing walked into the courtyard and immediately saw Fang Zheng sitting in front of a stone table, raising a wine glass to the moon, his posture particularly pretentious.

Fang Zheng glanced sideways, and when he saw Emperor Jing coming in, he said loudly, "Old Li, what brings you to see this official so late?"

"Come, come, come, sit down first."

Emperor Jing walked straight over and sat down, "Alright! Then I'll get straight to the point! I wonder if Magistrate Fang can really solve the Jian River flood?"

"If this matter can be successfully resolved, that would be a great contribution to the court! At that time, not to mention silver, even being granted a title might be possible!"

Fang Zheng smiled and said, "Old Li, I didn't realize you were such an official fanatic. What's so good about being an official? This official has to manage so many people every day, it's a headache. Wouldn't it be better to be a wealthy man?"

Hearing his lazy words, Emperor Jing couldn't help but want to give him two punches. This good-for-nothing!

Suppressing his anger, he said, "I am also a subject of Great Jing, and it is my duty to share the worries of the monarch. Doesn't Magistrate Fang think so?"

"Good! Well said!" Fang Zheng slammed the table.

He said loudly: "What this official thinks about day and night is sharing the worries of the monarch!"

"Old Li, you and I can be considered kindred spirits! Since that's the case, this official will give you a fortune!"

"This county has something called 'Boundless Merit'! This thing may be able to solve the flood, but I can't completely guarantee it!"

Sure enough! He really had the ability! 'Boundless Merit' already sounded very magical.

Emperor Jing was overjoyed: "I wonder what this 'Boundless Merit' is?"

Fang Zheng waved his hand: "You don't need to worry about that! My Taoyuan County can send twenty people, carrying 'Boundless Merit', to Jian River for disaster relief. As for whether it succeeds or not, it's up to fate!"

"Carriages and horses are too slow, and 'Boundless Merit' is particularly bulky. It needs to be transferred to Jiangling Port near the capital to take a boat south, and then transported to Jian River by carriage. You should arrange for the personnel to escort it."

"In this way, it can be reached within seven days, but... these righteous people in my Taoyuan County are risking their lives to help you with disaster relief..."

As he said this, Fang Zheng rubbed his fingers.

Emperor Jing understood and said domineeringly: "Twenty thousand taels!"

Tsk tsk, you want to buy explosives with that little money!?

"Fifty thousand!"

"Uh... I don't have that much silver..." Emperor Jing was embarrassed on the spot, not expecting Fang Zheng to demand so much money.

"It doesn't matter! My Taoyuan County can provide loans, with an interest of five hundred!"

"However... you should think carefully. This is a big gamble. If it doesn't succeed, then you'll be ruined."

Emperor Jing agreed readily without hesitation.

If the imperial court directly allocated two hundred thousand taels, the money would basically be used for the aftermath, and not a single penny would be left. Moreover, Jian River Prefecture would definitely need more money in the future.

Now, fifty thousand taels of silver could solve the problem of two hundred thousand taels, which was simply what he wanted.

What's more, after Fang Zheng enters the court in the future, would he dare to ask me for money!?

Fang Zheng smiled: "I can tell at a glance that you are a person who does great things. It is an honor for this official to be able to contribute."

Then his expression changed and he said seriously: "You must think that this official is taking advantage of you, but to be honest, the value of this 'Boundless Merit' is immeasurable. Fifty thousand taels of silver is already very cheap."

"If the flood is fortunately resolved, you must pay attention to epidemic prevention. There will definitely be a major epidemic after the flood!"

"All corpses should be burned on the spot, and the people should be moved to a dry and ventilated place."

"For stagnant water and low-lying areas, remember to cover them with quicklime, and isolate those infected with wind-cold in time."

"If an epidemic occurs, the patients should also be isolated, and others should cover their mouths and noses with fine cloth to prevent the spread of the epidemic."

"You may still have questions in your mind about what I'm saying, but these are all the experiences that my Taoyuan County has accumulated over the years, just do it!"

"Oh, and there's more........."

Looking at Fang Zheng's eloquent appearance, Emperor Jing's expression gradually softened.

Obviously, Fang Zheng had already taken this matter to heart and made detailed plans. Such meticulous arrangements could not have been thought of on the spur of the moment.

Perhaps even if he hadn't come, he would have tried to find a way to provide disaster relief!

This son really has a heart for the country and the people. It seems that I had a deep misunderstanding of him before.

Looking at Fang Zheng again, his eyes were full of admiration.

"In short, that's all, have you remembered it all?"

"I have remembered it. Li Long thanks Magistrate Fang for the people of Jian River!"

Emperor Jing was in a great mood at the moment, he directly took Fang Zheng's unused wine glass and said heroically: "It seems that Magistrate Fang knew that I would come today, I will toast Magistrate Fang with this cup!"

After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp!

Huh? This taste?

Emperor Jing smacked his lips, there was no taste at all, it seemed to be water.

"Old Li, why are you drinking my mouthwash?"

"......"