Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

As soon as Fang Zheng Yi agreed, Paba's lips curved into a smile, but the situation changed in an instant.

"Master Fang, after thinking about it, I think I should pass!"

"To be honest, I'm just a poor official and have never handled so much silver... I'm afraid I can't bear the responsibility if something goes wrong!" Fang Zheng Yi said with a worried look.

"Moreover, handing over fifty or sixty thousand taels to me so easily makes me feel like a con man."

"Impossible! Even if Brother Fang is deceiving me, I would gladly accept it!" Paba quickly persuaded, "Brother Fang! Since this money is to be given to you, it means I trust your ability, and you have already agreed, so you can't go back on your word!"

"Everyone has a first time, don't be afraid!"

Fang Zheng Yi looked conflicted and sighed repeatedly.

Seeing this, Paba felt anxious again, fearing that things wouldn't work out, and continued to persuade him earnestly.

"In that case... then I will reluctantly agree! When will the money be delivered to my residence?"

"Tomorrow! It will be delivered tomorrow!"

"Okay, be discreet, don't let people find out."

Paba added, "Brother Fang, rest assured! Such a small matter won't go wrong."

Fang Zheng Yi couldn't help but shake his head with a smile, a smile tinged with bitterness.

This expression made Paba even happier, showing that Fang Zheng Yi was a meticulous, steady, and responsible person.

Little did he know that Fang Zheng Yi was already overjoyed in his heart.

Someone was actually rushing to send him silver; he hadn't expected that.

In order to increase the income of the people, Banshan Workshop had launched a large number of projects.

The textile factory and the football field alone had cost an unknown amount of silver.

The welfare and expenses of the sanitation team were also not small, and with the various tax reduction policies in the workshop, life had been tight.

Of course, Fang Zheng Yi was not short of money, but there was no reason to use the money from Taoyuan County to subsidize Banshan Workshop.

After all, Taoyuan County was his foundation!

Fortunately, now a foreign friend had stepped forward and proactively promised to add another ten thousand taels; the Beirong people were generous!

The extra ten thousand taels would be considered his labor fee!

After all, His Majesty would really need him to mediate.

If trade between the two countries could be facilitated, it would be a great thing for Dajing!

"Okay, leave this matter to me; I'll help you solve it!"

Paba breathed a sigh of relief and completely relaxed.

Afterward, the two began to chat casually, mostly about lighthearted topics such as customs from all over the world.

After soaking for an unknown amount of time, Chi Lie, who was beside them, already felt a little stuffy.

He got up and left muttering to himself.

Li Yuanzhao and the others stared at his back and began to point and talk again.

Fang Zheng Yi was speechless; the Crown Prince had completely unleashed his nature.

He had no sense of propriety!

He kept staring at people and discussing them!

Seeing Chi Lie leave, the others also felt it was inappropriate to continue soaking and got up one after another.

Fang Zheng Yi said, "Master, there are more exciting programs later! Today, I'll take advantage of your presence to take a look."

"What programs?"

Fang Zheng Yi shrugged. He hadn't seen them either and didn't know what new tricks these merchants could come up with in private.

The group got up and left the bath, following the waiter's instructions to put on their clothes and change to another room.

As soon as he entered, Fang Zheng Yi was immediately disappointed.

The 'exciting programs' were really just programs; he thought there would be some fancy services.

The large room in front of them had a dozen chairs, accompanied by small tables with snacks such as melon seeds and pastries.

The most striking thing was a stage in front.

The so-called 'exciting program' was actually just watching a play.

He didn't expect to be fooled by the waiter!

However, since they were already here, they might as well settle down. The group sat down, and after the room gradually filled up, the actors came on stage!

As the drums sounded, several familiar figures suddenly appeared before Fang Zheng Yi's eyes.

The plot on the stage also began to unfold without any rhyme or reason.

The familiar mad monk... the familiar snake spirit, with the background changed from a temple to the sea.

As the plot progressed...

Fang Zheng Yi's slightly smiling expression froze on his face.

......

These terrible plays had already been explicitly banned! They had actually moved underground!

They were still performing them, and they were getting more and more outrageous!

After an unknown amount of time, he finally finished watching the play while enduring the nausea.

During this time, Paba looked at Fang Zheng Yi with a strange expression, wanting to say something but stopping himself several times.

The play was so bizarre; he could understand more or less the customs of Jing, but he couldn't figure out the relationships between the characters in the play.

Why did Xu Xian draw the tendons from two snakes?

Why was Fahai suppressed in the Leifeng Pagoda?

Xu Xian's surname was Xu, so why did that Fahai Shilin call him 'Dad'... Shouldn't his dad be surnamed Fa?

........

Paba's thoughts were extremely confused!

However, seeing the Crown Prince's performance, he was actually enjoying it. Could it be that his understanding of Jing was so biased?

After the play ended, the waiter enthusiastically saw the guests out.

At the door, he instructed Fang Zheng Yi, "Gentlemen, were you satisfied with today's play?"

Fang Zheng Yi forced a smile, "Wasn't this play banned? Why is it still being performed?"

The waiter looked around and said cautiously, "Gentlemen, don't tell anyone outside, or the government will fine us."

"This play is indeed banned, but everyone likes to watch it!"

"Banshan Stage is still performing 'General Serving the Country'; who wants to watch that after seeing it for months!"

"The government is just full of idle people, even watching plays has to be controlled... It's not hurting anyone."

Fang Zheng Yi's expression became more and more unkind, "What? Is the government's word no longer effective? Aren't you afraid that someone will come to investigate?"

The waiter waved his hand indifferently, "They are investigating, but they're just turning a blind eye; who really cares."

"People are just watching a play; the sky isn't going to fall!"

Damn it! They're rebelling!

Fang Zheng Yi patted the waiter on the shoulder with a blank expression, "Well, not bad, keep up the good work!"

"Aye! Okay, gentlemen, take care!"

After the group left, Paba asked in confusion, "Brother Fang, what did the waiter mean just now?"

"Oh, that play was actually a banned opera in the workshop. I apologize for making you laugh, Master!"

"Banned? Why is it banned? Is there anything special about this play?" Paba was still full of doubts.

Fang Zheng Yi smiled slightly, "My Dajing is a land of etiquette, a land of civilization. How can we tolerate such vulgar things appearing openly in the country!"

"If we want the country to be strong, we must first toughen its body and civilize its spirit. How can the spirit be civilized by watching this kind of play?"

"Master, the people of Beirong should also be like this. They should be made to watch some positive and uplifting plays, every day, day after day!"

"Only in this way can the family and the country be united as one, and everyone work together with one heart. Do you agree?"

Paba showed a thoughtful expression upon hearing this.

Then he respectfully said, "Not bad! Brother Fang is right! I am enlightened!"

At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a little shocked.

Fang Zheng Yi could be so frank and honest, confirming that he was an honest man!

It seemed that Jing's way of educating people did have its unique features, even integrated into all aspects of life!

The Khan should also order to learn from his methods.

If this continued to develop, what would Jing look like in a hundred or two hundred years....

Thinking about it, Paba couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

Seeing that the sky was getting late, Fang Zheng Yi said to Paba, "Master, it's getting late. You should return to the guest house to rest early and prepare well, as you will be meeting with His Majesty the day after tomorrow."

"Let Lufa send you back to the guest house. I have to accompany the Crown Prince back to the palace, so I won't see you off."

Paba nodded silently.

"Brother Fang, the matter we discussed earlier..."

"Rest assured, a gentleman's word is as good as a horse. I will do my best!"

Paba was immediately relieved. This trip could be considered a great success.

Then he bowed to Li Yuanzhao and turned to leave with Chi Lie and Lufa.

Seeing the three leave, Fang Zheng Yi immediately asked Zhang Biao, "Zhang Biao, how is your injury?"

Zhang Biao looked at Chi Lie's back, a smile appearing on the corner of his mouth, "I'm not injured."

"That big guy is indeed powerful. His strength is terrifying. If I continued to compete with him, my forearm might have been broken."

"So I released my strength at the time; it was just a dislocation, nothing serious."

"Tsk, if I had known, I should have taken off my clothes and competed with him; they were cumbersome!"

After speaking, Zhang Biao stretched out his hand and shook it vigorously twice.

Li Yuanzhao was stunned, "You can do that?"

"Hehe, that's nothing. Although my strength is a little worse than his, he shouldn't be much better....."

Li Yuanzhao excitedly said, "Then why didn't you fight him and beat him down!"

Zhang Biao didn't speak and turned to look at Fang Zheng Yi.

Fang Zheng Yi asked, "Can you beat him?"

"I can beat him, but it depends on how we fight. If we arrange a fight in advance, I'll go back to the county first and find twenty archers to ambush him on his inevitable route, and then..."

"I'm talking about one-on-one!"

"That also depends on how we fight! This guy is too big, his speed must not be as fast as mine. If I use my poison needle, I guarantee he'll die within ten breaths!"

Fang Zheng Yi was a little speechless. Brother Biao's path seemed to be deviating. He only liked to play dirty tricks with his divine power. He would never appear in front if he could sneak attack from behind. Although the effect was outstanding, he had no dignity at all!

Li Yuanzhao was so happy that his mouth almost reached the back of his ears and quickly asked, "What if you don't use other means, just a head-on confrontation?"

Zhang Biao showed a pensive expression, which made Fang Zheng Yi a little nervous.

This expression was rarely seen!

When Brother Biao thought, things were sure to be big!

He closed his eyes, thinking in his mind, and then showed an embarrassed expression, "I don't know, the fight was too short, it's hard to say."

"He has long limbs, making it difficult to win against him in hand-to-hand combat! But his weakness is exposed when he takes a bath. If I had a common weapon... the chances of winning might increase a little!"

"Young master... I want to fight him, a fair and square fight!"

"No!"

Fang Zheng Yi immediately rejected the idea.

Zhang Biao was his earliest and closest bodyguard. He would never let him take risks if he wasn't confident of winning.

Swords and blades have no eyes. If something happened, he would never be able to get over it for the rest of his life.

Zhang Biao looked disappointed and retreated to the side, not saying another word.

Seeing this, Li Yuan Zhao said loudly, "Old Fang, why are you being such a coward? It's just a fight!"

"I am being a coward!"

Losing would be a huge loss, and winning would bring no benefits. Am I crazy to let Zhang Biao go up there to die?

"........"

"Forget it, let's not talk about this for now!" Li Yuan Zhao moved closer to Fang Zheng Yi and asked, "Old Fang, what are the Bei Rong people really here for this time? Is there going to be a war?"

"War? That's impossible. The Bei Rong's national strength was greatly depleted after unifying, and we've been recuperating for several years. What do they have to fight with?"

"The country has been plagued with disasters, and there haven't been any major conflicts with the Bei Rong recently. How could a war break out?"

Fang Zheng Yi glanced at Li Yuan Zhao and asked, "Why, does Your Highness like war so much?"

"Of course! Everything I've learned has no place to be used right now. A true man should live between heaven and earth, dominating the battlefield!" Li Yuan Zhao said excitedly.

Fang Zheng Yi sighed, "Okay, well said! But has Your Highness ever thought about how much a war would cost? Who would pay the price?"

"If you understand that, I'll support you with both hands. Da Jing is vast and the borders are bound to have constant friction. Are you worried about not having a war to fight?"

Li Yuan Zhao was a little disdainful. Old Fang was too cowardly to understand a man's romance. There was no point in talking to him!

Fang Zheng Yi realized he was being looked down upon and quickly changed the subject, "Your Highness, didn't Ban Shan Workshop ban the new plays? What's going on with the plays I saw today? You've been in charge of monitoring them recently!"

Li Yuan Zhao chuckled awkwardly, "Why ban them? I think they're pretty good... I just saw a new play a couple of days ago."

Fang Zheng Yi was immediately depressed.

Damn it! You're even taking the lead in breaking the rules!

If this era had cell phones, I would have blocked you all!

"Sigh, forget it, since Your Highness has already seen them. I can't control it anyway, so I might as well let it go. Let them perform however they want."

Fang Zheng Yi really felt powerless. These vulgar plays were popular, and he would inevitably have to face the censors at court.

He didn't think banning them was a good thing anyway, he just wanted to save himself some trouble. But seeing the situation, he couldn't stop it.

Having a lot of lice doesn't itch. Even the Crown Prince is taking the lead in watching them, so let it be!

Li Yuan Zhao giggled foolishly, "Old Fang, have you changed your mind? You should have let go a long time ago. It was completely unnecessary!"

"You don't know how much the common people complained. Several merchants in Ban Shan Square went out of business, and the people had no plays to watch!"

"There's been a lot of discussion about it lately! Are you not going to let the people speak?"

"As I see it, as long as they don't murder or break the law, they can do whatever they want."

You're pretty open-minded, thinking so freely!

Fang Zheng Yi asked back, "Isn't Your Highness afraid of being scolded by the court officials? And many people aren't satisfied with the new plays either!"

Li Yuan Zhao looked fearless, "It doesn't matter, I've been scolded since I was a child. I just treat it like they're farting!"

"As for those people who don't like the new plays, they just don't have to watch them! Would they only be satisfied if the people who love watching plays had nothing to watch?"

"I thought what that waiter said just now was pretty good. What if the people are discussing it? Letting the people speak won't cause the sky to fall!"

Alright! It seems that the court officials' gaslighting didn't work, and the Crown Prince's skin has become thicker.

Yan Guo An would be furious if he heard that!

However, Fang Zheng Yi felt a lot of relief, "Your Highness is wise!"

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

On the way back to the Honglu Guesthouse.

The three were silent.

Lu Fa had nothing to say, while Pa Ba was recalling the day's events, deep in thought.

This trip to Ban Shan Workshop had really opened his eyes.

He had changed his opinion of Jing Country a lot. Bei Rong should have many things to learn.

Chi Lie on the side was repeatedly gripping his left hand, as if his hand was uncomfortable.

Pa Ba looked sideways and saw it at a glance, asking in confusion, "Chi Lie, what's wrong with your hand?"

Chi Lie spread out his palm and smiled.

"That Zhang Biao... is very powerful! I didn't expect the Jing Country people to be so weak, yet someone could match me in strength."

"When he was arm-wrestling with me earlier, he was able to release his strength in time."

"His grip is amazing. Before he released his strength, my index finger was broken by his grip."