Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Emperor Jing pondered for a moment, dismissed the attendants, and sighed softly: "Since it's just you and me here, sovereign and subject, I'll be frank."

"I've heard there are many rumors about the Crown Prince in Banshan Ward."

"Some say the Crown Prince is interfering in the lives of the common people, causing much dissatisfaction. Are you aware of this?"

Fang Zheng Yi honestly replied: "I am aware, but only to a certain extent. I generally prefer not to interfere too much in what His Highness does."

"Whether right or wrong, His Highness needs to experience things himself to gain understanding."

"If he simply stays by my side, listening to me lecture him, it would be meaningless."

"As the saying goes, 'example is better than precept.' Your Majesty must have seen my strong practical skills, which is why you chose me to guide the Crown Prince."

"Otherwise, in the court, there are many people smarter and more strategic than me. Why would it be my turn to teach the Crown Prince?"

Emperor Jing glanced at Fang Zheng Yi in surprise.

I didn't expect this fellow to be so self-aware!

"Indeed, you speak well. That's what I thought too. The Crown Prince lacks experience, and studying isn't his forte."

"So, I resorted to this inferior option and could only choose you."

"........"

Silence fell within the Imperial Study.

Fang Zheng Yi's face stretched into a donkey's face.

What do you mean by 'inferior option'? Am I that bad?

Emperor Jing was also extremely embarrassed. Realizing he had misspoke, he covered it up by drinking tea before saying: "I actually admire you very much!"

"Ah."

"......"

"Don't be sarcastic in front of me!" Emperor Jing slammed the table, and Fang Zheng Yi perked up.

Then, Emperor Jing picked up a memorial from the table and threw it towards Fang Zheng Yi.

"Take a look! See what good deeds the Crown Prince has done in Banshan Ward!"

Fang Zheng Yi unfolded the memorial and carefully scanned it twice.

It was not much different from the information he had received from Zhang Laoliu.

However, in terms of severity, it seemed to be escalating.

Closing the memorial, Fang Zheng Yi calmly said: "I have finished reading it."

Emperor Jing frowned slightly: "Banshan Ward is nominally under the Crown Prince's management, but I know you are the true mastermind behind it."

"Now that you've let go and handed it over to him alone, he's gotten into such a big mess as soon as he took over. How will it end in the future?"

"The things recorded here, one by one, are simply absurd!"

"What's this about dividing one kitchen into three, each with a different purpose, and using different cutting boards for different vegetables... Utterly ridiculous!"

"Even the Imperial Kitchen in the palace isn't that troublesome! Can using one cutting board really kill someone!?"

"What exactly does he want to do? End this quickly before it blows up. If people find out, I fear the imperial family will lose all face!"

To produce such an unlucky thing.

Messing around in the capital, doing some bizarre things.

Emperor Jing was already extremely headache about this. Fortunately, the time was still short, and there was still a chance to stop it in time.

Although Emperor Jing completely disagreed with Li Yuanzhao's methods, he still had high hopes for Fang Zheng Yi.

As far as he knew, the messy practices in Banshan Ward were not entirely Li Yuanzhao's idea.

It was more that the people below were doing things according to Li Yuanzhao's wishes, so no one questioned them.

Fang Zheng Yi found these practices quite surprising, with some resemblance to modern management.

However, it was obviously out of place in this era.

The people were too fragile... and unprepared, unable to withstand such turmoil.

It was understandable that there were complaints.

But Fang Zheng Yi had no intention of interfering. Firstly, he didn't want to discourage his enthusiasm, and secondly, he wanted him to learn a lesson.

After pondering for a moment, he said: "Your Majesty, I believe that His Highness's actions still have many merits. It's not appropriate to interfere. It's better to try letting him continue."

"His Highness is young and vigorous. I fear he won't be convinced by mere verbal education. He won't learn a lesson without hitting a wall."

Emperor Jing frowned into a knot: "According to you, should I just let him do as he pleases and cause chaos among the people?!"

"Your Majesty is too serious! If I may be so bold, His Highness is the heir apparent. It's better to make mistakes now than to make mistakes in the future."

"If I have to step in and stop him every time he makes a mistake, I fear the problems in the future will be even bigger!"

Hearing this, Emperor Jing slumped back: "What you said is also right....."

"I'm just worried that Yuanzhao's performance is sometimes good and sometimes bad... I only have this one son, and Great Jing only has this one Crown Prince."

"If I had other princes, this rebellious son wouldn't be so rebellious!"

Fang Zheng Yi licked his lips.

Good heavens! Does Your Majesty want to create another account?

He had a large number of daughters, but only one son. The probability is also.....

Emperor Jing leaned back in his chair, a look of reminiscence appearing on his face, then suddenly smiled wryly: "Forget it, what am I saying this to you for."

"You have your methods. No matter what, you must keep a close eye on him!"

"Let him be a good emperor, and I can rest easy."

Fang Zheng Yi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is still young! The Crown Prince is so outstanding because of Your Majesty's teaching by example! I've only done a little bit of work!"

That rebellious son doesn't resemble me at all!

Emperor Jing glared: "Stop flattering me! Just teach him well if I tell you to."

"Do you know how many officials in the court were teaching the Crown Prince before!? Do you know how much pressure I'm under to let you teach the Crown Prince alone!?"

"Look! Those are all memorials impeaching you!"

Emperor Jing pointed to the corner of the wall after speaking.

Fang Zheng Yi quickly looked over and saw a small stack of memorials piled on the ground.

Seeing this, he couldn't help but gasp.

I didn't expect it! Everyone usually looks so dignified, but behind their backs, so many people are slandering me!

But why did Your Majesty put this pile in the Imperial Study? Isn't it in the way?

While thinking, he saw another pile at the other end and pointed to the memorials, curiously asking: "Your Majesty! There's another pile over there, is it also...?"

Emperor Jing's old face turned red: "Don't worry about that one, it has nothing to do with you!"

"Oh."

Emperor Jing didn't speak, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

The reason why he left the memorials impeaching Fang Zheng Yi in the corner was because they contained a lot of information about Li Yuanzhao's movements.

There were also various analyses and criticisms. He would often take them out for comparison and reference.

The other pile was naturally Fang Zheng Yi's flattery memorials... Although there were new ones every day, he liked to flip through them when he was tired, and it had become a habit... It was rare to see someone who could flatter like him.

Emperor Jing often thought that if that rebellious son had two parts of Fang Zheng Yi's speaking ability, he would die content!

The two were silent for a while, and Emperor Jing continued: "At my age, I have no regrets."

"My only concern is the Crown Prince."

"How many things have happened in this short year? The Jianjiang flood, the Water God Sect rebellion, the grain disaster, the Northern Rong...."

"If his temperament continues to be so erratic, how can I confidently hand over the country to him?"

"Fang Qing, tell me the truth, and I will not blame you."

"What do you think of Yuanzhao? Will he..... be a good emperor?"

Water God Sect? Fang Zheng Yi couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart upon hearing this!

Does this cult have such a big influence? There must be a few cultists in my county, right?

No, I have to ask Guo Tianyang later, lest I don't even know if there's a bomb buried next to me!

After thinking for a while, he leisurely said: "The Crown Prince is naturally excellent in my eyes."

"It's just that he's been in the palace for too long, and Your Majesty has kept too good of a watch over him. Although the Crown Prince has a heart of benevolence, this so-called kindness is worthless in my eyes at this time!"

Emperor Jing gave him a strange look.

You don't have to be so honest.....

"His Highness is like a greenhouse... a potted plant in the Imperial Study, untested by the wind and rain. Although he has good intentions, he can't do good deeds! To put it bluntly, he's just talking without doing!"