Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

With Zhang Dongxiang speaking, everyone naturally relaxed.

The triennial provincial examination, although the examination hall was in the capital, the examiners were not all officials from the capital; a considerable proportion were local officials dispatched from elsewhere.

These measures were naturally to avoid cheating as much as possible, and the local officials' trip to the capital was also a good opportunity to build relationships with other officials.

However, living in the provinces for a long time, although many officials could be considered conscientious, they rarely suffered hardships in their lives, especially physical labor.

The heavy responsibility of being an examiner in the examination hall made everyone feel particularly tired.

So, being able to have a good meal still made them feel quite happy.

Everyone took their seats, and after Zhang Dongxiang started eating, they no longer felt restrained, chatting and feasting.

The content of their conversations mainly revolved around the performance of the candidates in the examination hall that day.

They also took the opportunity to reminisce about their own glorious years.

Regardless of their official rank, reminiscing about the past and boasting was always an essential activity for older men throughout the universe.

Although Fang Zheng was hungry, he was not in a hurry to eat. With a faint smile on his face, he wandered back and forth between the tables, carrying a wine pot and pouring wine for people.

Although the atmosphere was good, the examiners still politely declined.

Eating vegetables was fine, but drinking alcohol was absolutely not allowed!

Fang Zheng didn't care, he replaced the wine pot with chopsticks and kept picking vegetables for people.

If he saw someone eating slowly, he would quickly put a chopstick of vegetables in their bowl!

The examiners developed a lot of goodwill towards Fang Zheng, especially the local officials whose ranks were lower than his, who felt flattered.

Everyone knew that Lord Fang was a capable minister, but some also said that this person was arrogant and domineering in the court.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince deeply trusted him, Eunuch Guo addressed him as a brother, and there was also his uncle... He was so young, it was normal for him to be arrogant and domineering! It would be abnormal if he wasn't!

Huh? But seeing him today... he's different!

However, Zhang Dongxiang at the dinner table didn't see it that way, and had been scrutinizing him with suspicious eyes.

This kid is so attentive, there must be something wrong!

But what could be the problem... couldn't figure it out, couldn't figure it out!

After picking vegetables for several rounds, Fang Zheng became annoyed, sat back down next to Zhang Dongxiang, and began to eat heartily, occasionally pouring himself two small cups of wine, sipping them loudly, as if afraid others wouldn't hear him!

Zhang Dongxiang advised, "Lord Fang, have a couple of cups, don't let it affect serious matters!"

"It doesn't matter, thank you, Lord Zhang, I have a high alcohol tolerance, I can't get drunk even after a thousand cups! Nothing will affect me!" Saying that, Fang Zheng poured himself another cup and sipped it with a 'zi zi zi' sound.

Seeing that he didn't take his duties as an examiner seriously at all, Zhang Dongxiang snorted coldly and said in a low voice, "Although I don't know what you're planning in your heart, offering courtesy for no reason is either a trick or theft!"

"I warn you... the imperial examination is not child's play! If something goes wrong, don't blame me for being merciless!"

Oh? You're getting worked up!

Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow and said with a low laugh, "Third Uncle, you've misunderstood!"

"We're all honest people, how could we mess around with the imperial examination? I heard people outside say that you usually like to eat good food, and you feel uncomfortable if you don't have it for a meal! That's why I specially prepared it!"

When did I say I wanted to eat good food? Someone actually dares to gossip behind my back!

Have I offended anyone recently?

Zhang Dongxiang's expression was strange, and he frowned, saying, "Who said that! I'm going to find him!"

"That's right, who said that? I heard it!" Fang Zheng quickly advised, "Oh, come on, Third Uncle, look, you've already eaten the dishes, haven't you? Only petty people report secrets, what do you want me to say?"

"Don't try to get familiar with me, who's your Third Uncle!"

Zhang Dongxiang angrily put down his chopsticks. He had no appetite for the meal and was only thinking about which bastard was slandering him behind his back.

The examiner next to Fang Zheng couldn't help but pick up his teacup and speak to him after he finished talking to Zhang Dongxiang, "Lord Fang, I am Cen Wense!"

Cen Wense? Never heard of this person!

Fang Zheng curiously glanced at him, and Cen Wense explained, "I am not from the capital, but a prefectural judge from the provinces!"

"Oh, oh, oh, I've heard of you for a long time!!" Fang Zheng raised his wine cup to signal to him and then drank it in one gulp.

Seeing that he was giving him so much face, Cen Wense immediately felt honored, and his voice couldn't help but become a little louder.

"I heard that Lord Fang is known as the 'Master of Broken Lyrics' in the capital. Seeing you today, it's indeed a well-deserved reputation!"

"To be honest, Lord Fang, I have always been fascinated by poetry. The five-character poem that Lord Fang made just now is truly sincere and touching, admirable!"

As he spoke, Cen Wense stood up and recited loudly, "Hoeing millet under the midday sun, sweat drips..."

Fang Zheng looked at Cen Wense with a face full of horror.

Are you crazy!

Damn it! The thing he was worried about really came, he shouldn't have been so cheap-mouthed and recited any poems! In a while, this kid will inevitably ask him for advice, how is he going to handle this?

The side effects of copying poems are too damn big!

After reciting "Ode to the Farmer", this time without Fang Zheng's guidance, the examiners naturally burst into applause again.

Cen Wense raised his teacup and said loudly, "Although there is no wine tonight, there must be poetry! Lord Fang is indeed worthy of being called a master! Although this poem was spoken off the cuff, it is simple and natural, sincere and touching, and shows a sincere heart for the people, worthy of being called a top-grade poem!"

"I am deeply impressed! I wonder if I can ask Lord Fang to explain it and give me some guidance on the way of poetry, wouldn't it be wonderful to replace wine with poetry?!"

As soon as Cen Wense's voice fell, everyone immediately started to clamor.

Everyone knows the 'Master of Broken Lyrics'! You've already shown your hand today, you should show another one while everyone is happy!

Everyone sitting here is a high-level scholar, and it can be said that no one is not interested in poetry.

Fang Zheng's title of 'Master' naturally made everyone look forward to it, and even Zhang Dongxiang began to take it seriously.

Cen Wense was still standing with his cup raised, smiling and waiting for Fang Zheng's response. He was also quite proud in his heart, Lord Fang is giving me face, I naturally have to give him enough face!

If I do a good job as a supporting actor today, wouldn't it be a great opportunity for him to make another good poem later?

After building this relationship, it will also be convenient to discuss poetry with him more often!

"Ah... uh... um..."

"Ugh..." Fang Zheng hummed, his head swelling!

Damn! What to do? What to do? Should I copy another poem? No! Wouldn't that be endless?

And guide you on the way of poetry? The dogs in the examination hall are better than me...

This bastard is called Cen Wense, right! I've remembered you, you wait for me!

"Lord Fang?" Cen Wense saw that he didn't respond and asked with concern again.

Under the baptism of everyone's eyes, Fang Zheng felt extremely embarrassed.

His brain was running fast, and his toes were also frantically busy.

He now only felt like he was standing naked on the street wearing only a pair of socks, being watched by people!

However, the more this is the case, the more he can't be timid! Otherwise, if he can't hold the scene later, things will be messed up!

After calming his mind, Fang Zheng calmly and calmly put the wine glass gently on the table.

Then he got up and put one hand on Cen Wense's shoulder.

"Ase, please sit down."