Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Inside the Imperial Court.

The ministers reported on state affairs one by one as usual.

Li Yuanzhao was still kneeling and sitting to the side, but at this moment, he seemed a little restless, fidgeting from left to right.

The reason was none other than that a courtier had once again mentioned Fang Zheng Yi.

The imperial decree had already been issued for two days, and the little eunuch who went to deliver it actually returned the same day, reporting back to the palace. Why was there no movement from Fang Zheng Yi?

Looking at the group of old faces below the platform, Li Yuanzhao felt extremely bored.

Guo Tianyang, as an example, was beside him. Seeing the太子's unruly behavior, he quickly nudged him.

Emperor Jing obviously noticed it too, and glanced at him lightly.

“Aren't you all curious about what kind of person that Fang Zheng Yi is? I think you will know when you see him tomorrow.”

Li Yuanzhao straightened his back and nodded vigorously.

Come quickly! This prince's Tiger and Leopard Garden is waiting to be rebuilt!

Li Yansong smiled slightly and said, “I also couldn't help but look forward to it after hearing Your Majesty talk about Fang Zheng Yi earlier.”

“This person is young, but he has been diligent and conscientious for several years in a remote and inconspicuous county, which shows his good character and hard work.”

“In addition, the太子 also likes this person. It couldn't be better to have a good teacher and helpful friend by his side. This old minister congratulates Your Majesty on finding a talented person!”

Zheng Qiao couldn't help but nod.

Civil servants! Everyone likes this kind of down-to-earth and hardworking young people. Doing more and saying less is the right way!

Able to endure loneliness! Efficient in handling affairs!

This person is young but acts steadily, and he is favored by His Majesty. Perhaps he will have the opportunity to join the cabinet in the future.

So he also said: “That's right, according to this, this person has the style of an ancient minister! Moreover, it is rare to be so young!”

Shi Kangping, the vice minister of the Ministry of Rites, stroked his beard and echoed: “Yes, and Fang Zheng Yi is only in his early twenties, which means that this person was only ten years old when he passed the imperial examination!”

“It's a pity, such a talent should have entered the Hanlin Academy. But it's not too late now. A good talent has been tempered. Such a talent is really rare!”

The sound of rainbow farts rose in the court.

All the ministers began to look forward to this newcomer who was about to enter the court, as if a moral gentleman who was about to rise and a capable minister of governance were about to be born!

Emperor Jing looked at the ministers' flattery with a smile, while Li Yuanzhao's face was flushed, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

Only Guo Tianyang pulled a long face, slandering endlessly in his heart.

To hell with the style of an ancient minister! If he is a gentleman, then this old man is a great man!

I never expected that His Majesty would favor such a person!

When that Fang Zheng Yi takes off his official robe, he looks like a bum to me!

Li Yansong then said: “I wonder what Your Majesty's impression of this person is?”

Emperor Jing thought for a while and said hesitantly: “This person is quite... original.”

You have all said the good things, and I have nothing to say.

Fang Zheng Yi does have the ability, but he really has nothing to do with the word gentleman....

Not to mention anything else, have you ever seen a gentleman pour manure into someone else's house?

Li Yansong was stunned and said, “Uh... Your Majesty, what does original mean?”

Emperor Jing smiled and said, “This person has some quick wit. The method to solve the flood was his idea.”

Li Yuanzhao looked unhappy. What do you mean it was his idea! This prince thought of it first!

When this prince proposes a plan, he gets beaten, but when others propose a plan, Father says it's good?

You're biased!

Li Yansong smiled: “It's a good thing for young people to have quick wit. It shows that they are calm in times of crisis and can take on important tasks! Really good!”

Emperor Jing also nodded with a smile, and then said: “Let's stop here today. If there is nothing else, retreat from the court!”

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

After the court session, Emperor Jing went straight back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Looking at the memorials on the table, he took out the intelligence written by the fourth-class people and read it carefully.

It was full of mysterious words, such as earth-shattering... earth-shattering... a sudden flash of fire.

Then he seemed to suddenly remember something, turned his head and said to Guo Tianyang: “Guo Banban, why haven't I received a reply from the spies I sent to Taoyuan County?”

Guo Tianyang said awkwardly: “Your Majesty, this old servant arranged it long ago... but there is still no news today.”

“Perhaps... perhaps there are great gains! So the return is a little late.”

Emperor Jing snorted coldly: “Then I might as well ask Fang Zheng Yi directly! What's the use of you!”

“This servant deserves to die!” Guo Tianyang knelt down skillfully.

Emperor Jing looked at the memorial in his hand and said: “I am the Emperor, and I thought I had seen everything in the world, but I didn't expect that Taoyuan County would produce something like this, and it is immeasurable merit!”

“If this thing is made by craftsmen... wouldn't it be invincible on the battlefield!”

“Forget it... I'd better just ask Fang Zheng Yi!”

“Where is Fang Zheng Yi now?”

As soon as he heard this question, Guo Tianyang perked up: “Your Majesty! Fang Zheng Yi brought three people with him this time, two maids and that Zhang Biao.”

“Now they should probably be settling in their residence... but that girl named Xiaotao has been sent out by him.”

“Oh? What was she sent out to do?” Emperor Jing was a little curious.

“She is searching for someone named Li Long all over the capital, probably thinking about revenge....”

“Hahahahahahaha!!” Emperor Jing burst into laughter. “Sure enough, he is a vengeful character. I am curious to see what his performance will be when he sees me tomorrow!”

......

Inner city, north of the city.

As soon as Fang Zheng Yi and his party entered the city, they found a house for sale through a brokerage firm. They had inquired about it in detail before coming.

Now Fang Zheng Yi was lying on the master's chair, with Bai Yi serving him, occasionally handing him a candied fruit to chew on.

In front of him was the owner of the house, named Jia Liang, standing in front of him, trembling. Beside him was Zhang Biao, showing off his muscles in the cold weather.

Fang Zheng Yi chewed on the candied fruit and muttered: “How is it, Old Jia? Your house is so small, two thousand taels is too much. One thousand taels is the most! Consider it?”

Jia Liang glanced at Zhang Biao next to him, his blood vessels bulging all over his body, his muscles bulging, and his body shining with oil. He was constantly thinking in his heart.

These people are not ordinary! The leader is dressed luxuriously, like a noble young master. The maid beside him is extremely beautiful, and it is obvious that they are not ordinary people. As soon as they entered the house, they occupied his chair and started to bargain fiercely.

After chatting for a few words, the bargaining failed, and the guy next to him started to take off his clothes, apply oil, and pose. He seemed to have some problems with his brain...

However, Jia Liang didn't dare to say anything else because he couldn't figure out the other party's details and was threatened by force.

He could only beg for mercy: “Young Master Fang, my house is worth at least one thousand eight hundred taels even if it's cheaper! I really can't sell it at this price. Please find someone else!”

“Hmm!? Hey!” While speaking, Zhang Biao's pose changed from War Stomp to Demon Horn.

Jia Liang trembled in his heart, but still looked firmly at Fang Zheng Yi... and the maid next to him.

Fang Zheng Yi said lazily: “Nine hundred taels, Xiaobai, take out the thing and hold it up!”

Bai Yi pulled a long face, unfolded the imperial decree and held it high above her head, her heart full of regret. Who are you calling Xiaobai! Why should I cooperate with these two lunatics...

Fang Zheng Yi said lazily: “Look! Old Jia, this official heard that you forcibly took a concubine, forcing her to commit suicide by jumping into a well. Is there such a thing?”

“This official is going to enter the palace to meet the Emperor tomorrow, and I'm worried that I have nothing to talk about with His Majesty. Look, now there is something to talk about, right? You run a restaurant business, right? Called... Fulai Restaurant? If this official says a few good words for you in front of the Emperor, I think your business will flourish! Nine hundred taels is not too much!”

When Jia Liang saw the imperial decree, he first carefully looked at it, and when he saw the seal, he immediately broke into a cold sweat and knelt down.

Then he heard Fang Zheng Yi's threat, and he panicked: “Young Master Fang... no, Lord Fang, if the deal doesn't work out, we can still be friends! That concubine was originally my debtor who gave her to me! Who knew that the bitch would not obey and jumped into the well herself! It has nothing to do with me! Please don't listen to the rumors outside!”

Fang Zheng Yi said: “You are over fifty years old, right? Do you still have this kind of energy? How old is that woman?”

Jia Liang lowered his head and said: “Probably fourteen or fifteen, still young....”

Damn it, what a beast! I heard from the brokerage firm when I came that this grandson had a bad record, so I deliberately chose this family to bargain with, but I didn't expect him to be worse than a pig or a dog!

Fang Zheng Yi suddenly stood up and said coldly: “Damn! Then this official is not wronging you. Seven hundred taels! Are you selling or not?”

Jia Liang gritted his teeth and said: “Lord Fang, are you standing up for that bitch? She is just an ordinary lowly woman!”

“Standing up for your mother! I'm talking business with you!”

At this moment, Jia Liang actually stood up and said loudly: “Lord Fang! Although Fulai Restaurant is run by this humble man, it is fundamentally the property of Zhang Chang, the son of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. It doesn't matter whether I sell this house or not, but if this matter affects the restaurant business, then this humble man is really not worth it for you.”

Jia Liang is a businessman and didn't want to make things too stiff, but the other party actually threatened him with an imperial decree, so he had to bring out his backstage. Although Fulai Restaurant can't even catch Zhang Chang's eye....

No matter how arrogant this bastard is, he is just a fourth-rank official, plus a low-ranking baron. Could it be that a second-rank official can't suppress him?

Hearing this, Fang Zheng Yi seemed to suddenly calm down, smiled and walked to Jia Liang's side, patted him on the shoulder and said: “Old Jia, it would be more cost-effective to sell it for one thousand taels, why did it come to this?”

Jia Liang was overjoyed. It seemed that he was afraid, so he quickly climbed up the pole: “Okay! Since Lord Fang likes it, then one thousand taels!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Fang Zheng Yi say in his ear in a sinister tone: “But... this official is a scumbag, and I will never allow anyone to be more scummy than me in front of me... Do you think the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue will offend this official because of a dog? Seven hundred taels!”

Fang Zheng, after transmigrating, nominally held the position of county magistrate, but he also moonlighted as a bandit for two years, robbing quite a few merchants. After all, in a chaotic world, you can't stand firm without being ruthless!

What Minister of Revenue? Offending him is just that, now that I've entered the court. With the existing technologies of Taoyuan County, I'm full of confidence. A mere Minister of Revenue can't kill me!

Jia Liang was completely panicked. This was a madman who feared nothing! How could he even talk? It was obvious he was here to fleece him!

"Fine! Seven hundred taels it is!" Jia Liang hardened his heart. He'd sell it, then go back and complain to the young master!

Fang Zheng looked at the well in the courtyard and sighed, "I'm upset, and it's hurt my health. Plus, someone died in this yard, it's too unlucky... Let's make it six hundred taels."

"Okay..." Jia Liang lowered his head, gritting his teeth.

Fang Zheng smiled broadly, "Good! Brother Jia is truly straightforward! Zhang Biao, bring out the silver and give him a job!"

Zhang Biao happily brought out a package of silver worth five hundred taels, taking out a one-tael ingot from it.

In front of Jia Liang, he put his palms together and pressed down hard! The silver ingot instantly turned into a silver cake!

Fang Zheng picked up the silver cake and said with a smile, "Look, you've probably never seen silver like this on the market, right? It even has such delicate palm prints, so it has artistic value! Plus, it's not cheap to have my bodyguard perform once. I'll give you this silver, counting the rest in the package, a total of five hundred taels, how about it?"

A trace of blood gradually crept into Jia Liang's eyes, and his hands trembled as he took the silver cake Fang Zheng handed him.

He said, word by word, "Five hundred it is, Lord Fang, as you wish!"

"Hahaha! Good! Delightful! Go get the land deed!" After speaking, Fang Zheng turned around and sat back in his chair.

Bai Yi looked at the absurd scene before her in astonishment, her heart in a mess.

Jia Liang was relieved as if granted amnesty, quickly fetched the land deed, completed the handover, and ran out of the house gate with the silver, without even packing.

Fang Zheng looked at his fleeing figure and sighed, "As expected, old age is strong, carrying five hundred taels and still running so fast..."

Then he said, "Alright! From now on, this is our new home. I'll go take a look around first. You guys also go look in the rooms to see if there's any valuable junk, take it out and exchange it for money."

After speaking, he walked away with his hands behind his back, swaying leisurely.

Bai Yi swallowed hard and whispered to Zhang Biao, "Is the young master that short of money?"

Zhang Biao smiled foolishly and scratched his head, "Not short, but if there's no money, people will starve to death. The young master is afraid of being poor, hehe."

Bai Yi seemed thoughtful, then whispered again, "Was he always like this before?"

After speaking, she made a hand gesture of a knife across her neck a few times.

Zhang Biao smacked his lips, stroked his chin, and recalled, "No, he wasn't like this before. The young master's temper has been much better in the last few years!"

"Yeah! If this were a few years ago, that little old man's head would have been fed to the dogs in Taoyuan County!"

"....."