Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

After two hours of conversation, Emperor Jing's expression gradually shifted from serious to delighted.

He also showed his appreciation for Fang Zheng Yi without any pretense.

Fang Zheng Yi also felt that they had a pleasant conversation. Although life in Taoyuan County was good, there were not many people he could talk to.

As the emperor of a country, Emperor Jing understood everything with just a hint and could even infer three things from one. This also gave Fang Zheng Yi a feeling of wanting to unburden himself.

Although Emperor Jing was the one asking questions and Fang Zheng Yi was the one leading the conversation, he naturally steered the topic to issues concerning the people's livelihood.

As for Emperor Jing's curiosity about the products and technology, Fang Zheng Yi was vague and avoided them whenever possible.

The reason was simple: these things were the foundation of his existence, and it was not yet time to reveal them as he had not yet established a firm foothold.

Although Emperor Jing was curious, he was clearly more concerned about the livelihood of the people in Taoyuan County, so he did not press further.

After talking for a long time, Emperor Jing sighed: "Good... Fang Qing is a great talent! The methods of governing the people can be refined to this extent. I am deeply inspired."

Fang Zheng Yi also returned to his usual nonchalant manner, as if he were talking to Old Li, and his whole person became radiant.

"Your Majesty, in fact, these things, to put it bluntly, are all about a sense of service! When I am in office, I always think about serving the people, that's all!"

"I am not a county magistrate! I am just a servant of the people!"

"....."

As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Jing and the eunuchs in the Imperial Study looked at Fang Zheng Yi in astonishment.

A servant of the people? Then what am I!? Only you, Fang Zheng Yi, could say such shocking words, right?!

Fang Zheng Yi awkwardly touched his nose... Okay, it seems that this concept is still too early for Da Jing...

Emperor Jing twitched the corner of his mouth: "Fang Qing is really... never ceases to amaze with his words. No wonder he can write such poems...."

Fang Zheng Yi was even more embarrassed: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. This phrase 'never ceases to amaze with his words' was obtained by me from fragments of ancient books. I didn't expect Your Majesty to remember it even though I said it casually."

Emperor Jing said with a smile: "Did all the best fragments of ancient books in the world end up in your hands, Fang Zheng Yi?"

"Fang Qing's talent, I already understand it well. With such poetic talent, don't hide it from me in the future, no need to explain!"

Fang Zheng Yi: "......"

Then Emperor Jing put on a serious face and said: "Alright, let's talk about serious matters."

"I entrusted the Crown Prince to you, not to teach him the Four Books and Five Classics, the Classic of Filial Piety, and the Book of Rites."

"Yan Guoan is the current champion of the imperial examination. In terms of studying the classics, you are far inferior to him!"

"What I value is your unique thinking. The Crown Prince is lively and matches you well. You must impart everything you have to him. Do you understand?"

Fang Zheng Yi pondered for a moment and said: "If His Highness does not listen to me, what should I do?"

Emperor Jing smiled and said: "Heh, that depends on your ability. If you have to ask me everything, who can I not use? Why must I use you, Fang Zheng Yi?"

Fang Zheng Yi couldn't help but feel happy. It seems that even the emperor is quite helpless with the Crown Prince.

"I understand!"

"Hmm? What do you understand? If the Crown Prince does not listen to your teachings, what will you do?"

"Beat him!" Fang Zheng Yi spoke eloquently: "As the saying goes, a small tree will not grow straight without pruning, and a person will not be upright without discipline! Filial sons come from under the stick, and good people come from under the thorny whip."

"The Crown Prince is of noble birth and lacks setbacks. It is normal for him to be unwilling to study and have a stubborn nature."

"At the same time, the Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, must have the spirit of taking on challenges when there are difficulties, and creating challenges when there are none!"

"Without setbacks and such a spirit, how will he save the people from fire and water in the future?"

"Only by beating him can we help the Crown Prince to quickly become a talent! Beating him ten or eight times a year will only relax his muscles and bones. If he is beaten a hundred or eighty times a year, even rotten wood can become good timber."

"He should be beaten often when he makes mistakes, so that he will be terrified when bad thoughts arise in the future. This is called Pavlov... uh, no pain, no gain."

"He should be beaten even when he doesn't make mistakes, to prevent problems before they occur and nip his criminal tendencies in the bud! These are some of my insights, please refer to them, Your Majesty."

Create challenges when there are none? Well said!

Emperor Jing nodded thoughtfully: "That makes sense, it seems that I have not beaten him enough... But did Fang Qing's parents also teach Fang Qing this way?"

Fang Zheng Yi sighed to the sky and recalled: "That's right!"

"I have achieved today's results because I was beaten all the way."

"When I was young, my parents repeatedly told me to study hard. If I was not careful, I would inevitably be beaten, often by my father alone, or by both parents together....."

"But even so, I would still feel tired and lazy, and I would not want to read another book even if I was beaten."

"At this time, my parents would give me chicken blood to boost my spirits... I am not afraid of Your Majesty laughing at me, there are still people in my hometown who call me Chicken Kid."

Emperor Jing suddenly understood and sighed: "Fang Qing has suffered. No wonder he has achieved so much today... But can drinking chicken blood boost one's spirits? This is the first time I have heard of it."

"No, it can only disgust people... If people are disgusted, they will be energetic. I think if the Crown Prince is lazy, I will give him some chicken blood."

"Just give it to him, if he doesn't accept it, he can come to me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Then Emperor Jing picked up a gold medal from the imperial desk and threw it directly to Fang Zheng Yi: "With this gold medal, you can freely enter and exit the palace. You should often teach the Crown Prince and act accordingly."

"Yan Guoan also has one of these gold medals. I know that there is already a rift between you two, but he is your superior, so you should be careful in your words."

"Today, all the officials in the hall dislike you. Although I appreciate you, I treat all my officials equally and will never protect you!"

"Remember, as a minister, be dutiful and loyal. With your ability, as long as you don't make mistakes, it is not impossible to enter the cabinet and become a prime minister in the future, right?"

"How far you can go on the remaining road depends on yourself."

It seems that His Majesty is also good at drawing big cakes and giving chicken blood! Fang Shao, I just arrived on the first day and he is already mentioning entering the cabinet and becoming a prime minister? Not bad!

Fang Zheng Yi took the gold medal and casually tied it to his waist.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Then shall I go to the Zhan Shi Fu to report now?"

Emperor Jing looked Fang Zheng Yi up and down.

"No need! You can go back to your residence for now! Report to the Zhan Shi Fu tomorrow."

"Uh, why?" Fang Zheng Yi looked at Emperor Jing with a confused expression.

Emperor Jing couldn't help but smile when he saw Fang Zheng Yi's disheveled clothes and ink stains all over his body.

"It's nothing, remember not to be late for the morning court tomorrow.... Also, go change into a set of official robes, come back tomorrow wearing good clothes!"

......