Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Watching Shen Yi leave to gather people, Fang Zheng approached Li Yuanzhao and said, "Your Highness, I have a top-notch assignment here. Would you like to go?"

Upon hearing that there was something excellent for him, Li Yuanzhao immediately became interested, "What is it?"

"Xie Xian, please step outside for a moment. I need to speak with His Highness alone."

Xie Xian nodded, then walked out of the room and gently closed the door behind him.

Fang Zheng said, "This morning, when I interrogated Zhang Shi, he said there were three silver vaults in his house, and he has already revealed the location of one to me."

"I think if what he said is true, the silver inside is probably no less than a million taels. Would Your Highness like to personally lead people to investigate?"

After speaking, he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it over. It recorded the location of the silver vault as confessed by Zhang Shi.

The location of the hidden silver was quite concealed, located beneath the cellar of a restaurant property owned by the Zhang family.

If he had kept his mouth shut and not confessed, it would have taken a lot of manpower and time to discover this location.

"Oh?" Li Yuanzhao jumped up from his chair, excitedly saying, "A million! I've only heard of it, never seen it. I definitely have to take a look at a million taels of silver."

"Lao Fang, aren't you going?"

Fang Zheng shook his head, "I won't go. I need to talk to the new reporters first. Later, I also need to arrange for the newspaper to recruit Embroidered Uniform Guards from the common people."

"Right now, I'm just a commander without any soldiers, with no one available to use."

"What about the other two vaults? Why didn't Zhang Shi confess? Since Father Emperor has entrusted this to you, what do you plan to do with him?" Li Yuanzhao asked.

Fang Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "He will confess later. The Zhang Shi case is judged to involve the extermination of three generations, but I feel that such a heavy punishment is a bit too simple."

"After he confessed the location of the silver vault, he had a detailed conversation with me, discussing everything from his ancestors to his generation. He is indeed considered to have made outstanding contributions to our Great Jing."

"I once talked to Prince Wu about it. Zhang Shi is just greedy for money and has no intention of rebelling. I wonder, if it were Your Highness, how would you judge the case?"

Li Yuanzhao said carelessly, "What else can be done? I think what you said makes some sense. Then just execute the main culprit, and exile the family to the frontier to serve in the military."

Fang Zheng smiled, "Your Highness is merciful. How about we wait until Your Highness has seized the silver, and then tomorrow, the two of us go together to speak to His Majesty? After all, this matter still needs His Majesty's final decision."

"No problem!" Li Yuanzhao waved his hand.

Fang Zheng added, "His Majesty sometimes consults the Grand Secretariat, right? Let's go when there are more people present."

Li Yuanzhao wondered, "Why do we have to go when there are more people?"

Why else? Of course, it's to show off one's noble character and integrity when all the important officials are present, so that everyone can work with peace of mind.

"More people make for better discussion. With fewer people, there are bound to be omissions in thinking."

Li Yuanzhao nodded, "Alright, then we'll go together tomorrow. I'll find someone to confiscate the ill-gotten silver first!"

After speaking, he excitedly walked outside, but Fang Zheng quickly stopped him.

"Your Highness, remember to find some reliable people. The silver vault will require a considerable number of people to record and transport the silver. Don't use the people from Banshan Ward; ask the people from the palace to help you move it."

"Don't worry, I was planning to return to the palace. So much silver requires some caution."

......

As dusk approached, the reporters who had gone out or were studying in the library had all gathered at the "office area."

At this time, the oil lamps on the walls had all been lit.

In order to allow the reporters to work overtime with peace of mind, Fang Zheng and the Crown Prince had tacitly created the best overtime environment in the world.

The entire "office area" was illuminated exceptionally brightly with oil lamps hanging all over the room.

Many people passing by downstairs couldn't help but look up, as it was rare to see a room so brightly lit at night.

At this time, the room was crowded with people, each with a serious expression.

Standing in front of everyone was Fang Zheng, standing tall on the "stage" made up of three long tables pieced together.

Seeing Shen Yi constantly waving to him from the crowd, Fang Zheng knew that everyone had arrived. He cleared his throat and waved his hand, "Hello, everyone!"

"Greetings, Lord Fang!" A group of reporters replied in unison, with some subtle changes in their emotions.

Fang Zheng was quite famous in the newspaper office, second only to the Crown Prince.

For many new reporters, being able to see Fang Zheng was a major event that made them excited.

Fang Zheng smiled, "I have been away for a long time and have just returned to the capital. There is nothing important to gather everyone here today. I just want to have a simple chat with everyone and get to know each other."

"I heard that many people outside have started complaining about the newspaper office's long overtime hours, low monthly salary, and expensive food. Is there such a thing?"

The people below looked at each other. There was such a thing, but who dared to be the first to speak up? Everyone just complained in private.

Fang Zheng casually pointed, "You, you come and tell me, is there such a thing? Speak boldly. Today, besides getting to know you, my second point is to help you solve problems."

A thin and small reporter stood up and said in a low voice, "Returning to Your Excellency, I don't know."

Fang Zheng waved his hand to indicate that he didn't need to say more. He scanned around, then pointed to another person, who looked much taller, "You come and tell me, is there such a thing? Don't be afraid, we must clarify the problem thoroughly today!"

The tall reporter immediately shouted, "Returning to Your Excellency! Yes!"

Hidden in the crowd, Xie Xian coldly glanced and wrote down a name...

Fang Zheng nodded, "Okay, so it is true. I know now."

After speaking, he regretfully shook his head, "I didn't expect the newspaper office to expand so much, gathering so many people. I think most of you came for the newspaper office's library, right?"

"Logically speaking, one tael of silver per month for each new reporter is not a small amount. Ordinary craftsmen outside can't earn that much even if they work themselves to death. But why is it that our reporters don't have enough to spend?"

Since someone had already taken the lead, someone immediately retorted, "Lord Fang, we are scholars! And as reporters, we go from street to street. Now the common people have learned to be like thieves. If we don't give them some silver, they are unwilling to tell us anything."

"So this one tael of silver is really not enough to spend. Moreover, we have to work overtime until midnight every day, and we have no time to review our lessons..."

"That's right, Lord Fang, now even the new people can't get a dormitory! If you're lucky, you can get a middle bunk at most."

"The library is often out of numbers, the supply of pen and ink is not timely, and there are many books missing."

"And the cafeteria is ridiculously expensive! Lord Fang, we clearly bought chicken soup, but that Ru Yun won't let us scoop up the chicken to eat!"

Fang Zheng secretly rolled his eyes. You bought chicken soup, and the cafeteria manager is going to let you eat the chicken?

Seeing the reporters starting to discuss frantically, listing the faults of the newspaper office one by one.

Fang Zheng pressed down with both hands and said loudly, "Everyone be quiet! Everyone be quiet, I will explain to you slowly. I must give you a satisfactory answer today."