Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Ni Chong entered the door dejectedly. He never would have imagined that a jade Ruyi plus one hundred taels of silver would only get him a vegetarian meal.

It's so damn excessive!

Li Yuanzhao couldn't hold it in any longer. He had been watching Fang Zheng from the side from the very beginning.

Fang Zheng was thick-skinned and could handle anything, but he couldn't stand it!

Seeing that no one else was coming, Li Yuanzhao impatiently pulled Fang Zheng to a deserted corner.

He questioned, "Lao Fang! Are you short of silver? If you need silver, just tell me. We should have some dignity!"

"I can't watch anymore!"

Fang Zheng smiled mysteriously, "Your Highness, you don't understand. I'm doing self-deprecating humor."

"Self-deprecating... What's gotten into you?" Li Yuanzhao twitched his lips.

"Hehe, I suddenly feel that my reputation among the people is too good, almost perfect. But that's a problem. A perfect person must be a hypocrite. I have to create some flaws for myself to enrich my image. That way, when future generations look at me, they'll think I'm a vivid, lovable, and respectable person. Can Your Highness understand? Besides... wouldn't he be happy to receive more silver? Look at these ministers who came today. Whose family doesn't have some happy event? I've given gifts before, so shouldn't I recoup some of the capital?"

"Uh... it seems you really have no shame."

"Hey, after today, I don't know how many censors will impeach you, and even the Six Ministries will issue reports attacking you among the people. So much public criticism, and you still think it's not enough trouble?" Li Yuanzhao said helplessly.

The Six Ministries are issuing reports to attack me? That's exactly what I want!

Otherwise, how can the Banshan Daily slander me? That's outrageous! How will I publish my famous quotes section in the future?

Fang Zheng sneered, "I'm impeached by them every season of the year. Am I afraid of them? They only know how to write moral essays and practice cultivating their Qi. They look down on me whether I do well or poorly. Why should I offer them the cold shoulder? I only do what I think is right."

"Let's not worry about that for now. Why does it feel like so few people from the Court of State Ceremonial and the Grand Secretariat came today? Did Your Highness notice? His Majesty said he would come today, will he still be able to make it?"

Li Yuanzhao thought for a moment, "Oh, when I greeted him this morning, I heard that the Jin Kingdom sent a letter of credence, congratulating the two countries on the trade agreement and sending a delegation to pay their respects. The leader is the Second Prince of the Jin Kingdom."

"After the imperial court, Father should be gathering people to discuss this matter, so he didn't come."

"Oh..." Fang Zheng nodded, thoughtfully, "Something's strange. We should be the ones making big profits from trade these years. Why are they so enthusiastic? And they even sent a prince. What's the background of this person?"

Li Yuanzhao recalled, "Um, let me think... Wutu has seventeen sons..."

"Damn, is he a pig reincarnated? How can he give birth to so many?"

"Exactly!" Li Yuanzhao looked resentful. He had worked so hard for so long and only had one child, while that side was giving birth like piglets.

I don't know what medicine Wutu took.

"Hey! Don't interrupt. Among his sons, only the eldest, third, and fourth are more famous. This second one... his reputation is not obvious. I remember his name seems to be Ali Bai, and he doesn't have any battle achievements."

"Well... that's good too. When the time comes, my Embroidered Uniform Guard will have to pick him up. If an arrogant one comes, he might cause some trouble."

Fang Zheng put his hands together, and suddenly a voice floated from afar.

"The Provincial Administration Commission... only donated fifty taels of silver..."

"Damn it, they have the nerve to take out fifty taels. Cheapskates! Your Highness, let's go shame them!"

......

Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance, all the important officials were present.

Emperor Jing opened his mouth and said, "The Jin Kingdom suddenly sent a delegation. What do you ministers think?"

Chen Hongdao, Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, said, "Your Majesty, I believe there is no need to worry too much about this matter. In addition to a letter of credence, there is also a handwritten letter from State Preceptor Paba."

After speaking, Chen Hong took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it up.

He continued, "Although the Jin Kingdom has not profited greatly from trade, it can be said that they are exchanging what they have for what they need."

"This trade is to express goodwill and to further broaden the categories of goods. I think there is no other intention."

"In addition, Paba also specifically invited Lord Fang to meet in the capital of the Jin Kingdom."

Emperor Jing picked up the letter and examined it carefully. After a long time, he raised his eyes and said, "Fang Qing? This is not something he should be doing. Isn't Paba overstepping his bounds by naming him?"

Chen Hongdao: "Your Majesty, the Jin Kingdom sent a delegation this time, led by the Second Prince. The sincerity cannot be said to be shallow, and the courtesy cannot be said to be insignificant!"

"Although Lord Fang is not responsible for trade matters, he and Paba had a very pleasant conversation and shared common interests when Paba visited our country before."

"I think this situation was also taken into consideration."

"Furthermore, although the Second Prince Ali Bai is not valued by Wutu, his identity is indeed real. If only ordinary envoys are sent, I am afraid that the etiquette will be incomplete, and the way of reciprocity will not be in line, which will damage the reputation of our Great Jing."

"My meaning is that some officials can be sent to assist Lord Fang. This trip, for him, can be regarded as sightseeing."

"Moreover... from Lord Fang's performance in the way of merchants, ordinary officials are far inferior. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"

Emperor Jing nodded and turned to ask, "Master Li, what do you think?"

Li Yansong bowed slightly: "I believe this is just a small matter and does not deserve too much tension from the court. In recent years, border towns have been frequently visited and the two countries are friendly."

"Before the trade, the relationship between the two countries was tense, and there were frequent conflicts on the border. But since the trade, there have only been occasional frictions. Last year, the Jin Kingdom suffered a severe snow disaster, but they did not invade the border, which shows their sincerity."

"It's just a formality to show friendship. It doesn't matter who is sent, as long as the etiquette is appropriate."

"Do you all think so?" Emperor Jing asked.

Below, a chorus of nods and approvals.

Emperor Jing closed his eyes and pondered, tapping the imperial desk with one finger, and slowly said, "Although this is the case, I always feel uneasy in my heart. The Northern Rong changed its name to Jin, and its actions have been quite strange in recent years. This time, it took the initiative to show its favor. I wonder if I am thinking too much."

"It is not impossible to send Fang Qing, but I still need to ask for his opinion. After all, my grandson was just born not long ago, and he can't be separated from his father for several months."

"Speaking of which, today is also my grandson's one-month celebration!" A smile suddenly appeared on Emperor Jing's face.

"Your ministers congratulate Your Majesty."

Emperor Jing waved his hand: "Then let's end here today. The Princess's Mansion is holding a one-month celebration. If you ministers go now, you might still be in time. As for the rest, we will make plans after the Jin Kingdom's delegation arrives in the capital."

......