Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"Please, come in."

Linglong pushed the door open and stood gracefully in front of Fang Zheng. She wanted to speak, but suddenly hesitated.

Seeing her twisting the hem of her clothes, a little embarrassed, and her eyes slightly red, Fang Zheng said without batting an eye, "Linglong, why are you so nervous around me? In our place, men and women are equal. You can say whatever you want, you don't have to be like this."

Linglong opened her mouth, recalling the music from earlier. She mustered her courage and said, "Lord Fang, I want to go to Da Jing!"

"Great!" Fang Zheng was ecstatic inside.

The music really worked! Like every failed simp, hearing love songs feels like they're singing about themselves!

Linglong really got into the act!

Fang Zheng gave her a gentle smile and got up to pour Linglong a cup of tea.

"I knew it, you are a woman with an open mind. When are you planning to go? I'll solve any problems you have."

Linglong shook her head and said, "I don't know. If the National Teacher doesn't let me go, then I have no way to leave."

Fang Zheng nodded, a little depressed. "To be honest, I went to see the National Teacher yesterday. Although he didn't say it explicitly, it seems he wants you to return to the palace normally."

"Um..." A huge sense of loss immediately enveloped Linglong.

It seems that my passion alone is far from enough to overcome the unrealistic pressure...

"But that side is actually easy to handle. I'll think of a way for you. If you go to him tomorrow, he will definitely give you a vacation to go home. After resting at home for a few days, you can set off."

"What way?" Linglong's eyes lit up again.

Fang Zheng smiled wickedly...

.....

In the camp, countless busy figures of craftsmen walked back and forth in front of Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng also sat in the center as usual, with a blanket over his body, lazily watching dozens of craftsmen setting up the hot air balloon.

As expected, the Paba National Teacher, on his daily inspection, arrived again with a group of people.

He opened his mouth and said in a deep voice, "Brother Fang, I think I should bring His Majesty to inspect your results tomorrow."

Fang Zheng slowly sat up straight, a little annoyed, and said, "National Teacher, aren't you tired of urging me every day? I said I can make it, and I can make it. Look, they are already setting it up. Bring the Emperor to inspect it tomorrow morning. If it fails, you can punish me however you want."

Hearing a definite answer, Paba smiled: "Brother Fang, don't be angry. Since I came to Da Jin, have I ever neglected you? Isn't everything always according to your wishes?"

Fang Zheng snorted coldly: "Isn't it because you need something from me? I've helped you build this hot air balloon. Now, can you let our delegation return to Da Jing?"

"When two countries are at war, envoys are not killed. The National Teacher understands reason and should understand it better than anyone else."

Paba said with a smile: "Only this matter is not possible."

Fang Zheng slammed the chair with force and said angrily: "It's useless to say half a sentence to someone who doesn't share the same views. Then the National Teacher should stay here and supervise the work. I'm going back to sleep!"

After saying that, Fang Zheng got up and walked away angrily, and two guards quickly followed.

Paba wanted to stop him, but he was walking too fast, so he could only watch Fang Zheng's back and chuckle.

Then, he began to stare at the hot air balloon in the field.

After half an hour.

Paba was still looking at the hot air balloon floating in the air, both surprised and delighted.

It's done, it's really done! This time, it can float in the sky for so long, so it's clear that there are no problems.

Test it one more time, and I can report to His Majesty tomorrow. I didn't expect this Fang Zheng to be telling the truth.

With this thing, the chances of winning this war have increased by another point...

As he was feeling emotional, a limping figure suddenly walked over from a distance.

As he slowly approached, Paba frowned and said, "Linglong, why are you here?"

Linglong had tears on her face, and her thigh was burning with pain. Chu Qinghan really used too much force.

Facing Paba's question, she said aggrievedly: "National Teacher... Lord Fang said he doesn't need me anymore and wants to replace me with two people..."

Speaking of this, she stopped talking, because even lying would be too much.

Paba nodded knowingly, secretly laughing in his heart.

This Fang Zheng looks gentle and refined, but he takes his anger out on women so brutally. He doesn't understand how to cherish women at all.

"Linglong, what special behavior has Fang Zheng shown in the past month? You must answer honestly."

Linglong thought about what Fang Zheng taught her and said, "There was nothing special, he just often called me and the two women he brought to his room..."

She didn't say any more at this point, because even lying would be too much.

Paba nodded knowingly, feeling a little envious.

It's good to be young, three at a time, and for a whole month!

"I know about this, then you should return to the palace and find someone to claim your reward."

Linglong stood there hesitantly without moving. Paba frowned and asked, "Why aren't you leaving yet?"

Linglong lowered her head and squeezed her eyes hard, accumulating a little tear in her eyes.

She raised her head with a pitiful look and said to Paba: "National Teacher, I'm not feeling well... I want to go home."

Seeing her so aggrieved, Paba was curious: "Does Fang Zheng often torture you?"

Linglong lowered her head again, staring at her toes without speaking.

Yes, that's right.

Paba understood and nodded, saying: "Then you should go home to recuperate first. Find someone to claim your reward money and get a note. You don't need to serve Fang Zheng anymore in the future."

"Thank you, National Teacher." Linglong wiped her tears, knelt down to thank him, and then turned and left.

Paba immediately ordered the people around him: "You two follow her and see if she has gone home. If she gets home, report back in time."

"Yes!"

.....

Inside the post house, Linglong stood in front of Fang Zheng with a happy face: "Lord Fang, the National Teacher actually agreed."

Fang Zheng smiled and said, "What did I tell you? The National Teacher is still a compassionate person."

"Then you should pack your things and go home first. Stay at home for a few days, then find a merchant to set off. When you get to the border town, take this waist tag and go directly to the Da Jing border guard officials. Let them help you arrange a merchant to go to the capital. Have fun in the capital."

"Also, I'll give you some silver. Didn't Qinghan ask you to send some specialties for her friends? This money will be used for your purchasing expenses, and you'll also have expenses when you get to Da Jing."

Facing the one hundred taels of silver that Fang Zheng handed over, Linglong hesitated and said, "I can't accept a reward for no merit. Lord Fang, I can't take this money."

"Take it. My Dongjiao University hasn't had a foreign female student yet. You can register and that will be it. In the future, we will recruit students for the girls' school, and you will be the spokesperson. Your presence will encourage many girls to actively enroll. This money is for your labor costs, or just consider it a loan from me if you really can't accept it."

"Also, take this waist tag with you. Don't lose it on the way, otherwise it will be very troublesome for you to come back." Fang Zheng took out the waist tag from his waist. The words on it had already been scratched off with a small knife in advance. "Thank you for your hard work. Pack up and go home early. It must have been a long time since you've been home. Don't let your family worry."

The first foreign female student, encouraging girls to enroll?

Linglong agreed with a beaming smile, took the silver, and then happily went to pack her luggage.

After Linglong said goodbye and left, Chu Qinghan entered Fang Zheng's room and asked with some worry: "Lord Fang, Linglong took the handkerchief. The National Teacher let her go so easily. Will there be any problems?"

Fang Zheng shook his head: "Not a big problem. I guess... Paba will at most find someone to follow her."

"Why?"

Fang Zheng showed a smile.

This is the limitation of the times. Even the National Teacher is probably unable to escape his inherent flaws.

"Because they have never taken women seriously."

......