Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

As night fell, inside the tavern.

Fang Zheng Yi and Emperor Jing were sitting at the same table, sipping tea and eating snacks.

Zhang Biao was in another room, maintaining his equipment.

Wang Er Zhu had spent about eighty percent of his remaining silver to book this top-tier room.

This room was a suite where master and servant could stay together, but it could only accommodate three people.

Fang Zheng Yi, along with Emperor Jing and Zhang Biao, made exactly three.

As for the heartbroken Wang Er Zhu, he voluntarily applied to the shopkeeper for a free woodshed.

The shopkeeper gladly agreed... after all, the large rooms had all been booked, so giving away a woodshed for the night was only reasonable.

Emperor Jing thoughtfully sipped his tea.

His experiences after entering the city still lingered in his mind.

Especially the scene where the craftsmen in the woodworking workshop actively stood up to defend his reputation, which left a deep impression.

However, there was a major problem at hand.

"Zheng Yi, you've spent all the silver. Are you sure you can sell those apples tomorrow? If you can't sell them, we won't be able to stay here for long."

Fang Zheng Yi said, "Of course I'm sure. I wouldn't do something I'm not confident in. From the moment I entered the city, I've had a plan. Ping Wan County is currently undergoing rapid changes, with people coming and going, and goods circulating."

"In such a place, at such a time, there's almost no worry about selling any goods, especially novel and unique ones. Merchants also need to give gifts to strengthen relationships and attract attention, which requires this kind of goods."

"Tomorrow, I will brand those apples as novel and unique, and they will surely be swept away and sold like crazy."

Emperor Jing wondered, "Isn't that deceiving people?"

"It's market marketing."

"Changing the term doesn't make it not deceiving, does it?"

Fang Zheng Yi's face turned slightly red, but he stubbornly said, "It's not deceiving people, it's market marketing. We're selling face and concepts."

"Didn't we also sell tea? After packaging, it became another high-end commodity. It's the same principle."

"Heh heh, alright, then I'll see how you deceive people tomorrow," Emperor Jing said with a subtle smile.

"......"

......

The next morning.

Fang Zheng Yi led Emperor Jing and the others to set up their stall.

As for the location, he had already chosen it the day before.

It was not far from the woodworking workshop, a place where shops clustered and people gathered.

When the donkey cart stopped, Fang Zheng Yi disappeared again, busying himself for an hour.

He didn't return to the donkey cart until the sun was at its highest point, pointing at Wang Er Zhu and saying, "You, go stand in the corner."

"Why?" Wang Er Zhu was full of sorrow.

"Because you're bad luck! How can I do business with you here? Don't you want to make money? Go quickly!"

Wang Er Zhu helplessly walked to the corner, put his hands in his sleeves, squatted against the wall, full of depression.

He recalled his experiences in the past two days... how did it seem like he had been kidnapped without realizing it?

But things had come to this, and it seemed he could only be at their mercy...

Seeing him squat down, Fang Zheng Yi picked up a small porcelain basin he had just bought, filled it with water, and poured a small jar of honey into it, stirring vigorously.

Then, he took out the small knife Zhang Biao was carrying and carefully began to peel the apples.

An apple flower appeared in Fang Zheng Yi's hands and was placed in the water basin to prevent oxidation and discoloration.

Emperor Jing watched curiously and smiled, "You have this skill?"

"Practice makes perfect. Miao Han's appetite isn't good at home, so I peel one for her to eat," Fang Zheng Yi said, still peeling the apple with a serious expression, as if talking about everyday matters.

Emperor Jing nodded in satisfaction.

Being able to peel apples for a woman, and peeling them so well, how many men in the world could bring themselves to do such a thing?

Truly a good son-in-law!

When everything was ready, Fang Zheng Yi said to Emperor Jing, "Your Majesty, please stand in front. Just watch when the time comes."

Emperor Jing stood in front of the cart without suspicion.

Fang Zheng Yi looked around, and when there were the most people, he suddenly waved his hands at Emperor Jing and shouted:

"Not selling anymore! Not selling anymore!"

"What's the matter with you buying all of our good 'Peace Apples' by yourself? Are you planning to take them back to keep the seeds and grow them yourself!?"

"......?" Emperor Jing froze on the spot.

The passersby behind him curiously gathered around, wanting to hear more clearly.

Seeing that people were starting to gather, Fang Zheng Yi continued to exert himself: "I told you I wouldn't sell them to you. Hurry up and leave!"

Emperor Jing remained expressionless.

Someone leaned over to look at the peeled apples in the water basin and asked curiously, "What are you selling?"

Fang Zheng Yi said seriously, "These are called 'Peace Apples,' a fruit exclusively sold internally to the Embroidered Uniform Guard during the New Year and festivals. People from the government in the capital specifically order these fruits from my family."

"In previous years, the extra fruits were taken away by those bad people in the capital. They would sell my fruits, which cost five taels, for ten taels. They are too greedy. This year, we plan to sell them ourselves for six taels a box!"

"These 'Peace Apples' can only be eaten once a year, and the production is limited. Each person can only buy one box."

Wang Er Zhu in the corner stretched his neck and looked towards Fang Zheng Yi, listening to Fang Zheng Yi's nonsense, his mouth slowly widening.

Are the apples I grow so awesome? Can he really sell them by talking nonsense like that?

Many wealthy people were eager to try, six taels wasn't much to them, but they couldn't be suckers for something with an unclear origin.

Just then, whispers came from the crowd:

"Oh... my third uncle's son is in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He's had it once. This stuff is extraordinary and has health benefits."

"It really is... how did this internal supply get out into the market?"

"Brother, can you help me grab a few boxes? I'll give you money when you get back, how about it?"

Before the discussion could stop, a large group of people suddenly burst out of the crowd and rushed directly to Fang Zheng Yi.

One of them, with a rather fierce appearance, grabbed Fang Zheng Yi's collar and said fiercely, "Who allowed you to sell them privately! This is a fruit specially supplied to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. We agreed to sign an exclusive contract with us. Are you trying to disrupt the market now?"

The "accomplices" behind him roared, "How are we going to sell them in the future if you do this!"

"Let you know the consequences of not following the rules! Come with us."

Fang Zheng Yi shouted with a red neck, "I can't stand you black-hearted merchants, using my fruits to deceive people! I'm going to sell them, so what! I'm going to make them even cheaper!"

"Family, these are all the goods for today. Don't pay attention to these profiteers! Every fruit has a thin skin and thick flesh, purely sweet and not sour. This year, I'm selling them myself! For just the cost of a breakfast, you can buy this big box full!"

"I'll give you a number, five taels of silver a box, don't mind them, hurry up and get on the cart!!!" Fang Zheng Yi's roar was extremely tragic.

"You little brat, are you not done yet? You still dare to sell?"

"I'm going to sell them. When the government officials arrive, see if they side with you or with me! Profiteers!"

Another tael of silver cheaper?!

The people in the front row who had been hesitant immediately felt ecstatic and stepped onto the donkey cart, grabbed a box of apples, and slapped five taels of silver into Fang Zheng Yi's hand.

Immediately afterwards, the people behind him swarmed up and began to "board the cart."

The scene was chaotic, Fang Zheng Yi was busy fighting with people while busy collecting money.

Emperor Jing was completely stunned, his eyes constantly scanning the crowd.

He had never even heard of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's special supply. Where did this group of people who were queuing up and fighting hear about it?

Wang Er Zhu in the corner had already stood up excitedly!

He looked towards Fang Zheng Yi's direction, trembling all over.

Five taels a box... could this cart of apples really sell for one hundred and fifty taels?

I want to be a bad guy next year too!!!

A mere thirty boxes of fruit were sold out in less than fifteen minutes.

With Fang Zheng Yi's last scream that the soldiers were coming, everyone scattered and fled.

The apples that were being tasted were also eaten clean. Fang Zheng Yi picked up the water basin to destroy the evidence.

When the crowd dispersed, Emperor Jing came over and exclaimed, "You really sold them! You're so good at this, you won't have to worry about food wherever you go. But what was the situation with those people who were helping you just now?"

Fang Zheng Yi smiled, took out ten taels of silver, "Those were reinforcements I hired, one qian of silver per person. I have to pay them later."

Just then, Wang Er Zhu also came over, staring at the silver in Fang Zheng Yi's hand, rubbing his hands and saying, "Young Master Lu, I'm convinced! I'm really convinced!"

Fang Zheng Yi smiled slightly and said, "Alright, we're even now. One hundred taels of this belongs to you, you can go home directly."

"Good! Good! That's how it should be, but I want to stay here. Since I have money, I might as well buy a house in Ping Wan County and find a job," Wang Er Zhu fantasized, "I'll settle down here in the future. The land at home is ancestral property, but it won't sell for much money."

"Good, I wish you a bright future!"

......