Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

All eyes instantly focused on Wang Erzhu, and he couldn't help but tense up.

He didn't know the identities of anyone in this room, but the Qing Dynasty official who had wanted to exile him was clearly several levels below others in this group.

He was indebted to Young Master Lu, Master Huang, and Zhang Biao. If he spoke, would it bring disaster upon them?

In his momentary panic, he should have phrased it differently!

But... was selling a fruit really such a serious matter?

Should he speak or not? Wang Erzhu was caught in a dilemma.

Seeing his stammering and hesitant appearance, Li Yan Song became extremely annoyed: "Speak up! Where are they?"

Wang Erzhu mumbled: "If I speak, they won't die, right?"

Li Yan Song was caught between laughter and tears: "They won't die, and they won't be tortured. Rest assured."

"If I utter a single falsehood..." Li Yan Song said, raising his hand and pointing at Yang Fengfan, "...then he doesn't need to be the magistrate of this Pingwan County."

Yang Fengfan said with a bitter face: "That's right! If there's a single falsehood, I'll resign from my post. Besides, these are all highly respected Confucian scholars; would they deceive you?"

Wang Erzhu was secretly shocked, and seeing that Li Yan Song still didn't relax, he had to think of a way to clear Young Master Lu and the others of some blame.

"We sell Ping'an fruits, with thin skin, thick flesh, purely sweet and not sour. They only cost the price of a pot of tea. In previous years, these fruits were all taken away by bad people in the capital. This year, we planned to sell them ourselves..."

Upon hearing "Ping'an fruit," Yang Fengfan immediately became furious: "What nonsense are you spouting? I asked you where the people are, not to tell a story. Get to the point, or you'll be exiled to the army!"

Seeing that he could no longer hide anything, Wang Erzhu trembled like a sieve, and he cried out in his heart.

Young Master Lu, I'm sorry!

He shouted with a crying voice: "We separated two days ago, but I know they've been staying at the Lai Fu Inn. As for the specific location, I don't know. Great sirs, we're just selling fruits. Is it really necessary to exile us to the army?"

"It has nothing to do with the fruits. Stop mentioning your fruits!" Yang Fengfan roared.

Li Yan Song said in a deep voice: "Enough nonsense, immediately take me to the Lai Fu Inn! And bring this person along!"

......

A large group of people, led by Li Yan Song, marched mightily towards the Lai Fu Inn.

This inn wasn't too far from the county office. When they arrived at the inn.

Li Yan Song went straight to the counter, and the innkeeper was startled by this imposing formation.

"What is it, sir?"

"Inquire, do you have three lodgers here, one of whom is extremely tall...?"

"Yes, there are these three people, but they are not here now. They said they were going out to watch a play this morning. A troupe from Taoyuan County has come to our county, and everyone is talking about it. I guess they went to see that play."

"Where is it?"

.....

Inside the theater, Fang Zheng and Emperor Jing sat in the front row.

The two of them ate melon seeds and drank tea, chatting idly.

It could be said that he had been having a good time with Emperor Jing these past two days.

Wherever there were many common people, they would go there.

After experiencing the life of ordinary people in Pingwan County for two days, he had basically seen it all.

The play being performed now was by a troupe from Taoyuan County.

The play was called "The Women's Kingdom," and from the name, one could tell it was a play about Journey to the West.

After watching half of it, Fang Zheng was secretly satisfied.

It was the original Journey to the West. The county finally had a proper theater troupe, which was truly touching.

Sure enough, classics never go out of style, and the theater was full of audience members, which was enough to see the charm of one of the Four Great Classical Novels.

However, Emperor Jing watched with little interest, picked up a melon seed, and asked: "Why does this play seem to have no beginning or end? I don't understand it."

"You don't know this, Your Majesty. This is a series of dramas. The design of this scene is not good, and the previous situation was not explained clearly, but the actors' skills are still excellent."

Fang Zheng pointed to the stage.

Putting aside everything else, the Queen of the Women's Kingdom was well-chosen, with a beautiful appearance and a delicate voice. Many people must have come for her.

"Your Majesty, after we finish watching this play, how about we go to the county office?"

Emperor Jing nodded, with some emotion in his tone: "Yes, these two days have been unprecedentedly relaxing. I feel that my life is not as good as the common people's. Perhaps experiencing life from time to time is not bad."

Fang Zheng said: "You feel good only because you are experiencing it, and you don't lack money."

"Not to mention anything else, just the ticket for us to watch this play, ordinary people can't bear to spend that money."

"The life of the common people is bland and tasteless, and they can't afford risks. You'll get tired of it after a long time."

Emperor Jing chuckled: "You're right, let's watch the play."

......

Outside the theater, Li Yan Song had already arrived with his entourage.

The theater owner hurriedly greeted them when he saw the government officials arrive.

When Li Yan Song asked about Emperor Jing's whereabouts, he pondered for a moment and said: "Yes, there are indeed these three people, sitting in the front row, you can see them as soon as you enter."

"But may I ask, sirs, are you here to arrest criminals?"

Li Yan Song was anxious: "No, do you have any other questions?"

"Since you are not arresting criminals, can you please send fewer people in, sirs? My business is small and the profit is meager, I really can't stand the trouble. If all the soldiers go in, it will spread out and my business will be difficult to do."

Li Yan Song thought for a moment and said to Xu Wenshu, Yang Yingcai, and others: "Very well, Master Yang, you few come in with me, and the others wait outside."

After all, His Majesty's identity was too sensitive, and there were too many common people here. If things got chaotic, it would be troublesome.

If some things could be avoided, then avoid them.

After saying that, Li Yan Song and Guo Tianyang took the first step into the theater.

Xu Wenshu curiously glanced at the theater owner before entering.

With such a big show, the owner of a mere theater was not at all timid, and even dared to make requests.

Interesting.

Sun Sheng was about to follow, but Yang Yingcai stopped him, and whispered: "You wait outside, when His Majesty comes out, it will be your chance to perform."

"If I'm not mistaken, there must be something strange about His Majesty not taking the initiative to go to the county office for so long. And look here, it's a mixed bag, with no order at all. His Majesty comes from the military, he must dislike it."

Yang Yingcai said, pointing to Wang Erzhu: "And look at him, this person has a face full of bad luck, this treacherous merchant dares to talk nonsense when he gets to the county office, which shows that the local education is not thriving and the folk customs are corrupt!"

"And now His Majesty has run to the theater to watch a play, I guess he was bewitched by that Fang Zheng. What proper plays can there be in that Taoyuan County, they only rely on some sensational and vulgar bridges to attract attention.... When we come out, you will severely rebuke Fang Zheng, and I will naturally help you at that time, and this matter of widening business can also be stopped."

"After this matter is over, with your ability and talent, you will surely be greatly promoted by His Majesty, you must perform well."

Sun Sheng nodded heavily, with incomparable excitement in his eyes.

"I will definitely remember Lord Yang's kindness in promoting me!"