Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Li Yansong and the other veteran officials remained silent.

They didn't object to Emperor Jing's rapid promotion of Yang Fan, after all, his political achievements were there for all to see. No one could find fault with such brilliant results.

It wouldn't be much if he was just promoted to a fifth-rank official.

However, the position of Vice Prefect combined with his current actions felt somewhat subtle.

His Majesty definitely intended to continue expanding the scope of the 'Broad Merchants' policy.

From what they had seen along the way, the 'Broad Merchants' didn't seem to have the negative impact they had imagined, but rather had many positive effects.

Although there were still some things they couldn't figure out... but His Majesty's words were law, so they could only silently acknowledge this matter.

After Emperor Jing finished speaking, he looked at Sun Sheng and said calmly, "As for you, what do you think I should decide?"

The color drained from Sun Sheng's face, and he bowed deeply, lamenting, "Your subject knows he has failed to live up to the Emperor's grace, and his sins are grave. I only beg for a swift death!"

Emperor Jing sneered, "A swift death? Your crimes don't warrant a death sentence. Do you want to leave me with the reputation of a murderous ruler by wanting to die so badly?"

"Your subject dares not, I leave everything to His Majesty's wise judgment," Sun Sheng explained in a panic.

Emperor Jing snorted and pointed at him, saying to the others, "This kind of ignorant and self-absorbed official, although not the mastermind behind the people's suffering, is the main reason why disasters arise. How many families have been ruined because of him. What do you say I should decide?"

Emperor Jing's gaze swept over the crowd, eventually landing on Yang Yingcai first.

Yang Yingcai's face twitched a few times, and he secretly lamented in his heart.

He was the least willing to speak... but His Majesty had set his sights on him!

Now, he could only make a decisive decision, and make it quickly!

Yang Yingcai gritted his teeth and said, "Your subject... your subject believes that although Sun Sheng's crimes do not warrant death, he has harmed countless people, and his crimes cannot be lightly forgiven, so he should be demoted to a commoner, and the court should never employ him again!"

Boom!

Sun Sheng felt as if he had been struck by lightning... and collapsed to the ground.

Demoted to a commoner, never to be employed again?

He had never imagined that this would be the result. Emperor Jing couldn't possibly kill him, he knew that in his heart, but he still had to act pitiful where he needed to act pitiful.

According to his expectations, being demoted to the bottom was already the worst possible outcome, but now there was even a condition of never being employed again.

And this suggestion was even made by the superior he admired the most.

He had studied hard for half his life, and finally entered the court as an official. What was the difference between this and killing him? He wouldn't be able to face anyone back home....

Although he had already experienced a betrayal, he was now kicked while he was down.

Sun Sheng's heart was truly torn apart....

"What about the others?" Emperor Jing asked.

The officials fell into silence, everyone feeling that it was difficult to answer.

The punishment was indeed a bit heavy, but the important thing was His Majesty's attitude. His Majesty was angry, so it wouldn't be good to go against him.

How could they not punish a small magistrate?

Sun Sheng looked at the crowd desperately, his heart breaking.

Suddenly, a voice came, "Your Majesty, your subject feels that the sentence is somewhat unfair. His intentions were good, but the execution had problems."

"If Sun Sheng is treated so harshly, I fear that future officials will no longer dare to make bold improvements, nor will they dare to take responsibility, which may encourage a trend of lazy governance!"

This voice seemed to cast an incomparably dazzling beam of light in the darkness.

Sun Sheng's heart, which had not completely died, came back to life again, and he hurriedly looked towards the source of the voice.

In an instant, he was stunned.

Fang Zheng Yi?!

No matter how he calculated, he never expected that Fang Zheng Yi would speak up for him. Didn't he know that the Hanlin Academy chose him specifically to oppose him?

Impossible, absolutely impossible, he must know, but why would he speak up for me?

Sun Sheng's mind was in a jumble.

Not only Sun Sheng, but Yang Yingcai's mind was also in a mess, and he hated him so much that his teeth itched, his fierce gaze undisguisedly shooting towards Fang Zheng Yi.

What do you mean, Fang Zheng Yi! Sun Sheng is my man, are you deliberately putting on this show now!

Fang Zheng Yi retorted him unceremoniously.

Damn it! It's nothing if the subordinates are a little stupid, but the most disgusting thing is when the boss has no sense of responsibility!

You useless old man, shrinking back in fear, not even daring to fart.

The officials also had strange expressions, exchanging information with each other through their eyes.

Fang Zheng Yi's move really confused everyone.

Everyone in the court knew the ins and outs, and it was strange to speak up for an opponent.

Wasn't Fang Zheng Yi petty? Why was he so generous this time?

But on second thought, he didn't seem to be that petty, just sharp-tongued. At least after becoming the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he didn't deliberately make things difficult for anyone by relying on his special privileges.

Emperor Jing looked at the reactions of the crowd with a hint of a smile in his eyes, and asked Fang Zheng Yi, "What you said makes some sense, so what do you think the punishment should be?"

"Your subject believes... that he should retain his original position and atone for his sins. Your subject thinks that no one understands the situation in Xin Zhang County better than Sun Sheng, and he is someone who has suffered losses. I believe that after he realizes his mistakes, he can quickly rectify them, and the lives of the people can be improved in a timely manner."

"In your subject's view, punishing Sun Sheng is not the goal, the goal is to improve the lives of the people. Temporarily replacing Sun Sheng with a new official would probably waste a lot of time for nothing. These are some of your subject's humble opinions, and I hope Your Majesty will think twice."

The officials secretly marveled.

They began to adjust Fang Zheng Yi's image in their minds.

Although this guy's brain is not quite the same as a normal person's, but now it seems that he has one good point, it seems that he is doing things for the sake of the matter.

Just this point, don't say it... tsk! You really can't say it...

"What are your opinions? Doesn't anyone want to say anything?"

Emperor Jing had directly asked, and Fang Zheng Yi had taken the lead, so naturally everyone could no longer pretend to be quails.

Li Yansong leisurely opened his mouth and said, "Your Majesty, this old subject believes that Commander Fang is right. Sun Sheng has been in office for a long time, and if he changes his course, it may take more time to reverse the lives of the people."

"This old subject also believes that after the Ping Wan County trip, Sun Sheng should have learned a lot, which others cannot compare to."

"As for how to punish him, it is not too late to consider it slowly in the future."

As soon as Li Yansong's voice fell, the officials echoed, "Your subjects agree, Lord Li's words are mature and prudent."

Fang Zheng Yi sneered.

Damn it!

I came up with the idea, and the praise went to him, a bunch of hypocritical dogs.

Listening to the voices of support, Sun Sheng's heart became more active, and he looked at Fang Zheng Yi with tears in his eyes.

A good person... this is a truly good person, I was led astray before.

What righteous gentlemen, what pure scholars... hypocritical!

After thinking it over again and again, Emperor Jing said to Sun Sheng, "Since all of you ministers are pleading for you, then I can make an exception and give you a chance to atone for your sins. I will give you a year. After a year, I will send someone to Xin Zhang County to investigate. If there is no improvement, you know the consequences, right?"

Sun Sheng burst into tears and kowtowed, "Your sinful subject will definitely do his best to repay His Majesty's heavenly grace!"

......