Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Not getting an answer as to why the Qilin spouted water, the crowd was disappointed that their thirst for knowledge was not quenched.

Since the Emperor had asked and he didn't answer, and Emperor Jing had no objections, the others naturally stopped asking questions.

Reluctantly, the crowd circled the fountain, observing it one last time before hesitantly following Emperor Jing into the gate of the Dongjiao University.

Li Yuanzhao approached Fang Zheng and exclaimed at the fountain, "Old Fang, you really have a clever mind! To think of using a steam engine to spray water. It's just a pity. Besides the spectacle, it has no other use. To modify a steam engine specifically for this one-time use, it's a bit of a waste."

Fang Zheng denied it, "How can it be useless? In the future, when Dongjiao University recruits students, we'll turn it on when the new students enter the school."

"Use it once a year? That's still a waste."

"What proper university keeps its fountain running every day? This thing is supposed to be turned on once a year. Let's go in, Your Highness."

......

Stepping through the gates of Dongjiao University, they continued inwards for dozens of steps.

A huge sign, no, it couldn't be called a sign, it was more like a paifang archway covered in auspicious clouds painted in festive red.

The words 'Great Jing Sports Meet' were still written on it.

Below the archway, a pair of wooden doors had been added. Two students from Dongjiao University stood guard at the wooden doors, and upon seeing Emperor Jing and the others arrive, they immediately saluted and then pulled open the doors.

The scenery behind the doors was suddenly revealed!

Fang Zheng stood beside the door and announced loudly, "Everyone, you may stay here for two quarters of an hour. Gather here again when the time is up to enter."

The ministers and foreign envoys looked at the scene behind the door and stirred with excitement, and Emperor Jing also smiled.

They had been wondering why they hadn't seen anyone upon entering the school gate, but it turned out they were all here.

The scene at the entrance resembled a bustling market, with many stalls set up on both sides of the road.

The stalls were guarded by carefully selected merchants or students from the market, and the goods on the stalls were all popular products or snacks from the Great Jing market.

There were also many calligraphy, paintings, and artworks on display.

Commerce was important, but promoting culture could not be neglected.

The stallholders in front of each stall, upon seeing the 'guests' arrive, first bowed and greeted Emperor Jing, and then, according to the plan, began to shout and boast, vigorously promoting and selling the goods in front of them.

The foreign envoys found it novel and each looked at the nearest merchant, picking up the goods and studying them with interest.

However, Emperor Jing frowned slightly and turned to Fang Zheng and said, "Zheng'er, do you have to pay for things here?"

How novel! When has buying things ever been free?

Fang Zheng secretly complained in his heart, but he already understood what Emperor Jing meant.

It was nothing more than entertaining foreigners, treating them to meals, and then making the guests pay for themselves would be a loss of the Heavenly Dynasty's face.

These are all bad habits and must be changed!

Fang Zheng said, "Your Majesty, the merchants here are all carefully selected and recruited by me from the people, the purpose of which is to vigorously promote the goods and culture of our Great Jing to foreigners, so that some business can be facilitated in the future. On the other hand, it is also for your consideration..."

"For my consideration?" Emperor Jing asked in confusion.

"Think about it, you are the Son of Heaven, and when you share joy with the people, you can still spend your own money to buy things. How would this look in the eyes of foreigners? This is precisely an act of being close to the people. Others will say that you love the people like your own children, treat all the people of the world equally, and are the stabilizing force of the laws and regulations of our Great Jing!" Fang Zheng continued eloquently, "I ask you, which emperor in the world goes out and spends his own money to buy things? No one! From this, it can be seen that our Great Jing is the most principled and the most regulated country. Who wouldn't want to cooperate with such a country?"

Fang Zheng continued, "And think about it, every item you buy here is the best thing in Great Jing in the eyes of foreigners. The things you fancy are the light of domestic goods. Not to mention foreigners, even our own people will rush to buy them. The merchants earn money, the people get real benefits, and this is also spreading benevolence."

The ministers nodded secretly. Fang Zheng's small mouth was babbling so much that even they were tempted.

Emperor Jing showed an amused smile.

It seemed to make some sense...

After this explanation, Emperor Jing let go and looked around to see what goods were on display, preparing to personally select two items.

The foreign envoys behind him did not have so many scruples. Seeing that the Emperor of Great Jing had already started strolling around, they also let go and looked around.

Fang Zheng had nothing to do, so he casually found a few foreigners he could talk to and chatted with them, introducing some products along the way.

A foreign envoy was looking at a stall selling clothes, and when he saw Fang Zheng suddenly take the initiative to step forward, he warmly greeted him, "Sir Fang."

Fang Zheng said with a smile, "Everyone, take a good look, have fun, and buy whatever you like. If you want to import them into your country in the future, feel free to discuss it with the stallholders. You can sign a contract, and my Jinyiwei will guarantee it. By the way, do you have anything you fancy?"

The foreign envoy pointed to the clothes on the stall and said, "I'm looking at the clothes of Great Jing. The fabric and style are quite unique."

Fang Zheng looked down... It was a culture shirt!

So he smiled shyly and said, "To be honest, this short sleeve was designed by me, and it can be considered my masterpiece. The weather is hot now, and it's the time to wear this dress. I think you are all wearing robes, which are inevitably a little hot, why not try it on first?"

With that, he immediately waved his hand and said, "Wrap up these clothes for me and give them to these envoys."

The foreign envoys were flattered and thanked him repeatedly.

Fang Zheng then reached out and pointed to a small enclosure next to the clothing stall: "Everyone, you can change clothes there. It just so happens that I'm also hot, let's change together, today is just for fun, no need to be restrained."

After speaking, he led several foreign envoys to the 'dressing room'.

Before long, several foreigners wearing white T-shirts appeared brightly in front of everyone.

Some had 'I Love Great Jing' written on their chests, some had 'Serve the Country with Loyalty', 'Great Jing Youth'... various styles were different.

It looked a bit strange, but today the atmosphere was relaxed enough, so no one tangled too much, but teased each other, and the scene became a bit more lively.

The ministers watched with amusement.

Emperor Jing also smiled dumbly after seeing it, but seeing others put on this cool outfit, he felt uncomfortable.

Usually, he wears Fang Zheng's old man's shirt in the palace, that thing is cool and light.

But now, he can't take off this dragon robe.

Fang Zheng approached him and said, "Your Majesty, are you hot?"

"Hot, how can I not be hot? When will this sports meet end today?" Emperor Jing whispered.

"It's possible to return to the palace after the opening ceremony, but I have already prepared, and I will definitely not let you get hot."

As Fang Zheng spoke, he walked three steps in two to a stall guarded by a student: "Take out the things."

The student immediately bent down and lifted two large boxes from under the table, opening one of the boxes to reveal a thick layer of cotton quilts inside.

Fang Zheng opened the cotton quilt and reached out his finger to press it inside, then turned around and said, "Everyone, the weather is hot, I'm treating everyone to popsicles!"

Popsicles had already existed for a long time, and there were several ice cellars in the capital, so they were not considered rare items in the summer.

Everyone immediately gathered around upon hearing this. Fang Zheng first pulled out a popsicle from the innermost part and handed it to Emperor Jing, saying, "Your Majesty, try the specialty of Taoyuan County, transported from the ice cellar in the county, this is called Taoyuan Big Slab!"

Emperor Jing looked at the ice cream with cold air coming out of it, and his heart moved. He took it and took a bite, immediately squinting his eyes with a face full of enjoyment: "Mellow!"

Fang Zheng smiled.

How could it not be mellow? That's pure cream!