Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

A gloomy atmosphere filled the warm pavilion.

It was a case of 'speak of the devil,' the most dreaded event of the past few days had finally occurred.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had immediately reported the chaos to the palace.

Emperor Jing, without hesitation, summoned the Grand Secretariat and the Crown Prince.

At that moment, Emperor Jing had to concede.

Li Yansong, as a veteran of two dynasties, possessed a powerful and meticulous insight that ordinary officials couldn't match.

His predictions were accurate, but unfortunately, he didn't offer any solutions.

Emperor Jing paced back and forth, while Li Yuanzhao and the others stood by, not daring to sit.

This was a thorny issue. The Embroidered Uniform Guard hadn't provided further updates on the specific situation, and its development remained unknown. They could only wait for Fang Zheng to arrive and question him.

Emperor Jing furrowed his brow deeply and repeatedly muttered, "How could this happen? How dare those people be so audacious! Gathering crowds and attacking the Marquis's residence! Don't they know who Fang Zheng is!?"

Li Yansong said with a worried expression, "Your Majesty, scholars who haven't entered officialdom are always like this. This old minister is most unwilling to see this happen. Currently, this old minister suggests that the court prepare early and take a step back for the best. A head-on confrontation will likely result in mutual destruction."

"Take a step back? Are you telling me to retract my decree?" Emperor Jing paused, displeased, "A group of ignorant and pedantic scholars, extremely arrogant! Do they understand what is right and what is wrong?"

"Who among them can help me increase revenue and reduce expenditure in the national treasury? Who can make the nation's army arrive in the evening after setting out in the morning? They are all armchair strategists, none of them capable of practical work. They failed the imperial examination because they lack ability, yet they cause trouble under false pretenses. What use do I have for such scholars!?"

Knowing that Emperor Jing was in a fit of anger, Li Yansong could only gently pacify him: "This old minister doesn't mean that. The court's decisions are naturally made after thorough consideration before being announced. We can also completely satisfy the demands of those scholars. Why not add another batch of Jinshi (successful candidates in the imperial examination) for selection, which can also be used by the court."

Emperor Jing flatly rejected: "Absolutely not! How many would satisfy them? What if the remaining people cause trouble again?"

Li Yansong said: "Summon them together and announce it publicly. If the remaining candidates who are not on the supplementary list still cause trouble and do not abide by the agreement, then the court will have the moral high ground. Furthermore, we can first urgently appoint the newly selected Jinshi, specifically ordering them to quell the matter and divide and dissolve the crowd. At the very least, we can divert the trouble."

"Alas..." Emperor Jing rubbed his temples, his head aching, "If all else fails, we can only do that. I have spent my life fighting on the battlefield, yet I am defeated by the endless chatter of the world...."

Just as the warm pavilion was immersed in a somber atmosphere, Fang Zheng arrived in a whirlwind!

His face was filled with great joy, as if he had just returned from celebrating the New Year.

Everyone looked at him in surprise, and before Emperor Jing could speak.

Fang Zheng loudly said: "This minister is late in seeing Your Majesty, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me! This minister congratulates Your Majesty, celebrates with Your Majesty!"

The ministers exchanged glances, and Emperor Jing hesitated: "Don't you know that there are people causing trouble outside the Jianye Marquis's residence? What do I have to celebrate?"

Fang Zheng said loudly: "Of course, this minister knows, and I just returned from the scene, having seen it all clearly."

"Then what are you congratulating me for?" Emperor Jing asked, puzzled.

"As far as this minister could see, all the scholars were denouncing the court's injustice in front of the Marquis's residence! Therefore, this minister is extremely pleased."

Fang Zheng spoke eloquently, "This minister's position today is no longer what ordinary people can reach, and officials are even more cautious in their interactions with me."

"However, these scholars, who can be considered humble in the face of this minister's status, dare to express their thoughts directly in front of the Marquis's residence, offering suggestions for the country, and their patriotic sentiments are moving!"

"Our Great Jing is in an era of peace and prosperity, and has been peaceful for a long time. This minister has read through history and observed that in such prosperous times, scholars like to apply rouge and powder and act like daughters, taking weakness as beauty, and then the country declines."

"But our Great Jing is different. The candidates in this world are full of courage and have spines of steel! They dare to directly challenge those in power, unafraid of the powerful! Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the matter, the integrity and courage they display are the most valuable aspects of human nature, which is enough to show that our Great Jing's national fortune is prosperous... From ancient times to the present, we are far ahead!! Therefore, this minister has lost his composure before Your Majesty and cannot help but congratulate Your Majesty!"

"Hahahaha!" A burst of hearty laughter came from Emperor Jing's mouth, "They all say that a prime minister's belly can hold a boat, but I see that Zheng Yi's belly is holding a warship. Who among the officials in the court has such a broad mind?"

The original gloom in the warm pavilion was instantly dispelled.

Li Yuanzhao's jaw almost dropped to the ground.

Good heavens! His imperial father was angry just a moment ago!

It still had to be Old Fang. He smoothed things over with just a few words after entering the room?

Guo Tianyang's face was expressionless, his emotions calm.

Li Yansong and the others pouted their lips high.

Damn it! You really can't put down your old tricks, can you? Now that the fire is burning your eyebrows, what do you mean by flattering the Emperor as soon as you enter the room?

Even if you praise the Emperor to the heavens, it won't solve the actual problem!

But there is one good thing, it's rare that he spoke up for the scholars this time...

Emperor Jing felt relieved, swept away his depression, sat back in his chair, and asked: "What is the situation outside now?"

"This minister has already sent people to seal off the surrounding area, and the situation has not expanded for the time being."

"There was no use of force, right?"

Fang Zheng chuckled twice: "This minister has always advocated using love and a sense of justice to influence opponents. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is also constantly strengthening its own image construction, and even when facing the most vicious criminals, they must act in accordance with the law."

"These scholars are just temporarily confused, they are all from respectable families, and this minister naturally cannot solve the problem with force. Right now, we are using gentle persuasion to disperse them."

Emperor Jing nodded in satisfaction: "I see that you seem to have a plan, so tell me how to solve it. It's not a solution to keep them locked up like this. These people are the pillars of our Great Jing's future. Once things get out of control, you should know the consequences."

Fang Zheng nodded: "This minister has some initial ideas, but they have not yet taken shape. But generally speaking, the root of the problem is simply that the two sides do not understand each other. If such a thing does not happen today, it will happen tomorrow."

"To the scholars, the scientific ideas of Dongda are too utilitarian, focusing only on technology and not on cultivating the mind. In the eyes of many people, this is no different from going astray and corrupting morality. The changes brought about by science and technology are naturally understood by the officials in the court who are in the central government and can see the whole picture. These scholars obviously have a much narrower perspective."

"In short, information is not flowing smoothly. If they understood more, their ideas might change."

"Therefore, this minister's solution is to carefully teach and patiently communicate until mutual understanding is achieved between the two sides."

Emperor Jing was somewhat disappointed: "Is this your solution? It doesn't sound very clever. If those people could be persuaded, would I be having a headache?"

Fang Zheng cupped his hands: "The greatest truths are the simplest! This minister's sincerity, love, and patience will surely be able to influence others. Therefore, I would like to ask Your Majesty for leave today and entrust this matter entirely to this minister for handling. I will return to court when it is resolved. Please allow me, Your Majesty."

Emperor Jing leaned forward, surprised: "You really want to solve it yourself, without the need for朕 to send someone to assist?"

Fang Zheng shook his head: "The resources that this minister can mobilize are already sufficient... If it doesn't work, I will ask the court for assistance. Before that, please put your minds at ease, Your Majesty and gentlemen, and treat this matter as if it never happened. Don't let it affect state affairs."

Emperor Jing looked somewhat dazed.

He had originally wanted to help him share some of the burden, but he took it all upon himself!

"朕 will grant your request. Do as you see fit, and if you need help, come to the palace and explain in detail."

......