Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

That day, the wind was high and the sky clear.

Before the main hall of the Imperial Palace, a gathering of officials had assembled.

A large table took center stage, with three long tables arranged around it in a rectangle.

At the center of this formation stood a gleaming golden copper pipe.

A red silk cloth was tied to the bend of the copper pipe, thoroughly covering it.

The atmosphere was relaxed, with officials smiling and conversing in low voices.

Occasionally, someone would sample the refreshments on the table.

Fang Zheng Yi sat at the head of the long table on the left, leisurely stroking his beard with narrowed eyes.

A subordinate official stood respectfully between his seat and that of another cabinet member, reporting in a low voice.

"Lord Fang, the financial reports from the three provinces of Dongling, Yuntai, and Nanchuan were submitted the night before last. I've reviewed them, and aside from official business, the routine expenses of various government offices haven't decreased; in fact, they've increased. Moreover, many of the items listed are unreasonable... Should we immediately send a dispatch by express mail to urge them again?"

"Alas..." Fang Zheng Yi sighed softly, "There's nothing I can do about it now, as I haven't even looked at it yet... Does the Emperor know about this?"

"His Majesty found out yesterday and said to give it all to you, without bothering him. Since you weren't here yesterday, I..."

"What about the Ministry of Revenue? Have you spoken to them?"

"The Ministry of Revenue is also complaining, unwilling to cooperate. In my opinion... it would be best to start with small matters. Local government offices have built dining halls; except for the capital, we should abolish the dining halls in all other places. The imperial court is already providing stipends; there's no need to build restaurants for them. I felt this was inappropriate from the beginning when they wanted to build them."

"What's inappropriate about it?" Fang Zheng Yi slightly raised his eyelids, "Firstly, it controls the budget. Secondly, it mandates that local officials eat in the dining halls as part of their performance evaluation. The common people can see them eating there too. Even if they try to avoid it, they'll be seen by the people for at least a hundred days out of the year."

"If those useless officials below dare to act recklessly and create some great injustice, it'll be easier for the people to stab them to death, instead of not being able to find them."

"Oh! Lord Fang, you're..."

"Little Li, I was the main advocate for this matter. Do you have an issue with me?"

"No, no." The subordinate official said helplessly, "How would I dare, Lord Fang? I think it's best to start with small matters if the budget isn't being strictly followed."

"We must start with small matters, but we don't need to worry about the dining hall issue. Many officials still think the dining halls are good, after all, they don't have to spend money. Even those with money want to take advantage. If they don't eat well, they'll make trouble for those below. The imperial court isn't short of this little bit of money, so let's put this matter aside for now."

"Instead of that, why don't you take a trip to Yuntai for me? The rainy season is coming soon. Last year's floods were quite severe. I'll approve a warrant for you to go and check how well the riverbanks have been repaired. While you're at it, you can also investigate the local situation for a year or so."

"Ah?" The subordinate official shrank his neck, his face bitter, "Lord Fang, I'm not really against you building that dining hall. The river matters..."

"I said..." Fang Zheng Yi turned his head impatiently, "What are you thinking? I'm just asking you to take a look. It's not like I'm sending you there and not letting you come back. Don't you want to advance in your career?"

"I'll go, I'll go!"

"That's all there is to it..." Fang Zheng Yi picked up the tea on the table and slowly sipped it.

Li Yuan Zhao in the main seat glanced over, reaching out his hand and waving towards him.

Fang Zheng Yi raised an eyebrow, smoothing out his official robes as he walked over.

The eunuch next to Li Yuan Zhao immediately moved a chair over.

"Sit, sit, sit, Old Fang, sit!" Li Yuan Zhao said with a smile.

Fang Zheng Yi sat down and also showed a smile: "What's the matter, Your Majesty?"

"No, when does it start? I'm getting impatient." Li Yuan Zhao asked in a low voice.

"Soon, it should be ready soon, Your Majesty, please be patient." Fang Zheng Yi gently pressed his right hand, "You've waited a year, what's the difference of waiting a little longer, isn't that right?"

"That's also true, I have something else to ask you... How much of the palace's budget do you plan to give me next year?"

Fang Zheng Yi sighed deeply: "Why do you need money again? How much does Your Majesty want?"

"It should be at least one million more than last year. You know that my research on that four-wheeled vehicle is costing too much silver, so allocate a little more to me."

"Your Majesty... Don't you have businesses of your own? The imperial court's money is for the people. Let's not mention the old departments, now there are the Relief Centers, Infant Care Centers, Medical Bureaus... and the newly established City Planning Institute, all of which need silver. It's hard for me to manage the household."

"Am I even an emperor as an emperor! Is there any enjoyment in being one! I have to beg you to allocate money even to build a car. It's not like I'm taking it out to build Taoist temples or Buddhist halls, nor am I raising fierce beasts for fighting shows. This is also a serious matter for me!" Li Yuan Zhao slammed the table in anger.

"Then I quit, Your Majesty can find someone else more capable, I'm retiring and returning to my hometown." Fang Zheng Yi put his hands in his sleeves, slumped in his chair and began to slack off.

"Hey! Don't be like that... Look at you getting anxious again. If you leave, who will handle all the mess in the world for me?!" Li Yuan Zhao reached out to pull him, "Don't talk about anything else, just tell me if you'll give me the money or not."

"I'll give it... How can I not give it when Your Majesty asks." Fang Zheng Yi was extremely helpless, "But this is just this once, you can't add any more. I'll give you one million, how about I invest in it?"

"Tsk, you should have said that earlier. You're really getting more long-winded as you get older, always nitpicking over every penny. How generous you were when you were younger! Now, you're nothing!" Li Yuan Zhao spread his hands out.

"Times have changed, Your Majesty. Sooner or later, we'll all have to act according to the law, according to the law! No one can be an exception. Otherwise, if we follow the example of those above and make decisions based on whims all day long, if a fool comes along, everyone will be led into the ditch."

"Hmph, you're the only one who dares to talk to me like that."

Fang Zheng Yi shook his head with a wry smile.

At that moment, a eunuch trotted forward and shouted loudly: "Everything is ready, Your Majesty, Lord Fang."

Li Yuan Zhao's eyes glanced towards Fang Zheng Yi.

Fang Zheng Yi smiled slightly, gestured an invitation to Li Yuan Zhao, and pointed to the copper pipe in the center of the open space.

Li Yuan Zhao stood up, smoothed out his dragon robe with a joyful expression, and strode towards the copper pipe.

Once the Emperor stood still, the officials became silent.

Fang Zheng Yi said loudly: "Everyone, today His Majesty has summoned everyone here. As for the reason, I believe you all have an idea in your hearts."

"A year ago, Dongjiao University painstakingly designed a complete tap water system, and today it has reached its completion. All the water pipelines have been laid, and faucets have been installed in all government offices and houses within the palace."

"Since ancient times, the palace's water supply has mostly relied on wells within the inner city, and river and lake water outside the city. However, drawing water is time-consuming and laborious, with boats and carts traveling back and forth, consuming a lot of manpower. Now that this new method is complete, water can be obtained with just a step, saving labor and time. Such a system will not only benefit the needs of the palace, but can also be promoted to prefectures throughout the country, benefiting the people. It is truly a great event for thousands of years, to be recorded in history books."

"Now, we invite His Majesty to personally open the water dragon, leaving his meritorious deeds for eternity!"

The officials congratulated him. Li Yuan Zhao laughed heartily and reached out to pull off the red silk cloth covering the faucet.

Then, he naturally turned the valve.

Under the tense gaze of the crowd, after waiting for a few seconds, the faucet made a puffing sound.

After another two or three seconds... a clear stream of water gushed out!

"Good!!!!!"

The whole audience was filled with joy and cheers.

......

(There will be two more chapters tomorrow)