Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Things in the palace are naturally handled with great efficiency.

Guo Tianyang only spent an afternoon instructing his subordinates to find a good location, renovate the shop, and acquire dozens of ready-made exquisite porcelain bottles.

The location was naturally excellent, situated in an area of the capital frequented by the wealthy.

A brightly shining signboard was hung up, eliminating the need for any other complicated procedures.

The next day, during the early morning court session,

the officials gathered in front of the Fengtian Hall, and Guo Tianyang deliberately detoured to pass in front of them.

He held a tray in his hand, upon which sat a pot of clear tea, its lid slightly ajar.

Seeing Eunuch Guo walking towards them with small, quick steps, the officials exchanged glances.

This Eunuch Guo usually appeared alongside His Majesty, so why was he passing by the Fengtian Hall today?

Guo Tianyang gradually approached the crowd, slowing his pace...

Li Yansong asked curiously, "Eunuch Guo, why are you here alone today? Where is His Majesty?"

Guo Tianyang's eyes lit up, and he quickly approached, carrying the tea.

"Lord Li, this old servant has specially prepared tea for His Majesty, who will arrive later."

Tea? Was there a need to specially prepare that? There was never such a thing during previous court sessions!

Many people began to wonder, while simultaneously smelling a fresh and elegant fragrance.

Their feet unconsciously moved closer, their eyes fixed on the tea in Guo Tianyang's hand.

Li Yansong asked curiously, "Oh? Eunuch Guo, what kind of tea is this? The soup is clear, and the aroma is lingering. Why haven't I seen His Majesty drink it before?"

Here it comes! Just waiting for you to ask! Guo Tianyang was overjoyed.

Then he said loudly, "This tea was discovered by His Majesty a few days ago in a tea shop in the capital."

"This tea has a fresh and elegant taste. Drinking it can increase energy and replenish physical strength. His Majesty liked it as soon as he tried it."

"That's right! All the previous tea soups have now been replaced with this new tea."

Hearing him say this, a murmur gradually arose in the crowd:

"Yes! This taste is a bit unusual, fragrant! It is fragrant!"

"Oh! This tea's taste is somewhat similar to the Tusong tea from my Hengjiang Prefecture, but not quite. Hmm... it smells really good."

"Eunuch Guo, what is the name of this tea?"

Guo Tianyang smiled, "This tea is called Great Grade Celestial Tea! It is said that regular consumption can prolong life, nourish the kidneys, and strengthen the essence. It is known as a treasure for men!"

"Oh! Great Grade Celestial Tea sounds extraordinary!"

"Ah? I didn't expect Eunuch Guo to understand the treasure for men!"

"Hahahaha..."

..........

Someone said this, and the crowd burst into laughter.

Damn it!

Guo Tianyang's face turned as red as a pig's liver, his eyes constantly scanning the officials, wishing he could find the grandson who had just shouted and tear him into pieces!

He even had to suffer personal insults while doing errands! It's all Fang Zheng's fault!

After searching for a long time without success, Guo Tianyang had no choice but to give up.

"Everyone, if there's nothing else, I'll leave first. The wind is strong outside. If this tea gets cold, I can't afford to offend His Majesty!"

After speaking, Guo Tianyang turned to leave.

Li Yansong quickly stopped him, nervously rubbing his hands.

He was a little tempted. A treasure for men that strengthens the kidneys and invigorates the mind? Old Li also wanted to try it.

After all, he was over sixty years old, and in recent years, he felt his body deteriorating. Besides backaches and leg pains, he often felt sleepy while working in the office.

He could only drink some cold water to refresh himself. He wasn't used to those tea soups with additives. Not only did they have an overpowering taste, but they always left him with a mouthful of residue.

This clear tea soup smelled very fresh and could also invigorate the mind and strengthen the kidneys.

With such a treasure for men, he had to try it no matter what!

"Eunuch Guo, is this tea really as good as you say?"

"What are you saying! It's not me saying it, it's His Majesty! If His Majesty says it's good, then how can it be fake?" Guo Tianyang looked askance at Li Yansong.

Li Yansong quickly waved his hand and said, "No! No! If His Majesty thinks it's good, then the thing must be good!"

"Then... where can I buy it?"

Guo Tianyang smiled slightly. The big fish had taken the bait!

If the Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet took the lead, the rest would naturally follow suit, and there would be no need to worry about the sales of the tea.

Li Yansong was a veteran official of two dynasties and came from a family of large landowners. Although five hundred taels of silver per catty of tea was expensive, he could definitely afford it.

"This tea is purchased by the palace. This old servant doesn't remember where he bought it at the time, but I can help you gentlemen ask around."

"Is there anything else? If not, then this old servant will leave first."

Li Yansong performed a salute, and Guo Tianyang turned around, a smug expression on his face.

......

Inside the Fengtian Hall, the officials were lined up in their positions.

Emperor Jing sat high on the dragon throne, holding a teacup in his hand, constantly using the lid to stir the floating tea leaves.

The people below stared eagerly at the Emperor drinking tea.

The fragrance wafted down in waves, and many people felt a little thirsty, unconsciously licking their lips.

After drinking a cup of tea, Emperor Jing slowly spoke.

"Gentlemen, I have been away from the capital for the past few days. If there are any important matters, bring them up for discussion."

Zhang Shi, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have a report. It is a message that I just received yesterday. Recently, there has been continuous heavy rain in Jianjiang, which has washed away two dams."

"Half a month ago, the number of affected people exceeded three thousand. There is no shortage of food. Now, the Jianjiang Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Governor have specially applied to the Ministry of Revenue for 30,000 taels of silver to recruit laborers to repair the dams and provide disaster relief."

"However, there have been many victims of disasters in the past two years, and the Ministry of Revenue's expenditures have already exceeded its budget. If we want to balance other matters, the Ministry of Revenue can now only provide a maximum of 20,000 taels."

"Please, Your Majesty, make a wise decision!"

Emperor Jing closed his eyes and rubbed his brow.

As expected, these troublesome things came up again as soon as he returned. There had been natural and man-made disasters everywhere in the past two years.

With the national treasury empty, the people below would only set their sights on his own private treasury.

But this money had to be spent, and it hurt to spend it.

After thinking for a moment, Emperor Jing gritted his teeth and said, "I understand. Make up for the shortfall of 10,000 taels from my private treasury."

The few Grand Secretaries below immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Shi's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

As the Minister of Revenue, he was in charge of money and grain, and no one had a bigger headache than him.

Now, the Ministry of Revenue simply had no money, so they could only ask the Emperor for money. He originally thought it would take a few days of haggling, but he didn't expect His Majesty to agree so readily!

It seemed that running out for a trip had made a big difference. Before, it was always a lot of nagging to get money.

Emperor Jing sneered inwardly, 'Of course it's wise to spend my money!'

He had saved only 20,000 taels in his private treasury after years of frugality, and half of it was spent in one go!

He hoped that the batch of tea leaves could live up to his expectations.

"Do you gentlemen have any other matters?"

Seeing that Emperor Jing's face was a little unsightly, the officials tacitly remained silent.

Usually, the Emperor was in a bad mood at this time, and it was useless to say anything. Wait for next time!

Seeing everyone silent, Emperor Jing said, "Good! Since you gentlemen have no matters to report, then I have something to say."

"Where is Fan Cong, the Commander of the Five Cities Garrison?"

"Your subject is here!" Fan Cong stepped out from the crowd, feeling a little apprehensive.

Emperor Jing's expression was serious, "When I returned to the capital, I looked around everywhere and saw broken streets and sewage flowing everywhere. What are you doing as the Commander!"

"Ah?" Fan Cong raised his head in surprise and quickly explained, "Your Majesty, it may be that the drainage channels are blocked, so there is more standing water on the streets... The capital is also dusty, and it becomes muddy all over the streets when it rains."

"It has always been like this. Every time there is heavy rain, your subject sends people to inspect the waterways in various places. Presumably... presumably, there was a problem this time."

Hearing his sophistry, Emperor Jing was furious, "Shut up! Does that mean it's right because it's always been like this! You are unworthy of receiving the court's salary!"

"I will give you three months to repair the streets and dredge the waterways. Find your own way to get the money! If the city still hasn't improved after May, you will take off this official uniform for me!"

Although Fan Cong was still a little confused, he instinctively knelt down when he saw the Emperor's rage, "Your subject deserves to die! I will definitely make the streets look brand new in three months."

Emperor Jing nodded expressionlessly, "Good, I will send someone to investigate."

"The rest of you gentlemen, report if you have something to report, otherwise, dismiss the court!"

......