Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"I didn't expect the atmosphere in Banshan Ward to be even better than the inner city's."

A Hanlin beside Yang Yingcai couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

However, he quickly realized he had spoken out of turn and quickly lowered his head.

Wasn't this boosting others' morale while diminishing his own?

Yang Yingcai also sighed helplessly. Indeed, the reality was like this... But could someone really achieve such perfection?

Yang Yingcai naturally didn't believe in such things, and the group continued to walk forward.

After walking only a few steps, he felt pain in his legs. Fortunately, there was a tea stall nearby with a few scholars sitting inside.

The tea stall obviously couldn't accommodate too many people.

Yang Yingcai and the others split into several groups and went their separate ways to find seats.

After they were seated, the waiter enthusiastically brought a pot of tea.

Yang Yingcai stared blankly at the hot tea, lost in thought.

Suddenly, the waiter reappeared, carrying a plate of melon seeds and placing it on the table.

Yang Yingcai was surprised and said, "This isn't what we ordered."

The waiter smiled slightly, "These are complimentary for you all. Don't worry, they're free."

"Uh... Why are you giving them away! Could it be you recognize us!"

Yang Yingcai perked up!

Good, he had finally found a loophole!

Someone was specially trying to curry favor, and a plate of melon seeds would reveal their true colors!

The waiter looked at Yang Yingcai's attitude with some confusion and explained, "Esteemed guest, you've misunderstood. How could I possibly know you?"

"These melon seeds are offered to every table. If you don't believe me, take a look."

Yang Yingcai and the others looked at the other tables, and indeed, each table had a small plate of melon seeds.

Instantly, he wavered again and asked, "Why are you giving them away for no reason! Doesn't your melon seeds cost money?"

The waiter said, "Esteemed guest, you're clearly unaware. You must be new to Banshan Ward."

"The competition among the tea stalls in the ward is too fierce now, so this is a special service we've launched to attract customers."

"Not only that, but our tea is also a few coins cheaper than the tea stalls outside the ward."

"An ordinary tea stall would charge around fifteen coins for a pot of tea, but we only charge twelve coins and even offer free melon seeds."

"Although it seems like we're earning less, Banshan Ward is different from other places. Our security is good, and no one comes to collect protection money. Plus, with the large number of customers, we actually earn more than before."

"So, we focus on reputation and a steady stream of income. If you enjoy it, you'll come back next time, right?"

Yang Yingcai pointed at the waiter in amazement, "Ah! You waiter really know a lot."

The waiter smiled triumphantly, "This is nothing. Every business in the ward operates this way. Enjoy your tea. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything."

After speaking, the waiter left.

The group of Hanlin stared at each other, speechless, and silently picked up their teacups and sipped their tea, each lost in thought.

After finishing a cup of tea, Yang Yingcai heard the sound of scholars composing poetry behind him.

He curiously turned around and listened carefully.

"This poem exudes charm from every line, not through deliberate effort, but through a skill that cannot be deliberately achieved. Brother Shen, your progress in the past few days has been rapid! We are far behind..."

"Haha, you're too kind, you're too kind. Have some tea."

Yang Yingcai couldn't help but pat the shoulder of the person behind him, "You..."

Shen Yi turned around, looked at the old man in front of him, and asked curiously, "Old sir, do you have any advice?"

Yang Yingcai said, "I am Yang Yingcai, may I ask..."

"Oh, I am Shen Yi."

"I wanted to ask why you are reading at the tea stall. Doesn't Banshan Ward have any bookstores?"

Shen Yi smiled, "How can you say that? One doesn't need to choose a specific place for discussing poetry and composing lyrics. Watching passersby in this tea stall is quite interesting."

"Moreover, the common people passing by can also listen to us discussing books and reciting lyrics, and perhaps learn something."

"There's a saying that beauty is contagious, which is wonderful... but I forgot who said it..."

"The atmosphere in the ward has always been like this. Old sir, you must be from an outer ward."

Yang Yingcai felt a bit disappointed, "I'm from Dengjin Ward."

Shen Yi's expression changed upon hearing this.

Yang Yingcai noticed the change and quickly asked, "What is it? Could it be that you have some complaints about Dengjin Ward?"

Shen Yi said indignantly, "Complaints! I have many complaints! It's full of petty thieves and scoundrels, especially Yan Guoan. I was blind to have taken him as an example."

Yang Yingcai trembled and pointed at Shen Yi, "You... how can you say such things! Yan Guoan is a Zhuangyuan, a Hanlin lecturer of the court."

"So what! Even if he stood in front of me, I, Shen, would still scold him without hesitation!" Shen Yi was not afraid at all.

The scene of being thrown out was still etched in his mind.

Having spent a long time wandering around Banshan Ward, he had grown bolder and more unrestrained.

He probably wouldn't have had the courage to do this before.

"Although he is a Zhuangyuan, in my opinion, he hasn't truly absorbed the books he's read. What's the use of simply memorizing the words of sages! No matter how flowery his language is, it cannot save the common people from poverty."

"In my opinion, compared to Mr. Sai and Young Master Li, he is simply worlds apart!"

Yang Yingcai was dumbfounded, "Who are Mr. Sai and Young Master Li?"

"I don't know their real names, but everyone calls them that. These two are the true managers of Banshan Ward."

Yang Yingcai instantly understood and continued to ask, "Are you a resident of Banshan Ward?"

Shen Yi shook his head, "No, I'm from Dengjin Ward, but... I'll be moving here soon."

Then, he suddenly smiled, "Old sir, meeting is fate. Let me tell you, if you live in Dengjin Ward, it's best to move here as soon as possible."

"In my opinion, the houses in Banshan Ward will increase in price within a few months. By then, you might not even be able to buy one, hahaha."

Yang Yingcai said unwillingly, "Is Dengjin Ward really that unbearable in your eyes?"

"Yes."

".........."

Hearing Shen Yi's straightforward answer was like a critical blow to everyone.

Someone beside Yang Yingcai still wanted to try, "Then, are there any aspects of Banshan Ward that you are dissatisfied with?"

"Dissatisfied?" Shen Yi frowned, trying hard to think.

"Dissatisfied... it seems there's nothing I'm dissatisfied with, but the play that was performed at the first bonfire party after the rain yesterday was upsetting to watch, simply... a disgrace to culture!"

At this point, Shen Yi's face began to distort, as if the play had caused him great psychological trauma.

Yang Yingcai and the others' eyes lit up, and they quickly asked, "What play was it? What was it about?"

"The Legend of the White Snake! It was about a snake demon falling in love with a monk... Thinking about this play gives me a headache! What kind of nonsense was it, a complete mess!"

"The first half was clearly a tragic love story, but why did the plot suddenly change after the monk raped Bai Suzhen... The screenwriter is simply devoid of common sense."

Shen Yi's tablemate laughed, "Ah, Brother Shen! You don't understand, my ancestors were snake catchers!"

"Did you know that the mating time of snakes can reach five hours! And that's for two snakes! Even ten Xu Xians would have to run from Bai Suzhen, but Fahai is powerful, so he definitely has no problem!"

Hearing this, Shen Yi slapped his forehead, suddenly enlightened!

"So that's how it is! That makes sense. It seems I'm the one who lacks common sense."

...............