Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“Alas! That's really difficult. I didn't expect this! This official has been reduced to drinking thin porridge. What are we eating at the welcome banquet tonight?”

Fang Zheng Yi shook his head helplessly, drawing secret contempt from Wei Shan.

What is this guy! A fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken, at least put on an act... is he really that greedy?

“This... this lowly one has never eaten at a welcome banquet, so I'm not qualified to attend.”

Fang Zheng Yi sighed: “Alas! You guys are really pitiful. This official can't live without meat. I haven't eaten well on this trip either, just dry rations.”

“Let's go, let's go, let's keep looking around.”

They wandered around until the afternoon.

The yamen's dining hall served two meals a day, and Fang Zheng Yi managed to catch the afternoon one.

In the Household Office, Fang Zheng Yi smiled as he looked at the bowl of thin green porridge and a small dish of salted vegetables that Wei Shan brought.

The porridge was clearly thicker than the porridge in the porridge stalls outside.

The few pathetic salted vegetables didn't look very appetizing either.

Fang Zheng Yi took a sip, then spat it out, making a mess of the table.

Then he sat in his seat and began to stare blankly.

He recalled that back in Taoyuan County, even in the most difficult times, he didn't have to wear an official robe with several patches.

At least he could eat something substantial.

Now this Prefect was showing his weakness right away. As the parental official of a prefecture, he shouldn't be unable to afford dry rations.

Does he really think I, Fang Zheng Yi, have never been hungry and am easy to fool?

This act is a bit too fake.

Then he summoned Wei Shan to take the food away and clean the table.

After cleaning up, Fang Zheng Yi sat in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

After leaving the room, Wei Shan looked back with disdain, then quickly carried the porridge and ran back to the government hall.

As soon as Liu Xun saw Wei Shan, he immediately said: “What? Hasn't the meal been delivered yet?”

Wei Shan said in a low voice: “Sir! It's been delivered! He took one sip and spat it out, complaining that the food was unpalatable! He didn't touch the rest.”

“This master is no ordinary person. Look at what he's wearing. He definitely can't eat this coarse food.”

“He even told me at noon that he can't live without meat!”

Liu Xun stroked his beard and laughed: “Good... good! I thought this person was capable since he was sent from the capital.”

“It seems he's just someone who doesn't lift a finger or know the five grains. You continue to follow him, keep a close eye on him, and don't let him ruin things.”

“At the welcome banquet tonight, this official will personally see what he's really made of!”

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

When it was time to leave work, Liu Xun led a group of officials from the yamen to the reserved restaurant in a grand manner.

In the crowd, Fang Zheng Yi carefully observed everyone's situation.

Many people's official robes were patched.

This was not surprising, after all, Liu Xun took the lead in wearing patched clothes, and the superiors influenced the subordinates, which was normal.

It didn't explain too much.

But many people's eyes could explain a lot.

A small number of people looked at him with undisguised contempt because he was dressed luxuriously.

Fang Zheng Yi just smiled it off.

It was a foregone conclusion that there was huge corruption in the yamen, but he didn't know who the accomplices were.

Liu Xun was, of course, the most suspicious. As the Prefect, it was unlikely that he didn't even know that the rice in the official granary was moldy.

With such a big matter, there should be quite a few accomplices.

When they arrived at the banquet, Liu Xun took Fang Zheng Yi's arm and began to introduce him one by one.

“Come, let me introduce you. This is Yuan Shangxun, the Assistant Prefect of the prefecture.”

“Greetings, Lord Yuan!”

“This is Li, the Secretary of the Records Office.....”

After introducing everyone from top to bottom, Fang Zheng Yi saluted and toasted each of them.

After they had all been introduced, the restaurant began to serve dishes.

The dishes were all clear and watery vegetables.

But this time there was more dry rice.

Liu Xun warmly greeted: “Come! Lord Fang, please eat! Today, we can only eat this meal thanks to you.”

“We usually suffer a bit, but in this time of disaster, we should overcome the difficulties together with the people!”

“Please start eating.”

Suddenly, Fang Zheng Yi felt that his lines had been stolen.

So, you little brat are also mingling with the masses?

Fang Zheng Yi immediately smiled and replied: “Lord Liu is noble! Then this humble official will not be polite!”

After speaking, he picked up a green leafy vegetable, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

The expression on his face was a little subtle.

Seeing that someone had started eating, everyone began to eat while chatting.

Fang Zheng Yi talked casually, while secretly observing everyone's performance, occasionally picking up a chopstick of vegetables to eat.

At least half of the people inside were not interested in the food. They only touched the food a few times, but they drank a lot of wine, including Liu Xun!

Logically speaking, if there were no family members sending food, these people should have only drunk a bowl of porridge at the afternoon dining hall.

But it was impossible to send food. Everyone was drinking porridge, and you were eating good food. Wouldn't you be embarrassed? Wouldn't you be afraid of being found out?

It was obvious... that these people didn't usually eat these things.

Seeing that Fang Zheng Yi didn't have much appetite, Liu Xun asked: “Lord Fang, why aren't you eating? Is the food not to your liking? Try this.”

Before Fang Zheng Yi could answer, Liu Xun picked up a chopstick of green vegetables for him.

Fang Zheng Yi chewed it expressionlessly for a long time before swallowing it.

Then he smiled bitterly and said: “Lord Liu, this humble official is already very satisfied with today's meal. I just ate some dry rations not long ago, so I'm not very hungry!”

Liu Xun suddenly understood and said regretfully: “So that's how it is! Tsk, that's a pity. We rarely eat such dishes on weekdays.”

“Lord Fang has come from the capital, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to adapt to the environment here for a while!”

Fang Zheng Yi said modestly: “Not at all. With Lord Liu as an example, this humble official is happy to drink porridge.”

“Now that His Majesty has sent me to Jianjiang as a Vice Prefect, how can this official shrink back just because I can't eat well?”

“Wouldn't that be failing the Holy Grace!”

“Speaking of this...” Fang Zheng Yi picked up a large chopstick of vegetables, put them in his mouth, and muttered: “Thinking of His Majesty, my vegetables taste a bit sweeter!”

Damn it!

All the officials at the table were dumbfounded!

Why is he acting? Who is he acting for? The Emperor isn't even here?

No wonder you were doing so well before! So you relied on flattering the Emperor to get promoted!

A trace of contempt flashed in everyone's eyes.

Liu Xun smiled and said: “Lord Fang's patriotic heart is admirable!”

“I wonder, has Lord Fang settled down in his residence? Is there anyone to serve you?”

Fang Zheng Yi shook his head and said: “Alas, in order not to disappoint His Majesty, this official rode his horse here as soon as the palace issued the decree!”

“I left in a hurry and only brought money. I bought a house after entering the city, but I haven't had time to hire maids and servants yet!”

Liu Xun's eyes lit up: “It doesn't matter! It doesn't matter! Although the prefecture is short of money and food right now, we have no shortage of people at all!”

“After we finish eating, I'll send you a few maids and servants!”

“Then... this humble official will accept without ceremony!”

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