Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Fang Zheng remained silent, pondering something.

Emperor Jing frowned and said, "Are you listening to me?"

Fang Zheng snapped to attention: "Understood! Two years, definitely no problem!"

Emperor Jing shook his head helplessly: "It's not that I want to pressure you, but gunpowder is no ordinary matter. I have a premonition that this thing will definitely change the landscape of war!"

Fang Zheng immediately stood at attention, filled with respect!

The Emperor has some skills! Just seeing gunpowder in the memorial, he's already thought of so much.

But this is also a good thing.

Emperor Jing and his son are both warlike, so there's no fear of a situation like the Northern Song Dynasty, where they focused on economic development and neglected military strength.

It's certainly good to exchange peace through economic means.

But making it a habit would be a real problem!

National defense is the foundation of a country. Having a sword and not using it is different from not having a sword at all...

Seeing Fang Zheng spacing out again, Emperor Jing waved his hand: "Go! It's getting late. Go back and prepare properly. You don't need to attend court for the next few days."

Heh, I wasn't planning on coming anyway!

Fang Zheng performed a salute and prepared to turn and leave.

"Wait!" Emperor Jing's voice sounded from behind.

"The Crown Prince mustn't fool around for too long! Don't let him mention that 'micro-organism' theory to outsiders again."

"I don't care what he does, but he can't spout nonsense outside!"

"The other day, that rebellious son actually told me that the earth beneath our feet is round! Did you teach him that? It's simply absurd!"

"And you! I heard from the Crown Prince that you're still researching that penicillin, aren't you?! A court official spending his days researching poison... If you don't care about face, I do! Stop it immediately!"

"?!"

Who the hell is researching poison! Even the Emperor says this about me, how will history record it!

If I had known, I shouldn't have bothered with all this. TV dramas are a curse!

Fang Zheng wanted to cry but had no tears, awkwardly rooted to the spot, unsure what to do.

But he couldn't explain the matter clearly in a short time, so he could only stammer: "But the earth is round..."

"Get out!"

"........"

I said the earth is round, and you tell me to get out?

Fang Zheng cursed inwardly as he left.

As soon as he stepped out the door, he ran into Guo Tianyang, who was beaming.

"Brother, you're out?"

Fang Zheng replied with delight: "Ah, Brother Guo, perfect timing! I have something to tell you!"

Saying that, he grabbed Guo Tianyang and walked to the side.

Caught off guard, Guo Tianyang could only reluctantly follow him to the corner, struggling to say: "Brother! Brother! What are you doing! This hugging and holding is unseemly!"

Fang Zheng smiled and said: "Brother Guo, what are we afraid of with our relationship? You've already taken so much silver from me! Besides, you're already this old, who would gossip about you!"

"Keep your voice down! Speak your business!" Guo Tianyang's face instantly turned liver-colored.

What's wrong with me being old?!

Fang Zheng asked: "The Water God Sect, have you heard of it?"

Guo Tianyang suspiciously sized him up.

Why is this kid asking about this? Is he trying to steal work from me again?

His Majesty has already assigned the Eastern Depot to handle this matter. Why are you asking me about it now?!

After thinking wildly for a while, Guo Tianyang said in a strange tone: "Brother, did His Majesty tell you about the Embroidered Uniform Guard again?"

"It's not that I'm being petty, but do you know how much silver it costs to run the Eastern Depot?"

"It can't be done in just a few years... Just talking about my subordinates..."

Guo Tianyang kept rambling, and Fang Zheng's brows furrowed.

What is he talking about? It doesn't make any sense.

How can this old eunuch's imagination be so rich?

Seeing that he didn't intend to stop, he quickly interrupted: "Brother Guo, please stop."

"It has nothing to do with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Even if there were Embroidered Uniform Guards, I would still have to rely on you for support."

Saying that, he slipped another silver note into his hand.

Guo Tianyang's expression improved.

This kid is good in this way. He always gives me money whether there's something going on or not!

He's even more diligent than my adopted sons!

If I could really adopt him as a son... wouldn't that be great?

Too bad... this kid rose too quickly, missing the opportunity!

"Ahem! Speaking of the Water God Sect, it has some connection to the Jianjiang water disaster. At that time, the floods were severe, and the Water God Sect took the opportunity to recruit a large number of followers, but they were quickly suppressed by government troops!"

"Later, it was discovered that the leader of the Water God Sect was actually a remnant of the Qian Kingdom, and His Majesty ordered the Eastern Depot to wipe them out nationwide."

"Now, they've been almost completely wiped out! The ringleader hasn't been found, but it doesn't matter, just a few small fries!"

"Hehe, these Qian people are stupid, still daydreaming about restoring the Qian Kingdom."

Guo Tianyang said with disdain.

Fang Zheng was relieved.

So that's how it is... I seemed to have heard people mention it before in court, but I didn't pay attention.

Then there's no big problem!

So it turns out that a bunch of small fries want to overthrow the Jing and restore the Qian. The name alone is unimpressive!

If you called it the Heaven and Earth Society, people might think more of you!

Water God Sect... sounds like it won't amount to much.

"So that's how it is! Brother Guo is wise!" Fang Zheng praised.

Guo Tianyang rolled his eyes at him: "Do you really think my Eastern Depot is just for show? Alright! I won't talk to you anymore. I have to go find His Majesty. Also, be more discreet in front of people in the future! What if that monk goes out and blabs!"

"What monk?" Fang Zheng asked, confused.

"That Northern Rong monk!"

"........"

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

Inside the Fang residence.

A group of people sat around a table.

The table was covered with various weapons, hidden weapons, and poisons.

Fang Zheng picked them up and put them down one by one, sometimes nodding, sometimes shaking his head.

The crowd was puzzled. Xiao Tao asked, "Young Master, what are you doing?"

Fang Zheng ignored her, picked up an unlabeled small green porcelain bottle, and asked, "What poison is this? Why isn't it labeled?"

"This is penicillin. The county sent it over, saying it's especially poisonous," Zhang Biao replied honestly.

"........"

Suppressing the fire in his heart, Fang Zheng slowly put down the bottle and looked at everyone: "Everyone knows that a Northern Rong monk has recently come to the city, right?"

"He brought a man named Heishan Chilie, who is exceptionally brave! In five days, he will have a match with Zhang Biao!"

"I called you here today to arrange special tasks for you."

"Really!!?" Zhang Biao was overjoyed upon hearing this!

"Really! And this battle only allows victory, not defeat! So we must be fully prepared!"

"Zhang Biao, you must train well during this time, especially with hidden weapons!"

"Lu Fa, you go teach him some Northern Rong language. It will be useful then."

"Xiao Bai, Ning Xin, the two of you are responsible for cooking for him. Even if he's hungry in the middle of the night, make sure he eats well, so his body doesn't have any problems."

Xiao Tao took the initiative to step forward and said: "What about me? What do I do?"

"After the hidden weapons are selected, you make a new set of clothes for Zhang Biao."

"The day of the match will be held at the football field. At that time, the emperor, officials, and even the entire city's people will go to watch. Those underhanded methods can't be seen!"

.........