Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“I won't change, I am but a foolish and ignorant man. The reason I've been able to walk so far and smoothly is all thanks to Your Majesty's guidance.”

“Since Your Majesty has the wisdom to recognize people and discern loyalty from treachery, why should I change? I'll just be myself!” Fang Zheng Yi couldn't help but sigh.

Emperor Jing pointed at him, shaking his head and laughing: “You, you should keep that mouth of yours shut in front of the officials.”

Fang Zheng Yi laughed inwardly.

Heh heh, although I haven't slept for two days, my skills are still online!

So what if he's the Emperor, my father-in-law? I can still handle him!

“First, tell me, what exactly did you experience?”

Fang Zheng Yi took two deep breaths of fresh air, his spirit recovering somewhat, and slowly recounted: “After I was taken away by the Prince of Wu, he forced me to give him the gunpowder formula. I stalled him for two days, and then the guards I brought came to rescue me.”

“Although the process was extremely dangerous, fortunately, I was lucky enough to disguise myself as one of the Prince of Wu's subordinates and escape.”

“Later, I accidentally got lost in the mountains and ended up in Yuding City.”

“The Prince of Wu once told me that the ship he was on was built by a family in Yuding City. I suspected that the local officials were colluding with the Prince of Wu, so I concealed my identity and stayed in Yuding City to investigate this matter. However, after my investigation, the local officials were unaware of the Prince of Wu's rebellion.”

“Later, the people from the Eastern Depot found me, and I came back. That's roughly the whole story.”

Emperor Jing pondered for a moment and asked: “What about the inside story of the Salt Merchant case? How did the Fourth Prince accumulate so much for so long without being discovered?”

“Your Majesty, the Prince of Wu can be said to be ambitious. He began plotting this matter when the Qian and Jing countries were at war! The network of private salt has already spread throughout the South, and this false accounting began at that time.”

“He also colluded with Zhang Shi, so it's normal that no clues could be found.”

“In addition, the Prince of Wu also contributed to the defeat of the Qian country. The proliferation of private salt also had a significant impact within the Qian country, and the Prince of Wu also plotted the accidental death of the Qian Emperor.”

A trace of shock flashed in Emperor Jing's eyes, and he murmured: “The Fourth Prince is so far-sighted... He also contributed to this?”

Fang Zheng Yi took out a memorial from his arms and handed it up, saying: “Your Majesty, I cannot describe everything in detail at once. The details are all written in it, please read it, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jing took the memorial, nodded, and still felt a little unbelievable: “I didn't expect... I really didn't expect it. I will read it carefully. In addition, I had already guessed that Zhang Shi would be in contact with him, so I had already ordered people to monitor him in advance.”

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard has now established a yamen. The Northern and Southern Divisions are in charge of guarding discipline and investigating cases. I have selected some descendants of military merits who have already taken office.”

“Currently, there are still not enough people. You can select some good citizens to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I will send someone to give you the specific regulations.”

“Also, you need to... Fang Qing, Fang Qing?”

While Emperor Jing was speaking, Fang Zheng Yi had already fallen asleep, slumped in his chair.

Having not eaten or slept for two days, he had reached his limit.

Looking at his sleeping appearance, Emperor Jing smiled helplessly and sighed to Guo Tianyang:

“Fang Qing is dedicated to his duty and a true model of a subject. He is at the age when his energy is at its peak. It seems that this trip has really exhausted him.”

“Send him to bed to sleep. After he wakes up, let him go back to Taoyuan County to rest for two days before coming to see me again. I will reward him separately at that time.”

.....

When Fang Zheng Yi woke up from his deep sleep, it was already the next morning.

This sleep made him feel refreshed and incomparably clear-headed.

However, when he woke up, he found that he was in the East Palace, and his clothes had been changed.

Li Yuanzhao was not in the East Palace, perhaps he had gone out. Fortunately, he had left a palace maid to report the news and had also sent breakfast.

After finishing breakfast, someone had already prepared a carriage, and Fang Zheng Yi went straight to his home in the capital.

When the gatekeeper saw Fang Zheng Yi return, he immediately showed a look of surprise and was about to go back to report, but Fang Zheng Yi stopped him in time.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, the first thing he saw was Xiao Tao, sitting by the stone bench, bored.

With one hand supporting her cheek and the other holding a small fan, she fanned herself slowly and leisurely, her lazy appearance seven or eight parts like Fang Zheng Yi.

As if sensing someone approaching, Xiao Tao turned her head and saw Fang Zheng Yi, who was smiling.

At first glance, she froze.

Mist slowly accumulated in her eyes, and then she stood up and suddenly rushed towards Fang Zheng Yi.

The warmth and softness of a beauty filled his arms, and Fang Zheng Yi chuckled foolishly: “What's wrong? Has someone at home bullied you? By the way, shouldn't you be in the county?”

Xiao Tao said in a muffled voice: “You still know how to come back, and you didn't even write a letter home. Yesterday, our people came back and said that you had entered the palace. I brought Zhang Biao and the others back to pick you up.”

Fang Zheng Yi gently pushed her away and said: “Okay, I'll go home and rest for two days, pack up, and then go back.”

Xiao Tao wiped away her tears and nodded obediently.

“Many things have happened in the county. The Prince of Wu sent people to attack our county. We used gunpowder, and I'm afraid we won't be able to hide it, but no outsiders should know about it yet.”

Fang Zheng Yi lovingly stroked the top of her head and said: “I know, these are all small things. I'll take care of them later. Where's Zhang Biao?”

“Young Master, I'm here!” A thick voice rang out.

Fang Zheng Yi cast his gaze over, only to see a few people standing at the moon gate of the courtyard.

Zhang Biao, Luo Ningxin, and a woman who looked somewhat familiar.

Good fellow, Brother Biao has gotten a whole circle thicker. It seems he hasn't been slacking on his muscles!

The somewhat familiar woman beside Zhang Biao was leaning shyly against Zhang Biao, her lower abdomen slightly bulging, and she was also carrying a dumbbell in her hand.

She bowed and said: “Greetings, Lord Fang.”

Luo Ningxin walked over gracefully, leaned close to Fang Zheng Yi's ear, and breathed softly: “Young Master, you've finally returned. That's Sister Chun, have you forgotten? ”

“She kept asking me to help her contact Brother Biao, so I contacted him. She's pregnant now, Young Master, I...”

Listening to Luo Ningxin's soft and seductive voice, Fang Zheng Yi's heart was tickled.

But now is not the time to talk about this. Zhang Biao getting married surprised him even more: “I've only been gone for less than a year, and you're already married?”

“Not married, Young Master, why did you leave for so long this time? I was afraid you'd die out there.” Zhang Biao smiled honestly, then turned his head to see Sister Chun's face turn stern again: “What are you doing here? Aren't you going to work out your muscles?!”

Sister Chun flattened her mouth aggrievedly and walked away carrying the dumbbell.

Fang Zheng Yi's mouth slowly widened, and he exclaimed; “You made a pregnant woman work out her muscles?”

Zhang Biao approached and said seriously: “She has to work out, otherwise, I don't want a weakling to be born.”

“......” Fang Zheng Yi stared blankly at Zhang Biao: “You got someone pregnant without getting married?”

“It doesn't seem to matter, does it, Young Master.” Zhang Biao said blankly: “Can't you get someone pregnant without getting married?”

Xiao Tao in the courtyard looked at Zhang Biao with contempt.

“My god.” Fang Zheng Yi covered his forehead, feeling a headache: “You didn't inherit any of the moral blood in my body, did you? You're not planning to take responsibility?”

“Ah.. Of course, I have to take responsibility, but I can't just find one, I'll find a few more to marry together, it's convenient.”

“......”

There's no way to communicate. Fang Zheng Yi always felt a little difficult to understand Brother Biao's powerful thinking logic.

After hesitating for a while, he stopped thinking about it, looked at everyone, and put on a smiling face: “Okay, I'm back, so everyone doesn't have to worry. Pack up, let's go back to Taoyuan first!”

......