Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The moonlight was like water, and the stars filled the sky.

The streets were deserted, with only Fang Zheng and Shen Yi walking along.

Shen Yi didn't know what Fang Zheng had called him out for, but having just watched the passionate speech, he was still a little excited.

They walked for several minutes until he had completely calmed down before Fang Zheng spoke.

"Shen Yi, I have an opportunity for an assignment outside the capital. I don't know if you'd be willing to take it?"

Shen Yi said, "Since it's an arrangement made by you, sir, Shen Yi wouldn't dare refuse."

Fang Zheng smiled and shook his head, "Don't say such things. The path I've chosen for you might not be to your liking. If you stay in the capital, you might have a bright future. Aren't you afraid I'll hold you back?"

Shen Yi pondered for a moment and said, "I'm not afraid. You always have our best interests at heart, sir, and we can all see your character."

Fang Zheng stopped and looked at Shen Yi.

He still had a very good impression of Shen Yi, who was practical, hardworking, and eager to help others.

He had a bit of his own style, and most importantly, he had the spirit of a workhorse.

"Alright, since you trust me, then everything will be arranged as I see fit. I'm going to a place called Yuding City. You'll go to Yuding City on assignment. The official position won't be too high, not as good as staying in the capital, but I guarantee you won't have any problems with your livelihood."

"Actually, even without your guidance, I wanted to choose a poor place for my assignment. I want to do something for the people, but I feel that staying in the capital might not allow me to do much. Being restricted is not as good as being a reporter," Shen Yi said.

"I wonder why you want me to go to Yuding City, sir. What arrangements do you have?" Shen Yi asked again.

Fang Zheng smiled, "It's nothing. There won't be any hard tasks there. Before I leave, I'll have people arrange shipbuilding for me. You only need to be responsible for one thing: supervising the construction for me."

"I'll find someone to take care of you in terms of daily life, so you don't have to worry about anything when you get there."

"Shipbuilding?" Shen Yi asked in surprise, "Why do you want to build ships, sir?"

"Have you heard about the Prince of Wu?"

"I've heard some news. The Crown Prince mentioned it. The Prince of Wu seems to have... rebelled?"

Fang Zheng put his hands behind his back and continued walking, saying as he walked, "Yes, since you know, there's nothing to hide. This involves royal secrets, so don't tell anyone else."

"The Prince of Wu escaped overseas by boat. The imperial court wants to send people to pursue him. Our Great Jing only values infantry and not sailors. I think the current navy of the imperial court is incapable of doing anything."

"Besides that, there are many countries overseas that we haven't yet understood. These all need ships to explore."

"I left Yuding City in a hurry, and I'm not too worried about the people I left behind. You're a practical person, so I feel relieved with you watching over things."

"There are also some things I forgot to tell them. The Prince of Wu fled in a hurry, so he probably didn't have time to contact the foreign countries he was previously in contact with. If you find any foreigners in the port, you must detain all the ships, goods, and people, and then order people to escort them to the capital!"

Shen Yi hesitated and asked, "Judging from your tone, sir... do you seem to value foreigners very much? Great Jing also has tributary relations with some countries in the South Seas. Are the uncivilized lands overseas important?"

Fang Zheng smiled, a helpless smile.

This was probably the limitation of the times. Due to its political precociousness, Great Jing was perhaps the strongest country in the world, whether in terms of culture or technology.

But what followed was arrogance and contempt. It's always good to be prepared for a rainy day.

"Shen Yi, no one knows how big this world is or how many countries there are overseas. Aren't the Northern Rong considered barbarians? They are still a thorn in the side of our Great Jing."

"For Great Jing, the most important thing right now is to broaden our horizons, learn what we've never learned, and see what we've never seen."

"Are there no sages overseas? Blind arrogance is of no benefit. What we must practice is pragmatism."

"Pragmatism?" Shen Yi asked.

Fang Zheng nodded, "Yes, we absorb and learn the good things, and we don't care about the rest. It's that simple."

With that, he patted Shen Yi on the shoulder, "Don't think too much, just do it, and following me, you'll enter history!"

Fang Zheng couldn't help but feel a little proud.

In his previous life, every time he watched the news, TV always showed foreigners strangling their necks, and when they were bullied, they brought out their ancestors to talk about things.

All the roots are in the East, and the West is all pseudo-history and other nonsense. The spirit of Ah Q is quite sufficient, but it's useless if it can't solve the problem.

He couldn't always bring out his ancestors to decorate the facade, could he? His ancestors were rich, but showing off every day would change the taste.

Now that he had done so much, it could be considered planning for the future, benefiting the country and the people.

Shen Yi nodded and said, "I understand, Sir Fang. When I get to Yuding City, I'll do as you say, but the superior..."

"You have no one above you. I still have some face. Take my letter and no one will dare to make things difficult for you. By the way, the Chu family is in charge of shipbuilding. They have some kindness towards me, so please take care of them for me."

"Okay."

Shen Yi agreed, and then fell silent, walking along as if he had something on his mind, not saying another word.

Fang Zheng looked at his worried expression and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Are you unwilling to go, or do you have other ideas? Don't worry, I won't force you."

Shen Yi's expression seemed a bit embarrassed and a bit tangled.

He thought for a long time before saying, "You've misunderstood, sir. It's not that I don't want to go. But... I want to be an official and do something for the people in one place, but just supervising shipbuilding and having someone take care of my life, I always feel a little unwilling."

"Oh, is that so? That's no problem. If you're not afraid of hardship, then go ahead and do it, and just leave a few capable people to watch over things."

As expected of the newspaper's star reporter, plus the highest education, Fang Zheng couldn't help but feel respect for him at this moment.

This kind of practical talent would indeed be a waste if he only supervised shipbuilding.

Sure enough, Shen Yi's face showed surprise after hearing this, "Thank you, Sir Fang! Actually, Shen Yi has another request..."

Shen Yi's expression began to become coy, even a little flushed, but Fang Zheng couldn't see it because it was too dark.

Hearing him speak halfway, Fang Zheng urged, "Speak quickly. How can you be an official if you're so coy?"

"I want to ask you about the way of being an official."

Fang Zheng smiled dumbly, "The way of being an official? I really don't know what the way of being an official is. I only have a little superficial experience. If you want to hear it, I can tell you."

"Please tell me, sir!" Shen Yi struck a pose of listening attentively.

"Let me ask you first, how do you think you should govern the people?"

Shen Yi was stunned for a moment, then immediately said without hesitation, "Of course, govern the people with virtue!"

"Wrong! Completely wrong. I never knew what it meant to govern the people with virtue. In my opinion, the way of being an official is only two points: solve problems and lead people to get rich. It's that simple!"

......

I really can't stand it anymore, I'll make it up for everyone tomorrow.