Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The next day, at noon.

Emperor Jing's imperial carriage appeared at the city gate of Taoyuan County.

Everyone was carrying a small net bag of potatoes.

Fang Zheng smiled and sent everyone off.

He had already asked Emperor Jing for leave in the morning, and would return a day later, which would give others some time to digest the events.

This time, the whole thing took a lot of effort, but the effect was obviously significant.

All morning, he had heard people discussing the issue of going to sea. If there were no accidents... the pressure for subsequent discussions in the court would be much less.

Perhaps even nonexistent!

At least convincing the court to send a large-scale fleet to sea should not be a problem.

Emperor Jing stood at the city gate and looked back, sighing, "Taoyuan County... is a good place. Every time I come, it gives me surprises."

"Fang Qing, remember to send some of the fireworks you mentioned yesterday to the palace. I quite like them."

Fang Zheng smiled and said, "Of course. I will send them to Your Majesty tomorrow."

Seeing that others also seemed to want some, Fang Zheng said loudly, "Everyone else gets a share too! That... in the future, Taoyuan County will open a fireworks store in the capital. Everyone can buy some to set off during festivals and New Year's! This thing can ward off bad luck!"

Everyone agreed on the surface, but secretly complained in their hearts.

Damn it! The most important purpose of making such a big commotion last night was probably to earn people's money again, right?

I wonder how much this thing will sell for...

.....

After seeing off Emperor Jing, Fang Zheng walked back to the county office slowly with his hands behind his back.

Other matters were settled, but the affairs of the county had not yet been resolved.

He originally intended to develop those barren lands himself, but now that some had been sold, it was a bit of a hassle. He still needed to chat with Ao Chen in detail.

When he arrived outside the county office's public hall, Fang Zheng frowned at the bustling crowd in front of him.

Was there a case?

He pushed through the crowd and squeezed in. Many people showed surprise when they saw Fang Zheng's arrival, wanting to shout out.

Fang Zheng raised a finger to his lips, and the people immediately stopped moving.

Leaning against the door of the public hall, he saw two people kneeling in the hall, a man and a woman.

Ao Chen was quietly listening to the woman's story.

Fang Zheng asked those around him, "What's wrong? What did these two do wrong?"

"Sir, this woman is trying to extort money, saying that the man molested her in the street, clamoring for compensation. She's asking for fifty taels right off the bat!"

"There are people doing this in the county?" Fang Zheng chuckled.

"They're new! Both of them are new to the county and don't know the rules. These stinking outsiders think they're still in the capital?"

"The magistrate is here, don't use dirty words!"

Ao Chen frowned and stared at the woman, saying, "Tang Shi, I'll ask you again, are you sure Wang Er deliberately molested you?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Tang Shi replied softly.

Wang Er was unhappy: "Your Honor! So many people on the street saw it, she's falsely accusing me! This woman is my neighbor. I won fifty taels at the casino yesterday, and she even took the initiative to talk to me. She must have been after my money."

"You're lying, who was after your money? It was clearly you who took the initiative to molest me!" Tang Shi's beautiful eyes were filled with anger.

Ao Chen nodded knowingly and said, "Don't argue, since there are witnesses, it will be easy to handle."

"Outside, did anyone see him molesting Tang Shi on the street?" Ao Chen pointed towards the outside of the public hall.

With that point, a dozen or so people jumped out, vying to say, "No molestation! I saw it!"

"This woman went up and clung to him, and then tried to extort him!"

Among them were two old ladies wearing red armbands, who testified for Wang Er with certainty.

Tang Shi was immediately struck by lightning!

That's not right! Are the people of Taoyuan County so enthusiastic?

Tang Shi's body softened, and she almost fell to the ground.

Ao Chen knocked on the gavel: "Don't make noise! Tang Shi, with so many witnesses here, and patrolmen testifying, what else do you have to say?"

Tang Shi stammered, wanting to defend herself...

Ao Chen continued, "With patrolmen testifying, lying is an even greater crime. After the whipping, you will be expelled from Taoyuan County. Think carefully before you speak..."

Tang Shi swallowed and said in fear, "This little woman may be a little dizzy... I don't remember if he touched me or not."

Ao Chen nodded: "So you falsely accused him? Guards! Take her to jail and arrange for ten days of reform through labor. Also, fine her ten taels of silver to compensate the falsely accused."

"Wang Er, are you satisfied?" Ao Chen looked at Wang Er.

Wang Er felt relieved, and looked at the delicate and weak Tang Shi, swallowing: "That, Your Honor... why don't we just forget about it? It's just a misunderstanding anyway."

As soon as Wang Er finished speaking, the hall outside suddenly erupted, and the people cursed angrily:

"Damn it! This bastard is still eyeing her, he's putting on airs!"

"Heh heh, the dog, he doesn't even want the ten taels of silver and he's still pretending to be generous!"

"Let him know what the rules are!"

Ao Chen slammed the gavel again: "Silence! Wang Er, how dare you! I asked you if you were satisfied, how dare you say forget about it?"

"The woman falsely accused you in the street. I fined her silver, and you said forget about it, which is corrupting the customs of Taoyuan County and encouraging unhealthy tendencies. This is crime one!"

"If you don't accept the fine, it is contempt of court. This is crime two!"

"Take Wang Er down, imprison him for three days to reflect on his mistakes! The woman's fine will be confiscated and continue to be used for labor reform. Court adjourned!"

"Good! Well judged!" The people outside the hall applauded.

Fang Zheng also clapped with a smile.

Good, it seems that although I have not been in Taoyuan County for long, the county still maintains its simple folk customs.

The path is not too deviated.

After the court adjourned, Ao Chen immediately trotted to Fang Zheng: "Sir, has His Majesty left?"

"Yes, he's gone. I came to ask you something. Where are the two people who contracted the wasteland? We can't let them mess around, I have other arrangements."

Ao Chen said, "I heard they are outside the city and started construction today."

"They also invited many Taoist masters to perform rituals outside the city, preparing to hold a groundbreaking ceremony. Should I send someone to call them over now?"

"No need, let's go over there!"

......

Outside Taoyuan County.

A stage had been set up on the wasteland construction site, decorated with many red silk fabrics made into big red flowers.

Below the stage was a crowd of people, countless people waiting to watch the excitement.

Xiao Qiang and Brother Liu had already changed their guns, replacing their beggar clothes with luxurious satin.

Brother Liu stared at the two people on the stage, with a happy expression on his face.

However, Xiao Qiang beside him didn't seem very happy.

"Brother Liu, is it necessary for us to spend two hundred taels to invite these two masters? It's too expensive! The houses haven't been sold yet!"

Brother Liu nodded seriously: "It's worth it! Who doesn't know the reputation of Taoist Hua and Dharma Master Huijue in the capital? If they both come to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony and bestow blessings, will we still have to worry about selling the houses in the future?"

"Xiao Qiang, you have to be flexible! Don't just think about women all day long. Look at how many people are here today, how many have come from the capital to see the two masters? After the ceremony is over, take the two masters to Snow Moon Tower to have a good time, don't be stingy with money!"

Xiao Qiang stammered: "Ah? Snow Moon Tower is not suitable, shouldn't monks not touch meat or wine?"

"Then book a private room in Snow Moon Tower, and get some vegetarian dishes and vegetarian people."