Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Stepping out of the Hall of Diligent Governance, Ali Bai let out a long sigh.

So smoothly, the most crucial part had been resolved, so there was nothing to be nervous about.

Fang Zheng casually glanced at him, asking, "Second Prince, you seem quite tense."

Ali Bai chuckled drily, "This... I'm afraid I've made Master Fang laugh. It's my first time traveling so far, and with such a heavy responsibility on my shoulders, I am indeed a bit nervous."

"I'm not good with words."

Fang Zheng smiled, "Don't be nervous. It's rare to come out for a trip. I'll take you around the capital and have fun for ten days to half a month before going back."

Ten days to half a month? That's a bit long.

Ali Bai shook his head, "Thank you for your kindness, Master Fang, but let's skip the fun. I don't really enjoy playing. Actually, I'm more anxious..."

"I know you're anxious, but don't be so anxious." Fang Zheng interrupted him.

"...."

"The trade matter, whether it's a day earlier or later, it won't make a difference. Surely your Emperor won't blame you. How can a person not have any hobbies? Tell me, do you like eating, watching plays, or women? Whatever you want, I'll arrange it for you."

How can this person be so crude and rude? He doesn't seem like the shrewd person the National Preceptor described...

Ali Bai was puzzled, but seeing Fang Zheng's insistent attitude, he could only helplessly say, "Usually, I do enjoy reading some leisure books and watching plays."

"What books, what plays? I'll arrange it for you."

"It's embarrassing to say, but they're all strange tales bought from Jing Country. I wonder if Master Fang has ever heard of 'Journey to the West'?"

Oh? He likes reading novels!

Fang Zheng revealed a surprised expression, lowering his voice, "You also like 'Journey to the West'? Let me tell you, I wrote that book, but don't go around spreading it... Our officialdom emphasizes seriousness. Letting others know would affect my reputation."

"Ah!?" Ali Bai exclaimed in surprise, "Really? But the author on the cover is written as Liu Chengen?"

"That's one of my pen names. I wonder which character the Second Prince likes in it? I've even written an outline for a sequel to 'Journey to the West'. It's a good opportunity to hear the Second Prince's opinions and revise it."

Ali Bai was a little excited. He didn't expect that 'Journey to the West' was actually written by Fang Zheng. This is truly... fate.

"I like... I certainly like Sun Wukong, a peerless hero with unmatched martial prowess!"

Fang Zheng gave a thumbs up, "Second Prince is wise! There's a saying among the people of my Great Jing, 'There is only one Monkey King in a thousand people's hearts.' Every ambitious young man wants to be the Monkey King, which shows that the Second Prince has great ambitions and is full of enthusiasm!"

Ali Bai's face began to flush red, while Fang Zheng was secretly delighted.

Isn't this purely an ancient otaku? The floodgates are open!

"Then after 'Journey to the West: The Women's Kingdom'..."

"Let's not talk about 'Journey to the West' yet. You can buy the book and read it slowly. What kind of plays does the Second Prince like to watch in Jin Country? I'll take you to relax now."

"'Fighting Wolves,' I don't know if Master Fang has heard of it?"

"What!?" Fang Zheng picked at his ear.

Fighting Wolves? What kind of thing is that?

Ali Bai recalled, "Oh, that play was written by National Preceptor Paba. I heard that he learned it from Master Fang when he returned from Great Jing a few years ago."

"We should film more good plays for the people to watch, so that the people can unite as one family and work together with one heart."

"The story tells of a pack of wolves attacking the people, and our country sending cavalry to save the people from danger."

"National Preceptor Paba is indeed remarkable." Fang Zheng clapped vigorously.

Back then, Paba had just come to Great Jing and took a bath with him and watched a play. He casually said a word, and this bastard actually took it to heart!

"Besides 'Fighting Wolves,' is there anything else? We don't have this theme in Great Jing."

"Basically, it's all 'Fighting Wolves.' Oh, there's also 'Fighting Wolves Two.'"

"You don't get tired of watching this all the time?"

"Not tired. From high officials to ordinary people, everyone loves to watch it every day. But besides this, there's nothing else to watch. The National Preceptor doesn't write any more plays."

Look at these poor people of Jin Country, their spiritual lives are really too lacking.

Fang Zheng put his arm around Ali Bai's shoulder, "Let's go! What's the point of watching that stuff every day? I'll take you to see the good plays of my Great Jing!"

Ali Bai's body tensed up from this sudden action.

However, Fang Zheng was acting so generously, he was too embarrassed to push him away and could only be coerced to walk out.

"Master Fang, please slow down..."

......

Inside the Banshan Workshop stage.

It was already late, and there were densely packed rows of chairs under the stage, with the people staring spiritedly at the stage.

Fang Zheng and Ali Bai sat in the first row.

Two men and a woman on stage were performing with great emotion, a handsome man pushing a broken bicycle with a face full of sorrow.

The opposite man and woman led a batch of BMWs, the woman with tears in her eyes shouted:

"I would rather cry in a BMW than smile on a bicycle!"

Then they rode away from the stage on tall horses, followed by the handsome man's inner monologue...

Ali Bai sat under the stage, his hands tightly gripping the armrests of the seat, his chest rising and falling.

Fang Zheng had been secretly observing him.

"Alas! This woman is truly vain and hateful!" Ali Bai angrily slapped the armrest.

Fang Zheng leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Second Prince, the later part is more interesting. Actually, that woman has a terminal illness and deliberately left her beloved because of it. Later, the man discovered the truth through a friend and bravely regained his love. In the end, the heroine cured her terminal illness by exercising on a Taoyuan brand bicycle, and the two lived a happy life."

Ali Bai suddenly felt a blockage in his chest, feeling uncomfortable.

Why did you tell me that? It was so exciting to watch!

However, a happy ending is a great comfort.

"I see, Master Fang has seen it?"

"Of course I've seen it. This play was spread from Taoyuan County under my administration."

Fang Zheng thought to himself, it's more than just seeing it, it was specially written by Wu Sheng to sell bicycles, a whole advertising play.

"I see, no wonder it's called the Taoyuan Love Story. The bicycle is also quite interesting, I'll bring back a few when I return to my country."

"I wonder how the Second Prince feels this play compares to the Jin Country's?" Fang Zheng asked.

Ali Bai said solemnly, "To be honest, they are all about petty love and small families, lacking patriotic sentiments. And is it necessary for the actors to shout so loudly every time they ride a bicycle to emphasize that they are riding a Taoyuan brand bicycle? I don't understand. Although it is moving overall, but..."

"Not as good as 'Fighting Wolves.'"

"......"

Fang Zheng smiled awkwardly, "That's right, the Second Prince is indeed insightful, seeing the flaws in this play at a glance. It seems that he has done a lot of research in this area."

"Master Fang, let's continue watching, we'll talk after we finish watching."

When the whole play ended, Ali Bai breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, looking at the sky, he said, "Master Fang, it's getting late, let's go back."

"Okay, the Second Prince should be tired too. After resting well tomorrow, I'll take you to see something else, let's go."

Fang Zheng got up and left, Ali Bai followed closely behind him, with a hint of expectation in his eyes, tomorrow? What new things can there be tomorrow?

However, looking at Fang Zheng's back, he gradually revealed a thoughtful look.

This Fang Zheng is not quite the same as I imagined... He seems a bit interesting.

.....