Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"Brother Fang, do you remember what I told you before, that my Great Jin has eight departments that are persuaded to submit? Back then, in order to reassure the tribal leaders, His Majesty not only made promises and bought them off with wealth, but most importantly, he forged this alliance gold medal for all the leaders."

"This gold medal not only symbolizes power, but also represents the unity within my Great Jin. Now you have one too. If someone really wants to exploit you and then discard you, I'm afraid the other tribal leaders will be wary when they see it. The first person to stop anyone from killing you will be His Majesty."

"Brother Fang, I know you'll be worried, so I specially requested His Majesty to forge it for you. The weight of this gold medal is self-evident, right?"

This is all quite mysterious, like something out of Lord of the Rings.

Fang Zheng's mind was filled with吐槽 (tucao: retort), but his expression was solemn as he accepted the gold medal. Seeing the dense gold inscriptions on it, he said, "The National Preceptor speaks well, but you must know that I don't trust you. I have to find someone to verify the truth of your words."

"How do you want to verify it?" Paba asked.

Fang Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "I have to find someone honest and reliable. I don't know anyone in Jin. Then there's only the Second Prince. Although he has some mental problems, it can be seen that he is still kind and honest."

"Okay, then Brother Fang, please come with me now." Paba gestured with his hand.

Fang Zheng didn't say anything more, and walked directly ahead, heading straight downstairs.

Outside the post house, two men in official uniforms immediately approached Fang Zheng.

Paba explained, "Brother Fang, these two people are specially prepared for you. From today onwards, as long as you leave the post house, these two will take care of your life. You can also make any requests to them, and communication will be smooth."

Fang Zheng sized up the two officers, seeing that they were both burly and their eyes were fixed on him.

He snorted coldly and then jumped on his horse.

Seeing this, Paba just smiled, also mounted his horse, and led the way in front of Fang Zheng.

On the way, Fang Zheng kept taking deep breaths.

Fortunately... the old monk's arrangements were fairly proper, and I originally thought it would take some effort to see Ari White, but this saved a lot of trouble.

Next, I have to straighten my attitude. I can't be too cooperative or uncooperative, otherwise this old guy Paba won't be easy to fool.

Paba glanced at Fang Zheng, seeing that he was a little nervous, and said, "Brother Fang, you don't need to be nervous. I am a man of my word. As long as you are willing to honestly cooperate with me and create the Heaven-Defying Artifact for my Great Jin, I can guarantee that no one in the mission will be injured. In the future, when my Great Jin defeats Jing, you will be the number one contributor. Whatever treatment you receive in Jing, you will still receive the same in my Great Jin."

Fang Zheng said indifferently, "The National Preceptor is quite confident. My Great Jing is at the height of its power. These years of recuperation have reached a new level. Have you never thought about defeat? Perhaps someone in my Great Jing has already seen through your conspiracy. The reason why we haven't moved is just to prepare for a big game of chess."

Paba smiled contemptuously, "A big game of chess? Chess players sitting together can play the same game of chess because their levels are similar. No one should treat anyone as a fool. Brother Fang, it's laughable to say that. If someone had discovered it long ago, I probably wouldn't be here talking to Brother Fang."

"In recent years, our country's troop increases and recruitment have been carried out in various departments, and only a few people at the top know about the mobilization to conquer Jing. If Jing had discovered it long ago, I'm afraid they would have already made arrangements inside and outside the pass. However, my Great Jin's intelligence agencies have not received any news so far."

"Hmph, your intelligence agencies are a joke."

Paba laughed, "Brother Fang, you don't have to be stubborn. Everyone knows who the joke is this time."

Fang Zheng's face was a little strained. The intelligence agencies of Great Jing were indeed a mess.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard's business hadn't had time to expand abroad yet. Are the Eastern Depot people eating sh*t?

After thinking for a long time, Fang Zheng said harshly, his face stern, to Paba, "National Preceptor, in the battle between good and evil, who will be the winner?"

Paba said lightly, "Who is evil and who is good is not yet known."

"The Jin Kingdom took the initiative to start the war. My Great Jing is walking the righteous path. I'm telling you, for every foot the devil rises, the dao rises ten!"

Paba smiled slightly and nodded lightly to Fang Zheng, "There's no point in saying more, then... let's wait and see."

....

After ten minutes or so, the group stopped in front of a mansion.

Paba said solemnly, "Brother Fang, we're here. This is the Second Prince's mansion. You can ask him any questions you have. But after you ask, you won't have a second chance to play tricks. I'm very busy and don't have time to accompany you to verify things everywhere."

Fang Zheng nodded, "Okay, if what you said is true, I naturally have nothing to say."

"Then please!"

He knocked on the mansion gate. A servant came to open the door, and seeing that it was National Preceptor Paba, he hurriedly welcomed them in.

After entering, Paba didn't waste any words and directly pulled Fang Zheng to find Ari White.

As he walked, he said, "The Second Prince was injured in a martial arts competition with the Great Prince a few days ago. Brother Fang, speak quickly if you have anything to say, don't disturb his rest."

Fang Zheng was stunned and said, "Who won?"

"Naturally, it was the Great Prince, otherwise, why would the Second Prince be bedridden? He was beaten until he vomited blood."

"......"

Following the servant's guidance, after entering Ari White's room, a strong smell of medicine filled the entire room.

On the conspicuous bed in the room, Ari White was staring blankly at the ceiling with his eyes open.

Suddenly sensing someone breaking into the room, Ari White reluctantly turned his head to take a look.

At first glance, he was overjoyed.

"Old..."

"Second Prince, long time no see!" Seeing that Ari White almost let something slip, Fang Zheng took the lead and went to his bedside, saying with concern, "Why are you so badly injured after not seeing you for a few days?"

Ari White glanced at the person beside him and said softly, "National Preceptor is here too. I'm ashamed to say... I lost to my elder brother in a martial arts competition. What brings Master Fang here?"

"I have something to verify with the Second Prince." Fang Zheng said, reaching into his arms, but when he was halfway there, he turned his head and said to Paba, "National Preceptor, I'm afraid there's a trick if you're here. What if you use eye contact to signal? I want to talk to the Second Prince alone, is that okay?"

Paba's eyes darted back and forth between Ari White and Fang Zheng, hesitating.

But at this moment, Ari White coughed twice and said, "National Preceptor? If he has something to say, let him say it. Is there something unspeakable that you have to watch over?"

"Or do you have something else to hide from me again?"

Paba reluctantly twitched the corners of his mouth.

I don't dare to hide anything from you now. You're mentally unstable, and if you recover, you'll come looking for trouble with me.

Fang Zheng is already a bird in a cage and shouldn't be able to cause any trouble.

After thinking for a moment, Paba said, "Okay, then take the people and wait outside. If Master Fang has anything to ask the Second Prince, ask him as soon as possible. I'll wait for you outside."

Afterwards, Paba led the people out of the room.

....