Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

After bidding farewell to Liu Zhongshun, Fang Zheng Yi continued to lead his group towards the city.

As they walked, he began to sense that something was amiss.

They were approaching the city gate, but the number of people surging out of it was increasing.

By the time the group reached the city gate, the scene was a sea of people, with the vast majority focusing their excitedly on Fang Zheng Yi.

Some people couldn't contain themselves and greeted Fang Zheng Yi loudly.

Soon, the city gate turned into a sea of joy, with Fang Zheng Yi being surrounded, feeling surprised and delighted.

Words like "Lord, good fortune!" and "Welcome home, Lord!" echoed in his ears.

He hadn't sent anyone to announce his return, so how did the people in the county all come out? He guessed that the workers from the construction site had run back to the city to spread the news.

Fang Zheng Yi was overjoyed, his heart filled with immense satisfaction, and he waved his hands to acknowledge the crowd.

This was what it felt like to be an emperor!

Before, in the Jin Kingdom, he was just a puppet with no real power, but returning to the county gave him a feeling of absolute control.

The cheers and laughter of the people continued until Ao Chen led a large group of soldiers out of the city gate.

Fang Zheng Yi raised his hand, and the noise stopped instantly.

He then said, "Alright, everyone, disperse. Go back to your homes. Your Lord has resigned from his official position and will be staying in the county. There will be plenty of time to meet in the future."

What the! Lord has resigned!?

"Good riddance!"

"Lord isn't leaving!!"

A group of people cheered in unison, and thunderous applause erupted...

Chu Qinghan and her sister were already dumbfounded, staring blankly at Fang Zheng Yi's back.

This wasn't the kind of influence a typical official could have; it was more like... a kind of faith.

Fang Zheng Yi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had resigned, but the people below were congratulating him... it didn't seem like they were hoping for his well-being.

But why did this scene seem so familiar?

After closing his eyes and pondering for a moment, Fang Zheng Yi remembered.

This was just like Sun Wukong resigning from his position as弼马温 and returning to Flower Fruit Mountain....

"Alright! Disperse! You're making my ears hurt," Fang Zheng Yi waved his hand.

Upon seeing this, the people had no choice but to reluctantly disperse, heading back into the county with lingering glances.

Seeing that the crowd had mostly dispersed, Fang Zheng Yi turned to the two hundred Imperial Guards and said, "Those of you who should go home, go home. Rest for three days before returning to the capital to serve."

"Yes! Thank you, Lord!" The Imperial Guards thanked him in unison, then rode their horses into the city.

Outside the city gate, only Ao Chen remained.

Fang Zheng Yi dismounted and walked over, and Ao Chen came forward to greet him, asking with concern, "Lord, were you injured in the Jin Kingdom?"

The people didn't know what had happened to Fang Zheng Yi, but Ao Chen, who was in charge of Peach Blossom County, had already heard the inside story from Xiao Tao.

He had been worried for months, and now that he saw Fang Zheng Yi return, he could finally relax.

Fang Zheng Yi nodded and said, "I'm fine. Are the Princesses all in the county?"

Ao Chen said, "They are all here. I only heard the news from the people and learned that you had returned to the county. As for Princess Xiao Tao and the others, I was afraid of attracting too much attention, so I asked them to wait at home."

"Lord, who are these two...?" Ao Chen looked at the Chu Qinghan sisters, who were still on horseback.

"My new wives. We'll go home together in a while."

Ao Chen gave a thumbs up, admiring him immensely, and whispered, "Lord, I admire you! But won't you have problems with His Majesty's side?"

"Heh, what problems could there be? With my status today, what's wrong with marrying a few more! Who dares to have an opinion!" Fang Zheng Yi said arrogantly.

"Let's go into the city. I've been away for so long. Report any major changes in the county one by one."

"Yes, Lord!"

......

Inside the county, Ao Chen walked alongside Fang Zheng Yi, recounting the major and minor events that had occurred in the city.

The people on both sides of the street paid attention as Fang Zheng Yi passed by.

Fang Zheng Yi also smiled and acknowledged them patiently.

It was really satisfying to have this kind of feeling.

Moreover, compared to the kind of love that Ali Bai aroused by simply talking and fooling the people, the depth of feeling and the weight of the connection of interests of the people of Taoyuan County were far beyond the comparison of the people of Pan Tai City.

Ao Chen continued, "Before the Crown Prince left, he came to the county and took away a lot of materials from the arsenal, including grenades..."

"I know about this, no need to say more, next item."

"It's still about the Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince was in the county, I asked His Highness if I could allow hot air balloons to be flown in the county, and His Highness allowed it. So the county opened the hot air balloon to the people in the county. It costs one tael of silver to ride it once, and many people are lining up to get on, and this area has generated a lot of income."

"Hmm... I see," Fang Zheng Yi nodded.

Originally, hot air balloons were somewhat confidential, but now that the biggest opponent in the north has been defeated, letting them fly is fine, and it's also a good thing for the economy.

"During the time you were away, the county has been recruiting craftsmen on a large scale, and a large number of skilled workers have been trained to manufacture pocket watches. They are now being sold in large quantities in the capital, with a price of one thousand taels each outside the county."

Fang Zheng Yi pondered, "There's no need to raise the price so high, after all, many people need to use them, and it won't be long before other merchants imitate them. Let's set up another brand that is good and cheap, and sell it at close to the cost price. The high-end ones will still maintain a high price and raise the tone. Let's inlay some glass... diamonds in the dial, and the chain can also be replaced with pure gold."

"The watch industry is an important source of income for the county, and both high-end and low-end products must be in our hands."

Ao Chen kept it in mind and said, "Also, in Pingwan County, we have been encouraging merchants in the county to do business in Pingwan County, and they have gained a lot. However, I heard that a new county magistrate has been appointed in Xinzhang County, a neighboring county of Pingwan County, and he is making bold improvements and denouncing the chaotic customs of Pingwan County. It is said that the new official is from the Hanlin Academy."

"It seems that there is a trend to surpass Pingwan County. I don't know if you have any news about it?"

Fang Zheng Yi frowned and shook his head.

He had just returned, and he really didn't know about this. Most likely, the people in the court who opposed trade had reacted and knew that he was in contact with Yang Fengfan and was secretly supporting him.

So they introduced a new person to surpass Pingwan County and stop the matter of broadening trade. This is the only possibility, and I'm afraid things won't go as smoothly as imagined.

"There is no news, but this is obviously aimed at me. I estimate that the imperial court will issue an edict in the next few days to strip me of my official status. If I am no longer an official, I cannot interfere too much. Let the people below do business normally and do their best, and don't pay too much attention to Xinzhang County."

"In addition, now that the Jin Kingdom has been defeated, trade between the two countries is imminent, and there are many opportunities to make money there. Give the people below a promotion and let interested merchants go to the border towns to do business."

Ao Chen hesitated, "I'm afraid this won't be easy. The road to the Jin Kingdom is far and very dangerous, and the people in our county may not be willing to go."

Fang Zheng Yi said with a straight face, "Although there will be some risks along the way, the opportunity to make money is much more stable. Many goods from the Jin Kingdom are very popular in our Da Jing. Are we going to give up such a big dividend for nothing?"

"Besides, how much danger can there be? We have returned with a great victory, and the Jin Kingdom has almost no possibility of rising again in the short term. The current situation is the best. Moreover, with the Crown Prince in the capital helping me, it will be very convenient to handle some procedures."

"A Da Jing face and a Da Jing pass are the通行证 to the safest area in the world!"

"What is there to be afraid of? We can walk sideways when we go out. You have to do this matter carefully and try to mobilize everyone. Help as much as you can with what you need to help."