Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

As soon as these words came out, Emperor Jing slapped the table and stood up, excitedly saying, "Excellent!! Well said!! Fang Qing is truly the backbone of朕 (zhèn, the emperor's personal pronoun)."

"Where, where, these are just some words from my heart."

Fang Zheng smiled, his mouth wide open.

I've been wanting to say these four sentences of Zhang Zai for a long time, who else but me, Fang Zheng, can pretend to be this great?

The ministers were stunned, all looking at Fang Zheng with strange expressions.

The words were indeed good! Righteous and awe-inspiring, they revealed the ideal in the hearts of scholars.

But who said... it shouldn't be you, Fang Zheng, to say it. What kind of person are you? Don't we all know? You came up and started flattering the Emperor.

Your figure is so enchanting, who can lick the platter faster than you? What kind of righteous gentleman are you pretending to be!

Emperor Jing looked at the faces of the crowd and felt a little embarrassed. It seemed that he had been a little too excited just now.

He had forgotten that this kid Fang Zheng had always been unpopular in the court, and he seemed... to have always wanted to hide in Taoyuan County...

Thinking of this, Emperor Jing's expression remained unchanged, and he praised again: "Fang Qing is right, all of you should take him as an example."

After speaking, he sat down directly.

Li Yuanzhao put his hands on his hips and couldn't help but feel proud. Old Fang is this kind of person, so I, the Crown Prince, am also this kind of person! We have common ideals!

Guo Tianyang listened with drooping eyelids, his hands hidden in his sleeves, constantly writing and drawing, muttering words like common prosperity and establishing destiny for the people.

He thought to himself, Fang Zheng's skills can actually improve... I can't fall behind either...

The ministers were silent, as uncomfortable as if they had swallowed a fly.

In their hearts, they all had only one thought: Why wasn't it me who said these words?

Tang Shou sat on the ground, his heart as cold as a hard ice, looking around helplessly... Is there really nowhere to appeal my grievances?

Is the court so dark?

In the end, he still looked at Zhang Shi for help, constantly hinting with his eyes, should I tell about Fang Zheng's tax evasion?

Zhang Shi's face was as deep as water. He ignored Tang Shou, stepped forward, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, this man is eloquent and talks about the country and the family, but how do you explain the matter of tax evasion!?"

"Tang Shou also knows a little about this matter, please let him explain it to Your Majesty!"

Tang Shou stood up in a hurry and said: "Your Majesty! Tax evasion in Taoyuan County is indeed true!"

"Five years ago, because of the extreme lack of population and the poverty of the local area, the imperial court specially exempted Taoyuan County and Jihua County from taxes, but this decree is limited."

"Taoyuan County is no longer as poor as it used to be, but Taoyuan County has been concealing the situation."

"When I went to Hengjiang Prefecture, I asked the officials who checked the tax situation of the counties. These officials had never seen anyone from Taoyuan County, and they didn't even know there was such a place as Taoyuan County!"

"Therefore, I dare to assert that Taoyuan County must not have paid taxes!"

Emperor Jing turned his head to look at Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng cupped his hands: "Your Majesty! Although Taoyuan County is developing well, the county government really has no money."

"Most of the money earned over the years has been invested in improving people's livelihood, especially in education!"

"In order to make the people reasonable and know the Emperor's grace, I spared no effort to popularize literacy among the people in the county, so that they have books to read."

"On the other hand, Taoyuan County's governance emphasizes hiding wealth among the people. If there is money, it should be spent on infrastructure construction, so it is natural to have no money. If you don't believe me, you can send people to check the accounts at any time. I, Fang Zheng, am open and aboveboard!"

Joke, how can you old things see through the false accounts of my Taoyuan County?

Emperor Jing nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Fang Zheng continued: "Of course, there may be some underpaid taxes. This is my negligence. Now the county has no money. After Taoyuan County reorganizes, it will make up for the payment."

"This is my negligence! Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

I always have to leave some room for the big leader to maneuver, so that he can save face.

Although it may cost more money, that's not important. Just spend it, consider it a way to avoid disaster!

Isn't it just money? You old things, just wait and see if I will sell you health products in the future!

Emperor Jing also breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Let's finish this matter quickly.

This kid Fang Zheng is too worrying!

"Alright! In view of Fang Zheng's outstanding achievements during his tenure, the matter of omitted taxes will be temporarily punished with a one-year salary reduction as a warning. What do you think, gentlemen?"

No one spoke, no one objected.

It has come to this point, those who don't know would think that Fang Zheng is the Emperor's own son, who dares to say more?

If it were someone else, they would have been dragged out and beaten long ago, but this kid is still standing in the room triumphantly.

"Alright! Since that's the case, then this matter is settled!"

Zhang Shi did not have any unusual reaction and silently retreated.

Tang Shou stood in the hall, his heart as dead as ashes... He didn't expect Fang Zheng to have such a strong background. Revenge... is hopeless....

"I have a memorial! Fang Zheng poisoned prisoners and killed a total of fifty-four lives! Please punish him severely, Your Majesty!" Yan Guoan stepped forward and said.

Fang Zheng looked at him and then at Zhang Shi. Zhang Shi's expression was not surprised at all, obviously he already knew about this matter.

It seems that the two have already joined forces....

As soon as these words came out, the hearts of the ministers were lifted, and they looked at Fang Zheng in horror.

Those who were close to him quickly took two steps back.

Everyone can tolerate this kid's glib tongue, but I didn't expect that he is actually a murderer in disguise? Fang, the Butcher, you are a ruthless person!

Emperor Jing frowned tightly and stared at Fang Zheng and said: "Is there such a thing?"

He doesn't know what the situation is now, but the crime of murder is a big deal, and he killed fifty-four people in one breath. Except on the battlefield, Emperor Jing hasn't heard of such a heinous incident for many years...

Fang Zheng didn't panic at all and honestly said: "Your Majesty, there is indeed such a thing! However, there is a reason for this...."

"Your Majesty! Let me talk about this matter. Fang Zheng is eloquent and good at arguing. I am worried that he will distort the facts!" Yan Guoan said with a straight face.

"Alright, then you tell me!"

Yan Guoan closed his eyes and carefully recalled the details in his memory. At this time, he must defeat Fang Zheng in one fell swoop. This person is bound to be a disaster if he stays in the court.

Zhang Shi, as a veteran minister of the court, was also refuted and speechless. This time... he can't lose again!

"Your Majesty, do you remember that the Crown Prince often skipped classes for no reason some time ago? It was from that time that I began to pay attention to the Crown Prince's movements."

"I found that the Crown Prince skipped classes to disguise himself with Fang Zheng's gold medal and ran out of the palace!"

"Therefore, I also began to send people to inquire about Fang Zheng's whereabouts. I found that he and the Crown Prince had been secretly conducting some activities."

"Later, it wasn't long before the Crown Prince stopped leaving the palace privately. After many inquiries, I found that Fang Zheng and the Crown Prince actually privately executed prisoners in a dungeon in the capital!"

"Those prisoners died tragically!! Everyone, do you know that the 'Poison Hand Butcher' who is rumored to be mysterious and makes the people panic is Fang Zheng!"

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