Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Inside the Xin Zhang County Yamen.

A crowd surrounded Guo Tianyang, all with worried expressions.

Ever since he returned and explained the situation, this group had been surrounding him, asking questions endlessly.

Guo Tianyang felt his head was about to explode, and he patiently explained again: “Everyone, His Majesty is really fine!”

“It's just that he met a local commoner along the way, and they hit it off so well that he invited His Majesty to his home as a guest, and even asked His Majesty to stay overnight.”

“His Majesty was also happy, so he asked me to return first. There is only one person in that commoner's family, so you don't need to worry about safety.”

“Besides, Captain Fang and Zhang Biao are also with His Majesty.”

Li Yansong said worriedly: “But... His Majesty doing this is somewhat inappropriate. Eunuch Guo, where is His Majesty? Or should I go and persuade His Majesty first? Otherwise, everyone will be worried.”

Guo Tianyang said: “Oh dear, Duke Li, it's okay! Hasn't His Majesty earned the right to enjoy himself after fighting battles his whole life?”

“This humble servant has carefully inspected the area around that commoner's house and found absolutely no problems. As for the various matters within this Xin Zhang County, His Majesty has instructed me to inspect them on his behalf. Everyone, just do what you need to do. Alright, we're all in the Yamen now, bring out all the documents and records.”

Sun Sheng stepped forward and said: “Gentlemen, you've been here for so long, haven't you eaten yet? This official has already ordered people to prepare wine and dishes. Please, Eunuch, and everyone else, go and enjoy it first, and then attend to official business after you've eaten well, how about that?”

Seeing Sun Sheng speak, Guo Tianyang was too lazy to pay attention to him. He took out an apple with leaves from his sleeve.

He carefully wiped it and took a bite: “No need, this humble servant is not hungry! If anyone is tired or hungry, go ahead first, I still have important matters to attend to.”

......

Wang Erzhu's orchard had many fruits, and he was working hard to pick them.

However, Fang Zheng kept urging him, and only with a few helpers could they pick a cartload.

It wasn't that Fang Zheng was sincerely urging him, but rather that Emperor Jing was constantly urging him.

He wasn't sure whether Guo Tianyang could stabilize the officials, but he was now determined to go and take a look privately.

He was afraid of encountering fraud if he made a big show of it.

Only seeing it with his own eyes would put his mind at ease.

Finally, after collecting a cartload of apples, Wang Erzhu was still somewhat dissatisfied.

He muttered: “This one cartload won't sell for much money....”

Fang Zheng said: “Even if it doesn't sell for much money, it's still better than staying here, right? Selling a little is still something. The rest can wait until you return to Xin Zhang County to sell. Wouldn't you still earn a little extra?”

“Uh, that's true.”

After loading the fruits onto the cart, Fang Zheng looked at the donkey and said worriedly: “I say, there are still four people who have to sit on the cart, can your donkey handle it?”

“Of course it can't. You'll just have to get off and walk for a while when the time comes.”

“Hmm.....”

......

On the road, a donkey cart creaked along.

Three people sat leisurely on the cart, while Wang Erzhu led the donkey, stroking the poor donkey with a distressed look.

In just over a day's journey, he felt that his beloved donkey was about to be exhausted.

Those three gentlemen were sitting comfortably on the cart, and he was distressed but didn't dare to say anything, so he walked and led the donkey.

Bored of walking, he began to talk to Zhang Biao, who was sitting in the front.

The sunset was beautiful, and the scenery was picturesque.

Fang Zheng looked into the distance and asked in a low voice: “Your Majesty, aren't you anxious to return from this private visit? I'm not trying to persuade you, but this decision seems a bit hasty.”

“Hasty?” Emperor Jing smiled slightly and shook his head: “I don't think it's hasty. What problems could arise in Hengjiang Prefecture? Besides, with the Crown Prince overseeing the country, I also want him to stay a little longer.”

“Can't I, who has been diligent in government all my life, indulge myself a little?”

“Uh, okay... You can do whatever you want.” Fang Zheng secretly clicked his tongue.

It seemed that the private visit was one aspect, and another was that he wanted to start delegating power to the Crown Prince. However, he really didn't expect that his old father-in-law would want to indulge himself at this age!

“Then where do you plan to start when you arrive in Pingwan County?”

Emperor Jing thought for a while: “Let's walk around and take a look everywhere first, and then go to the County Yamen. But when we arrive, I want to go to a restaurant to eat something good first. By the way, let's call Wang Erzhu too. I think he's quite interesting.”

“Aren't you angry with him?”

Emperor Jing mocked himself: “What's there to be angry about? He's right... All the officials in the court invariably praise me for being wise. But only after meeting Wang Erzhu did I realize that I was really wise in vain.”

Fang Zheng put on a solemn face and exclaimed in admiration: “Your Majesty's achievements today can be said to be unprecedented. You have personally created such a prosperous age, yet you can still reflect on your own faults and not change your original intentions. You are truly a hero.”

Emperor Jing pursed his lips tightly, without saying a word.

Hehe, as expected, flattery is always effective!

Fang Zheng secretly felt pleased, and his hand unconsciously reached into his chest to feel around, preparing to count how much money he had brought.

As soon as his hand went in, his expression froze.

Crap! Forgot about not bringing money!

“What's wrong?” Emperor Jing asked, seeing that his expression was strange.

“Money... We forgot to bring money when we came out.”

Emperor Jing's expression faltered, somewhat helpless.

Surely we can't just go directly to the County Yamen, right? Then why bother dressing down, what's the point of a private visit?

Fang Zheng looked around and said: “It's okay, Wang Erzhu has money and apples, and I also gave him a ring. We can just find a place in the city to sell it.”

“This... isn't that good?” Emperor Jing felt a little embarrassed.

We're riding in his cart and we're going to spend his money? What's the difference between this and robbery?

Fang Zheng waved his hand: “Don't worry, I will definitely not let him suffer a loss.”

After walking a few more miles, the donkey cart suddenly jolted and stopped on the road.

Fang Zheng quickly asked Wang Erzhu: “What happened?”

Wang Erzhu squatted on the ground, fiddling with the wheel and said: “There's a mud pit here... It's a bit deep and we're stuck. Why don't you guys get down and push?”

“You sit, I'll push.” Fang Zheng instructed Emperor Jing and jumped out of the cart.

Walking to the back of the cart, he shouted: “Zhang Biao, pull a little in front, and work together with the donkey.”

After speaking, he bent over at the rear of the cart and pushed the cart board, and said to Wang Erzhu: “I'll count one, two, three, and we'll push together.”

Wang Erzhu nodded, and the two pushed the cart together.

After pushing several times in a row, the donkey cart didn't move at all. Wang Erzhu gasped and said: “Let me catch my breath first, I've been walking for half a day, I'm exhausted.”

“Okay, then let's take a break.” Fang Zheng leaned helplessly against the cart.

Wang Erzhu took the water bag and approached Fang Zheng somewhat shyly: “That... Young Master Lu, can I ask you for a favor?”

“Hmm? Speak.”

“Aren't you a businessman? Can you tell me how to sell apples at a high price... This is my first time going out, and I don't understand the rules outside.”

Fang Zheng laughed: “No need to ask! Consider yourself lucky, I'll help you sell the apples this time when we enter the city.”

“Really!” Wang Erzhu was overjoyed. He originally just wanted to ask for some business advice, but he didn't expect to encounter such a good thing.

“Of course it's true. You're still wearing the ring I gave you, right? I told you that ring is valuable, and you can just exchange it for money when you get to the city.”

Wang Erzhu nodded repeatedly. Fang Zheng was so approachable, he became even bolder and tried to get closer: “Young Master Lu... I still don't know what your and Master Huang's names are. I'll have to thank you two in the future.”

“My father-in-law's surname is Huang, and his name is Master Ye. My surname is Lu, and my given name is just one word, Zong. You can call me Lu Zong.”

Wang Erzhu exclaimed: “Master Huang, that's a good name, it's advantageous everywhere. But your donkey breed...”

“Is your tongue big or your ears big? Zong! Get up and push the cart, don't waste time!” Fang Zheng said with a sullen face, almost suffering a brain hemorrhage from Wang Erzhu's mindless words.

Wang Erzhu showed an awkward but polite smile and scratched his head.

“Yes, Lu Zong, Lu Zong, let's rest for a while, I really can't do it anymore.”

“Endure it!”