Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Following that, Fang Zheng Yi lectured the two on some basic business knowledge and tactics, such as scarcity marketing and the brand effect. Although Emperor Jing and Guo Tianyang were somewhat confused, the banquet was a success for both host and guests.

Zhang Lao Liu approached with a beaming smile.

"Lord Magistrate, did you enjoy the meal?"

Fang Zheng Yi, picking his teeth with a chicken bone, nodded slightly: "Yes! Not bad, still decent. How much is it? Let's settle the bill!"

"A total of five hundred and six taels. I'll round it down for you, five hundred taels," Zhang Lao Liu said, bowing and scraping.

Upon hearing the price, everyone present was astonished.

Five hundred taels! Are we eating silver?

Fang Zheng Yi laughed in anger: "Good job! Zhang Lao Liu, you're fleecing even me, the magistrate! You've got potential."

Zhang Lao Liu, sweating profusely, quickly knelt down: "Lord Magistrate, please hear my explanation! A few children from the village came earlier and, not understanding the rules, ran outside shouting!"

"Saying that we were offering free meals today."

"As a result, dozens of people came, and tables were set up on the street, with more arriving constantly."

"This humble one had no choice! This price is already discounted for you. I've used up all the ingredients in my shop and had to borrow from next door!"

Fang Zheng Yi was amused to hear this. The sly people of Taoyuan County were becoming increasingly cunning.

"Even if dozens of people ate, five hundred taels is still expensive."

Zhang Lao Liu continued to wail: "Oh no! These cunning people also drank good wine! After drinking too much, they wanted cold melon (watermelon), so we quickly bought a dozen!"

Fang Zheng Yi's eyes lit up: "Cold melons are out? How much did you buy them for?"

Zhang Lao Liu said aggrievedly: "Ten taels each."

"Are they guaranteed to be ripe?"

"They are ripe."

Emperor Jing and Guo Tianyang were also dumbfounded. Five hundred taels for a meal was one thing, but where did the cold melons come from in this season, just entering spring!? It wasn't summer yet!

Fang Zheng Yi frowned: "Ten taels! These little bastards, selling them so expensive in their own county. Are the rinds made of gold, or the seeds made of gold?"

Guo Tianyang was also convinced. So you know it's expensive!

"Yes! That's what I said too! The people from the Agricultural Affairs Office told me!"

"Buy it or don't! There are no melons now! These are all greenhouse melons! We think it's expensive, and they think it's expensive too. They're selling them at cost price!"

"Alright, alright! I understand. Zhang Biao, pay the bill!"

Zhang Biao stepped forward, ready to pay.

Zhang Biao? Emperor Jing and Guo Tianyang gasped, their rectums tightening simultaneously.

He was the Zhang Biao who sews up people's assholes!? Indeed, he looked ordinary! They hadn't noticed him at all from beginning to end.

"Thump!"

Zhang Biao lightly flicked his sleeve, and a bag of silver landed directly on the table.

"Count it! Exactly five hundred taels."

Emperor Jing and Guo Tianyang's eyes almost popped out.

"F-Five... five hundred taels of silver in his sleeve?" Emperor Jing stammered.

Zhang Biao replied nonchalantly: "Yes! Our young master always carries a thousand taels of silver with him when he goes out. There's still five hundred taels left."

As he spoke, he raised his right sleeve, and something heavy hung down inside.

That arm strength! Couldn't he wield weapons weighing hundreds of pounds?

Emperor Jing swallowed hard. If this man served in the military, he would definitely be a fierce general!

"Why not carry silver notes?"

"It's about the same, but cash feels more secure!"

"........"

That's your reason for carrying a thousand taels of silver with you!?!

Seeing the two looking surprised, Fang Zheng Yi explained with a smile: "Gentlemen, this is my subordinate, Zhang Biao, courtesy name Hai Huang."

"The only constable in the county, the number one warrior, known in the pugilistic world as the Star of Taoyuan!"

"Never mind a thousand taels of silver, he can throw people around like sandbags! If you encounter any ruffians, you can find him!"

Emperor Jing was convinced and cupped his fist in salute: "I admire you, I admire you, Zhang Hai Huang is indeed a brave man!"

Zhang Biao puffed out his chest with pride.

Fang Zheng Yi said: "Well then... I won't see you off. If you decide to come to the county office tomorrow, you can come directly to me."

.......

That evening, Emperor Jing and Guo Tianyang returned to the inn.

Emperor Jing sat at the table, with Guo Tianyang standing attentively by his side. The candlelight on the table flickered, and Emperor Jing's expression appeared profound.

After pondering for a long time, Emperor Jing opened his mouth and said: "Prepare the silver notes. We'll go to the yamen tomorrow and sign the contract with him."

"I'm becoming more and more curious about this Magistrate Fang."

Guo Tianyang said: "Your Majesty, are we still going to Hengjiang Prefecture?"

"No, we've already gained a lot. Staying here for too long will make the ministers anxious, with the Crown Prince overseeing the country."

Then Emperor Jing sighed: "I didn't expect that Fang Zheng Yi, at just over twenty years old, could manage a county like this."

"Thinking of the Crown Prince gives me a headache! He's far inferior!"

Guo Tianyang said: "Your Majesty, although Fang Zheng Yi's actions are unconventional, is it appropriate for him, as the magistrate of a county, to personally engage in business?"

"Extraordinary people do extraordinary things. His achievements today are already shaming officials all over the world."

"In just two or three days, my eyes have been opened, but there are still many confusions... What is a greenhouse...?"

"This Fang Zheng Yi is truly interesting!"

Guo Tianyang said unconvinced: "Your Majesty, I think he's just skilled in strange crafts and frivolous skills! Who pours manure on other people's houses!"

"And tricking nobles in the capital into buying ordinary tea!"

"At the dinner table, he used eloquent words to flatter Your Majesty in order to sell tea!"

Emperor Jing interrupted him, with a slightly annoyed expression: "Enough! If strange crafts and frivolous skills can make the people rich, then so be it!"

"If you had three-tenths of his ability, I wouldn't have such a headache!"

"After we return, remember to check Fang Zheng Yi's background, and why the inspection officials over the years didn't report the news about Taoyuan County!"

Guo Tianyang pouted, having been busy and getting nothing good out of it, and even being shot full of arrows.

So he said aggrievedly: "Your Majesty is wise!"

"Hmph! Parrot repeating!"

Guo Tianyang: "......"

......