Royal Gold Magistrate

The much-anticipated lottery segment finally began.

Fang Zheng, afraid that the few old men would get tired standing, specially arranged a few seats for them.

Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao had a fairly good attitude. It was just Zhang Dongxiang who always had an angry look whenever he saw him.

Fang Zheng paid no mind. Ancients were just like this!

Would I, an enterprising young man, stoop to his level??

The lottery box, with over ten thousand slips of paper flying wildly, formed a synchronized wave of sound below the stage.

“Stop! Stop! Stop!……”

Although everyone was initially surprised by this magical transparent box, now no one cared about it anymore. What the crowd valued more were the lottery tickets inside the box.

The host’s hand turning the crank gradually slowed down.

Very quickly, the fluttering paper slips in the box also settled down.

Then the host took out a rattan ball and loudly proclaimed to the audience, “To show fairness, whoever gets the rattan ball, come on stage to draw the prize!”

With that, he threw the rattan ball into the crowd.

A scramble ensued below the stage. Very quickly, a lucky audience member was selected to bring the rattan ball on stage to draw the prize.

The host loudly announced again, “Come, let our lucky audience member share their fee…”

“Hurry the fuck up!” “Stop dilly-dallying!” “Don’t let me see you on the streets!”

All sorts of trash flew onto the stage. It looked like things would get out of control soon.

The host directly dragged the prize-drawer to the side of the lottery box.

“Begin the draw!!!!”

Under the constant urging of the audience, the fifty fifth-place prizes were quickly drawn, followed by the fourth and third-place prizes.

When it got to the second-place prize, the host still wanted to build suspense. The enraged audience charged onto the stage and nearly beat him up. Fortunately, Zhang Biao intervened in time to avoid an incident.

At this time, Li Yansong and the others stopped pretending. They took out their lottery tickets and stared at the lottery box with shining eyes.

When the host loudly announced the first and second prizes, a huge sound of disappointment arose from the crowd below, and curses rang out.

In an instant, the host’s dear mother and paper slips flew together in the sky.

Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao lowered their heads to study the tickets.

“What number is this… Oh, I’m getting old, old. My memory is really failing.”

“Lord Li, that’s five.”

“Oh, then I didn’t win.”

Zhang Dongxiang beside them didn’t join the two. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

“I… I won! First prize!”

Fang Zheng leaned over to take a look.

“Oh! It really is the first prize! Congratulations, Lord Zhang. Come, let’s claim the prize now.”

Zhang Dongxiang put on a stern face. “Ridiculous! It’s just a petty trick. How could this official be a profit-seeking person like you! Donate the silver!”

I’m profit-seeking? The old man is getting into it! If I don’t put you in your place today, I won’t be called Fang Zheng anymore!

Fang Zheng turned around and jumped onto the stage. “Next, let us invite our first-prize lucky latrine user to give an acceptance speech!”

The audience that had already started slowly dispersing, upon hearing this, all looked towards the stage again, eyes flashing with curiosity.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dongxiang immediately looked at Fang Zheng in horror. Judging from his lip movements, he seemed to be shouting, “What are you trying to do?”

If he really went up, could he still show his face?

How could he remain in court in the future?

Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao’s old faces also scrunched up like prunes. Not only did the young man not respect his elders, he was trying to trap them to death.

Li Yansong hurriedly took two steps forward. The stage was small, so he shouted to Fang Zheng in a low voice, “Enough! Lord Fang, let’s talk this out!”

Fang Zheng glanced at Zhang Dongxiang and saw his old face flushed bright red. He snorted in disdain. “Fine, you’re all my elders. Of course I have to give you face.”

Then he said loudly, “Alright! Alright! Everyone disperse. The prize-winner fainted from happiness and can’t speak anymore!”

“Tsk~~” Hearing this, the crowd made a sound of contempt and turned to disperse again.

“Lord Zhang! Lord Zhang! Wake up!!” Zheng Qiao pinched the flesh between Zhang Dongxiang’s nose and upper lip, shouting frantically.

Just now, stimulated by Fang Zheng, he couldn’t catch his breath and really fainted!

Fang Zheng was also afraid the old man would die, so he hurriedly called the doctor on standby. Fortunately, there was no major problem, and he was quickly revived.

The awakened Zhang Dongxiang pointed at Fang Zheng, panting heavily. “I have no… grudges with you… Why do you want to harm… harm… this old man!”

“Ah, I sincerely apologize! This junior acted rashly and inconsiderately. Please forgive me, Lord Zhang!” With that, Fang Zheng respectfully bowed to him.

Zhang Dongxiang originally wanted to say a few more words, but this move choked him up. He sheepishly lowered his hand.

Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao looked at each other.

This Fang Zheng was too outrageous… His actions had no logic at all!

In fact, Fang Zheng meant no real harm. He just wanted to tease the stubborn old man a little.

Zhang Dongxiang wasn’t a criminal. Aside from being a bit obstinate, he had no ill intent. However, his heart seemed weak, as he had clutched his chest and panted nonstop while in court before. If Fang Zheng took the joke too far, he might incur the wrath of the Heavens.

Then Fang Zheng said, “Did you three prepare carriages and horses for your visit? Tonight’s evening event has ended. I can arrange a carriage to send you elders home.”

Li Yansong made a cupped fist salute. “Many thanks, Lord Fang… We prepa-”

“Master! Master! Bad news!” Li Yansong’s words were cut off by someone. A person dressed as a house guard came running towards Fang Zheng like mad.

Seeing this, Fang Zheng immediately tensed up. This person was the house guard accompanying Li Yuanzhao out.

He hurriedly said, “What happened? Speak quickly!”

“Lo- Lord Li has been kidnapped. The kidnappers had me bring a message to you, telling you to go see them to ransom him!” The guard kept panting heavily, evidently having run for some time.

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng calmed down.

The kidnappers sent someone with a message, indicating there was room for negotiation. Li Yuanzhao should be fine in the short term.

Originally, the Emperor had dispatched imperial guards to protect the Crown Prince. Li Yuanzhao had insisted it was unnecessary, saying nothing major could happen within the capital.

Moreover, with Zhang Biao there, there definitely wouldn’t be any problems. So Li Yuanzhao took a few imperial guards disguised as house guards and sparred with Zhang Biao.

Zhang Biao flipped over four men in one round. Only then did Emperor Jing feel at ease and withdraw the imperial guards.

If only… he had kept those men. Damn, regrets!

While Fang Zheng was still regretting, the three old men were scared out of their wits. Within the imperial capital, was there anything bigger than the Crown Prince being kidnapped!?

Li Yansong grabbed the guard’s arm and roared angrily, “Speak quickly! What exactly happened!?”

The guard glanced at Fang Zheng. Seeing Fang Zheng nod in agreement, he began to recount, “We were originally accompanying Lord Li to watch the latrine cleaners…”

“Latrine cleaners!?” Li Yansong let out a falsetto shriek.

“Yes, watching the latrine cleaners… Later, a group of people came saying we stole their business. Then an argument broke out, and Lord Li started fighting with that group of latrine cleaners.”

“Lord Zhang! Lord Zhang! Wake up!!” Zheng Qiao pinched the flesh between Zhang Dongxiang’s nose and upper lip, shouting frantically.

Too old, really couldn’t take this shock. Fainted again.

“Then what?” Li Yansong also felt a bit short of breath. This news was a bit too shocking… difficult to bear.

“Then they specifically told Mr. Sai to go over. Otherwise, they would throw Lord Li into the cesspit, dry him out, and hang him on the city wall.”

It should be people from the Feces Clan… But why does this threat sound so familiar? I feel like I’ve said it before.

Fang Zheng stroked his chin, trying hard to recall.

“Fang Zheng! What do we do now? If anything happens to Lord Li, this old man won’t let you off!” The originally good-natured Li Yansong finally couldn’t hold back seeing the distracted Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng slowly said, “Zhang Biao, go back and find a few more men. Bring all the equipment and come with me.”

Then he said to Li Yansong, “Lord Li, no need to worry. This group is clearly targeting me. Rest assured, I will definitely rescue Lord Li safely!”