Royal Gold Magistrate

“Minister Fang… do you dare take responsibility for your words?” After the wild joy, Emperor Jing’s expression returned to solemnity.

Such a major matter couldn’t afford any mishaps. If he led the hundred officials on a trip to Taoyuan County only to find out they had been duped, it would be a slap in the face of the entire court.

Seeing Fang Zheng’s confident appearance, he had no choice but to believe him.

But common sense and rationality kept hinting to him that a crop with a yield of eight hundred catties per mu couldn’t possibly exist in this world. The current national average crop yield per mu was only around three hundred fifty catties.

Suddenly more than doubling that, wouldn’t the world be turned upside down?

“This minister! Is willing to stake his head as guarantee!!”

Fang Zheng’s resounding answer shocked everyone.

However, there was still a small group of people who looked down on him sneering coldly.

Such a flatterer, if he buried things in the ground beforehand, there would be quite a show to see.

“Very well! Tomorrow We shall visit Taoyuan County! Which of you ministers are willing to accompany Us?”

The hundred officials naturally gladly agreed.

Fang Zheng’s words were astonishing. No matter how big the news, it couldn’t compare to this matter. If what he said was true, the future of Great Jing would be limitless.

If what he said was false, there would be a good show to watch. With such a good thing, who wouldn’t go?

Fang Zheng breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Inviting the Emperor to grace Taoyuan with his presence was part of the plan all along. The emergence of sweet potatoes had to shock everyone.

Shock after shock!

By then, the news would spread throughout the world as much as possible, exerting a powerful downward pressure on grain prices in the current and even the next few months!

To ensure the effect, he had even purposely understated the yield by a few hundred catties.

Fortunately, Emperor Jing agreed. Fang Zheng had sent a letter to Taoyuan County two days in advance to make early preparations. He hoped the people there could prepare well…

After the court session ended, Fang Zheng ignored Li Yuanzhao’s calls and ran straight to Mingluan Palace.

Recently, sanitary pads hadn’t been widely promoted in the palace. According to Li Yuanzhao, the princess had been scolded a few times.

Fang Zheng felt quite embarrassed.

But due to being too busy with matters at hand, he never had a chance to attend to this.

Now it was a good opportunity… This time he could also persuade the princess, let her see the women’s medical center in Taoyuan County, and give her some general knowledge along the way.

Li Miaohan was young. If she retreated after being scolded a couple of times, could sanitary pads still be sold?

He certainly couldn’t rely on Li Yuanzhao to sell sanitary pads in the palace. Wouldn’t Emperor Jing slap him?

Fang Zheng ran in front while Li Yuanzhao cursed incessantly behind him.

But due to being too exhausted from work recently, even though his physical condition was originally good, he couldn’t catch up.

When they arrived at Mingluan Palace, Fang Zheng was already sitting together with Li Miaohan. Li Yuanzhao had no choice but to sit to the side, huffing angrily.

Fang Zheng said with a smile, “Your Highness Princess, long time no see. How has your health been recently?”

Li Miaohan’s face was flushed red with shame. “Thank you for your concern, Lord Fang. This palace’s health has been very well recently, it’s just that… the promotion of sanitary pads… has been a bit difficult… I’m sorry.”

What an honest girl! The complete opposite of Li Yuanzhao!

Fang Zheng said, “Your Highness Princess has already done very well! This is, after all, for the benefit of the people under Heaven. How could it be resolved in a day or two? Rest assured! I, Fang Zheng, will always stand by Your Highness’s side.”

“Your Highness also doesn’t need to be too anxious. Some things are slow to achieve if you want them done quickly. It just so happens that His Majesty will be visiting Taoyuan County tomorrow. Sanitary pads have already been widely promoted in Taoyuan County. Your Highness can go together to learn from the advanced experience there.”

“Moreover, the princess can also relax in Taoyuan County. You can stay at my house. My house is quite large. If you get tired from walking around, you can sleep directly. No problem!”

After hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Li Miaohan lowered her head shyly, nodding almost imperceptibly a couple of times.

Oh~ the princess is blushing. Fang Zheng inwardly chuckled.

Li Yuanzhao beside them was about to devour someone!

His eyes emitting a red glow, he angrily said, “Old Fang! One can’t be so shameless!”

“Elder brother! How can you say that! Lord Fang is cultivating crops for the people under Heaven and creating sanitary pads for women under Heaven. How difficult must it be for him! You saying that is going too far!”

Before Fang Zheng could open his mouth, Li Miaohan raised her pretty face first, looking at Li Yuanzhao with a face full of indignation.

Li Yuanzhao instantly felt like he was struck by lightning, stunned on the spot.

Fang Zheng hurriedly said, “The princess saying this truly makes this minister feel ashamed. This minister has only done a bit of minor work.”

“The Crown Prince has also been running his legs off for the commoners recently. This minister feels heartache seeing it.”

Li Miaohan looked at Fang Zheng with admiration, then glanced at Li Yuanzhao with disdain.

Everyone’s human? Why are you so much worse?

Li Yuanzhao was initially tongue-tied and couldn’t speak. Seeing Li Miaohan’s gaze, he subsequently flew into a rage. “Then go sleep at his house!!”

“Elder brother! What nonsense are you saying? You’ve gone too far!” Li Miaohan’s eyes gradually reddened, then she ran off crying.

Fang Zheng smiled awkwardly and called after her retreating figure, “Princess, don’t forget to come tomorrow. This minister will be waiting for you!”

Then he turned his head to Li Yuanzhao. “Your Highness… then I’ll go home first to prepare. Let’s set off tomorrow.”

With that said, he ran like the wind. Li Yuanzhao chased after him, cursing…

……………

Inside the Taoyuan County yamen.

Ao Chen held a letter in his hand. Twenty-five people stood in front of him with a group of minor officials waiting for orders around them.

“Everyone, a letter has arrived from the master with a task assigned to you.”

“Those present are all proficient in mathematics and deeply trusted by the master in the way of doing business. This task is of great importance and will last for a year.”

“The master said to let you choose for yourselves. Those willing to go, raise your hands. Those unwilling can leave on your own.”

“After returning from this external assignment, each person will be rewarded with a hundred taels of silver. From now on, the county yamen will fully cover all your family’s expenses at the medical center, even your children’s tuition fees will be fully covered by the county.”

“Those are the conditions. Everyone decide for yourselves!”

After a long while, not a single one of the twenty-five people raised their hands.

Ao Chen continued, “Good! Since everyone is participating by default, then I’ll explain the master’s orders.”

“The twenty-five people present will take a hundred thousand taels of silver to provide disaster relief in the south, mainly in Jianjiang Prefecture. When grain prices fluctuate, take action when the opportunity arises. Return after a year.”

“Don’t seek profit, but also can’t suffer losses. Take out the hundred thousand taels of silver, and bring back this hundred thousand taels of silver intact!”

“Did everyone understand?”

Someone suddenly raised their hand. “Did the master specify to what extent to carry it out? Is there a need to suppress grain prices?”

“The master didn’t say, but he wanted you to bring a boatload of sweet potatoes. When necessary, spread news in the market and take action when the time is right. The rest is to do everything humanly possible and leave the rest to the will of Heaven.”

“Also, the master sent back a map of the south. Take it with you when you go.”

With that said, Ao Chen took out a map and handed it over. “Alright, that’s it. You must pay attention to safety. If there are any problems, write a letter at any time. Everyone, go back and prepare as soon as possible.”