Royal Gold Magistrate

King Wu’s Manor

King Wu carefully read a letter, with Luo Ningxin standing beside him, sporting dark circles under her eyes and seeming a bit listless.

After a while, King Wu finished reading the letter and couldn’t help laughing. He casually placed the letter on the table.

“Ningxin, how are things going between you and Fang Zheng?”

Luo Ningxin was stunned for a moment, her face showing a conflicted expression.

Fang Zheng had come over a few times recently. After all, she couldn’t keep her doors shut to visitors all the time.

But each time she closed her doors and refused to see him, Fang Zheng would write her letters. And she couldn’t ignore his letters.

Every time after reading them, she would feel disgusted for several days and have trouble sleeping.

Now, as soon as she closed her eyes, she could imagine Fang Zheng pinching her chin, putting on a greasy expression, and saying those revolting words.

“There’s no cow in milk, right? There’s no water in crystal…”

Luo Ningxin forced a smile and said with difficulty, “Your Highness, my relationship with Lord Fang is now… passable…”

King Wu didn’t pay attention to her strange expression and said indifferently, “That’s good… This man is of great use to me. You must take it seriously.”

“Yes.”

As the two were talking, the butler burst in. Seeing Luo Ningxin there, he whispered a few words to King Wu.

King Wu nodded repeatedly, “Good, I understand. There’s another task for the fleet this time.”

“Go overseas and find a person named Galileo for me. This man is knowledgeable in astronomy and geography. You absolutely cannot make a mistake!”

The butler was startled, his expression turning a bit unnatural. He stammered, “Your Highness, is this Galileo you speak of… the Galileo from the recent city play The Trial of Galileo?”

“Correct.”

The butler looked even more baffled. “But… isn’t that just a character from a play?”

“No need to say more. That person certainly exists. Go find him. Even if he’s dead, bring back the information.”

The butler didn’t say anything else and left, utterly confused.

Luo Ningxin also perked up upon hearing this. She had heard people mention this play at Hidden Fragrance Pavilion… Something about a foreign barbarian Galileo seeing huge craters on the moon, and Maria killing someone with an iron embroidery hoop. She didn’t expect His Highness to actually believe this stuff.

She hesitated for a moment but still asked, “Your Highness, are the people and events in the play really true?”

King Wu clasped his hands behind his back and looked towards the courtyard. There were two pits in the courtyard ground.

He slowly said, “Indeed, most of the content in the play is true. It absolutely cannot be baseless fabrication… I personally went to watch a performance, and when I came back, I had people drop two iron balls from a height at the same time.”

“Unexpectedly, even though one was large and one was small, they actually landed on the ground simultaneously.”

“How is that possible!” Luo Ningxin blurted out.

“Heh, people are ignorant. If you just imagine it, of course it seems impossible. But as soon as you try it, you’ll know. But strangely, no one is willing to give it a try.”

“Also, there are most likely really huge craters on the moon. Perhaps those dark spots on the moon are craters? I’ve already ordered people to find the best crystal and start remaking the Thousand-Mile Mirror. Maybe we can see the moon’s surface with one glance… We’ll know as soon as we look!”

Luo Ningxin smiled awkwardly. “Shouldn’t there be immortal palaces on the moon?”

King Wu snorted disdainfully. “Foolish. Tales of gods and ghosts are not worth mentioning. Ghost stories have always been widely circulated. I also sent people to investigate. There are more ghosts outside the city than inside, but there are fewer people outside the city than inside.”

“This makes no sense. If there’s only one explanation, it must be that most of the ignorant men and women live outside the city and are more willing to believe these tales of gods and ghosts, so they circulate widely…”

Then King Wu waved his hand. “Forget it! You won’t understand even if I explain.”

He then muttered to himself, “It seems I can only discuss the profound and marvelous with Fang Zheng. But how does he know about matters of foreign barbarians? Could there really be someone born with innate knowledge?”

Seeing that King Wu wasn’t speaking, Luo Ningxin said softly, “Your Highness, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave first.”

“Wait a moment. Recently, Fang Zheng and Yan Guoan are competing against each other. If Fang Zheng asks for your help, you must support him with all your strength. Understand?”

“I understand.”

Luo Ningxin blinked, looking a bit puzzled.

Although she said she understood, she didn’t really comprehend. She currently couldn’t fathom at all why His Highness appreciated Fang Zheng so much.

She couldn’t even understand His Highness.

It felt like a lunatic meeting a fellow patient…

“Your Highness, do you think Fang Zheng will lose?”

King Wu scoffed. “Lose? Yan Guoan isn’t even fit to carry Fang Zheng’s shoes. What does he have to compete with him?”

“Empty talk harms the nation. A bunch of armchair strategists, what proper things can they accomplish? It’s really hard to understand. He clearly already went to Taoyuan County, yet still proposes such a foolish competition.”

Luo Ningxin asked hesitantly, “Then since Your Highness has already determined in your heart that Fang Zheng will definitely win, why have me…”

“Fang Zheng doesn’t care about Yan Guoan. What he cares about is Banshan District!”

“With his temperament, he’ll make use of everything that can be used. Sooner or later, he’ll make use of you. When the time comes, just do your best to cooperate. No need to ask about anything else!”

“This man… must be made to work for me!”

…

Inside the Dengjin District yamen.

Yan Guoan had a gloomy expression as he looked at the group of well-dressed scholars below.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, he said loudly, “Everyone, I’m sure you’ve all heard about the new plays from Banshan District spreading around recently.”

“These plays corrupt morals and groundlessly slander scholars. Now, many of our colleagues in the district have gone over to Banshan District. Everyone, come and share your countermeasures.”

Someone raised their hand below. “Why don’t we also arrange a theatrical troupe to perform plays…”

“Forget it! What would we perform? Who would act? Right now, it’s a battle of the unprepared against the prepared. We need an unexpected move to win!”

“Then does sir have any brilliant ideas?”

“I don’t…”

Su Rongxuan smiled faintly amidst the crowd and walked up, fanning himself with a folding fan.

“My lord, if we want to resolve this matter, it’s not difficult. There are many scholars in the capital who are dissatisfied with this matter. If we unite with the other dissatisfied scholars and make a fuss to attract the attention of the authorities…”

“Then when you go to court, Lord Yan, you can report this matter. I imagine it shouldn’t be hard to just ban a mere play.”

Yan Guoan looked at him expressionlessly. “Oh? Then who will go unite those dissatisfied scholars?”

Su Rongxuan smiled smugly and cupped his hands. “I have quite a few connections and am willing to serve you, my lord.”

Yan Guoan smiled. “Good, then this matter…”

“I object!!” Shen Yi jumped out, his face full of indignation.

“What’s wrong with this play? If we scholars are stung by it, we should reflect on ourselves. If there are faults, correct them; if not, strive to do better! There’s no reason to ban this play. This is trying to pin a crime on someone, how could there be no excuse?”

“Whenever you encounter something you think is wrong, you want to cover it up and bury it! If things continue like this, will any descendants in later generations dare to speak the truth?”

“Brother Su, I didn’t expect you to be…”

“Drag him out.”

Before Shen Yi could finish speaking, someone dragged him away. A few who had a good relationship with him followed him out with solemn faces.

Yan Guoan’s expression looked a bit unsightly, but seeing that those who should leave had left, he stared at Su Rongxuan. “You’re called…”

“I am Su Rongxuan!”

“Good! Go ahead and handle it…”