Royal Gold Magistrate

As all the numbers were announced, a huge groan of disappointment erupted from the square. Countless Number One Scholar Tickets were tossed into the air, briefly forming a “snowy scene”.

A very small number of people who had won third prize were holding up their tickets and calling out to friends in the crowd.

Although the prize money was only a paltry few taels, winning itself was something to be happy about.

Zhang Dongxiang stared blankly at the numbers on the stage’s wooden board and rubbed his eyes. Then he slowly took out his ticket and compared the numbers one by one.

Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao beside him also stopped avoiding Fang Zheng. In any case, they had already lost enough face in front of this youngster. There was nothing left to hide.

The two of them took a simple look, casually tossed away their tickets, then turned to look at the crowd.

“It seems winning the Number One Scholar Ticket is much harder than imagined…”

“I… seem to have won…”

Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao instantly perked up and surrounded Zhang Dongxiang.

“Won? Quick, let us see. What prize?”

“First…”

Fang Zheng also squeezed over to look. After repeatedly comparing the ticket numbers, his face fell.

This old man! His luck is actually this good. Did he take my reserved winner’s spot?

He turned to Zhang Dongxiang. “Third Uncle, this time… will you still donate it?”

Zhang Dongxiang instinctively shook his head. You must be joking. Two thousand taels! No matter where, that’s not a small sum.

Fang Zheng looked at him with disdain, then grabbed his sleeve. “Come, come with me on stage to claim the prize!”

Originally feeling on cloud nine, Zhang Dongxiang instantly sobered up at this pull. He struggled to tug back his sleeve. “I won’t go! Let go! Didn’t they say we have three days? I’ll come back to claim it tomorrow!”

Fang Zheng looked at him with interest. “Oh! So now it’s not an odd trick? I didn’t expect you to be such a sanctimonious hypocrite, Third Uncle.”

“When you win, you say it smells good. Seems silver is more important than principles!”

“Hey, let go, what smells good!” Zhang Dongxiang’s old face flushed bright red as he regretted his careless words.

“Enough, enough! Fang Zheng, haven’t you ever heard of respecting the elderly!” Li Yansong stamped his feet.

The three old men really couldn’t take being teased like this by a youngster!

Seeing this, Fang Zheng stopped. “Fine! Congrats then, Third Uncle. Remember to come to the square to claim the prize tomorrow. I’ll definitely send someone to welcome you!”

Zhang Dongxiang awkwardly tidied his clothes, then put on a stern face. “*Ahem*… I know!”

…

Inside Dengjin District.

Yan Guoan looked at the group before him with a sullen face. Compared to half a month ago, the scholars gathered now had decreased.

He heard that the play review corner in Banshan District was exceptionally interesting. Quite a few went there once and felt too embarrassed to return.

Those remaining could be considered the most determined. They still hadn’t gone to see those messy things in Banshan.

Just thinking of those absurd plays recently performed in Banshan made Yan Guoan’s anger flare. If he lost the bet again, he’d truly have no face!

“Everyone, Banshan’s recent development is no longer inferior to our Dengjin. What are your thoughts?”

The crowd looked at each other. Thoughts? We read in Xuanming Pavilion daily, which is quite good. We don’t have any ideas. We haven’t been to Banshan either…

Su Rongxuan swept his gaze over them, feeling a bit smug. Fools. Lord Yan tells you to read, so you just do that? Don’t you know taking initiative to share your superior’s worries is simply foolish!

He stepped forward. “My lord, I have some news about Banshan. The recent Number One Scholar Ticket is causing an uproar in the capital. I’m sure they’ve taken in a lot of silver with it.”

“We can completely set up the same lottery. With silver, what’s there to worry about development?”

Yan Guoan said indifferently, “The lottery method is specially permitted by imperial authority… Others may not use it. Don’t bring this up again!”

Who in the city doesn’t know the ticket can make big money now! But that Fang Zheng is too cunning. He actually locked it down in advance.

Others who want in now can’t get involved. Otherwise, Yan Guoan would also want to do it.

Su Rongxuan put on a thoughtful expression and paced slowly.

“My lord, the commoners have all witnessed your governing achievements. Development is already as good as can be. Achieving even an inch of progress short-term is truly difficult.”

“Banshan has only developed by trickery to swindle money. The funds are all used on infrastructure. It can be said there are no educational achievements. The commoners are still crude, ignorant, showing no change.”

“I have another idea. I heard the current emperor dislikes Buddhism, believing it is not productive. In Yuhu District, there is a newly enlightened monk praised by countless people. If we invite him to Fuyun Temple in Banshan and greatly promote him…”

“I imagine those foolish commoners will flock to him short-term. Openly promoting Buddhism will make the poor poorer. Within a month, we can make achievements!”

“By then in court, you will have things to say.”

A few youths in the crowd fell silent hearing this, feeling very uncomfortable. Weren’t we supposed to educate the commoners? What you’re doing is like seeing your neighbor study well, but instead of competing on effort, you tear up his books. It’s so despicable…

They felt ashamed to associate with such people and quietly left.

Yan Guoan saw but didn’t stop them, his expression blank.

“This plan is brilliant. It’s just that I’ve never heard of this monk.”

Someone raised a hand. “I know! The Huijue Monk appeared like a comet recently in Yuhu. None can best him in Buddhist debate. Countless seek his blessings. I heard his fees aren’t cheap!”

Yan Guoan scoffed. Fees? Seems he’s also a swindler seeking fame and fortune.

“He has profound Buddhist knowledge. Once, an evil disciple spat on him. Huijue let the saliva dry, even composing ‘Records of the Snack Pond’ on the spot. The evil one was so ashamed he had a change of heart. After that, visitors became countless.”

“Seeing his face is said to make people feel tranquil. He has suffered many hardships. Neither disabilities nor insults can shake him. The money is only used to build temples.”

“Now, even seeing Huijue once is extremely difficult!”

*Tsk* ~ There’s actually such a noble person?

Even Yan Guoan couldn’t help admiring him. Seems he had a petty person’s heart and misjudged him.

“Good. Su Rongxuan, I quite appreciate you. I’ll leave this to you. Can you invite Huijue to Fuyun Temple?”

Wild joy flashed in Su Rongxuan’s eyes. “Thank you, my lord! I won’t fail your trust!”