Royal Gold Magistrate

When Fang Zheng’s voice rang out, Huijue suddenly opened his eyes and looked towards the source of the sound.

A familiar voice, a familiar smiling face… that demon had come again!

“Master… let’s find a place to chat. This official has some questions for you,” Fang Zheng said, then sauntered towards the main hall with his hands behind his back.

Huijue hurriedly got up and scurried after him.

In the devastated main hall, Huijue glanced around, then faced Fang Zheng and bowed, saying ingratiatingly, “Lord Fang, it’s been a while.”

“Well, well, Huang Shengrong, you really became a monk? Is it profitable?”

Fang Zheng wandered around the hall, feeling that there should be some kind of secret mechanism or treasury inside.

Huang Shengrong fawned, “It’s not bad! Not bad! Better than before.”

“And much more comfortable…”

Fang Zheng grinned and plopped himself down on the offering table in front of the Buddha statue. “You’ve got some nerve. Didn’t you know Banshan District is my turf? Who sent you here to play monk and swindle money?”

Huang Shengrong hurriedly shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Fang Zheng sighed, looking up. “Old Huang, one must be honest!”

“I’ve been taking care of your wife and children, you know. Those kids of yours, every day at 5-7 AM they have Go lessons, 7-9 AM they learn to play the zither, 9-11 AM they’re taught horseback riding… and at 11 PM-1 AM, they study carpentry. This official is raising them like my own sons, and I’m footing the bill for their tuition.”

“Your wife and concubines are also being kept plump and well-fed by me, each weighing over a hundred catties.”

“You should be grateful!”

Huang Shengrong originally thought his willpower was strong enough, but he didn’t expect to crumble again after just a few words from Fang Zheng.

As soon as Fang Zheng finished speaking, Huang Shengrong hugged his leg and wailed.

“Lord Fang! Master Fang! They’re just children… They’ll die if they keep studying like this!”

“Only by tasting the bitterest of the bitter can one become a man above men. I’ve been so good to you, yet you think I’m abusing your sons? If you don’t believe me, you can call those wives of yours over right now and ask them!”

“That won’t be necessary!”

Huang Shengrong’s face fell. “My lord, I really don’t know! Back then, some strangers I didn’t recognize came and asked me to stay at Fuyun Temple in Banshan District for a month.”

“I knew you were in the district, how could I dare to go?”

“The money they offered… it was too tempting to refuse.”

“And even if I didn’t come, other monks would have come. It’s all the same.”

Fang Zheng lowered his head and thought for a moment. “The other monks aren’t from the same temple as you?”

Huang Shengrong shook his head. “No, we don’t know each other. They were probably invited from different temples by those people.”

Fang Zheng suddenly understood. That’s it.

So many monks gathering mysteriously in Banshan District must have been sent by Yan Guoan.

That old fool is really pathetic, to stoop so low!

After thinking for a while, he couldn’t be bothered to think more. Such a weak opponent was worthless.

He continued to ask, “Has King Wu contacted you?”

Huang Shengrong sighed, “No, he must have abandoned me. Since I left your place, no one has contacted me.”

Then he knelt down and continued, “My lord, please let me go… You can’t even deny me the chance to be a monk, can you? And those children of mine, can you stop making them take extra classes?”

“Lord Fang, I live only for my children. If they work themselves to death, I won’t live either!”

Fang Zheng looked at him, unable to help but marvel. Goodness, after being scolded, he really did turn over a new leaf! There’s something to him!

“Tsk tsk tsk, becoming a monk really is different. Your state of mind has improved. Alright, this official won’t make things difficult for you. In the future, report to me about anything related to Banshan District.”

“Later, settle the tuition and food expenses, and take your wives and children away. I’m too lazy to keep raising them for you.”

Huang Shengrong laughed awkwardly and rubbed his hands. “Well… I don’t want the wives back. Can I get a discount on the tuition and food expenses?”

“Get out!”

…

Inside the Imperial Palace, Emperor Jing stood at the entrance of the great hall, sighing constantly as he looked at the gloomy weather.

In recent days, torrential rain had been falling continuously for several days.

Thinking about the flooding that occurred in the capital every year, Emperor Jing couldn’t help but feel a headache.

Who knows how many disasters it would cause, how many commoners would be affected.

Guo Tianyang took a shawl and walked to Emperor Jing’s side. “Your Majesty, the wind is still quite strong. Why don’t we close the door?”

Emperor Jing raised his hand. “No need… Our Great Jing truly suffers from many disasters. This year’s rainfall is so heavy, the Imperial Observatory is truly useless…”

Guo Tianyang also sighed, then suddenly seemed to think of something and spoke up. “Your Majesty, the bet between the Crown Prince and Lord Yan has expired. Should this servant arrange for people to go investigate now?”

Emperor Jing smiled meaningfully. “Heh, I had forgotten about that matter.”

“There have been too many things happening lately. No need to send anyone. The rain has stopped now, and I haven’t left the palace in a long time. Why don’t I go see for myself? Prepare the palanquin.”

Guo Tianyang responded affirmatively and was about to turn and leave when Emperor Jing’s voice sounded again.

“Never mind, there must be a lot of standing water outside the palace. Don’t use the palanquin, use a carriage instead.”

Guo Tianyang nodded in agreement, then jogged out of the hall.

He hadn’t gone far when he ran into Li Yansong, who was hurrying over. Guo Tianyang smiled and said, “Master Li, are you here to see His Majesty?”

Li Yansong smiled politely. “Yes, there’s flooding in the city. I thought I should personally inform His Majesty.”

“Then you’ve come at an inconvenient time. His Majesty is preparing to go out and have a look. I’m going to arrange His Majesty’s carriage now.”

With that, Guo Tianyang left.

Li Yansong was stunned for a moment. He looked up at the sky.

In this awful weather, why go out? It might rain again soon.

Then he understood and chuckled to himself. It must be because the Crown Prince and Yan Guoan’s bet has expired. He’s worried about the Crown Prince.

Having figured it out, Li Yansong also left.

…

Not long after.

The Emperor set out with Guo Tianyang and the three elders of the Cabinet.

The three old men squeezed into one carriage, feeling somewhat awkward.

Zhang Dongxiang spoke up, “Sigh, Master Li, why didn’t you persuade His Majesty? Why drag us two along as well? There’s severe flooding outside the palace now. If it starts raining again, it’ll be even more troublesome.”

Zheng Qiao said, “His Majesty wants to see the Crown Prince’s achievements during this period. He’s anxious. We haven’t been there in a while either, so it’s a good chance to take a look. It won’t take long, it’s no big deal.”

“I think Fang Zheng and the Crown Prince are bound to lose. You’ve heard the news in the city too. Many scholars are praising Yan Guoan for his good governance.”

“And what about Fang Zheng’s side? How many scholars are saying Banshan District has lost all decency, overrun with merchants, a den of iniquity?”

“When we went to look last time, it seemed fine, but that’s just like donkey dung – shiny on the outside. There’s been no progress in education and culture!”

“I think Fang Zheng and the Crown Prince are in trouble.” Zhang Dongxiang shook his head as he finished speaking.

Zheng Qiao teased, “Master Zhang, you took 2000 taels of silver from your nephew, yet you have so little faith in him?”

Zhang Dongxiang glared. “That’s your nephew, not mine! I won that silver fair and square. He didn’t give it to me as a gift. What nonsense!”

Li Yansong clutched his chest, feeling waves of discomfort.

Do you two really want to be someone’s uncles that badly!?