Royal Gold Magistrate

As expected of you!

Guo Tianyang gave Fang Zheng a meaningful look.

Emperor Jing also smiled, “Good! Minister Fang’s words are exactly what I had in mind. Let’s move to Dengjin District!”

“All of you, change into ordinary clothes. Don’t embarrass me when we go outside!”

Li Yansong and the others shook their heads and sighed as they looked at the kneeling group of Hanlin scholars.

Why did you have to offend Fang Zheng? This guy has no bottom line!

The Hanlin scholars glared angrily at Fang Zheng, but clearly hadn’t realized the gravity of the situation.

They wouldn’t go to a place like Dengjin District…

…

Not long after, a large group began marching towards Dengjin District. On the way, the Hanlin scholars were still chatting, but gradually their expressions changed.

The closer they got to the outer city, the deeper the water became.

When they reached Dengjin District, everyone was dumbfounded. Seeing the dirty water covering more than half of the carriage wheels, they feared it would reach their chests if they knelt down!

After the wind yesterday, it had rained for half the night, and the water level hadn’t decreased but was even higher than yesterday.

Fang Zheng was, of course, pleased to see this scene.

You bunch of shameless creatures, pretending to be righteous.

Now kneel here and see for yourselves what kind of district Yan Guoan governed! What kind of life the common people lived.

Emperor Jing sat in his carriage, leaning out to address the officials, “You will kneel outside the Yimen Gate! Yan Guoan’s head is hanging there, so you can see it clearly! Come talk to me when you’ve figured things out!”

With that, he drove his carriage towards the government office.

Fang Zheng and the others quickly followed.

The group of Hanlin scholars still sat in their carriages, staring blankly at the water’s surface.

Debris occasionally floated by on the water, accompanied by a foul stench.

Many were already having second thoughts.

Kneeling in such filthy water… Wouldn’t that be utterly undignified?

Where was their pride?

But when they saw Yan Guoan’s head hanging on the Yimen Gate, their wavering hearts suddenly became resolute again.

A feeling of sympathy for a fellow victim arose in their hearts.

If the villain Fang isn’t removed, the court will never know peace!

Yang Yingcai gritted his teeth and waded into the water, choosing a spot that looked manageable. Steeling himself, he knelt down.

As he knelt, the foul water immediately reached his chest.

Yang Yingcai nearly fainted from one breath, vaguely seeing indescribable debris in the water.

However… kneeling did feel much easier.

Seeing Yang Yingcai kneel, the other Hanlin scholars gritted their teeth and followed suit.

Soon, a dense crowd was kneeling outside the Yimen Gate, with half their bodies exposed. From a distance, they looked like a strange new species growing out of the water.

Seeing everyone kneeling, Guo Tianyang called out loudly, “Gentlemen, kneel at ease. His Majesty said that if you figure things out, you can go home directly.”

“If you’re hungry, someone will be sent with food… If you’re…”

Before Guo Tianyang could finish, Fang Zheng, who had come to watch the spectacle, continued loudly, “If you’re thirsty, there’s plenty of water!”

Everyone’s fierce gazes turned to Fang Zheng, wishing they could tear him apart. They scolded:

“Fang Zheng! You ungrateful wretch! Shameless scoundrel, you dare to run your mouth here!”

“His Majesty may be momentarily deceived by you, but justice will prevail. Sooner or later, your head will also hang on the Yimen Gate!”

“Fang Zheng!! I’ll kill you!!”

Fang Zheng’s eyes lit up. He pulled out a small notebook from his robes, pointed at the man in the water, and said, “You who just threatened to kill me, state your name!”

That Hanlin scholar was unafraid and shouted back, “Hahaha! Fine, my name is Gu Tian! Remember it well, you villain!”

Fang Zheng quickly scribbled in his notebook, then called out loudly:

“Gu Tian attempted to harm a superior official. The evidence and witnesses are all here. I’ll file a report against you right away! Brother Guo, you heard that, right?”

Guo Tianyang looked disgusted. This Fang Zheng was so annoying.

He impatiently said, “I heard! I heard!”

Gu Tian’s face instantly turned ashen, his whole demeanor wilting. If this matter really reached His Majesty, it would be trouble.

At this moment, he wished he could slap himself twice.

As he was regretting his words, those around him suddenly became agitated, all shouting that they wanted to kill Fang Zheng.

Gu Tian’s courage swelled again. After all, there’s safety in numbers.

“Fang Zheng! You despicable villain, eating the emperor’s rice for nothing. How dare you call yourself a scholar?”

“Useless official! You dare accuse us? Your doom is approaching!”

“………..”

Listening to the Hanlin scholars below repeating the same few phrases, Fang Zheng shook his head.

He sighed, “Scholars are truly useless… Tsk tsk tsk…”

Unexpectedly, after he said this, the people below became smug.

“Look, everyone! Fang Zheng is at a loss for words!”

“At a loss for your mother, you big idiots!” Fang Zheng retorted without mercy, directly using crude language.

Why bother with fancy insults when straightforward ones work just fine!

The Hanlin scholars were enraged, pointing at Fang Zheng and shouting, “You’re vulgar! Such crude language! No backbone at all, the behavior of a petty man!”

Others started to chime in.

Fang Zheng, thoroughly annoyed, stood on the carriage and looked down at everyone. He slowly began to undo his belt.

He drawled, “Let me hear who’s yapping? I’ll treat you all to something warm!”

Everyone immediately fell silent, lowering their heads in unison, afraid this madman might actually do it.

He really was capable of such things!

Even Guo Tianyang couldn’t bear to watch and hurriedly said, “Alright, worthy brother! His Majesty is waiting for us. If you offend them too deeply, it won’t end well for you.”

“I’ve already offended them beyond repair! Don’t worry, Brother Guo. I, Fang Zheng, fear many things, but useless people aren’t one of them!”

The Hanlin scholars raised their heads in anger, but seeing Fang Zheng’s hand still on his belt, they quickly lowered them again.

Seeing everyone behave, Fang Zheng retied his belt and turned to enter the carriage.

Soon after, Fang Zheng and Guo Tianyang returned to the government office.

Because there weren’t many people left, Emperor Jing had arranged seats for everyone. The important court officials were all seated.

Emperor Jing had been waiting for a while. Seeing Fang Zheng, he frowned and said, “Minister Fang, what took you so long to get here?”

“In response to Your Majesty, I saw that my colleagues had many misunderstandings about me, so I chatted with them a bit.”

Emperor Jing snorted, “As an official, one should be dignified and steady! Sit down.”

Fang Zheng smiled awkwardly. It seemed nothing could escape the emperor’s eyes.

After he was seated, Emperor Jing spoke, “My loyal ministers, let’s focus on important matters. We’ll hold court here today. If you have anything to report, speak up.”

Fang Zheng immediately stood up, “Your Majesty, I have something to say.”

“Speak.”

“Your Majesty, I think the Hanlin scholars kneeling in the water outside are suffering greatly. I believe that after this ordeal, they will better understand the hardships of the common people’s lives.”

“But this is not enough. I suggest changing the three daily meals of our colleagues to Prosperity Potatoes, letting them experience the future life of ordinary people.”

“Although Prosperity Potatoes are delicious, eating them regularly can cause heartburn. I think if our colleagues have this personal experience, in the future they won’t overlook other difficulties just because the people have food to eat.”

Everyone looked at Fang Zheng in surprise.

Who would have thought you had such a tolerant heart? We misjudged you!

Emperor Jing clapped and laughed, “Excellent! I didn’t expect Minister Fang to have such a generous nature. Let’s do as you suggest. Change the three daily meals of those outside to Prosperity Potatoes! Let them experience the life of the common people!”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

A hint of an evil smile appeared at the corner of Fang Zheng’s mouth.