Royal Gold Magistrate

After that, Fang Zheng couldn’t be bothered to listen anymore.

The discussion mainly revolved around the flooding in the capital, various issues from other regions, interspersed with trivial matters like bandits and auspicious omens – all of which sounded utterly boring.

Besides, he couldn’t be of much help anyway, so he just nodded along occasionally.

Finally, when it was over, the officials prepared to return to the palace, while Emperor Jing stayed in Dengjin District.

As Fang Zheng walked out of the yamen, Li Yuanzhao caught up with him.

“Old Fang, I think your disaster relief method could work!”

“Oh? How so?” Fang Zheng was curious.

Li Yuanzhao shook his head. “I can’t explain it clearly, but working in the district every day gives me a sense of it. However, since Imperial Father has already decided, there’s nothing more we can do.”

Then Li Yuanzhao’s lips curled into a grin. “Never mind that. How should we mess with those Hanlin scholars outside?”

Fang Zheng replied, “Your Highness, I am a person of gentle disposition. How could I always think of troubling others? Let them kneel in peace.”

“However, we can’t just sit idle. We should find something to do.”

…………..

Outside the Yimen Gate, a man who looked simple and honest, wearing tattered clothes, walked over.

He immediately noticed the Hanlin scholars kneeling in the water and curiously began to circle around them.

He kept walking around the group in circles.

Finally, the scholars became irritated. Gu Tian, who was closest to him, shouted, “What are you circling for? Get lost!”

“Oh? Why are you all kneeling in the water? It’s so dirty and smelly!”

Gu Tian angrily retorted, “If you know it’s dirty and smelly, why are you wading in it too? Get lost quickly!”

The man smiled foolishly and pulled out two cotton balls from his nose. “If it weren’t for family matters, who’d want to wade in dirty water! But I have these, so I can’t smell anything!”

The scholars’ eyes immediately lit up!

With these things, they wouldn’t have to endure the stench anymore! This was great! Perfect timing!

They all cried out, “Where did you get those? Quickly, give us some!”

The man pulled out a large handful of cotton from a tear in his clothes and said in a simple tone, “Oh! I have plenty of these. Do you want some?”

The scholars were a bit dumbfounded.

Cotton clothes? Although it had been a bit cold these past two days, it wasn’t cold enough to wear cotton clothes in the height of summer.

Moreover, how could someone looking so poor afford cotton clothes? Even if they were very tattered.

“Hey! Where did you get those cotton clothes! Did you steal them or rob someone?” someone asked bluntly.

The simple man became slightly angry. “How dare you speak to me like that! I picked these up! Is it illegal to pick up clothes? Just say if you want them or not!”

“We want them! We want them! Quickly bring them over. What’s your name?” Everyone was too impatient to think much about it. It wasn’t impossible that the tattered cotton clothes were discarded by someone.

“My name is Zhang San!”

Gu Tian laughed. “Zhang San? Good name. Quick, give me two cotton balls.”

Zhang San wasn’t pleased. “Why should I give them to you just because you ask? You’re not paying for them!”

Gu Tian immediately flew into a rage. “I am a Hanlin Editor. You servant, you dare to ask for money for a ball of cotton?”

“So what if you’re an official? Are you going to rob me? I’m leaving!” Zhang San chuckled and turned to leave.

“Hey! Don’t go! Come back!” Everyone started calling out!

The smell in the water was really unbearable, and stuffing two cotton balls in their noses would be perfect. They were willing to spend a little money, at most just a few coins.

Zhang San turned back, took out the cotton, and said, “Do you want to buy?”

“Yes!”

“Five taels of silver for two!” Zhang San maintained his simple and honest demeanor.

“What! You servant, are you robbing us? Five taels, I think you’ve gone crazy for money! Get lost!” The Hanlin scholars started cursing.

This servant was truly detestable! Kicking them while they were down.

For just a tiny, insignificant ball of cotton, he dared to ask for five taels!

Zhang San didn’t seem to mind. He just leaned close to the water’s surface and took a deep breath. “*Sniff* After plugging them in, you really can’t smell anything! And it’s quite breathable too.”

“If you’re not buying, I’ll be on my way… Master, I feel we have a connection, so I’ll give you one for free.”

He then plucked a piece from a cotton ball, rolled it up, and stuffed it into one of Gu Tian’s nostrils.

Gu Tian’s eyes lit up, immediately feeling much better!

The foul odor wasn’t as strong anymore, but having one nostril open and the other blocked was quite uncomfortable.

He wanted to raise a hand to cover one nostril, but both hands were in the dirty water, so he reluctantly gave up.

Turning to Zhang San, he said, “I’ll buy one! Two and a half taels of silver, here you go.”

Zhang San scratched the back of his head innocently. “Two for five taels, one for five taels too.”

“You son of a…” Gu Tian nearly coughed up blood.

Now that one nostril was blocked, he felt neither here nor there, and had no choice but to buy!

He glared at Zhang San hatefully and said, “Fine! Here’s five taels! Give me the other one!”

He then reached out with a hand from the filthy water, holding five taels of silver.

Zhang San didn’t mind the dirt and took the silver directly, then stuffed the other cotton ball into Gu Tian’s nostril.

Gu Tian immediately let out a long sigh of relief, now feeling much more comfortable…

Seeing Gu Tian’s look of bliss, everyone else swallowed hard.

Finally, a second person couldn’t resist. “Give me two as well!”

“Coming right up!”

Zhang San trotted over, stuffed two cotton balls into the man’s nostrils, and received another five taels of silver.

That person instantly felt more comfortable too.

Where there’s one, there’s bound to be more. Soon after, the Hanlin scholars started buying cotton balls one after another.

Those who didn’t bring money quickly borrowed from their friends. Before long, everyone had cotton stuffed in their nostrils.

Everyone felt like they had come back to life.

Zhang San left, carrying the heavy bag of silver.

The scholars watched his departing figure with hatred, their thoughts complicated.

“Is this what the common people are like under Yan Guoan’s rule? Wasn’t it said that the people were well-educated and of simple, honest character? How can they be like this, utterly shameless and base!”

“It’s truly disappointing. Taking advantage of others’ misfortune, acting like bandits!”

“Ah, don’t say anymore. There are always a few bad apples…”

The discussion stopped abruptly as everyone unanimously turned to look at Yan Guoan’s head hanging on the Yimen Gate, their expressions complex.

Their hearts couldn’t help but waver. Was kneeling like this… worth it?

…………….

After Zhang San had walked far away with the silver, he looked back and could no longer see the Hanlin scholars.

His simple and honest smile immediately turned sly. He took a roundabout route and ran back to the yamen.

Fang Zheng and Li Yuanzhao had been waiting there for quite some time.

Zhang San pulled out the heavy bag of silver and said to Fang Zheng, “Young Master Fang, here are six hundred taels of silver! They all bought them.”

Fang Zheng took the silver, almost dropping it from the weight.

He pulled out twenty taels and handed them to Zhang San. “This is your fee. Don’t rush off yet, I have another task for you. Go wait in the courtyard.”

Zhang San happily accepted the silver. Such a simple errand, and he had earned as much as twenty taels! It was like hitting the jackpot!

He then swaggered into the courtyard to await further instructions.

Li Yuanzhao licked his lips as he looked at the money bag. “You’re something else, Old Fang. This money is like picking it up off the ground… But what else do you have planned for him?”

Fang Zheng shook his head, wearing a mysterious expression. “Can’t say~ Can’t say~ Your Highness, just wait and enjoy the show.”

Li Yuanzhao smirked. “I have my own plans too! You just wait and see!”

Fang Zheng asked curiously, “What plans?”

“Can’t say~ Can’t say!”