Royal Gold Magistrate

“Ah! How difficult indeed. Who would have thought that this official would be reduced to drinking thin porridge? What will we eat at the welcoming banquet tonight?” Fang Zheng shook his head helplessly, causing Wei Shan to secretly despise him.

What nonsense! Wei Shan thought. A fallen phoenix is no better than a chicken. At least put on a decent act… Is your mouth that greedy?

“Well… This humble one has never eaten at such an event. I’m not qualified to attend the welcoming banquet,” Wei Shan replied cautiously.

Fang Zheng sighed, “Ah! You poor things. This official can’t go without meat, you know. I haven’t eaten well on this journey, just dry rations.”

“Let’s go, let’s go. Continue the tour.”

The tour lasted until the afternoon.

The yamen served two meals a day, and Fang Zheng managed to catch the afternoon one.

In the Bureau of Revenue, Fang Zheng smiled at the bowl of green porridge and a small dish of pickles that Wei Shan brought him.

The porridge was clearly thicker than what was served in the soup kitchens outside.

The few pitiful pickles didn’t look very appetizing either.

Fang Zheng took a sip, then immediately spat it out, making a mess all over the table.

He then sat in his chair and began to space out.

Thinking back to his time in Taoyuan County, even during the most difficult times, he never had to wear official robes with several patches.

He could at least eat something dry.

Now this Prefect was already showing weakness. The father and mother official of a prefecture shouldn’t be reduced to eating dry rations.

Did they really think he, Fang Zheng, had never been hungry before? How easily fooled did they think he was?

This act was far too fake.

He then called Wei Shan to clear away the food and clean the table.

After the cleaning was done, Fang Zheng sat in the chair and closed his eyes to rest.

Wei Shan glanced back disdainfully as he left, then hurriedly carried the porridge back to the main hall.

As soon as Liu Xun saw Wei Shan, he asked, “What? Haven’t you delivered the food yet?”

Wei Shan lowered his voice and said, “Sir! I did! He took one bite and spat it out, saying the food was terrible! He didn’t touch the rest.”

“This guy is no ordinary person. Just look at what he’s wearing and the jewelry he has on. He definitely can’t eat this coarse stuff.”

“At noon, he even told me he can’t go without meat!”

Hearing this, Liu Xun stroked his beard and laughed, “Good… very good. I thought this person sent from the capital would have some great ability.”

“It seems he’s just a useless fellow who can’t work or distinguish grains. Keep following him and watch him closely. Don’t let him ruin our big plans.”

“Tonight at the welcoming banquet, I’ll see for myself what he’s really made of!”

……………

When it was time to leave work, Liu Xun led a group of yamen officials in a grand procession to the pre-arranged restaurant.

Among the crowd, Fang Zheng carefully observed everyone’s situation.

Many people’s official robes had patches.

This wasn’t particularly strange; after all, Liu Xun took the lead in wearing patched clothes, so it was normal for others to follow suit.

It didn’t reveal too much.

But the looks in many people’s eyes were very telling.

A small number of people, seeing his luxurious attire, looked at him with undisguised contempt.

Fang Zheng just smiled it off.

It was now certain that there was massive corruption in the yamen, but it remained to be seen who was complicit.

Liu Xun was, of course, the most suspicious. As the Prefect, it was unlikely he didn’t know about the moldy grain in the official granaries.

For such a big issue, there should be quite a few accomplices.

At the banquet, Liu Xun grabbed Fang Zheng’s arm and began introducing everyone.

“Come, let me introduce you. This is Yuan Shangxun, the Deputy Prefect of our prefecture.”

“Greetings, Lord Yuan!” Fang Zheng said with a polite bow.

“This is Li…, the Registrar from the Bureau of Personnel…”

He introduced everyone from top to bottom, and Fang Zheng greeted and toasted each one.

After all introductions were made, the restaurant began serving dishes.

Plate after plate of vegetable dishes in clear, tasteless soups were served.

But this time, there was some dry rice.

Liu Xun warmly invited, “Come! Lord Fang, please enjoy! It’s thanks to you that we can eat this meal today.”

“It’s indeed been a bit tough lately, but in times of disaster, we should share the hardships with the common people!”

“Please, start eating.”

For a moment, Fang Zheng felt like his lines had been stolen.

You’re also playing the ‘one with the masses’ card? he thought incredulously.

Fang Zheng immediately smiled and replied, “Lord Liu, how noble of you! Then this official won’t stand on ceremony!”

He then picked up a green vegetable leaf and slowly chewed it.

The expression on his face was somewhat peculiar.

Seeing someone start to eat, everyone else began chatting and eating as well.

Fang Zheng made sporadic conversation while secretly observing everyone’s behavior, occasionally picking up a piece of vegetable to eat.

At least half of the people showed no interest in the food, only taking a few bites, but they drank plenty of wine, including Liu Xun!

Logically, if no one had sent them food from home, these people should have only had a bowl of porridge during the afternoon meal at the yamen.

But it was impossible for them to have food sent from home. If everyone was drinking porridge, how could you eat well? Wouldn’t you be afraid of others finding out?

Evidently… these people didn’t usually eat this kind of food.

Seeing that Fang Zheng had no appetite, Liu Xun asked, “Lord Fang, why aren’t you eating? Are the dishes not to your liking? Try this one.”

Before Fang Zheng could answer, Liu Xun picked up some vegetables for him with his chopsticks.

Fang Zheng chewed expressionlessly for a long time before swallowing.

Then he smiled bitterly and said, “Lord Liu, this official is already quite satisfied with today’s meal. I just ate some dry rations not long ago, so I’m not very hungry!”

Liu Xun had a sudden realization and said regretfully, “I see! Tsk, that’s a pity. We rarely eat such fine food and wine ourselves.”

“Lord Fang has come a long way from the capital. I’m afraid it will be hard for you to adapt to the environment here for a while!”

Fang Zheng humbly replied, “Not at all. With Lord Liu setting an example, this official will gladly drink porridge.”

“Now that His Majesty has sent me to serve as Assistant Prefect in Jianjiang, how could this official back down just because the food isn’t good?”

“Wouldn’t that be failing His Majesty’s grace!”

“Speaking of which…” Fang Zheng picked up a large portion of vegetables with his chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth, mumbling, “Thinking of His Majesty makes even these vegetables taste sweeter!”

Damn it! everyone thought.

The entire table of officials was dumbfounded!

Why is he putting on an act? Who is he performing for? The Emperor isn’t even here!

No wonder he used to do so well! So it was all because of his bootlicking!

A flash of contempt appeared in everyone’s eyes.

Liu Xun smiled and said, “Lord Fang’s patriotic heart is admirable!”

“I wonder, has Lord Fang already arranged for a place to stay? Do you have anyone to serve you?”

Fang Zheng shook his head and said, “Alas, in order not to disappoint His Majesty, this official rushed here on horseback as soon as the palace issued the decree!”

“I left in such a hurry that I only brought money. After entering the city, I bought a house, but haven’t had time to arrange for maids and servants!”

Liu Xun’s eyes lit up. “No worries! No worries! Although the prefecture is short on money and food at the moment, we’re certainly not short on people!”

“After we finish eating, I’ll send a few maids and servants to you!”

“Well… this official would be ungrateful to refuse!”