Royal Gold Magistrate

Wei Shan returned to Liu Xun with a glum face, food box in hand.

Liu Xun immediately asked, “How did it go? Did he eat? What did he say to you?”

“He didn’t eat!” Wei Shan opened the food box, revealing the untouched plate of braised beef and white rice.

Liu Xun exclaimed in surprise, “What? He wouldn’t even eat this? Yesterday, I found this dish delicious! Didn’t he say he wanted to eat beef?”

“Could it be that he’s just pretending?” Liu Xun couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild.

Wei Shan immediately replied, crestfallen, “No, Master. He found the braised beef unappetizing.”

“He said that in the capital, he only eats three-month-old heifers, using only the most tender tenderloin!”

“And when he eats eggplant or noodles, he needs more than ten chickens as accompaniment. Otherwise, he won’t even touch it!”

Liu Xun looked at Wei Shan skeptically. “Rubbish! Ten chickens for eggplant or noodles? He must be pulling your leg.”

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Master, you can rest assured. I’ve been by your side for so many years! I’ve seen all sorts of people.”

“I can definitely tell whether he’s telling the truth or not!”

“He not only mentioned what he eats but also described how it’s prepared in great detail! It’s clear he eats like this every day. Otherwise, why would a high-ranking official bother to study food preparation?”

Wei Shan spoke with utmost conviction, and Liu Xun couldn’t help but believe him. He muttered, “My goodness… Has the palace become so extravagant? I didn’t notice this the last time I went to the capital.”

“No, that’s not right! It must be that Fang Zheng fellow who’s led the Crown Prince astray. How wasteful! Truly wasteful!”

“I suppose Fang Zheng must be suffering here, living day by day, hehe.”

Wei Shan sighed, “Master, can you imagine the taste of more than ten chickens with just one eggplant?”

Liu Xun opened his mouth awkwardly, thinking that he had never been so extravagant himself! Feeling embarrassed and angry, he snapped, “Shut up! You dog of a servant, all you think about is food! What else did Fang Zheng say?”

Wei Shan thought for a moment and said, “Oh, he also mentioned that he only loves two things in life: good food and money. He fears he’ll have to spend the rest of his days in Jianjiang. How bitter!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Xun felt a surge of joy, but his expression remained disdainful as he said, “Such a wasteful person, if he doesn’t have money to support his lifestyle, I doubt he could survive even a single day.”

“Alright, you’re of no use now. You may go!”

After Wei Shan left, Liu Xun remained deep in thought. After much deliberation, he decided to personally visit Fang Zheng to get a better sense of him.

Otherwise, he felt uneasy about trying to win him over without knowing more.

As he pondered, Liu Xun made his way to the Revenue Office.

At this time, Fang Zheng was idly flipping through account books in the Revenue Office. Suddenly seeing Liu Xun arrive, he immediately stood up and said, “This official greets Lord Liu.”

“Good, good, good. Please, sit down,” Liu Xun said, waving his hand with a benevolent expression.

“Little Fang, tell me, was the food I sent not to your liking?”

Little Fang, my ass! You old fart, you think I’ll fall for your act just because you’re being nice?

Fang Zheng smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes, “Many thanks for Lord Liu’s kindness. This official simply wasn’t very hungry.”

“Oh? I see. Well, do you have any questions? You can ask me anything,” Liu Xun said, still stroking his beard with a leisurely air.

“There’s nothing much to see. Under Lord Liu’s management, Jianjiang Prefecture is in perfect order. This official is practically left with nothing to do, haha.”

“However… since this official has nothing to do, I was thinking of going outside the city to see how the refugees are faring.”

“It’s my duty, both officially and personally. If I don’t even take a look, it would be rather negligent of me!”

Fang Zheng had been eager to investigate the situation outside the city. His previous entry had only allowed for a brief glance, leaving many details unnoticed.

Liu Xun said, “Good! Good. This official happens to be free at the moment. Why don’t we go together?”

“This official would be honored. Let’s go! Let’s go!”

“Mm, very well. I can also brief you on the current situation.”

With that, Liu Xun left the room ahead of Fang Zheng. By the time Fang Zheng reached the yamen gates, two horses were already prepared.

Fang Zheng approached without hesitation and mounted his horse.

The two rode side by side towards the outskirts of the city, with several guards following behind.

When they reached the outskirts, it was still mealtime, and the scene was similar to last time.

Refugees were everywhere, with no semblance of order. They crowded around the gruel distribution tent, forming a queue with no apparent order.

Fang Zheng also noticed quite a few people in tattered clothes coming out from the city and joining the queue for gruel.

Logically, these people couldn’t be refugees. According to what he had learned from the clerks that morning, all refugees had been kept outside the city to prevent chaos within. Clearly, these people must have some sort of pass to enter and leave the city.

“Lord Fang, what are your thoughts on these refugees?” Liu Xun asked, glancing sideways at Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng pulled out a handkerchief from his bosom and covered his mouth, his pinky finger slightly raised.

With a look of disgust, he said, “The stench is unbearable… To be honest, this official somewhat regrets coming here.”

Liu Xun was puzzled.

What’s with that gesture? Who’s on top between him and the Crown Prince?

Fang Zheng continued, “Alas! This place is in complete disarray! Why aren’t these wretched commoners queuing up properly?”

Liu Xun said calmly, “Lord Fang, this is just how refugees are… Filth and disorder are the norm. Once you’ve stayed here for a while, you’ll get used to it.”

Fang Zheng replied with a conflicted expression, “Get used to it? If I get used to it, won’t I become just like these wretched commoners?”

“In my opinion, we should have the guards enforce some discipline.”

Liu Xun chuckled, “You have a point. Men! Go and manage those people down there! Make them form proper queues. This is no way to behave!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the guards behind them charged into the crowd, beating and striking with the flat of their blades.

The hungry refugees cried out in pain.

“My lord… this lowly one was wrong, please don’t hit me… please!”

“Cough… cough…”

The guards were extremely brutal. Many people had no strength left and simply endured the beating. Some even began to cough up blood.

Damn it! Fang Zheng felt his anger rising.

Is this how you maintain order? You bastards!

Fuck!

“Stop! Stop!” Fang Zheng shouted twice.

Liu Xun looked at Fang Zheng with confusion, “What’s wrong? Does Lord Fang have an issue?”

“Oh my… this official can’t bear to see all this beating and killing. Look, that person is bleeding! I feel faint at the sight of blood!” Fang Zheng covered his face with his hands, appearing terrified.

Liu Xun smiled. Just as I thought. He’s nothing but the Crown Prince’s pet, useless!

Then, he said with feigned regret, “Lord Fang, you don’t quite understand. This official doesn’t want to be hard on the common people either, but if we’re too lenient, it has no effect. If we’re too harsh, the people become resentful. It’s truly a difficult situation!”

“Don’t worry, this official has a solution.”

Fang Zheng leapt off his horse and strode purposefully to the gruel distribution tent. In one swift motion, he scooped up a handful of sand and flung it into the steaming pot of gruel.

He shouted, “You bunch of wretches! Form proper queues! If you continue to be disorderly, this official will add another handful of sand to the gruel!”

The refugees glared at him angrily but lacked the courage to resist. In their misery, they could only slowly adjust their positions to form a line.

Some people, seeing the sand in the gruel, cursed under their breath and quietly left.

Liu Xun watched in astonishment!

I may be greedy, but you, you’re a true piece of work!