Royal Gold Magistrate

Taoyuan County, Xueyue Tower

Fang Zheng squinted his eyes, surrounded by beautiful maidservants, while the sound of orioles and swallows echoed in his ears.

“Master Fang, feeling comfortable?” A maidservant massaging his shoulders whispered by Fang Zheng’s ear.

A subtle curve appeared at the corner of Fang Zheng’s mouth. These days were truly enjoyable.

“Not bad, well done!”

“Thank you, Master!”

The maidservant massaging him was delighted at his praise and slightly increased the pressure.

Fang Zheng opened his eyes, slightly dissatisfied, “What’s with this ‘Master’? Call me Young Master!”

The maidservant giggled, “Yes, Young Master!”

Fang Zheng closed his eyes again, feeling somewhat nostalgic.

Under his continuous efforts, Taoyuan County finally had its first brothel…

Back when he first transmigrated, he was utterly panicked.

While others transmigrated as princes and nobles, he ended up as a poor county magistrate, and not even a sought-after one.

It took him nearly half a month to get a rough understanding of this world.

This era was different from any he knew, yet the civilization was strikingly similar.

He transmigrated during the war between the Qian Dynasty and the Jing Dynasty.

Due to its remote location with rugged mountains and treacherous waters, Taoyuan County managed to evade the flames of war.

But when Fang Zheng took over this mess, he was dumbfounded. There were only about two thousand people under his rule, all of them emaciated and starving.

What’s absurd was that both the previous county magistrate and the financial officer starved to death! Even the county advisor fled with the hungry refugees.

Most crucially, there was no core industry, completely lacking the ability to generate income.

The dire situation was evident.

Fang Zheng, enduring the boiling resentment of the people, scraped together some food with great effort and brewed several barrels of high-concentration liquor.

Then he ordered the people to capture and bring back a group of merchants from elsewhere, which finally turned the tide!

Five years later, the Qian Dynasty collapsed, and Emperor Li Che of the Jing Dynasty triumphed decisively with thunderous methods, bringing peace to the lands!

Fang Zheng’s life also flourished thereafter.

Various industries in the county gradually thrived.

Seven years later, the county town expanded again and again!

The yamen was rebuilt, and establishments such as gambling dens, brothels, and restaurants were all thriving!

Moreover, by going out and plundering refugees through deceit, the population grew to tens of thousands.

Now, Taoyuan County could be considered a paradise, and Fang Zheng lived a comfortable life.

He no longer seemed as eager for the government to notice him and give him a promotion as he did before.

Instead, he strictly demanded confidentiality from the cooperating merchants!

Of course, a year ago, as usual, court inspectors came to Taoyuan County.

Upon their arrival, they praised the auspicious signs of Taoyuan and hurried to report their achievements.

It took some effort for Fang Zheng to handle them!

Now, he only hoped to stay here for the rest of his life. Being a local emperor was quite satisfying.

Anyway, this life was pretty good, with no worries about food and drink, and having whatever he wanted in terms of home and women!

Just as he was sighing about the beauty of life, someone rushed into the Xueyue Tower from outside. This person looked unremarkable, dressed in official attire with a sword at his waist.

He hurried to Fang Zheng and whispered, “Young Master! Some people said they found merchants from elsewhere ten miles away. Their carriages don’t bear our mark. Should we capture them?”

Fang Zheng was furious and kicked out with his leg.

“Zhang Biao, you scoundrel! We are officials, not bandits! Why do you always resort to kidnapping?”

“Now is the time to conduct ourselves properly! Do you understand? We can’t go around frightening people like this!”

Zhang Biao couldn’t stand firm and fell to the ground, complaining, “But didn’t we always do this before…”

“You dare to talk back? Are you fed up with living?”

The maidservant beside Fang Zheng burst into laughter.

No matter how big Taoyuan County was, after several years of getting along, the people had a deep understanding of their county magistrate.

Not to mention the immense gratitude they had towards him.

Fang Zheng was sharp-tongued but softhearted. Zhang Biao could only enjoy this treatment as one of his closest people, and everyone envied him.

Zhang Biao got up and stood obediently beside Fang Zheng, awaiting his punishment.

Suddenly disturbed, Fang Zheng no longer had the mood to stay.

If one were to ask what the most important thing in Taoyuan County was, it must be attracting investment!

With the current single income model in the county, expansion of new businesses was urgently needed, and the arrival of merchants must not be taken lightly.

Fang Zheng stood up and gestured to the shopkeeper not far away.

The shopkeeper quickly bowed in return.

“Let’s go! Shopkeeper, consider today as the opening ceremony for your Xueyue Tower!”

“Do your business well, and I guarantee your prosperity. But let me make it clear, if there’s any wrongdoing, especially mistreating women, I will shut down your Xueyue Tower! Understand?”

The shopkeeper sweated coldly, wearing a smile of compliance on his face.

“Yes, yes, thank you for your care, County Lord!”

“Let’s go, Zhang Biao! Back to the yamen!”

………………………..

“Your Majesty, we should arrive at Taoyuan County in half a day. The people from the palace should have already entered the official road by now.”

Guo Tianyang respectfully held a map. In front of him was a middle-aged man of about forty years old, the Emperor Li Che!

Although only in his forties, the Emperor’s face bore the marks of time, with a determined expression and occasional hints of worry in his eyes.

In these past two years, despite the unification of the country, disasters and calamities continued unabated, with countless memorials flying in like snowflakes.

The Emperor felt immense pressure and harbored the idea of traveling incognito, hence he left a letter and sneaked out of the palace.

Seeing Guo Tianyang holding the map, he nodded lightly and asked, “Guo, have you ever heard of Taoyuan County?”

Guo Tianyang shook his head, “Your Majesty, I have not heard of it. The road here is so rugged, and the paths are long overdue for repair. I believe this county should be as small as it gets.”

The Emperor nodded again, closing his eyes to rest.

Seeing this, Guo Tianyang put away the map.

For a while, there was silence in the carriage.

Only the creaking of the wheels filled the emptiness, irritatingly squeaking.

After the time it took to burn an incense stick, the Emperor slowly opened his eyes and sighed.

“Let’s rest in Taoyuan County for a day. This road is just terrible. It would have been more pleasant to ride a horse.”

Guo Tianyang chuckled, “Your Majesty, this place is quite far from the capital, and the poor roads are to be expected. It will be better once we reach Hengjiang Prefecture.”

“But… I’m worried about Taoyuan County being a remote and impoverished place, and Your Majesty is without any guards…”

The Emperor snorted, “Guo, your courage seems to be waning. After years of warfare, you’re now worried even about traveling incognito?”

“I think you’re getting old…”

Guo Tianyang panicked and hurriedly explained, “Your Majesty, I…”

“Bang!”

Before he could finish speaking, the carriage suddenly shook violently.

Guo Tianyang was thrown high up, hitting his head on the roof of the carriage.

Fortunately, the Emperor was seated firmly, gripping the handrail tightly and avoiding a disaster.

“Step outside and see what’s happening!”

Clutching his head, Guo Tianyang crawled out of the carriage and scolded the coachman furiously, “You fool! Can’t you see the road while driving? You scared our Master. Be careful or I’ll have your head!”

Trembling, the coachman pointed ahead, “M-Master, look!”