Royal Gold Magistrate

“After that, I ascended to the throne.”

“After my ascension, I did two things.”

At this point, Emperor Jing actually seemed a bit proud: “The first was to execute all the Daoist priests in the palace, and the second was to summon the feudal princes to the capital.”

Fang Zheng couldn’t help but nod along.

Reducing the power of feudal princes… He had inquired about this matter back in Taoyuan County and had marveled at it. There weren’t many emperors in history who could accomplish such a thing.

At that time, he had guessed that Emperor Jing must have had control over the military, and the feudal princes were already powerless to resist, which was why he could successfully reduce their power.

However, he didn’t know about the killing of the Daoist priests.

So he asked, “Since the elixirs seemed to have some effect, why did Your Majesty still kill the Daoist priests?”

Emperor Jing held the teacup in his hand, pondering, “I’ve always loved drinking, especially strong liquor.”

“Thinking back, I felt that the effects after taking the elixir were somewhat similar to the effects after drinking.”

“But everyone knows that drinking harms the body, so why should I assume that the elixir was definitely good?”

Emperor Jing shook his head and put down his teacup.

He sighed, “I’ve seen the late Emperor’s ridiculous behavior in his later years, so I’ve always been introspective.”

“What I’m most proud of is not conquering the Qian Dynasty, but that I can suppress my own desires.”

“Throughout history, how many emperors have wanted immortality, but we’ve never heard of anyone succeeding.”

“I’m not arrogant enough to think that this opportunity would fall on me.”

“Moreover, I don’t have the mood to pursue immortality. After all… I only have this one son.”

Fang Zheng was a bit stunned after hearing this.

The Emperor’s thought process… was quite unique! How was it so different from his own understanding?

Wow, the logical thinking was quite rigorous. He could directly go to work at the Taoyuan County Research Institute.

However, the fact that Emperor Jing could tell him all this was also a true expression of feelings, showing that he didn’t consider him an outsider.

But in the end, it was still all for the Crown Prince.

It was rare to encounter an emperor with such rich emotions.

However, the reappearance of King Wu’s name indeed made Fang Zheng feel inexplicably vigilant.

Currently, he still had no understanding of King Wu, and he didn’t know how the spies he sent out were doing.

“I’m a bit tired. Let’s go back and rest for a while.”

Fang Zheng immediately said, “Your subject has prepared accommodations for Your Majesty! Follow me!”

Soon, the three of them made their way to the Fenghua Club.

Emperor Jing raised his head to look at the sign of the Fenghua Tower and asked puzzledly, “What is a club?”

“For meetings! A place for meetings! Your Majesty, don’t worry, there are living quarters inside, all arranged!”

“Your subject has also assigned people to guard outside.”

The place had been rearranged, and all the people from the Fenghua Tower, except for the maids, had been given time off.

After all, it was arranging accommodation for the emperor. There was no place more suitable than this.

Besides, taking the big leader to a club, there’s nothing wrong with that!

Fang Zheng even thought about arranging a situational play for Emperor Jing.

After some thought, he decided against it. What if things got out of hand? His head was more important!

Upon entering the club, Emperor Jing scanned around, his reaction flat.

Even Guo Tianyang was the same.

Fang Zheng felt a bit puzzled. This wasn’t right. The stunning decor he personally designed didn’t get any reaction?

But he quickly realized that these two had been in the palace for years, they were truly upper class, with refined aesthetics!

This neither Chinese nor Western decorating style could only fool ordinary people.

In the eyes of the emperor and his personal grand eunuch, it clearly wasn’t up to par…

Although the decor wasn’t high-end, Emperor Jing wasn’t a fussy person. He followed Fang Zheng into the arranged room.

Guo Tianyang was about to go out to fetch some things from the imperial carriage when Fang Zheng grabbed his sleeve.

“Brother Guo, wait a moment!”

Guo Tianyang asked puzzledly, “What’s the matter? I need to go get some things His Majesty needs.”

Fang Zheng moved close to Guo Tianyang and whispered, “Brother Guo, do you know about King Wu?”

Guo Tianyang frowned, “Hiss! You kid really don’t know what’s good for you. Don’t pry into royal family matters!”

“Ah, Brother Guo, Brother Guo, don’t go.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng took out a silver note and stuffed it into Guo Tianyang’s sleeve.

With a big smile, he said, “King Wu has been cooperating with me to sell wine. I want to pay him a visit when I return to the capital, it’s good to be prepared! Just tell me a little bit about him!”

Guo Tianyang said helplessly, “Alright! What do you want to know?”

“Just tell me casually first. Does this King Wu like elixirs? I could get a couple to give him!”

Is it appropriate for you to say such things so openly, kid?

Guo Tianyang said with a troubled expression, “Sigh… King Wu is just an idle prince, nothing special.”

“He’s not interested in elixirs either, but… King Wu is a bit like you in some ways!”

Fang Zheng’s eyes lit up, “Oh? How so?”

Guo Tianyang tried hard to recall, then said, “It seems he’s liked to study some strange and ingenious things since he was young, a bit like those things in your Taoyuan County, just not as sophisticated.”

Hearing this, Fang Zheng smiled, “Oh! Interesting. Then King Wu should be very popular in the palace, right? How come no one has mentioned him?”

Guo Tianyang opened his mouth wide, looking at Fang Zheng in disbelief.

You… you actually think you’re very popular?

Guo Tianyang smiled bitterly. Perhaps his own skin was too thin…

“Go on, Brother Guo.”

Guo Tianyang slowly shook his head, “No, not only was King Wu not popular, but he was also disliked by the late Emperor since childhood. The late Emperor thought King Wu was indulging in play, and all of King Wu’s creations were destroyed by the late Emperor.”

“Later, King Wu was sent to his fief. I heard that when the late Emperor fell ill, he brought in many Daoist priests to refine elixirs for him, and their relationship improved a bit…”

Guo Tianyang was speaking with great interest when he suddenly realized he had said too much.

He nervously said, “Don’t let anyone else know that I told you this!”

Fang Zheng rolled his eyes, “Brother Guo, is that necessary? This isn’t some secret.”

“Indeed, it’s not a secret, but after all, it’s His Majesty’s family matter. Don’t discuss it too much!”

“I understand, Brother Guo. You can go about your business.”

After sending Guo Tianyang away, Fang Zheng went back to his room and started to space out.

He still didn’t have much of a clue about King Wu, only that this person gave him an unusually mysterious feeling.

But poisoning one’s own father didn’t sound very smart either.

Fang Zheng thought for a while but couldn’t figure anything out.

He turned and went out to find Li Yuanzhao.

After asking around, he learned that Li Yuanzhao had actually hidden himself on a pleasure boat.

Fang Zheng pushed open the door and saw Li Yuanzhao kneeling on the ground, holding a saw in his hand, sawing something unknown.

But the table beside him had already been sawed in half.

Fang Zheng, full of confusion, walked to his side and patted his shoulder, “Your Highness, what are you doing?”

“Ah!” Li Yuanzhao was startled and quickly turned around.

Seeing it was only Fang Zheng, he immediately let out a long breath.

“Old Fang, why are you here? Where’s Imperial Father?”

“His Majesty has gone to rest.”

Looking at the mess on the ground, besides sawdust, there were also small pieces of wooden boards.

Fang Zheng asked curiously, “This is…”

“Old Fang, don’t let anyone come in, help me keep watch outside.”

“I’m making protective gear!”