Royal Gold Magistrate

Over the course of seven days, Fang Zheng worked with doubled diligence.

He was like a spinning top, constantly leading the newly appointed prefect around the city and its outskirts to understand the situation.

There were many complex matters, but fortunately, Xie Xian was extremely organized in his work.

Each and every item was sorted out and recorded in a notebook.

Once this notebook was handed over to the new prefect, it could be considered a comprehensive handover.

However, while routine governance was easy, it was extremely difficult to change the new official’s mindset.

Fang Zheng had no choice but to constantly instruct him, whispering in his ear every day.

He met with many officials in the prefecture, as well as the gentry and merchants in the city, getting to know everyone thoroughly before he felt at ease.

Finally, everything was settled.

Emperor Jing and his entourage of accompanying ministers had already assembled outside the Fenghua Tower.

On this day, all construction work in the city was suspended, and countless citizens came to see them off.

The news of the emperor’s personal visit to Jianjiang couldn’t be kept secret, and within a few days, it had spread throughout the streets and alleys of Jianjiang.

Countless citizens curiously examined the imperial carriage from outside the circle of guards.

When Fang Zheng and Li Yuanzhao walked out of the tower, the crowd’s eyes suddenly became eager, and whispers began to spread.

“Lord Fang is here! It’s Lord Fang, and Young Master Li.”

“Lord Fang is going to see the emperor off, right? I didn’t expect Young Master Li to be such a high official too.”

“Do you think… Lord Fang is leaving?”

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”

…….

Fang Zheng glanced at the Crown Prince, who had become completely dark-skinned. If he were to change into tattered clothes, he could go straight to the construction site.

Those who knew he was the Crown Prince knew, those who didn’t might think he was from some peasant household.

But at least his spirit was good! He still had his aura.

After all, he was young. To prove himself, he was willing to do any hard or tiring work. Not easy!

Although all the citizens of Jianjiang knew the Crown Prince was in the city, they didn’t know who he was.

The Crown Prince had worked so hard for so long, it was time to let him have his moment in the spotlight. Otherwise, how would he be enthusiastic about doing work in the future?

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng faced the crowd and said loudly, “Fathers, brothers, and sisters! Listen to me!”

“His Majesty, out of his love for the people, sent the Crown Prince to help with disaster relief, and even personally came to Jianjiang to supervise.”

“The Young Master Li you see every day is the Crown Prince of the current dynasty!!”

The crowd immediately erupted into an uproar, then quickly fell silent!

Countless citizens looked at Li Yuanzhao with incredibly shocked expressions.

Young Master Li is the Crown Prince!?

Li Yuanzhao was extremely pleased! He couldn’t help but raise his head, arrogantly turning in a circle.

Pretending to be calm, he waved in greeting, his heart already filled with satisfaction.

I’ve put in so much effort, and today I finally get my reward. Awesome!

Fang Zheng looked at the crowd, waiting for them to accept the fact before continuing.

“Now that the disaster situation has eased, His Majesty and the Crown Prince must set off back to the capital.”

“This official will also return to the capital with His Majesty. Here, I wish all of you fathers, brothers, and sisters a bright future!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole place immediately fell silent.

After a moment, all the citizens knelt on the ground, erupting into a huge wave of sound.

“Lord Fang can’t leave…”

“Long live the Crown Prince!!”

“I’ll kill you for jinxing it, you crow’s mouth!”

…….

The order in the crowd began to dissipate, and countless citizens pushed hard against the guards in the front row.

Seeing this, Fang Zheng frowned deeply and shouted, “All of you, stop!”

With this shout, the crowd quieted down again.

At this time, Emperor Jing was sitting in the hall, calmly watching the scene outside, his heart full of contentment.

The Crown Prince had gained popularity among the people, which was a joyous matter.

Fang Zheng stood at the door, looking inside, his eyes meeting Emperor Jing’s.

Seeing Emperor Jing nod, he shouted loudly, “Welcome His Majesty!”

Guo Tianyang felt so wronged he wanted to cry.

Damn Fang Zheng, you haven’t even entered the palace and you’re already stealing my job?

Emperor Jing stood up and walked towards the door.

As he walked out wearing the dragon robe, the citizens who were originally kneeling on the ground immediately became excited again.

They kowtowed together.

Immediately followed by a tsunami of shouts: “Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty!!”

Many citizens began to shed tears.

Although they often heard titles like emperor and Son of Heaven, such a person was so far out of reach.

Like the sun, like the moon, although you know it’s there shining its light, you can never touch it.

But now, these rescued disaster victims felt they had truly touched the sun.

All the disaster relief activities, their lives had taken a turn in just a few short months.

There was no more profound, more direct experience than this.

The wave of sound continued to roar, showing no signs of stopping.

Emperor Jing was suddenly stunned by this wave of sound!

He stood there dazed, his heart surging, waves of hot blood rushing to his head.

Yes, this feeling had become extremely rare as he aged.

And now, facing these grateful citizens, Emperor Jing had an unprecedented feeling.

But in the next second, he seemed to realize something.

He looked meaningfully at Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng also looked at Emperor Jing, smiling faintly.

Emperor Jing turned back, looking at the crowd: “Rise!” His tone was smooth but powerful.

Guo Tianyang followed with a shout.

The surrounding citizens stood up one after another, craning their necks to look at Emperor Jing.

They saw Emperor Jing’s expression gradually soften, then with a sense of compassion, he said loudly, “I have come too late!”

Eh!? Fang Zheng was startled and quickly looked at Emperor Jing!

What’s going on? Why does this feel so familiar?

“I didn’t expect the disaster in the south to be so severe, countless citizens displaced. This is my fault.”

“I have failed the country, failed the people!”

Emperor Jing still wore a compassionate expression, speaking neither fast nor slow, his rhythm almost perfect.

Fang Zheng watched in a daze. With just these few short sentences, he could already see the deep skill of an old theater veteran.

Wow… I’m still green! So you’re the real master of performance, I need to take notes!!

As soon as these two sentences were spoken, the surrounding citizens started wiping their tears again.

Occasionally, there were shouts of “Long live His Majesty.”

“Therefore, from today, I decree that the disaster area will be exempt from taxes for three years!”

“Land will be distributed to those who have been displaced, for them to farm themselves.”

Guo Tianyang stepped forward and unrolled an imperial edict, reading out the details of land distribution and rent exemption.

The citizens listened, their eyes glistening with tears, but also excitement.

After the imperial edict was read, Emperor Jing called over the newly appointed prefect and instructed:

“After I leave, remember not to disturb the people, govern with non-action!”

“The common people are easily oppressed, but Heaven is hard to deceive. I will be watching this place at all times.”

While Emperor Jing was still speaking, Fang Zheng suddenly saw many familiar merchants gathered in the crowd.

He couldn’t help but walk over.

He smiled and said, “Hello everyone, this official is about to leave!”

“Lord Fang! Lord Fang!”

Sun Jiacheng and Wang Qixun squeezed in the crowd, looking at Fang Zheng with some worry.

With the emperor’s personal visit, having committed such a big mistake, they hadn’t slept well these past few days.

Their weaknesses were still in his hands!

Fang Zheng also saw Sun Jiacheng, and after making eye contact, he said loudly, “Everyone, carry on with your business at ease. In the future, you will surely become wealthy and live in peace!”

“If you have any problems in the future, you can write to this official at any time. I can’t let you report for nothing!”

“How are your children doing now?”

Hearing Fang Zheng say this,

Many merchants immediately became indignant, and their eyes looked at Fang Zheng with some strangeness.

Originally, only the top three in the class were given tutoring, but because everyone’s opinions were too strong, Fang Zheng simply helped them all gather together for tutoring.

Of course, the tutoring wasn’t for cultural subjects. He didn’t have much culture himself, what the hell could he tutor?

Of course, it was to teach them how to be proper people!

A group of young rich kids gathered together, Fang Zheng didn’t even think and directly packaged them off to the construction site.

He specially found people from Taoyuan County to be supervisors.

Setback education, all setbacks, without any water content.

This group of children moved bricks for free for a month.

After returning home, not only was their arrogant air ground away, but they even became a bit dull and silly.

In short, after returning home, they all became obedient…

“Why aren’t you all speaking? Did this official not teach your children well?”

A group of merchants, holding back tears, roared:

“Thank you, Lord! It’s excellent!!”