Royal Gold Magistrate

“By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Magistrate Fang Zheng of Taoyuan County has rendered boundless merit in resolving the flood crisis in Jianjiang, saving the people in a time of peril. Mindful also that since taking charge of Taoyuan County, he has diligently fulfilled his duties, deeply virtuous in his governance, and beloved by the people.”

“We are greatly comforted. We hereby confer upon Magistrate Fang Zheng of Taoyuan County the title of Marquis of Taoyuan, grant him two hundred mu of perpetual land, a fief of two hundred households, and appoint him as Junior Grand Tutor in the Imperial Clan Court. He is to enter the palace at once without delay. Respect this!”

The young eunuch finished reading and looked around. Everyone stood frozen in place as if petrified.

Fang Zheng also stared at him blankly.

The young eunuch felt guilty and said softly, “Marquis Fang… please accept the edict?”

Before Fang Zheng could respond, the crowd suddenly burst into wails of grief.

Someone cried out, “The Magistrate is being taken away! Magistrate can’t leave! We can’t go on without you!!”

“No one can take the Magistrate away! It’s all that damned eunuch’s fault! Kill him!”

“That’s right! Hurry and kill him! Let’s all pretend nothing happened!”

…………..

Stirred up, the crowd began to grow restless. Those in the back holding farming tools kept trying to push to the front, intending to do the eunuch in.

If he disappeared, they could pretend the edict was never delivered! They could delay things one day at a time. In any case, the Magistrate must not leave!

The young eunuch trembled like a leaf, collapsing to his knees, looking to Fang Zheng with beseeching eyes, one hand still holding up the edict with a quiver.

“Mar…Marquis Fang… quick…quickly accept the edict. I…I can’t hold out much longer…”

Hearing his pitiful lines, Fang Zheng finally came back to his senses.

He immediately roared at the crowd, “Shut up, all of you! I’m not dead yet! Where are your manners!”

The people instantly piped down. A few in the front kept wiping away tears, softly muttering, “But you can’t leave either…”

Fang Zheng declared loudly, “Scatter, all of you! I’m the Marquis of Taoyuan now. What are you panicking for! If I leave, no one else can come!”

He quickly helped the young eunuch up, fawning, “Hehehe, you’ve worked hard, sir… May I ask how His Majesty knew I sent people for disaster relief?”

The young eunuch forced a smile. “Marquis Fang is too kind… As for that… you’ll have to ask in the palace. I’m just responsible for delivering the edict. I know nothing else…”

Fang Zheng thought to himself, it was probably Li Long who sold him out! Damn that Li Long. If I ever see you again, I’ll skin you alive!

Damn it, although he was granted the title Marquis of Taoyuan, under his constant rule-bending, Taoyuan County had been quietly expanded several times over.

If this was discovered, wouldn’t it be a huge deal!?

He’d have to deal with what came later…

This at least resolved one worry…

Fang Zheng took a deep breath and grasped the eunuch’s hands, smiling. “Don’t be alarmed, sir. Taoyuan is a poor and remote place full of unruly folk. Sorry for startling you.”

“But Taoyuan does have nice scenery. If you’re interested, sir, you could tour around for a couple of days. I’ll personally accompany you the whole time!”

The young eunuch kept up his strained smile. “Marquis Fang jests. I must return to the palace at once to report… Please pack up and set out as soon as possible…”

“I understand, of course! You’re working hard, sir… Zhang Biao!”

Zhang Biao walked over with wise eyes. Fang Zheng made a hand gesture and Zhang Biao swiftly slipped a packet of silver into the young eunuch’s sleeve.

But unexpectedly, the silver was too heavy and instantly dropped down. The eunuch lost his balance and toppled over, lying askew on the ground…

The young eunuch finally lost it and wailed, “Wah, Marquis Fang, there’s no grudge between us… What are you doing!”

Fang Zheng glared and kicked Zhang Biao, hissing, “Idiot! Who told you to give so much! A few taels would’ve sufficed as a token!”

Zhang Biao chuckled and quickly squatted down to take back the silver…

Fang Zheng’s face darkened further…

He helped the eunuch up, all apologies. “Oh dear, you see how my people are… This isn’t the place. Don’t take offense.” He tapped his own head.

Then he started rummaging through his own pockets. He actually managed to find five copper coins and stuffed them into the eunuch’s sleeve.

Hearing the crisp jingle of copper in his sleeve, the eunuch wailed, “Marquis Fang, please take it back… If the higher-ups find out, I’ll be punished.”

Fang Zheng put on a righteous air. “Don’t stand on ceremony, sir. I can keep a secret!”

“I really can’t accept it!”

“Ah, then you’re really putting yourself through hardship, sir!”

With that, Fang Zheng reached into the eunuch’s sleeve again and casually fished out a handful.

He took a closer look – two taels of silver and five copper coins.

Fang Zheng’s eyes twitched a couple of times. Then, expressionlessly, he stuffed it into his own breast pocket.

The young eunuch stared at Fang Zheng in disbelief, mouth agape. Voice quavering, he said, “Marquis Fang, may I leave now…”

Fang Zheng waved a hand casually. “Go, go!”

The young eunuch wasted no time mounting his horse and galloping away…

Xiao Tao sidled up, worry written all over her face. “Young Master… that’s not good, is it? He’s from the palace…”

Fang Zheng sighed helplessly. “So what? Either way, I’ve offended him. Might as well offend him thoroughly.”

Then he looked at the crowd before him again and announced, “All go home! Don’t worry. Taoyuan County is still under my governance! Go back to your business!”

Some of the people stepped forward gingerly, fretting, “My lord, you won’t really leave Taoyuan, will you…?”

They all looked to Fang Zheng with hopeful eyes.

Fang Zheng was rather touched, truth be told. But he still put on a stern face and said fiercely, “What’s this! What if I do want to leave Taoyuan? Aren’t you happy I got promoted!? Smile for me!”

With a collective wail, the crowd burst into tears.

The people of Taoyuan started bawling as if their fathers had died.

“What will we do if you go!!”

“I’m going to the capital to lodge a complaint! Magistrate, you can’t leave. I won’t live if you go!”

“What about my daughter if you leave! She’s only eight. She’s supposed to marry you in the future…!”

“Pah! You think your daughter is worthy? My daughter is fifteen! Take a look! Take a look!”

………………..

Seeing things get more and more ridiculous, Fang Zheng finally couldn’t stand it. His expression softened and he said helplessly, “Alright! Alright! I get it. I’m just going to the capital for a trip! Leaving doesn’t mean I won’t come back!”

“Now scatter, all of you! If you keep making a racket, I’ll just stay in the capital! Noisy brats!”

“Wait for me…”

Before he could finish, the crowd dispersed with a boom. The people fled every which way… running off without a trace…

Looking at the mess left behind, Fang Zheng gave a couple of bitter laughs. “Sigh… what a bunch of rascals…”