Royal Gold Magistrate

After a two-hour long conversation, the Emperor’s expression gradually changed from serious to pleasantly surprised.

And he showed his appreciation for Fang Zheng without the slightest concealment.

Fang Zheng also felt they had a delightful conversation. Although life in Taoyuan County was not bad, there were indeed few people around him who could really talk.

The Emperor, as the ruler of a nation, was quick on the uptake and could even extrapolate from one instance to another. This also gave Fang Zheng a feeling of having a heart-to-heart talk.

Although the Emperor was asking the questions and Fang Zheng was guiding the discussion, the topic was naturally steered by him to issues of people’s livelihood.

As for the products and technology questions the Emperor was curious about, Fang Zheng was vague and evasive wherever possible.

The reason was simple. These things were the foundation of his status. Now that he hadn’t firmly established his footing, it wasn’t the right time.

Although the Emperor was curious in his heart, he was clearly more concerned about the livelihood situation in Taoyuan County, so he didn’t press further.

After discussing for a long time, the Emperor sighed with feeling, “Wonderful! Sir Fang is a great talent! These methods of local governance can actually be refined to this degree. I am deeply inspired.”

Fang Zheng also resumed his casual and flippant manner, as if he were talking with Old Li as before. His whole person became radiant.

“Your Majesty, in fact, when it comes down to it, these things are all about having a heart to serve! When I was in office, serving the people was always at the forefront of my mind. That’s the long and short of it!”

“This subject is not some county magistrate! I’m just a public servant of the people!”

“………………”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Emperor and the eunuchs in the imperial study all stared at Fang Zheng, stunned.

A public servant of the people? Then what am I?! Only you, Fang Zheng, could say such shocking words, right?!

Fang Zheng awkwardly rubbed his nose… Okay, it seems this concept is premature for Great Jing…

The Emperor twitched the corner of his mouth. “Sir Fang, you really have a knack for dropping bombshells with your words! No wonder you can write such poetry…”

Fang Zheng was even more embarrassed. “Your Majesty overpraises. That expression about dropping verbal bombshells was something I picked up from a fragment of an ancient book. I didn’t expect Your Majesty to still remember when I said it off the top of my head.”

The Emperor chuckled, “Could it be that all the unique ancient book fragments in the world have fallen into your hands, Fang Zheng?”

“Sir Fang’s talent, I am already clear about. With such poetic talent, in the future, don’t be evasive in front of me. No need to explain!”

Fang Zheng: “…………”

Then the Emperor put on a straight face. “Alright, let’s talk serious business.”

“I am entrusting the Crown Prince to you not to have you teach him the Four Books and Five Classics, the Classic of Filial Piety, or the Book of Rites.”

“Yan Guoan is the top scholar of the current court. In terms of studying the classics, you are far inferior to him!”

“What I value are your unique ideas. The Crown Prince has an impetuous nature, which is quite compatible with yours. You must impart all your knowledge to him without reservation. Understand?”

Fang Zheng pondered for a moment. “If His Highness doesn’t listen to this subject’s words, what should this subject do?”

The Emperor laughed, “Heh, that will depend on your ability. If you have to ask me about everything, why do I need you, Fang Zheng, specifically?”

Fang Zheng couldn’t help feeling amused in his heart. It seems even the Emperor is quite helpless regarding the Crown Prince.

“This subject understands!”

“Oh? What do you understand? If the Crown Prince doesn’t heed your teachings, what will you do?”

“Beat him!” Fang Zheng spoke assuredly, “As the saying goes, a small tree won’t grow straight if not pruned; a person won’t be upright if not disciplined! Filial sons come from under the stick; good people come from under the yellow twig.”

“The Crown Prince is of noble birth and lacks setbacks. It’s normal for him to be unwilling to study and have a wayward nature.”

“At the same time, the Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, must have the spirit of facing difficulties head-on, and if there are no difficulties, he must create difficulties and still face them head-on!”

“Lacking setbacks and not having this spirit, how can he save the populace from dire straits in the future?”

“Only through beating can we help the Crown Prince quickly become a talent! Beating him ten or eight times a year can only loosen his bones and muscles. If he’s beaten a hundred or eighty times a year, even rotten wood can turn into a good talent.”

“If he makes a mistake, he must be beaten often. Disciplining him so that he trembles at the thought of having bad ideas in the future, that’s the key to success. No pain, no gain, as they say.”

“Even if he doesn’t make a mistake, he must be beaten. It’s necessary to nip problems in the bud and extinguish the sparks of his criminal thoughts! These are some of this subject’s experiences. Please consider them, Your Majesty.”

If there are no difficulties, create difficulties and still face them head-on? Well said!

The Emperor nodded thoughtfully, “Makes sense. It seems I haven’t beaten him enough… But were Sir Fang’s parents also teaching Sir Fang this way?”

Fang Zheng sighed deeply, reminiscing, “Indeed!”

“This subject is someone who made achievements today by being beaten all the way.”

“When this subject was young, my parents would constantly urge me to study hard. If I was the slightest bit negligent, I couldn’t avoid a beating. Often it was my father beating alone, or both parents beating together…”

“But even so, this subject also had times of fatigue and laziness. Even if the stick landed on my body, I was unwilling to look at books again.”

“At those times, this subject’s parents would pour chicken blood for this subject to boost my energy… I’m not afraid of Your Majesty laughing at me. Even now, there are still people in this subject’s hometown who call this subject a ‘chicken baby’.”

The Emperor suddenly realized and also let out a long sigh, “Sir Fang has suffered. No wonder you can have such achievements today… But drinking chicken blood can boost energy? This is the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“It can’t, it can only nauseate people… Nauseated people become energized. This subject thinks if the Crown Prince is lazy, this subject will chicken him.”

“Chicken him as much as you want. If he doesn’t obey you, come find me.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Then the Emperor picked up a gold medallion from the imperial desk and directly tossed it to Fang Zheng. “With this gold medallion, you can freely enter and exit the palace. You should frequently teach the Crown Prince and can act as you see fit.”

“Yan Guoan also has a piece of this gold medallion. I know there is already a grudge between you two, but he is your superior. Pay attention to your words when speaking to him.”

“Today in the main hall, the hundred officials all looked at you with disfavor. Although I appreciate you, I treat all officials equally and will absolutely not shield you!”

“Remember, a minister must fulfill his duties with utmost loyalty. You have the ability, Fang Zheng. As long as you don’t make mistakes, there’s a real possibility of you joining the imperial cabinet and becoming a top minister in the future!”

“How far you can go on this path will depend on yourself.”

Wow, His Majesty sure knows how to dangle big carrots and pour on the flattery! I just got here today and you’re already dangling a cabinet position in front of me? I’m impressed!

Fang Zheng took the gold medallion and casually tied it to his waist.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“Then should this subject go to the Imperial Clan Court to check in now?”

The Emperor looked Fang Zheng up and down.

“No need! You can return to your residence for now! Go to the Imperial Clan Court to check in tomorrow.”

“Eh, why?” Fang Zheng looked at the Emperor, completely baffled.

The Emperor couldn’t help laughing, seeing Fang Zheng’s disheveled clothes and ink stains all over his body.

“No reason. Don’t be late for the morning court session tomorrow… Also, go change into a set of official robes. Wear nice clothes when you come tomorrow!”