Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Fang Zheng blinked, a little surprised.

In fact, the imperial court's awards had already been issued, and the people in his research institute had all received their rewards.

Only he had not received any reward.

However, he was not surprised by this situation. The reward must be extremely great, making it difficult for the court to deliberate, so a slight delay was normal.

Moreover, he had never asked anyone about it.

There was nothing to ask about; he had status and money.

Besides, his base was in Taoyuan County.

The imperial court's reward was actually indifferent to him.

He didn't care for the gold, silver, copper, iron, brocade, and silk.

As for reputation....

If there were no accidents, history had already taken his shape.

What reputation did he need? Ten emperors stacked on top of each other couldn't compare to him!

So, he had basically forgotten about this matter.

Now that Emperor Jing suddenly mentioned it, he became a little curious.

So, Fang Zheng said softly, "May I ask, Your Majesty, what is the reward?"

Facing Fang Zheng's gaze, Emperor Jing appeared hesitant. After a moment, he said, "The late Emperor had a rule that those without military merit should not be granted nobility. Although this rule has been broken before, your contribution this time is extremely great, rare in the world, and far beyond what ordinary rewards can match."

"I have decided to make an exception and commend you, conferring upon you the title of Marquis of Jianye, hereditary and perpetual. The official edict will be issued in a few days."

Marquis of Jianye, a marquis?

Fang Zheng's heart was calm, and he squeezed out a bright smile: "Your subject is deeply honored and unworthy!"

Emperor Jing waved his sleeve and smiled, "There is no need to be modest in front of me. The Imperial Household Department will pay for the construction of your marquis's residence. Build it well, make it perfect!"

"Your subject thanks His Majesty!" Fang Zheng said solemnly.

"Congratulations, Marquis of Jianye." Several Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat congratulated in unison. Fang Zheng smiled and returned the greeting with cupped hands.

With the message delivered, Emperor Jing waved his hand gently: "Regarding the Fika matter, let's settle it here today. You may go about your business."

"Your subjects take their leave." After bidding farewell, the Grand Secretaries and Fang Zheng exited the Nuan Pavilion together.

Only Li Yuanzhao remained in place, expressionless.

Emperor Jing glanced at him and said, "Why aren't you leaving? Don't you usually dislike being idle in the palace?"

Li Yuanzhao pouted: "Your subject feels that the reward for Lao Fang is a bit too light. The steam engine train has appeared out of nowhere. In your subject's opinion, this is an unprecedented miracle. Even being made a king wouldn't be excessive! The court has been discussing it for so long, and the result is just a marquisate?"

Emperor Jing said with a wooden face: "Presumptuous! The entire court made the decision, what right do you have to speak? Get out!"

"I won't!" Li Yuanzhao stubbornly insisted, "Father Emperor once said that clear rewards and punishments are necessary to convince the people. Everyone can see the contribution of the train. How will we convince the people in the future?"

"Are you questioning me? You wretch!" Emperor Jing was furious and raised his hand to strike, but seeing that Li Yuanzhao showed no sign of backing down, he slowly retracted his raised hand.

With a helpless expression, he waved his hand: "How many people in the history of our Great Jing have been granted the title of king with a different surname? This matter has already been decided... Don't be unreasonable."

"No, your subject is still unconvinced. How can Lao Fang be convinced in his heart? Your subject wants an explanation today." Li Yuanzhao did not back down.

Emperor Jing glanced at him: "How do you know that Zheng Yi is unconvinced in his heart? You still don't understand him enough. He is lazy by nature, and official positions are insignificant to him. He cares even less about empty fame."

"If it were someone else, they would probably have been jumping up and down to inquire about the imperial court's rewards. What about him? He has never asked anyone, which shows that he doesn't care at all."

"Heh, giving him a marquisate is probably not as pleasing to him as giving him some money. But I don't have as much money as he does! He spent tens of millions of taels researching the steam engine. Everyone says that the emperor is rich in all the lands, but I have never been so rich in my life!" As Emperor Jing spoke, he felt a little aggrieved in his heart.

Now, the largest source of income for the privy purse is still from Taoyuan County...

If he didn't think about it, it would be fine, but when he thought about it, he always felt strange, like he was being supported....

Li Yuanzhao scratched his head.

It seemed to be the case!

Seeing him looking dazed, Emperor Jing couldn't help but sigh: "To be honest, I sometimes can't see through Zheng Yi. Although this person is always jumping around, he always gives me a sense of detachment."

"He has no attachment to power. He loves money, but he spends money without counting the cost. What he seeks seems to be only to achieve his goals, and everything he does is not just for himself. With no desires, one is unyielding. I have never seen such a person before."

Emperor Jing paused, looking at Li Yuanzhao and slowly said: "What can I give him to make him happy and satisfied? I can't find the answer."

"Moreover, he is too young. Saving the grain disaster, opening up the Western Ocean, building the train—each of these things is enough to be the most outstanding achievement of any official in their lifetime. Even if I try my best to suppress it, his speed of promotion is already rare in the world."

"How could I not know that the train is an unprecedented achievement, but although the future prospects of the train are good, it has not yet been successful. No one can say for sure what will happen in the future. If I really made him a king and promoted him, I'm afraid no one in the court would agree. Being made a marquis is already the best choice."

"This time, the establishment of the marquis's residence is paid for by the Imperial Household Department, in order to make him build it as well as possible at any cost. I have already given him the best."

Li Yuanzhao lowered his head, hesitant.

Emperor Jing's heartfelt words left him speechless. It seemed that he had simplified things.

Seeing him silent, Emperor Jing stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder: "His road is still long, we can't let him see the end at a glance. If I really decided to make him a king, his lazy bones would probably be paralyzed in the royal mansion."

"I am old, and this world will be yours sooner or later. The two of you are as close as brothers. In the future, you can grant him whatever title you want, I can't control it."

Li Yuanzhao opened his mouth, and finally nodded: "Your subject understands...."

Emperor Jing nodded slightly: "Go out, I still have things to do."

......

Outside the Nuan Pavilion, Fang Zheng had just finished exchanging pleasantries with several Grand Secretaries and was about to leave.

Li Yuanzhao walked out of the room and, seeing that Fang Zheng was still there, raised his hand and said, "Lao Fang, congratulations."

"Hehe, it's all thanks to Your Highness's blessing." Fang Zheng said with a smile.

Seeing his carefree appearance, Li Yuanzhao felt a little ashamed.

In his heart, he always felt that Lao Fang had been treated unfairly, so he carefully asked, "You don't seem that happy."

Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow: "Happy! I'm extremely happy, hereditary and perpetual. My son will have a place to settle down in the future. If this little bastard doesn't study hard, he can still freeload outside in the future."

"Uh.... Chen Yu is studying well, and he does his homework seriously, right?" Seeing that he had no worries, Li Yuanzhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly changed the subject.

Fang Zheng's brow gradually furrowed: "Hey... this child is not as studious as I was when I was young. He's spoiled with bad habits! Not like the imperial grandsons, honest and upright... I have to take some time to discipline him recently. By the way, what has Your Highness been busy with recently?"

Hearing this, Li Yuanzhao perked up. Seeing that there was no one around, he mysteriously said, "This prince has recently encountered an interesting thing and made a lot of money!"

"Making money? What is it?" Fang Zheng was curious.

"Betting on soccer!"