Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The massive crowd followed Fang Zheng Yi away.

The rented mansion was not far from the Marquis's residence, just across the street.

The 'servants' had been waiting here for a long time, and when Fang Zheng arrived, they immediately greeted him, feigning shock as they looked at the crowd and asked: "Master, why have you brought back so many people?"

Fang Zheng waved his hand: "Enough nonsense, these are all my friends! Quickly arrange for people to heat up water, the guests need to bathe."

"Also, send someone to buy me a batch of new clothes, however many people are here, buy that many sets, and be quick about it."

The servants hurried away, and the scholars all smiled happily.

This Brother Tang is truly too enthusiastic, not only arranging for people to heat water for them to bathe, but also buying clothes?

"Brother Tang, isn't this a bit too extravagant?"

Fang Zheng said generously: "Everyone here is going to do great things! Decency is paramount, I have quite a bit of wealth, these small expenses are nothing to me."

"Meeting is fate, and today I can meet so many pillars of the nation, how can I be stingy with money? Please, everyone, give me some face and enjoy yourselves to the fullest, eat and drink well, and make up for your physical deficiencies!"

In this location, having such a large mansion is enough to show that Tang Bohu is financially strong, so spending a little money on food and clothing is indeed nothing to him.

Moreover, since he is so generous, if I keep refusing, it will seem inappropriate.

Many people thanked him loudly and stopped declining.

Fang Zheng said: "Everyone, there is a bathhouse in my home, but it is obviously not big enough for so many people. I hope everyone can line up and wait quietly, you can stroll or rest in my courtyard, and the others should finish washing as soon as possible. During this time, I will instruct the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous feast for everyone, and after washing, we will start the banquet, and then we can eat and chat!"

"I will go and make arrangements first, if you have any questions, you can ask the servants in my house."

Everyone thanked him in unison, and Fang Zheng cupped his fist in return before quickly walking out of the courtyard.

Li Yuanzhao had been waiting at the corner in advance, and when he saw Fang Zheng arrive, he immediately gave a thumbs up and praised: "You're really something, you managed to coax everyone away so quickly."

Fang Zheng smiled slightly: "This is just the first step, the next step is the exciting part, does Your Highness want to go in and take a look?"

"It's a rare opportunity, I'll only demonstrate it once."

"Hiss..." Li Yuanzhao hesitated a little, "There are imperial examination candidates from the capital here, I often walk around the city, it wouldn't be good if I was recognized."

"I still have a fake beard, you can go to the house next door and ask someone for one, just stick it on."

"That's great, I'll go take a look!" Li Yuanzhao said with a happy face.

"Okay, remember to cooperate with me later, after the banquet is halfway through, I will... like this... that's all! I'll go back first."

"Don't worry, it won't go wrong!" Li Yuanzhao assured, and seeing Fang Zheng about to leave, he grabbed his sleeve and asked, "Hey, I have a question, why are you called Tang Bohu, does this name have any background?"

Fang Zheng said: "I originally wanted to call myself Li Bai, but I changed it later."

"Why?"

"Because Tang Bohu is three characters, it sounds better than Li Bai."

"This... this doesn't make any sense at all? How are three characters better than two characters?"

"Oh, don't dwell on such trivial matters, I'll go back first."

......

A group of scholars who were already extremely hungry were eager to eat, so they washed very quickly.

They entered the bathhouse in batches to bathe, and everyone finished washing in just one hour.

As for the new clothes and other supplies that were arranged to be purchased, they had already been placed in the house next door.

After everyone finished washing, the new clothes were delivered to them as soon as possible.

Everyone had a refreshing wash, changed into new clothes, and became refreshed again.

Many large tables had already been prepared in the courtyard, with wine and dishes ready, steaming hot.

The dishes were naturally the 'pre-made dishes' that were made last night, simply heated up a bit.

However, this group of 'hungry wolves' didn't have much to be picky about, they had been hungry for two days, and now they only wanted to have a full meal, so they weren't worried about being noticed.

Fang Zheng stood in the center of the courtyard, enthusiastically greeting everyone one by one, introducing each other, and then arranging for the guests to take their seats.

Until he met Zhou Maoxue, Fang Zheng took an extra look and cupped his fist: "How should I address this brother?"

Zhou Maoxue cupped his fist and smiled reluctantly: "Zhou Maoxue, thank you Brother Tang for your hospitality!"

"It's my pleasure, just a small token of my respect." Fang Zheng smiled and nodded.

His gaze suddenly glanced at Zhou Maoxue's feet, and he said in surprise: "Brother Zhou, why aren't you wearing socks?"

Zhou Maoxue's face turned red: "I'm really ashamed, they got dirty."

He was a clean person, and he had to bathe and burn incense every day, and being dirty for two days was already unbearable in his heart.

It was really unacceptable to him to put on dirty socks after taking a bath.

Fang Zheng slapped his thigh: "Oh, I was still negligent, it's my fault. I have plenty of white socks at home, Brother Zhou, would you mind finding a pair to change into?"

"No need, no need, Brother Tang has already done enough." Zhou Maoxue declined repeatedly, but he was very unhappy in his heart.

This guy is already stealing the spotlight, and he even calls himself my brother.

What's the point of showing off your white socks! Who wears black socks?

"Alright, then Brother Zhou, please take your seat." Fang Zheng smiled and gestured with his hand.

After a simple conversation, he already had a preliminary understanding of this Zhou Maoxue.

This kid has a bit of a mind, good at inciting, but in his eyes, he is still too young!

But being young is good, he likes them young, it's more fun to play with them when they're young!

Everyone took their seats, and Li Yuanzhao sat not far from Fang Zheng's lower hand.

Only Fang Zheng was holding a wine cup, standing in the middle of the field, while everyone else was waiting for the host to speak, drooling in their hearts, hoping that he would finish speaking quickly.

Fang Zheng swept his gaze across the field and said loudly: "Today, everyone is both comrades and guests! I don't want to waste too much time, so I'll just say a few simple words."

"Today, everyone has come to my Tang's house, just treat it as returning to your own home, you must eat and drink to your heart's content, otherwise you are not treating me, Tang Bohu, as a friend!"

"I've finished speaking, everyone, please enjoy!" After Fang Zheng finished speaking, he picked up a chopstick of vegetables and stuffed it into his mouth in public.

This operation immediately won a round of applause!

He said it was just a few simple words, and it really was just a few simple words, Brother Tang is really a sincere and straightforward person, knowing that everyone is hungry, he doesn't talk nonsense at all.

If it were an ordinary host entertaining guests, who wouldn't give a long speech?

He had already taken the first chopstick generously, and the others, with gratitude in their hearts, began to eat one after another.

The sound of chewing filled the courtyard, and no one spoke.

Watching the people in the courtyard eating seriously, Fang Zheng slowly sat down, occasionally sipping a small glass of wine.

After a few minutes, when everyone had something to fill their stomachs, Fang Zheng got up and began toasting at each table with the Yin-Yang pot that he had prepared earlier...

After toasting several tables in turn, the scholars couldn't help but have an even better impression of Fang Zheng in their hearts.

Gentle, enthusiastic, generous, extraordinary martial arts, elegant demeanor... various labels were put on him.

Even Zhou Maoxue had to admit that this Tang guy did have some tricks up his sleeve, and he could chime in on anything.

After the final round of toasts, Fang Zheng returned to his original position and began to remain silent.

The rest of the wine tables continued to eat and drink heartily.

Halfway through the banquet, many people's movements gradually became more refined, and a dense sound of conversation arose...

At this moment, Li Yuanzhao's exaggerated voice sounded!

"Brother Tang! I saw that you were in a good mood just now, why are you sighing now?"

Countless gazes gathered on Fang Zheng at the same time.

At some point, the wine glass in his hand had been replaced by a large bowl, and he was half-holding it, seemingly troubled about how to answer.

Li Yuanzhao stood up and said loudly and concerned: "Brother Tang, I think you are also a generous person, and everyone here is a friend, what can't you say frankly?"

Fang Zheng raised his eyes, glanced at the crowd, sighed, and placed the wine bowl on the table.

Slowly getting up and putting his hands behind his back, he began to pace in the courtyard...