Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

After their brief parting, Fang Zheng Yi didn't dwell on the matter.

However, Xu Wenshu seemed serious and genuinely discussed it with many people in private.

So much so that the next day, when Fang Zheng Yi submitted his memorial, Emperor Jing specifically asked about it.

After the court session, many people gathered around to offer their congratulations.

Given the situation, Fang Zheng Yi had no choice but to hold a lavish banquet at the Princess's residence.

He didn't send out invitations; whoever wanted to come could come... There were too many people offering congratulations for him to remember who was who.

But it was good to have a lot of people; he could collect more gifts~

Now that he had this status, it wouldn't be right not to accept some gifts. If he were too upright and it was written in the history books, wouldn't later generations of commoners think it was fake?

On the day of the birthday banquet, guests flocked in.

The doorman announced the gifts from outside.

"Shi Ming, Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, presents a coral pen holder..."

"Yu Xiu, Academician of the Hanlin Academy, presents a painting of auspicious clouds and cranes..."

"Imperial Physician Hu, Director of the Imperial Hospital, presents a diamond..."

"Shen Yishen, Director of the Ministry of Revenue, presents a Laodongli (Labor Force) watch..."

Fang Zheng Yi stroked his chin, a stiff smile on his face.

What the heck, what kind of junk are these people giving!

A diamond, a watch, do I need them to give me those? They really don't know how to pick gifts!

Today, he was eagerly hoping to see some rare treasures.

However, Shen Yi had been a reporter at the newspaper office in his early years, and later he was assigned to Yuding City. He only recently returned to the capital to become an official. The key is that he is honest and upright, so it's understandable that he doesn't have much money.

But what about the others!

Such a waste of such a big banquet...

Li Miaohan stood beside him, a faint smile on her face: "Husband, why are you suddenly holding such a lavish birthday celebration this year? How many people did you invite?"

Fang Zheng Yi said helplessly: "There's no way around it, I'm popular, and people are taking the initiative to celebrate for me. I didn't specifically invite anyone; whoever wants to come can come."

"Is Imperial Brother coming today?" Li Miaohan asked.

"His Highness the Crown Prince said he won't be coming; he has things to do. He figured there would be a lot of people today, and he didn't want to get involved. He specifically made me a hamburger this morning as a celebration." Fang Zheng Yi covered his face.

Of all these people, that Crown Prince is the stingiest!

He personally brought him a hamburger before the court session, saying he made it himself, and that was it.

Although the gift was cheap, Fang Zheng Yi was still quite satisfied.

After all, in his opinion, sincerity is much more important than money.

...

After a long time, the banquet was finally full of guests.

Fang Zheng Yi's gaze swept across the room, and he realized that he didn't recognize more than half of them. There weren't many acquaintances.

Only Xu Wenshu, a high official of the third rank or above, had come in person.

The others were all older than him, and in terms of status, they weren't lower than him, so there was no need for them to come.

Rushing to curry favor would easily invite criticism, and everyone still paid attention to face.

Moreover, everyone understood Fang Zheng Yi's behavior over the years. He wasn't the type to form cliques for personal gain, nor was he a petty person who would stab you in the back. It was enough to have someone send a gift and offer their regards.

Xu Wenshu's situation was somewhat special, after all, he was the one who started organizing this.

Moreover, recently, the Ministry of Revenue had been in extremely close communication with Fang Zheng Yi.

Fang Zheng Yi had been involved in everything from the Exchange to the Jingxing Bank, and the Great Jing was also beginning to carry out sweeping tax reforms.

After a long period of communication, Fang Zheng Yi's knowledge and the occasional ideas he threw out made Xu Wenshu exclaim in admiration.

The relationship between the two was now quite good.

When the courtyard returned to silence, just as Fang Zheng Yi raised his wine cup to say a few polite words, the doorman's loud announcement came from outside.

"Eunuch Guo has arrived!"

The entire room became solemn, and everyone looked towards the entrance.

Guo Tianyang walked in with small, hurried steps and a smiling face, followed by a young eunuch holding a tray.

He walked up to Fang Zheng Yi and said: "Marquis Jianye, His Majesty knows it's your birthday today, so he specifically ordered this servant to bring you a pot of imperial wine!"

Many minor officials in the courtyard exclaimed in secret.

Some of them had never dealt with Fang Zheng Yi, and some had never even seen him.

They heard that people could come to his birthday without an invitation, so they wanted to freeload a meal and get some good fortune!

Good heavens! This is a grand scene right from the start!

The Marquis Jianye's birthday, and His Majesty even sent a gift.

It was really worth coming today! It's so prestigious!

Even if they didn't get to talk to Marquis Jianye, it would be worth it just to brag about it!

"Your subject thanks His Majesty for his grace." Fang Zheng Yi said his thanks and accepted the imperial wine.

He couldn't help but complain in his heart.

Neither of these two guys is practical; one sends food, and the other sends drink....

"Marquis Jianye, then this old one will go back to report." Guo Tianyang said and raised his foot, preparing to leave.

Fang Zheng Yi grabbed him and said: "Brother Guo, you've already come, have a meal before you leave."

Guo Tianyang hesitated: "Is that appropriate? This old one didn't bring anything, and His Majesty is still waiting."

"I'm not short of money, just the time it takes to eat a meal. Anyway, you'll be standing when you go back."

"......"

"Alright then, I'll just sit for a while." Guo Tianyang replied in a muffled voice.

Damn it! He's mocking me again!

However, he absolutely couldn't afford to offend Little Fang now. Whatever he said was what it was.

Since the guy was giving him face, then he would stay and have a simple bite. Anyway, he would be standing when he went back....

Guo Tianyang took a seat.

Fang Zheng Yi took the imperial wine and said: "Everyone who was able to come here today is giving Fang a bit of face. With His Majesty's imperial wine, I'll say a few simple words."

"Today is meant to be a relaxing and happy day, so everyone should feel free to eat and drink to your heart's content and be sure to leave satisfied. I won't say much more, that's all!"

With that, Fang Zheng Yi took a big gulp from the wine pot first.

Then, he stared fixedly at the wine pot and said in an exaggerated manner: "Good wine! As expected of the imperial wine bestowed by His Majesty. I feel warm inside after drinking it."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng Yi's face was already red.

Warm was indeed no lie; Emperor Jing usually liked strong liquor, and this was Tao Yuan County wine that was sent... This gulp was a bit too strong.

Those below who didn't understand Fang Zheng Yi began to discuss happily in low voices.

"Is that it? He really just said a few simple words?"

"Marquis Jianye has the demeanor of a chivalrous hero; he's a straightforward man!"

"The imperial wine is indeed extraordinary; his face is red after just one sip..."

As for those who understood Fang Zheng Yi, they were already calm and collected.

With Eunuch Guo here, and it being your birthday today, you can praise him as much as you want!

As Fang Zheng Yi finished his mouthful of wine, the banquet began, and the guests started eating.

However, it wasn't long before someone stood up: "This official has long heard of Marquis Jianye's deeds, and today, seeing Marquis Jianye's demeanor, it is truly..."

As the first person stood up, a second person immediately followed suit, not wanting to be outdone.

Countless officials who wanted to curry favor rushed to be the first to flatter him.

Fang Zheng Yi didn't take it to heart and didn't stop them. He just listened quietly, occasionally taking a sip of wine.

Although he usually couldn't be bothered to listen to these flattering words, it wouldn't hurt to be happy today!

Although these people didn't know him, they were surprisingly familiar with his deeds.

As one achievement after another was recounted, Fang Zheng Yi gradually became somewhat elated.

I have to say, the feeling of being collectively praised every now and then is not bad.