Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Inside the Hall of Celestial Purity.

“Your Majesty, it has now been verified that Fang Zheng Yi was a Third Class进士 in the Jing He Emperor's third year, orphaned at the young age of fifteen.”

“Originally, he should have been assigned to the capital area as a county magistrate assistant or entered the palace, but due to his fiery temper and clashes with superiors, and coincidentally, the magistrate of Tao Yuan County passed away, he was directly assigned to Tao Yuan County.”

“The population under the jurisdiction of Tao Yuan County is no more than two thousand people, extremely impoverished, with almost no tax revenue each year...”

“According to the report submitted last year, the situation remains the same, and the number of people under its jurisdiction is still no more than two thousand.”

“This old servant has dispatched riders to find the inspection officials of Hengjiang Prefecture, and they should be able to arrive in the capital in a few days.”

After Guo Tianyang finished reporting, he put away the documents in his hand and cautiously glanced at Emperor Jing.

This Tao Yuan County magistrate is truly audacious! He dares to conceal information from above and never pays taxes!

Tao Yuan County is located between the capital area and Hengjiang Prefecture. It's incredible that such a nearby location could be concealed for so long. I wonder what secrets lie within.

Emperor Jing's expression was calm, but his fingers tapped incessantly on the table.

After a while, he suddenly laughed, “Heh heh, interesting. This Tao Yuan County magistrate is quite the young hero. He passed the imperial exam at the age of 15. Alas, if not for the war, how could such talent be forgotten by Us...”

“In seven years, he has managed to govern an extremely impoverished small county to this extent. Remarkable!”

“The population of Tao Yuan County is now far more than just two thousand people; I'm afraid it's tens of thousands, if not more...”

Guo Tianyang bowed and asked, “Your Majesty, how should Fang Zheng Yi be dealt with?”

“No rush, We shall observe further. This person has a peculiar nature and needs to be carefully tempered. If used well, he will surely become a pillar of the state in the future.”

“With such a capable person by the Crown Prince's side, We can rest assured.”

Upon hearing the mention of the Crown Prince, Guo Tianyang quickly said, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is still hanging in the Imperial Garden. Should we have him taken down?”

Speaking of the Crown Prince, Emperor Jing frowned again.

“Take him down? Don't even think about it! Let him stay there. Others could pass the imperial examination at 15, what about him! All he knows is to play with those useless things! Send someone to tear down his Tiger and Leopard Garden and slaughter that stupid beast!”

“Also, the tea We bought before needs to be dealt with. Send someone to set up a shop in the inner city to sell tea.”

“Do it as Fang Zheng Yi said. Order a batch of exquisite jars and put the tea in them. This matter will be handled by you personally. Do not leak it to others. If you don't do it well, We will hold you accountable!”

Guo Tianyang was stunned.

The Emperor personally engaging in business does not conform to etiquette!

Moreover, if this is discovered by the ministers, wouldn't it cause an uproar? Has Your Majesty been bewitched by Fang Zheng Yi!

Therefore, Guo Tianyang hesitated and said, “Your Majesty... this may not be appropriate. What if it is seen by other ministers... This old servant...”

Emperor Jing waved his hand, “Rest assured and do it! This tea was purchased with Our private funds! Can We not dispose of it as We wish?”

“Your Majesty, but this doing business...” Guo Tianyang was still uneasy, as this matter was too shocking.

Emperor Jing leaned back in his chair and sighed, “Yes, the ancestral laws cannot be violated.”

“But Our Great Jing has been established for over two hundred years, following the same old system. If this continues, who knows when it will decline again.”

“If We proceed according to the established rules, what will Our Great Jing look like a hundred years from now? By then, We will either be gone or nearing Our end. Can Yuan Zhao alone preside over the world?”

“The ancestral laws certainly have their reasons, but it is time for Us to change them...”

“Tao Yuan County has given Us some inspiration. Perhaps We can try to make some changes first.”

“Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. Tao Yuan County can turn things around. Can Our Great Jing also experience miracles like Tao Yuan... even if it's just some new changes.”

“A frequently used door hinge does not rust, and flowing water does not stagnate, Guo Tianyang, go ahead and do it!”

“Just like what Fang Zheng Yi said during dinner, divide the profits from the rich with the people, three to seven!”

“There are too many wealthy merchants and nobles in Our Great Jing who hide their silver at home and in their tombs, yet they refuse to give it to the people or even build a decent road!”

“It is time to think of a way to rectify this!”

Guo Tianyang remained silent.

These past years, the war has just ended, and the national treasury is empty. His Majesty must have been stimulated and is preparing to reach out to those nobles and wealthy merchants.

However, as the Emperor's personal eunuch, he is like his right and left arm.

Since the Emperor has made up his mind, he must wholeheartedly do things well!

“Yes, Your Majesty, this old servant will arrange for people to do it immediately.”

Emperor Jing looked at the murky tea soup on the table and pondered again.

After a moment, he said, “Tomorrow morning court, remember to brew a pot of Da Pin Tian Xian Tea.”

“Pass it in front of the officials, remember to brew the tea a bit stronger.”

“You can handle the rest yourself. We are somewhat looking forward to seeing if the method taught by Fang Zheng Yi is effective.”

“Speaking of which, doing business is like using troops in battle. It's quite interesting, hehe.”

“You may leave, We need to review the memorials.”

Guo Tianyang nodded in agreement, then turned his back and clicked his tongue.

He felt uneasy. After only a few days in Tao Yuan County, the frequency with which His Majesty mentioned Fang Zheng Yi has been increasing!

His Majesty actually believed all the methods that kid taught him at the dinner table!

Moreover, since His Majesty has spoken, he has to sell according to those methods. It's really absurd!

Even if His Majesty wants to do business, who would buy things sold like that! And they're so expensive!

Guo Tianyang sighed.

Fang Zheng Yi will definitely enter the palace in the future. After only meeting a few times and talking a few words, His Majesty has praised him so highly.

He will definitely be a favorite in front of the Emperor in the future, and he will inevitably have to deal with this guy.

However, this Fang Zheng Yi seems to be at odds with me! He only dug out a piece of chicken breast for me when we ate chicken!

Fortunately, this grandson is not a eunuch! I must find a chance to befriend him in the future....

“Why haven't you left yet!? What are you doing standing here blankly?”

Emperor Jing's voice sounded from behind Guo Tianyang. He had been thinking too intently and forgot to leave.

Guo Tianyang hurriedly said, “Ah... uh... Your Majesty! This old servant was thinking about how much to sell the tea for? Should We sell it for two hundred taels a catty as Fang Zheng Yi said?”

Emperor Jing was also stunned, then chuckled.

He wanted to do business but forgot even the pricing. He casually said, “One tael of tea per jar, sell each jar for fifty taels, remember to make the packaging exquisite!”

“....” Guo Tianyang's old face twitched twice, but he didn't dare to say anything.

Five hundred taels a catty! My heavens, His Majesty really dares to ask for that much... even more ruthless than that Fang Zheng Yi!

No wonder you are the Emperor!

......