Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

As all the numbers were revealed, a huge sound of disappointment erupted from the square. Countless lottery tickets were tossed into the air, creating a brief "snowfall" scene.

A very few people who had won third prizes held up their lottery tickets in the crowd, calling out to their friends.

Although the money wasn't much, just a few taels, winning itself was enough to make people happy.

Zhang Dongxiang stared blankly at the numbers on the wooden stage, rubbing his eyes.

Then, he slowly pulled out the lottery ticket in his hand and compared them one by one.

Li Yansong and the other didn't bother avoiding Fang Zheng Yi anymore. Anyway, they had already lost face in front of this kid, so there was nothing to hide.

The two of them took a quick look and threw away their tickets, then looked at the crowd.

"It seems that winning this lottery ticket is much more difficult than imagined..."

"This old man... seems to have won..."

Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao instantly perked up and surrounded Zhang Dongxiang.

"Won? Let us see, what prize?"

"First..."

Fang Zheng Yi also squeezed over, looked at the lottery ticket, compared it several times, and then his face fell.

This old man! His luck is so good, is he taking my internal quota?

He turned to look at Zhang Dongxiang and said, "Third Uncle, this time... are you still donating it?"

Zhang Dongxiang instinctively shook his head.

Just kidding, two thousand taels! It's not a small amount anywhere.

Fang Zheng Yi gave him a contemptuous look, then pulled on his sleeve: "Let's go, come with me to the stage to receive the prize!"

Originally, Zhang Dongxiang felt like he was floating in the clouds, but this pull immediately snapped him back to reality. He stretched his sleeves hard and said anxiously: "This old man is not going! Let go! Didn't you say it's okay within three days? This old man will come back to claim it tomorrow!"

Fang Zheng Yi looked at him playfully: "Oh! It's not a trick now? I didn't expect Third Uncle, you're still a sanctimonious hypocrite."

"You say it smells good when you win the prize, it seems that silver is more important than principles!"

"Oh dear, let go, what's with the smell!" Zhang Dongxiang's old face flushed red, regretting his careless words just now.

"Alright, alright! Fang Zheng Yi, you've had enough! Don't you understand respecting the old and loving the young at all!" Li Yansong stamped his feet and thumped his chest.

The three old men were being played by a young man like this... it was really unbearable!

Seeing this, Fang Zheng Yi stopped teasing him: "Okay! Then congratulations, Third Uncle. Remember to come to the square tomorrow to redeem the prize. I will definitely send someone to welcome you!"

Zhang Dongxiang adjusted his clothes awkwardly, then returned to normal and put on a stern face: "Ahem... I know!"

..............

Dengjin Ward.

Yan Guoan looked at the group of people in front of him with a gloomy face. Compared to half a month ago, fewer scholars had gathered here.

He heard from others that the commentary corner in Banshan Ward was exceptionally interesting, and many people who went there were too embarrassed to come back here.

Now, the remaining people can be considered steadfast, and they haven't gone to Banshan Ward to see those messy things yet.

Whenever Yan Guoan thought about the messy plays being performed in Banshan Ward recently, he couldn't help but feel a fire rising in his heart.

If he lost the gambling fight again, he would really have no face to live!

"Everyone, recently the development of Banshan Ward is no less than my Dengjin Ward. What are your thoughts?"

Everyone looked at each other. What thoughts? We are doing well reading in Xuanming Pavilion every day, we have no thoughts.

We haven't been to Banshan Ward either....

Su Rongxuan's eyes swept over everyone, and he couldn't help but feel a little proud.

A bunch of idiots, did Lord Yan tell you to just read to death in the pavilion? Not knowing how to actively share the worries of your superiors is simply stupid!

Su Rongxuan stepped forward and said, "Reporting, Lord, I know a little about the news of Banshan Ward. The recent lottery tickets have been a sensation in the capital, and I believe they have used this to rake in a lot of silver."

"We can completely create the same lottery method. If we have silver, why worry about development?"

Yan Guoan said faintly: "The lottery method is a special permission of the imperial power... others are not allowed to use it again, and this matter should not be mentioned again!"

Who in the city doesn't know that lottery tickets can make a lot of money! But that Fang Zheng Yi is cunning, he actually locked down all the paths in advance.

Others can't get involved now, otherwise, why wouldn't Yan Guoan want to do it too?

Su Rongxuan pretended to be thoughtful, paced back and forth, and slowly opened his mouth and said, "The people have all seen the merits of your administration, Lord. Now it is already as good as it can be, and it is really difficult to make further progress in the short term."

"Banshan Ward has only developed by relying on tricks to cheat money, and all the money is used for building bridges and paving roads. It can be said that there is no educational merit at all, and the people are even more crude, ignorant, and have not seen any improvement."

"I also have a method. I heard that the current Holy Emperor does not like Buddhism, believing that they do not work. There is a newly enlightened monk in Yuhu Ward who is sought after by countless people. If we invite the monk to Fuyun Temple in Banshan Ward, and then promote it heavily..."

"It is expected that the ignorant people of Banshan Ward will definitely flock to it in the short term. Publicly promoting Buddhism will only make the poor poorer. It will definitely be successful within a month!"

"At that time, Lord, you will also have something to say in the court."

Several young people in the crowd were silent when they heard him say this, feeling uncomfortable in their hearts.

Didn't we agree to help educate the people... your behavior is like seeing the neighbor's child studying well, not comparing who works harder, but tearing up their books. It's simply too despicable...

Several people thought about it and felt ashamed to be associated with such people, and silently turned and left.

Yan Guoan saw it, but remained expressionless and didn't stop them.

"This plan is excellent, but this official has never heard of this monk."

Someone in the crowd raised their hand and said: "I know! Dharma Master Huijue of Yuhu Ward appeared like a comet in a short period of time. No one can match him in discussing Buddhism. Countless people seek his blessing, and I heard that he charges a lot!"

Yan Guoan smiled disdainfully.

Charges? It seems that he is also a fame-seeking swindler.

"This person has profound Buddhist knowledge. Once, an evildoer spat at him, but Dharma Master Huijue wiped it off and even wrote 'A Small Record of the Pool' on the spot. The evildoer was ashamed and repented. Later, countless people began to visit the master."

"I heard that seeing the master's face brings peace to people's hearts. The master has suffered many hardships. Physical disabilities and mental insults cannot shake him in the slightest. The money he receives is only for building temples widely."

"Now, it can be said that it is harder than hard to see Dharma Master Huijue!"

Hiss ~ Is there really such a noble person with such bearing?

Yan Guoan couldn't help but admire him a little. It seemed that he had judged a gentleman's heart with the mind of a petty person.

"Okay, Su Rongxuan, this official appreciates you very much. This matter will be entrusted to you. Can you invite Dharma Master Huijue to Fuyun Temple?"

A flash of ecstasy flashed in Su Rongxuan's eyes: "Thank you, Lord! I will definitely not fail your trust!"