Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Fang Zheng, Magistrate of Taoyuan County, has selflessly contributed immeasurable merit to resolve the Jian River flood, rescuing countless people from danger. Furthermore, since assuming his post in Taoyuan County, he has diligently fulfilled his duties, possessed profound virtue, and enjoyed the support of the people.”

“The Emperor is greatly pleased, and hereby bestows upon Fang Zheng, Magistrate of Taoyuan County, the title of Baron of Taoyuan County, two hundred mu of hereditary land, a fief of two hundred households, and the position of Junior Deputy Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He is to enter the palace immediately without delay. This concludes the decree!”

The little eunuch finished reading and looked around. Everyone stood rooted to the spot as if petrified.

Fang Zheng also stared blankly at him.

The little eunuch felt uneasy and said in a low voice, "Baron Fang... please accept the decree?"

Before Fang Zheng could reply, the crowd suddenly erupted in sobs.

Someone wailed, "The County Magistrate is being taken away! County Magistrate, you can't leave! We can't live without you!!"

"No one can take the Magistrate away! It's all this damned eunuch's fault! Kill him!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Kill him quickly! Let's all pretend nothing happened!"

....

Driven by the agitated crowd, people began to stir. The commoners in the back, carrying their household tools, kept trying to push to the front, intending to kill the little eunuch.

If he disappeared, they could pretend the imperial decree hadn't arrived! They could delay it for a day if possible. In any case, the County Magistrate couldn't go anywhere!

The little eunuch trembled like a leaf, collapsing to the ground and kneeling, looking at Fang Zheng with pleading eyes, still shakily holding up the imperial decree with one hand.

"Lord... Lord Fang... quickly... quickly accept the decree, I... I can't take it anymore..."

Hearing his terrible line, Fang Zheng finally snapped out of it.

He immediately roared at the crowd, "All of you shut up! I'm not dead yet! Do you have any manners!"

The commoners immediately quieted down, and several in the front row kept wiping their tears, murmuring in low voices, "But you can't leave either..."

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng said loudly, "All of you, disperse! This official is now the Baron of Taoyuan County, what are you panicking about! If I leave, no one else will even think about coming!"

He turned his head and quickly helped up the little eunuch, fawning, "Hehe, hehe, Eunuch, you've worked hard... May I ask how His Majesty knew that this official sent people to provide disaster relief?"

The little eunuch forced a smile, "Lord Fang, you're too kind... This... you'll have to ask in the palace. I'm only responsible for delivering the decree, I know nothing else..."

Fang Zheng thought to himself, 'It's probably Li Long who sold me out! Damn Li Long, if I ever see you again, I'll skin you alive!'

Damn it, although I was granted the title of Baron of Taoyuan County, Taoyuan County has been secretly expanded to a large area under my constant violations.

If this is discovered, wouldn't things be serious!?

Let's talk about the future later.... This can be considered solving a problem....

Fang Zheng took a deep breath, grasped the little eunuch's hands, and smiled, "Eunuch, don't panic. Taoyuan County is a remote and poor place with only unruly people, I apologize for scaring you."

"However, my Taoyuan County is still considered to have beautiful scenery. If Eunuch is interested, you can tour for two days, and this official will accompany you throughout!"

The little eunuch tried hard to squeeze out a smile, "Baron Fang is joking. I have to return to the palace immediately to report back... You should pack up and set off as soon as possible..."

"Understood, understood! Eunuch, you've worked hard... Zhang Biao!"

Zhang Biao walked over with a knowing look. Fang Zheng made a gesture, and Zhang Biao quickly stuffed a packet of silver into the little eunuch's sleeve.

Unexpectedly, the silver was too heavy and instantly fell down. The little eunuch lost his balance and fell diagonally to the ground....

At this moment, the little eunuch finally couldn't hold back and burst into tears, "Wuwu, Baron Fang, I have no grievances with you... What do you mean by this!"

Fang Zheng, with a dark face, kicked Zhang Biao and scolded in a low voice, "Idiot! Who told you to give so much! Just a few taels as a token is enough!"

Zhang Biao chuckled and quickly squatted down to take back the silver...

Fang Zheng's face darkened even more...

Helping up the little eunuch, Fang Zheng said with an apologetic face, "Oh, look at my people... This place isn't good, don't mind it." As he spoke, he pointed to his own head.

Then, he began to rummage through his pockets, searching all over his body and finally found five copper coins, stuffing them into the little eunuch's sleeve.

Hearing the crisp sound of the copper coins in his sleeve, the little eunuch said with a mournful face, "Baron Fang, you should still take them back... If the higher-ups find out, I'll be punished."

Fang Zheng said with a righteous expression, "Eunuch, don't be polite, this official is very tight-lipped!"

"Really not!"

"Alas, in that case, Eunuch, you've really worked hard!"

As he spoke, Fang Zheng reached his hand into the little eunuch's sleeve again, randomly grabbing a handful.

Taking a closer look, it was two taels of silver and five copper coins.

Fang Zheng's eyes twitched a few times, and then he stuffed them into his chest expressionlessly.

The little eunuch looked at Fang Zheng incredulously, opened his mouth wide, and said in a trembling voice, "Baron Fang, can I leave now....."

Fang Zheng waved his hand casually, "Go, go!"

Upon hearing this, the little eunuch hurriedly mounted his horse and galloped away...

Xiao Tao came over, her face full of worry, "Young Master... isn't this a bit bad? He's a person from the palace."

Fang Zheng sighed helplessly, "So what, I'm going to offend them anyway, might as well offend them to the death."

Then, he looked at the crowd in front of him and said loudly, "Everyone, go home! No need to worry, Taoyuan County is still under this official's rule! Go back and do your own thing!"

A commoner cautiously walked over, worried, "Lord, you won't leave Taoyuan County, will you....?"

Everyone looked at Fang Zheng with hopeful eyes.

At this moment, Fang Zheng couldn't help but feel moved, but he still put on a stern face and said fiercely, "What's wrong! This official is just about to leave Taoyuan County! This official is being promoted, aren't you happy!? Give me a smile!"

With a "wa" sound, the crowd immediately burst into tears.

The people of Taoyuan County began to wail and lament as if their parents had died.

"What will we do if you leave!!"

"I want to go to the capital to file a complaint with the Emperor! Lord, you can't leave, if you leave, I won't live either!"

"What will happen to my daughter if you leave! She's only eight years old, and she's going to marry you in the future... !"

"Bah! Is your daughter worthy? My daughter is fifteen years old! Meet her! Meet her!"

.......

Seeing that things were getting more and more outrageous, Fang Zheng finally couldn't stand it anymore. His expression softened, and he said helplessly, "Alright! Alright! This official knows everything, it's just a trip to the capital! I'm leaving, but it's not like I'm not coming back!"

"All of you, disperse! If you make any more noise, this official will just stay in the capital! It's too noisy!"

"Wait for me......."

Before he could finish speaking, the crowd scattered with a bang, the people fleeing in all directions, leaving the place completely empty.

Looking at the mess left behind.

Fang Zheng chuckled twice, "Alas, this group of unruly people...."

......