Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"To say it's to increase the imperial treasury... How can you even utter such nonsense?"

"You're using the melons from your Taoyuan County greenhouses to deceive my ministers. Do you think I don't know? Others may not have seen them, but I saw them the first time I went to Taoyuan County. I... I'm not wrong, am I?" Emperor Jing appeared somewhat inscrutable.

Emperor Jing had been pondering for a while, and there shouldn't be any aphrodisiac melon.

Fang Zheng Yi sends things to the palace every now and then. If there were such a good thing, he would have sent it over long ago!

This must be a melon from the Taoyuan County greenhouse!

So, he's angry about the Ministry of Revenue's audit and is taking it out on his son! Fortunately, it has nothing to do with me...

Fang Zheng Yi took a deep breath: "Your Majesty is truly insightful, and I sincerely admire you! That's right, it's a greenhouse melon."

Emperor Jing pressed: "Why didn't you bring this out sooner? This greenhouse can grow melons in winter. Besides melons, what else can it grow?"

"Probably... almost everything can be grown, but the quality might not be as good."

"If greenhouses are promoted, wouldn't it be possible to cultivate in winter as well?"

Although sweet potatoes are good, they are not quite suitable as a staple food. As the emperor, he obviously places great importance on grain.

Fang Zheng Yi replied: "It won't work! Your Majesty, the greenhouse technology was not mature in earlier years. Even now, the cost is very high. It's not cost-effective to grow grain, but if it's to grow some vegetables and provide them to the wealthy households in the capital during the winter, there's no problem."

Although glass is commonplace in later generations, the cost of producing high-quality glass for greenhouses is still very high.

Taoyuan County spent a lot of money and manpower to develop greenhouse vegetable cultivation.

Emperor Jing looked at the silver on the table and narrowed his eyes: "It's excellent to be able to grow vegetables. How about I allocate a piece of land in the eastern suburbs to you, and you send people to build greenhouses to grow fruits and vegetables? How much silver do you need?"

Seeing Emperor Jing's small actions, Fang Zheng Yi suddenly understood.

I thought His Majesty had changed! He still wants money! He wants to enrich his own small treasury!

"Leave this matter to me! Your Majesty has already given the land, how can I have the face to ask for silver?"

"However... besides using the land to grow vegetables, can I use the land for other things?"

The eastern suburbs are not far from the capital, and the conditions are average, with some mountainous areas.

However, as long as a road is built to connect to the capital, the location will naturally be excellent.

The area is large enough, and several factories can be built and a high-end agritainment facility can be set up.

I didn't expect that today, not only did I not get scolded, but there was also an unexpected surprise!

"Well, of course, it's possible. It would be a great achievement to allow the people in the city to eat fruits and vegetables in winter."

"Yes, yes, yes, Your Majesty is farsighted and is really breaking your heart for the people!"

Emperor Jing raised an eyebrow: "Stop being sarcastic with me!"

"Let's talk business. The Ministry of Revenue did not find any problems in this re-examination of the account books, but how could there be no problems in the localities?"

"The person behind Liu Xun is so hidden that he has become a thorn in my heart. If this thorn cannot be removed, I will not be at peace for a day!"

"I asked you to investigate, have you started doing it yet?"

Fang Zheng Yi nodded in agreement: "I have already sent people, and they should have arrived in Jianjiang long ago."

"However... I'm afraid it will be difficult to get results in this matter for a while."

Emperor Jing closed his eyes and sighed: "How can I not know that this matter is indeed difficult, but I believe in your ability."

"Actually, there is another hidden worry in this matter. Although there is no evidence, I am worried that it will be related to the salt merchants of Qian."

Fang Zheng Yi asked in confusion: "Your Majesty, the salt administration is such an important matter. Could it be that the salt merchants of Qian have not been eliminated?"

The salt merchants are so important. According to common sense, clearing the old forces is a routine operation.

Emperor Jing shook his head: "During the war between the two countries, I led the personal army deep into the hinterland of Qian. Although the opponent retreated steadily, my army was also nearing the end of its strength."

"Fortunately, the salt merchants defected at the beginning and took out a large amount of silver to replenish the military funds, which allowed me to win this great victory."

"Therefore, I have always treated those salt merchants very well, and even allocated some salt quotas north of Jianjiang to them."

"On the other hand, the power of the salt merchants in the local areas is intricate and no one can replace them in a short time."

"At that time, the old land of Qian also needed to appease the people, and it was not appropriate to have unrest, so I couldn't do anything!"

Emperor Jing was silent for a while, and continued: "Those salt merchants only have interests in their eyes. They can betray the country, and naturally they may also betray me."

"Moreover, in recent years, I have also heard many rumors about the salt merchants in the southern localities. It is said that the salt merchants are doing whatever they want in the localities, and they are lawless. It is also a good opportunity to rectify them."

"The people you sent out can act conveniently. Do you need me to provide any more convenience?"

Fang Zheng Yi shook his head and said: "I have already given my seal to them, so there should be no obstacles."

Emperor Jing smiled dumbly: "You trust the people below so much! Who did you send to handle it?"

"Xie Xian, Your Majesty has also seen him in Jianjiang."

"Well... I have an impression, this person has an outstanding memory and is a talented person. But after all, he is just a commoner. If he doesn't have enough courage, what if he can't solve the problem?"

Fang Zheng Yi frowned: "If I really encounter a tough stubble, then I will have to go there myself."

This trip will definitely take at least half a year. If it's not necessary, he really doesn't want to go on this long trip.

"Speaking of going out, I have something I want to ask Your Majesty. The Shangfang Sword was broken last time, and Your Majesty said you would give me another one... You see..." Fang Zheng Yi's expression began to become shy.

Emperor Jing suddenly froze, and then smiled: "I didn't expect you to still remember it. Come, someone, give me the sword."

The guard pointed to by Emperor Jing immediately stepped forward, took off his sword and placed it on the imperial desk.

"Take this sword and use it."

"Ah... This..."

Fang Zheng Yi was dumbfounded. This is a mass-produced item used in the palace. Are you giving this to me as the Shangfang Sword?

How can I brag when I go out?

If my colleagues see this, they will think I came to the palace to be a security guard!

Seeing his expression, Emperor Jing sneered: "What? You think the sword I gave you is not good?"

"You and the Crown Prince are messing around in the palace, what good sword do you want?"

"Don't be picky. The sword I give you is the Shangfang Sword. It's a waste to give you good things, so take this and use it!"

Fang Zheng Yi nodded helplessly.

I didn't expect it to be so casual. Just make do with it!

As long as there is the emperor's endorsement, it will be fine.

"If Your Majesty has nothing else, I will take my leave first. I'll go see how the Crown Prince is doing."

Emperor Jing showed disdain: "Birds of a feather flock together, don't be an eyesore here!"

Fang Zheng Yi smiled, nodded, and turned to leave.

As he turned around, he picked up the stick on the ground and walked quickly out of the hall...