Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

#5 - 5 The County Magistrate is Kind-Hearted and Can't Stand the Poor

The next day, early in the morning,

Emperor Jing had just woken up when Guo Tianyang was already standing respectfully by his side, waiting for him to get up.

There was a side room in the house specially prepared for servants, so Guo Tianyang slept in the room.

After getting out of bed, Emperor Jing stretched lazily: "It's strange, but this inn's bed is even more comfortable than the ones in the palace."

Yesterday afternoon's travel fatigue coupled with the mental shock made for a very satisfying sleep.

Guo Tianyang held a basin of water and a towel, saying: "Yes, this bed is very soft. This servant saw last night that there are twelve layers of mattresses underneath! It's really comfortable!"

Emperor Jing took the towel and wiped his face: "Well, let's have breakfast and then go out for a walk."

Breakfast was simple, just plain porridge and pickles.

However, Emperor Jing ate with relish: "I didn't expect even these pickles to be so delicious. Hehe, it seems that this emperor's life is not as flavorful as that of a small, insignificant seventh-rank official."

Guo Tianyang lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty, I think this person acts without any restrictions and needs to be severely reprimanded!"

"Moreover, Taoyuan County is incredibly wasteful and lives extravagantly. This unhealthy trend cannot be encouraged!"

Emperor Jing snorted coldly: "Why do you need to be so talkative!? Extravagant living? Does the silver fall from the sky? If the people in such a remote place can live prosperously, I would be overjoyed!"

"You are really becoming more and more backward!"

Guo Tianyang did not dare to argue, standing aside like a quail, looking aggrieved.

"I'm done eating, let's go out for a walk."

.....

After a simple tidying up, the two went out and went to the street.

Emperor Jing carefully examined every detail of the street. Every corner was clean, and there were no beggars or hooligans.

Moreover, the people were not disheveled. If they changed their clothes, they would look like scholars.

Emperor Jing noted this silently.

Walking to a crowded area, Guo Tianyang couldn't help but feel a little vigilant.

Suddenly, a burst of singing came from his ear.

"I love you ~ You love me ~ Taoyuan milk tea is so sweet!"

What the hell!?

Emperor Jing and Guo Tianyang looked sideways at the same time. It turned out to be a tea stall.

A honest-looking middle-aged man was singing and selling tea at the entrance, surrounded by a crowd of people.

Guo Tianyang felt disdain in his heart!

What kind of ghost stuff is he singing! Lewd songs, simply defiling our ears!

This Taoyuan County is getting more and more weird!

"Pah!"

Guo Tianyang couldn't help but spit on the ground.

As soon as this spittle landed on the ground, an old woman wearing a red armband suddenly appeared from nowhere.

She stopped the two of them right in their path.

Then she stretched out her hand, spread her five fingers, and said in a shrill voice: "Spitting on the ground, fine of five wen!"

Emperor Jing frowned and sized up the old woman in front of him. She was wearing cloth clothes with a red ribbon around her sleeve, on which were written the words 'Sanitation Worker'.

Guo Tianyang was unhappy. This servant also spits in the palace!

Someone cares about spitting on the street? How novel!

So he retorted in a shrill voice: "Who are you! Why!"

The old woman snorted coldly: "You must be from out of town! Spitting on the ground is not allowed in this county, fine of five wen!"

"This is a rule set by the county magistrate himself. If you don't agree, come with me to see the official!"

Guo Tianyang widened his eyes. You want to take me to see the official for spitting!

Just as he was about to scold her, Emperor Jing's cold voice came: "Give the money."

Guo Tianyang helplessly took out the money obediently.

The old woman smiled contentedly. Just as she was about to leave, she was suddenly stopped by Emperor Jing.

"Old woman, we are new to this place and have some questions to ask. Is it convenient?"

The old woman glanced up and down, and seeing that his attitude was good, she said: "Speak."

"Why are there no beggars in Taoyuan County?"

The old woman laughed: "You're really interesting. You want to find beggars? We really don't have any here."

"Our county magistrate is kind-hearted and can't stand seeing poor people, so he pulled them all away to dig ditches!"

Emperor Jing suddenly felt a breath stuck in his throat.

Guo Tianyang said gloomily: "Your Majesty, this is a scumbag! He is simply ruining the reputation of officials."

"What are you saying! What are you saying!" The old woman became anxious.

"No one in Taoyuan County dares to say that our county magistrate is not good! If I didn't see that you are outsiders, you would have been beaten long ago!"

Guo Tianyang said indignantly: "How is he not! Where is there anyone who pulls beggars to dig ditches! Isn't this killing people!"

"You understand nothing...." Before the old woman could finish speaking, a cry suddenly came from the street.

"Someone is suing! Go and see the excitement!"

Hearing this, the old woman immediately perked up and ran away in a puff of smoke.

"Go! Let's go take a look!"

Emperor Jing saw this unusual scene and quickened his pace to follow.

Guo Tianyang kept muttering behind him, and then followed.

Following the crowd, they trotted all the way to the yamen gate, and Emperor Jing and the other were stunned again.

Before them was a huge building, roughly estimated to be more than 20 acres, including the square in front!

In front of the yamen was a stone archway with the words 'Taoyuan County Yamen' written on it. Behind it was a square paved with stone slabs, and then wide and long steps connected to the building.

The county yamen was a three-story building, covering a wide area, and the whole was gray and white, all revealing a sense of sternness and majesty.

Standing under the steps, there was a sense of oppression.

Guo Tianyang opened his mouth wide in surprise: "There is such a county yamen! It is said that officials don't repair yamens, how much money would this cost!"

Emperor Jing did not speak, took a deep look at the archway, and then strode in.

Guo Tianyang followed closely behind.

Following the steps to the inner hall, the two regained their familiar feeling. Except for the larger area, the interior decoration was the same as a normal county yamen.

Above the room hung a huge plaque [Hanging High Mirror of Clarity]

At this moment, the people were already gathered outside the barrier.

One person was kneeling and one person was standing in the hall, and the yamen servants on both sides stood upright with fire and water sticks.

At this moment..... everyone was waiting for the county magistrate to appear.

.......

Fang Zheng was raising his arms with a look of impatience, and behind him, Xiao Tao was helping him put on his official uniform.

"Damn it! It's not even noon and there are already troublemakers coming to sue? Are they going to let people sleep!"

"It's not easy to have two months of leisure, and now I have to hold court again!"

Xiao Tao pursed her lips and said nothing.

"What should I eat when I come back later? Alas, I haven't had breakfast yet, I'm hungry," Fang Zheng smacked his lips.

"Eat beef," Xiao Tao kept patting and smoothing the official uniform.

It had been too long since he wore it, and it was a little dusty.