Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Inside the Imperial Garden, Emperor Jing strolled leisurely, with Guo Tianyang following closely behind.

Despite his diligence in official duties, the Emperor occasionally needed to come out to refresh his mind.

Halfway through their walk, Emperor Jing suddenly spoke, "I think the time is almost right. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has been causing quite a stir in the capital lately. It's time to assess them. In a while, send some people to help them with a drill."

Guo Tianyang raised his head, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes, "How does Your Majesty plan to assess them?"

Emperor Jing said, "A night raid on a garrison. Just pick a hundred-household unit. Keep it low-key and don't disturb the people."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is certainly riding high. I didn't expect Fang Qing to discover so many talented individuals among the common people, even a sage among them. Hehe, after the assessment, I'll find an opportunity to meet this person."

Recalling the recent reports praising the Embroidered Uniform Guard's excellent conduct and good deeds, the common people often felt grateful to the court, constantly remembering that the Emperor cared for them.

Suddenly being embraced by the masses, Emperor Jing felt an unexpected surge of satisfaction!

However, glancing at the cowering Guo Tianyang, his brows furrowed again. It was truly infuriating to compare people.

"Why haven't I heard of a single talented individual emerging from the Eastern Depot all these years?"

Oh no, I'm going to get scolded!

Guo Tianyang's hair stood on end, and he cried out in alarm in his heart!

Forcing a smile, he said stiffly, "Your Majesty, in this old servant's opinion, Master Fang is creating momentum."

Damn it, it's like seeing a ghost! More than a hundred talented people suddenly appearing, all from humble backgrounds. There's definitely something wrong; otherwise, it would be the greatest absurdity in the world!

Emperor Jing snorted coldly, "Hmph! Creating momentum? How many years has it been, and you haven't created any momentum? How can Fang Zhengzhi create it in such a short time?"

"Now, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is cracking down on illegal activities among the people, and the people are becoming increasingly supportive of the court. Even the court officials have greatly changed their impression of Fang Qing. Why hasn't the Eastern Depot thought of doing this? Instead, its reputation among the people is poor!"

"In my view, you just lack ability! Why make excuses?"

Guo Tianyang, wearing a bitter face, knelt down on the ground with a thud, "This... this old servant has failed Your Majesty's grace! But... but the Eastern Depot is still capable in its work. Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Jing glanced at him lightly, "Get up. I'm not blaming you. It's normal to be outdone in some things. Fang Qing does some things very well, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard concerns military secrets and cannot be trained in a short period. This test will reveal the true quality of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's new recruits. Ultimately, it still depends on discipline and martial prowess. A good reputation is ultimately hollow. What I want is an army that can win battles."

Guo Tianyang quickly got up and hurriedly said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. This time, this servant will assess them thoroughly and will not be lenient!"

"There's no need to be so harsh. Fang Qing is, after all, a civil official."

Guo Tianyang's lips twitched, and his heart was instantly filled with resentment.

Damn it, it's all about how you treat people! He's only been here for a few years; I've been doing this for so many years! Such different treatment!

This time, I must deal with him properly, subdue him, and get him in his place!

"Your Majesty, the Eastern Depot's personnel are each responsible for their duties and are always short-handed. If we were to pull out dozens of people to temporarily assess a hundred-household unit, it might affect operations. Therefore, this old servant wonders if we could borrow some people?" Guo Tianyang asked cautiously.

Emperor Jing thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright. Take my edict and select some people from the Jing Camp as replacements."

"Oh, right, there's a popular item among the people called Embroidered Uniform Guard Star Cards. Has the Eastern Depot paid attention to it?"

What is that? I seem to have heard of it, but I haven't paid much attention.

At my age, who would be interested in small gadgets popular on the market? It's not like it's something important.

Guo Tianyang began to stammer, "This old servant knows... it's just popular cards among the people..."

Seeing his appearance, it was clear that he didn't understand. Emperor Jing snorted and said impatiently, "Alright, go down. You know nothing when I ask!"

"During the assessment, remember to be discreet and not disturb the people."

.....

Guo Tianyang returned to the Eastern Depot dejectedly.

He was full of pent-up anger!

I thought I had found an opportunity to let the Eastern Depot show its face, but before it could show its face, it got scolded!

This surprise drill must not go wrong no matter what.

After thinking for a long time with his eyes closed, Guo Tianyang said to the eunuch beside him, "His Majesty is preparing to conduct a surprise assessment of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The Eastern Depot is short-handed. Go to the Fenvu Camp and borrow some men, the elite ones."

The little eunuch shuddered and quickly said, "Foster father, how many do you want?"

"About three hundred will be enough!" Guo Tianyang squinted his eyes, looking somewhat melancholy.

Hearing so many people, the little eunuch was immediately shocked, "Foster father, are you planning to use a thousand-household unit for the drill?"

"No, it's a hundred-household unit. And we're going to Meng Weimin's hundred-household unit! What a load of crap, Meng the Great Hero. The people are blowing him up to the heavens, almost saying he's the reincarnation of a sage! This old man doesn't believe it. I think he's just an inflated fool!" Guo Tianyang said indignantly.

"But... three hundred elites attacking a hundred-household unit, and it's a surprise attack. Isn't that a bit... won't His Majesty blame us?" The little eunuch asked cautiously.

Guo Tianyang sighed and shook his head, "We'll see when the time comes."

"This virtuous brother of mine is no ordinary person. How many people have fallen into his hands? Prince Wu, Zhang Shi, Yan Guoan... each of them with high positions and great power. So we must not underestimate him! And you haven't seen his subordinates. Each of them is burly and strong, and they're shameless when they fight. The thighs of our investigators aren't even as thick as their arms!" Guo Tianyang frowned tightly. "Three hundred elites ambushing his hundred-household unit. This old man doesn't believe there can be any mistakes!"

"His Majesty will blame us, but this old man absolutely cannot lose! Your father's old face is almost completely lost... If we lose again this time, I don't think there's any need to keep the Eastern Depot."

The little eunuch said nervously, "Is Master Fang really that powerful? The Embroidered Uniform Guard is offending many powerful people everywhere in the capital by handling cases."

Guo Tianyang smiled bitterly, "Powerful? If he were castrated, there would be nothing for your father to do!"

"He's offending powerful people my ass! He's killing small fish and shrimps, but he lets go of those with backgrounds after messing with them a little. They reconcile after court. He's slippery. Do you really think the Embroidered Uniform Guard is as tough as the common people say?"

"And look at what kind of cards he's playing? Every time the Embroidered Uniform Guard goes out on official business, they always mention His Majesty's and the court's achievements, and the people are grateful. Although His Majesty hasn't expressed it, but this old man has followed him for so many years, and His Majesty is happy in his heart!"

"You guys! Besides fucking hoarding money, taking advantage, and being cunning, you can't do anything right! I have to clean up your shit. If you screw up this time, you're all dead!"

"Damn it... Why didn't the Eastern Depot produce a Meng Weimin? Have you found anything suspicious while investigating that Meng Weimin?"

The little eunuch thought for a moment and hesitated, "Really, no, foster father!"

"He just goes out on official business on weekdays, doesn't go to brothels, doesn't go to big restaurants... He doesn't even look sideways at other women, and he takes time to buy rouge and powder for his wife."

"I personally tracked him to his house with people. You didn't see his wife, she's really disgusting!"

"Foster father, he really is impeccable! Several investigators under him even tasted the leftovers he threw away, and they all said it was disgusting after eating it."

"Even so, Meng Weimin can still eat it every day... Maybe he really is a sage."

......