Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Fang Zheng smiled, took a sip of tea, and extended his hand, saying, "Master Xu, why not finish reading them before you speak?"

Xu Wenshu broke out in a cold sweat and began to read them one by one.

With each page he read, his hand trembled slightly.

Each sheet of paper recorded the names of famous figures in the court, and the content was actually the various industries of their families in the capital.

The detailed content was astonishing. Even he, in the Ministry of Revenue with some understanding of the situation, did not have as clear a picture as the letters recorded.

Most importantly, his own family was included, and with perfect accuracy....

After reading all the contents, Xu Wenshu felt much heavier. He raised his head and said, "Master Fang, what exactly do you mean?"

Fang Zheng smiled slightly, "It doesn't mean anything."

"You see, the officials of my Great Jing all claim to despise merchants. But in private, each of them has their own business. What I've shown you today is just the tip of the iceberg."

"I remember that the Great Jing Law should have regulations prohibiting officials and their relatives from engaging in commerce. This is to prevent collusion between officials and merchants, and the abuse of power for personal gain. If the things collected by the Embroidered Uniform Guard were known to the outside world, wouldn't that be the biggest scandal in my Great Jing?"

This was already a tacitly understood, unspoken rule. Everyone knew it, so why were you, Fang Zheng, so energetic about it?

Xu Wenshu said with difficulty, "What exactly is your intention? Is it just to want to open a pilot program for loosening restrictions on merchants?"

"Heh heh, it may sound presumptuous, but it's for this matter. The Embroidered Uniform Guard cracks down on illegality, and court officials compete with the people for profit, so of course I have to find a way to solve it," Fang Zheng said with a chuckle.

"Master Xu, I started in Peach Blossom County, so I understand the power of merchants very well. Now is the time when commerce is rising. Why not give it a push? Times have changed. You and I may soon see a prosperous age that our predecessors could not have imagined!"

Xu Wenshu's eyelids twitched a few times, and he suddenly felt particularly wronged.

He originally thought that Fang Zheng was just a shameless person, but he didn't expect him to be a madman.

Times have changed? Who do you think you are!

"Master Fang, couldn't you just report directly to the Emperor? The memorial is already written, so why are you talking to me?"

"Master Xu, don't pretend. If I could get a response by reporting to the Emperor, would I still be looking for you? Just tell me, will you help me or not? As long as you give the word, I think it won't be difficult for the court to open a pilot program," Fang Zheng said casually.

Xu Hongcai stared at him with a curious expression. The feeling this man gave him was really indescribable.

Seeing that the conversation had already opened up, Xu Wenshu's face fell, and he pushed the letters in front of Fang Zheng, "I won't help! It would naturally be easier for me to speak about this matter, but how would others see me? You're thinking too beautifully!"

Fang Zheng pushed the letters back in front of Xu Wenshu and said in a low voice, "Aren't you afraid that I'll make this information public? Let the world see how hypocritical the high officials in our court are?"

Xu Wenshu sneered, "It's probably not me who's afraid, but you, Master Fang. If this letter becomes known to everyone, everyone will know that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is secretly monitoring court officials. At that time, everyone will fear you and isolate you. You will be the target of public criticism. I don't believe you dare to offend everyone."

"If it really comes to that point, the Emperor might even abolish the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who knows?"

Threatening me?

Fang Zheng's smile froze on his face, and suddenly he slammed the table.

This sudden action stunned Xu Wenshu and his son.

The smile on Fang Zheng's face had disappeared, "Master Xu, I think you've all forgotten what the Embroidered Uniform Guard is for."

"To investigate officials and arrest rebels; to manage the imperial prison, interrogate and execute. When I first took over the Embroidered Uniform Guard, all of you were worried that I would use this position to seek revenge. But the fact proves that for so long, I have been living in peace with everyone. Even if someone dislikes me, or someone disagrees with me, I ignore them."

"Even... if someone scolds me behind my back, I don't care at all." Saying this, Fang Zheng turned to look at Xu Hongcai, "Little Xu, has your father ever scolded me?"

Xu Hongcai didn't expect the topic to suddenly turn to him, but thinking that his father had just finished scolding him a few days ago, he stammered nervously, "No... definitely not. Master Fang, you're thinking too much."

"Then that means he did scold me."

"......"

Xu Wenshu blushed, "Master Fang, don't talk nonsense about things without evidence. The child is still young, don't scare him."

Fang Zheng ignored him and continued, "You should be grateful, grateful that I am sitting in this position! To tell you the truth, the Embroidered Uniform Guard never does anything out of line. The industries of those officials are all investigated, analyzed, and summarized from the market. As long as you are willing to spend time and energy, anyone can do it."

"If this position were replaced by someone simple and crude, someone who only obeys orders, what do you think would happen? Master Xu, you might as well think about it."

"Maybe your servants will no longer be servants, but Embroidered Uniform Guards. Your son may not even be your son anymore, and may also be an Embroidered Uniform Guard...."

Fang Zheng's gaze turned to Xu Hongcai again, and Xu Hongcai only felt the hairs on his body stand on end as he looked at him.

Xu Wenshu felt a chill in his heart.

What Fang Zheng said was indeed correct. Usually, they would have some dealings with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Most of the Embroidered Uniform Guards who came to their door were polite and well-dressed, which made people feel good about them, and they had a good reputation among the people.

In contrast, the Eastern Depot's agents were far inferior in quality. In order to handle major cases, they could be said to be unscrupulous.

Everyone had no objection to Fang Zheng on this point, but no one thought he was doing particularly well. After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had been like this since its inception.

Everyone took it for granted that the Embroidered Uniform Guard should be like this.

Now that Fang Zheng mentioned it, he suddenly realized.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard should have been a violent institution that worked for the Emperor privately and unscrupulously... Gentleness should never have been a characteristic it displayed, unless the leader was deliberately guiding it...

Xu Wenshu moved his lips twice, wanting to say something, but in the end, he didn't say it.

Seeing that his expression was different, Fang Zheng smiled, "Actually, you should all thank me, because I have been protecting all the colleagues in the court."

"Protecting your right to speak in the court, protecting your freedom from fear."

"With the Embroidered Uniform Guard's reputation, it is unlikely to be abolished, but if I go down, it will probably not be good for anyone. At most, everyone will end up in a lose-lose situation."

"What's more, even if I have nothing, it doesn't matter! What am I afraid of? I am the Emperor's son-in-law, the Emperor is my father, I'm eating imperial rations, isn't it nice to lie at home?"

"So, guess if I dare to release these things!"

Originally, Xu Wenshu was still thinking in his heart, but after hearing Fang Zheng say such shameless words, he sighed helplessly, "Master Fang, I'm convinced by you. Can't you change someone? Isn't your uncle better than me?"

......