Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"Good! Let's say you make sense for now, but what's the meaning of letting merchants wear silk and ride in carriages?"

"Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants are inherently of low status! Merchants are lowly people, not worthy of gracing refined halls. The common people despise them, so why should they wear silk and ride in carriages? According to your, Lord Xu's, opinion, will merchants eventually enter the imperial court?"

"Today they dare to wear silk and ride in carriages, tomorrow I don't know what merchants will...."

Fang Zheng Yi then unleashed a long string of nasty words, practically condemning merchants to the dung heap, never to rise again.

Because he spoke so harshly, everyone couldn't bear to listen and wanted to stop Fang Zheng Yi.

Even Emperor Jing frowned upon hearing this.

He couldn't help but interrupt: "Enough, that's about enough."

Fang Zheng Yi wiped the spittle from his mouth: "Your Majesty, I'm sorry, I'm done speaking. Just now, it seemed Lord Yang Yingcai had something to say, so I'll stop."

"Speak! Speak!"

After Fang Zheng Yi finished speaking, he turned his head to look at Yang Yingcai, gesturing for him to speak.

Yang Yingcai was disgusted and had no choice but to stand up.

Originally, he wanted to oppose the policy of easing restrictions on merchants, but Fang Zheng Yi's interference made it impossible for him to voice his opinion.

It was just a matter of a small county.

He couldn't possibly associate with such vermin! How would he face people in the future?

After hesitating for a moment, Yang Yingcai said: "I think Lord Fang's words are an exaggeration. Are merchants not human? What's wrong with wearing silk and riding in carriages?"

"In today's discussion of economic principles, no one can surpass Lord Xu... I agree to open a pilot program to ease restrictions on merchants."

Xu Wenshu suddenly understood.

So, this kid Fang Zheng Yi knew he was annoying, so he launched a preemptive strike.

After all, no one wants to stick with filth.

Fang Zheng Yi was still pretending, putting on a look of dissatisfaction: "I cannot agree with this statement. Although I also emphasize commerce in Taoyuan County, I have seen countless merchants and know them all too well. They are all short-sighted, profit-driven people. We must not relax restrictions!"

"My Taoyuan County is also under the jurisdiction of Hengjiang Prefecture. Many merchants in the county do business in Hengjiang Prefecture City, and there are not a few in Pingwan County. No one understands the chaos in this area better than I do!"

"Moreover, Lord Xu, why do you believe that the rise of merchants will benefit the country? Can you even predict the future?"

Oh~~!

The officials suddenly understood!

Good heavens! No wonder you, you dog, are so vehemently opposed. So, you're worried about losing a slice of your Taoyuan County's pie!

Xu Wenshu also gradually got into the mood, lightly flicked his sleeves, and said calmly: "Lord Fang, I have been an official in the Ministry of Revenue since I first entered the imperial court. I have seen countless commercial affairs among the people. Merchants are no different from ordinary people. There are treacherous merchants, but there are also righteous merchants. One must not easily draw conclusions based solely on the word 'merchant.' The current situation is an unprecedented change, and the increase in commercial tax is inevitable."

"Lord Fang, times have changed."

"Uh......"

Fang Zheng's face was stern, and he cupped his hands to Emperor Jing and said: "Your Majesty, verbal disputes are useless. Please, Your Majesty, make a wise decision!"

Emperor Jing had a smile on his lips, quietly watching Fang Zheng Yi perform.

Interesting, he really won't give up until he achieves his goal, even pulling Xu Wenshu onto the same front.

I don't know how he managed to do it.

Emperor Jing opened his mouth and said: "Do you gentlemen have any other opinions? Master Li, what do you think of this matter?"

Li Yansong said: "Your Majesty, this old minister believes that opening just one county will not have a significant impact and is not necessarily impossible. This minister also vaguely feels that the atmosphere in the capital has changed somewhat. Moreover, Lord Xu's words do indeed raise a key issue. The current abundance of grain and the large number of idle men are probably not a blessing for the country. Merchants opening more factories and recruiting idle people to work is a good thing. This minister believes that the Ministry of Revenue is professional, and the Ten Policies for Easing Restrictions on Merchants are not too outrageous. In extraordinary times, extraordinary methods should be used. Let's implement it first to observe the effects."

"I second that!" "I second that!"

A chorus of approval rang out, and Fang Zheng Yi felt relieved, but still showed a look of bereavement.

The others secretly laughed in their hearts. It seems Pingwan County is quite important to Taoyuan County.

If Taoyuan County hadn't suffered a great loss of benefits, this dog wouldn't be jumping over the wall in desperation.

Aren't you usually the best at spewing nonsense? Your time has come!

Emperor Jing nodded in agreement: "Since most of you have no objections, then is there a suitable person to manage Pingwan County?"

Fang Zheng Yi had a sullen face and swept his gaze backward. Suddenly, he saw a figure among the Hanlin Academy members, and his heart stirred. He looked at Yang Yingcai and said: "Your Majesty! Since Lord Yang strongly advocates easing restrictions on merchants, I think it would be better to select someone from the Hanlin Academy! They are all talented people, and they speak so nicely."

Yang Yingcai opened his mouth, glaring at Fang Zheng Yi with hatred.

This is not a good job!

Everyone simply supported it verbally, but no one sincerely thought this was a good thing. Moreover, being lenient with merchants doesn't sound good, and what if this damned pilot program goes wrong?

Who would be willing to demean themselves and run to Pingwan County to be the magistrate? No one wants to do it!

Yang Yingcai helplessly swept his gaze behind him, suddenly seeing a wretched figure, and his eyes lit up, saying: "Your Majesty, the Hanlin Academy has a suitable candidate. Hanlin Compiler Yang Fengfan is knowledgeable and well-connected in the Hanlin Academy. He will definitely be able to perfectly serve as the magistrate of Pingwan County."

"We second that!" As soon as Yang Yingcai finished speaking, a large chorus of voices rang out.

Yang Fengfan's tears were about to fall, and then he was pushed out by someone.

He stood trembling in place, full of grievances.

He had been licking Fang Zheng Yi for so long and hadn't seen any rewards, making him an outsider on both sides.

Now, not only did he not get anything good from Fang Zheng Yi, but he was also ruthlessly tricked.

What kind of life is this!

Yang Fengfan felt like he was going to die, and his spirit instantly weakened a lot.

Emperor Jing asked: "Can you handle it?"

Yang Fengfan forced a smile: "If Your Majesty commands it, I will not hesitate to die!"

Emperor Jing waved his hand: "It's not a matter of dying. Since you are willing, then I will appoint you as the magistrate of Pingwan County. Discuss the details with the Ministry of Revenue after the court session."

"I obey the decree." After speaking, Yang Fengfan walked back in a daze amidst a chorus of snickers.

"Let's continue with the meeting."

After the court session, Fang Zheng Yi saw that no one was paying attention and caught up with Xu Wenshu.

He first performed a salute and smiled: "Lord Xu, thank you for today."

Xu Wenshu snorted coldly: "You and I are even. Don't look for this old man again in the future, and about my nephew Xu Ping..."

"Don't worry, this matter is just an ordinary business. What's done is done."

Xu Wenshu turned his head and turned away neatly, not bothering to pay attention to him anymore.

Fang Zheng Yi smiled cheekily, not caring at all. As long as the goal was achieved, everything else didn't matter.

Just as he was pondering how to handle Pingwan County, a trembling voice suddenly came from his ear.

"Lord... Lord Fang."