Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

In the following days, Fang Zheng brought Ali Bai to tour around the capital.

They visited shops, academies, scenic spots, and even some unimportant government offices in the capital, which Fang Zheng took him to see.

Although Ali Bai enjoyed himself, he was also a little confused.

Fang Zheng's image in his mind had undergone a great change without him realizing it.

State Preceptor Paba said that he was unusual and unconventional.

Indeed, that was the case... This person was too open and aboveboard! It was as if he would say whatever was on his mind and speak from the heart. Ordinary people definitely did not have this kind of magnanimity.

He was also present when Fang Zheng reprimanded his subordinates, and it could be said that he was fair in meting out rewards and punishments. Whenever he issued instructions, they were always accurate and clear, never beating around the bush.

Moreover, he freely used swear words and spittle flew everywhere, displaying an extremely strong Jianghu (martial arts world) aura, like a complete rogue.

Even in the Jin Kingdom, it would be difficult to find such an official?

With such a straightforward person, why did the State Preceptor repeatedly tell him to be careful?... Ali Bai was puzzled.

However, State Preceptor Paba's ability and influence in the Jin Kingdom were obvious to all. If even such a person told him to be wary of Fang Zheng, then it would definitely not be without reason.

Therefore, Ali Bai still harbored apprehension in his heart, maintaining vigilance at all times.

Fang Zheng was also quite depressed these past few days, as he had not been able to extract any useful information from this kid.

He was foolish and dull, and it seemed that he really didn't have much status in his country and was not valued.

He was quite enthusiastic when talking about novels and countries.

His trip here should just be purely to deliver gifts.

However, there were still some unusual things that Fang Zheng keenly noticed. This kid was wary of him.

Although he didn't know why, it was definitely not a good thing.

If something went wrong when he went to the Jin Kingdom later, he would inevitably have to rely on Ali Bai in case of unexpected situations.

He had to think of a way to develop him into a subordinate...

One day, Fang Zheng was sorting out his official duties, while Ali Bai sat quietly beside him.

There was also a stack of official documents next to him, which Fang Zheng had specially given him to read to relieve boredom. None of them were important matters.

They were nothing more than punishments for some minor officials and petty clerks.

After a long while, Fang Zheng put the sorted documents aside on the table, raised his head, and said, "Second Prince, how about we don't watch a play today and go to Dongjiao University to take a look?"

Ali Bai's heart skipped a beat.

Dongjiao University... He seemed to have heard of it in his country. It was a special place.

Moreover, he had also heard in the capital these past few days that Fang Zheng was the principal of Dongjiao University.

This was an extremely important place, and it seemed necessary to go and see it in person.

"Alright, everything will be arranged by Lord Fang."

......

Outside Dongjiao University, Fang Zheng and Ali Bai stood side by side.

Ali Bai looked at the wide school gate and the huge landscape stone at the entrance, and his heart was slightly shaken.

For a mere school to be built so grandly, there should only be this one in the world.

"Second Prince, please follow me, and I will introduce you to everything." As he spoke, Fang Zheng had already stepped into the school.

Ali Bai followed closely behind.

The decoration inside the school was exquisite, with a different view at every step.

In addition, the atmosphere of study was free and relaxed, and many students were strolling around the school, talking to each other, showing a relaxed and contented scene.

Fang Zheng pointed to the landscape in the distance and said, "Second Prince, do you know how much silver it cost to build this school?"

Ali Bai lowered his head and pondered, "I'm afraid it's no less than tens of thousands of taels."

Fang Zheng shook his head and held out two fingers: "Tens of thousands of taels? That can't even cover half of it, no less than two hundred thousand taels!"

"And look at the trees over there, they are all rare tree species transported from the south. The craftsmen who built the houses are also craftsmen from the Ministry of Works, and there are also the textbooks in this school..." Fang Zheng said as if enumerating his family's treasures, "If it weren't for the fact that this land was approved by the royal family, plus the many support provided by the imperial court, two hundred thousand taels would not be enough."

"Not only that, but two hundred thousand taels is only the initial investment, and a series of subsequent expenses will continue to flow in."

Ali Bai was shocked. The Jin Kingdom's annual revenue was only more than fifteen million taels, and building a school in the capital would cost hundreds of thousands of taels of silver?

What financial resources were these!

"What do you think, Second Prince?" Fang Zheng asked.

Ali Bai smiled reluctantly: "It is indeed amazing, but is it necessary to spend so much silver to build a school? What is taught here?"

"It encompasses everything, roughly divided into arts and sciences, this arts subject is... but at the moment, practicality is the main focus. To put it simply, it is to train craftsmen, of course, these are knowledgeable craftsmen, we also call them college students here."

"Craftsmen?" A huge doubt arose in Ali Bai's heart: "According to my understanding of your country, the status of craftsmen is probably not that high, right? Isn't it against tradition to train craftsmen so grandly?"

Fang Zheng laughed: "Second Prince is indeed knowledgeable, that's right! However, the so-called tradition is just the inheritance of spirit, as for how it is displayed, it doesn't matter. In the future, the college students trained by our Dongjiao University will be able to top ten oxen and horses, I don't know how many people will benefit from it."

"Dajing will also benefit from these oxen and horses. This is tradition!"

One college student can top ten oxen and horses.

Dajing has so many people... how many oxen and horses would that be?!

"How can one person compare to ten oxen and horses?"

Although Ali Bai didn't quite understand, he was greatly shocked.

"That naturally depends on learning." Fang Zheng answered vaguely and continued to walk forward.

Ali Bai didn't know what to ask and silently followed, looking around at the same time.

As he walked, he stopped and pointed to several buildings in front of him and asked: "Lord Fang, I see that many houses inside have signs hanging on them, what are the uses of those without signs?"

"Oh, considering that new majors will be added in the future, there are many empty houses left for future use."

As Fang Zheng said, he pointed to the building in front of him: "Look, this is the medical school recently funded and named by the Beijing Guild of Ancestors. People in Beijing who aspire to study medicine will come here to study."

"And there are these flowers and plants outside, many of which are herbs cultivated by the students themselves, let's go in and take a look."

Inside the medical school, the teacher was leading a group of new students, rambling on and on, and a group of students were gesturing with needles on pigskin.

Ali Bai asked curiously: "Why did you take a needle, is this practicing acupuncture? What is the tube behind the needle for?"

"No, it's not acupuncture. The tube contains a medicinal liquid, which is injected directly into the patient's body, which is more effective than drinking it."

"I see, it's really brilliant." Ali Bai silently remembered, nodded seriously, "I wonder if I can take a closer look?"

"It's just a small matter." Fang Zheng said and pushed the door open.

Seeing Fang Zheng coming, everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and greeted him loudly.

Fang Zheng raised his hand lightly and said, "Today, the principal will bring distinguished guests to visit. What are you learning?"

"Learning to inject."

"Come, show the distinguished guests." Fang Zheng pointed casually and picked a student.

The student stepped out tremblingly and said in a low voice: "Principal Fang, I just came and haven't practiced well..."

"What are you afraid of! If I tell you to inject, then inject. The distinguished guests just want to see how to inject, don't be nervous."

The student tremblingly picked up the needle and injected it into the pigskin while shivering.

Fang Zheng pulled a long face and pulled Ali Bai and said: "Let's go, Second Prince, let me show you something else."

.....