Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Emperor Jing's expression remained unchanged: "Don't overthink it. I see the good work you're doing. All of you, step back. I'll take a walk and then bring people back to the city."

"Your Majesty, this is the wilderness..."

"Enough. You're all on tenterhooks every time I step out. How have you esteemed ministers become so timid?" Emperor Jing's face gradually showed displeasure.

With that, he turned and took the lead in leaving.

Fang Zheng and the others quickly followed behind him.

The atmosphere among the officials left behind was somewhat subtle.

Several high-ranking officials from the Grand Secretariat, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Revenue looked rather displeased.

The Emperor's reaction indicated dissatisfaction. Could there have been something wrong with that farmer, a plant arranged by Xin Zhang County in advance?

Upon closer inspection, there did seem to be something odd about it.

The crowd's gaze focused on Sun Sheng once more. Yang Yingcai could no longer restrain himself, stepping forward and directly questioning him: "Was that farmer you arranged for us to see eating?"

Sun Sheng looked utterly bewildered: "No! How could this official do something so clumsy?"

"If this official were truly so audacious as to fabricate a scene for His Majesty's entry into the city, wouldn't it be better to do so within the city itself? Besides, His Majesty's desire to inspect the farmland was a spur-of-the-moment decision. How could this official have had the time to arrange anything, let alone harbor such intentions?"

"Sir, what do you think His Majesty's intentions are with this action?"

Yang Yingcai was at a loss for words.

It seemed that way; it was unnecessary and too hasty.

He turned to look at his other colleagues, seeing them nod in agreement.

Yang Yingcai felt relieved and said: "Since you are forthright and upright, then there's nothing to worry about. With your current achievements, why would His Majesty have any objections?"

"Even if there are misunderstandings, this old man and my other colleagues will stand up for you and ensure justice is served."

Sun Sheng also breathed a sigh of relief: "Then this official is relieved."

"Alright, quickly go back and find more manpower to patrol this area and ensure His Majesty's safety."

......

Emperor Jing and his party walked along the edge of the fields, gradually moving away from the officials.

Only then did Emperor Jing ask: "Zheng-yi, you said there was a problem just now. What exactly is the problem?"

Fang Zheng said: "Your Majesty, don't you find it strange that a person would suddenly appear by the field, eating such a good meal?"

"It is indeed a bit strange, but if the people are living prosperous lives, what's wrong with sitting in a field and eating? I think that if I were a farmer, I would also be willing to sit on my land, enjoying the scenery while eating."

"But that person's expression was off. So many of us are dressed in fine clothing, yet an ordinary farmer showed no nervousness or fear. That in itself is very abnormal."

Emperor Jing looked down at himself.

Although he had changed into ordinary clothes, they were still of excellent quality. At a glance, an ordinary person would know that he was not a commoner.

At the very least, he would appear to be a wealthy merchant.

An ordinary person seeing this entourage would feel some nervousness in their heart.

"Hmm... that's true. But Sun Sheng seemed so open and honest. Why would he take such a risk? There's no reason for it. He wouldn't be that stupid, would he?"

Fang Zheng hesitated and said: "That's what I thought too. Therefore, if we want to understand the situation of the people, we must personally investigate. Following them will probably not yield any new discoveries. If it really is a charade, I suspect they will arrange for people to put on a performance for us below."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm at least eighty percent certain... Ah, look!" Fang Zheng said, pointing to a farmer walking towards them from the direction they had come.

His expression seemed to be smiling, but the smile was somewhat stiff.

It was as if he was practicing a performance.

Fang Zheng was overjoyed and pointed at him, saying: "Your Majesty, look! I believe this person is another plant. Watch how I expose him!"

Emperor Jing was speechless.

His son-in-law's ability to recognize people was truly remarkable, almost like having fiery golden eyes.

Fang Zheng trotted forward, running towards the farmer: "Old fellow, where are you going?"

Wang Erzhu raised his head and looked at him, feeling somewhat puzzled: "Who are you?"

"I... I'm from out of town, asking about the situation. Old fellow, what are you planning to do?"

"Me? I'm going into the city to have a good meal. Is there anything else you want to ask?"

Fang Zheng sneered: "Going into the city to have a good meal? You probably also want to buy some good things and then make three or five cotton quilts for your family, so everyone has a quilt to change into, right?"

Wang Erzhu was stunned for a moment, then became furious: "Idiot! Is it fun to make fun of your father! Get lost!"

He had just picked up a small ingot of silver in the field, and he was in a good mood, thinking of buying something to eat in the city.

Damn it, a fool jumped out and immediately made fun of him.

Could it be... that he saw him pick up the silver? Or... is this silver his?

Thinking of this, Wang Erzhu protected his chest, his eyes filled with vigilance.

"......"

Judging by his behavior, he knew he had made a mistake...

Fang Zheng was petrified.

Emperor Jing's face in the distance also gradually turned green.

Guo Tianyang secretly rejoiced.

So, you kid also has times when you mess up, but this bumpkin is really brave, scolding two people with one sentence...

Seeing that Wang Erzhu was still wary, Fang Zheng ran back to Emperor Jing's side sheepishly.

Then, puffing out his cheeks, he shamelessly smiled: "Ha! After searching high and low, I finally found him. This is the ordinary person I was looking for. I figured it out as soon as I tried! It's best to ask him about the situation!"

"You should stop talking."

"......"

Emperor Jing, with a stiff face, walked towards Wang Erzhu.

"May I ask what your name is?"

"What are you doing here?" Wang Erzhu panicked. He had found silver once or twice. Are so many people staring at him?

He felt that he was about to lose his money, so Wang Erzhu prepared to run away.

Fang Zheng rushed out again and introduced: "Don't worry, old fellow. We are merchants from the capital and want to do business here, so we need to find someone to understand the situation. Don't worry, we won't ask for nothing. We'll give you money."

Give money?

Wang Erzhu relaxed and said: "I see. What are your names?"

"This is Master Huang. I'm his son-in-law, my surname is Lu. This is the accountant..." Fang Zheng introduced them one by one.

Emperor Jing whispered: "Why the surname Lu?"

"The word 'official' has two mouths."

Wang Erzhu's vigilance decreased a lot: "What do you want to ask? Ask quickly. I'm busy going into the city."

"This old fellow... has a lot to say. Can we go to your house for a while? It's windy outside. We can sit down and chat slowly. What's your name?"

"Wang Erzhu. Say what you have to say here."

Wang Erzhu shook his head.

Go home? Bring four strangers home? Who knows where they come from? He's the only one at home.

Seeing that he still didn't trust them, Fang Zheng patted his chest, wanting to take out some silver.

But as soon as he patted it, he immediately ran into trouble.

When he was about to enter Xin Zhang, he had specially changed into clean clothes. The money was in his old clothes, and he didn't expect that he would need money when going on a business trip with the Emperor.

Now it was troublesome.

Looking back at Emperor Jing and the others, he whispered: "Who brought money?"

The three shook their heads.

Fang Zheng felt a little embarrassed. It was normal for the Emperor not to bring money when he went out. Zhang Biao probably didn't bring any either, and it was all exchanged for weapons.

After thinking about it, he could only helplessly pull off something from his finger and hand it to Wang Erzhu.

"Here, this is your reward."

Wang Erzhu took it and looked at it under the sun. Seeing that it was as white as solidified fat, he exclaimed:

"Oh dear, isn't this a thimble?"

"What thimble? That's a jade ring!"