Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

It was night.

Yang Fengfan sought out a well-reputed restaurant and prepared a lavish dinner for Emperor Jing and the others on the highest floor of the third story.

After a day of rushing about, everyone's stomachs were already empty and they were incredibly hungry.

The group ate heartily and enjoyed themselves immensely.

As the banquet reached its peak, Emperor Jing summoned Fang Zheng to hold a wine cup and gaze into the distance from the railing.

Fang Zheng didn't know what Emperor Jing wanted to say, so he sipped his wine slowly, looking out at the street scene.

At this moment, the streets were still very lively, with many people hanging lanterns and doing business, and passersby coming and going, haggling over prices.

After a long while, Emperor Jing said with emotion, "Zheng Yi, I have gained a lot from this trip in disguise."

"I often think that as long as we follow the ancestral system and the words of the sages, we can greatly govern the world. Therefore, I have always been hesitant to make a decision on the issue of liberalizing commerce. Seeing this scene today, I know that you are right."

"The power of merchants has been underestimated for a long time. Now, because of your repeated advice and efforts to seek change, so many people have opened their eyes."

"I want to implement the methods within Pingwan County in Hengjiang Prefecture, and also set up a special yamen to handle commercial affairs. What do you think?"

Fang Zheng said, "Your Majesty wants to continue to expand the scope of liberalizing commerce in Hengjiang Prefecture, and I certainly agree. From the beginning, I planned to promote it throughout Hengjiang Prefecture, but the resistance in the court was too great. Now, looking at it again, there should not be much resistance."

"As for the matter of establishing a new yamen, I suggest that it be postponed... Everything is still in its initial stages, so it is better to let the people grow freely. Premature intervention may stifle the seedlings before they can blossom and bear fruit. If Your Majesty really wants to establish a new yamen, it should focus on restraining the government, not the people."

"However, I believe that the most convenient way is for Your Majesty to send the Embroidered Uniform Guard to assist the local yamen according to the methods of Pingwan County."

"Since Your Majesty is determined to seek change, why not mention this to the other officials?"

Emperor Jing was noncommittal, "This matter still needs to be formally discussed when we return, but speaking of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, you are not in office, how do you feel after being idle for so long?"

Fang Zheng stretched lazily, his drunken eyes somewhat hazy, "To be honest, your subject feels completely relaxed!"

?!

This scoundrel hasn't changed at all, he even wanted to find an opportunity to ask him if he wanted to be reinstated.

But all he said was this?

Emperor Jing snorted and said faintly, "At the beginning, I invited you from Taoyuan County, but you resigned from office. You really haven't changed at all. Are you so unwilling to be an official?"

Feeling that he had said something inappropriate, Fang Zheng was not flustered.

After all, he had been with Emperor Jing for so long, and they were family, so there was nothing to panic about.

Fang Zheng said, "Forgive me for speaking frankly, whether I can be an official is not important to me. I regard power and wealth as fleeting clouds, and in this life, I only seek to be true to myself."

Emperor Jing smiled, "How do you define being true to yourself?"

Fang Zheng was a little tipsy, looking at the crowd downstairs, his eyes filled with some memories, "Your Majesty, look at these common people, their lives seem to be okay, but they can't bear any risks."

"They have no power or influence, they toil all day long, and they can be bullied by others. Seeing their parents grow old and suffer from illness, they are helpless, and they are tormented by life throughout their lives."

"I deeply understand this in the first half of my life. When I am an official, I can influence one area, and when I am not an official, I can also influence the people as much as I can. This is enough. For me, this is already personal fulfillment, and I have no regrets in life."

After listening to his words, Emperor Jing felt a sense of relief, but he was still secretly shocked.

The first half of his life, then he was only ten years old? A teenager in his teens actually has such insights, he is indeed a prodigy among prodigies!

"Since it is all for the benefit of the people, why not choose to be in the officialdom and strive for promotion. You have the talent of a prime minister, and with your ability to benefit the world, wouldn't it be even more complete?"

Fang Zheng took another sip of wine and smiled, "I am a mortal... as a person, I am lazy, I go with the flow and take things as they come. Now that I am married and have a family, it's good not to have to run around every day."

"You..."

Emperor Jing was about to scold this unpromising son-in-law when suddenly a crisp sound came from the horizon.

"Bang~ Pa!"

A dazzling firework burst open and disappeared into the sky.

As soon as this sound fell, a second sound rang out immediately, followed by a series of sounds.

Shining iron trees and silver flowers appeared in the sky, and the scenery was visible everywhere.

The ministers who were originally toasting at the banquet also stood up and walked to the railing, looking out from the railing.

The blooming fireworks were beautiful, accompanied by the sound, and the people on the street also stopped to watch.

Cheers and explosions were endless.

Emperor Jing couldn't help but smile and said to Yang Fengfan, "卿家, what is the situation with these fireworks? Did you prepare them specifically for me?"

Yang Fengfan quickly glanced at Fang Zheng and then said, "I am ashamed to say that I did not think of preparing a fireworks display specifically for Your Majesty."

"These fireworks are set off at a fixed time in the county, but it just happened to be tonight. I was negligent and failed to remind Your Majesty in advance."

Emperor Jing waved his hand, "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, is there any saying for setting off fireworks at a fixed time in the county?"

Yang Fengfan said, "In response to Your Majesty, there is no saying, it will be set off once or twice every month. Just because... considering that the people in the city work hard and are busy all day long, and the county has surplus funds, they purchase some fireworks and publicly set them off for the people of the city to enjoy."

"I set off fireworks once or twice a month, and the people are happy to see it, and it can also relieve some fatigue. This money... I have not reported it to the court, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Fang Zheng chimed in, "Your Majesty, I think this money is well spent! The people don't have much money and can't afford many fireworks. The yamen buys fireworks and sets them off, which doesn't cost much money. The people are happy to see it. I think this spiritual power is also a wealth. The next day they go to work, they will be more motivated with a good mood!"

The ministers happily watched the fireworks show, and nodded when they heard Fang Zheng speak.

Emperor Jing was often in the military and knew that marching and deploying troops should be relaxed and disciplined.

Moreover, buying some fireworks doesn't cost much money.

So he said with relief, "Yang Qing thought so carefully, no wonder he can govern Pingwan County so outstandingly! It seems that I have wronged you by transferring you to Hengjiang Prefecture."

Yang Fengfan was overjoyed!

As expected of Lord Fang! This trick is really good!

"I am ashamed to be worthy of it, there are still many shortcomings!"

Emperor Jing smiled and shook his head slightly, turned around and stood with his hands behind his back to continue admiring the fireworks.

....

The banquet dispersed.

Everyone returned to their residences, and Emperor Jing was naturally arranged to be in a separate location.

As for Fang Zheng and the others, because there were too many people, they directly found an inn nearby to settle down.

Fang Zheng chose a room with a window and was about to undress and sleep.

This day really exhausted him enough, and the matter has finally come to a successful conclusion.

Tomorrow, he will return to Beijing to continue enjoying life, and he has to see his son and daughter-in-law.

Just as he was about to lie down, there was a sudden knock on the door...