Royal Gold Magistrate

“Quick! Present it at once!”

Li Yansong’s emotions were stirred up as well. For the young eunuch to act this way, something major must have happened in Jianjiang again.

Guo Tianyang hurriedly went down to receive the urgent report and presented it to the Emperor.

His Majesty immediately opened it for a look. His pupils instantly dilated as he bent his head closer to read carefully.

At this moment, the officials below held their breaths, anxiously awaiting the Emperor’s reaction.

…

After a long while, His Majesty lifted his head and laughed heartily!

Holding up the memorial in one hand, he declared in high spirits, “Ministers, take a look! This is what I’ve been biding my time for! The floods in Jianjiang are no longer a problem!”

With that, he slammed the memorial down in front of Chen Shu.

Chen Shu hastily crawled over to pick up the memorial. Unfolding it, he couldn’t help but read softly, “…At the mouth of the Yintuo River, the north and south peaks collapsed, blocking the river. The floodwaters have been diverted east and will not return. The danger to Jianjiang has now been mostly resolved, but the displaced people still…”

As he read on, Chen Shu’s face changed color and cold sweat poured down.

He had just argued with the Emperor, but now the floods had resolved themselves… Unbelievable…

The other officials were astonished at these words and looked at His Majesty in surprise.

How did Your Majesty know the peaks would collapse? Could this truly be a sign from Heaven?

His Majesty gazed down from on high, the astonished looks from the officials below adding a mysterious air about him.

“Chen Shu, what else do you have to say?”

Chen Shu kowtowed three times, his head striking the floor resoundingly. In anguish and indignation, he cried, “Your Majesty is brilliant and sagely! Please forgive this foolish official for ignorantly arguing with you. This official deserves ten thousand deaths!”

Usually these self-righteous types had quite the attitude, able to argue three points for every one you made. A scene like today’s was very rare.

His Majesty only felt refreshed to the core, like gulping down a glass of ice water on a scorching summer day.

Of course a heavy punishment was out of the question. Making a fuss over a minor issue would be blocking open criticism.

So His Majesty waved his hand generously. “Enough. Considering that you were thinking of the country, your salary will only be docked for half a year!”

“This official thanks Your Majesty!” Chen Shu secretly felt he got off easy as he slowly got back up.

Li Yansong saw the crisis was resolved and also felt much relieved. So he asked His Majesty, “Your Majesty, this official wishes to know…”

“Report~!”

Before he could finish, yet another young eunuch came running in, carrying a memorial.

“Your Majesty, urgent report from Jianjiang Prefecture!”

“Read it!”

“Thanks to the blessings and protection of Heaven, the collapse of the Twin Peaks at Yintuo… the flood crisis is resolved… With Your Majesty’s might and prestige overawing them, the army entered Jianjiang to exterminate the bandits. The Water God Sect scattered without a fight upon hearing the news. Rumor has it that the Water God Sect’s holy maiden is none other than Princess Shui Yibai, the third princess of the previous Qian Dynasty. Her current whereabouts are unknown…”

His Majesty was overjoyed and the officials all breathed sighs of relief.

Double blessings!

Suddenly one official noticed something amiss.

Two! Two urgent reports… with overlapping information.

Hiss… His Majesty had secretly dispatched another contingent to Jianjiang, keeping everyone in the dark!

At this point, His Majesty was in great spirits. The depression from the last period had been wiped away. He continued, “Good… Very good! Sir Li, what were you going to ask Us earlier?”

“Uh… This old official wanted to ask how Your Majesty could predict the flood crisis would be easily resolved.”

The other officials all looked to His Majesty again.

Yes, even if Your Majesty had sent people, so what? It’s not like you could push down the mountains!

His Majesty looked at their puzzled faces and inwardly laughed to himself.

It’s time to reveal Fang Zheng’s existence. That kid still wants to hide his light under a bushel, but I’ll make him openly ascend to the court with nowhere to hide!

So he smiled and said, “First, you beloved ministers must have many questions in your hearts.”

“Actually… the one who resolved this matter is someone else! Half a month ago, I accidentally visited Taoyuan County when out of the palace… Have any of you heard of Taoyuan County?”

The officials were at a loss and began whispering to each other.

After some discussion, no one could say anything definitive. No one knew of Taoyuan County or where it was located.

His Majesty couldn’t help but feel some admiration. That Fang Zheng boy, despite doing business for so many years, had actually kept such a tight lid on things. Quite the skill indeed.

So His Majesty continued, “The magistrate of Taoyuan County can be considered an extraordinary man! He actually possesses the art of moving mountains, so I specially disguised myself to do business with this Fang Zheng!”

“Ah… Since there is such an extraordinary person, why didn’t Your Majesty directly decree for him to go provide disaster relief?” an official quickly asked.

His Majesty smiled and shook his head. “I only found out by chance. Time was of the essence.”

Li Yansong said, “Your Majesty! Could it be that last time Your Majesty left the palace was specifically to find this person?”

His Majesty gave an inscrutable smile, neither confirming nor denying it.

I actually went to buy tea leaves. You think I’d tell you?

“Indeed! Although Fang Zheng is only in his early twenties, his political achievements are splendid. Under his governance, the people of Taoyuan County live and work in peace and contentment. Now he has accomplished this great deed!”

“This man is quite skilled in economics. Beloved ministers, tell me, how should I reward him?”

Li Yansong asked curiously, “Your Majesty, if this man has such splendid political achievements and is so outstanding, why is he not well-known?”

“Hmm… Perhaps it’s because he’s in a remote area and the court forgot about him… But I noticed this man seems quite lazy by nature. I’m afraid he plans to spend his whole life in Taoyuan County.”

His Majesty told a white lie. If he spoke the whole truth, he’d have to expend more effort to push through rewarding Fang Zheng.

Li Yansong said, “Since this man is skilled at both governance and economics, why doesn’t Your Majesty grant him the position of an official outside the Ministry of Revenue, reward him a thousand taels of gold, and allow him to enter the Hanlin Academy as a Hanlin Scholar? That would instantly promote him two ranks to seventh rank. I think that should be enough to make up for the court neglecting him all these years…”

The others started debating again.

“An excellent idea!”

“Minister Li is prudent indeed… For someone so young to be made a fifth-rank official is already not bad.”

“Absolutely! This man has boundless prospects ahead…”

His Majesty frowned. “Isn’t that too little?”

Li Yansong was a bit surprised. Too little? That’s not a small reward at all! Making him a seventh-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue in one fell swoop. His future prospects would be limitless!

He then asked, “Then what is Your Majesty’s opinion?”

His Majesty said sternly, “I once spoke with Fang Zheng and said that if someone could resolve this disaster, he would be granted a noble title and appointed as Prime Minister!”

“Therefore, I plan to bestow upon him the title of Marquis of Taoyuan. As for his fief… Taoyuan County will be granted to him.”

“Not only that… The Crown Prince also visited Taoyuan County and benefited greatly. I find that man’s ideas to be a bit unorthodox. Perhaps it will be of help to the Crown Prince. So I want him to enter the Imperial Clan Court and serve as Junior Grand Tutor!”

The so-called Imperial Clan Court only comprised of two members, the Senior and Junior Grand Tutors, who specialized in educating the Crown Prince. They were usually also Hanlin Scholars. It was very rare to have someone specialize in this role full-time. To directly promote someone like Fang Zheng to Junior Grand Tutor was completely unprecedented.

If the Crown Prince ascended the throne, then serving in the Imperial Clan Court was equivalent to being the Crown Prince’s teacher, commonly known as “The Emperor’s Teacher.”

The three top ministers of the current Cabinet – Zheng Qiao, Li Yansong, and Zhang Dongxiang – had all previously served concurrently in the Imperial Clan Court.

So they paid extra attention to Imperial Clan Court appointments.

“Unacceptable!” Zhang Dongxiang stepped forward.

“Your Majesty! Although Fang Zheng’s merits are great, these rewards are a bit excessive and violate protocol. This official suggests granting him a rank 5 nobility title would suffice.”

“This man is still young, not much older than the Crown Prince. How can he instruct the Crown Prince?”

“From what Your Majesty has said, you seem to value this man highly. But although he is exceptionally talented, this old official thinks he still needs some tempering. It wouldn’t be too late to promote him in the future!”

His Majesty was just about to speak when Li Yuanzhao, who had been holding back at the side, finally couldn’t help himself!

Upon hearing the news of moving mountains and blocking the floods, he was so overjoyed that he almost jumped up.

To think Fang Zheng could actually unleash lightning from the Heavens!

Now hearing that Father Emperor wanted to break precedent by letting Fang Zheng enter the Imperial Clan Court made him so happy he could barely contain it.

Then Zhang Dongxiang threw a wrench in things, causing Li Yuanzhao’s face to darken.

“Grand Tutor Zhang, I think it’s most appropriate for County Magistrate Fang to enter the Imperial Clan Court.”

“In just one day at Taoyuan County, I made great strides! If you don’t believe me, ask Tutor Yan!”

Yan Guoan was originally a Grand Tutor in the Imperial Clan Court responsible for educating the Crown Prince. Upon hearing the Crown Prince call him, Yan Guoan immediately stepped forward and bowed.

Then he awkwardly said, “It is indeed so… Since returning from his trip, the Crown Prince has been exceptionally diligent in his studies… He’s even memorized several books…”

Yan Guoan wished he could burrow into the ground to escape the strange looks everyone was giving him.

Everyone knew what the Crown Prince was really like. Memorizing books? If he even touched a book cover it would be impressive!

Yan Guoan had originally thought the Crown Prince had seen the light. He figured this achievement could be attributed to himself. Who knew Fang Zheng would pop out of nowhere halfway.

Now he was so embarrassed he wanted to dig his toes into the ground.

His Majesty glanced at Li Yuanzhao. To think this unfilial son would actually buckle down and memorize books just to get Fang Zheng into the Imperial Clan Court.

Hearing this, Zhang Dongxiang immediately shut his mouth.

Now that the realm was at peace, there was no task more important than educating the Crown Prince.

When a prodigal son reforms, it’s worth more than gold!

If there really was someone in this world who could cause the Crown Prince to transform so drastically, then no reward was too great.

His Majesty swept his gaze across the hall and said mildly, “Beloved ministers… Any more objections? If not, I will issue the decree.”