Royal Gold Magistrate

The next day, Fang Zheng set off for the capital.

He went straight to the Banshan District newspaper office.

Upon seeing the reporters, he was startled. They were all skin and bones, as if three of their hun and seven of their po had been sucked away.

Like zombies, they all turned their heads in unison to look at Fang Zheng and Li Yuanzhao, who had just come up the stairs.

Although the reporters were exhausted to the extreme, their eyes still flickered with excitement.

They greeted them in unison.

Our efforts, surely the Crown Prince and Lord Fang can see them now.

They should at least give us some bonus, diamonds, or something…

Li Yuanzhao’s face was full of shame, especially as someone in the crowd stared at him with extreme resentment.

These people had followed him and ended up in this state today. He felt so ashamed that he wanted to find a crack in the ground to hide in!

Fang Zheng, on the other hand, let out a sigh.

It seemed they had reached their limit, and he couldn’t exploit them any further.

He opened his mouth and asked Shen Yi, “What’s going on? How did everyone end up so exhausted?”

Shen Yi also had a bitter smile on his face: “In response to Your Excellency, many people were sent to Jianjiang, and we don’t have enough hands left.”

“We’re exhausted from rushing work every day. Many people haven’t been home for months, eating and sleeping at the newspaper office.”

“During the day, we still have to go out to gather news, so… this is how we ended up.”

After hearing this, Fang Zheng felt indescribable.

Theoretically, being a reporter should be a popular profession anywhere, but he never expected that he had mistreated them to this extent.

It’s all Ruyun’s fault! Not putting eggs in the egg soup!

Then, Fang Zheng pretended to wipe away a tear.

“Brothers, you’ve suffered! I came back today to help improve your lives!”

“You are the meritorious officials of our Great Jing! How can I let you live like this? I won’t allow it!”

Hope flickered in the reporters’ eyes.

Everyone knew about Lord Fang’s disaster relief efforts in Jianjiang, thanks to Shen Yi’s publicity.

This is truly a good official! He must mean what he says.

Although he made a mistake with the egg soup, that must have been an accident.

Li Yuanzhao felt even more ashamed. He found a corner where no one was and sat down to watch Fang Zheng’s performance, while taking out his little notebook.

“You go out every day, doing the most difficult and tiring work, yet you still sleep on mattresses in the newspaper office.”

“This is all due to my negligence! So, this time I’ve decided to spend a fortune to buy the restaurant next to our newspaper office and renovate it into dormitories for everyone!”

“One room per person, so you can also bring your families to live together.”

“Later, we’ll connect the dormitories to the newspaper office, so you won’t have to waste time and effort going home. You can go straight to the office when you get up!”

“Although we are one big family, we shouldn’t neglect our own wives and children.”

“You are the earliest and most outstanding reporters of the newspaper. Only you have this treatment. New reporters who come later can only sleep on mattresses. Only those who perform well will have the chance to be assigned to the dormitories!”

“Next, let me introduce a new person to you. This is the new deputy director of the newspaper, Xie Xian. Let’s welcome him with applause!”

After hearing Fang Zheng’s speech, the reporters immediately burst into thunderous applause.

Joy was evident on their faces.

Lord Fang is paying to build houses for us? An extra free place to live is really generous.

Moreover, the living conditions in Banshan District are actually quite good, and many people from other districts have come here because of its reputation.

Bringing our families to live together, and occasionally going home, not having to rush to work in the morning, isn’t that wonderful!

Fang Zheng raised both hands in the air!

The applause stopped immediately.

He smiled and said, “Don’t get too excited, everyone! I haven’t finished yet!”

“Not only will the living conditions be improved! The Crown Prince and I are also concerned about your food problem.”

“As long as I, Fang Zheng, am here! There will definitely be no more instances of no oil in the dishes or no eggs in the egg soup!”

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll serve yourselves, and there must be meat in every meal, every day!”

“Xie Xian, you’re responsible for implementing this.”

Xie Xian nodded in agreement.

Upon hearing this, the reporters became even more excited.

There are only two big problems in life: food and shelter! Now the newspaper office has solved both. As long as the newspaper doesn’t fail, I’ll eat from it for a lifetime!

Fang Zheng was also very satisfied with the reporters’ reactions.

The newspaper hasn’t made a profit yet.

My management is already like the work of a philanthropist. I can’t let the people below lose out anywhere!

Moreover, as long as they don’t leave when the newspaper takes off, this group of people will become small tycoons in the future!

“There’s more! Don’t get too excited, brothers!”

There’s more? The reporters started breathing faster.

One piece of good news after another!

“In addition to all the above benefits, in view of everyone’s hard work during this period, I’ve decided to give each person…”

Fang Zheng paused here to create suspense.

Everyone’s hearts were in their throats.

Give? Give what? It must be a bonus!

As a reporter, I earn one tael of silver a month. Although it’s not considered little in absolute terms, it’s certainly not enough.

Visiting for news every day, getting people to cooperate, treating people to meals to build relationships, and so on.

Which of these doesn’t cost money?

The newspaper office doesn’t reimburse a single coin apart from the salary!

Those with good family conditions have no problem, they can subsidize themselves.

Poor scholars can only tighten their belts, borrow money, and use their silver tongues to get work done smoothly.

Although no one mentioned a pay raise, getting a bonus today is already a great thing!

Fang Zheng looked around the room, smiled slightly, and said, “Each person will receive… one tael of silver.”

One tael!?

Instantly, everyone felt devastated.

One tael of silver might be okay for regular bonuses, but after working so hard for so long, it seemed insufficient.

Li Yuanzhao also became anxious. He stood up, about to question Fang Zheng.

What can you do with one tael of silver? Are you treating us like beggars?

Weren’t you worried about reporters leaving before the autumn imperial examinations? Has Old Fang changed his mind? Does he think there are too many people and want to drive some away?

Shen Yi, in the crowd, forced a bitter smile.

“Just one tael…”

“That’s a bit stingy…”

Hearing some whispers, he couldn’t help but say loudly, “Brothers, Lord Fang is benevolent! He even gave us a bonus!”

“One tael is already very good! Do you know how hard the Crown Prince and Lord Fang worked in Jianjiang, how much they suffered?”

Fang Zheng’s eyes lit up as he looked at Shen Yi.

Good lapdog, you’ve got the big picture!

Everyone remained silent, experiencing the disappointment in their hearts.

Fang Zheng, seeing the time was right, said loudly, “One tael per person, but…”

“His Majesty and the Crown Prince thought it wasn’t enough, so the bonus has been increased a hundredfold! One hundred taels per person! Those sent to Jianjiang will receive an extra fifty taels!”

Upon hearing this, all the reporters froze in place, looking at Fang Zheng with astonished gazes.

Fang Zheng raised both hands high: “This is nothing! Starting from today, your monthly wages will be doubled!”

This time, all the reporters turned their heads back.

Extreme joy instantly filled their hearts, and a series of joyful shouts were enough to explain the situation.

“Lord Fang is benevolent!! Long live the Crown Prince!!”

“Long live His Majesty!!!”