Royal Gold Magistrate

In one day, numerous adjustments were made to the newspaper office.

The next day, Xiao Tao and others moved from Taoyuan County to the capital.

They couldn’t stop complaining about the poor living conditions in the city.

Fang Zheng had no choice! This was the best the capital could offer, they’d have to make do.

In the morning, just after settling in some new furniture and items brought from the county, Xiao Bai came running in from the doorway in a panic.

She held an invitation with both hands and presented it to Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng didn’t rush to take it, instead looking Xiao Bai up and down.

How girls change at eighteen! Her looks had improved even more!

Fair skin, beautiful face, long legs, and a slim waist.

However, her demeanor had also changed. That haughty air was gone.

Instead, she seemed more “down-to-earth.”

Fang Zheng even felt she looked at him somewhat timidly.

He couldn’t help but feel satisfied inside.

Not bad! It seems Xiao Bai has been well-educated by Xiao Tao these past few months. Now she’s more like a maid!

Seeing Xiao Bai still lowering her head, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but say, “What! Am I going to eat you or something?”

Bai Yi secretly pouted, constantly grumbling in her heart.

It’s because I’m afraid you’ll dock my pay!

It was fine when I wasn’t home, but after coming back, you scold me for being useless all day!

Bai Yi readjusted her mindset and raised her head.

Fang Zheng rubbed her head and praised, “Hmm! Not bad! Xiao Bai, although you used to be useless at everything, your cooking was terrible, you were ugly and good for nothing.”

“But in this world, there’s still the young master who cares for you.”

“Now you’ve become a qualified maid.”

“Thank you, Young Master.”

As Bai Yi listened, she inexplicably felt a hint of joy in her heart.

Being constantly belittled and occasionally encouraged had distorted her mentality.

Seeing that his psychological manipulation was working well, Fang Zheng took the invitation and said:

“Work hard! The young master remembers everything you do. Each task has points, and when you reach a hundred points, you can get a Taoyuan household registration.”

“Young Master, how many points do I have now?”

“Uh… thirty-five points!”

Bai Yi counted on her fingers, figuring it would take less than two years to get the household registration…

Suddenly, she realized something.

Her entire face instantly flushed red with blood, filled with shame, regret, and anger, among other emotions.

Having suddenly awakened, she shot Fang Zheng a fierce glare, then ran out of the courtyard.

Fang Zheng watched her graceful retreating figure, shaking his head constantly.

Wild nature is hard to tame! Still needs more education!

Then he opened the invitation in his hand, looked at the words on it, and his gaze focused.

King Wu… inviting me to be a guest at his mansion?

King Wu knew as soon as we moved here. His information network is quite efficient.

Why did he suddenly think of inviting me to his mansion?

Why didn’t he invite earlier, making it all mysterious?

Fang Zheng closed the invitation and sighed.

These riddlers are so damn annoying! Why do they always appear around me?

But after careful consideration, he decided to go and see.

After all, King Wu had no ill intentions, he just didn’t know what tricks he was up to.

Soon, Li Yuanzhao and Zhang Biao arrived at Fang Zheng’s side.

Fang Zheng handed the invitation to Li Yuanzhao and asked, “Your Highness, do you know about King Wu?”

Li Yuanzhao casually glanced at it, showing little interest: “Not much, I occasionally visit during festivals and holidays.”

“Royal Uncle has a bad reputation. Grandfather has many complaints about him, saying he doesn’t like to study and always indulges in odd skills and lewd arts.”

“As for what these odd skills and lewd arts are, I haven’t seen them myself.”

“Old Fang, aren’t you doing business with Royal Uncle? You’ve been in the capital for so long and haven’t met him yet?”

Fang Zheng shrugged.

Meet him? Initially, I wanted to, but he wouldn’t see me. Now that I’m lazy to have any contact with him, he’s coming around everywhere, acting all secretive.

What’s wrong with him!

“Then this afternoon, Your Highness, accompany me for a visit. Let’s go together!”

Li Yuanzhao clearly had no interest.

“I don’t want to go… What’s there to see? I hate going to other people’s houses during festivals and holidays to say useless nonsense.”

“Liking to stay at home is a disease! It needs treatment! Come with me!”

…….

After much coaxing and dragging, Fang Zheng managed to bring Li Yuanzhao to King Wu’s mansion.

As for why he brought him along, there was no special reason.

He just feared it might not sound good if word got out, but with the Crown Prince, there wouldn’t be this problem.

After all, Fang Zheng cared greatly about his official reputation!

When the three of them appeared at the gate of King Wu’s mansion, the doorman immediately went inside to announce their arrival.

Soon, a familiar person walked out from inside.

Fang Zheng cupped his hands and smiled, “Manager Chen, long time no see!”

Back when Fang Zheng had tied up King Wu’s men, Manager Chen personally came to the county to negotiate after they were released.

He had rarely appeared since then, but Fang Zheng still recognized him.

Manager Chen had narrow eyes, and although his face was expressionless, he always gave people the feeling that he was smiling.

He was also quite tall, especially his arms, which were noticeably longer than normal.

All important clients who had dealings with Taoyuan County had exquisite sketched portraits kept on file in the county.

This Manager Chen was no exception, and with his distinctive features, Fang Zheng remembered him clearly.

When Manager Chen saw the three people at the door, his first glance was surprisingly towards Zhang Biao.

Although the weather had started to turn cool, it wasn’t cold enough to wear heavy coats yet.

Brother Biao’s sharp style was bound to catch the eye.

Manager Chen glanced at him before kneeling towards Li Yuanzhao, respectfully saying, “Greetings, Crown Prince!”

“Mm, rise,” Li Yuanzhao said, his bottom still stinging, somewhat absent-minded.

After rising, he looked at Fang Zheng and bowed, saying, “Greetings, Lord Fang! It’s been a long time. I didn’t expect Lord Fang to still remember this humble servant.”

“Of course I remember! You’re an honored guest of our county. How could this official not remember?”

“Today, His Highness invited me here, and this official is truly delighted.”

“Actually, this official has long wanted to meet King Wu, but feared disturbing His Highness.”

“When the Crown Prince heard I was coming, he decided to come along. I hope His Highness doesn’t mind.”

Manager Chen smiled slightly: “Lord Fang jests. The Crown Prince’s visit will surely delight His Highness! However, this gentleman is…”

He looked towards Zhang Biao.

“This is the Crown Prince’s personal guard!”

Manager Chen hurriedly bowed, his etiquette impeccable and beyond reproach.

Then the three were invited into the mansion.

Fang Zheng kept looking around, trying to see if there was anything special.

Also, the county’s spies were still mixed in the mansion, though he didn’t know where.

The three were led to a great hall.

After they were seated, maids brought various snacks and fruits.

Manager Chen went to inform King Wu, and it was unclear when he would return.

A painting hung in the hall.

Fang Zheng examined it carefully, feeling it had a bit of modern art flavor!

The content of the painting was just a circle drawn with ink on white paper, nothing else!

He didn’t know what it meant!

Li Yuanzhao couldn’t sit still and began wandering around the garden.

Soon, a shout was heard: “Old Fang! Old Fang! I found something interesting! Look at this, what is it!”

Fang Zheng immediately stood up and walked quickly to the garden. When he saw the thing on the ground, he was stunned!

An astronomical telescope!!?

What stood on the ground was indeed a huge telescope!

And this size could only be an astronomical telescope.

What the… Was King Wu a transmigrator?

How could this thing possibly appear here?

At this moment, Fang Zheng was shocked speechless.

Li Yuanzhao, on the other hand, became interested and kept examining the astronomical telescope.

“Tsk tsk tsk, doesn’t this thing look a bit like that Thousand-Mile Landscape Mirror? It’s so big!”

“What’s this used for? It doesn’t seem convenient to carry around!”

Fang Zheng was in no mood to respond to him now, looking at the astronomical telescope with furrowed brows.

For a moment, he couldn’t figure it out.

He didn’t doubt the ancient people’s excellent creativity, but shouldn’t the astronomical telescope have only been developed after glass was invented?

Did King Wu also have the technology to make glass?

Impossible, absolutely impossible! Unless he was a transmigrator!

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng hurriedly examined the lens.

He observed carefully, front and back.

It wasn’t until he saw the largest lens that he suddenly understood.

This wasn’t glass! It was crystal! There were some fibrous materials at the edges of the lens.

Glass doesn’t have this kind of thing.

However… such a large and pure crystal, ground into a lens, must have cost a fortune!

Fang Zheng was even more shocked.

Crystal is not a cheap material… King Wu’s resources must be quite deep!

As he was observing, suddenly a laugh sounded behind the three of them.

Fang Zheng turned to see a figure in a python robe walking towards him.

He looked seven parts similar to Emperor Jing, but his build wasn’t as sturdy as Emperor Jing’s.

Moreover, his temperament was completely different from Emperor Jing’s, seeming somewhat melancholic, while Emperor Jing had a heroic air.

This person was King Wu!

“Greetings to the Crown Prince.” King Wu bowed slightly.

He only gave Zhang Biao a simple glance.

Then he looked at Fang Zheng and smiled, “Lord Fang, we finally meet.”

Fang Zheng was no longer in a hurry to examine the astronomical telescope.

He turned and bowed back, “Greetings, Your Highness. Your Highness flatters this lowly official.”

Li Yuanzhao was still studying the high-tech device and looked curiously at King Wu, “Royal Uncle, what is this?”

King Wu smiled faintly: “Crown Prince, this is called a star-gazing mirror! It has a similar principle to the Thousand-Mile Landscape Mirror that Lord Fang presented to His Majesty.”

“It can see extremely distant scenery.”

Fang Zheng interjected, “Did Your Highness make this?”

King Wu nodded: “Indeed, it was made by me. I just completed it last night. It can be used to see the surface of the moon.”

Li Yuanzhao immediately got excited upon hearing this: “Star-gazing mirror! Can this thing really see the moon?”

“Are there people living on the moon?”

“Can it see the sun too? How amazing! Let me try!”

With that, he lowered his head to look into the eyepiece.

At this moment, the astronomical telescope was pointing directly at the sun.

Fang Zheng’s heart instantly panicked. He reached out, grabbed Li Yuanzhao’s face, and pulled him away.

Damn it! Don’t you want your eyes anymore!?

Li Yuanzhao rubbed his face and complained to Fang Zheng, “Old Fang, what are you doing!!?”

Fang Zheng said seriously, “*Cough!* This thing is so amazing, it must be very precious. Your Highness, don’t break it for His Highness!”

After saying this, he secretly pinched Li Yuanzhao.

The Crown Prince, not understanding the situation, promptly closed his mouth.

King Wu smiled: “It’s alright, we can try later. Please be seated. I’ve already arranged for people to prepare the meal.”

“Today, with two honored guests here, we must drink until we’re merry!”

Brother Biao had been completely ignored by King Wu.

The group returned to the great hall and sat down. Maids brought fresh tea.

It was still Celestial Immortal Tea.

King Wu picked up the teacup and took a small sip, then sighed and said, “Lord Fang, you and I have been cooperating for so many years.”

“But due to my poor health, I’ve been unable to receive guests. I’m truly sorry.”

Fang Zheng flattered him, “Your Highness can see this lowly official anytime you wish.”

“This official has also long wished to see Your Highness’s demeanor in person. Today, that dream has come true.”

“Your Highness is indeed handsome, wise, and mighty……”

A string of flattery was thrown out, and King Wu laughed heartily.

Fang Zheng was actually somewhat distracted, as the astronomical telescope was too shocking.

He didn’t know what King Wu’s background really was.

While pondering, he casually pointed at the painting on the wall and asked, “Your Highness, this painting is quite Zen-like. However, due to my limited knowledge, I don’t understand the meaning of its content. What does it represent?”

Everyone looked at the painting on the wall.

The straightforward Li Yuanzhao laughed, “Royal Uncle! Why did you draw a circle on the wall? Old Fang, do you really need to ask about this?”

King Wu lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said hesitantly, “That’s not a circle.”

“The earth we live on is actually round, a spherical body.”

Holy shit!!?

Fang Zheng felt as if he had been struck by lightning!

You’re actually the Moon Cult Leader!

However, judging from King Wu’s reaction, he wasn’t too sure about this either.

That means he’s not a transmigrator.

Is he… a science fanatic?!

Zhang Biao suddenly grinned stupidly, “Round? How can we stand on it if it’s round?”

Li Yuanzhao chimed in from the side, “That’s right! Royal Uncle, don’t you even know about the round sky and flat earth theory!”

“The earth beneath our feet can’t possibly be round!”