Royal Gold Magistrate

“Master, let’s find an inn to stay at first,” said Guo Tianyang.

Emperor Jing nodded, “Alright, it seems we’ll have to stay here for a few days.”

The two then began strolling through the streets.

There was no rush to find an inn. There were many interesting things in Taoyuan County, and the Emperor was a bit overwhelmed by it all.

“If all the counties in the world were like Taoyuan County, I would have no worries…” the Emperor sighed inwardly.

Suddenly, Guo Tianyang’s eyes lit up!

“Master, there’s an inn over there!”

The Emperor raised his head and was speechless.

It was indeed called “An Inn”, and there was a small official seal in the bottom right corner of the signboard, but he didn’t know what it meant.

The Emperor walked in, and Guo Tianyang breathed a sigh of relief behind him.

Seeing guests coming in, the shopkeeper warmly greeted them.

“Welcome guests! Are you stopping for a meal or staying the night?”

“Staying.”

“Alright, our inn has first, second, and third-class rooms. First class is five taels, second class is three taels, and third class is one tael. Which one would you like?”

Five taels per night!?

Guo Tianyang was displeased and stepped forward, “Why is your inn so expensive? Five taels per night, are you trying to swindle outsiders?!”

The shopkeeper hurriedly waved his hand, smiling apologetically, “What are you saying! Our inn is fair and honest. You can go ask around, and you’ll find that’s the price!”

“We’re also a government-run inn, and our prices are at least 20% cheaper than outside!”

The Emperor became interested, “Government-run? The government runs inns?”

The shopkeeper nodded, “Exactly! Most of the major industries in the county are government-run. This inn was personally established by our county magistrate, specifically for the convenience of out-of-town merchants.”

“I’m telling you, if you think five taels for a first-class room is expensive, you won’t even be able to get a third-class room when the merchants come in large numbers!”

“Alright then! We’ll take a first-class room!”

After a moment of consideration, Emperor Jing made the decision.

This Taoyuan County was getting more and more bizarre!

A servant led the two upstairs, carrying a pot of tea.

Arriving at the room, the servant diligently poured two cups of tea for them first.

“Guests, try this tea. The water in our Taoyuan town is famous for its sweetness!”

“I’ll be outside. If you need anything, just pull the red rope outside the door, and I’ll come.”

Pulling a rope to call someone, that was interesting. It was something they could use in the palace!

The Emperor nodded, and the servant left.

“Your Majesty, have a cup of tea. We haven’t had a proper meal on the road. I’ll go get some food for you.”

“No rush!”

The Emperor raised his hand, then picked up and carefully examined the teacup on the table.

The light yellow tea was crystal clear, with two unfurled tea leaves at the bottom.

“This tea is different from the one in the capital.”

Guo Tianyang also picked up his teacup and sniffed it, “Yes! It has a unique fragrance, seemingly with a hint of medicinal aroma, far superior to the tea in the capital! The tea and water are both excellent! I never thought tea could be brewed like this!”

The Emperor took a big sip. He was indeed a bit thirsty after the journey.

“Indeed! Refreshing aroma! Hehe, Taoyuan County is becoming more and more interesting…”

“Your Majesty! Look at this wall! I didn’t notice it earlier! It’s covered with white cloth! No wonder it looks so clean and tidy.”

The Emperor touched the wall with curiosity. It felt rough to the touch, probably made of white linen.

But visually, it looked exceptionally clean and refreshing.

Guo Tianyang walked towards another room, and soon a scream came from inside!

“Oh! Your Majesty! There’s a well in this room!”

What!? A well? How could there be a well on the second floor!?

The Emperor hurried over.

He saw Guo Tianyang leaning over a ceramic toilet, marveling at the water inside.

Indeed, there was a well! The Emperor was astonished.

Guo Tianyang tapped the toilet and exclaimed, “It’s even made of porcelain! It must have been difficult to make such a huge one. Having a well in the room is too extravagant!”

“Moreover, this well is so strangely shaped. Let’s call the servant and ask. The innkeeper really has some clever ideas, actually moving the well into the room. But why is the wellhead so small?”

Guo Tianyang finished speaking and scooped up a handful of water from the toilet, drinking it down.

He exclaimed, “Truly sweet and refreshing! Good water! Such good water!”

“Your Majesty, you should try it too! I’ll call the servant!”

After saying that, Guo Tianyang ran to the door and pulled the red rope. Soon, the servant came up.

Guo Tianyang brought him to the toilet and pointed to the “wellhead”, “Servant! How can there be a well here?!”

Seeing this scene, the servant was obviously accustomed to it. He explained skillfully, “Masters, this is not a well, it’s a toilet, also called a chamber pot.”

“???”

………

A chamber pot!?

Guo Tianyang was struck dumb! He glanced at the Emperor with a guilty heart, only to receive a murderous look in return.

Guo Tianyang’s face fell, turning red with embarrassment. He said with a grimace, “How could a toilet be placed inside a room?! Why would a chamber pot be indoors?!”

The Emperor’s expression was also peculiar. Thankfully, he hadn’t drunk just now; otherwise, where would the Emperor’s dignity be!

The servant continued to explain, “You may not know, but many new-style inns in our Taoyuan County are like this.”

“These chamber pots are very convenient. Look, there’s a rope connected to the water tank above. After you’re done, just pull the rope, and the waste will be flushed away.”

The feeling of nausea in Guo Tianyang’s heart grew stronger and stronger, finally overwhelming him.

He vomited into the toilet.

The servant excitedly exclaimed, “Yes! Yes! Many people throw up like this after drinking too much!”

After Guo Tianyang finished vomiting, he stood up and looked at the servant with resentment.

The servant stepped forward and pulled the rope, and a stream of water rushed down, flushing the toilet clean.

The unpleasant smell that had just emanated disappeared without a trace.

The Emperor looked on with curiosity!

Then he asked with interest, “So where does the waste go?”