Royal Gold Magistrate

Fang Zheng waved his hand dismissively, “Bring out the dishes, but this banner can only hang for three days, got it?”

Zhang Laoliu smiled apologetically, “I understand the rules, Master, don’t worry!”

“Wait! Clear out everyone on this floor! Arrange them downstairs. I don’t like to be disturbed while eating.”

Fang Zheng said slowly and leisurely.

After speaking, he gave Zhang Biao a meaningful glance.

Zhang Biao immediately understood and ran to the staircase, shouting loudly, “Tonight, all expenses for everyone in the restaurant will be covered by Young Master Fang!!”

The customers on the second floor immediately descended happily, and downstairs erupted in cheers.

Zhang Laoliu’s face lit up with joy. The county magistrate’s arrival truly brings good fortune! What a profit!

Then, he happily started to descend the stairs and noticed Emperor Jing and Guo Tianyang still seated in their original positions.

Trying to please them, he said, “Gentlemen, please move. Today’s meal is on the county magistrate, free of charge.”

Emperor Jing remained silent in his seat.

Guo Tianyang cleared his throat and said sharply, “We can afford our own meal! No need for others to treat us!”

“This…” Zhang Laoliu looked embarrassed.

Then, gritting his teeth, he whispered, “Gentlemen, if you’re willing to dine downstairs, we’ll offer you an extra jar of wine when you leave. How about that?”

Emperor Jing still didn’t respond, quietly sipping his tea.

Guo Tianyang, with a stern expression, whispered, “Get lost and stop bothering my master’s enjoyment!”

Zhang Laoliu was at a loss, casting a pleading glance at Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng, on the other hand, was eyeing the two men with amusement.

Then he spoke slowly, “Since you don’t want to leave, would you two friends be willing to dine together?”

Emperor Jing turned his head slightly, smiling faintly, and gestured with his hand, walking over without hesitation.

Guo Tianyang quickly followed.

Zhang Laoliu seized the opportunity and hurried downstairs.

After they were seated, Fang Zheng said, “You two look unfamiliar, did you just arrive from out of town?”

Emperor Jing, seated, had been observing Fang Zheng intently, his gaze unwavering.

“I’ve met County Magistrate Fang. I’m Li Long, a porcelain merchant from the capital. This is my accountant, Guo Da.”

Fang Zheng felt somewhat uncomfortable being scrutinized so intensely.

So he responded blandly, “What brings you two to Taoyuan County?”

“We were on our way to Hengjiang Prefecture to make purchases and happened to pass through here.”

Hengjiang Prefecture? Fang Zheng suddenly became alert.

“Why would you take a detour through Taoyuan County on your way to Hengjiang Prefecture? Taking the official road from the capital should be much faster, right?”

But Guo Tianyang had already prepared their excuse and interjected, “We heard there was a landslide on the official road, causing congestion. We were afraid of accidents, so we took a detour. It was by chance that we ended up in Taoyuan County.”

“When are you planning to leave?”

“We’re not leaving anymore! We’ve heard there are many unique items in Taoyuan County. Bringing them back to the capital would surely yield great profits. Wouldn’t County Magistrate Fang agree?”

Fang Zheng smiled, “Excellent! Taoyuan County welcomes all merchants.”

“I must tell you, the ceramic toilets we’ve recently developed in Taoyuan County are truly unique!”

“They are complex and massive in design, making them top-quality ceramics wherever they go!”

Upon hearing “toilets,” Guo Tianyang’s expression was as if he had eaten a fly.

“However, these items are not suitable for export. If you have customized needs, we can still collaborate!”

“You can negotiate for anything you like, and the final contract can be signed at the county yamen.”

“Do you see anything you like now?”

Emperor Jing picked up his teacup and took a sip, saying, “To be honest, I’m a bit surprised by the treasures I’ve encountered in this place.”

“Everything here has been eye-opening.”

“Just this tea alone, even the Emperor in the palace might not taste such flavor, right?”

“Oh? They don’t have it in the capital?”

“They do not!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Zheng suddenly stood up, his face full of indignation!

“Stop! Mr. Li, you mustn’t speak lightly! How dare you slander the Emperor!”

“The whole world is the Emperor’s territory! The fact that such tea can’t be tasted by the Emperor himself?!”

“Recall the years when our Emperor led the troops in person, enduring hardships and roughing it out. It was thanks to him that the world found peace.”

“Now that peace reigns, His Majesty still works tirelessly in the court for the sake of the people, not a moment of slackness.”

“Without His Majesty, there would be no Taoyuan County! Without Taoyuan County, there would be no tea like this!”

“But such tea cannot be tasted by the Emperor in the capital?! Thinking of this, my heart aches! If only I could fly over and brew a pot of tea for His Majesty myself!”

“If even the Emperor in the distant capital cannot taste this tea, how can I, with any face, drink it again? I refuse to drink this tea!”

“Our Emperor’s sagely wisdom!”

After saying this, he poured the tea directly onto the ground and sat down with a righteous expression.

Xiao Tao, behind him, rolled his eyes. It seemed similar to the rhetoric he used when dealing with Qian Empire merchants a few years ago.

Fang Zheng argued that this was a preventive measure, establishing himself as a patriotic figure. In case he left Taoyuan County one day, he could still guard against it!

My patriotism can be seen day and night!

Emperor Jing raised his teacup, his eyes twitching.

He was frozen in place, not knowing whether to put the cup down or not.

Guo Tianyang was even more dumbfounded, looking around.

Who is he talking to!? How did this turn into a performance!

Damn it! Luckily, Fang Zheng isn’t an eunuch! He can actually flatter from a distance!

Thinking of this, he glanced at Emperor Jing again and whispered, “Our Emperor’s sagely wisdom!”

Fang Zheng’s ears twitched, and he said solemnly, “Mr. Guo! Reverence for His Majesty should not just be lip service! It should be kept in our hearts at all times!”

“How many people praise our Emperor’s sagely wisdom with their mouths in court, but secretly do things contrary to His Majesty’s wishes? Such people are no different from animals!”

Damn it! It seems like I’m the one being criticized!

Guo Tianyang’s face quickly darkened, looking guilty as he glanced at Emperor Jing, and said with a grievance, “County Magistrate Fang is right, this is exactly what we think!”

Emperor Jing’s complexion gradually turned ruddy. Having heard plenty of flattery, he was immune to it. But this unique approach brought not only embarrassment but also an unexpected sense of satisfaction.

Fang Zheng changed the subject, “Speaking of this tea, it’s specially roasted by our tea master in Taoyuan County.”

“It has a unique flavor! If taken to the capital, the nobles would surely snatch it up, allowing our Emperor to taste it!”

“I wonder if you two are interested in this tea?”

Guo Tianyang’s face twisted a bit, thinking, You’re obviously just trying to sell tea! Why beat around the bush!

“Huh? Mr. Guo, what’s wrong with your face?”

“Nothing!”

Emperor Jing regained his composure and felt somewhat speechless, but he had to go along with the conversation.

“This tea is excellent, but what’s the price?”

“Ten taels of silver per tael of tea!”

“Ten taels!” Guo Tianyang shuddered. While Emperor Jing might not be familiar with the prices of such items, he certainly was!

In the capital, ordinary tea could be bought for one or two taels per catty!

Even the best tea usually cost around ten taels, though there were a few rare teas that were extremely expensive and scarce.

But this tea was clearly just ordinary tea found everywhere in Taoyuan County.

“Isn’t it… a bit expensive?” Guo Tianyang hesitated.

“Is ten taels of silver expensive? Not at all! If tea that the Emperor has never tasted is sold for ten taels, what’s wrong with that!”

“………….”