Royal Gold Magistrate

Continuing their conversation, Fang Zheng elaborated on some essential business ideas and tactics to the two men, such as creating demand through scarcity and the influence of branding. Though Emperor Jing and his companion were somewhat puzzled at first, by the end of the meal, everyone seemed satisfied.

With a sly grin, Zhang Laoliu approached.

“Magistrate, enjoyed your food?”

Fang Zheng casually cleaned his teeth with a chicken bone and gave a slight nod. “Hmm! Not bad, quite decent. How much do we owe? Let’s settle the bill.”

“Total comes to five hundred and six taels, but I’ll round it down to five hundred for you,” Zhang Laoliu replied, nodding respectfully.

The price surprised everyone.

“Five hundred taels! Is this meal made of silver?” someone whispered.

Fang Zheng chuckled, somewhat resigned. “Well, Zhang Laoliu, you’ve really made a profit this time, taking advantage of me. You’ve got a bright future ahead.”

Zhang Laoliu broke out in a cold sweat, hastily kneeling down. “Magistrate, please let me explain! Earlier, some kids caused a commotion outside, claiming today’s meal was free.”

“As a result, dozens of people barged in, and we had to set up tables outside on the street.”

“I had no choice, and even at this price, it’s a discount for you. We used up all our ingredients and even had to borrow from the neighboring shop!”

Fang Zheng laughed upon hearing this. The people of Taoyuan County were becoming more cunning.

“Five hundred taels for dozens of people is still steep.”

Zhang Laoliu continued lamenting, “Exactly! And those troublemakers are even drinking! After drinking, they wanted watermelons, so we had to rush and buy a dozen!”

Fang Zheng’s interest was piqued. “Watermelons, you say? How much did they cost?”

“Ten taels each.”

“Are they ripe?”

“Yes, they are.”

Emperor Jing and Guo Tianyang exchanged puzzled glances. Five hundred taels for a meal was one thing, but it was just the beginning of spring. Where did the watermelons come from? It wasn’t even summer!

Fang Zheng frowned. “Ten taels! Those rascals are selling them at such a high price in our county. Are the watermelons made of gold?”

Guo Tianyang couldn’t help but agree. “Indeed, it’s expensive!”

“Exactly! I’ve heard the same from the folks at the Agricultural Bureau!”

“But here’s the thing: whether we purchase them or not, there aren’t any watermelons available at the moment! These are all greenhouse watermelons! We consider them too costly, and they also think the prices are high. They’re being sold at their production cost!”

“Fine, fine, I understand, Zhang Biao, settle the bill!”

Zhang Biao stepped forward to handle it.

Zhang Biao? Emperor Jing and Guo Tianyang tensed up simultaneously.

He’s the Zhang Biao who handles conflicts?! And he looks so unassuming! They hadn’t even noticed him until now.

“Thud!”

With a casual flick of his sleeve, Zhang Biao tossed a bag of silver onto the table.

“Exactly five hundred taels.”

Emperor Jing and his companion’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“You… you fit five hundred taels in your sleeve?” Emperor Jing stammered.

Zhang Biao replied nonchalantly, “Yes! Our Young Master always carries a thousand taels of silver when he goes out, and there’s still five hundred taels left.”

As he spoke, he lifted his right sleeve, and something heavy dropped from inside.

This strength! Could he wield a weapon weighing hundreds of catties?

Emperor Jing gulped, realizing that this man would be a formidable warrior if he served in the army!

“Why not carry banknotes?”

“They’re all the same, but cash feels more secure!”

“……….”

That’s your reason for carrying a thousand taels of cash on you?!

Seeing the astonishment on the two men’s faces, Fang Zheng explained with a smile, “Gentlemen, this is my subordinate Zhang Biao, also known as Haihuang.”

“He’s the only constable in our county, the top fighter, known as the Star of Taoyuan in the martial world!”

“Don’t mention a thousand taels of silver, he tosses people around like sandbags! If you encounter troublemakers, just find him!”

Impressed, Emperor Jing bowed to him. “Truly admirable, Zhang Haihuang is indeed a hero!”

Zhang Biao puffed out his chest proudly.

Fang Zheng added, “Well then… I won’t see you off. If you decide to come to the county office tomorrow, you can find me directly.”

That night, Emperor Jing and his companion returned to the inn.

Emperor Jing sat at the table, with Guo Tianyang standing by his side. The flickering candlelight lent a mysterious air to Emperor Jing’s face.

After a moment of contemplation, Emperor Jing spoke up, “Prepare the banknotes, we’ll go to the yamen tomorrow to sign the contract with him.”

“I’m increasingly curious about this county magistrate.”

Guo Tianyang asked, “Your Majesty, are we still going to Hengjiang Prefecture?”

“No need. We’ve gained enough here. We’ve been delayed too long. With the Crown Prince in charge, the court officials must be anxious.”

Emperor Jing sighed deeply. “I didn’t expect that a young man in his early twenties like Fang Zheng could manage a whole county like this.”

“Thinking about the Crown Prince gives me a headache! He doesn’t hold a candle to Fang Zheng!”

Guo Tianyang inquired, “Your Majesty, isn’t it inappropriate for Magistrate Fang Zheng to personally engage in business as a county official?”

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. If his unorthodox methods can bring prosperity to the people, then so be it!”

“If you had even a third of his abilities, I wouldn’t have such a headache!”

“When you return, remember to investigate Fang Zheng’s background and why none of the previous inspectors reported on Taoyuan County!”

Guo Tianyang pursed his lips, feeling aggrieved. He had been busy, but ended up getting the blame.

So he said with a tone of grievances, “Your Majesty is wise!”

“Hmph! Merely parroting!”

Guo Tianyang: “……………..”