Royal Gold Magistrate

Emperor Jing stood awkwardly in place.

These words did provide him with some enlightenment, but they still felt like a scam to his ears.

Li Yuanzhao, on the other hand, quickly reacted and exclaimed, “Then wouldn’t it be even more convenient for me to directly burn the books?”

Fang Zheng sighed and patted Emperor Jing’s shoulder.

He said with a serious tone, “Old Li, there’s something wrong with your son’s thinking! Wanting to burn books… you see…”

“Shut up, you vile creature! What right do you have to speak?” Emperor Jing loudly scolded.

“I’ve spoiled you too much in the past, and now you actually dare to think about burning books!”

Emperor Jing’s heart was filled with a sense of helplessness.

This Fang Zheng clearly didn’t want to say more. Whether it was because he couldn’t continue or didn’t want to, Emperor Jing couldn’t be sure.

Li Yuanzhao immediately closed his mouth, looking at Emperor Jing with resentment.

Fang Zheng laughed, “Too harsh! Too harsh, Old Li! He’s just a child!”

“Don’t ever burn books again in the future! Playing with fire is dangerous!”

Li Yuanzhao widened his eyes. Who the hell burned books? You couldn’t win the argument, so you resort to false accusations!

Be a decent person! To think I found you quite alright before! You’re truly a scumbag!

Afterwards, Li Yuanzhao closed his mouth and remained silent.

The group continued walking along the street, but the two in front were happily chatting, while the old and young behind them kept their heads down and mouths tightly shut.

This scene looked quite strange, attracting frequent glances from passersby.

…………………..

After half a day, the group had already explored more than half of Taoyuan County.

As the sun set in the west, the two groups bid farewell to each other.

Emperor Jing and his entourage returned to the An Inn.

Li Yuanzhao, exhausted from playing all day, went straight to his room to rest.

Meanwhile, Emperor Jing sat in his room with a map spread out on the table, his eyes constantly surveying it.

Guo Tianyang stood behind him like a wooden post, not uttering a word.

After a long while, Emperor Jing stood up and rolled up the map, saying, “You stay here and keep an eye on the Crown Prince… I’m going to the county yamen.”

“Your Majesty is going to see Fang Zheng?”

Guo Tianyang felt a bit anxious. Fang Zheng hadn’t even entered the imperial court, yet he had gained such trust from His Majesty. It wasn’t a good sign.

“Could it be that Your Majesty truly believes Fang Zheng has a way to solve the flood disaster?”

Emperor Jing slightly frowned, “Can’t you see it? Although the flood disaster is difficult, judging from Fang Zheng’s expression, he might not be without a solution!”

“It’s just that this fellow doesn’t want to speak up, probably fearing that it will alarm the imperial court.”

Guo Tianyang bowed and said, “Your servant is foolish… but I really can’t believe Fang Zheng has the ability to summon heavenly thunder!”

“If he had such a power, wouldn’t he become a celestial being? I think he most likely wants to take advantage of this opportunity to make a fortune from the national crisis.”

“It’s true that Fang Zheng is greedy for money, and it’s also true that he doesn’t want to be promoted.”

Emperor Jing’s tone contained hidden anger, “An official with no ambition! Fang Zheng is truly despicable! After the flood disaster is over, regardless of whether Fang Zheng has a solution or not, I will have him come to the capital!”

“Possessing talent but not thinking of serving the country, how is that different from a beast?”

“If he likes money, I can make him the wealthiest man in the world! Why must he hide in the tiny Taoyuan County?”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

“Hmph! If I were truly wise, I wouldn’t have let Fang Zheng hide under my nose for so many years! Alright, I’ll go check on the Crown Prince first, then head directly to the county yamen.”

“You and the Crown Prince stay here at ease and don’t let him wander around!”

After that, Emperor Jing calmly pushed open the door and turned to walk towards the Crown Prince’s room.

The Crown Prince was obviously used to being waited upon, and this time, without bringing Liu Jin along, he didn’t even know to lock the door.

Being alone outside, his vigilance was extremely poor!

Emperor Jing felt a bit relieved to have brought the Crown Prince out for a trip.

The Crown Prince had spent years in the palace. Although he was clever, he lacked experience. Even though Emperor Jing was strict with his words, he didn’t want the Crown Prince to go through too many hardships.

To the point that the children of common folk at his age would have already had a bunch of kids!

Yet the Crown Prince only knew how to play with those useless things and wasn’t even enthusiastic about matters between men and women.

Emperor Jing pushed open the door and slowly walked into the room.

He had thought the Crown Prince was already asleep, but unexpectedly, there was a faint light coming from the bedroom.

Out of curiosity, Emperor Jing walked over.

He saw the Crown Prince lying on the bed, covered with a thick quilt. An oil lamp was wobbling on the bedside table, and his right hand was constantly flipping through a book.

Under the illumination of the oil lamp, the Crown Prince’s face appeared exceptionally rosy.

Because the room was extremely quiet, the Crown Prince’s breathing was unusually heavy.

Emperor Jing grew more curious and walked straight to the Crown Prince’s side, but the Crown Prince didn’t even notice!

He was still engrossed in reading the contents of the book.

Emperor Jing glanced over and instantly became furious!

This book was actually the book written in plain language that the Crown Prince had bought at the book stall during the day when he wasn’t paying attention!

The content of the book was unbearable to read. The chapter the Crown Prince was reading was about a female spy named Feng Kelian from an enemy country who had been captured by the county magistrate and was undergoing severe torture.

Emperor Jing stared blankly for a while, then painfully closed his eyes!

This unfilial son was actually reading such unsightly things with great interest.

Indeed, in Taoyuan County, the upper beam was not straight, and the lower beam was crooked! The county magistrate was improper, and the books he published were even more improper!

So Emperor Jing snatched the book away. The cover boldly read “The Gold Medal Magistrate.”

The moment the book was snatched away, the Crown Prince shuddered and collapsed on the bed. Then he turned his head in great anger!

Which bastard dared to snatch my book at this moment?

Seeing that it was Emperor Jing, Li Yuanzhao’s eyes revealed a look of horror. He desperately pulled the quilt and said with embarrassment, “Imperial Father… what brings you to see your son?”

Emperor Jing’s face was dark. He rolled up the book and pointed at Li Yuanzhao, angrily saying, “You unfilial son! Instead of diligently studying in the palace, you dare to read this kind of filth as soon as you leave!”

“Your conduct today has been atrocious – no sense of decorum or propriety! If I don’t discipline you now, then what was the point of me even bringing you out of the palace?!”

With that, he swung the rolled-up book and started beating Li Yuanzhao’s head!

Li Yuanzhao held the quilt with one hand while using the other to defend himself. He kept pleading, “Imperial Father! I bought this randomly to study the writing style used by commoners!”

“Stop hitting me, stop hitting me!”

“I’ve been too lenient with your slacking and delinquency! I’ve tolerated your disrespect for imperial court for far too long!”

Emperor Jing became angrier as he beat him, landing a series of combos on Li Yuanzhao’s arms.

Guo Tianyang heard the commotion and hurriedly ran over. He quickly knelt down and grabbed Emperor Jing, “Your Majesty, calm your anger! Your Majesty, calm your anger! What did the Crown Prince do wrong? He’s still a child!”

“A child! Would a child read this kind of book?”

That copy of “The Gold Medal Magistrate” was thrown at Guo Tianyang’s face with a slap. Guo Tianyang didn’t dodge and took it head-on with his face.

Then he quickly picked up the book and presented it with both hands, lowering his head and saying softly, “Your Majesty, there are still important matters tonight… your servant will watch over His Highness here.”

Emperor Jing took the book and tucked it under his armpit. He said coldly, “Keep an eye on him! I’ll deal with him properly when we return to the palace!”

With that, he left the An Inn in a huff.

Seeing that the person had gone far, Guo Tianyang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and hurriedly ran to the bedside.

“Your Highness! Your Highness, please come out. His Majesty has left.”

At this time, the Crown Prince was curled up under the quilt. Hearing Guo Tianyang’s call, he grabbed the pillow and threw it directly at Guo Tianyang’s face.

“Get out! I’m not wearing pants!”