After the twenty-five people left, Ao Chen said to the other minor officials, “I have a big announcement to make!”

“Our master is about to bring His Majesty the current Emperor to tour Taoyuan County! So make the following arrangements!”

“First team! Go find some good-looking children in the county to prepare to welcome His Majesty and the master outside the city. The master has already given detailed instructions on this sheet of paper.”

With that said, Ao Chen handed the letter to the captain of the first team.

“Second, all the government officers in the county yamen are not allowed to mention the various departments within the county. We are a privately established department! We can’t let His Majesty know, so everyone watch your mouths!”

“Third, and most importantly, from now on, all the latest glassware in Taoyuan County must disappear from the market! All the mirrors in places like inns and brothels must be replaced with the previous mottled glass mirrors.”

“All glassware inside homes must also be put away by the commoners, not allowed to appear!”

“For buildings that have already installed glass windows, completely remove and replace them with window paper. If they can’t be removed, smash them immediately! Tell them it’s the master’s order, and they will be compensated or have their taxes reduced later.”

“Also…”

“In short! Recently, all novel and unique products in the county are not allowed to appear on the market! Commoners are also not allowed to discuss them!”

“That’s about it. Hiss… do any of you know what toothpaste is?”

The group of minor officials below kept shaking their heads, indicating they hadn’t heard of it.

Suddenly, someone said hesitantly, “I seem to recall the master mentioning it before… it should be tooth powder used for brushing teeth… can’t remember clearly!”

Ao Chen nodded. That should be it.

Although the master’s words were usually concise, he would always blurt out a couple of terms others couldn’t understand.

This toothpaste was obviously used on teeth, so it should be tooth powder!

“Good! Starting today, all commoners put away your tooth powder! Brush with salt, dry brush, brush however you want! Just don’t use tooth powder. The master said his toothpaste can’t be seen by others! Did everyone understand?”

“Understood!”

…

The next day.

The procession of carriages heading from the capital to Taoyuan County set off in a grand display.

Emperor Jing rode in the same carriage as Fang Zheng, followed by the carriages of the other officials.

Emperor Jing said with a smile, “It’s been a while since I’ve been to Taoyuan County. I rather miss it. I wonder if there’s anything new in Taoyuan County now.”

Fang Zheng replied, “The county often writes to this minister. There’s nothing new, but there are quite a few new dishes. Your Majesty can have a taste.”

“After we arrive in the county, we’ll rest for a night first. The next day, this minister will take Your Majesty to the fields to see the Prosperity Potato.”

Emperor Jing let out a long sigh. “Minister Fang, if this Prosperity Potato is truly as you say, then you will be the greatest meritorious official of my Jing Dynasty. I hope everything is as you say.”

Fang Zheng smiled without saying anything.

If he were an ancient person, he probably wouldn’t believe there could be a crop with a yield of a thousand catties per mu either… After all, it sounded too fantastical. But this beautiful dream was about to come true!

The procession of carriages slowly moved forward.

But this road was really difficult to travel. The horse carriages creaked and swayed. Many aged ministers started complaining incessantly before even halfway through the journey.

They had no choice but to slow down the pace.

Fang Zheng wanted to find an opportunity to slip into the princess’s carriage to chat, worried that the princess’s small physique probably couldn’t withstand this kind of journey.

But Li Yuanzhao kept glaring at him like a tiger, so he didn’t dare make a move.

In ancient times, the speed of an army was determined by the slowest ox cart or horse carriage. With the prolonged bumping and shaking, they also needed rest. So a day’s journey was at most forty-some li (around 20 km).

A purely mobile force would be much faster. During the Three Kingdoms era, there was a saying circulating in Xiahou Yuan’s army: “Xiahou Yuan, the Colonel Who Arranges the Army, travels 500 li in three days and 1,000 li in six days.” Converting to kilometers, it comes out to marching 70 kilometers per day.

Emperor Jing’s procession obviously couldn’t be faster than an army…

Setting out early in the morning, by afternoon the horse carriages were still traveling on gravel and dirt roads. Most of the old ministers couldn’t take it anymore, leaning out the carriage windows to fertilize the roadside.

Fortunately, in the latter half of the journey, they saw the asphalt road built by Taoyuan County.

The speed of the horse carriages started to pick up. The horses also had it much easier, able to gallop with their hooves spread out.

Although the asphalt road was extraordinarily dazzling in the eyes of the ancients, no one had the energy to pay attention to it anymore. They just wanted to collapse in the carriage and rest for a while.

Finally, as the sun set at dusk, the group arrived at Taoyuan County.

As soon as they got off the carriages, aside from Emperor Jing and others who had been to Taoyuan County before, all the officials were stunned.

This is a fucking county!?

Tall city walls, strict guards, and the commoners gathered at the city gate, each dressed nicely, with children lined up in two rows wearing very festive attire.

Instantly, the gazes of the hundred officials towards Fang Zheng changed.

How fucking rich must this county be to be like this!

Hiding such a city in a remote, shabby place! No wonder His Majesty favors Fang Zheng so much, like his own son.

Which emperor wouldn’t like seeing such meritorious deeds!

How did he manage this? It’s simply unbelievable!

Emperor Jing was also in a cheerful mood as soon as he got off the carriage. Taoyuan County had both the prosperity of a city and wasn’t lacking in natural scenery… If the road wasn’t so poor, he would hope to come often.

“Your Majesty, please enter the city. The commoners of Taoyuan County have been longing day and night to see you.”

Emperor Jing chuckled and took a step forward first, walking towards the city gate.

The two rows of children began singing the song “Only His Majesty is Good in this World.”

The innocent voices made Emperor Jing feel both amazed and delighted. The hundred officials inwardly mocked endlessly.

Fang Zheng has truly reached new heights of flattery, can’t help but admire…

Suddenly, from behind the commoners at the city gate, another group of children appeared, holding bouquets and skipping over to Emperor Jing’s side.

Then they prostrated on the ground and paid their respects, saying in an innocent voice, “Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor.”

Seeing this, Emperor Jing repeatedly said, “Children, quickly get up! Why are you all kneeling on the ground?”

With that said, he even picked up the chubby child leading them and brushed the dirt off his body.

The chubby child blinked his big eyes and quickly gave Emperor Jing a kiss.

Emperor Jing rubbed his face and chuckled foolishly again.

“Child, what’s your name?”

“Answering Your Majesty, my name is Zhang Aiguo. I grew up listening to stories about you from Lord County Magistrate. Hearing you were coming today, I prepared a gift for you!”

The chubby child’s adorable appearance also made the hundred officials take a liking to him. Seeing this heartwarming scene, they all showed smiles on their faces.

“What gift is it? Quickly let Us see!” Emperor Jing had seen countless treasures, but at this moment, anticipation arose in his heart.

When others presented treasures, they always had ulterior motives. But what intentions could such a young child have?

The little boy took out a crumpled piece of paper from his bosom, unfolded it, and held it up in front of Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing looked and laughed. On it were just some simple doodles. In the center were two stick figures, one big and one small. The small one held a stick in his hand. On the ground was grass and a pile of circles with unclear meaning. In the sky was the sun…

Emperor Jing asked curiously, “What does this mean?”

The chubby child pointed with his chubby little hand. Pointing to the smaller stick figure, he said, “This is our Lord County Magistrate.”

Then he pointed to the larger stick figure. “This is Your Majesty.”

“Then what do the circles below mean?”

“There are bad people around Your Majesty. Our Lord County Magistrate uses his sword to chop off their heads and protect Your Majesty!”

The faces of the hundred officials instantly turned green. They all glared furiously at Fang Zheng.

Using even such a young child! Can you fucking act like a human!

Fang Zheng didn’t care at all, sneering in his heart. Every move was carefully designed by him. They could just be jealous!