With Emperor Jing’s decision made, Yan Guoan soon set off for Dengjin District.

Yan Guoan’s great name was well-known within the capital, naturally. He was from a prominent clan and the current top scholar.

He often interacted with literati and gentlemen. He participated in many national affairs in court every day.

So he was more confident than anyone that managing a mere Dengjin District would be a breeze.

Even stripped of his position as Grand Tutor, he remained a Hanlin Scholar. His future prospects remained limitless.

The reason he made this bet, ostensibly for the crown prince, was actually to suppress Fang Zheng.

Otherwise, how could Yan Guoan, as a tutor, do the work of an inspector?

This time, the vast majority of the Hanlin Academy stood on his side. The scholarly world naturally praised him. Literati were willing to be close to him.

Fang Zheng was the exact opposite, a detestable hick. Besides flattery, he seemed to have no real skills.

As long as he could beat Fang Zheng in this bet, perhaps there would be a chance to return as the crown prince’s tutor.

The North City Garrison was also very cooperative. As soon as the news came out, they immediately sent a group of astute and capable officials to Yan Guoan.

Even the Regional Governor’s Office sent him a group of people.

As for money and supplies, whether from his own holdings or his backers, he was confident he could steadily suppress Fang Zheng.

Upon arriving in Dengjin District, Yan Guoan’s first stop was the yamen.

He summoned a group of officials to wait there for his orders.

Seeing that most people had arrived, Yan Guoan looked down from on high at the crowd below, his expression cold. He made no move to speak.

Although these people before him were officials who would lay down their lives for him, they were essentially lowborns.

“Among gentlemen there is understanding, but with commoners there can be no real connection!”

In his eyes, these people were born with an inferior nature, lacking in education. As a top scholar born into nobility, how could he be close to such lowly officials?

The crowd of petty officials below naturally thought the same.

In this era, class consciousness was ingrained in the bones.

After a long while, seeing that Yan Guoan still hadn’t spoken, the leading official said cautiously, “Lord Yan’s arrival is a blessing for Dengjin District. This humble one will first give Lord Yan a detailed account of the situation in this district. Our group of people…”

“No need for now!” Yan Guoan couldn’t help feeling annoyed. “Although this official is unworthy to be a Hanlin tutor, he is now an official in charge of this area!”

“Naturally, the purpose of coming to Dengjin District this time is to improve this place and educate the common people!”

“However, when this official passed through here, he discovered that the streets were filled with all sorts, merchants shouting along the streets, the pedestrians all poorly dressed.”

“The commoners are foolish to begin with, and they haggle with merchants on the streets over every coin, which can be said to be detrimental to public morals!”

“When it comes to governing the people, the emphasis should be on education! The reason this official has come is to educate the commoners and transform their customs. This is the way of great governance!”

The group of petty officials below listened to his speech and couldn’t help sizing up each other’s clothing.

They discovered that everyone looked rather shabby.

Looking again at Yan Guoan, his attire was splendid and awe-inspiring.

Standing together with such a man, they inevitably began to feel ashamed and inferior.

So they all lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at him, and kept agreeing with Yan Guoan.

Seeing this, the corners of Yan Guoan’s mouth revealed an imperceptible smile.

How fortunate were these lowborns to be able to work with him?

He continued to expound passionately, “The commoners have an inferior nature. If not educated, they cannot be transformed.”

“So how should the commoners be educated? It’s simple. Just have them listen more to the words of sages and the sound of the great Dao. If this persists, they will be able to change their ways.”

“Although there is only a three-month period, if managed properly, the commoners will definitely change for the better. By then, Dengjin District will become a model for the capital, achieving the ideal of unlocked doors at night and lost items left untouched on the streets!”

“Listen up, all of you!”

“The streets of Dengjin District are filthy and chaotic. From today onwards, order people to double the sweeping of the streets. They must be kept clean and tidy.”

“Also, build pavilions beside the streets in the district to serve as places for reading, and name them… Xuanming Pavilions!”

“Supply them with tea and invite scholars to compose poetry, write essays, or discuss the Dao there.”

“This way, the sound of reading can be heard everywhere. The commoners can also listen to the words of sages every day. With prolonged exposure, even those foolish men and women will know the way of the sages.”

“This is education!”

“Furthermore, from now on, the merchants on the street need to be arranged neatly and cannot display their wares haphazardly or shout loudly!”

“Prices in the district must remain stable. If anyone maliciously raises prices, they are to be arrested and heavily punished immediately!”

“Men and women must also follow propriety and cannot walk too close together on the street. They should walk separately.”

“If anyone picks up a lost item and doesn’t return it, they must also be apprehended and heavily punished.”

“Follow this official’s laws in governing Dengjin District. Within three months, this district will take on a whole new look.”

The many petty officials looked at each other.

Although they didn’t quite understand what Lord Yan was saying, it sounded impressive.

What he said was all principled and had structure. As expected of a high official from the imperial court, he was extraordinary…

Although they didn’t know if what he said was right or not, he appeared imposing, and his rank was high.

They claimed to be working for the government, but in reality weren’t much better off than ordinary commoners.

So they felt even more ashamed in their hearts.

Yan Guoan felt he performed well and was secretly very satisfied. He continued in a loud voice, “There’s one more important thing for you all to do.”

“Go invite all the scholars in the district to come. This official wants to drink and chat extensively with the literati of the district.”

“Although this official is managing Dengjin District, at the end of the day, they are the core of the district.”

“You may go. When you leave, be sure to keep in mind what this official has said!”

With that, Yan Guoan turned and left, leaving behind a group of petty officials standing in place with lowered heads.

…

“No way! You absolutely can’t dock the sanitation team’s monthly pay!”

Inside Banshan District, Li Yuanzhao yelled at Fang Zheng, the veins on his face bulging.

Fang Zheng took a sip of tea and said slowly, “If you don’t have any other solution, we can only do this. We still have a bet with Yan Guoan. The sanitation team’s expenses are too high. Your Highness, you don’t want to return to the palace, do you?”

Li Yuanzhao looked resentful. “Right now, it’s not about whether I’ll return to the palace. I promised those brothers I’d let them live a good life and even said I’d raise their pay!”

“You set their monthly pay at five taels of silver, and now you want to go back on your word after just a few days! How can you easily break faith with people?”

“Old Fang! Think of a solution for me!”

Fang Zheng spoke with conviction, “What do you mean I’m breaking faith? Your Highness, ‘The superior man is consistent in word and deed.’ Petty people cling rigidly to their words.”

“The situation has changed now. It’s indeed a bit unreasonable to set those people’s monthly pay so high. And we can’t just think of ourselves, right?”

“If you set the monthly pay this high, how will the people in the eastern, southern, and western cities get by? Won’t their subordinates rebel? Many people won’t have food to eat if there’s unrest.”

“Besides, yesterday’s me is not today’s me. Yesterday’s me is already dead. Can a dead man’s words be taken seriously?”

“Your Highness! This is a big game of chess… We need to consider it carefully…”