Two days later.

In the imperial court, Fang Zheng felt he hadn’t fully recovered his energy yet when Yan Guoan had already started a fierce bombardment!

“Your Majesty! Recently, the play ‘Fan Jin Passes the Imperial Exam’ in Banshan District has been causing an uproar in the capital, leaving many scholars with grievances.”

“This official is not targeting Lord Fang, but if we allow this play to continue, I fear those scholars may stir up trouble and gather to make a scene.”

“Therefore, I believe it’s best to ban this play from being performed, and the actors involved should never be allowed on stage again in their lifetimes.”

“I request Your Majesty’s imperial decree!”

After saying this, he glanced at Fang Zheng inadvertently.

The court officials were all whispering among themselves.

Zheng Qiao said softly to Li Yansong, “Lord Li, have you seen this play?”

“Mm, mm, I have. It’s performed quite well. There’s no reason to ban it. Let’s not get involved and just watch how that fellow Fang Zheng resolves it himself.”

Zhang Dongxiang leaned over. “I think it’s performed too well! Not only should it not be banned, it should be promoted throughout the city! What do you two think?”

Li Yansong stroked his beard, looking smug. “I’ve never placed second since I was young. I don’t have any feelings about this play.”

Zheng Qiao chimed in, “Same here.”

Zhang Dongxiang said with grief and indignation, “I’ve always been first in everything! But in the provincial exam, I only managed to get third place. It’s the biggest regret of my life!”

Li Yansong and the other two instantly showed a look of realization. No wonder you’re willing to watch a play like ‘Fan Jin Passes the Imperial Exam’.

Getting third place in the provincial exam… Wouldn’t that be more unbearable than death? Unimaginable!

“Alright, quiet! Quiet!” Emperor Jing swept his gaze around discontentedly.

I haven’t even spoken yet, and you’re already chatting. It seems quite a few people in the court have watched this play ‘Fan Jin Passes the Imperial Exam’.

“I’ve heard about this play, but I haven’t personally seen it. Lord Fang, do you have anything to say?”

“Your Majesty, I concur. This play has had a huge impact. Why not just ban it and save Your Majesty the trouble,” Fang Zheng said with a sincere expression.

“I didn’t expect Lord Yan to bring such a minor matter to the court. I truly didn’t anticipate it.”

“Lord Yan only needed to tell me that this matter would affect Your Majesty, and I naturally would have stopped them from performing it. Why bring it up for discussion in court?”

Yan Guoan stared at Fang Zheng in astonishment.

He had prepared a belly full of words, but before he could say a single one, this kid Fang Zheng had already conceded?

“However, there’s one thing I can’t agree with. Those actors are innocent. Cutting off their livelihood is like killing their parents. Lord Yan, you’re killing people!”

Fang Zheng suddenly raised his voice.

Hearing his shout, Yan Guoan covered his heart and glared fiercely at Fang Zheng.

Almost scared to death… Damn this dog thing!

“Good! I approve. Those actors can resume as normal except for not being allowed to perform ‘Fan Jin Passes the Imperial Exam’ anymore.”

“This official thanks Your Majesty!”

Fang Zheng glanced smugly at Yan Guoan.

You want to criticize me? You think I’d give you the chance?

Shut your hole!

Then Fang Zheng strode to the center of the hall and bowed. “This official has a memorial to present!”

“Bring it up.”

Emperor Jing looked at Fang Zheng with some anticipation.

This kid suddenly got serious. Could he be coming up with some new trick again?

The memorial was passed up by a eunuch. Emperor Jing opened it and glanced at it for a moment, then the corner of his eye twitched violently a few times before he closed it.

“Lord Fang, please speak.”

“Yes! Your Majesty, I discovered that among the people in the capital, a type of gambling is spreading, using numbers to draw lots and gamble.”

“I believe this type of gambling is extremely harmful. Please strictly ban this gambling method. Without special permission, no one may open a gambling den!”

When these words came out, everyone was shocked.

Isn’t this the same gambling scheme you’ve been promoting, Fang Zheng? Has Yan Guoan’s attack pushed you to do this?

The play isn’t allowed to be performed, and now you’re cutting off your own arm. What kind of move is this?

“Very good. Lord Fang is considerate. Which of you ministers still have something to say?”

Fang Zheng turned his head to look at Li Yansong and the other two, then started winking and making faces at them.

Judging from his lip movements, he seemed to be shouting “eldest uncle-in-law, second uncle-in-law, third uncle-in-law”…

The three elder ministers felt their teeth ache. After thinking about it, it seemed there was no conflict of interest, so they said helplessly, “This official seconds the motion!”

As soon as the three finished speaking, someone at the end of the line stood up and said loudly, “This official seconds the motion!”

Everyone looked over at him… It turned out to be the shifty-eyed Yang Fengfan.

The people in front of him were all glaring at him with unfriendly expressions. The elder ministers had just finished speaking, and you, at the end of the line, shouted first. Don’t you understand the rules?

Yang Fengfan naturally had no fear at all.

What’s wrong with me shouting along with my uncle-in-law? You bunch of trash!

Fang Zheng looked at him and gave him a thumbs up. Bold!

Affirmation from his backer. This time it’s definitely promising for our future!

Yang Fengfan immediately had a delighted expression, staring back at his superiors eye to eye.

Those he stared at all turned their heads with unfriendly looks.

This person is crazy, an idiot. We’ll have to think of a way to deal with him after the court session ends!

Apart from Yan Guoan and Zhang Shi not taking a stance, almost everyone else agreed.

Although they felt Fang Zheng’s memorial was a bit strange, no one gave it much thought. After all, it didn’t conflict with their interests in any way.

Banning gambling could be considered a good thing!

Emperor Jing excitedly slapped the imperial desk. “Good, I’ve decided on this matter! Without special imperial permission, no one is allowed to open a lottery gambling den using numbers!”

“Lord Fang, give me another detailed memorial later…”

After saying that, he glanced at the memorial on the table again.

It contained detailed rules, profit distribution, market prospects, and projected income. It was almost like a simplified business plan…

Thinking of the astonishing figures written in it, Emperor Jing even felt a bit restless.

As expected of Fang Zheng, he really has a way with making money!

Fang Zheng nodded in agreement, then retreated back into the ranks. He looked at Li Yuanzhao sitting above, and the two smiled at each other.

It was done. This was today’s main event.

What play or no play, I want money! No matter how well the play is performed, it doesn’t substantially change things for the common people.

With money, anything can be negotiated!

What I’m doing is a welfare lottery! No uniforms, no one falsely claiming prizes, a live broadcast welfare lottery!

Now, Taoyuan County has sent everything I need in terms of people and materials to Banshan District.

The previous minor scuffles can be considered over. The true money-raking plan should begin!

Fang Zheng was full of joy as he continuously calculated his future plans. He naturally ignored the discussions of the court officials.

By the time the court session ended, his hands in his sleeves were still gesturing.

Li Yuanzhao came over. “Old Fang… What did you mean by smiling at me earlier?”

Fang Zheng looked at Li Yuanzhao speechlessly. And here I thought you knew. Turns out you didn’t listen to a single word yesterday afternoon when I was training the lottery ticket sellers in the yamen!

“Your Highness will know later. Don’t be impatient.”

“Then… the play ‘Fan Jin Passes the Imperial Exam’ won’t be performed anymore?”

“No more performances. His Majesty forbade it. Besides, the commoners are tired of watching it too. Tomorrow there will be a new play, ‘Yan Guoan Passes the Imperial Exam’.”