But even if Yan Guoan had misled them, what difference did it make now?

At this point, backing down was absolutely impossible. They could only grit their teeth and endure.

Fortunately, after all the commotion, things finally settled down in the early hours of the morning.

The flowing water gradually carried away the slop.

Everyone looked as if they had lost their parents. One person falling into the water had dragged many others in with them.

Their bodies were covered in egg drops, vegetable shreds, oil slicks, and various other strange things.

Those who had escaped being soaked were still splattered with dirty water, despite their careful dodging.

The most desperate had started washing their faces with the dirty water… attempting to rinse off the slop.

At this moment, all sense of purity and dignity had vanished.

The only consolation… was that everyone was in the same boat.

When everyone loses face, it’s as if no one has! People always find ways to comfort themselves.

Even the guards felt their eyes had been defiled.

This was far worse than any battlefield… It was very disgusting…

…

Early the next morning, after the morning court session.

Emperor Jing, Fang Zheng, and the others arrived by carriage at the Yimen Gate once again.

By now, everyone’s spirits had fallen to rock bottom.

But Fang Zheng, Emperor Jing, and the others didn’t notice anything unusual. After all, kneeling in water for a day and a night would naturally lead to low spirits.

However, many people’s hair seemed particularly disheveled, which Fang Zheng found a bit strange.

He looked questioningly at Li Yuanzhao.

Li Yuanzhao said nothing, just grinned widely, showing two rows of white teeth.

Emperor Jing spoke up, “Well, have you all come to your senses? Will you continue kneeling, or return to the palace with me?”

Yang Yingcai’s lips were cracked and dry as he replied trembling, “Your Majesty, if you don’t agree to our request, we would rather die than stand up.”

Emperor Jing didn’t seem to care.

So what if they all died! Did he lack for capable people?

These pen-pushers really thought too highly of themselves!

Emperor Jing chuckled, “Very well! You’re all men of integrity. I admire that!”

“Bring the Prosperity Potatoes! Let my dear officials eat. They’re the pillars of our nation, we can’t let them starve!”

By now, the water level had receded by half, only reaching people’s knees.

A eunuch came down from the carriage, holding a plate of roasted sweet potatoes. He waded through the water and began distributing them to the crowd.

Smelling the aroma of the sweet potatoes, a glimmer of life returned to the Hanlin scholars’ eyes.

This time, no one refused. They silently accepted the roasted sweet potatoes and began to munch on them.

Seeing them finally eat the sweet potatoes, Fang Zheng smiled with satisfaction.

Good! This way they could continue.

Otherwise, how could they keep playing if they ran out of strength?

Fang Zheng thought for a moment: “Your Majesty, I suggest we give our colleagues more. One isn’t enough.”

“After all, they’ve been soaking in water for a day and a night. No one could endure such conditions. I suggest three for each person would be just right. Any more and they’d be too full.”

Emperor Jing looked at Fang Zheng with increasing approval.

Although Fang Zheng’s words were sharp, he was still kind-hearted. Otherwise, how could the people of Taoyuan be so devoted to him?

Then Emperor Jing stood up and spoke loudly: “My dear officials, you all want me to keep Fang Zheng at a distance, but these sweet potatoes were obtained through his plea on your behalf.”

“Just now, he was worried you wouldn’t have enough to eat and begged me to prepare more for you.”

“You keep telling me to keep worthy ministers close and petty men at bay, but the ‘petty man’ in your eyes is busy saving your lives!”

“And you? You probably wish Fang Zheng dead!”

“Is this the way of the gentleman you speak of?”

The Hanlin scholars said nothing, looking at the sweet potatoes in their hands with conflicted feelings. They hadn’t expected these to be sent by Fang Zheng.

Could this dog really be so kind-hearted?

But they didn’t ponder for long before starting to eat again.

They’d already eaten some anyway, what difference did it make between one bite and two? They were truly hungry now!

Fang Zheng chuckled, slightly raising his voice: “Your Majesty is too modest. People may slander me, insult me, look down on me, hate me. I will endure it, let it be, allow it, bear it.”

“I don’t care how the officials view me, but if their attitude towards me affects their service to Your Majesty.”

“Then I would truly be ashamed to death!”

Despicable bootlicker! The Hanlin scholars all cursed inwardly in unison.

Emperor Jing’s mouth twitched, and he silently climbed into his carriage.

You’re quite the smooth talker! Couldn’t you have said all this in private with so many people around?

Seeing this, Fang Zheng quickly ordered his carriage to pull up beside the Emperor’s.

He leaned over and asked, “Your Majesty, are you leaving now?”

“What else? Stay here and watch them kneel?” Emperor Jing replied.

“I’ve prepared a good show… It might make them change their minds soon. Dengjin District is quite a mixed area with poor conditions.”

“I’m worried Your Majesty won’t sleep well in such an environment. It’s better to resolve this issue quickly and return to the palace soon.”

“It would also be more convenient for handling official business.”

“Your Majesty is already overworked as it is.”

Emperor Jing stroked his chin and stared at the carriage roof, lost in thought.

If only he could replace Guo Taiyang with Fang Zheng…

Fang Zheng was puzzled by the silence and asked, “Your Majesty? What do you think?”

Emperor Jing snapped back to reality: “Mm, mm! Good, we’ll do as you suggest. I’ll wait to see your good show!”

Fang Zheng happily climbed back into his own carriage.

This was trust! His daily memorials hadn’t been in vain.

Soon the show would begin, and he’d try to drive these dogs back.

Dengjin District really wasn’t a good place. It was uncomfortable to live here, and commuting was a pain too!

With three sweet potatoes each, the Hanlin scholars had eaten them all up clean.

Fang Zheng sat cross-legged outside the carriage, looking down at everyone without a word.

The Hanlin scholars didn’t back down either, raising their heads to look at him.

Ptui! A glob of spit fell into the water.

Damn! That dog Fang Zheng!

The Hanlin scholars watched the beautiful parabola of the spit, angry but not daring to speak. The Emperor was still in the carriage.

It wasn’t the right time to curse.

They could only try to kill Fang Zheng with their glares.

Fang Zheng’s mouth twisted into a smirk as he turned back to the carriage and brought out a tray.

A roast chicken, a sweet potato, and a jug of wine.

He tore off a chicken leg and started eating, then tossed the bone into the water.

Next, he began peeling the sweet potato, continuously throwing the peels into the water.

This time, the crowd really couldn’t hold back. Seeming to remember something, they cursed:

“Fang Zheng! Was it you who dumped slop in the water last night?”

“Huh?” Fang Zheng tilted his head.

“What slop?”

Yang Yingcai saw his confused expression, which didn’t seem fake, and realized he hadn’t been involved. He closed his eyes and continued to rest.

Others persisted: “Stop pretending! It must have been you who dumped slop in the water last night! Don’t let us catch you out!”

“Fang, you villain, we’re sworn enemies!”

“You’re a worthless bastard!”

Fang Zheng looked at Li Yuanzhao, immediately understanding what had happened.

Well, well, you learned quickly. Is this what you had prepared? How childish!

But he couldn’t take the blame for this!

He calmly addressed the crowd: “Nonsense! If it were me, I’d have someone dump a chamber pot on your heads directly! Why bother with something as childish as dumping slop?”

“I haven’t done anything excessive to you, have I? You’re always the first to call for my death! Even the food you’re eating was prepared at my request to His Majesty. Tell me, what reason would I have to harm you!”

“Having you kneel here in Dengjin District was just to let you see for yourselves what Yan Guoan’s so-called good governance looks like, you bunch of blind and deaf pedants!”

Everyone fell silent.

Indeed… if it were Fang Zheng, it would only be more vicious. Besides, they had just eaten the sweet potatoes he’d provided. Forget it, they wouldn’t curse him this time!

…

Gurgle

After who knows how long, the silence in front of the Yimen Gate was broken.