Except for the few people close to Fang Zheng, everyone else’s jaws were nearly on the ground.

Fang Zheng, are you even human anymore? You’ll use any means necessary, even messing with other people’s ancestral graves!?

Those are their ancestors! Even if you have no bottom line, you can’t do this kind of thing!

Damn it, how can someone like you be fit to be an imperial official?

The reactions of everyone were within Fang Zheng’s expectations, but he had an explanation ready.

Addressing the crowd, he said, “Everyone, what I just said was a joke. After all, we’re all civilized, moral people, especially me, Fang Zheng. How could I do such a thing?”

“………”

Everyone gave him puzzled looks.

Civilized and moral? What does that have to do with you?

Guo Tianyang kept mulling it over in his mind. At his age, he’d seen it all, but a weirdo like this was a first.

Please, don’t ever enter the palace…

“Your Majesty, in fact, before your subject decided on this matter, I discussed it with the merchants, and they agreed quite readily.”

“The reason is simple. This school will produce countless talents in the future, who will serve in the court and in local governments.”

“Nominally, the merchants are investing in education, but essentially, they’re investing in the future.”

Of course, vanity played a part too, but Fang Zheng didn’t mention that.

Those big merchants were overjoyed at the idea of having their ancestral tablets placed in the school for students to pay respects to every day. They were even afraid of missing out on this opportunity.

Snatching the tablets? Of course, Fang Zheng wouldn’t actually snatch them, that was just an impulsive thought!

After the impulse passed, they of course sat down to continue the discussion. The four honorary principal positions were eventually sold for 4,000 taels each.

This money successfully became the school’s meal fund.

As for the reactions of this group, Fang Zheng was deeply contemptuous in his heart.

We’re all in the same game, just because you’ve read a few more books doesn’t mean you can pretend to be pure little lambs.

Once fundamental interests are at stake, these people in the court are darker than anyone.

Even with a telescope, you couldn’t see where their bottom line is.

How dare they look down on me, the moral gentleman Fang Zheng?

I could have directly confiscated their property, but instead, I sat down to discuss win-win cooperation with them… they don’t know how happy and satisfied they were.

“Of course, there are other reasons besides this.”

“The merchants played an important role in this disaster relief effort. The merchants in the city also want to take this opportunity to make their voices heard, to let the court see.”

“They are also part of our great Jing Dynasty, and have made contributions to the country and their families.”

“So… your subject thinks that even if these four families withdraw their investment in the future, there will be other merchants willing to join in.”

“It just depends on how the officials in office at that time cooperate with the merchants.”

After listening, Emperor Jing couldn’t help but praise, “Minister Fang has such deep and long-term considerations. I didn’t expect you to have thought about what would happen after you leave.”

Fang Zheng quickly replied, “Your Majesty, this is only part of it. The vast majority of disaster victims will have to return home sooner or later.”

“Your subject already has an idea in mind, but it’s a significant matter that still requires Your Majesty’s wise decision.”

“Hehe, good! No rush, we’ve seen enough here. Let’s enter the city first.”

Du Shun swallowed bitterly, feeling miserable inside.

The difference… how can the difference between people be so great?

This kid doesn’t do anything properly, just spouting nonsense.

How can colluding with merchants lead to good results? Even if you can fool people for now, who knows what will happen in the future?

Your words sound good, but it’s all speculation!

Such a big matter as the school, won’t the scholars educated in Jianjiang in the future be full of money worship, only speaking for the merchants?

What’s hateful is that His Majesty has been fooled by this.

Maybe… I should stop being human too?

Du Shun’s mind was churning with thoughts. Before he knew it, he had walked with the crowd to the city gate.

Fang Zheng took two steps back.

He waved his hand towards the sky.

With a “boom”, the band arranged on the city gate tower began to play in unison!

A version of “Ode to Joy” twisted by Fang Duofen started playing. Although it was only the climax part, and the instruments didn’t match at all!

But overall, it was close enough! It had that flavor!

Countless ribbons and flowers floated down from the city gate tower along with the music, creating a rain of petals and ribbons.

Everyone was stunned.

Emperor Jing, having seen the dormitory area and the school, was in a great mood! He turned his head and gave Fang Zheng a meaningful look.

You little rascal, you still have new tricks up your sleeve?

As the petal rain continued to fall, a large flock of pigeons flew out from inside the city gate with a flutter.

Their wings were painted in all colors of the rainbow.

Each pigeon had two small red banners tied to its thin legs.

They were inscribed with phrases like “Long Live the Emperor” and “May the Empire Last Forever”.

Holy crap!!!

Everyone was completely dumbfounded at this point.

Zheng Qiao looked at Fang Zheng, suddenly feeling a pain in his heart that he couldn’t shake.

Monster!! Are you even a subject of the court?!

Are you putting on a magic show here? Has flattery reached such extremes now?

Crown Prince, Crown Prince, how will you fare following him?!

Guo Tianyang, watching the colorful pigeons with small banners flying all over the sky, suddenly gave a bitter smile.

Looking at His Majesty’s expression, he’s been won over again.

I’ve worked hard all my life, and haven’t succeeded many times…

Let it be.

I can’t catch up in this lifetime.

Fang Zheng was also quite satisfied with this effect.

But he felt a bit regretful in his heart.

Tsk, these tricks were used too early. I hope there won’t be any more dispatches to other places in the future.

It’s not easy to come up with new programs.

Then Fang Zheng approached Emperor Jing: “Your Majesty, please enter the city!”

Emperor Jing’s face was slightly red, and he coughed awkwardly twice: “Cough, nonsense! I just said you were steady, don’t do this again in the future.”

Fang Zheng gave a crooked smile.

Understood! We’ll do it again in the future!

Entering the city, two rows of neatly lined up merchants immediately knelt down.

Each one was visibly excited, shouting in unison: “We commoners pay our respects to Your Majesty!”

Then they kowtowed in perfect unison.

Initially, Fang Zheng hadn’t planned to arrange this part. Some things can be overdone, and if played too much, they lose their flavor. It’s hard to grasp the right intensity.

But to improve the workers’ meals, he specially held a meeting with some small merchants.

The exchange condition was nothing else, just giving them a formal opportunity to see the emperor.

Seeing the emperor, Fang Zheng didn’t think it was a big deal, after all, he could see him anytime he wanted, and Emperor Jing had even invited him to dinner a few times.

But for ordinary people, the significance of this was completely different.

Being able to see the current emperor once was a lifetime’s worth of bragging rights!

It would bring honor to the whole family when mentioned!

Spending a bit more money was worth it!

As he expected, Emperor Jing was clearly not very satisfied with this part. He just said “Rise” indifferently, and then had the merchants disperse.

Then he turned to the accompanying ministers and said, “You all disperse too. Go around the city and take a look, learn something! I have something to discuss with Minister Fang.”

Hearing this, everyone immediately scattered. Li Yuanzhao, in particular, disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving only Guo Tianyang still accompanying them.

Everyone had only one thought: get away from this bootlicker quickly, I’m afraid I’ll get a sty in my eye if I look at him any longer!

Hearing Emperor Jing say this, Fang Zheng was quite surprised.

A private chat with me? This must be something big to discuss!

Could it be… His Majesty has found out about me and the princess?!