After ten days of carefree living, it was time to reluctantly return to work.

Fang Zheng felt a major headache coming on.

He had just gotten back into the habit of sleeping six hours a day, and now he had to wake up early again.

Normally, attending court once every ten days or half a month would be the usual routine.

Emperor Jing was clearly a diligent ruler, sleeping less than three hours a day and still holding court daily.

When the boss shows up at the company, how can the workers keep sleeping?

No matter how unwilling he was, he had to come.

Early in the morning, it was the new maid, Luo Ningxin, who woke him up.

She helped him wash up and dress, her movements very skillful, and Fang Zheng was extremely satisfied.

However, this Miss Luo seemed to have become rather quiet since arriving at the Fang household.

She just worked silently.

Excellent! This woman is beautiful, efficient at work, and can even play mute. There’s nothing to complain about!

Feeling content, Fang Zheng got into his sedan chair, dozing off and on as he was carried to the Meridian Gate.

Outside the Meridian Gate, a crowd of officials was already waiting.

As Fang Zheng alighted and saw many familiar faces, he immediately broke into a smile, greeting everyone one by one.

Fortunately, although they found him annoying, they still had to maintain face.

Besides, this guy’s future prospects were undeniable, so they couldn’t afford to be on bad terms with him!

Except for Yang Yingcai, who kept watching Fang Zheng coldly from within the crowd.

Seeing Fang Zheng shamelessly coming over to greet him, he returned a polite bow.

“Hello, Lord Yang! Long time no see!”

Yang Yingcai smiled without it reaching his eyes: “Congratulations, Lord Fang. You handle matters skillfully, bold yet cautious, daring to execute the Prefect of Jianjiang with mere Assistant Prefect authority.”

“Truly admirable.”

Seeing this old fellow speaking to him sarcastically, Fang Zheng was equally blunt, smiling as he said, “You’re too kind, Lord Yang!”

“What’s wrong with being an Assistant Prefect? Some corrupt officials deserve death when necessary! If we had to report up through every level, with officials protecting each other, wouldn’t those corrupt officials go scot-free?”

“Unless… Lord Yang had a private friendship with Liu Xun?”

Yang Yingcai hurriedly waved his hands: “Hey! Don’t talk nonsense!”

Fang Zheng grinned: “Just joking! Don’t take it seriously, Lord Yang!”

Yang Yingcai’s face turned red as he angrily flicked his sleeves, saying, “Joking! How can you joke about such things? Are you saying that executing the Prefect of Jianjiang without reporting it was also a joke, Lord Fang?”

Fang Zheng observed his expression and suddenly understood.

So that’s why this old fellow seems to have eaten gunpowder.

This old stickler! Just because I didn’t follow procedures, he’s nitpicking at me?

Fang Zheng looked straight at Yang Yingcai without any courtesy: “Prefect? What’s so great about a Prefect! In the capital, you could throw a brick and hit a bunch of officials higher-ranked than a Prefect.”

“The extent of power doesn’t matter. It’s all about serving the people and working for the court. Liu Xun knew the law but broke it, his crime deserved death, so he should be executed.”

“I’m not talking about you, but you, as a senior official, still need to raise your ideological awareness!”

“You…!!”

Yang Yingcai was left speechless, unable to retort. He used to be quite sharp-tongued himself!

He could criticize someone to death about public or private morality if he found even the slightest flaw.

But this guy had no morals… there was no weak point to attack.

While Yang Yingcai was still thinking of a counter-strategy, Fang Zheng, finding it boring, had already turned and left.

The group of officials was still grinning, watching the show from a distance.

Being able to see people bickering early in the morning was too delightful! It really perked everyone up!

Nearby, Yang Fengfan, seeing that the two had finished talking, quickly approached Fang Zheng.

With a fawning expression, he said, “Congratulations on your reinstatement, Lord Fang!”

Fang Zheng glanced at him sideways: “Oh, thank you, thank you. Little Yang, do you need something?”

“Eh? Where’s Old Li? I don’t see him anywhere.”

Seeing that Fang Zheng remembered him, Yang Fengfan smiled even more brightly.

He moved closer and said in a low voice, “I saw him just now, but don’t know where he went.”

“Maybe he’s afraid of seeing you?”

“Afraid of me? Why would he be afraid of me?” Fang Zheng was puzzled.

Yang Fengfan chuckled mischievously: “Of course he’s afraid!”

“He’s your uncle-in-law, and you’re now at the height of your career.”

“It wouldn’t look good if they were seen together, you know, avoiding suspicion!”

“Oh~, so that’s why he’s avoiding suspicion!”

Fang Zheng’s mouth twisted as he said loudly, “Tsk tsk, what’s the point? We’re all family!”

“Exactly! Exactly!” Yang Fengfan agreed enthusiastically.

Li Yansong, hiding in a corner not far away, widened his eyes.

He couldn’t help but beat his chest and stamp his feet.

He had thought that after Fang Zheng’s explanation, the matter would be over.

Who knew it would escalate even further in the capital.

There were even people saying that all the grain in his house was donated by Fang Zheng!!

Even people from his hometown were writing to inquire about this.

In his decades of maneuvering in the court, he had never encountered such a bizarre situation.

Three men make a tiger, public opinion is fearsome indeed!

Even if he had a hundred mouths, he couldn’t explain it clearly. He could only hide as far away as possible!

Now this damned Fang Zheng was getting even more brazen, saying such things in front of so many people!

“I… I…” Li Yansong was panting heavily.

The servant beside him quickly patted his chest, helping him catch his breath.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the bell from the Court of Imperial Entertainments rang out, and the palace gates opened wide.

The court officials began to stream in.

With the ministers in their places, Emperor Jing sat high above, glancing at Fang Zheng.

“Lord Fang, I thought if we didn’t send someone to call you, you wouldn’t come back.”

Fang Zheng smiled awkwardly, remaining silent.

Taking ten days off was already quite good!

Seeing that he didn’t speak, Emperor Jing turned his head and said directly: “A major event has occurred recently.”

“The border has sent several secret reports to me in succession.”

“The twenty-six tribes of the Northern Rong have been swept one by one by the Wuliangchi tribe, and their chief Wutu has been pushed to become the common leader.”

“According to the secret reports, this man has achieved brilliant military exploits and leads from the front.”

“He has now become a serious threat to our Great Jing,”

“However, the Court of Diplomatic Receptions has now received a diplomatic letter from the Northern Rong, and in a month, an envoy will…”

Emperor Jing continued speaking from above.

Fang Zheng pondered below.

They’re not going to war, are they?

In recent years in Taoyuan County, he had always heard about fighting here and there.

It always felt like war in ancient times was as common as eating and drinking, and he had just started to enjoy some peaceful days.

Now the Northern Rong had emerged.

He had heard of the Northern Rong, but didn’t know much about them.

Firstly, they were too far away, and secondly, he had no interest in warfare, only wanting to curl up and live his own little life.

Now that foreign enemies were rising, should he bring out gunpowder ahead of schedule?

It’s better to be prepared. In case a new war breaks out in the next year or two, they could be ready in advance.

Emperor Jing continued: “The Northern Rong have been at war for years and their national strength is exhausted.”

“So I believe this envoy is coming to seek peace. What do you ministers think?”

“Lord Fang… Lord Fang! What’s your view?”

Fang Zheng was dumbfounded. He had just been thinking about making gunpowder weapons to defend against the enemy.

He didn’t expect the Emperor to suddenly ask for his opinion.

This was something he truly didn’t understand! War, he couldn’t pretend to know about it…

But he couldn’t say he didn’t know when the Emperor asked, so he had to force himself to answer: “Your Majesty, this official believes it’s too early to discuss this matter. Why don’t we wait until the envoy arrives before deliberating further?”