Guo Tianyang chuckled inwardly.

This was indeed one of Fang Zheng’s classic moves – shifting the blame!

He had played tricks on Guo’s household a few times back in Taoyuan County, and now he was using the same tactic on the elder statesmen. Truly brazen!

Did he really think that after saying a few nice words and giving some compliments, His Majesty would help him trample on Master Zhang?

Keep dreaming!

Zhang Dongxiang was trembling with rage. “Well… well done with your glib tongue! When did this official ever say His Majesty was not wise!”

“Flattery to one’s face is not the conduct of a gentleman! If someone like you teaches the Crown Prince, the country will be doomed. Your Majesty, please see clearly!”

Li Yansong and Zheng Qiao couldn’t help sighing and shaking their heads.

Master Zhang was good in every way, except his temper was too straightforward and impulsive. With just a few provocative words from that brat, he got all riled up.

In terms of eloquence, he was probably far inferior to this crafty Fang Zheng before them.

Fang Zheng walked up close to Zhang Dongxiang and looked him straight in the eye. “Master Zhang, what do you mean by flattery? Does Master Zhang believe this lowly official is not speaking from the heart?”

“I, Fang Zheng, have always spoken my mind. What I think in my heart is what I say with my mouth.”

“In this lowly official’s eyes, His Majesty is a uniquely great man! A hero! An emperor for the ages!”

“Capable of conquering the world on horseback and governing the land after dismounting! His Majesty is like the bright sun high in the sky, so radiant and outstanding!”

“Although this lowly official resides far away, my heart often worries for His Majesty! My only pastime is to raise a cup to the moon, expressing my yearning for my ruler!”

“Now that I can behold the imperial face and pour out my admiration, what wrong have I done?”

“Could it be that in our Great Jing, high officials can no longer tolerate a subject speaking the truth?”

“What has this world come to? How are we lowly, outspoken loyal ministers supposed to live to satisfy you all? Thinking of this, I can’t stop my tears from falling. Has the court really become so dark? Enraging! Appalling! Chilling!”

Finishing his speech, Fang Zheng made a show of wiping his tears, covering his face with his sleeve and sobbing.

Zhang Dongxiang’s eyes widened, his chest heaving. He could barely stand steady, fortunately with Zheng Qiao supporting him from behind.

Pointing a finger at Fang Zheng, he stammered out, “You… you… you…!”

The hundred officials fell silent.

If a person has a bit of shamelessness, you can still condemn him. But if shamelessness is written all over his face, you can only avoid him.

That was the current situation.

Seeing Fang Zheng not only unashamed but even taking pride in it, with every sentence praising His Majesty, everyone could only remain silent.

Even the censors, usually so sharp-tongued, were unwilling to say a word. What could they say? What else was there to say? He hadn’t committed any crime, only lost decorum in the palace hall!

Moral condemnation? This fellow had no morals!

They had originally thought a rising star of the court was arriving, but it turned out to be a stinking insect. Now they couldn’t even chase him away. Enraging! Appalling! Chilling!

The Emperor also felt extremely nauseated at this moment!

To flatter so shamelessly and blatantly actually made him feel a tiny bit gratified…

But seeing Zhang Dongxiang’s furious reaction, the Emperor still put on a stern face and angrily said, “Fang Zheng, you’re out of line! Hurry and step back! Master Zhang is a veteran official who served two emperors. How can he tolerate you spouting nonsense before him!”

Fang Zheng quickly put down his sleeve and took two steps back. He continued passionately, “Your Majesty is so wise! Emperors throughout history all wished to enhance their glory and exaggerate their own achievements, indulging in their ministers’ flattery. Only Your Majesty can maintain clarity at all times, willing to accept criticism, truly examining himself thrice daily! For Your Majesty to constantly reflect on himself is no different from reaching the realm of a sage! This subject… is utterly impressed to the point of dedicating my life!”

Hearing this, Zhang Dongxiang panted even harder. “I… I… I…”

The Emperor: “…………”

The flesh on old Guo Tianyang’s face had been twitching this whole time, now trembling even more intensely… as if a vibrating motor had been installed.

Terrifying! Too terrifying! This Fang Zheng had actually surpassed his imagination….

The Emperor’s heart was now filled with indescribable feelings. He could only say indifferently, “Enough! Don’t say anymore.”

“My beloved officials, does anyone else have something to say?”

“Your Majesty, this official has a word!”

Yan Guoan stepped out and bowed to the Emperor. Then he coldly looked at Fang Zheng. “This official is Yan Guoan, Grand Tutor of the Imperial Clan Court.”

Fang Zheng’s heart shuddered. Great, this seems to be someone skilled with words, probably harder to deal with than that old man.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, still lacking in worldly experience.”

“As the heir, he should naturally be close to worthy ministers and distant from petty men. Loyal words may be harsh on the ears but beneficial to conduct. Good medicine may be bitter to the mouth but good for the illness. This is a truth that has always been so, past and present.”

“If the likes of Fang Zheng, a fawning and flattering kind, surround the Crown Prince and praise his wisdom and virtue all day, this official fears the Crown Prince will lose himself.”

“If he ascends the throne in the future with treacherous officials in power and a pack of wolves around him, unable to heed loyal advice, it will be no different from endangering the foundation of our Great Jing!”

“This official, despite my unworthiness, holds the position of Grand Tutor of the Imperial Clan Court, teaching the Crown Prince the words of sages and the etiquette of sages. If evil people surround him, this official fears all prior efforts will be undone. Today, even if this official’s body is smashed to pieces, I must implore Your Majesty to dismiss Fang Zheng!”

The officials erupted in an uproar!

As expected of the Crown Prince’s teacher, so powerful and eloquent! With reason and evidence, let’s see if you still refuse to die this time, Fang Zheng!

Dismiss? A good opportunity! Fang Zheng’s eyes lit up. He was invigorated!

Great, dismiss me! If dismissed, I can return to Taoyuan County. Even if my position as county magistrate is revoked, it doesn’t matter! Taoyuan County is my foundation. Even if others take office, it won’t affect me in the slightest!

Alas, I was muddleheaded just now. I shouldn’t have retorted against that old man. If I went along with him and directly had my position removed, wouldn’t that have saved a lot of trouble?

The Emperor started developing a headache. What he valued was precisely Fang Zheng’s unique way of thinking. He wanted him to provide more inspiration to the Crown Prince.

He had originally considered that Fang Zheng would be unwelcome, but he didn’t expect this guy’s mouth to be so wretched, offending everyone as soon as he arrived. How to step down now…

Yan Guoan saw the Emperor remaining silent and became a bit anxious. “Your Majesty! If we allow a treacherous official to hold power, this official fears the Crown Prince will develop a tyrannical nature without any compassion! Please, Your Majesty, see clearly!”

Guo Tianyang’s eyelids twitched as he secretly thought, not good.

The Crown Prince lacks compassion – does Your Majesty not know that? What are you blabbing for?

Sure enough, hearing this, the Emperor said indifferently, “Mm, understood.”

The hundred officials felt half their hearts go cold.

Understood? What do you mean understood? Judging from Your Majesty’s attitude, he doesn’t want to remove Fang Zheng! Just what is good about him?

Fang Zheng saw this and hurriedly knelt down. “Your Majesty! This subject believes Grand Tutor Yan’s words are very true. This subject is unvirtuous and untalented! Please, Your Majesty, take back your order!”

What?

The officials were dumbfounded. What’s going on? This brat clearly had overwhelming combat power, and His Majesty also seems partial to him. How come he suddenly admitted defeat? What happened?

The Emperor of course understood what Fang Zheng was thinking. So he coldly said, “Not allowed!”

Fang Zheng inwardly cursed, this is bad! He pleaded again, “This subject is unfit to serve as Junior Grand Tutor. Furthermore, this subject is disliked by others here, bringing many troubles. Please, Your Majesty, take back your order!”

The Emperor frowned. “Our imperial decree, once uttered, can’t be retracted on a whim! Not allowed!”

Fang Zheng mustered his courage again and loudly said, “Please! Your Majesty, reconsider!”

What? What? What?

Now everyone was baffled. It seems Fang Zheng is dead set on leaving! His Majesty is dead set on keeping him. Just what is the situation?

At this time, Zhang Dongxiang, who had caught his breath, looked at Fang Zheng with a complicated expression. Why was this guy suddenly talking back to the Emperor?

The Emperor was truly furious this time!

You repeatedly ask to resign, nothing more than wanting to return to Taoyuan County and live freely! I refuse to let you have your way!

The Emperor abruptly stood up, grabbed the ink stone on the table, and fiercely flung it towards the ground in front of Fang Zheng.

The ink stone shattered on the ground, splattering ink all over Fang Zheng.

Then the Emperor was heard raging, “Fang Zheng! If you dare say one more word, I’ll have your head chopped off! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking!”

“You will serve as the Junior Grand Tutor, whether you want to or not!”

“If you don’t achieve results, I’ll still have your head chopped off! Understand!”

“Court dismissed!”

With that, the Emperor stormed off, sleeves fluttering. Guo Tianyang and the Crown Prince hurriedly followed.

Dis- dismissed? The court is dismissed just like that? Why is His Majesty so abnormal today?

The crowd was stunned. Then all eyes once again focused on Fang Zheng.

Yan Guoan glared at Fang Zheng and also left with an angry swish of his sleeves.

“Lord Li, what is His Majesty’s intention?” Zheng Qiao asked Li Yansong.

Li Yansong sighed. “This is Fang Zheng’s ‘advancing by retreating’ tactic, truly skillful. I’m afraid he won’t be peaceful in the future. Take good care of the Crown Prince, I’m leaving too!”

Having said that, he left the palace hall with his hands clasped behind his back.

In the hall, Fang Zheng had a face full of dejection… Indeed, the Emperor was unwilling to let go.

He had offended all his colleagues as soon as he arrived. Difficult days were ahead. Why was it that every time he changed maps, he started at hell difficulty! My Taoyuan County… when can I return home!

Thinking more was useless. Fang Zheng could only shake his head and walk out of the hall, disheartened.

Reaching the palace hall’s entrance, seeing the morning sun just rising, Fang Zheng only wanted to smoke a cigarette and have a drink to relieve the depression in his heart. Unfortunately, he currently had neither cigarettes nor alcohol.

“Sir Fang, nice moves!” A mocking voice came from beside his ear.

Fang Zheng turned his head expressionlessly to look.

A weaselly little official was talking to him in a sarcastic tone. “Sir Fang used this ‘advancing by retreating’ move wonderfully. No wonder you have His Majesty’s deep trust.”

“Who are you?”

The weasel-faced man said loudly, “I am Yang Fengfan, Hanlin Academy Editor!”

“He~ tui!” Fang Zheng couldn’t be bothered to pay him any attention. He directly spat a mouthful of saliva onto Yang Fengfan’s boots.

Yang Fengfan was instantly shocked. He jumped back and angrily said, “How can you be so rude! Truly a disgrace to the scholarly!”

“Your looks are already a disgrace to the scholarly. Please stay far away from me.”

Someone beside them heard Fang Zheng’s words and couldn’t help laughing, thinking this guy really is sharp-tongued, not sparing anyone with his words.

Yang Fengfan mocked, “Grand Tutor Fang is truly calm and collected. You’ve offended everyone, yet you’re still hanging around leisurely?”

Fang Zheng glanced at him. “You, a mere sixth-rank editor, also dare to be presumptuous before me? Don’t you know this official has backing?”

Yang Fengfan immediately became alert. “Who?”

Fang Zheng chuckled. “Naturally, it’s Eunuch Guo who is beside the Emperor. He is this official’s bosom buddy, close confidant. I pick out dishes for him at meals!”

“Do you still want to keep your editor job? If you do, hurry and scram!”

Yang Fengfan suddenly realized. So that’s how it is! Fang Zheng’s confidence comes from here. No wonder the Emperor favors him so! It must be Eunuch Guo putting in a good word for him in His Majesty’s ear!

This person is truly shameless. As a scholar, he actually consorts with eunuchs!

Yang Fengfan’s heart was filled with even more disdain, but fearing Eunuch Guo’s power, he still scrammed in a flurry.

Fang Zheng didn’t want to stay here any longer. Until now, no one from the Ministry of Rites had come to make arrangements for him. He didn’t even know where the doors to the Eastern Palace opened. Might as well go home!

Having figured this out, he lifted his legs and walked.

Before he got far, Guo Tianyang caught up to him with mincing steps, calling out from behind, “Wait a moment, Magistrate Fang! Please hold on!”

Fang Zheng turned his head back. Seeing it was him, he quickly put on a smile. “Oh! Brother Guo!”

Guo Tianyang’s expression froze. Brother Guo? Who’s your Brother Guo? Shameless thing!

But even a rogue has a smiling countenance. Guo Tianyang still greeted him with a smile.

“Oh, congratulations Grand Tutor Fang! What a joyous occasion! His Majesty awaits your presence in the imperial study for a private audience.”

Fang Zheng smiled and pulled Guo Tianyang’s arm, walking towards a crowded place.

He discreetly slipped a banknote worth two hundred taels of silver from his chest pocket and tucked it into Guo Tianyang’s sleeve.

“Brother Guo, what matter is His Majesty summoning me for?”

Guo Tianyang unobtrusively pushed it back out, smiling. “This old servant also doesn’t know. Wouldn’t you find out if you go over directly now?”

Fang Zheng took out another banknote for five hundred taels and stuffed it in again. “I’m just afraid of angering His Majesty. After all, I just entered the palace and don’t understand the rules!”

Guo Tianyang felt the texture of the banknotes and secretly nodded. “Ah, actually it’s no big deal. Just some advice for Grand Tutor Fang.”

“Grand Tutor Fang, this old servant still has matters to attend to. You see that little eunuch over there, let him lead you over.”

“Hehe! Alright, much thanks Brother Guo.” After saying that, Fang Zheng stuffed another two hundred taels back into Guo Tianyang’s sleeve.

Then, he turned and walked away.

Guo Tianyang felt the two banknotes in his sleeve and looked at Fang Zheng’s retreating figure with a satisfied nod.

Okay! This guy is manageable! Taking him as my godson would be perfect!

…

Following the little eunuch’s directions, Fang Zheng successfully arrived at the imperial study.

Fang Zheng cleared his throat at the door, tucked his upper garment tightly, and began waiting to be summoned.

Before long, the Emperor’s voice rang out, and Fang Zheng smoothly entered the room.

Inside the imperial study, the Emperor was burying his head in memorials, not uttering a word.

Fang Zheng stood awkwardly in the room, not daring to move his head, but his eyeballs were spinning around.

The imperial study! He was quite curious about it.

After waiting for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the Emperor had drunk three cups of tea before slowly putting down his brush.

Staring straight at Fang Zheng, he said, “Fang Zheng, do you know…”

“This subject acknowledges his guilt!”

Finishing his words, he took out a stack of messy banknotes from his chest and held them up with both hands.

This move! It’s called taking the initiative!

Although Fang Zheng didn’t know beforehand that Li Long was the Emperor, since the Emperor had sent spies to Taoyuan County, he definitely knew quite a bit. So the silver had already been divided and prepared on his person, simply awaiting the Emperor’s inquiry!

Fang Zheng respectfully said, “This is the surplus of 86,524 taels of silver produced in Taoyuan County over seven years. This guilty official, Fang Zheng, invites Your Majesty to verify!”

At this moment, he was a bit apprehensive inside… This number had some whole and some fractional amounts. Your Majesty… should believe it, right…