Li Yansong was immediately stumped, a feeling of discomfort washing over him.
That Fang Zheng is truly incapable of speaking human language!
However, he still wanted to make one last effort: "Are you really not going to listen to this old man's advice and continue down this path?"
Fang Zheng walked up to him, looking down and said: "Lord Li, at this point, can we even stop?"
"This official is just that kind of person, I will not rest until my goal is achieved."
Li Yansong spread his hands, agitatedly saying: "Why is this? Why be so radical? If you stop now, I can help you mediate."
Fang Zheng sighed: "Lord Li, have you ever been hungry?"
"Of course I've been hungry! Which scholar heading to the capital for the imperial exams hasn't been hungry?"
Several days of exams, the dry rations they brought were hard and dry, and the food in the examination cells was bland and watery, it was truly unbearable hunger.
"No, Lord Li hasn't been truly hungry. I'm talking about the kind of hunger where you're never sure if you'll eat, barely surviving today with no idea how to survive tomorrow."
"True hunger eliminates all other thoughts, and if there's someone next to you, you only hope they die so you can eat them to fill your belly."
Li Yansong's throat tightened, and he didn't dare speak.
Fang Zheng's expression became somewhat heavy: "Then has Lord Li ever been to a disaster area to see it with your own eyes?"
"I have not."
"Good, then let me tell Lord Li what a disaster area looks like... Wherever famine strikes, there are broken walls and ruins everywhere, and endless new graves."
"Going into the homes of the common people, which home doesn't have a broken pot and a cold stove, filled with the sounds of weeping?"
"Unfortunately, I have seen it. Not only have I seen it, but I owe my survival to those starving famine victims."
"A group of people on the verge of death squeezed out the only bit of food they had, allowing this official to survive until today."
"Originally, I didn't want to get too involved in this matter, but the Crown Prince's benevolence truly shames me."
"As the Junior Preceptor of the Court of the Imperial Stud, how can I shrink back in fear? Therefore, even if I am against all the officials, so what?"
"Lord Li, you are certainly far-sighted, but sometimes doing things doesn't require too much wisdom."
"Perhaps it only requires a little courage."
Li Yansong was speechless, only staring into Fang Zheng's eyes.
Seeing his firm attitude, he could only force a bitter smile: "Forget it, do whatever you want. This old man sees some potential in you, don't ruin your future."
"I'm leaving."
After speaking, Li Yansong turned and left, his back filled with desolation.
The surrounding reporters' eyes were shining as they looked at Fang Zheng.
They never expected that Lord Fang would be so righteous! Following him is worth it in this lifetime!
Not long after, Li Yansong, who had just left, hurriedly ran back.
"My family only has less than two thousand shi of grain in storage! Remember to clarify this in the newspaper!"
After speaking, he hurriedly left again.
Fang Zheng smiled slightly, and patted Shen Yi, who was hunched over his desk working beside him: "Record it! Grand Secretary Li Yansong, shed tears in the editorial department! Lamenting the hardships of the people, he is willing to leave only one thousand five hundred shi of grain in his home, and donate the rest to the disaster area!"
Li Yuanzhao heard this, his eyes widened in disbelief, and he fell into chaos.
Shen Yi's heart trembled, and his hand shook.
A drop of ink fell on the paper and blurred.
Li Yansong? He is actually Lord Fang's uncle!
There is actually someone who pits their own relatives like this?
Shen Yi hesitated and said: "Lord Fang... Lord Li doesn't seem to have said those words, and besides, they are family... Isn't this too cruel!"
Fang Zheng's expression was serious: "It's his inner voice, I heard it! Besides, for the sake of disaster relief, what does family matter! Even if they are relatives, so what? This official has always been impartial!"
"With great power comes great responsibility! My family will donate more grain, it is our duty! Publish it tomorrow, and record it for me!"
"Yes! Lord Fang is righteous!" Shen Yi excitedly stood up and gave a salute.
All the reporters in the room excitedly stood up.
What is literary integrity! This is literary integrity!
Lord Fang is frantically sending his family's grain to the disaster area, which is equivalent to reaching the realm of cutting flesh to feed eagles!
Following such a person, their faces are radiant, and even their ancestral graves will emit green smoke!
Work overtime! If they don't work overtime, they won't even have the face to work at the newspaper office!
.............
As Fang Zheng expected, the next day at court, yesterday's newspaper was once again presented to Emperor Jing.
Emperor Jing didn't even look at it, directly slamming the newspaper on the imperial desk, looking at Fang Zheng with a complicated expression.
You kid can handle things, but why don't you consider the consequences?
This time you even dragged the Crown Prince into it, could it be that you want Us to help you smooth things over?
Seeing Emperor Jing looking at him, Fang Zheng began to wink incessantly.
His eyes said four big words! Your Majesty, save me!
The court officials all glared at Fang Zheng angrily.
Zhang Shi impatiently jumped out!
Angrily said: "Your Majesty! This minister impeaches Fang Zheng for using the newspaper to spread rumors among the people! Causing damage to the reputation of the court!"
Fang Zheng didn't speak, constantly winking at Li Yuanzhao.
Then the little brother made his entrance!
Li Yuanzhao stood up and said: "Lord Zhang! The Crown Prince Daily is handled by this palace alone, what does it have to do with Master Fang? Tell me, how does it damage the reputation of the court?"
Zhang Shi looked at Fang Zheng with hatred.
Shameless! Always using the Crown Prince as a shield.
Then he looked at Emperor Jing, seeing that Emperor Jing didn't show any expression.
Zhang Shi braced himself and opened his mouth: "The newspaper ranks the officials' families according to the amount of grain they have in storage, and the figures are inaccurate! The people will likely harbor resentment when they see it!"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is kind and benevolent, it must be Fang Zheng who instigated it!"
"Tch~ Bootlicker." A discordant voice came from the crowd.
Zhang Shi immediately glared angrily, looking at Fang Zheng.
"Alright, stop arguing, Fang Zheng, We ask you, where did you get the numbers for the officials' families' grain storage that are recorded in the newspaper?" Emperor Jing slowly opened his mouth.
Fang Zheng leisurely replied: "Replying to Your Majesty, it was calculated by my subordinates."
"There will inevitably be some errors, it is not that accurate!"
"If any of the lords feel that what is said in the newspaper is incorrect, you can tell me, and I will clarify it in tomorrow's newspaper."
Zhang Shi immediately retorted: "Your Majesty! This is utter nonsense, the amount of grain in storage in the newspaper is simply made up!"
"Where does my family have fifty thousand shi of grain! This is clearly something Fang Zheng made up on the spot!"
"Now, in just a few days, such a big mistake has appeared in the newspaper! This minister requests that the newspaper be managed by the Hanlin Academy, and only after the Hanlin scholars have reviewed it properly can it be issued!"
"If it is allowed to continue unchecked, I am afraid it will lead to disaster!"
"Please allow it, Your Majesty!"
"We agree!"
A large group of Hanlin scholars and other officials directly knelt down.
Fang Zheng squinted his eyes and looked, this was premeditated.
These people reacted quickly... They united in just one day.
Emperor Jing couldn't help but feel a headache, and couldn't help but glare at Fang Zheng.
Everyone knows that the Zhang family's industry doesn't have any grain shops, how could he possibly have that much grain in storage? You kid didn't even investigate, at least make up something believable!
Making up random numbers, why didn't you ask Us about it first!?
You dare not discuss such a big matter with Us? In another two years, wouldn't you be able to go to heaven?
"Everyone rise, this matter will be discussed later, there is a more important matter now."
"After this newspaper is issued, the world will be talking about it, and it can't be stopped, and the amount of grain in storage of each of you is not important."
"Now, all of you should actively donate grain to quell the people's grievances, otherwise, where is the court's credibility? Let's all talk about it, how much will each family donate?"
Fang Zheng couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
This is what we call tacit understanding, His Majesty is awesome!
.............
