The first county magistrate in history

"Your Majesty, I feel that this is inappropriate..." An old man came out.

This person was Zhao Baishun, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, who was responsible for drafting government decrees.

"Your Majesty, the princess is worth a million gold and already has a tutor. Qin Zheng is of humble origin and even if he has talent, he is not suitable to be a teacher." Zhao Baishun said.

"Your Majesty, I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I also second the proposal..."

Several ministers stood up at once and vetoed the proposal.

"Your Majesty, I think it's perfect!" At this moment, the Grand Tutor Wei Xuelin, who had recovered from his illness, came out:

"I am old, and my heart is full of desire, but my strength is insufficient. I have read the books written by Qin Zheng. He is a literary genius, even more talented than me. He is more than qualified to be the princess's tutor. Although his family background is ordinary, I am willing to give him a ride!"

The ministers were shocked. The Grand Tutor actually agreed?

Little did they know that this was the idea given by the Grand Tutor to Xia Mochu.

I know that the ministers will oppose Qin Zheng's entry into the court. Only in this way can Qin Zheng be brought into the court.

Once he enters the court, things will be easier.

This first step is the key.

Xia Mochu smiled and said, "Let's do as the Grand Tutor says. It's settled. Qin Zheng will be appointed as the Princess's Junior Tutor and granted the Junior Tutor's Mansion... and the court is dismissed!"

Prime Minister's House.

Xia Bitu's face was gloomy.

Although Xia Jinzhong had a blank expression on his face, his fists were clenched tightly.

The empress personally took over Liangjin Province, and no one could fill any vacant official positions.

"How is the Hongwu going?" Xia Bitu suddenly asked.

Xia Jinzhong quickly reported back, "There's been no progress. Qin Zheng is very cautious about outsiders, and he doesn't like women."

Xia Bitu frowned: "So, Hongwu can't play a big role?"

Xia Jinzhong nodded: "Do you want to call her back?"

Xia Bitu shook his head: "No, it's not necessary to seduce her. Tell her to be cautious and not to rush things."

"Yes!" Xia Jinzhong replied.

Xia Bitu asked again, "Does the King of the North know everything?"

Xia Jinzhong replied, "I already know. Apart from throwing a tantrum in the barracks, there wasn't any other reaction!"

"Hmph!" Xia Bitu snorted coldly, "I knew the Four Realm Kings were all old foxes. Once the Empress becomes powerful, they'll be afraid."

Xia Jinzhong subconsciously asked, "Are they really afraid of the empress?"

Xia Bitu said: "They are not afraid of the empress, but..."

Suddenly he stopped talking and glanced at Xia Jinzhong.

Xia Jinzhong shuddered, knowing he shouldn't ask, and quickly said, "Foster father, I was anxious. I was afraid that Qin Zheng would come to the court and ruin your plan!"

Xia Bitu said, "Appointing him as Junior Tutor is not a bad thing. But if he were to be made the Governor of Liangjin, that would be a serious problem!"

Xia Jinzhong didn't say anything, afraid that he might say something wrong again.

Xia Bitu pondered for a moment and said, "The Empress must be hoping to use Qin Zheng's services. That's fine, I also want to see what talents this seventh-rank official possesses. If he can establish himself in the court, he'd be worth winning over. Otherwise, he's of little use to us."

"Godfather is wise!" Xia Jinzhong clapped his hands at the right time.

Xia Bitu ordered, "Inform our people to give the Empress a favor and leave him alone. You can leave now!"

"Yes!" Xia Jinzhong turned and left, having guessed his adoptive father's intention.

Let the people of the Four Realms Kings start a fight with Qin Zheng and the Empress first, and then the adoptive father will take advantage of the situation.

Time flies.

In the blink of an eye, another twenty days passed.

On this day, Qin Zheng was drawing the design of a water pressure well.

Su Xiaoman was serving by the side.

Hongwu was waiting outside the door.

At this moment, Hongwu looked like she had lost all hope in life.

She was definitely a beauty, much more beautiful than Wu Xiaoyou, Su Xiaoman, and Xia Ning.

Moreover, she is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but Qin Zheng's attitude towards her is not as close as that towards Su Xiaoman, a servant.

When Qin Zheng draws things, Su Xiaoman usually serves him. There is also a new word for her, "secretary".

And she was called the recorder. She was only used when there was a public case!

Hongwu suddenly saw Wu Xiaoyou running into the yard in a hurry.

"Sister Xiaoyou." Hongwu and Xiaoman also called Wu Xiaoyou Sister Xiaoyou.

Wu Xiaoyou ignored her and ran into the room.

Wu Xiaoyou also knew that Hongwu had a problem and was too lazy to pay attention to her.

Hongwu felt embarrassed and angry.

Qin Zheng's men, including the Yihui Army, were wary of her like a thief. Even the heartless Miss Xia had distanced herself from her recently.

Even though she was a spy trained by Prime Minister Xia Bitu since she was a child and could adapt to any environment, she had never been treated so coldly.

If it weren't for the mission, she really wanted to leave.

She didn't feel exposed.

"Your Excellency, His Majesty has sent someone." Wu Xiaoyou reported.

"Oh?" Qin Zheng was happy: "The person has been sent to take up the post. We can go back to Hongtong County now."

"Xiaoman, watch here." Qin Zheng said, and hurried to the front yard with Wu Xiaoyou.

Hongwu hesitated for a moment and followed him.

"Zhu Shigui?" Qin Zheng arrived at the court and found that the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict was actually Zhu Shigui.

Zhu Shigui smiled widely, "Lord Qin, you've always been well. I miss you so much!"

Being missed by a eunuch, Qin Zheng shuddered and felt a chill.

"Are you okay?" Qin Zheng asked.

Zhu Shigui knew that Qin Zheng was asking about the fake gold.

His face was filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Qin, for taking on all the responsibilities. I was able to complete my mission. His Majesty was so pleased that he transferred me to his side to serve as the imperial edict officer."

"Oh?" Qin Zheng smiled. "A blessing in disguise? Congratulations!"

Zhu Shigui said sincerely, "Master Qin, I won't say thank you anymore. From now on, we are in the palace, and you can see how I will repay you."

Qin Zheng's expression changed: "We? His Majesty summoned me to the palace?"

Zhu Shigui thought it was a great omen and said with a smile, "Lord Qin, your career is flourishing. Please accept my order."

Qin Zheng, Wu Xiaoyou, and later Hong Wu, quickly knelt down.

"The Emperor, by the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, hereby proclaims: For your meritorious service in disaster relief, Qin Aiqing is hereby appointed Junior Tutor to Her Royal Highness the Princess, holding the rank of Second Grade, and granted a Junior Tutor's Mansion."

Qin Zheng was shocked. Being a teacher to Her Royal Highness the Princess?

Wu Xiaoyou and Hong Wu were also confused. What kind of reward was this? How could it be compared to disaster relief?

Shouldn’t he be given an official title and a higher rank?

Zhu Shigui continued to read the imperial edict: "From this day forward, Liangjin Prefecture will be established as the Daqian Special Economic Zone, with me personally in charge as the District Chief. Qin Zheng will be appointed Minister of Assistance to the Emperor and Director of the Liangjin Special Economic Zone Economic Committee. You must depart within seven days of receiving this order and present yourself to the court to receive your title. I decree this!"

Wu Xiaoyou was shocked. Special Economic Zone? Economic Committee?

Wasn’t this invented by my parents?

The Empress knows?

Learn now and sell now?

Is there a traitor in Hongtong County?

Gudong!

Qin Zheng suddenly fell to the ground.