"Since you already knew, why did you prepare all this?"

Zhang Rang looked displeased at the rice, roasted meat, steamed fish, shrimp, crab, and other dishes on his table...

It's one thing to eat it secretly, but if this gets back to the Emperor, that scoundrel Zhao Zhong might seize the opportunity to bring him down.

"Uh... these are all common local products, even ordinary people eat them every day!" the magistrate of Fuchun County explained.

"Really? I never imagined Jiangdong was so prosperous?"

Zhang Rang found it hard to believe. Could you really believe that high-ranking officials in the court were eating worse than ordinary people in Jiangdong?

The magistrate of Fuchun County bowed and smiled obsequiously, "That's right. Zhang Changshi only needs to send someone to inquire at will!"

"That's not good either. Let's remove all the fish and shrimp, and just leave a serving of vegetables!"

Zhang Rang glanced down at the food on the table. Although he really wanted to eat it, he resisted the urge.

"Wouldn't it be a waste to remove it?"

"Give it to those Imperial Guards. His Majesty said that soldiers need to eat more meat to replenish their strength."

Seeing this, the magistrate of Fuchun County could no longer insist and had no choice but to order the fish and shrimp to be taken out.

Zhang Rang picked up the rice bowl and examined it for a few moments. This was the first time he had ever seen this kind of food. The aroma of rice made his mouth water.

"tasty!"

Picking up a few grains and putting them in his mouth to chew slowly, Zhang Rang couldn't help but praise them, saying that this stuff was much tastier than millet porridge, and his appetite was instantly whetted.

“If Attendant Zhang is pleased, I can have someone prepare a few bushels for him!” The magistrate of Fuchun County said hastily, his eyes lighting up.

"Alright, prepare more, we'll send some to His Majesty and the Empress Dowager."

Zhang Rang nodded. As far as he knew, the emperor didn't seem interested in those antiques and rare treasures; perhaps these local specialties could please the emperor.

Upon hearing that the gifts were to be presented to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, the magistrate of Fuchun County quickly nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, Attendant Zhang, I will go and prepare them right away!"

"Remember! You have to buy it. No tricks allowed. I'll have Yu Lin Lang go with you. If you ruin His Majesty's and our family's reputation, His Majesty won't care about you, but we won't let you off the hook."

Fearing that the magistrate might resort to extortion, Zhang Rang couldn't help but warn him.

"Yes...yes...Don't worry, Zhang Changshi, I understand."

The magistrate of Fuchun bowed and withdrew, his opinion of Zhang Rang, a close advisor to the emperor, rising considerably. In his past life, he seemed to have never heard of such an honest and upright eunuch.

Soon, the magistrate of Fuchun County followed Zhang Rang's instructions, spent money to buy nearly forty shi of rice, and transported it back to the county office.

Remembering the entrustment and promised benefits from the local landlords, the magistrate of Fuchun County hesitated before knocking on Zhang Rang's door.

"You bastard, you really wanted to harm our family! Go tell them that if they want to join the Imperial Guard, they'd better show their true abilities. I won't fall for that."

Zhang Rang's angry shouts came from inside the room, while the magistrate of Fuchun County retreated with an embarrassed look on his face.

Such an honest and impartial eunuch truly refreshed the county magistrate's worldview.