Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The sedan chair rose and moved forward slowly.

Chen Hong sat in the sedan, holding the two food items in his hand, feeling a sense of confusion.

He didn't find it strange when he first bought them, but now sitting in the sedan chair looking at these novel foods, he felt something was off.

What are these?

One was a round object wrapped in oil paper, and the other was a cup.

Nowadays, when you eat out, they don't give chopsticks, they just give you a cup?

This is truly rare! Although this broken cup isn't worth much, it's a poorly made, rough-textured ceramic cup, the kind people would think twice about picking up off the street.

But it's still a practical piece of tableware, and it feels quite heavy.

Chen Hong looked at the cup in his hand, the liquid inside still rippling.

He took a light sip, licking his lips.

It was tea... average quality, not delicious but not unpleasant either, enough to quench his thirst.

Afraid of spilling it, Chen Hong drank half the cup in one go, and then carefully placed the cup on the floor next to him, against the side of the sedan chair.

Then he began to examine the food in his hand.

In the past, there were many commoners who set up stalls outside the Meridian Gate in the morning to sell snacks, but even if you ate buns or fried dough sticks, they would provide small tables, stools, and chopsticks.

It's not that no one eats with their hands; ordinary people just grab a bun and eat it.

But for his habits and status, it was a bit inappropriate.

Fortunately, the food was wrapped in oil paper, and although the price of paper was much lower now, and the quality of this oil paper wasn't great.

It was enough to show their care!

This restaurant is truly innovative, he thought.

Chen Hong thought, lifting a corner of the oil paper, revealing the food inside.

A thick, oily, savory aroma immediately wafted out.

The ingredients were layered on top of each other, clearly visible.

Two soft flatbreads, with meat and vegetables sandwiched in between.

Chen Hong's throat bobbed, and his eyes lit up.

He had never seen this food before, although it was strange, it looked delicious.

He took a bite, and a unique, rich flavor instantly filled his mouth.

He savored it carefully, the flatbread had a wheat aroma, the vegetables cut through the grease, and the sauce was salty and savory.

Most importantly, the not-small piece of chicken inside was actually fried, and it was especially tender and juicy!

Chen Hong immediately felt his appetite open up, and he quickly took another bite.

He usually focused on health and preferred a light diet. In addition, as he got older, his taste buds had deteriorated a lot.

But this thing made him truly experience a moment of amazement.

Are the common people's food so good now?

Chen Hong didn't think much, ate ten or so bites, and the entire burger was gone.

Finally, he picked up the remaining half cup of tea and drank it all, contentedly letting out a full burp.

He opened the curtain and asked the servant: "This food isn't cheap, is it? What's it called?"

"Master, this is called a hamburger. It's not expensive, only thirty-nine copper coins for one, including both food and drink."

Thirty-nine copper coins?

Chen Hong leaned back in the sedan, feeling a little incredulous.

He usually spent more than that on a bun or wontons outside the Meridian Gate.

Thirty-nine copper coins might not be very cheap for ordinary people to eat out, but it was definitely not expensive!

But thirty-nine copper coins for a cup and a piece of fried chicken cutlet...

Aren't the merchants making any money?

Doesn't oil cost money? Doesn't the shop cost money? Don't you have to pay your employees?

This is ridiculous!

But Chen Hong quickly regained his composure.

This might be a way for merchants to attract customers, or it might be a shop opened by a rich fool, after all, he had even seen a train, what was a hamburger?

But... it is really cost-effective, cheap and delicious...

Chen Hong looked at the rough ceramic cup in his hand, studied it for a while, and silently tucked it into his sleeve.

Although it was a low-quality cup, it was still an object, and it felt a little too bad to throw it away.

I'll put it away...

......

The imperial court proceeded as usual, discussing domestic affairs.

However, after the court session, as Chen Hong had expected, Emperor Jing did indeed keep a group of people behind, preparing for an additional meeting.

Overseas affairs were not serious enough to be brought to the court for discussion, but they must not be underestimated.

Inside the main hall, only the heads of the Six Ministries and a few other officials, as well as Fang Zheng Yi, remained.

Emperor Jing said faintly: "Continuing yesterday's matter, the envoys sent to the overseas countries are to proclaim the might of our Great Jing Dynasty. Do you ministers have any ideas?"

Shi Kangping, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, said: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites has already drafted a preliminary set of regulations yesterday. Our Great Jing is becoming increasingly prosperous, and according to the management of tributary states in the past, the Ministry of Rites has drafted a list of gifts, doubled on the original basis."

"Now that overseas trade is becoming more frequent, the original regulations are no longer in line with the national strength. Overseas countries are not affiliated countries of Great Jing. To expand the influence overseas, we need to buy them off with heavy gold."

Emperor Jing nodded slowly.

"I object," Fang Zheng Yi said, "Since overseas countries are not affiliated countries, why should our Great Jing send such a great gift? It is purely a waste of people's wealth."

"Overseas countries originally had only simple trade relations with our Great Jing. Now that the imperial court is preparing to expand its influence overseas, it only needs to strengthen trade according to the other country's national conditions."

"If giving money is only for face and cannot produce greater practical benefits, then it is meaningless. Money may not be able to buy respect. If the other party develops a habit, and we don't give it in the future, wouldn't the other party bite us back, raising a snake in our bosom?"

Shi Kangping retorted: "Master Fang, how can we care about that little money when it comes to promoting national prestige?"

"If the other party receives the rewards from our Great Jing, they will be sincerely convinced of our Great Jing, and the envoys will be treated with great courtesy abroad. Even the common people will be proud to learn the culture of our Great Jing. This is an ancient and effective method."

"In addition, it can also boost the morale of our Great Jing people!"

Fang Zheng Yi cupped his hands towards Emperor Jing and said: "Ancient methods are not necessarily the most efficient methods."

"In my opinion, all countries that trade with our Great Jing are well aware of our national strength, so there is no need to vigorously promote national prestige again. And the only task of overseas envoys is to promote business and solve communication problems. Not only should we not give money, but we should also practice thrift."

Emperor Jing smiled and asked curiously: "Practice thrift? Continue."

Fang Zheng Yi spoke eloquently: "Since ancient times, officials in our Great Jing have regarded introversion as a virtue. Why should we be extravagant in foreign affairs? This makes no sense."

"The strong showing strength can only make the weak feel oppressed. If Great Jing wants to win the favor of the countries and the hearts of the people, what is needed is 'showing weakness'."

"Any country must be divided into three factions: a small number of absolute supporters and opponents, and the majority are wavering neutrals. In terms of influence, the two extremes cannot be won over. The majority of neutrals are the target that Great Jing needs to focus on."

"Only the strong showing weakness, with a gentle and pragmatic attitude, can attract neutrals. Showing strength will inevitably drive neutrals to extremes."

"Therefore, the strategy of promoting national prestige should also reflect the gentlemanly way of our Great Jing. Seeking truth, being pragmatic, gentle, kind, respectful, thrifty and yielding is enough."

The ministers only felt a little amused.

Damn it! When it comes to ostentation, who is more creative than you? Now you jump out to oppose doing these things?

Ridiculous!

However, Li Yansong nodded secretly, with a smile on his lips.

I have to say, young Fang seems to be much more stable than before...

Emperor Jing nodded in agreement and was about to continue asking.

Crack!

A crisp sound suddenly rang out in the hall, and everyone turned their heads.

Chen Hong looked embarrassed, bending down to pick up the pieces on the ground.

Seeing that Emperor Jing also cast a curious gaze, Chen Hong stammered: "I'm sorry... the cup broke..."