Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Fang Zheng said unhurriedly, "What are you saying, Father? The affairs of the country are my affairs. Besides, the West Sea trade may not necessarily be a loss. The current situation in the court is excellent, and it will definitely be profitable in the future."

"That won't do either. Stock prices are unpredictable. Who knows how long it will take to see a return? If I let you use your money to fill the hole today, what will the other officials think?" Emperor Jing flatly rejected the idea.

Fang Zheng said sincerely, "I am being genuine and not just putting on an act."

"You have always been honest. Of course, I know you are sincere, so I should not use your money to solve the problem. Besides... five million taels may not be enough to withstand it," Emperor Jing said worriedly.

Fang Zheng nodded, "That's right, Your Majesty is right. Five million is definitely not enough."

"Many major players in the market are also waiting to sell. In my opinion, in addition to my five million taels, tens of millions more taels are needed to stabilize the situation."

Emperor Jing's expression gradually stiffened, "Ten million taels... Are you suggesting I use the national treasury's silver? But this year's allocation has already been arranged, and the money cannot be moved."

Fang Zheng smiled mysteriously, "Your Majesty forgets, Jingxing Bank... still has a lot of silver."

Jingxing Bank?

Emperor Jing suddenly woke up, but then fell into worry again.

Jingxing Bank does have countless silver, but most of it is the people's wealth.

It's the silver that the people of the capital have deposited, tael by tael. What if something goes wrong?

If the people flock to withdraw money, wouldn't the bank be bankrupted?

"Can this work...?"

Although he had countless concerns in his heart, facing the opportunity to save the imperial treasury and the wealth of countless shareholders, Emperor Jing still wanted to struggle a bit.

As soon as he said this, Fang Zheng felt confident.

If Emperor Jing disagreed, he wouldn't have asked this question.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will order people to proceed with this matter discreetly. The operation of the bank has always been strictly managed and will not be discovered. This sum of money will definitely stabilize the situation."

Emperor Jing frowned, "Are you confident?"

Fang Zheng said confidently, "I wouldn't have come up with this method if I wasn't confident. Once this sum of money enters the stock market, and with me and His Highness the Crown Prince making a high-profile entry, the people's panic will be eliminated."

"This..." Emperor Jing frowned for a long time, finally slowly relaxing.

"That's the only way. You must act cautiously."

He could only muddle through this unprecedented problem for now.

"However, I'm afraid the Crown Prince can't join you in this matter. He doesn't have much money," Emperor Jing's expression was a little strange.

Fang Zheng was surprised, "How could His Highness not have money?"

That kid Li Yuanzhao has many industries under his command. The newspaper and the restaurant are only a part of his income. In addition, I used to give this kid money from time to time to invest, so I don’t know how much he has saved in his private treasury. It is absolutely impossible for him to have no money.

Emperor Jing waved his hand weakly, "He really doesn't have any money. Go to the East Palace and see him. I'm tired. After you start acting, remember to have someone send me news in a timely manner."

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will take my leave," Fang Zheng cupped his fist and bid farewell.

He turned around and went directly to the East Palace.

That kid Li Yuanzhao doesn't even bother to draft his lies. Who could be broke when he can't?

The maids and eunuchs of the East Palace were already familiar with Fang Zheng. Seeing him come, they naturally led him to the bedroom.

When he arrived outside Li Yuanzhao's bedroom, the room was dark. Fang Zheng turned to look at the maid and asked, "Is His Highness asleep at this hour? If he is asleep, please help me pass on a message, and I will visit again tomorrow."

The maid gently shook her head and said, "Responding to the Marquis, His Highness is not asleep. He just said he was hungry and sent for supper."

Not asleep? Why didn't he light the lamp if he wasn't asleep?

Fang Zheng felt a little strange in his heart. He stepped forward and knocked on the door: "Your Highness, are you inside?"

"Enter."

Fang Zheng opened the door, took the lantern from the maid's hand, and carefully pushed open the door.

There was only the sound of slurping in the room.

"Your Highness, why don't you light the lamp at night?"

After taking a few steps, Li Yuanzhao's figure was revealed by the light of the lantern beside the table.

Fang Zheng was stunned on the spot.

Li Yuanzhao was趴on the table, slurping noodles, with large tears dripping down.

His face was expressionless.

Fang Zheng was shocked: "What are you doing! Why are you eating noodles in the dark? Why don't you light the lamp?"

Li Yuanzhao stopped his movements, looking like a lost soul. He turned his head to look at Fang Zheng, squeezing out a smile that was more ugly than crying.

"Saving oil."

"......"

Fang Zheng was speechless. He quickly stepped forward and lit the oil lamp on the table.

Li Yuanzhao wanted to reach out to protect it, but he was one step too late.

The oil lamp was lit, and the room immediately brightened a lot.

When he completely saw Li Yuanzhao's decadent image, Fang Zheng gasped.

"Your Highness, are you possessed by an evil spirit? What happened to you?"

Li Yuanzhao first glanced at Fang Zheng, his cheeks twitched a few times, and his emotions finally erupted.

"Lao Fang!! I'm done for... stocks! The West Sea trade has lost everything!"

"The franchise fees I just collected last month... all the silver has been invested in it!!"

Li Yuanzhao cried non-stop.

Fang Zheng was silent: "When did you buy it? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I bought it when it rose to the highest point..." Li Yuanzhao suddenly gritted his teeth, "My business was doing well, but Father insisted on chatting with me about the stock market! Encouraging me to buy West Sea trade."

"He told me confidently that it would definitely rise and make a lot of money in the future! I invested everything in it when I was hotheaded!"

"What was the result! I went to him tonight to ask for an explanation, and he actually hit me! He beat me to death!!!!"

"I'm so old, and he's taking his anger out on me after tricking me with his bad ideas?! He's a terrible emperor!!!!"

Li Yuanzhao beat his chest and stamped his feet.

He accidentally knocked over the noodle bowl, and immediately stopped complaining.

He looked at the noodles on the ground with great cherish, and murmured: "I have no money anymore, not a penny... I'm so stupid, I believed his nonsense."

"......" Fang Zheng was silent.

No wonder, no wonder His Majesty's expression was not right when he mentioned the Crown Prince.

It turns out he tricked his son and then gave him a strong beating.

This is not something an ordinary person can do...

"Your Highness, don't worry, I came today to discuss this matter with His Majesty. The public opinion outside is raging and has reached a point where it can't be ignored."

Hope suddenly arose in Li Yuanzhao's eyes: "Do you have a solution?"

Fang Zheng sighed, "There is only a stupid way, using Jingxing Bank to solve the liquidity problem, stopping at the right time, stabilizing the situation, and then looking at the situation on the West Sea side."

"As long as good news comes back from there, it will be a major benefit to the exchange."

Li Yuanzhao's mood returned to disappointment: "Who knows what the situation is over there? I heard that they also have firearms, and the church's power is very strong."

"Your Highness, don't forget, although the other party has firearms, firearms are not the same. I believe that there is still a great chance of success in this battle!" Fang Zheng said.

Gunpowder weapons sound very powerful, but this thing has gone through a considerable amount of time in history before it was adjusted to the point of large-scale popularization.

The firearms developed in Taoyuan County were aimed at this goal from the beginning!

Practicality, stability, cost-effectiveness.

The ratio of gunpowder and the operation of guns have been iterated for so many years, and it is definitely not something that ordinary countries can compare with.

He has this confidence.

It's just that the Great Jing firearm upgrade plan should be put on the agenda ahead of schedule...

......