Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"He really said that? And even called me 'Your Majesty'?" A hint of joy appeared on Prince Wu's face.

Standing before him was a guard, dutifully repeating the conversation that had taken place in Fang Zheng Yi's room.

"He indeed said that. Lord Fang also said he had decided to sail with Your Majesty, and warned Steward Chen to behave himself while serving Your Majesty. In the end, he seemed to have slapped Steward Chen twice, and the two parted on bad terms."

Prince Wu, a smile on his face, began to pace back and forth.

Very good, the gift had its effect. It seems Fang Zheng Yi has already recognized reality, and is merely being stubborn.

"After Chen Jian left, what was Fang Zheng Yi doing?"

"Lord Fang asked for a lamp and went to the deck. Someone accompanied him."

Prince Wu nodded and said, "Good, let us go to the deck."

On the deck.

Fang Zheng Yi stood near the bow of the ship, leaning on the railing, a lamp in his other hand, its light illuminating his face.

If there were no accidents, his men should be hiding in the woods not far away.

He needed to be seen by them to initiate the plan.

After standing at the bow for a while, Fang Zheng Yi continued to adjust his position, moving to another spot to show his face.

The guard following him was clueless.

He simply assumed Fang Zheng Yi was curious and observing the surroundings, so he didn't ask much.

After wandering for a while, Fang Zheng Yi heard footsteps and turned to look.

He saw Prince Wu approaching with two guards, carrying a lamp.

Upon meeting him, he said, "Lord Fang, what a refined interest. Didn't you say you were going to rest?"

Seeing his smiling face, Fang Zheng Yi thought to himself,

He came at the right time! Now is the perfect opportunity to ease the relationship and lower Prince Wu's guard.

Fang Zheng Yi performed a salute, his hand intentionally or unintentionally covering his chest, his expression complex, "This humble subject... greets Your Majesty..."

Subject? Your Majesty?

A flash of delight crossed Prince Wu's eyes, tinged with suspicion, "Oh? You've come to your senses so quickly?"

Fang Zheng Yi gave a wry smile, took out his pocket watch from his chest, and said in a low voice, "Did this subject have a choice?"

"Your Majesty treats this subject as a national treasure, how could this subject continue to act proud?"

"Your Majesty spoke with this subject earlier, and after careful consideration, this subject feels that Your Majesty is truly a lord with great talent and ambition! Your vision is unmatched, and now that this subject has met an enlightened ruler, I am overjoyed!"

Although Fang Zheng Yi's explanation was reasonable, the speed of his change was obviously too fast.

Prince Wu was very clear-headed, but still very happy. Facing the sea, he laughed heartily, full of pride, "Lord Fang speaks well!"

"The world is ignorant and short-sighted, even the Imperial Brother is no different! Only by following me can you realize your ambitions and achieve something!"

"I will personally take you to see how high the sky is and how far the road goes in this world!"

Hearing Prince Wu's bold words, Fang Zheng Yi only wanted to laugh, even feeling somewhat absurd, but he couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

After so many years, this was the first time someone had said such words to him.

A native was saying he would take an advanced youth from the twenty-first century to see how high the sky was and how far the road went.

There were many smart people in this world, and he occasionally heard some "madmen" who failed the imperial examinations utter shocking remarks.

Even modern ideas like gender equality and overthrowing imperial power were heard.

From some perspectives, the ancients and modern people may not be too different at all. There is nothing new under the sun.

After a hearty meal, even ordinary people would look up at the stars and have all sorts of wonderful thoughts about the future and themselves.

However, precisely in the specific realm of knowledge, there was an insurmountable gap!

Not to mention a Prince Wu, even ten thousand Prince Wu's combined would hardly broaden Fang Zheng Yi's horizons.

The gap of hundreds or thousands of years could not be bridged by intelligence and effort.

Fang Zheng Yi smiled, picked up the pocket watch, and said, "Your Majesty not only has great ambitions, but is also meticulous and considerate to his subjects. Seeing that this subject liked this pocket watch, you even sent it over. This subject is truly touched, but also somewhat ashamed...."

"Ashamed? Why ashamed?" Prince Wu asked curiously.

Fang Zheng Yi's tone began to deepen, "Your Majesty, to be honest, this subject deceived Your Majesty just now."

Prince Wu frowned, "Speak without hesitation!"

"I previously told Your Majesty that the goblins gained nothing in Peach Blossom County except painting techniques, but the truth is not so."

"The 'Boundless Merit' is also inextricably linked to the goblins."

Boundless Merit?

A gleam flashed in Prince Wu's eyes: "Speak quickly!"

Fang Zheng Yi cleared his throat, sorted out his thoughts, and slowly said, "The goblins come from a small country in the West called Guinea. The formula for 'Boundless Merit' was also stolen from Guinea. This country has a coal mine called titanium coal, and the most important material in 'Boundless Merit' is this titanium coal, and Peach Blossom County happens to have this mine!"

"Guinea... Titanium coal?" Prince Wu murmured, "Where exactly is this Guinea? Do you know!?"

"Ahem, I don't know. We have a language barrier with the goblins, but we roughly know that Guinea is coastal, the coast is often plagued by Kun, and the specialty is lychee.... Being able to produce lychees, Guinea must be quite famous overseas."

"The sea is plagued by Kun? Are there really Kun in this world?" Prince Wu frowned, feeling something was wrong. Wasn't that a legendary creature?

"It's true! But it's not as huge as in the legends, only about ten zhang or so, and it can also spray water from its back. I've never been to sea, so I don't know if it's true or false... The goblins told me all this."

Upon hearing the details, Prince Wu's brows instantly relaxed: "I know this! The fleet returning from overseas once told me that they saw a fish of enormous size on the sea, which could spray water from its back... I didn't quite believe it, but I didn't expect it to be true! Those Westerners actually regarded the strange fish as Kun!"

Prince Wu had been carefully observing Fang Zheng Yi's expression. Although he spoke earnestly, not seeming to be faking it, the content was inevitably somewhat absurd.

There was not much understanding of the West now, and there was no way to tell whether Fang Zheng Yi was telling the truth or not.

Even if Fang Zheng Yi spoke seriously, he only dared to believe three or four points.

However, once he mentioned the details of the Kun, Prince Wu's trust instantly rose to seven or eight points!

A fish that could spray water from its back! He couldn't even imagine it, and only heard it from his sailors. How could Fang Zheng Yi, who lived in Peach Blossom County, know?

Then the goblins must really exist, and it can be seen that Guinea's titanium coal is also real!

That's right! Details determine success or failure!

I knew you probably heard of whales.

Fang Zheng Yi almost laughed out loud.

Prince Wu asked eagerly: "Then besides Guinea's titanium coal, what are the other materials for 'Boundless Merit'?"

"Your Majesty, forgive this subject for only being able to say this much... When we arrive at Sangjak, this subject will definitely help you make 'Boundless Merit'."

Fang Zheng Yi refused decisively! The effect has been achieved by saying this much, saying more is more likely to make mistakes!

Seeing his request being rejected, Prince Wu instantly had hidden anger in his heart, but it quickly dissipated.

He thought to himself, that's right... If he told me everything directly, that would be suspicious!

Prince Wu pretended to be generous and said, "Haha, it doesn't matter! Lord Fang still has worries in his heart, I can understand! When we arrive overseas, I will send you to find Guinea's titanium coal!"

Haha, little blackie, find my ass!

Fang Zheng Yi cursed inwardly, and said aloud: "Your Majesty, this subject has another request, can you allow this subject to move freely within the ship?"

Prince Wu waved his sleeve and said with a smile: "Lord Fang is able to tell me the truth today, I am very happy, such a trivial matter is naturally fine! Only... you can't disembark."

......