Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

After Wu Sheng left, Ao Chen's expression gradually turned serious: "Master, during the time you were away, the Prince of Wu sent people to attack Taoyuan County, wanting to forcibly seize gunpowder."

"The people sent by the capital have probably already discovered some clues, but we sent people to test their intentions. They seem to be living comfortably these past two years. And since they haven't achieved any results for so long, they probably won't go back and spread rumors."

Fang Zheng nodded: "I already know something about this matter. Xiao Tao has told me some things."

"We can't hide the gunpowder anymore, and there's no need to hide it. In the next few days, leak some real stuff to them and produce some results. When the time comes, I will report this matter to His Majesty."

Ao Chen nodded: "Besides, Master, do you still remember Feng Ya, whom we sent to the Prince of Wu's residence? He's back, and he brought back many strange plants from the Prince of Wu. They're already being planted in the greenhouse."

"They're growing well. I've already sent people to retrieve them in advance, and they'll be delivered in a moment."

Crops from the Prince of Wu... Could it be potatoes?

Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow, didn't continue to ask, but instead instructed: "Continue."

"Penicillin has been largely successfully developed, but... the research institute used prisoners for research, Master, what do you think...?"

Using prisoners for experiments? He had repeatedly forbidden using people for experiments unless they were volunteers and it was safe and controllable. These lunatics really dare to do anything!

Fang Zheng was furious: "Hang all those involved on the city wall for three days, lowering them down when they need to eat, drink, or relieve themselves. If this happens again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"But His Majesty has already rewarded them..."

"I don't care about His Majesty's side. Actions that cross the line must be punished! Didn't Xiao Tao suspend their funding? We'll talk about it again after half a year." Fang Zheng said calmly: "Doing science also requires morality and humanity. If this goes on, will these lunatics start cooperating with human traffickers?"

"There's nothing to discuss about this matter. We must emphasize humanity. Do you understand humanity?! If anyone dares to do it again in the future, immediately hand them over to the authorities and expel them from Taoyuan County! What arrangements have been made for those prisoners?"

"They've been thrown into the back mountain to dig coal."

"Good job."

Ao Chen continued to speak, discussing various major and minor matters in the county, which were mostly trivial, but fortunately not very important.

Fang Zheng rubbed his brow, constantly thinking. After Ao Chen finished reporting, he said: "Bring Feng Ya here."

Ao Chen responded and turned to leave to make arrangements.

Not long after, Feng Ya walked in spiritedly. Upon seeing Fang Zheng, he excitedly said: "Master, long time no see!"

Fang Zheng smiled and waved his hand: "You hid yourself well. I sent people to look for you several times but couldn't find you. This time, I'll credit you with a great achievement and give you enough vacation time."

Feng Ya smiled: "Thank you, Master, but I'm not one to sit idle, so I don't need it. Anyway, it's quite easy watching over the casino every day."

"Alright, since you're willing to be busy, then I have a major task to entrust to you!" Fang Zheng said.

Seeing that Fang Zheng's expression was a bit serious, Feng Ya couldn't help but become serious as well: "Please speak, Master."

"Well, I won't waste any words. I previously raided a salt merchant's home in Haiyuan City."

"Salt merchants are very rich. At that time, the yamen's constables moved away no less than a million taels of gold and silver from the Lü family's vault. At that time, it was also a matter of expediency, and they were bribed in this way because there weren't enough manpower."

"You have experience. Take a batch of experienced people to do some 'business' with them and recover the dirty money. No matter how much you get back, I'll give you ten percent! The remaining silver will go to the county, which will be legal income."

As Fang Zheng spoke, he took out an envelope from his sleeve and tossed it over: "This is the list, with addresses on it. Handle it carefully."

Feng Ya opened the envelope and flipped through it twice, then raised his head and asked: "Master, is this money what you gave them?"

"That's right." Fang Zheng stroked his chin, recalling the scene at the time: "It can indeed be considered that I gave it to them. Of course, how they spend it is their business. If they lose money doing business with you, then don't blame me."

"Money must be placed in the hands of the right people to maximize its value. This is called acting on behalf of Heaven."

Feng Ya was happy and tentatively asked: "If I can recover a million taels, can I get one hundred thousand taels?"

"More than that, I'll also reward you with a mansion!" Fang Zheng waved his hand grandly!

Feng Ya was overjoyed: "Alright! Master, then I can choose my own people."

"Choose whoever you want. If there's nothing else, you can go back and prepare now."

Feng Ya nodded excitedly, then turned and left in a hurry!

Just as he stepped out the door, the yamen servant who went to retrieve the crops brushed past him and ran in, placing a small basket on Fang Zheng's desk: "Master, these are the new crops grown in the greenhouse. Please take a look!"

Fang Zheng poked his head into the basket and immediately stood up.

"Potatoes!?"

Ao Chen also leaned over and pointed at the potatoes: "Master, is this what you're talking about? Feng Ya said that the Prince of Wu calls this thing 'yang yu'. Have you seen it before?"

"Seen it... More than just seen it." Fang Zheng murmured.

He vaguely remembered that potatoes were native to South America. Where exactly has the Prince of Wu's fleet been?

This thing is different from sweet potatoes. Potatoes are truly a staple food! The problem isn't with the nutrients, but with the experience and taste. During times of famine, everyone can rely on sweet potatoes to get by, but making people eat sweet potatoes every day in normal times is a form of torture. Moreover, it has too much crude fiber, and nutrient absorption is also worse than potatoes.

In comparison, potatoes can completely replace traditional crops such as rice and wheat.

Moreover, there are many ways to prepare it. It can be used as a dish or as a staple food.

Although the yield of potatoes per unit area is not as high as sweet potatoes, some places can grow two crops a year, so it may exceed sweet potatoes.

Coming back to his senses, Fang Zheng was a little emotionally excited and swallowed his saliva, asking: "Why are these potatoes so small?"

"They haven't grown well yet. Master, Feng Ya only brought back a few. It will probably take one or two years to grow a large batch. There's not much in the fields now, and I've already sent people to guard the greenhouse."

"Good... Good job!" Fang Zheng's face was full of unconcealable smiles.

This is a bargaining chip! An extremely important bargaining chip. To be honest, this trip back to the capital doesn't have much hope of persuading His Majesty and the ministers to open the seas and build ships.

It can only be said that there's a 50% chance. After all, the power of ideas is too stubborn, especially since there are many old people in the court, which makes it even more difficult!

Although opening the seas has huge benefits, no one will believe you with empty words.

Although a lot of silver was confiscated from the Lü family and can be used for this, how many people in the court are eyeing this batch of silver?

Throughout history, state treasuries have never been able to hold money!

The Prince of Wu's escape, the Lü family's silver, gunpowder, penicillin, potatoes... Fang Zheng now has a certain grasp in his heart.

After looking at the potatoes, he looked down again, and couldn't help but smile at the other things.

Corn? It's also excellent, but I'm afraid this small corn is useless. It grows short and ugly, very different from the corn of later generations. The yield is estimated to be not very high.

Corn

And tomatoes!

The tomatoes of later generations have a relatively bland taste. I wonder what the ancient varieties taste like? It should be delicious!

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng picked up a tomato, wiped it simply, and directly stuffed it into his mouth.

Ao Chen instantly turned pale and exclaimed in a voice of shock: "Master, you can't eat it! It's poisonous, spit it out quickly!"

......