Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"Your Majesty, I have been active near the coast for some time. From what I understand, overseas resources are abundant, with gold and silver piled high, which can supplement the shortages of our Great Jing."

"However, nowadays, the fishermen and merchants of our Great Jing who wish to go to sea face unimaginably complicated procedures, which is tantamount to cutting off a lifeline."

"It is no exaggeration to call it a sea ban. Therefore, I would like to request Your Majesty to open the seas and allow the people of coastal prefectures and counties to travel without worry."

"Secondly, I have seen the ships used by the rebels. The shipbuilding technology is exquisite, and the size of the ships is far superior to that of the imperial court's warships. If maritime transport is opened, the shipbuilding industry can also be developed. Otherwise, it will be impossible to bring the rebels to justice!"

Fang Zheng's attitude was extremely sincere.

Persuading the court to open the seas was the most important task at hand!

However, he was not very confident at the moment. He wanted to bring it up first to test the attitude of the court officials, so that he could make detailed arrangements in the next step and strive for a successful outcome!

As expected, as soon as he finished speaking, someone jumped out: "Master Fang is joking!"

Fang Zheng turned his head to look. The speaker was Feng Jie, the Minister of War.

Although most civil officials disliked him, the people in the Ministry of War were different. They stood firmly on the same front as Emperor Jing.

Even when he was being pointed at by everyone, very few people from the Ministry of War jumped out.

This time, Feng Jie took the initiative to stand out, which surprised Fang Zheng somewhat.

"What advice does Master Feng have?"

Feng Jie said: "Earlier, you said that the warships of our Great Jing are not as good as the ships used by the rebels. This official cannot agree with that!"

"He is just a mere person, how can he compare to the accumulation of national power over so many years? A ship is not necessarily good just because it is big. Master Fang, do not be intimidated by size!"

"We can build a ship as big as we want, but the most important thing at sea is its ability to withstand wind and waves!"

"The Ministry of War has already sent people to pursue the rebels. It should not be long before they return smoothly!"

Fang Zheng was silent.

What Feng Jie said made sense, but based on his understanding of Prince Wu, it was probably not that simple.

A techie would not only pursue simple bigness, but should pay more attention to structure and other parameters.

Before Fang Zheng could speak, Feng Jie continued: "Master Fang's talk of opening the seas shows a lack of understanding of the matter."

"When the late emperor was alive, he strongly advocated banning the seas! Firstly, maritime merchants are greedy and evade taxes, causing our Great Jing's resources to flow out. Over time, people will be in a state of anxiety and the people will be turbulent."

"Secondly, pirates run rampant. Even the poor and weak people actively join them, and the imperial court often has to spend a lot of money and resources to suppress the pirates."

"Thirdly, shipbuilding is expensive, and maintenance is even more expensive... Therefore, leaving a loophole for the people to go to sea is already an extraordinary act of kindness from the imperial court."

"I second that!" Li Yansong stood up and supplemented to Fang Zheng: "Master Fang, you are thinking too simply about this matter."

"As a suzerain state, many small countries in Nanyang pay tribute every year. Banning the seas is not only for the reasons mentioned by Master Feng, but more to protect the interests of the tributary states."

"Moreover, our Great Jing does not profit much from maritime trade. This matter is indeed not feasible."

After Li Yansong finished speaking, a chorus of agreement rang out.

Almost everyone unexpectedly opposed Fang Zheng.

At this moment, Fang Zheng once again stood on the opposite side of the officials.

Fang Zheng kept thinking amidst the wave of opposition. The firmness of the officials' opposition was somewhat beyond expectations.

Things were probably a bit difficult, but not unsolvable. He had many strong cards to play!

Emperor Jing just watched him quietly without saying a word.

When the discussions stopped, Fang Zheng said calmly: "Your Majesty, although I do not understand shipbuilding, Prince Wu's ship is definitely not as simple as Master Feng said."

"Moreover, our Great Jing's maritime trade is now mainly based on trade with tributary states, and the profits are bound to be minimal, even at a loss!"

"There is definitely profit to be made at sea. Otherwise, why would the people, as Master Feng said, risk their lives to become pirates?"

"The people are not stupid. They know where they can make money and run there. I think the current situation is due to too many restrictions, which lead to many problems. If private individuals are allowed to intervene and the imperial court manages it, there will definitely be great gains!"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately retorted: "Everything is just Master Fang's conjecture. It is certain that opening up maritime trade will encroach on the interests of the tributary states. As a suzerain state, how should our Great Jing convince the public at that time?"

Fang Zheng rolled his eyes: "Who cares? The interests of our Great Jing's people come first! What about the tributary states? We didn't rob them. Fair business. If you have the ability, you eat rice. If you don't, you eat shit!"

"Master Fang, be careful with your words! This is the imperial court!"

"I'm a straightforward person. I just talk like that!"

"......."

Seeing that Fang Zheng was arguing with people again and was about to throw out dirty words, Emperor Jing supported his forehead and knocked on the imperial desk: "Quiet, quiet!"

"Qing Fang, you have considered this matter improperly. The complexity of maritime trade relations cannot be moved lightly. Also, as for Lao Si's going to sea, I have already sent a fleet to pursue him. It should be back in a few months."

"Could it be that the warships of our Great Jing are not as good as the merchant ships he built privately?"

Seeing that the emperor had made a decision, the eyes of the officials instantly focused on Fang Zheng.

Your Majesty has said so, are you still going to stubbornly resist?

"Your Majesty is wise, but I would like to reserve my opinion...." Fang Zheng said.

Hmm?

Emperor Jing's eyes showed a bit more curiosity.

Originally, he would follow whatever this kid said, but why is he acting abnormally on the matter of opening the seas? It's a bit strange!

However, since the matter had already been turned over, Emperor Jing didn't dwell on it too much, and the court meeting returned to the right track and continued....

......

After the court meeting, unsurprisingly, Fang Zheng was summoned to the imperial study.

Emperor Jing looked at his listless appearance and asked: "I am very curious, why are you so enthusiastic about opening the seas?"

"Your Majesty, do you remember where the sweet potatoes came from?" Fang Zheng asked.

"Of course I remember, they came from overseas. Are you trying to tell me that overseas there is such a thing as sweet potatoes, then perhaps there exists a powerful country without famine?" Emperor Jing asked rhetorically.

Fang Zheng said in surprise: "That's right, since Your Majesty knows this principle, why not agree to open the seas?"

"Because I don't believe there is such an existence, and the reports below say that sweet potatoes are not very suitable as a staple food."

"......"

"Great Jing is the central country, surrounded by barbarians. Even if there are other countries overseas, what is there to fear?" Emperor Jing said.

"Uh...." Fang Zheng didn't expect the deepest reason to be the emperor's kind of mysterious self-confidence, so he carefully said: "Has Your Majesty ever thought that the earth under our feet is a ball, and in fact, any point could be the center."

Emperor Jing suddenly narrowed his eyes and looked at Fang Zheng with an unkind expression: "Did you tell the Crown Prince that the earth under his feet is a ball? If you and that wretch continue to fantasize, get out of the palace!"

I said the earth is round and you want to beat me to death!

Fang Zheng said resentfully: "I was wrong, then Your Majesty, I will go back to work first."

"Wait a minute." The smile returned to Emperor Jing's face: "Don't rush to leave, I called you here for something else."

"You forgot that before you left, I told you that after the matter is completed, I can promise you one thing. Now, what conditions do you have? Tell me, I will never lie!"

Fang Zheng's heart beat faster and he said nervously: "Really?"

......

It's late tonight, brothers. I'm ready to exert myself. If I don't update tomorrow, I will definitely update the day after tomorrow. If I update the day after tomorrow, then I will definitely update the day after the day after tomorrow. If the day after the day after tomorrow... Why don't you click to urge me to update?!