Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"That's right, it's called a pocket watch."

Fang Zheng looked at the pocket watch, his heart filled with emotions.

This thing was handed over to the county before he left, and it wasn't until yesterday that mass production was completed.

Usually, when he assigns tasks, everyone in the county puts their heart and soul into it.

He didn't expect that such a small pocket watch would take so long this time.

According to the letters from the county, the complexity of this thing made the top craftsmen in the county have a headache.

First, they found a sketch artist to leave sketches of each process and each component before starting further research.

But the benefits are also obvious. Taoyuan County has learned a lot of new structures.

Although they haven't fully understood it yet, it's not a problem to make a one-to-one copy.

After all, this thing is not a high-end product like a chip from later generations. If you want to copy it, you can still copy it by hand.

The pocket watch is an important step in persuading the imperial court to open the sea.

The timing tools in Da Jing are still relatively crude. Ordinary people basically tell time by looking at the sky, which is roughly accurate, but it is obviously not enough for the high-level officials of the imperial court.

Fang Zheng also developed a considerable sense of dependence after using the pocket watch for a short time.

This kind of extension of the senses, once adapted, is difficult to go back to. Without a watch, there will be a serious lack of control over life.

Modern people don't feel this way because there are timing tools everywhere. But the historical status of the pocket watch is very important. A precise concept of time will give rise to various systems that are only available in modern civilization. Precise labor cooperation can be achieved.

It can be said that this is the accompanying magic weapon of leeks and social animals.

Because people are too fond of pocket watches, this practical tool with luxury attributes, the continuous research and development of new products has led to the crazy progress of various mechanical structures, making the gear and lathe technologies have an explosive development, which can be called the mother of industry.

The two seeds representing destruction and creation in human civilization have already fallen into Fang Zheng's hands at the same time!

Now is the process of burying it in the soil and waiting for it to bloom and bear fruit.

It's just that this originally earth-shattering wonder was too hyped by Fang Zheng as soon as it appeared, which led to disappointment.

Emperor Jing and the officials obviously lost interest and thought Fang Zheng was bragging.

Emperor Jing asked with little interest: "What is the use of that pocket watch anyway?"

Fang Zheng said with undiminished enthusiasm: "Your Majesty, this thing can tell time."

"Is that all?" Emperor Jing frowned. At this moment, many people had already retracted their gazes and returned to normal.

There are too many timing tools in the past. Sundials, clepsydras, and incense sticks can all tell time. Isn't this thing superfluous?

"No! It's not just that. Previous timing tools could only record approximate time, but it can be accurate to every moment!"

"Please allow me to personally distribute the gifts to Your Majesty and my colleagues first."

Emperor Jing waved his hand, signaling him to distribute them.

Fang Zheng held up the box and first walked to Emperor Jing, picking up the first pocket watch.

The pocket watches placed in the box were not all the same, but were meticulously designed according to Fang Zheng's plan, according to the official rank.

The one used by Emperor Jing was naturally engraved with a delicate golden dragon, surrounded by gold and jade, which was very beautiful.

The dial inside was also redesigned, using Chinese characters, and a glass cover that was not in the previous design was added.

As soon as the pocket watch was in his hand, Emperor Jing became very interested in playing with it.

This little thing is heavy in the hand, and it is just right to play with in the hand.

Especially since there is a small button on it, Emperor Jing naturally pressed it. With a click, the watch cover slowly popped open, which was very damping.

Pressing the cover again made a click, the sound was crisp and decompressed.

Fang Zheng continued to distribute downwards. The second one was Li Yuanzhao, who couldn't wait to take it over and look at it back and forth.

The third one was Guo Tianyang. Brother Guo had been coveting it for a long time. He gave Fang Zheng a wink and secretly studied it.

Then he began to distribute them continuously, and everyone was holding the watch and constantly pressing the button for the first time.

Until it was sent to Yang Yingcai.

Fang Zheng reached out and handed it over, smiling and said: "Master Yang, this is for you."

The so-called reaching out does not hit a smiling face, Yang Yingcai cupped his hands: "Thank you, Master Fang, but I have never given you a gift, so I should not accept it for nothing."

Fang Zheng said in a low voice: "Master Yang, although you and I have always been at odds, this is all my good intentions. You take it first, and if you don't like it, you can return it to me after the court is over."

"But... I suggest you keep it, this is not a bribe, but it is really useful, you will know later. In the court, whether a good reputation is important or the people of the world are important, Master Yang should weigh it carefully."

Hearing his rare gentle words, Yang Yingcai sighed: "Okay, thank you, Master Fang, for giving me the treasure."

People are already like this, and if you say harsh words again, it is a failure to be a human being.

Although Fang Zheng doesn't like him, it doesn't matter if he endures it for the sake of the well-being of the world!

Seeing that he accepted it, Fang Zheng smiled and continued to distribute it downwards.

After everyone had finished distributing, Fang Zheng raised the pocket watch in his hand again and said: "Everyone, let me tell you about the use of this pocket watch. There are two hands on the dial...."

"It's that simple. In addition, the timing of the pocket watch may be inaccurate if it is used for a long time, so you should always check the watch to ensure punctuality."

Emperor Jing and the officials were enlightened after listening.

Looking at the watch in their hands carefully, the hall was silent for a while, and everyone was waiting for the minute hand to move.

After two or three minutes, they raised their heads one after another, their eyes full of surprises.

Timing tool, this little pocket watch can be so precise, wouldn't it be much more convenient to arrange work schedules in the future?

Emperor Jing praised: "It's so convenient, it's really a good thing! Fang Qing, you have made a contribution."

Fang Zheng pursed his lips and smiled: "I dare not, as long as Your Majesty and my colleagues like it, with this thing, everyone can cooperate better and solve problems for the people."

"Taoyuan County will also have giant pocket watches in the future, which can be placed at home as decorations and can also tell time, but they have not been successfully produced yet. After success, everyone can buy them in Beijing!"

"I have delayed too much time today, Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Emperor Jing laughed: "Okay, well said! Everyone, wait until after the court to slowly study the wonders of this pocket watch, let's talk about serious business first."

...

The court meeting finally ended, but this time the court meeting was distracted by the pocket watch.

Take a look at it when you have time, take a look at it when you have time.

Until the court was over, they could finally speak freely, and many people immediately gathered in twos and threes.

The people in the cabinet were also like this. Zhang Dongxiang held the pocket watch and couldn't wait to say: "Look, look, what time is it for you?"

"It's eight fifty," Li Yansong said, "What about you?"

"I'm also eight fifty, so accurate, amazing! The iron rooster really pulled out its hair today," Zheng Qiaohuan said happily.

"Hahaha, what Duke Zheng said is true. If he wants to sell this thing, he won't have to sell it for a thousand taels! The iron rooster actually pulled out its hair today, go out and see if the sun is coming out from the west."

"Wait a minute, I'm eight forty-nine!"

"Then you're not accurate, adjust it, adjust it quickly."

Looking at the enthusiastic scene, Fang Zheng was full of smiles, and waited for Li Yuanzhao to come down to find himself before the two prepared to leave the hall.

But at this moment, Yang Yingcai's figure blocked Fang Zheng's face, and said hesitantly: "Master Fang, how much does this pocket watch cost? I'll buy it!"

Yang Yingcai was followed by several people watching, probably also here to ask the price, not wanting to owe a favor.

"Master Yang, this is nothing. If you really want to talk about the price, it is priceless. But as a gift, the price is in your heart," Fang Zheng said lightly.

Yang Yingcai was even more embarrassed. He didn't expect Fang Zheng to be so generous. Now it seems that he is calculating.

But he couldn't bear to give up the pocket watch. Everyone else has it but he doesn't. I'm afraid it will be difficult to cooperate in the future.

At least punctuality is a big problem. This thing is too accurate and too convenient, and other tools can't compare.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally sighed: "Then... thank you, Master Fang, Yang owes you a favor."

"Thank you, Master Fang!" The others behind him saw that Yang Yingcai's attitude had eased, and they all said, feeling as if a knot in their hearts had been removed.

Fang Zheng didn't care at all: "This is a trivial matter, what kind of favor is it, Master Yang is polite, goodbye!"

After saying that, he followed Li Yuanzhao out.

Li Yuanzhao wondered: "Lao Fang, why are you so generous this time? Such a good thing, I think it can sell for at least a thousand taels!"

"Tsk tsk, with it. The reporters of the newspaper can go to work and get off work on time every day, and no one can be late or leave early!"

"Your Highness is wise, but the opening of the sea is a trivial matter. The pocket watch is actually a Western creation that I got from King Wu. Besides... these people are free spokespersons, and there will be a lot of money in the future!"

"Western creation... Western creation is so powerful! What must their country be like?" Li Yuanzhao murmured, "Why didn't you take this opportunity to tell Father about opening the sea?"

Fang Zheng smiled and patted him on the back: "Don't worry, Your Highness, it shouldn't be too powerful. It's probably a partial subject. They don't even have gunpowder."

"Haste makes waste, it's not too late to talk about it when His Majesty and the courtiers have a deeper understanding of this thing."

"Let's not talk about it, the county's gunpowder weapons are made, we are going to do something big, you must be interested...."