Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Zhou Hong slumped against the table, gazing at Zhou Maoxue, and said, "Fang Zheng Yi is not as simple as you think."

"He is His Majesty's confidant, has a brotherly relationship with the Crown Prince, and, moreover, holds the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which concerns everyone's lifeline."

Zhou Maoxue smiled disdainfully, "When Father was young, you claimed to dare to face the Emperor directly, but now you fear Fang Zheng Yi because of his power and influence. Isn't that a bit too timid?"

Zhou Hong slowly closed his eyes, a surge of anger brewing in his chest, but he suppressed his temper and said, "Fear? Your father is a mere civil official who dared to follow His Majesty into battle in those days, so how could I fear power and influence?"

"In terms of power and influence, your father is not necessarily inferior to Fang Zheng Yi. What's small is your vision! You can't see the intricate complexities of the court, nor can you see the general trend of the people's hearts!"

"Fang Zheng Yi is an outstanding talent of this era. This old man has traveled all over the north and south of Da Jing, and I have never seen such a genius."

"He entered the court as an official before the age of thirty, and repeatedly made extraordinary achievements. Any one of them is enough to make him eternally recorded in history. His future path is still long. What ability do you have to oppose such a person!"

Zhou Maoxue retorted stubbornly, "Repeatedly made extraordinary achievements? Could it be that Father is finding excuses for himself, a way to save face?"

"Presumptuous!" Zhou Hong shouted loudly, slamming his cane directly on the ground, then widened his eyes and said.

"The world is ignorant and forgetful, unable to see through the truth. You have wasted your years of reading!"

"Da Jing's papermaking and grain seeds are all related to Fang Zheng Yi. The voyages to the West and the construction of trains were all promoted by him. Are you blind!"

"The common people call the train a miracle when they first see it, but in just two or three months, they take it for granted, even disdain it. What's the difference between your mind and vision and those ignorant commoners?"

Zhou Hong leaned on his cane and slowly paced back and forth.

"Your father has been away from home for many years and has indulged you for too long. I didn't expect that you still haven't made any progress, only knowing how to hunt with falcons and dogs, and mingle with that group of idlers."

"I dare not say I've seen all of Da Jing's land, but at least five or six tenths of it. In the past, although I can't say there were starving people everywhere, most of the common people were also suffering from hunger and cold. An ordinary farming family had a piece of clothing made of pigskin, which three generations of grandparents and grandchildren took turns wearing. Do you know how hard and cold that clothing was?"

"But now they can have enough to eat and can change into new clothes. This is all thanks to Fang Zheng Yi."

Zhou Maoxue was stunned in place, recalling his life in the factory, and the factory workers talking about their lives. His face gradually flushed red.

Zhou Hong continued, "The voyages to the West have enriched the national treasury and saved countless people. This is another achievement. And there is something you don't know, a major event that the court keeps secret: the conquest of the Jin Kingdom and the acquisition of large tracts of land and pastures. He also made great contributions to it."

"Such an important minister of the country, do you dare to confront him face to face?"

Zhou Hong raised an eyebrow when he saw him remain silent.

"Indeed, this old man must admit that there are many people in the court like you who have no vision. Especially in the Hanlin Academy. Although this old man comes from the Hanlin Academy, it is just a group of pedantic scholars who sit and talk about high-sounding principles. Just because of the disagreement in ideas, it is useless even if Fang Zheng Yi has made ten thousand achievements."

"But so what? Now, as far as the court is concerned, whether you like or hate Fang Zheng Yi, you can't oppose Fang Zheng Yi!"

"Why?" Zhou Maoxue looked up in surprise.

He knew that Fang Zheng Yi had power and influence, but he never thought that one person could be so domineering that the entire court would not dare to offend him.

Zhou Hong's tone became meaningful, "Because he has changed Da Jing."

"Since the appearance of the train, everything has changed. He has explored a path that others have never thought of, a path that was once considered ingenious skills by scholars."

"Everyone can see the future potential of railways and trains, and all of this originates from Dongjiao University, from science."

"He has created a dream for the court, a dream that can be realized. Once the goal is achieved, it will be enough to make the entire court shine through the ages and create a prosperous age that predecessors would not dare to imagine. Whoever stands in the way, His Majesty will be the first to eliminate him."

"Just because of an uncertain future?" Zhou Maoxue said in disbelief.

"Uncertain?" Zhou Hong snorted, and then sighed, "Certain, uncertain, as long as it is what the people want, it is real."

"However, this ethereal concept alone cannot convince everyone in the court. Fang Zheng Yi's ability is definitely not limited to words."

"There are huge profits to be made in the railway. The court is guessing that Fang Zheng Yi can take this opportunity to make a fortune. However, the truth is unexpected. Not only did he not profit from it, but he gave the opportunity to the court, and countless courtiers benefited from it."

"Later, the exchange in the capital was established, and the forces in the court all bowed down and entered the game."

"But later, everyone realized that Fang Zheng Yi's shadow was behind the exchange. Don't you understand? Fang Zheng Yi has almost openly and secretly pulled everyone onto the warship. Countless officials in the court are connected to him by interests. If Fang Zheng Yi falls, no one will benefit from it."

"Even if they hate him, they cannot oppose him. Even if their personal ideas are incompatible with him, the interests of the family will push him to follow Fang Zheng Yi."

"Fang Zheng Yi has done so many great things in the court, none of which are for personal gain. With no desires, he is strong. He is already a person without weaknesses."

As Zhou Hong spoke, he slammed the two articles in his hand on Zhou Maoxue's face: "Only you ignorant and reckless folk pedants write such dogshit articles, talking about morality and education?!"

Looking at the two articles scattered on the ground, Zhou Maoxue's eyes twitched twice: "Is it wrong for a son to talk about morality and education?"

"When the Great Way is abandoned, there is benevolence and righteousness. The country advocates moral governance and education because the country's chronic diseases are difficult to cure. When the Great Way is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness are talked about. The less you have, the more you talk about it! Now that the people are full, the Great Way is established on its own. Do you think any courtiers will still read these empty things you write?!" Zhou Hong retorted loudly.

"Moreover, Fang Zheng Yi is constantly active in the court, inviting people to go to Dongjiao University to learn new knowledge. More and more people's concepts have been changed by him and reality, and there is no turning back!"

Zhou Maoxue frowned, not daring to refute.

Seeing this, Zhou Hong sneered: "You are not convinced, are you? Okay, even if your father puts aside all of this, then let's talk about something you can understand."

"Now, Lord Li is already very old and cannot sit in that position for many years. Do you know who the title of Grand Scholar will fall to?"

Zhou Maoxue's expression was strange: "Could it be Fang Zheng Yi."

"That's right, the court defaults that only he is the most likely."

"Impossible, non-Hanlin members are not allowed to enter the cabinet. He is not from the Hanlin Academy, so how can he bear the title of Grand Scholar?" Zhou Maoxue exclaimed.

Zhou Hong shook his head: "Those are not rules on paper, and rules are set by people. Capable people will not be bound by rules."

"If Lord Li retires from the cabinet and it is Fang Zheng Yi's turn, he will have the Embroidered Uniform Guard in hand and the title of Grand Scholar."

"When the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, he will be the first well-deserved Prime Minister of my Da Jing Dynasty!"

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