Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

After two days of travel, escorted by a eunuch,

Lai Gou'er arrived smoothly in the capital.

Throughout the journey, he remained unusually silent, merely observing the world around him.

Da Jing had changed, but not completely.

On the way from the capital to Jiangling Port, he saw many people busily working on the ground, transporting rails and wooden planks, seemingly to lay them to the port.

Upon entering the capital's vicinity, he noticed that many flat buildings, occupying a surprisingly large area, had sprung up in what he remembered as wasteland.

Occasionally, he would see houses with huge chimneys erected, constantly emitting black smoke.

He secretly guessed that it should be related to the train mentioned in the letter, but unfortunately, he didn't see the legendary train even after entering the capital.

These changes became even more obvious upon entering the capital city.

Certain areas were crowded with people, and the restaurants seemed to have more customers.

The spirit and energy of many common people were completely different from when he left, and passersby were discussing some obscure topics.

Something about bank deposits, what kind of wealth management products were launched today.

House prices will always rise; buying property in Taoyuan County is better than buying stocks.

A worker in someone's factory mishandled the operation and was caught in the machine, causing damage. The owner brought a coffin to the worker's family to demand compensation, and the yamen mediated, giving each side a beating.

A fairy contracted a venereal disease, and the price plummeted... In short, he couldn't understand any of it!

The accompanying eunuch seemed very interested and wanted to show off to him with a hint of boastfulness.

However, Lai Gou'er politely declined.

Now that he had returned to the capital with great difficulty, he still had plenty of time to meet his elder brother, and then the two of them could chat slowly.

The changes in Da Jing over the years seemed to exceed his imagination... It was not something that could be understood in a few words.

When they appeared outside the palace, facing the palace guards,

the accompanying eunuch looked at him and said, "Lord Lai, according to the rules, you have to wait here for a while. Let this servant go into the palace to report first, and someone will lead you in later."

Lai Gou'er smiled and said, "Thank you, Eunuch. You've worked hard on this long journey."

With that, he took out some silver and was about to stuff it into the eunuch's hand.

The eunuch quickly dodged and chuckled twice, "No, no, no, this one doesn't accept money!"

Just kidding, this person is connected to Marquis Jianye and is valued by the palace. If Eunuch Guo found out, wouldn't he be skinned alive?

"This one will go now, please wait!"

......

An hour later.

The ministers gathered in Fengtian Hall.

Fika was very important to the imperial court, being Da Jing's first gateway to the West.

Moreover, the goods dispersed through Fika have been continuously earning Da Jing a huge amount of gold and silver.

Although Lai Gou'er was a naval officer, the reports he gave to the imperial court and the value he created had far exceeded his status.

Although he had been away from the capital for a long time and far from Da Jing, no one understood Western affairs better than him.

Everyone acknowledged Lai Gou'er's ability.

Now that he suddenly returned to the capital, it was definitely a major event.

Therefore, Emperor Jing directly decided to summon the ministers into Fengtian Hall.

The hall was quiet until Lai Gou'er walked into the hall with his head held high and his chest out, and the ministers' gazes changed.

One after another, gazes began to focus on Lai Gou'er.

Fang Zheng looked him up and down, and Lai Gou'er happened to look up and search for his figure.

Their eyes met, and they smiled knowingly, and then Lai Gou'er immediately returned to a serious expression.

Although he was happy to see Fang Zheng and had a lot to say, the occasion was obviously not suitable.

After he stood in front, he said forcefully, "This subject, Lai Gou'er, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Emperor Jing smiled and said, "You have worked hard, my subject! You have been overseas for many years, and you have repeatedly made meritorious contributions. It is the fortune of Da Jing that you have such abilities at such a young age. I will reward you!"

"You have returned in person this time, presumably because you have important matters to report."

Lai Gou'er took a deep breath, "This subject does indeed have important matters. Since the last time this subject sent a letter back to the imperial court, the relationship between Fika and the Holy City has undergone great changes."

"Father Solje caused a big disturbance in the Holy City, and the Holy City did not pursue the matter out of face, but they held a grudge."

"After Father Solje returned to Fika, he decided to establish his own sect and develop independently from the church, but he still maintained contact with the Holy City on the surface. The following months were still considered stable, but in the period before this subject returned, the Holy City seemed to be unable to restrain itself. Rumors about Father Solje's apostasy spread, and some people plotted assassinations, but they were all stopped."

"In addition, there is the trade of our Da Jing overseas. Previously, we had been trading bypassing the Holy City, but now the Holy City can no longer tolerate it. They are attacking Da Jing's business overseas everywhere, and they have also sent a cardinal to negotiate with this subject. They allow Da Jing to trade openly in various countries, but the church is extremely greedy and demands 50% of the sales price."

"The Holy City's attitude is arrogant, claiming that if we are found to continue trading privately with other countries without the permission of the church, it will be regarded as a provocation to the church, and they are prepared to use force to drive us away."

As soon as this remark came out, the ministers were in an uproar!

Damn it, how unreasonable! They dare to ask for 50% of the sales price? And they dare to provoke us?

If you want a reasonable amount, even half a percent, everyone will agree. No one wants to fight if they can do business properly.

Although the production cost of Da Jing's goods is not high, the cost of transportation and personnel cannot be ignored.

You want 50% of the sales price as soon as you open your mouth, are you looking for death!

"These barbarians are extremely arrogant! Don't they know the strength of our Da Jing?"

"This is simply a pirate on the high seas!"

"I heard that the church is also using the guise of righteousness to engage in banditry. Don't they even bother to cover it up anymore?"

"Your Majesty, this subject thinks it is better to give them a show of force first and then talk!"

The hall was in chaos, and Emperor Jing did not stop them.

Fang Zheng remained silent, observing everyone's reaction.

The civil officials' reaction was okay, advocating showing national strength and continuing negotiations.

However, the military officials were obviously excited, and those who usually didn't show their emotions were also full of fierce expressions.

Da Jing's current situation is very good, but the most confident is still the army.

Not to mention the brand-new cannons and rifles, the mining boom brought by the railway has led to Da Jing discovering many new iron mines.

In addition, with the new mining auxiliary equipment, the price of steel is slightly lower than the previous market price.

With the mass production of armor using steam engines, the military's strength can be further improved!

However, due to limited budget, and a lot of it has been invested in the research and production of warships, mass production has not yet been implemented.

Currently, no one around Da Jing dares to fight. If overseas wars break out, the budget will double, and these military generals will support it with both feet....

Military merits are not as easy to obtain as before.

A group of strong young men under their command eat better than before and are stronger, but they have no chance to fight in actual combat.

If this continues in the future, there may be troop reductions.

Moreover, everyone fought their way out of the rain of bullets and arrows when they were young. Seeing that there is no hope of promotion, they are all lying at home speculating in stocks, and they have lost a lot. Is this appropriate!

The quarrel in the court became more and more intense, to the point that some people began to curse loudly.

Lai Gou'er was extremely embarrassed. He originally wanted to remind the imperial court to prepare early, but now it seems that he is getting more and more off track. Everyone wants to attack directly.

Stop doing business and start robbing?

Fang Zheng also frowned.

These people are too impatient, they want to fight now.

The speed of making money by fighting is not faster than doing business. Doing business with overseas countries now is not much different from robbing money.

Moreover, there is no doubt that fighting will occupy a huge amount of resources and affect industrial development.

As long as the industrial system is completely established, how can we not play as we want in the future?

After listening for a long time, Fang Zheng felt more and more desperate. Why didn't he realize before that these people were more bandits than him!

The civil officials also joined in the quarrel, and things gradually got out of control.

The discussion roughly had a result.

Now, the hawks believe that they should push through each country one by one, directly attack the Holy City, and then capture the Pope back.

The moderates believe that they should directly attack the Holy City and capture the Pope alive.

"Alright, stop arguing for now, let him finish speaking." Emperor Jing's voice appeared, interrupting the noise in the hall.