Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

As Li Yuanzhao expected, there was still resistance to the sea voyage.

However, Fang Zheng had prepared early, and the truly core senior officials had already been taken care of by him and Emperor Jing in advance.

It only took a day to re-discuss everything that needed to be discussed.

As for other officials with minor ranks and unimportant responsibilities, they couldn't play a decisive role.

Twenty days later, a fleet led by five ironclad ships from Jiangling Port was ready to set sail.

A large number of cargo supply ships were still stationed at sea.

The officials gathered at the port, clustering behind Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing was accompanied by Li Miaohan, Guo Tianyang, and others.

Li Yuanzhao, in military attire, stood side by side with Fang Zheng, with a large contingent of people accompanying him on the trip.

Emperor Jing walked up to the two of them, looked up at the giant ship, and felt infinite emotion in his heart.

A new generation surpasses the old; he had never fought such a wealthy battle in his life.

"Yuanzhao, I only have one word for this battle: steady, step by step, and victory is assured as long as you don't covet merit and advance rashly."

Li Yuanzhao nodded solemnly: "Father, don't worry, that's exactly what I'm thinking. We've almost figured out the firearms equipment taught over the years. Within five years, I will definitely defeat the enemy and return!"

Emperor Jing nodded and instructed again: "Since you have a plan, I won't say more. Keep my words in mind. You go on board first. I have something to tell Zheng Yi."

Li Yuanzhao patted Fang Zheng's shoulder, waved to the crowd, and turned to board the giant ship.

The rest of the men followed closely behind.

Emperor Jing said: "Five years... He said it would take five years to conquer. It seems Yuanzhao is indeed planning to be steady, but five years is too long. I can't wait."

Fang Zheng asked tentatively: "How long does Father think is appropriate?"

"Five months, maybe? Finish the fight early and come home early. Can you do it?"

"It seems not."

Emperor Jing flicked his sleeves and said dissatisfied: "You're really useless! I personally helped you supervise the training of soldiers. Those Embroidered Uniform Guards are already elites among elites. If I had gone myself, it wouldn't have taken three months!"

Fang Zheng hesitated: "Actually, in my opinion, being steady is not a good strategy."

"With the Brotherhood as an internal response, we can completely leak a lot of information to the other party and seek a major decisive battle through minor defeats."

"Once this battle is won, the Church will have no chance to recover, and we can truly show our force overseas and deter other countries."

"If we are steady, I am afraid the effect will be much worse, and besides..."

This was indeed a good plan, but it was a bit uncontrollable.

Emperor Jing nodded frequently, and when he heard him pause, he quickly asked: "Besides what?"

"Besides, it's rare to go out, and I want to travel around."

It was rare to go abroad, and he was the main contributor to opening the West Sea. Wouldn't it be a waste of life if he didn't travel?

"Nonsense! This is war. Even if you have a complete advantage, you must never relax. Arrogance will kill you." Emperor Jing scolded loudly, "You have always been cautious in your actions, and you must be even more cautious when you go overseas!"

"I'm not kidding. You and Yuanzhao must return safely, no later than one year. I'm old, don't make me wait too long..." Emperor Jing's eyes were slightly red, and his expression was full of worry.

For an emperor who controls the world, nothing is more uncomfortable than stepping down from the pinnacle of power, even if it is a successful retirement.

But after retiring, he has been surrounded by this son and son-in-law, and the emptiness of being stripped of power has been dissolved by emotion in more than two years.

Especially Fang Zheng, since his retirement, he has not been negligent in the slightest, but has become more and more meticulous in his care, and still greets him every day.

Such a son-in-law... his feelings are already deeper than his own son.

Now that his son and son-in-law are sailing across the ocean, he is naturally reluctant to part.

Originally, he wanted to make a joke to ease the tense atmosphere, but he didn't expect the old father-in-law to react like this.

Fang Zheng's expression became stern, and he said in a deep voice: "Your son-in-law will keep his father's teachings in mind."

Emperor Jing said with relief: "Okay, then go! You remember to stay away from the battlefield. If Yuanzhao can really win a great victory and defeat the Church forever, I believe his future achievements will definitely surpass mine."

Fang Zheng smiled and said: "It is extremely difficult to surpass Father. In my eyes, no ancient sage king can compare with Father."

Emperor Jing was secretly happy, but said sternly on the surface: "Pay attention to your words."

Fang Zheng said solemnly: "Your son-in-law is speaking from the bottom of his heart, how dare I deceive you? The virtuous rulers and wise monarchs of ancient times, no matter how great their achievements or how strong their abilities, were just lonely men, but you... are not."

A lonely man?

Emperor Jing was stunned for a moment, his whole body was as if electrified, and then the corners of his mouth slowly curved up.

That's right... I am no longer a lonely man...

Seeing Emperor Jing in a daze, Fang Zheng looked at his beloved wife, took her hand and walked aside: "Madam, I'm leaving. Father likes to live in Taoyuan County. Spend more time with him when you have time."

"Besides, there is one more very important thing to give to you."

"What's the matter?" Li Miaohan asked nervously.

"There is a warehouse next to the east wing of the house. There are memorials I wrote in the warehouse. After I go to sea for ten days... no, let's make it a month later. Take a memorial from the warehouse every day and give it to Father to read at night."

"What are those memorials?"

"Greeting memorials. I wrote them for more than half a year, enough for you to submit for two years without repeating them. They are classified in the warehouse. There are also some written for the New Year and festivals, and some are even a series. Remember to submit them in order, don't give them to me in a mess."

"Is it necessary to do this even when you go to sea?" Li Miaohan was confused in the wind.

When Fang Zheng was young, he often wrote her love letters and said sweet words.

This habit stopped a few years after they got married, and now he works overtime every day!

But he is becoming more and more attentive to Father, and he even left a warehouse of greeting memorials when he went to sea, for fear of interrupting them!

Fang Zheng patted her hand and sighed: "You know, I haven't seen my parents since I was in my twenties. Sometimes when I see Chen Yu and the others, I always think of my biological parents, and I feel very uncomfortable. Some regrets have no chance to be recovered after they are missed."

"I know..." Li Miaohan raised her sleeves and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Her husband is such an emotional person, she understands.

Fang Zheng stepped forward and hugged her gently, and said softly: "I'm leaving, wait for me to come back."

"Yeah."

After saying goodbye, Fang Zheng boarded the ship.

As the whistle sounded, the fleet gradually left the port.

Li Yuanzhao stood at the stern, looking at the figure standing at the port with an indistinguishable expression, with sadness in his expression.

Fang Zheng asked: "What's wrong with His Majesty?"

Li Yuanzhao said dejectedly: "Look at Father, his hair has turned a lot whiter. Why didn't I notice it before? The wind is so strong, but he is still standing there."

Fang Zheng patted him on the back twice and comforted him: "Your Majesty, don't worry too much. We will return in triumph as soon as possible, and Father will definitely be overjoyed."

"Yes, I have prepared a defensive gift for His Majesty." As Fang Zheng said, he took out a silver glittering object from his arms.

Li Yuanzhao's eyes narrowed: "Gun! What kind of gun is this?"

"This is called a revolver, which is the latest secret research and development of the Taoyuan County. It fires six bullets in a row and is easy to load. This gun is the number one in the world, and His Majesty can be said to be the first person in the world to own this artifact."

Li Yuanzhao snatched the gun, and undisguised joy appeared in his eyes.

"Good! It really is a good thing... Lao Fang, you are so good to me."

"That's right!"

......