Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"Propose marriage? What propose marriage?" Li Yuanzhao raised his head, his cheeks bulging.

Fang Zheng Yi met Jingdi's gaze and said with an awkward smile, "Your Majesty, should this subject prepare further?"

"Lao Fang, what are you talking about?"

"Your Highness, eat some meat."

Jingdi didn't speak, quietly eating the skewers, his face always wearing a mysterious expression.

The Emperor's will is indeed unpredictable, Fang Zheng Yi wondered inwardly.

What's missing? What exactly is missing? Why is he still so tight-lipped?

However, Li Yuanzhao was staring at him, so it wasn't a good time to ask further. Fang Zheng Yi could only silently lower his head and continue grilling the skewers.

Suddenly, Li Yuanzhao quietly poked him twice, leaned over, and whispered, "Lao Fang, what mysteries are you plotting with Father Emperor?"

"Saying you can't have children, and getting you another one."

A flush of red gradually climbed onto Li Yuanzhao's face. He glared at Jingdi with indignation and continued to whisper, "What's the rush? It's not time yet. Besides, what's it to you?"

"This subject is also concerned about Your Highness. I'm still holding the position of Grand Tutor. How can this subject not be worried?"

Li Yuanzhao curled his lip and continued to whisper, "Never mind that. Aren't we going hunting? Liu Jin's arrangements are almost complete. When are you going to tell Father Emperor?"

"What are you two whispering about? Do you have something you need to hide from Us?" Jingdi's gaze swept back and forth between the two.

Fang Zheng Yi raised his head and cleared his throat, saying, "His Highness feels that Your Majesty is working day and night, and is afraid it will harm your health. So he discussed with this subject wanting to make Your Majesty happy."

Now that the hunting grounds were ready, his firearms could be put to use!

Now, a private meeting was also a good opportunity.

Hearing this, Jingdi was somewhat surprised. He glanced at the Crown Prince and asked, "Oh? What idea do you have?"

Li Yuanzhao immediately said, "Hunting! This son thought that Father Emperor hasn't hunted in a long time, so it's a good opportunity to relax and stretch your muscles."

"Yes, Your Majesty, hunting is good for physical and mental health... Moreover, the gunpowder weapons in Taoyuan County have been completed, but haven't had time to be sent to the capital. This subject wants to take this opportunity to put them to practical use."

"The gunpowder weapons are completed? What's the power like?" Mentioning weapons, Jingdi's spirit was immediately roused.

When it came to gunpowder, it had always been a concern of his.

Before Fang Zheng Yi entered the capital, he had heard of the power of gunpowder to split mountains and crack rocks. Now, after several years, he finally had the opportunity to see it.

Fang Zheng Yi wasn't in a hurry to answer directly, "Your Majesty, please allow this subject to keep you in suspense for now. How about having the archers and firearms compete when we go hunting?"

"These gunpowder weapons aren't just one type. This subject needs to choose a good location in advance to practice in front of Your Majesty. At that time, officials can also be invited to visit together."

Jingdi smiled, "Keeping Us in suspense again? Very well, We have waited for several years, and a few more days won't make a difference. Then We will follow your intentions. Pick a good day to hunt in the hunting grounds. It's just that the hunting grounds have been deserted for a long time, and I'm afraid there's not much game left. It will have to be arranged in advance."

"This son has already arranged it! Just waiting for Father Emperor to go!" Li Yuanzhao couldn't wait to take credit.

The result was only a fierce glare from Jingdi, "So, it seems you had this planned all along!"

"You don't focus on proper matters, you spend all your effort on this for Us every day?! People say that great generals rise from the ranks. We have indulged you among the people for so long, why haven't you made any progress?"

Li Yuanzhao pouted, calling out in grievance.

Fang Zheng Yi hurriedly came out to help, "Your Majesty, His Highness led troops to attack the Hundred Household Office this time, and can be called a master of military tactics."

"Although he led six hundred people, he still divided his troops into three groups, with two groups flanking the Hundred Household Office from the front and back. There was also a group disguised as civilians ready to hide in the crowd and launch a sneak attack. If it weren't for the fact that there were too many civilians today, or if there was fear of hurting the civilians, even if this subject had a Thousand Household Office, he wouldn't have been able to defend it!"

"His Highness was able to calmly think and properly plan even with an absolute advantage. This point alone is better than many people!"

"Really?" Jingdi felt a hint of joy in his heart.

He understood Li Yuanzhao's temperament. He did everything rashly and carelessly.

To attack a Hundred Household Office with six hundred people, what arrangements would he need to make? He would probably just swarm them!

"More real than pearls!" Fang Zheng Yi patted his chest to guarantee, "Your Majesty can randomly pick someone from those spies and ask them."

Jingdi suddenly understood and nodded unconsciously.

Since he dared to say such a thing, then it must be true.

"A lion uses its full strength even to catch a rabbit. Throughout history, there have been countless battles where the few defeated the many. You did well on this point." Jingdi praised the Crown Prince with a calm expression.

Li Yuanzhao showed two rows of white teeth and began to grin foolishly, but this smile was fleeting.

Only to hear Jingdi change the subject, "However, you should still be punished for tonight's events. Don't think you can get away with it."

"Fang Qing, yesterday the Ministry of War presented a message that the ship pursuing Wu Wang has returned. We have been feeling quite irritable these two days, so it would be good to go out for a walk."

Jingdi dropped such a piece of news without a word, which was like dropping a thunderbolt in Fang Zheng Yi's ear.

Fang Zheng Yi hurriedly asked, "Such big news, why didn't this subject hear it at the court meeting today? Did you catch up with him?"

Jingdi shook his head, "The Ministry of War directly presented it to Us, and We just discussed it with the Grand Secretariat. The navy gained nothing, and I'm afraid he has escaped far and it will be difficult to catch up. Moreover, we know nothing about his route or destination."

Fang Zheng Yi was secretly delighted, but said, "Then Your Majesty should expand the navy and greatly encourage shipbuilding! Then catch him later. If the rebel escapes, wouldn't it be a national disgrace?"

"This year the national treasury is rich, and shipbuilding may not cost much. But the cost of maintaining ships and soldiers is huge. Adding an expense out of thin air, are We supposed to confiscate the homes of ministers every year?" Jingdi said.

"The vast ocean, perhaps We should ignore it. Lao Si can be considered to have contributed to the court. This escape can be considered self-exile."

"However, We are still considering this matter, and the Grand Secretariat is also discussing it. There is no conclusion yet. You have always had different ideas from ordinary people, and Lao Si tried hard to take you with him at the beginning. What other thoughts do you have on this?"

What do you mean by self-exile? For the sake of saving money, is it really okay to have such a strong spirit of self-deception?!

Fang Zheng Yi said seriously, "If Your Majesty asks this subject, this subject still holds the same view. Lift the sea ban, encourage maritime trade, and then use its tax revenue to expand the navy and develop new ships. One day, send a fleet to explore the Western continent!"

Jingdi frowned, "How can you guarantee that the income from opening the sea will offset the expenditure of the navy? Also, you have mentioned the West to Us more than once. Do you value the West so much?"

Fang Zheng Yi earnestly said, "Your Majesty, it is precisely because this subject doesn't understand much that I want to remind the court to prepare for a rainy day. Even if we lose money now, this subject thinks it's worth it. Moreover, this subject believes that with the high efficiency of sea transport, the future profits will definitely far exceed the imagination of the officials in the court."

Jingdi said, "Perhaps, but speculation is useless. The departments all want to divide the newly acquired silver in the national treasury, and everyone is waiting to use the money. The biggest concern of our Great Jing is in the north, not an unknown West. If you want to open the sea, the first thing you have to do is convince others, but your reasons now are a bit too vague. You can't even convince Us alone, so let's not mention this matter for now."

Fang Zheng Yi's eyes lit up.

Can't convince you? Then I'll make one up!

.....