Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"Uh..." Ao Chen thought for a long while, then asked: "The logic seems to be there, but the money that ends up in the hands of the common people will be less, right? Won't there be objections?"

Fang Zheng Yi chuckled: "Of course not, this is a cause that benefits the people, not something bad."

These pro-people measures have been adopted by countless countries in later generations, but of course, they might seem out of place in this era.

However, Taoyuan County is different.

It's small and sparsely populated, and it's also wealthy enough. Fang Zheng Yi even ordered the county to establish what could be called the most comprehensive archive in Da Jing.

Doing these things is relatively convenient.

Even if it doesn't work out... we can just cancel it in time and return the money.

After the various inventions in the county are successfully commercialized in the future, we won't have to worry about running out of money.

Seeing that Ao Chen still looked confused, Fang Zheng Yi explained: "In the beginning, there might be some difficulties. The people might feel that they are getting less money in hand, but over time, they won't think that way."

"They will think, 'I pay half the money, and the boss helps me pay the other half, so aren't I making a profit?' Not only will they not feel like they are losing out, but they will also feel like they are taking advantage!"

"These two sums of money, firstly, are a kind of 'tax' for us, and secondly, our county doesn't require a minimum wage. For merchants, there is no loss. In the end, the people will still feel like they have made a profit. Isn't this a win-win-win situation?"

Ao Chen hesitantly asked: "But ultimately, the money they get is less... What if it provokes troublemakers who understand what's going on?"

"No! It's not like that at all. This money is meant for them to use for retirement and buying houses. They don't know how to save money themselves, so this is equivalent to weaving a safety net for the people, preventing them from being helpless in their old age. This is a cause that enriches the country and benefits the people. It's just that there will be some trouble in the short term, and we're borrowing it for a while."

"In the future, we can publicize how much money is spent and let the people check it. Moving this money to the new houses outside the city counts as an investment, so I don't think they will have too many objections."

Fang Zheng Yi stroked his chin and pondered: "Even if some people really take the lead in causing trouble, we're not afraid."

"What does it have to do with our county government if the merchants give less wages?"

"Sometimes, the people's awareness is not high, and their vision is short-sighted. They often only see the immediate need for food and clothing, and they can't see the long-term future."

"This is a manifestation of a lack of a sense of the big picture. Just talk to them more about it."

Ao Chen said: "Master, I understand. Since retirement and buying houses have been considered, can we also arrange for medical treatment in this way?"

"Absolutely not! Don't even think about that!" Fang Zheng Yi stopped him.

Was he kidding? It was better to forget about the level of medical care in ancient times.

"Whether a patient takes one dose of medicine or a hundred doses, it's still medicine. With all those messed up treatment methods and medicinal materials, looking at the appearance, the age, and even the place of origin, it's impossible to quantify. In the future, who knows how many people will exploit loopholes. Are you raising parasites for the county?" Fang Zheng Yi said.

Even insurance companies in later generations didn't dare to insure XX. Looking at his arithmetic level, mathematical models were useless.

Ao Chen smiled wryly: "Master is right, but no matter how I think about it, I feel that this matter is difficult to handle. The people in our county are all troublemakers. I'm afraid we won't be able to do it."

"What troublemakers? Don't say things that are not conducive to unity." Fang Zheng Yi said lightly: "Everything is difficult at the beginning. If you're afraid of difficulties, you shouldn't do anything."

"Actually, it's not that difficult. People are all evolved from monkeys. The story of 'morning three, evening four' never gets old."

"When we were implementing common areas in our county, weren't a lot of people complaining? But did common areas actually have any impact on the essence of housing prices? No matter how you buy it, you're still buying that one house. Could it be that changing the wording would make it inexplicably increase in price?"

Ao Chen said: "It didn't have much impact, but we couldn't stop some people from taking advantage of it to cheat people! Some people in the county are selling houses, and they're copying each other, even spreading the common areas to the streets."

"What?! Who the hell did that?!"

Fang Zheng Yi was furious!

The 'three guarantees in front of the door' hadn't even been arranged by them, and they had already calculated the common areas on the streets?

This was the first time he had heard of this. It was too outrageous!

Even in the 22nd century, there wouldn't be such an outrageous thing!

"Uh... it was last year's matter. However, that person was fined by the county, and no one has done it since."

"..... That's good." Fang Zheng Yi breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "The new houses outside the city, I think we should forget about the common areas. Let's cancel them."

"Originally, when we expanded the city, we still had a large population and little land. There is enough wasteland outside, so let's forget about the common areas."

"These are all economic issues. You go back and discuss it carefully with the Academy of Calculation and Xiao Tao before making a decision. Don't act rashly. Draft a detailed set of regulations and bring it to me for review. If it's done well, it will be a great thing that benefits the people, and it can even set an example for the world."

"There will be a period of exploration in the short term, and there will definitely be countless problems, and some people will complain, but that's nothing."

"The people suffer, and you take the blame."

Ao Chen: "???"

"Alright, remember to put your heart into this matter. Accompany me to the research institute to see if there are any new gadgets..."

......

The next day, the court assembly.

Fang Zheng Yi stood in his original position with an experienced look, and the court was still discussing local issues.

It seemed as if nothing had happened the day before.

However, he was not in a hurry. According to past experience, the main event usually came after the warm-up.

Yesterday, he had specifically inquired about the news. After Emperor Jing returned to the palace in the afternoon, he summoned many important officials.

Besides firearms, the only things they could talk about were overseas affairs.

Sure enough, more than twenty minutes later, as the discussion was coming to an end, Emperor Jing suddenly reached out and picked up three memorials on his desk and said: "This memorial is the 'Ten Suggestions for Opening the Seas' presented by Zheng Shifu yesterday."

"There is also the 'Three Admonitions on Overseas Affairs' presented by the Ministry of War."

"Compared to what I heard from Fang Qing in Taoyuan County the day before, I was moved. Today, everyone can openly discuss it. Fang Qing, you have always been a supporter of opening the seas, do you have anything to say?"

Fang Zheng Yi thought to himself, here it comes.

He leisurely said: "Your Majesty, I am not as knowledgeable as my colleagues. Regarding the opening of the seas, I suggest that the imperial court vigorously build fleets and sail overseas to explore."

"On the other hand, the restrictions on private sea trade are too strict and should be relaxed. If there are really huge profits overseas, it is impossible for the imperial court to obtain them all. It is better to let the people benefit from this part."

"Our Da Jing's maritime trade is not prosperous. Currently, we only have contact with Nanyang. The main trade is initiated by tributes. The Western routes are far away and still require a lot of time. Before that, it is necessary to cultivate a group of maritime merchants in the private sector who are adapted to maritime trade to cope with future changes."

"In addition, I suggest expanding the navy to escort merchant ships... This matter is urgent."

......