Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

A month passed quickly.

However, the courtiers did not seem to take this matter to heart.

The hot topic of discussion every day was still the Western world, and many people even took the initiative to collect information from the public.

They inquired whether any Westerners had come, but unfortunately, they all came up empty-handed.

Perhaps the only ones who cared were the people from the Ministry of Revenue and Fang Zheng Yi.

No, there was also Emperor Jing and Li Yuan Zhao, who was not far from him....

Halfway through the court meeting, the previous topic ended, and Emperor Jing felt a little tired.

He looked at Fang Zheng with interest and said, "Fang Qing, I remember that you and the Ministry of Works had a bet a month ago. I wonder how your preparations are going? And the Ministry of Revenue, how are your preparations going?"

Fang Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I have been prepared for a long time. However, I was afraid of delaying the court meeting from discussing important matters, so I wanted to wait a little later to talk about it."

The Minister of Works, Jiang Liang, chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, this is also my intention. The Ministry of Works has already prepared, and today I guarantee that everyone present will have a feast for their eyes!"

The attention of the ministers turned to the two of them, and the atmosphere became more lively.

Li Yuan Zhao was even more excited.

He had already experienced the complete version of the bicycle from Tao Yuan County in advance.

That feeling was absolutely unprecedented, and bringing out the bicycle today would definitely be a sensation!

However, judging from the situation on the scene, everyone was obviously more interested in the Ministry of Works.

Emperor Jing smiled and said, "Oh? It seems that there will be many surprises today, so let's bring them out now without delay."

"I will not make too many judgments today. All of you, my esteemed ministers, can jointly decide the winner."

"Fang Qing, do you have any objections?"

Fang Zheng Yi responded with a smile: "I have no objections."

The initial version of the bicycle in the county was built in less than half a month under the craftsmanship of Lao Qi and a group of craftsmen.

He also personally participated in the transformation.

The current bicycle in Tao Yuan County also has some shortcomings, such as poor shock absorption.

Moreover, there are no brake discs, only a simple lever structure is added to the top tube. Pulling up the rear end of the lever will press down, braking through friction on the rear wheel.

Overall, this "rough" bicycle can save manpower, but the speed will not be too fast, so this simple brake is enough to cope with it.

Subsequent improvements can be made slowly.

Aside from the shortcomings, the overall shape and style are not too different from the grocery shopping bicycles of later generations!

Especially in terms of practicality, it is enough for ordinary people!

The most important thing is that the cost is cheap, only a few coins of silver, which ordinary people can afford.

There is no reason for such a treasure that benefits the country and the people to lose!

Fang Zheng Yi was full of confidence.

"Well, then who will bring the things up first?" Emperor Jing looked at the two of them and asked.

Jiang Liang looked at Fang Zheng Yi and, seeing him make a gesture of invitation, smiled and said, "Then let's start with this old minister. I have already ordered people to prepare and am waiting for Your Majesty's call."

"Okay, bring up the things from the Ministry of Works first."

Before long, two imperial guards entered the hall, carrying two trays, covered with red cloth.

However, judging from the shape, one can tell that one is very long and flat, while the other is much more three-dimensional.

"Jiang Qing, begin."

Jiang Liang cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, today I want to present two treasures!"

Saying that, he walked to the front of the imperial guards and continued, "The first of these is porcelain made by the Ministry of Works using the latest technology!"

With a flick, the red cloth was lifted, and a completely transparent white porcelain vase was displayed in front of everyone.

This porcelain vase was not large, and it was simply painted with some lifelike landscapes of rocks, trees, and flowers and birds.

What was precious was that this porcelain vase presented a different texture and brightness from ordinary porcelain, exuding nobility all over, with a bottle body like mutton fat white jade, but seemingly translucent with a faint light.

People all love porcelain.

The ministers were amazed and couldn't help but go closer to watch.

Even Emperor Jing couldn't help but lean forward slightly, carefully examining the porcelain vase.

Seeing this, Jiang Liang explained spiritedly, "This porcelain is made from a new formula carefully prepared by many craftsmen of the Ministry of Works!"

"The texture is delicate and transparent, beautiful and elegant, and the colored surface is as moist as jade. It can be called the diamond of porcelain. I dare say that throughout Da Jing, no one but the Ministry of Works can find such exquisite craftsmanship!"

After speaking, Jiang Liang glanced at Fang Zheng Yi triumphantly.

Fang Zheng Yi took two steps forward, carefully observed, and praised, "Good porcelain! Truly good porcelain, the craftsmanship of the Ministry of Works is indeed brilliant!"

This was not sarcasm, but heartfelt praise.

Having to say, this vase was really extremely beautiful, and Fang Zheng Yi also liked it very much.

It was a bit like the eggshell porcelain he had seen on TV in his previous life, but not so exaggerated.

Thin-bodied porcelain is also known as "de胎 porcelain" and "eggshell porcelain". It is the most famous special craft product among the traditional porcelain varieties in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, and Dabu County, Guangdong Province.

However, saying it was the diamond of porcelain was really demeaning to porcelain.

After everyone had finished watching, Guo Tianyang walked to the center and presented the porcelain vase to Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing picked up the porcelain vase and carefully examined it repeatedly, and then touched it, with a hint of joy on his face.

It was indeed a good thing, which could give people an aesthetic enjoyment.

The Ministry of Works would not disappoint people.

"Good, this thing is very good, I like it very much." Emperor Jing immediately gave a very high evaluation.

Jiang Liang was happy, and two more layers of wrinkles piled up on his face: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise. Master Fang, would you like to comment a few more words?"

Fang Zheng Yi squinted at him: "Alright, I just happen to have some other views."

"Although this thing is extremely ornamental, it is a绣花枕头, good-looking but useless!"

"I see that although the Ministry of Works has come up with a rare treasure, it has gone off-topic. The original purpose of establishing the Academy of Sciences was for the cause of benefiting the country and the people."

"This small vase can only be looked at and cannot be used, and I observe that its craftsmanship is very exquisite, and the output should not be high. I am afraid that it will not be beneficial to the vast majority of ordinary people in the world."

"Good is certainly good, but it is not suitable and lacks practicality. Master Jiang, what do you think?"

Jiang Liang was not in a hurry, and still had a proud look: "Reasonable! What Master Fang said is reasonable, and this old man will not refute it."

"So I also prepared a second treasure, please Your Majesty take a look!"

The red cloth was lifted, and the second treasure made a shining debut.

On the tray was a sword.

Jiang Liang said: "The second treasure is a sword, please allow me to demonstrate it, Your Majesty."

Emperor Jing's interest was even higher!

Swords were more interesting than treasures. He waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter."

Hearing this, Jiang Liang picked up the sword and suddenly drew it out!

A thought flashed through the minds of everyone present.

White as frost and snow, cold as autumn frost!

The cold light just flashed across like lightning, enough to make people feel cold and terrified!

"This sword is also made with the latest technology, and it was made by more than a hundred craftsmen day and night. The sword body is both rigid and flexible, and it can cut iron like mud and blow hair to break hair!"

"Take a sword and try it, I want to see how sharp this sword is!" Emperor Jing said slightly excitedly.

Then an imperial guard stepped forward, held the hilt of the sword at his waist, and slowly pulled out the sword.

Jiang Liang handed the sword in his hand to another imperial guard.

The two waved their swords at each other, and the swords clanged...

With a crisp "clang"!

Under the shocked gaze of everyone, the imperial guard's saber... broke!