Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

As soon as these words came out, Li Yuanzhao, who hadn't spoken much, also chimed in: "Lao Fang, I really don't think it's necessary to send it to the Ministry of Industry. Their efficiency is too low, and they might not even have the production technology."

"I've been to the Ministry of Industry's workshops. The production of muskets and old cannons there takes more time and labor than here, and the finished products might not even be as good. If you ask me, this part of military production should be handed over to the Academy of Sciences. The Ministry of Revenue can directly place orders, which would not only save money but also be more efficient."

Fang Zheng shook his head: "Your Highness, you can't calculate it that way. The Ministry of Industry is responsible for far more categories than the Academy of Sciences, so it can't cover everything."

"Although many of the Ministry of Industry's artisans inherit their positions through family tradition, and their skills are declining with each generation, coupled with the rigid production processes, it leads to high costs. However, all of these can be rectified. They used to lack opponents and the motivation to improve. Now, the Academy of Sciences can serve as an opponent to the Ministry of Industry, urging them to reform. This is more important than the Academy of Sciences earning more money. Just shame them from time to time!"

More importantly, he still had to earn merit to get his official position back, but there was no need to tell him these things now that the matter wasn't settled.

Li Yuanzhao nodded in agreement.

Mo Xiaohu then asked: "But... what about the money? This time, the new cannons were all made with money we saved and squeezed out from other projects."

"It's okay. I'll go back and apply to the Ministry of Revenue for subsequent new projects, asking for five hundred thousand taels. I'll ask for a little more at once, and you have to save some for me," Fang Zheng said.

"Five hundred thousand taels! Lao Fang, what are you dreaming about?" Li Yuanzhao exclaimed.

"Asking for five hundred thousand, maybe they'll give two hundred thousand. Let's go, Your Highness, let's go somewhere else to take a look..."

........

Three days later, in the imperial court.

The court assembly that day seemed as usual, but upon closer inspection, one could detect an unusual atmosphere.

Many people's gazes occasionally flew between Minister of War Feng Jie and Tao Hui, the acting commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Tao Hui looked calm and composed, with no clues to be seen.

Feng Jie occasionally responded to others with his eyes.

The efficiency of the Dongjiao University was very fast. The day after Fang Zheng left, they sent the Italian cannon to the Ministry of War and informed them of the details.

With the advent of the new cannon, Feng Jie was naturally the first to come and inspect it personally.

Although he felt deeply puzzled by the name 'Italian cannon,' after hearing the Dongjiao University's people describe it in miraculous terms, he immediately took it to the outskirts for a test firing without saying a word.

After the cannon test, Feng Jie immediately wrote several secret letters and sent them to the homes of several colleagues.

Before the court assembly officially began, Feng Jie had already begun to ponder in his mind.

Fang Zheng's return to court had already gained the support of most people. Whether he could succeed now depended on the merit of the cannon and the cooperation of others.

Emperor Jing sat high on the dragon throne and said, "Gentlemen, if you have anything to report, speak up."

After he finished speaking, Feng Jie stepped forward without hesitation and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I congratulate Your Majesty, I offer my congratulations to Your Majesty!"

Emperor Jing was a little surprised and smiled: "Oh? It's rare for you to come up with good news. What is there to congratulate me for?"

Feng Jie said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Royal Academy of Sciences has recently developed a new type of weapon, which has been verified by the Ministry of War and confirmed to be true!"

"This weapon is a new type of cannon, called the Italian cannon. Compared to the old cannons, it is not only lighter but also has a doubled range and power!"

"According to my test, this cannon can still penetrate an iron plate from a distance of more than three miles! It can be called a weapon of war, and the appearance of this cannon is no less than the initial invention of firearms. Therefore, I am deeply surprised today and congratulate Your Majesty."

Many people slandered, what kind of broken name is this cannon, it's not Fang Zheng's level?

Emperor Jing was overjoyed: "Is it really so?"

"I am naturally telling the truth. If Your Majesty has time, you can personally test the cannon, but due to its great power, it is still necessary to choose an open space," Feng Jie said.

"Good, good, good, the Royal Academy of Sciences... I didn't expect the Royal Academy of Sciences to produce new results so quickly," Emperor Jing said with emotion.

Feng Jie cupped his fist: "Your Majesty, according to what I know, this cannon was also recently invented and sent to the Ministry of War as soon as it was verified. This was all personally led by Captain Fang, which can be said to be a great contribution!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Minister of Industry Jiang Liang stepped out and said: "Your Majesty, not only the Ministry of War, Captain Fang also specially sent a copy of the manufacturing details to the Ministry of Industry, and my Ministry of Industry has also benefited greatly from it."

Emperor Jing's brow relaxed: "Oh... Isn't the Ministry of Industry always at odds with the Academy of Sciences?"

Indeed, they are at odds, but now there are even more irreconcilable differences!

Jiang Liang said calmly: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Industry and the Academy of Sciences do have some differences in philosophy, but the original intention is for the prosperity of my Da Jing. Although Captain Fang is a bit unruly, he definitely has a sense of the big picture and his contributions to my Da Jing are seen by everyone."

Li Yansong said: "I agree, Captain Fang has always had a sense of the big picture. Previously, the court atmosphere was a bit heavy, which led many people to look at him with prejudice."

"Objectively speaking, Captain Fang has indeed done a lot of good things these years!"

Emperor Jing pinched his chin, quickly glanced at Tao Hui, and then asked with a half-smile: "I didn't expect you gentlemen to have such a high evaluation of him? Why haven't I heard you say it before?"

Zheng Qiao said: "Your Majesty, there are indeed many people in the court who admire Captain Fang, but considering that he is too young and outstanding, they are afraid that he will develop arrogance, so they are unwilling to show it on the surface. Everyone's original intention is good, just afraid that he will go astray."

"That's right, we all came this way back then. Teachers and elders repeatedly told young people to guard against arrogance and rashness. Now that Captain Fang is not here, there is nothing to say frankly."

"Moreover, Captain Fang can be described as a young talent. He can write songs, compose poems, and more importantly, he can do practical things and do them well. Such a versatile talent is rare in Da Jing since its founding."

"Not only that, but a while ago, Captain Fang opened a new type of school, enrolling students at extremely low prices and wholeheartedly imparting his own learning methods!"

"Yes, yes, Captain Fang can be described as a gentleman in terms of character... cough..."

Someone in the crowd said this, and the officials glared at him.

Can you speak! You're overdoing it!

Guo Tianyang was completely dumbfounded.

Ever since Fang Zheng entered the court, he has been scolded almost every day, and scolded every month.

In terms of reputation, he can be called a eunuch with balls...

He knew very well how the ministers in the hall evaluated Fang Zheng.

What's going on now? They've all defected!

Could it be that he couldn't lick the emperor in court, so he secretly ran to the ministers' homes to lick them?

No way, is there really someone who can lick so well?

Wait, if it's Fang Zheng, it doesn't seem impossible!

He's a licking god....

Guo Tianyang thought sadly.

Emperor Jing was so numb that he quickly asked: "Then... according to your opinions, Fang Zheng has made another great contribution this time, how should I reward him?"