Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“Your Majesty is wise, we have no objections.” The crowd echoed in unison.

This matter was of great importance, and since the money wasn't coming out of their own pockets, what objections could anyone have?

Fang Zheng Yi was also satisfied in his heart.

In reality, this wasn't particularly difficult. As long as they followed the court's requirements to create a fixed format for the forms, and then went through some simple training, they could handle official business according to the forms.

In just a few years, the office environment of the Da Jing Dynasty would undergo a major change.

On another note, the students of Dongjiao University could now be considered to have official positions, although they were positions without rank.

But things had to develop step by step. The common people outside didn't really understand the various reasons, as long as it was connected to the court, that was enough.

In the future, if the students of Dongjiao University made significant achievements, the court would definitely value them highly, and at that time, it would be necessary to continue to broaden their channels for advancement.

If things continued like this, in a few decades... wouldn't I be able to replace the imperial examination with a college entrance examination?

However, these were not the main topics for today, they could only be considered as things done along the way.

Fang Zheng Yi returned to his original position and said, "Your Majesty, I also have a matter I would like to report to you today."

“Speak.”

“Since I founded Yucai Elementary School, I have adopted some new educational methods. These educational methods, as they appear now, are of great help to the students.”

“Not only can they rapidly improve their studies, but they can also actively form a collective and learn to cooperate sincerely with their classmates. In this light, this educational experiment can already be considered a success.”

“Now the atmosphere of the world has changed, and Da Jing's vision has expanded overseas. The knowledge being encountered is becoming more and more complex. The previous methods may not be able to keep up with the changes of the times in the future, so I boldly invite the Imperial Grandson to enter Yucai Elementary School!”

Emperor Jing heard this and fell into thought.

This was another unprecedented precedent, studying outside the palace.

Although it was not far outside the palace, he inevitably felt some worry in his heart.

However, seeing that none of the ministers actively raised objections, Emperor Jing asked, “My beloved ministers, is the education at Yucai really so superior?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. My grandson knows far more characters than the average child, and he also understands filial piety. Yucai's education does indeed have its merits.”

“That’s right, not only that, but the aspects of clothing, food, housing, and transportation can also be described as perfect.”

Zhang Dong Xiang cupped his fist and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that it is not impossible for the Imperial Grandson to go out to receive education. At least in the current stage, Yucai is better than the Zhan Shi Fu."

As soon as he finished speaking, several others came out to express their agreement.

They couldn't disagree!

If the Imperial Grandson went, wouldn't my child be classmates with the Imperial Grandson in the future?

Not to mention that, if the tuition was paid and Fang Zheng Yi went back on his word in the future and lowered the teaching quality, who would I go to?

If the Imperial Grandson went, then everything would be guaranteed!

Seeing that the situation was favorable, Fang Zheng Yi struck while the iron was hot and said, “Your Majesty, please rest assured about safety. Yucai is a closed school, and the palace and the Embroidered Uniform Guard can also send people to guard it to ensure the safety of the Imperial Grandson.”

“Very well, since it is so outstanding, it is not impossible to let the Imperial Grandson enter Yucai to study.” Emperor Jing waved his sleeve and made the decision. “Today the Imperial Grandson went to the East Palace, go take a look at the East Palace after you leave the court.”

Letting the child stay in the palace right now was not as good as sending him to Fang Zheng Yi's care. His unreliable father often took the child to run around.

Fang Zheng Yi nodded in agreement and silently returned to his original position.

The matter was settled, and it was also an explanation to the Crown Prince.

The court resumed order, and Emperor Jing said, “I received a report from the Ministry of War yesterday, stating that the sea ships are ready and the navy has completed all recruitment and preparation. The overseas delegations have also been staying in the capital for a long time. When our Da Jing fleet sets sail, the delegations will also return to their countries with the ships. How is the Court of State Ceremonial preparing?”

Chen Hongdao, Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, I have already prepared everything. The list of gifts has been prepared clearly, but I am still waiting for the Ministry of Revenue to allocate silver. I have been waiting for a month.”

Emperor Jing frowned slightly and looked at Xu Wen Shu: “Are there any problems?”

Xu Wen Shu said, “Your Majesty, the total price of the gift list submitted by the Court of State Ceremonial is as high as five hundred thousand taels. I think this is a bit too expensive. These are small overseas countries, neither paying tribute nor acknowledging vassalage, it’s excessive, so it is still under discussion.”

“Lord Xu, some silver cannot be saved. This money was originally earned from them. If we are negligent, our Da Jing's face will be disgraced!” Chen Hongdao said.

“The silver in the national treasury cannot be wasted like this.” Xu Wen Shu said slowly, “Since the fleet returned, the expenses reported by the Ministry of Revenue have been increasing day by day. No matter how much money there is, one must be careful in managing it, and the navy's expenses are already huge, five hundred thousand taels... ha, we really can't take it out!”

“Lord Xu, you said before that you would reconsider, but this is a bit unreasonable, isn't it?” Chen Hong questioned, “Although they are all small overseas countries, they are not just one or two countries.”

The two argued endlessly, and Emperor Jing had not expressed his opinion.

Fang Zheng Yi suddenly said, “Your Majesty, I believe that Lord Xu is right. We are providing food and lodging for these overseas delegations. Giving each family one or two thousand taels as a token of appreciation is enough.”

The argument stopped immediately, and Chen Hong said in surprise, “Lord Fang, you are taking sides, aren't you? One or two thousand taels is enough to send beggars away? If this spreads, Da Jing will not even have the basic hospitality, where will our face be?”

“Well, one thousand taels is a bit too little...” Xu Wen Shu stroked his beard and said.

Fang Zheng Yi said, “Your Majesty, everyone. Da Jing is now in contact with countries that we have never understood before. As Lord Xu said, they neither pay tribute nor acknowledge vassalage, so there is no reason to suffer losses ourselves. Secondly, overseas cultures are completely different from our Da Jing, and coupled with the great distance, paying tribute and acknowledging vassalage are meaningless. The old methods are not applicable to them at all.”

“Therefore, it is better to regard them as business partners. We are going to do business with them, not to do charity for them.”

Without waiting for Chen Hong to speak, Fang Zheng Yi turned to Emperor Jing: “Your Majesty, we have already treated them with courtesy in Da Jing. If we continue to give generous gifts, I am afraid they will become more demanding. Giving rice is kindness, giving a bushel is resentment. In the future, if we want to trade with them, they might hesitate and make demands, which will ultimately be a trouble.”

“It is better to be pure from the beginning. I believe that the strong will be respected wherever they go, regardless of whether gifts are given or not.”

Emperor Jing asked, “Then do you have any ideas?”

Fang Zheng Yi said, “I do have some ideas in my mind. As for the gifts... I can select some specialties from Taoyuan County and report them to the Ministry of Revenue. We should find common ground when communicating with foreigners, and then take them around to see and hold some activities to show the power of our Da Jing. As for the specific content, I can discuss it briefly with Lord Chen.”

Emperor Jing asked, “Chen Hong, what do you think?”

It seemed that the silver would not be approved, and Chen Hong said helplessly, “Since Lord Fang has unique ideas, I am willing to listen.”

“Very well, you may return and discuss it for the time being, and submit a memorandum to me as soon as possible.”

......