Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The Jing Emperor wore an inscrutable expression, thinking to himself, 'He should bring up Miao Han's matter. I can just go along with it.'

Miao Han isn't getting any younger; it's really not appropriate to delay any further.

Fang Zheng Yi clasped his fist and said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony. Please, Your Majesty, agree to opening the seas!"

"......"

The expression on the Jing Emperor's face froze. He said with an incredulous tone, "Say that again?"

"Please, Your Majesty, agree to opening the seas!" Fang Zheng Yi repeated, his tone firm!

Of course, he wasn't expecting it to succeed, just testing the waters. What if it really did work out? One must have dreams.

The Jing Emperor fell silent. The situation was completely unexpected. He looked at Fang Zheng Yi and slowly said, "Do you think that We can agree to anything? Are you suggesting that We should hand over the national treasury if you asked for it?"

"I didn't...."

"Silence!" The Jing Emperor slammed the table, his face full of indignation. "National affairs are not to be treated as a game! Say it again!"

Fang Zheng Yi braced himself and said, "This... I am wholeheartedly devoted to the country and to Your Majesty. National affairs are my family affairs. Opening the seas is truly for the benefit of all the people and for the future of our Great Jing. How could it be a game?"

The Jing Emperor's expression softened slightly. Although Fang Zheng Yi's words were often reckless, he could be trusted on serious matters.

Thinking of this, the Jing Emperor sat back in his original position, his face grim. "We can grant you a personal matter, but national affairs are not something you alone can decide. Say it again."

Fang Zheng Yi fell into deep thought...

What should he say? A personal matter... What personal matter did he have that couldn't be realized? He had earned so much money and climbed so high.

Aside from changing history, Fang Zheng Yi had no more dreams. Such a life was truly pathetic...

"How long are you going to think? Do you think We have too much time and can waste it here with you? Speak quickly," the Jing Emperor urged.

"I... I want to... request to marry a princess, cough!" After saying that, Fang Zheng Yi began to fidget.

Even though his skin was thicker than the corner of a city wall, this was truly a first for him.

He had never done this in his previous life. As soon as he said this, he felt as if the emperor in front of him had really become his father-in-law. The atmosphere was unusually awkward.

A hint of a smile flashed across the Jing Emperor's originally stern face, before returning to its deep and solemn state.

You little brat! He usually dared to say anything during court sessions, but he was so hesitant when it came to serious matters!

If Miao Han was delayed any further, she would become an old maid!

The Jing Emperor slowly opened his mouth, his tone carrying majesty. "You are presumptuous! Do you know what you are saying?"

"I want to request to marry a princess. Please, Your Majesty, grant me a marriage!"

"Absurd! Do you think you can spout nonsense in front of Us just because you have rendered some meritorious service? You want to marry Miao Han? On what basis! Do you think We will agree just because you say so?" The Jing Emperor roared again. "Stop presuming on Our favor in front of Us!"

"Then I'll say it again... Or perhaps Your Majesty could just bestow some gold and silver upon me. I'm not picky."

"Get out! Get out of here! We don't want to see you!"

Stealing a glance at the Jing Emperor, who was glaring at him intently, Fang Zheng Yi didn't rush to leave. His mind raced.

Hiss... I didn't even say which princess I wanted to marry. How did you say it yourself? Is it a done deal?

Moreover, he didn't ask me to say it again this time... 'Just because you say so'... Could it be he wants a bride price?

He had previously promised to give him two shares of Taoyuan County's profits. After accounting, nearly ten thousand taels of silver would be sent to the Imperial Treasury each year.

Wasn't he satisfied with that?

This time, bribing him with money might not work. The Lu family's silver vault had been seized, and millions of taels were still on their way. Spending money might not solve the problem this time.

Seeing that he wasn't moving, the Jing Emperor sneered inwardly.

This kid has been too smooth all along. If I agreed to him directly, he would think that everything was so easy to talk about with Me.

"Why haven't you left yet? What are you thinking about?"

Fang Zheng Yi composed himself and changed the subject. "I have another matter to report. The research and development of gunpowder in Taoyuan County has been successful."

"Really?" The Jing Emperor's eyes lit up, but then he became suspicious. "Why didn't the people We left in Taoyuan County report this to Us immediately?"

"Your Majesty, it's like this. The research and development was done in groups. The group in Taoyuan County was the first to produce results. They are probably still discussing among themselves, so they haven't had time to present it to Your Majesty."

The Jing Emperor nodded. "This is indeed a great achievement. Tomorrow, send someone to bring the gunpowder into the palace. We want to see it for Ourselves!"

"Your Majesty, you mustn't! Please allow me to keep you in suspense. Although the gunpowder has been successfully developed, it needs supporting facilities to unleash its power. Once it's built, I want to present it to Your Majesty all at once."

"In addition to this, I obtained an interesting Western gadget from Prince Wu and am having people imitate it. Once it's made, it will also be presented to Your Majesty," Fang Zheng Yi said.

"A Western gadget? You seem particularly interested in the West. Do you perhaps have some understanding of it?" the Jing Emperor asked.

"This... My father encountered Western missionaries when he was young, so he had some understanding of the West," Fang Zheng Yi fabricated. "Your Majesty, the West is by no means a barbaric land, and it is definitely not as simple as we imagine. That's why I strongly advocate opening the seas, to explore the Western world and prevent a major enemy from attacking in the future. We cannot be ignorant at that time."

The Jing Emperor didn't take the bait, but instead asked, "This is the first time We have heard you mention your parents. They were previously..."

"They are in another world..." Fang Zheng Yi interjected.

The Jing Emperor felt somewhat guilty. As time had passed, his memory had faded somewhat. He had previously checked Fang Zheng Yi's file; both of his parents were deceased.

"We already know about this matter. Go to the Northern Garrison Office as soon as possible. The matter of opening the seas involves too many factors and is not as simple as you think. Don't mention it again in the future."

"Then I want to marry a princess. Your Majesty said you would agree to anything I..."

"Get out!" The Jing Emperor pointed to the door expressionlessly.

Although the Jing Emperor didn't agree, he didn't deny it either. There might still be a chance!

Fang Zheng Yi dejectedly left the Imperial Study and went straight to the Mingluan Hall.

He skillfully found his way into the Mingluan Hall and frowned when he heard the sound of looms.

As he continued to venture deeper, he saw Li Miao Han sitting in front of a loom, looking busy and serious.

Her pair of crystal-clear jade-like hands were constantly working.

The palace maids on both sides were about to announce him when Fang Zheng Yi quickly put his index finger to his lips.

Then, he quietly walked behind Li Miao Han.

Without saying a word, he just stood there quietly until she wove a complete piece of cloth.

A look of joy appeared on her pretty face as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Fang Zheng Yi reached out and covered her eyes from behind, whispering in her ear, "Guess who I am?"

Li Miao Han's body stiffened. Fang Zheng Yi only felt his palms and fingers gradually becoming moist...

Seeing that the beauty seemed to be crying, Fang Zheng Yi hurriedly let go and went around to her side.

He saw that Li Miao Han's eyes were slightly red. She wiped the corners of her eyes, smiled, and said, "You're back?"

"I'm back."

......

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