Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

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Emperor Jing's expression was solemn as he nodded and said, "What you've said has some merit. Since you strongly advocate for this matter, how much silver do you think is needed?"

"You must know that this is not a small sum. Yesterday, the Ministry of War submitted a memorial to me discussing this matter. The majority of the funds are spent on maintenance, making it much more expensive compared to infantry."

"That's natural, but I believe this money is well spent!" Fang Zheng Yi said loudly, "I believe we'll need at least five million taels as a base. Once the first batch of seagoing vessels is built, the subsequent ones can be maintained by the profits from maritime trade."

The assembled officials and Emperor Jing stared at Fang Zheng Yi, dumbfounded.

Five million? You're asking for five million just like that?

Do you think the national treasury is run by your family?

Emperor Jing's face turned somewhat unsightly: "Fang Qing, what is the basis for five million taels? You're not just pulling five million taels out of thin air, are you?"

Fang Zheng Yi smiled awkwardly.

Isn't that exactly what I'm doing? I haven't gone to the Ministry of War to conduct a detailed investigation.

Basis? What basis is there? In my past life, I watched TV and learned that the Great Qing's Beiyang Fleet cost tens of millions of taels to build, with annual allocations of around four million taels.

According to that, five million taels isn't excessive.

This agricultural civilization isn't very good at handling maritime affairs, so wouldn't they have to spend more silver to catch up?

The current level of technology is obviously not up to par with the Qing Dynasty, so the cost won't be too much more. Five million taels should be enough.

However, in front of the Emperor, the explanation that should be given still needs to be given.

Fang Zheng Yi clasped his fist and said: "Your Majesty, I have heard a saying: Thirty years for the army, fifty years for the air force, and one hundred years for the navy."

"The cost of these five million taels should exceed the construction cost. I believe it is also necessary to plan in detail with the Ministry of War, and if there is excess silver, it should also be invested in the subsequent plan to explore the West."

"The West is far away, and we don't yet know the sea routes. Five million taels may not be enough. But I think as long as we spend five million taels of silver, we can let Great Jing see a whole new world. This money is well spent!"

Air Force? What is the Air Force?

The assembled officials looked at each other, and Emperor Jing also had a strange expression: "Army and Navy, I can understand, but what is the Air Force? Who said this?"

"Ah?" Fang Zheng Yi was a little dazed.

Did I just say Air Force? Did I blurt it out?

He swallowed and said: "Ah, this... this was said by my father. He used to be a fisherman when he was young. This... Air Force refers to fishing. It takes fifty years to become a good fisherman in the Air Force on a boat... It takes fifty years to be a good fisherman, so it must take a hundred years to train the Navy."

Everyone present suddenly understood that the Air Force meant fishing.

I was just in the Air Force a few days ago...

Zheng Qiao stepped forward and said: "Lord Fang, it is certainly feasible for the people to open the sea, but it is too much for the imperial court to build a fleet with five million taels of silver. How many places across the country need money? Moreover, we cannot yet guarantee that there will be huge profits to be made overseas, so we must consider it carefully."

Emperor Jing's gaze shifted to Fang Zheng Yi.

Fang Zheng Yi immediately said loudly: "I can guarantee it! I can guarantee that there will be huge profits to be made overseas!"

"Oh? What makes you say that?" Emperor Jing's eyes revealed a strong interest.

"I thought about it yesterday, we can put cannons on the ships! With such warships, our Great Jing's navy will be invincible in the world!"

"With this divine weapon, let alone making money, even capturing Wu Wang back will be a piece of cake. No matter how you look at it, it's worth it!"

Seagoing vessels with cannons?

The assembled officials began to have flights of fancy. Many of them came from the South, and although they didn't know much about ships,

once they imagined that scene, they felt a chill down their spines.

Two ships, one with cannons and the other without cannons... that's not the same thing!

A whole new species!?

Gradually, some people's eyes began to turn green!

Some civil officials were not very sensitive to this matter, and when they saw that other people's expressions were different, they quickly asked in a low voice.

After asking a few questions, their eyes also turned green!

According to this, isn't the West an open-air gold mine!

Minister of War Feng Jie, suddenly stood up and said loudly: "Your Majesty! I believe that what Lord Fang said is reasonable. It is indeed feasible to install the divine cannon on the ship! If we can really build such an invincible navy, then Great Jing can spare no expense!"

Emperor Jing was also fantasizing.

That's right... I originally thought that the giant cannon was extremely heavy and could only be used for siege warfare.

But isn't the ship the best carrier? It can attack wherever it goes!

"Master Li, what do you think?"

Li Yan Song was, after all, an old minister who had experienced two dynasties, the head of civil officials, calm and prudent, and Emperor Jing was still in the habit of asking.

Only to hear Li Yan Song say in a deep voice: "I believe that going to the West to search is a matter of urgency! If we delay any longer, we may lose the opportunity. If we really find the Western continent, Great Jing will not be far from a great and prosperous age! I hope Your Majesty will see clearly!"

"Lord Li is right, I also support it!"

"I second the proposal!"

Li Yan Song's remarks basically represented the entire civil official system making a conclusion!

Originally, they felt that there were some risks, but now that they were suddenly invincible, were they still afraid of spending money?!

A grand plan was right in front of them!

The civil officials of Great Jing all came from war, and they were full of martial virtue and dared to think and act.

Now that the opportunity to achieve a great achievement that would be recorded in history was right in front of them, if anyone dared to stand in their way.

The civil officials were afraid that they would wield their knives and roar and swing them up! Whoever blocks them will die!

Moreover, those who were usually at odds with Fang Zheng Yi did not dare to interject.

After so much foreshadowing, it seems that my series of operations has finally taken effect.

Fang Zheng Yi couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Poor Westerners... Now Great Jing is like a tiger and wolf, with green eyes, sharpening their knives and roaring and wanting to go ashore and grab them!

Emperor Jing's face was flushed, and he gave Fang Zheng Yi an affirmative look.

You really got all of you moving!

"Good! Do you all have any other opinions? If no one objects... Feng Jie! Order the Ministry of War to supervise the construction of seagoing vessels and train the soldiers. The Ministry of Revenue will advance two million taels, and all subsequent needs will be covered by the Ministry of Revenue!"

"Your Majesty, please wait! I have an opinion!" Fang Zheng Yi said.

"Hmm? Speak up." Emperor Jing and the assembled officials looked at Fang Zheng Yi with curiosity.

Fang Zheng Yi smiled slightly, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I have something to report, why not wait until Your Majesty has heard it before making a decision."

"Previously, I wandered in Yuding City for a period of time. In Yuding City, I discovered several craftsmen who had built seagoing vessels for Wu Wang. Now they have been detained and are staying in Yuding City."

"Wu Wang's seagoing vessels are no less than those of Westerners. Those craftsmen have mastered the most superb technology. If we hand them over to Yuding City to supervise the construction of warships, and send some skilled craftsmen to support them, it may speed up the progress a lot."

Emperor Jing's breathing stagnated: "You... you mean, Great Jing now has craftsmen who have mastered the most advanced shipbuilding technology?"

Surprises kept popping up one after another, and Emperor Jing felt a little dazed.

The assembled officials were boiling... Originally, they were ambitious, thinking that it would take ten years no matter what!

Now it's good that they already have advanced technology? Wouldn't that mean... they could find the West in four or five years?

......