Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The atmosphere in the court became increasingly heated.

Emperor Jing steadied his mind and praised, "Excellent! Since that's the case, the responsibility of shipbuilding will be entrusted to Yu Ding City. Send someone immediately to deliver the decree to Yu Ding City."

"Furthermore, having observed the benefits of firearms the other day, I have decided to establish another camp in the capital to train in firearms, named the Divine Mechanism Camp."

"Feng Jie, you send someone to handle this matter and first draft a set of regulations for me."

Feng Jie hurriedly acknowledged the order.

Fang Zheng Yi suddenly felt relieved.

The major matter had been decided, and the rest would go smoothly.

Just send a letter to Yu Ding City with detailed arrangements, and it would be settled.

Yu Ding City could basically be considered his second base of operations. Everyone there was his own, and it was under his control.

Now that the army had sufficient food and supplies, future voyages would only require the court to broaden its horizons. Then, many smart people would naturally know what to do.

He wouldn't have to painstakingly deceive and trick them anymore.

Just then, Emperor Jing suddenly said, "Minister Fang, I was saved by penicillin back then. This medicine is very effective, but when I asked the physician in Taoyuan County, he said he didn't know the cost. I want to introduce this medicine for military needs. Is it feasible?"

Penicillin? Yesterday, while touring the various research institutes in the county, he had indeed paid special attention to it.

Fang Zheng Yi paused and said, "Your Majesty, penicillin has a wide range of therapeutic effects and is indeed feasible."

"However, the medicine is not easy to produce, especially since it is difficult to preserve. A war might be over before it can even be used, and its efficacy will be lost. It may be difficult to equip the army with it in the short term."

"But there is a solution. I have ordered the opening of medical clinics in the capital to use penicillin to treat and save people. In the process, we can improve the process, and perhaps one day it will be possible to equip the entire army."

Emperor Jing said with some regret, "Very well, things cannot be perfect. Perhaps I am too eager for success."

"If the research on penicillin requires the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds, you should speak up."

The Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds?

Fang Zheng Yi's expression showed a hint of realization when Emperor Jing said this.

That's right, this research matter could be handed over to the royal family or the court.

He was used to handling everything himself. Why did he have to bear some things alone?

Now was the best time!

"Thank you, Your Majesty! However, I suddenly thought of a suggestion."

"Speak," Emperor Jing said.

"There are many research institutes in Taoyuan County, specializing in the development of medicines and equipment. The Firearms Institute and penicillin both came from these research institutes, and each of them can change the landscape of our Great Jing."

"However, Taoyuan County is, after all, a small county, and everything is beyond its capabilities. Therefore, I ask Your Majesty to establish a Royal Academy of Sciences and affiliated academies to widely recruit talents from all over the world and put them to use. Firstly, it can contribute to the court and respond to future changes. Secondly, if there are innovations, it can also benefit the people of the world."

"I am willing to do my best to share Your Majesty's worries in the initial construction and operation of the Royal Academy of Sciences and affiliated academies!"

Science?

Some people had heard a few words about it from Fang Zheng Yi, but many others were still confused. What exactly was science?

"Lord Fang, what does science mean?" someone asked.

"Science? Science is a methodology, based on the establishment of objective facts and verifiable foundations... Of course, what I'm saying may not be entirely correct, this is just the way Taoyuan County puts it. To put it simply, the opposite of science is superstition," Fang Zheng Yi said.

"Lord Fang, I think I understand what you're saying, even though it's a bit mysterious. So, the Academy of Sciences will be recruiting artisans. The four departments under my Ministry of Works can fully handle this; it's completely unnecessary!"

The person speaking seemed somewhat indignant. You, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, are trying to take over the work of the Ministry of Works; that's really going too far!

Fang Zheng Yi was stunned for a moment.

Who was coming at him with veiled accusations right off the bat? The matter of opening the seas had been decided. Did they expect him to give them face?!

He glanced at the speaker and saw that it was Zeng Ping, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works. He cupped his hands and said, "Lord Zeng, the Academy of Sciences is different from the Ministry of Works."

"The Ministry of Works only requires skilled craftsmen, while the Academy of Sciences aims to cultivate research-oriented talents who need to do creative work."

"Routine tasks are unnecessary! Moreover... the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works also inherit their skills through generations, and they have become increasingly useless. I'm afraid their skills are just so-so!"

Zeng Ping didn't expect Fang Zheng Yi to retort so directly. He glanced at Emperor Jing and then at the Minister of Works, his face reddening as he said, "Lord Fang, that's not true! The craftsmen of the Ministry of Works are all top-notch in the world. Moreover, it's not entirely inherited through generations. If there are outstanding craftsmen among the common people, the Ministry of Works has always been recruiting them."

"Then why haven't you come up with penicillin, gunpowder, or firearms?" Fang Zheng Yi retorted.

"Ah, I... that was just a coincidence! The Ministry of Works doesn't have Taoist priests to make elixirs, nor did they get their hands on the Prince of Wu's pocket watch. If we had discovered it earlier, we would have certainly been able to research it."

"What about penicillin?"

Zeng Ping's face turned red, and he stammered out, "That's the responsibility of the Imperial Hospital."

Emperor Jing watched and chuckled inwardly, but there was also an indescribable feeling.

For a while, Fang Zheng Yi had been honest and polite to everyone.

Now, as soon as the matter of opening the seas was settled, he was immediately back to his old self.

He probably wouldn't be quiet for a while....

"Alright, Minister Fang, no need to say more. It's not impossible to order the construction of the Royal Academy of Sciences. The national treasury is currently abundant, so we can try it out first," Emperor Jing said.

The newly appointed Minister of Revenue, Xu Wenshu, stood up at this time and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Lord Zeng is right. I also understand what Lord Fang said about science. It's nothing more than four words: 'Investigate things to attain knowledge.'"

"But the craftsmen don't even know how to read, so talking about investigating things to attain knowledge is a bit..."

At this point, Xu Wenshu stopped talking.

It wasn't that he was at odds with Fang Zheng Yi; he was just feeling distressed.

Originally, the national treasury had become abundant not long after he took office.

Who would have thought that an Embroidered Uniform Guard would come along? The Embroidered Uniform Guard's appetite was frightening; one person's food expenses were equivalent to those of five ordinary people. He didn't want to give that much at first, but he couldn't resist Fang Zheng Yi's face and persistent requests, and finally approved the funds.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard wanted money, so he endured it! Without Fang Zheng Yi, it wouldn't have been his turn to take the position! What about opening the seas? Five million taels had been earmarked. He didn't know how much it would cost to build the Divine Mechanism Camp.

But now they also wanted to add a Royal Academy of Sciences and affiliated academies, and there would be no end to it.

When the performance came out, the Ministry of Revenue's accounts would be empty again. How would the emperor and the court view him?

As an incompetent person! Only knowing how to spend money recklessly, not knowing how to save money and make money?

Fang Zheng Yi's face fell, and he loudly said, "Lord Xu, you're taking sides!"

"What do you mean craftsmen don't know how to read? Does anyone know how to write from birth? How long does it take to learn a word? Look at how capable you all are."

"Investigating things to attain knowledge is not the exclusive domain of scholars, right? Why haven't so many scholars researched gunpowder, firearms, or penicillin? Come on, everyone, tell me what's going on? Haven't you studied enough, or haven't you studied enough? Where have you all been investigating?"

Seeing Fang Zheng Yi's unruly energy suddenly emerge, everyone secretly sighed in their hearts.

"Lord Fang, be careful with your words! Aren't you just being unreasonable? You can't do that!"

"It's starting, he's starting again!"

"Lord Fang, investigating things to attain knowledge is not the exclusive domain of scholars, but the affairs of craftsmen are also not what scholars should be doing, right? A gentleman does not concern himself with tools; how can he devote himself to those trivial matters like craftsmen?"

Fang Zheng Yi blew his beard and glared, "What! Penicillin has saved countless lives, and firearms and gunpowder will certainly perform miraculous feats on the battlefield in the future, and countless soldiers will benefit from them."

"You actually say these are trivial matters? As if you could just make them if you put in a little effort. If anyone disagrees, let's pull them out for a walk!"