Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“Oh?” Fang Zheng leaned back, teasing, “Lord Chen, everyone wants to be remembered in history. But using the people's silver to make a name for yourself isn't appropriate, is it?”

So disrespectful? Why point it out!

“Heh... heh...” Chen Hong gave an awkward smile, “What are you saying? It's all official business, official business!”

“That's natural.” Fang Zheng deeply agreed, “Although it's official business, the sum of five hundred thousand taels is indeed too high. I have a cheaper and better method. I wonder if you'd be willing to listen?”

“Lord Fang, please speak.”

Fang Zheng organized his thoughts and said, “I plan to hold an event at Dongjiao University, gathering all the foreign envoys from the Honglu Temple to hold a sports meet.”

“Sports meet? What is a sports meet?” Chen Hong asked, puzzled.

“Simply put, it's gathering people together to see who runs the fastest, who jumps the highest, who throws the sandbag the farthest, and who shoots the arrow the most accurately. Something like that.”

“This... this is simply nonsense! Too absurd! Is there any meaning to it?” Chen Hong exclaimed in surprise, dumbfounded.

He had imagined countless possibilities for Fang Zheng's involvement in this matter, but he never expected Fang Zheng to come up with such a method.

Gathering a group of people together to see who runs faster?

Are they just full of it?

Fang Zheng wasn't surprised by his reaction.

After all, many people these days can't even see two pieces of meat at a meal, and fat people are even rarer.

Exercising is only something wealthy young men and soldiers do.

Fang Zheng extended his right hand and pressed down, softly saying, “Lord Chen, don't be anxious, sit down and talk.”

Chen Hong sat down, relentlessly saying, “How can I not be anxious? This is absolutely impossible. It would be a laughingstock if it got out.”

“Actually, it's not as serious as you think. This is definitely a good thing.” Fang Zheng patiently persuaded, “You need to know that the foreign guests of Honglu Temple all come from different countries, different cultures, and even different skin colors. If we want to do things well, we need to find their common ground, and that common ground is nothing other than sports.”

“Through the sports meet, we can completely unite everyone, understand each other, and enhance friendship.”

Chen Hong frowned tightly.

Fang Zheng continued, “Most importantly, if our Great Jing can win every competition, the encouragement for the people is unimaginable. Besides, it can also promote our Great Jing culture, promote exchanges with other countries, and the benefits are countless. Not just this once, I plan to hold it once every four years.”

“No! Lord Fang, you're being too presumptuous!” Chen Hong denied, “Putting aside whether you're right or wrong, Great Jing is the host country, and the envoys only brought some guards. If we win the competition, the reputation of bullying the small will spread, and neither you nor I can bear that responsibility.”

Fang Zheng said, “You're right, but this first time we hold it can be a friendly match. The scale won't be too large. The contestants can be found from within the Honglu Temple, so it won't be us bullying foreigners.”

“Moreover, I can responsibly tell you that this sports meet method was not something this official came up with on a whim. There is a small country overseas called Greece that often holds this kind of event. It is quite prevalent and has been around for a long time.”

“Really?” Chen Hong's face showed suspicion.

Fang Zheng vowed, “Lai Gou'er told me. If you don't believe me, you can ask him. These foreigners have different cultures from us, but the only thing that's the same is that everyone likes to play. Rest assured, it's definitely right!”

“If there's a problem, blame it on me. If there's no problem, the credit goes to you. Even if we fail, think about it. In the future, we will be trading with the West, and the fleet will bring back more countries. Won't your credit be less?”

Chen Hong fell into deep thought, and after a long time, he opened his mouth, “I still feel it's inappropriate. This is too risky. This is not our Great Jing's usual way of treating guests.”

“Actually, there's nothing risky.” Fang Zheng said sternly, “Actually, let me tell you the truth. Besides holding this sports meet being beneficial to national exchanges.”

“On the other hand, I need them to collectively visit Dongjiao University, to see the achievements of my Dongjiao University, so that in the future, we can recruit more talents from all over the world.”

Chen Hong's expression was solemn, “Lord Fang, you're not joking, are you? How can Dongjiao University be easily entered by outsiders?”

Fang Zheng laughed, “What's the matter? Haven't the gentlemen in the court always looked down on my Dongjiao University?”

Chen Hong said, “Since you've said this, then this official won't mince words. In the past, everyone did look down on Dongjiao University, thinking that it taught strange and ingenious skills. But later, didn't we go to Dongjiao University to attend a few classes... Dongda has also produced a lot of results.”

“It must be admitted that it is still very promising. The books of sages speak of the great way, and Dongjiao University learns small techniques. Techniques have their uses, and they must not be learned by outsiders.”

Fang Zheng was amused, “I understand, so you still look down on our Dongda!”

“Wrong! The Way is inseparable from technique, and technique is inseparable from the Way. This official doesn't mean to look down on it. It has a quick effect, so it can't be leaked to outsiders.” Chen Hong said earnestly.

“Don't worry about this. With my Jinyiwei here, confidential and important technologies will definitely not be leaked. As for the teaching materials in the school, it doesn't matter whether others learn them or not.” Fang Zheng said, “Even if we try to stop them, we may not be able to stop them.”

“Science is a leaky subject, and people need to constantly fill it up. Moreover, many of Dongda's knowledge is open and shared by everyone, otherwise, I wouldn't have published the papers in the newspaper.”

“But better safe than sorry?” Chen Hong worried.

“If you're afraid of making mistakes, then you don't need to do anything. I can responsibly tell you that the value created by one genius is better than ten thousand mediocre talents, so Dongjiao University must recruit geniuses from all over the world to maintain its leading position forever. This is not only for Dongda, but also for Great Jing.” Fang Zheng said earnestly.

“The foreigners of Honglu Temple should be able to understand the newspaper and have read the newspaper. If there are intelligent people among them, they will definitely emulate Dongjiao University. To put it bluntly, the scholars of our Great Jing are too burdened and still look down on the so-called techniques from the bottom of their hearts, so it is extremely difficult for true geniuses to be willing to enter Dongjiao University.”

“On the other hand, the foreigners are much more relaxed. As long as they avoid theology, they can almost let go and recruit talents widely. If they rely on theology to develop science, they may even get strong support. Our Great Jing has strong ships and powerful guns today. If we don't truly value science, what about a hundred years from now? What if foreign guns and cannons are better than our Great Jing, capable of fighting against a hundred, and our Great Jing's technology stagnates? When war breaks out, what reliance can we have on the people's hearts!?”

.....