"Your Majesty, I have been active in the offshore area during this period. According to my understanding, overseas products are abundant, with mountains of gold and silver, which can make up for the shortcomings of my great scenery."
"But now my Dajing offshore fishermen and maritime traders want to go to sea. The procedures are unimaginably complicated, which is tantamount to blocking a way out."
"It is not an exaggeration to say that it is a sea ban. Therefore, I would like to ask your Majesty to open the sea and appoint coastal prefectures and counties so that the people can travel without worries."
"Secondly, I have seen the ship used by the rebels. The ship's craftsmanship is exquisite and the hull is huge and cannot be compared to the imperial warships. If shipping is opened up, the shipping industry can also be developed. Otherwise, if we want to bring the rebels to justice , absolutely impossible!”
Fang Zhengyi's attitude was extremely sincere.
Persuading the imperial court to open the sea is the most important matter at the moment!
However, he is not very sure now, so he first brings it up to test the attitude of the courtiers, and then he can make detailed arrangements for the next step and strive for success!
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, someone jumped out: "Master Fang is joking!"
Fang Zheng looked to the side and saw that the speaker was Feng Jie, the Minister of War.
Although most of the civil servants disliked him, the people in the Ministry of War were different. They always stood on the same front as Emperor Jing.
Even when being pointed at by everyone, very few people from the Ministry of War would jump out.
This time Feng Jie took the initiative to stand up, which surprised Fang Zhengyi.
"Master Feng, what advice do you have?"
Feng Jie said: "Just now you said that my Dajing's warship is not as good as the ship used by the rebels. I don't agree with this!"
"How can he, just one person, compare to the efforts of the whole country that have been accumulated for so many years? A ship is not only good if it is big, Mr. Fang, please do not be intimidated by the size!"
"We can build the ship as big as we want, but the most important thing at sea is its ability to withstand wind and waves!"
"The Ministry of War has sent people to hunt down the rebels. I think it won't take long for them to return smoothly!"
Fang Zheng was silent.
What Feng Jie said makes sense, but based on his understanding of King Wu, I'm afraid it's not that simple.
A technical man will not just pursue simple bigness, but should pay more attention to other parameters such as structure.
Without waiting for Fang Zheng to speak, Feng Jie continued: "Master Fang talked about opening up the sea, but he probably lacks understanding of it."
"When the late emperor was still alive, he strongly advocated banning the sea! First, the maritime merchants were greedy and evaded taxes, and our Dajing resources were drained. If things go on like this, people will be panicked and the people will be in turmoil."
"Secondly, pirates are rampant, and poor and weak people even take the initiative to join in. The court often spends a lot of financial and material resources to eliminate pirates."
"Thirdly, shipbuilding is expensive, and maintenance is even more expensive... So now that it has left a way for the people to go to sea, the imperial court is particularly merciful."
"I second the proposal!" Li Yansong stood up, looked at Fang Zhengyi and added: "Master Fang, you think this is easy."
"Dajing is the suzerain state, and many small countries in Nanyang pay tribute every year. The ban on the sea is not only for the points mentioned by Mr. Feng, but also to safeguard the interests of the tributary countries."
"Furthermore, our country, Dajing, is not very profitable in maritime trade. This fact is not feasible."
After Li Yansong finished speaking, there was a sound of agreement.
Almost everyone opposed Fang Zhengyi without any surprise.
At this moment, Fang Zheng once again stood on the opposite side of Baiguan.
Fang Zhengyi kept thinking amidst the opposition. The opposition attitude of the ministers was somewhat firmer than expected.
I'm afraid things are a little difficult, but they are not unsolvable. There are many hard cards in my hand!
Emperor Jing just looked at him quietly and did not speak.
When the discussion stopped, Fang Zhengyi had time to calm down and said: "Your Majesty, although I don't understand shipbuilding, King Wu's ship is definitely not as simple as Lord Feng said."
"Furthermore, our Dajing maritime trade is now mainly based on trade from tributary countries. If we frequently give back, we will inevitably make little profit or even lose money!"
"The sea must be profitable, otherwise why would the people, as Master Feng said, be willing to become pirates regardless of life and death?"
"People are not stupid, they know where to make money and where to go. I think there are still many problems caused by too many restrictions. If the people are allowed to intervene, and the court can manage it, there will be great gains!"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately retorted: "Everything is Master Fang's conjecture, but the benefits of opening up maritime trade to invade and occupy tributary countries are certain. How can I, Da Jing, as the suzerain, convince the public?"
Fang Zheng rolled his eyes and said, "Whatever, the interests of the people of Dajing come first! What about the tributary country? We didn't rob him. We do business fairly. If you can afford it, you can eat, but if you don't, you can eat shit!"
"Master Fang, please be careful as this is a court meeting!"
"I'm a straight person, so I can talk like this!"
"...."
Seeing that Fang Zhengyi was quarreling with someone again and was about to throw dirty words, Emperor Jing held his forehead and knocked on the imperial desk: "Quiet, quiet!"
"Fang Qing, you have not considered this matter properly. Maritime trade relations are complex and cannot be handled lightly. There is also the fourth child who is out at sea. I have sent a fleet to pursue him. I think he will be back in a few months."
"Is it possible that my Dajing's warships are not as good as the merchant ships he built privately?"
Seeing that the emperor had made a decision, all the ministers' eyes instantly focused on Fang Zhengyi.
Your Majesty has said so, but you still want to be stubborn?
"Your Majesty is wise, but I want to reserve my opinion..." Fang Zheng said.
Um?
Emperor Jing's eyes were a little more curious.
It turned out that this kid was going along with whatever he said, so why was he so uncharacteristically concerned about opening the sea? Something strange!
But now that things have turned over, Emperor Jing didn't dwell too much on it, and the court meeting got back on track and continued...
...
After the court meeting, as expected, Fang Zhengyi was called to the imperial study room.
Emperor Jing looked at his listless look and asked, "I'm curious, why are you so positive about Kai Hai?"
"Your Majesty, do you still remember where sweet potatoes come from?" Fang Zheng asked.
"Of course I remember, it came from overseas. Do you want to tell me that if there is sweet potato overseas, then maybe there will be a powerful country without famine?" Emperor Jing asked.
Fang Zhengyi said in surprise: "Yes, since Your Majesty knows this truth, why doesn't he agree to open the sea?"
"Because I don't believe there is such a thing, and it is not appropriate to report sweet potatoes as a staple food below."
"..."
"Dajing is a country in the middle, and it is surrounded by barbarians. Even if there are other countries overseas, what should we fear?" Emperor Jing said.
"Uh..." Fang Zhengyi didn't expect that the deepest reason was the emperor's self-confidence, so he said cautiously: "Your Majesty, have you ever thought about the fact that the earth under our feet is a ball, which point is actually It could all be the central government.”
Emperor Jing suddenly narrowed his eyes and looked at Fang Zhengyi with an evil look on his face: "You told the prince that the earth under his feet is a ball? If you and that scoundrel continue to think wildly, get out of the palace!"
I said the earth is round and you yelled at me to beat me and kill me!
Fang Zhengyi complained: "I was wrong. Your Majesty, I will go back to work first."
"Wait a minute." The smile returned to Emperor Jing's face: "Don't leave in a hurry, I asked you to come for other reasons."
"You forgot that I told you before you left. I can promise you one thing after everything is done. Tell me what conditions you have now. I will never lie!"
Fang Zheng's heart beat faster and he asked nervously, "Really?"
...
It's late today, brother, I'm ready to work hard. If I don't update tomorrow, I will update the day after tomorrow. If I update the day after tomorrow, I will definitely update the day after tomorrow. If I don't push for updates the day after tomorrow... ? !
