[There seems to be something wrong with the last chapter. Only half of it was posted. Please scroll back and it should be updated. 】
Emperor Jing looked solemn, nodded and said, "That makes sense. Since you have advocated this matter, how much money do you think is needed?"
"You must know that this is not a small amount. Yesterday the Ministry of War reported to me to discuss this matter. Most of it was spent on maintenance, which is much more expensive than infantry."
"That's natural, but I think this money is well spent!" Fang Zhengyi said loudly: "I think it will only cost five million taels no matter what. As long as the first batch of sea-going ships are completed, the subsequent ones can be managed by sea trade companies. Profit to maintain.”
The ministers and Emperor Jing all looked at Fang Zhengyi with dumbfounded eyes.
five million? Are you asking for five million?
When the national treasury is opened by your family?
Emperor Jing's face looked a little ugly: "Fang Qing, what's the basis for five million taels? Isn't it just empty talk and asking for five million taels?"
Fang Zhengyi smiled awkwardly.
Isn’t it just empty talk? I haven't gone to the Ministry of War to investigate in detail.
in accordance with? I have no basis for it. I watched TV in my last life and it was introduced that the Qing Dynasty's Beiyang Fleet cost tens of millions of taels to build, and the annual allocation was around 4 million taels.
According to this argument, five million taels is not too much.
This farming civilization is not very good at maritime affairs, so why not spend more money to catch up?
The current technical level is obviously not as good as that of the Qing Dynasty, and the cost will not be much more. Five million taels should be enough.
However, the explanation that should be given in front of the emperor must still be given.
Fang Zheng cupped his fist and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard a saying: Thirty years of army, fifty years of air force, and one hundred years of navy."
"The cost of five million taels should be more than the construction. I think it needs to be planned in detail with the Ministry of War. If there is excess money, it should be invested in subsequent plans to explore the West."
"The road to the west is far, and we don't know the waterway yet. Five million taels may not be enough. But I think that with only five million taels of silver, Da Jing can see a whole new world. It's money well spent!"
air force? What is the Air Force?
The ministers looked at each other, and Emperor Jing also looked strange and said: "I can understand both the army and the navy. What is the air force? Who said this?"
"Huh?" Fang Zhengyi was a little confused.
Did you just say Air Force? Are you talking about being bald?
He swallowed and said: "Ah...this is what Chen's father said. He worked as a fisherman when he was young. This...the air force refers to fishing. It takes fifty years in the air force on a ship to become a good fisherman... It takes fifty years to be a good fisherman, and a hundred years to become a navy."
Everyone present suddenly realized that the Air Force meant fishing.
Well, I just passed through the Air Force a few days ago...
Zheng Qiao took a step forward and said: "Master Fang, it is certainly feasible for private people to open the sea, but five million taels of silver for the imperial court to build a fleet is too much. There are so many places in the country that need money? What's more, we can't guarantee it. There are huge profits overseas, so we still have to worry about it."
Emperor Jing's eyes moved to Fang Zhengyi.
Fang Zhengyi immediately said loudly: "I can guarantee it! I can guarantee that there will be huge profits overseas!"
"Oh? Why did you say that?" Emperor Jing's eyes showed strong interest.
"I thought yesterday that I could put cannons on the ship! If we have this warship in Dajing, then our navy in Dajing will be invincible in the world!"
"With this magical weapon, not to mention making money, even if we capture the King of Wu, we can easily get it. It's worth it no matter how you look at it!"
A sea ship with cannons?
The ministers began to have their own thoughts. Many of them came from the south and did not know much about ships.
But once I imagined that scene, I felt a little shuddering.
One of the two ships has a cannon, the other does not have a cannon...that is not the same thing!
Brand new species! ?
Gradually, some people’s eyes started to turn green!
Some civil servants were not very sensitive about this matter. Seeing other people's expressions were different, they quickly asked in a low voice.
After asking two questions, my eyes turned green!
According to this, isn’t the West just a golden mountain in the open air?
Feng Jie, the Secretary of the Ministry of War, suddenly stood up and said loudly: "Your Majesty! I think what Mr. Fang said is reasonable. It is indeed feasible to install that divine cannon on the ship! If we can really build such an invincible navy, then I, Da Jing, will do it at all costs. !”
Emperor Jing also had some wild ideas.
That's right...I thought that the cannon was extremely heavy and could only be used in sieges.
But isn’t a ship the best carrier? Just hit wherever you go!
"Master Li, what do you think?"
After all, Li Yansong was still a veteran of two dynasties, the head of the civil service, calm and steady, Emperor Jing still asked habitually.
Li Yansong said solemnly: "I think it is a top priority to go to the west to search! If you delay any longer, you may lose the opportunity. If we really search for the western continent, the great scenery will not be far away from the era of great rule! I hope your majesty will learn from it!"
"What Mr. Li said is reasonable, and I also support it!"
"I second the proposal!"
Li Yansong's words basically represent the conclusion of the entire civil service system!
I thought it was a bit risky at first, but now that I am suddenly invincible, are I still afraid of spending money? !
Great plans are just around the corner!
The civil servants in Dajing all came from the war. They were full of martial virtue and dared to think and act.
Now that Tongtian's achievements have been recorded in the annals of history, the opportunity is right in front of him, whoever dares to block it with his arms.
The civil servants might have swung their knives and screamed! Whoever stops him will die!
And the other people who usually didn't deal with Fang Zheng didn't dare to interrupt.
After laying the groundwork for so long, it seems that my series of operations have finally taken effect.
Fang Zheng couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
Poor little foreigner... Now Da Jing is like a wolf and a tiger, his eyes are glowing green, he is sharpening his knife and screaming to grab the beach and land!
Emperor Jing's face turned red and he gave Fang Zheng a confirming look.
It really made your kid move all over!
"Okay! Dear friends, do you have any other opinions? If no one objects... Feng Jie! Order the Ministry of War to supervise the construction of sea ships and train soldiers. The Ministry of Household Affairs has made an advance payment of two million taels, and all subsequent needs will be paid by the Ministry of Household Affairs. !”
"Your Majesty, wait a minute! I have an opinion!" Fang Zheng said.
"Huh? Tell me." Emperor Jing and the ministers all turned to Fang Zhengyi with curiosity in their eyes.
Fang Zhengyi smiled slightly, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to tell you. It's better to wait for Your Majesty to hear it before making a decision."
"Previously, I lived in Yuding City for a period of time. In Yuding City, I once found several craftsmen who had built ships for the King of Wu. Now they have been detained and are staying in Yuding City."
"King Wu's ships are not inferior to those of Westerners. Those craftsmen have the most superb skills. If they are handed over to Yuding City to supervise the construction of the warships, and some skilled craftsmen are sent to support them, the progress may be accelerated a lot."
Emperor Jing took a breath: "You...you mean, Da Jing now has craftsmen who master the most advanced shipbuilding technology?"
Surprises came out one after another, and Emperor Jing felt a little dazed.
The ministers were excited... They were originally complacent, thinking that no matter what, it would take ten years!
Now that we have advanced technology? Wouldn't that mean that we can find the West in four to five years?
...
