As soon as this was said, Li Yuanzhao, who had been silent, also echoed: "Old Fang, I don't think it's necessary to send it to the Ministry of Industry. Their efficiency is too low, and they may not even have the production technology."
"I've been to the workshop of the Ministry of Industry. The production of fire guns and old cannons is more time-consuming and labor-intensive than yours, and the finished products may not be as good. I think it's better to let the Academy of Sciences do the military industry and let the Ministry of Revenue make the order directly. It will not only save money but also be more efficient."
Fang Zhengyi shook his head and said, "Your Highness, you can't calculate it that way. The Ministry of Industry is responsible for far more areas than the Academy of Sciences, so it's impossible to cover everything.
"Although many of the craftsmen in the Ministry of Industry are family-inherited, their skills are declining, and the rigidity of the production process has led to high costs, but these can all be rectified. They lacked competitors and motivation to improve before, and now the Academy of Sciences happens to be the opponent of the Ministry of Industry, urging them to make changes. This is more important than the Academy of Sciences making more money. I will embarrass them in the future!"
What's more important is that he still has to make meritorious contributions and be reinstated, but there's no need to tell him this now since it hasn't been accomplished.
Li Yuanzhao nodded with a sympathetic heart.
Mo Xiaohu asked again: "But...what about the money? The new guns this time were made with the money we saved from other projects."
"It's okay. I'll go back to the Ministry of Revenue to get approval for the new projects. I'll need 500,000 taels. I'll ask for a little more at a time, so you guys have to be frugal with your spending." Fang Zheng said.
"Five hundred thousand taels! What are you dreaming about, Old Fang?" Li Yuanzhao asked in surprise.
"I want 500,000, and I can give you 200,000. Let's go, Your Highness, let's go to another place to have a look..."
........
Three days later, at the court meeting.
The court meeting on this day seemed to be the same as usual, but if you look closely you can detect some unusual atmosphere.
Many people's eyes flew between the Minister of War Feng Jie and the Acting Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Tao Hui from time to time.
Tao Hui looked calm and composed, and there was no sign of anything wrong.
Feng Jie occasionally responded to others with his eyes.
The efficiency of the people at Dongjiao University was very high. The Italian artillery was delivered to the Ministry of War the day after Fang Zheng left, and the details were reported in detail.
When the new cannon came out, Feng Jie was naturally the first to come and check it out in person.
Although he was extremely puzzled by the name of the "Italian Cannon", when he heard the people from East Suburb University say how miraculous it was, he took it to the suburbs to test the cannon without saying a word.
After the artillery test was completed, Feng Jie immediately wrote several secret letters and sent them to the homes of several colleagues.
Before the court meeting officially started, Feng Jie had already started thinking.
Fang Zheng had already gained the support of the majority of people when he returned to the court. Whether he could succeed now depended on the contribution of the artillery and the cooperation of others.
Emperor Jing sat high on the dragon throne and said, "My dear ministers, I have something to report."
After saying this, Feng Jie stepped out without hesitation and said loudly, "I congratulate your majesty, congratulations to your majesty!"
Emperor Jing was a little surprised and smiled, "Oh? It's a rare good thing to come here, why should I be happy?"
Feng Jie said: "Your Majesty, the Royal Academy of Sciences has recently developed a new weapon, which has been verified by the Ministry of War!"
"This weapon is a new type of artillery, called the Italian Cannon. Compared to the old cannon, it is not only lighter, but also has twice the range and power!"
"After testing, this cannon can still shoot through a piece of iron plate from a distance of more than three miles! It can be called a sharp weapon in war. The appearance of this cannon is no less than the initial invention of firearms. This minister is deeply surprised! So I am not indecent in front of the palace today. Congratulations, Your Majesty."
Many people were secretly complaining, what a crappy name this cannon had, isn’t it really of Fang Zhengyi’s standard?
Emperor Jing was overjoyed: "Is it true?"
"I am of course telling the truth. Your Majesty can test the cannon yourself if you have time. However, due to its enormous power, you need to choose an open area." Feng Jie said.
"Good, good, Royal Academy of Sciences... I didn't expect the Royal Academy of Sciences to come up with new results so soon." Emperor Jing said with emotion.
Feng Jie clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, according to what I have heard, this cannon was delivered to the Ministry of War as soon as it was first invented and verified. This was all led by Commander Fang himself, so he has made a great contribution!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Minister of Works Jiang Liang stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, not only the Ministry of War, but also Captain Fang specially sent a copy of the manufacturing details to the Ministry of Works, and our Ministry of Works has also benefited a lot from it."
Emperor Jing's brows relaxed: "Oh... Hasn't the Ministry of Industry always been at odds with the Academy of Sciences?"
It’s true that they don’t get along, but now there’s something even more incompatible!
Jiang Liang said calmly, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Industry and the Academy of Sciences do have some differences in philosophy, but their original intention is to make Dajing prosperous. Captain Fang is a little eccentric, but he definitely has a sense of the overall situation. Everyone can see his contribution to Dajing."
Li Yansong said, "I second the opinion. Commander Fang has always had a broad perspective. Previously, the court was a little too decadent, which led many people to look at him with prejudice."
"Objectively speaking, Captain Fang has indeed done a lot of good things over the years!"
Emperor Jing pinched his chin, glanced at Tao Hui quickly, and then asked with a smile: "I didn't expect that you all have such a high opinion of him? Why haven't I heard you say that before?"
Zheng Qiao said, "Your Majesty, there are indeed many people in the court who admire Captain Fang, but because he is too young and outstanding, they are afraid that he will become arrogant, so they are unwilling to show it on the surface. Everyone has good intentions, but they are just afraid that he will go astray."
"That's right. We all went through this in the past. The commander always told young people to be modest and not to be arrogant. Now that Captain Fang is not here, it's okay to tell the truth."
"Moreover, Commander Fang is truly a young talent. He can compose music and poetry, and he can also do practical and good things. Such a versatile person is rare in our country of Dajing since its founding."
"Not only that, some time ago, Commandant Fang opened a new-style school, recruiting students at an extremely low price, and also willing to teach his own learning methods with all his heart!"
"That's right, Captain Fang can be called a gentleman in terms of character... ahem..."
Someone in the crowd said this and all the officials glared at him angrily.
Can you speak? The show is over!
Guo Tianyang was completely stunned after hearing this.
Ever since Fang Zheng entered the court, he was scolded every month, if not every day.
In terms of reputation, he can be called a eunuch...
The ministers in the palace knew exactly how Fang Zhengyi evaluated him.
What's going on now? They've all turned against us!
Could it be that since he couldn't go to court to lick the emperor, he went to the ministers' homes to lick the ministers in private?
No way, is there really someone who can lick so well?
Wait, if it’s Fang Zhengyi, it doesn’t seem impossible!
This is licking God...
Guo Tianyang thought sadly.
Emperor Jing was so disgusted by what he heard that he quickly asked, "Then...according to your opinions, how should I reward Fang Zhengyi for his extraordinary achievements?"
......
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