After Wu Sheng left, Ao Chen's face gradually became serious: "Master, during your absence, the King of Wu sent people to attack Taoyuan County to seize gunpowder by force."

"I'm afraid the people sent from the capital have already discovered the clues, but we sent people to test their tone. They have lived quite comfortably in the past two years. And since they have not produced results for such a long time, they should not go back and talk nonsense."

Fang Zheng said: "I already know something about this matter. Xiao Tao probably told me a little bit about it."

"We can't hide the gunpowder anymore, and there's no need to hide it anymore. Let's leak some real stuff to them in the past few days and get some results. I will report this to His Majesty when the time comes."

Ao Chen nodded: "Besides, do you still remember Feng Ya who was sent to Prince Wu's Mansion? He came back and brought back many strange plants from Prince Wu, which have now been planted in greenhouses."

"It's growing well. I've sent someone to pick it up in advance and it will be delivered to you shortly."

Could it be that King Wu’s crop was potatoes?

Fang Zheng raised his eyebrows and did not continue to ask. Instead, he arranged: "You continue to talk."

"Penicillin has been basically successfully developed, but... the research institute used prisoners for research, sir, you see..."

He has repeatedly banned the use of prisoners for experiments unless they are volunteers and are safe and controllable. These lunatics really dare to do anything!

Fang Zheng was filled with anger: "Hang all those involved on the city wall for three days, and put them down when eating, drinking, and defecating. Don't blame me for being cruel if something like this happens again."

"But His Majesty has already commended him..."

"I don't care about your majesty. Things that go beyond the bottom line must be punished! Didn't Xiaotao stop their funding? Let's talk about it in half a year." Fang Zhengyi said lightly: "You must also be ethical and humane when doing science. As time goes by, these lunatics will

Do we still need to cooperate with human traffickers?”

"This matter is nothing to discuss. We have to talk about human nature. Do you understand human nature? If anyone dares to do it in the future, they will be directly sent to the government and expelled from Taoyuan County! How are the prisoners arranged?"

"Thrown it to the back mountain to dig coal."

"Well done."

Ao Chen continued to talk about all the big and small things in the county, but fortunately they were not of high importance.

Fang Zheng rubbed his eyebrows and kept thinking. After Ao Chen finished reporting, he said, "Call Feng Ya."

Ao Chen responded, turned around and went out to make arrangements.

Not long after, Feng Ya walked in high-spirited. When he saw Fang Zhengyi, he said excitedly: "Master, long time no see!"

Fang Zheng smiled and waved his hand: "You hid it deep enough. I sent people to look for you several times but couldn't find you. This time I will remember you for your great achievements and let you have a good holiday."

Feng Ya smiled and said: "Thank you sir, but I can't sit still, so I won't use it. Anyway, it's quite relaxing to watch the casino every day."

"Okay, since you are willing to be busy, I have a big task for you!" Fang Zheng said.

Seeing Fang Zheng's serious expression, Feng Ya couldn't help but become serious: "Sir, please speak."

"Well, I won't talk nonsense. I went to Haiyuan City to steal a salt merchant."

"The salt merchants are very rich. At that time, the officials of the Yamen moved no less than one million taels of gold and silver from the Lu family's bank. They were also in a hurry to bribe them like this because they were short of manpower."

"If you have experience, bring a group of experienced people to do some "business" with them and take back the dirty money. No matter how much you get back, you will get 10%! The rest of the money will be returned to the county and it will be legal income."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng took out an envelope from his sleeve and threw it over: "Here is the list. There are addresses on it. Check it carefully."

Feng Ya opened the envelope and opened it twice, raised his head and asked, "Master, did you give them this money?"

"That's right." Fang Zheng touched his chin and recalled the scene at that time: "It's indeed what I gave to them. Of course, it's their business to spend it. If they lose money from doing business with you, it's not my fault."

"Money must always be placed in the hands of the right person to maximize its value. This is called walking in the right direction."

Feng Ya was happy and asked tentatively: "If I can take back one million taels, can I divide it into one hundred thousand taels?"

"Not only that, I have to reward you with a house!" Fang Zheng waved his hand!

Feng Ya was overjoyed: "Okay! Master, I can choose someone myself."

"You can take your pick. If there's nothing else, you can go back and prepare now."

Feng Ya nodded excitedly, then turned around and left in a hurry!

As soon as he stepped out of the door, the servant who went to pick up the crops passed him and ran in. He placed a small basket in front of Fangzheng's desk: "Master, these are new crops grown in the greenhouse. Please take a look!"

Fang Zheng poked his head into the basket and stood up immediately.

"Potato!?"

Ao Chen also put his head over, pointed at the potato and said, "Master, is this what you are talking about? I heard from Feng Ya that King Wu called this potato potato. Have you seen it before?"

"I've seen it... and more than just seen it." Fang Zhengyi murmured.

Somewhat absent-mindedly, he picked up the potatoes in the basket.

He vaguely remembered that potatoes were a native crop of South America. Where did King Wu's fleet go?

This thing is different from sweet potatoes. Potatoes can be said to be a real staple food! The problem is not about nutrients, but about experience and taste. During times of famine, everyone can still rely on sweet potatoes to survive, but they can still live a normal life.

It's torture to be fed sweet potatoes every day. Moreover, they have too much crude fiber and their nutrient absorption is poorer than potatoes.

In contrast, potatoes can completely replace traditional crops such as rice and wheat.

And it can be made in various ways, it can be used as a dish or as a staple food.

Although the yield of potatoes is not as high as that of sweet potatoes, in some places it can be grown for two seasons, so it may not be able to surpass sweet potatoes.

After coming back to his senses, Fang Zhengyi became a little emotional, swallowed his saliva and asked, "Why are these potatoes so small?"

"They haven't grown yet. Master, Feng Ya only brought back a few. How come it will take a year or two to plant a large number? There isn't much land now and I've sent people to guard the greenhouse."

"Okay...well done!" Fang Zheng's face was filled with a smile that couldn't be concealed.

This is the bargaining chip! An extremely important bargaining chip. To be honest, returning to the capital this time does not have much hope of persuading His Majesty and his ministers to open sea and build ships.

It can only be said to be 50%. After all, the power of ideas is really stubborn, especially since most of the people in the court are elderly, so it will be even more difficult!

Although opening up the sea has huge benefits, no one will believe you if you talk empty talk.

Although the Lu family has copied a lot of money that can be used for this purpose, how many people in the court are eyeing this batch of money?

National treasuries at all times and in all countries have never been able to hold money!

King Wu fled, the Lu family's silver, gunpowder, penicillin, potatoes... Fang Zhengyi now had a certain degree of confidence in his heart.

After looking at Tudou, he lowered his head again and looked at several other things. Fangzheng couldn't help but smile again.

Corn? It's also very good, but I'm afraid this little corn is no longer useful. It's short, small and ugly, which is very different from later generations. The yield is not expected to be much higher.

And tomatoes!

The tomatoes of later generations have a relatively bland taste. I wonder how this ancient variety tastes? It should be delicious!

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng picked up a tomato, wiped it briefly and stuffed it into his mouth.

Ao Chen's face suddenly turned pale and he screamed: "Master, you can't eat it! It's poisonous, spit it out quickly!"
Chapter completed!