binnovel Chapter 344 "The Legend of Zhen Huan" - 4th Uncle 4
Chapter 344 "The Legend of Zhen Huan" - 4th Uncle 4
The Fourth Prince snorted coldly and continued, "If you can sincerely repent now, I will forgive your past mistakes. If you remain obstinate, don't blame me for not showing any mercy."
Yun Tang clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh. He lowered his head and squeezed out a voice through clenched teeth: "Your Majesty is wise, your subject knows his mistake." The Fourth Prince narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing Yun Tang, as if trying to discern the truth from his face.
This guy's still going to hit a brick wall! Fine, let's just keep him under control. "Su Peisheng, have someone escort Ninth Prince back to his residence!" Yunqi looked up in surprise: "Your Majesty!"
He waved his hand, signaling the fifth brother to stop talking. After the ninth brother left, the fourth brother said, "Fifth brother, I called you two over today because I had something to ask you to do, but you saw the state of the ninth brother, so I can't use him right now."
I sent the imperial physician to check your pulses because I need you. I'm almost fifty now, and I don't know how many more years I have left to live, but I estimate I won't outlive Father Emperor.
The Qing Dynasty is said to be a celestial empire, but you should also know the situation of the Emperor in his later years. Our Qing Dynasty's treasury is now empty. We have no money, so we can't do anything we want to do, and we don't have the confidence to fight a war.
I don't have great ambitions, but I can't leave my descendants a dynasty that's leaky everywhere, can I? The national treasury must at least be filled.
Fifth Prince, you have always been steady and reliable, and I trust you. You grew up under the care of your maternal grandmother, and the Mongolians treat you differently than we do. I want you to be in charge of trade between the two regions, using our grain, tea, and silk to exchange for their cattle and sheep.
We must make sure they see the benefits. In the long run, the Mongol tribes will definitely raise more cattle and sheep. With more cattle and sheep, there will naturally be fewer warhorses!
"I have a few prescriptions here for you to take a look at. With these prescriptions, I think trade between the two places will be smoother." The Fourth Prince said, handing several sheets of paper to Yunqi.
Yunqi quickly took the prescriptions and examined them carefully, a look of delight flashing in his eyes. "Your Majesty, these prescriptions are truly ingenious! In this way, the Mongol tribes will surely be interested. However, trade involves many details, and we still need to plan carefully."
The Fourth Prince nodded. “I know this matter will not be easy, but I trust you to handle it. You can first contact the leaders of the various Mongol tribes, express your intention to trade, and then discuss the specifics. If you encounter any difficulties, let me know immediately.”
Yunqi cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I accept your command and will do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's expectations." The Fourth Prince smiled with satisfaction, "I am relieved to hear your words. If this matter succeeds, it will be a good thing for both the Qing Dynasty and Mongolia. I also hope to see the people of both regions living in peace and prosperity, and exchanging goods and services."
Yunqi said firmly, "Your Majesty, I will definitely make this happen and make the Qing Dynasty more prosperous." Afterwards, the Fourth Prince discussed some details of trade with Yunqi in detail, which Yunqi kept in mind and prepared to make arrangements upon returning home.
Yunqi was allowed to leave the palace only after having lunch. In the afternoon, the Seventh Prince was summoned back to the palace. Initially, he had misunderstood, thinking that the Ninth Prince was good at business and that it would be more convenient for him to manage the glass production. He never expected the Ninth Prince to be so stubborn!
Looking back now, I realize that the other brothers were just as capable. Glassware is a popular product, and normally the shopkeeper and waiters handle the sales. The biggest role of these brothers was to maintain a strong presence! Apart from imported goods, this was a completely exclusive business, and any of the brothers could do it!
After entering the palace, the seventh prince, Yunyou, respectfully bowed. The fourth prince looked at him and slowly said, "Seventh prince, I have something to entrust to you. These are the formulas for glass and cement. I want you to go to the Ministry of Works to be in charge of the production of these two items."
Of course, once the production technology matures, glass products will need further innovation. When you arrive, be sure to keep these two formulas confidential. You should know the price of glass, and also cement—it can be used for road construction, dike building, and house construction. These two things will undoubtedly bring enormous profits to the Qing Dynasty in the future.”
Yunyou took the prescription, his eyes filled with determination. "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my best to handle this matter and will never let this prescription be leaked in the slightest."
The Fourth Master nodded in satisfaction. “This matter is of great importance. You should communicate more with the craftsmen in the Ministry of Works and get these two items into production as soon as possible. As for the innovation of glass products, you can refer to Western objects and take the essence of them.”
After pondering for a moment, Yunyou said, "Your Majesty, if we could set up a special workshop to gather craftsmen to study production, it might speed up the process." The Fourth Prince's eyes lit up. "This is an excellent plan. I approve it. You can choose reliable people to assist you, and they can report to me at any time if there are any problems."
Yunyou kowtowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree." The Fourth Prince leaned back in his chair and said, "I hope you can make this glass and cement work as soon as possible, so that the Qing Dynasty can have a brand new look." After receiving the order, Yunyou left the palace with a strong sense of mission, ready to make a big difference.
Next, the Fourth Master sent an urgent document to the Prefect of Guangzhou, instructing him to find crops that the Qing Dynasty did not have from the foreigners at the port, and to record in detail their growth habits and uses, so that high-yield and high-quality varieties could be arranged.
After sending out the urgent document, Uncle Si did not rest. He began to plan how to promote the crops that were about to be introduced, and how to coordinate matters such as trade, glass and cement production.
He understood that although these measures seemed independent, they were actually interconnected and all aimed at the same goal—to make the Qing Dynasty prosperous and powerful.
A few days later, a reply arrived from the Guangzhou prefect. The letter mentioned that the foreigners had brought corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and other crops, and provided detailed information about their growth cycles and suitable environments. The Fourth Master was overjoyed and immediately arranged for people to study how to promote their cultivation in the Qing Dynasty.
Meanwhile, Yunqi also reported that preliminary contact had been made with representatives of some Mongol tribes stationed in Beijing, and trade was progressing smoothly. Yunyou's workshops were also ready, and the artisans were fully engaged in the production of glass and cement. The transformation of the Qing Dynasty was quietly unfolding.
That evening, while the miserable Fourth Prince was still working in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xia Yi hurried into the majestic palace, clutching the heavy incriminating evidence of the Imperial Household Department tightly in his hand.
"Your Majesty!" Xia Yi knelt on one knee, presenting the evidence with both hands. The evidence detailed numerous misdeeds committed by officials of the Imperial Household Department, including embezzlement, bribery, substituting inferior goods for superior ones, and misappropriating funds. Each and every one of these crimes was shocking.
Very good, we can raid their property now!
The next morning after the court session, he instructed Su Peisheng to send someone to invite his married brothers and relatives. The servants of the Imperial Household Department did not only serve in the palace; the servants in the residences of these royal family members all came from the Imperial Household Department.