Yinsi knew that Yin'er actually didn't like the classics, history, and literature. If it weren't for the examination from his emperor father, he wouldn't even take a second look at the Four Books and Five Classics in the study even if they were in tatters.
But he really liked the novelties that the barbarians brought to the Qing Dynasty.
Also willing to spend time researching.
His language talent is also top-notch among all his brothers. He is not only proficient in the three common languages Manchu, Mongolian and Chinese, but also has studied English, Russian and Latin.
Yinzhen occasionally became interested in other foreign languages and would learn some of them.
Sometimes Yinsi even wondered if Yin'er had plundered all of his fifth brother Yinqi's language talent.
Otherwise, there is no way to explain why it is so difficult for the fifth brother to learn Chinese and Manchu.
When Yinsi found Yinzhen with a pile of books, Yinzhen was still a little confused.
"Why are you carrying so many books?"
"These are the books I got from the missionaries. My second brother said these foreigners are fat sheep. If we use them well, we can make a lot of money for the Qing Dynasty."
Yinsi signaled his personal eunuch to put the books on the table.
He had always had a good relationship with Yinzhen and Yin?, and he understood Yinzhen very well. He knew how to say things so that Yinzhen would willingly help him read those books.
Sure enough, when Yin'er heard that he could make money, his eyes lit up immediately.
"Can you really make money? Didn't those sour scholars in the Ministry of Rites say that foreigners are barbarians?"
"There are also powerful people among the barbarians. We are targeting the powerful, not the common people."
Yinzhen nodded.
"That's true. What about this pile of books?"
"I've just joined the Lifanyuan, and I'm unsure of where to go. I need to get to know their customs and practices first. The port isn't built yet, so it's always a good idea to get a feel for it."
Yinsi looked at Yinlu with a smile.
"But you also know that mynah birds have never had any talent for languages..."
Yinzhen understood the hidden meaning of his words almost instantly.
"You want me to translate for you? For so much?!"
Yin'er's eyes were about to pop out.
“…Exactly.”
Yinsi was also a little embarrassed. Yin'er hadn't even entered the court yet, but he was already very busy with his daily studies. He still wanted to put pressure on him, which seemed... not very kind.
"My dear, are you sure? I haven't even entered the imperial court yet!"
Yinzhen felt a little scared.
He really liked those little gadgets that came from foreign countries and was willing to spend time studying them, but that didn't mean he could spend all his free time helping Myna translate.
It's too boring.
Yinsi knew that he would not agree easily, so he directly showed his bargaining chips.
"The port in Tianjin will be completed in just over six months, and maritime trade will surely open up then. If you're willing to help me translate these books, once you've established your own government, I'll open a backdoor for you so you can get involved in maritime trade. How do you do that?"
Yinsi narrowed his peach blossom eyes, looking extremely deceptive, but Yin'er didn't buy it.
"Come on, do you really have that much power? The Qing Dynasty's ancestral system stipulates that royal family members cannot engage in business. Have you forgotten this rule?"
He has loved vulgar things like gold and silver since he was a child, and has never done a business at a loss. Even though the mynah bird wanted to fool him, it was still a little short of the mark.
Brothers are brothers, and business is business.
These are two different things.
"Second brother has a way."
Faced with Yin'er's questioning, Yinsi was not at all panicked.
Yinzhen rolled his eyes and remained unmoved.
"Imperial Merchant..."
Yinsi uttered two more words slowly, and this time Yin'er finally reacted.
"Myna means..."
"My second brother won't allow the Imperial Household Department to interfere in maritime trade. The Shanxi merchants have been so overbearing for so long...it's time for a change of leadership."
Yinsi uttered the last few words slowly, so softly that they were barely audible.
He is right.
Yinreng did intend to take action against the Shanxi merchants.
But the time is not now.
Shanxi merchants have been active in this land since the previous dynasty. Located at the junction of the Central Plains and the grasslands, it is a hub for north-south trade.
The Three Jins were mountainous and had little water, so water transport was extremely underdeveloped. Some business-minded Shanxi merchants became middlemen, using camels, mules and other livestock as transportation to transport goods connecting the Central Plains and the grasslands.
The business scope involved includes salt, tea, grain and cloth, pawnshops, and money lending.
The shadow of Shanxi merchants can be seen in almost every industry.
In his previous life, Yinreng had also set his sights on Shanxi merchants.
However, after investigating, he was left with a deep sense of powerlessness.
Shanxi merchants also played the role of transporting supplies during wartime.
When the Qing army entered the pass, they also played a significant role.
Therefore, the imperial court basically turned a blind eye to the expansion of Shanxi merchants.
From another perspective, it also facilitated the progress of collusion between officials and businessmen.
In his previous life, when Yinreng cleaned up the Imperial Household Department, he also suppressed Shanxi merchants.
It’s a pity that the effect is not obvious.
Ever since coal briquettes became popular before the New Year, Shanxi merchants have started to jump up and down again.
They also want to get a piece of the pie.
It’s a pity that Kangxi divided the coal mines into industries under the control of the imperial court. They jumped around for a few days, but when they saw that things were not going well, they tactfully retreated.
But Yinreng didn't think they would let it go.
Coal does not require smelting like iron ore.
As long as they do it secretly and transport the coal directly after digging it out, they can exchange it for money. Even if they are discovered by the court, the price they pay is only the mine and the miners above it.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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