The fact that Yue Shu, a woman in the imperial harem, could create such a grand spectacle naturally angered many of the "old fogies" of the previous dynasty.
"Your subject has a memorial to present."
"Granted."
"Your humble servant is risking his life to impeach Consort Zhen today. As a concubine in the harem, she should have been dutiful and served His Majesty faithfully. However, she has dared to interfere in state affairs because of His Majesty's favor towards her. This is a grave taboo!"
What's even more despicable is that Consort Zhen showed no virtue whatsoever and completely lacked the conduct expected of a concubine. As a woman in the harem, she openly competed with the common people for profit, which was truly intolerable. Such behavior not only went against the will of Heaven but also aroused dissatisfaction in the court and among the people.
Furthermore, Consort Zhen was also domineering and arrogant in the harem, monopolizing the emperor's favor, which caused disharmony in the harem. If this continued, it would inevitably lead to palace disputes.
Your Majesty, please investigate this matter thoroughly, consider the well-being of the nation, and severely punish Consort Zhen to rectify the court and restore peace to the inner palace and the court. Otherwise, I dare to predict that the country will cease to exist!
The censor spoke at length, portraying Yue Shu as a wicked concubine who brought ruin to the country.
After listening, Yinzhen asked, "You all oppose Consort Zhen organizing a fleet for maritime trade?"
Of course, there were also those who agreed. Even if the people Yinzhen trained might not have agreed in their hearts, they still had to agree verbally.
With power firmly in his grasp, the impeachments by the censors were of little consequence, so he was largely ignored.
After two months of preparation, the maritime trade fleet officially set sail, with the navy and new-style firearms and cannons leading the way. Since it was her first time, she did not plan to go too far, but only to travel around the surrounding coastal countries, though not exactly close.
In this first maritime trade, few people trusted Le Shu. However, fourth-rank officials were not short of money. Everyone did something for the "event" organized by the favored concubine. Some bought a few shares, while others bought a dozen or more. Any more shares were for officials in the capital who wanted to take the opportunity to curry favor with the Noble Consort Le Shu.
Many people think that even if they don't lose money, they don't want to associate with women.
The so-called "arrogance" of men!
During this period, Yinzhen postponed a talent selection, allowing the princesses of the appropriate age to marry on their own. However, he did promise that next year's talent selection would mainly consist of wives of imperial princes from the general selection of beauties. If it wasn't held soon, something bad would happen.
However, we'll try to postpone it for as long as possible, even if it's just for one more year.
At the end of November, a heavy snow fell in the capital. Le Shu sat in her room, looking at the glass formula she had just signed in. It seemed she was about to reap another round of wealth.
Glass has actually existed for a long time, but the technology wasn't very mature. Le Shu had wanted glass windows for a long time; she hated having to light candles during the day in winter.
Wasteful in one aspect, but more importantly, it's bad for the eyes, and over time, it makes people uncomfortable.
With nothing else to do, Yue Shu took the prescription to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Yinzhen had just received some good news and, seeing her arrive, hurriedly said, "You've come at the right time. I was just about to look for you. The fleet has returned."
Le Shu couldn't care less about the glass prescription for the moment; her face was filled with joy: "Really! That's great, you're finally back safe and sound."
Although I know that the fleet has taken all aspects into consideration and the destination is not particularly far, I still can't help but worry, as the weather at sea is unpredictable.
That's so much money!
After she finished celebrating, Le Shu took out the glass recipe: "Look at this."
Yinzhen took the prescription, looked at it, and a smile flashed in his eyes. It was all money! And glass had many uses.
"I will arrange for someone to make it as soon as possible, and try my best to get you a glass window before the end of the year."
He knew how much Le Shu hated the dark room in winter, so this glass was indeed very timely.
It's better to keep the house bright in winter.
"Come and help me look at the documents for a while."
Le Shu didn't stand on ceremony and sat down next to him. She looked at the letters and read two, which gave her a headache.
The people working under her were used to her work style, and the account books and documents they submitted were all made according to her requirements and preferences. However, these reports were based on habits formed over thousands of years, and she found them very difficult to read.
Because the papermaking process in the Qing Dynasty was relatively advanced, the writing style of memorials to the throne had become more vernacular, but she still found them verbose and complicated.
"Only a hundred or so words of a memorial are useful; the rest is just flattery. It's a wonder you can even bear to read it."
Yinzhen didn't like it either, but he knew all too well the consequences of acting rashly. He smiled and said, "I'm used to it."
"Let's bring out the punctuation marks. Prince Cheng has been sitting on the sidelines long enough. He's a capable man after all. Let's find him something to do!"
Yinzhen nodded: "Punctuation marks are a good thing. The third prince knows a lot about the literary stuff, so he's suitable to do this."
Now that he's receiving a prince's salary, it's time to get busy.
In early December, the goods traded by the fleet were converted into cash and transported to the capital. Before the New Year, Le Shu distributed the money.
Looking at the money they had made more than ten times their initial investment, and hearing from the Imperial Concubine that this fleet trade was actually conservative—these people knew that maritime trade was a quick way to make money, but they never expected it to be this fast—everyone turned their attention to the Thirteen Factories. It seemed there was a lot they didn't know about this place before!
With money, everything becomes easier.
During the Chinese New Year, when Le Shu appeared at the state banquet and family dinner, everyone looked at her with much more enthusiasm.
Once the imperial court started organizing maritime trade, there would be a second, and then countless more. Making money wasn't a skill; after all, for someone in their position, earning some money wasn't particularly difficult.
But to make money so quickly, so easily, so safely, and in line with the emperor's expectations, is truly remarkable.
Le Shu was toasted again and again by the imperial concubine, and when she returned to Yongshou Palace, she was completely drunk.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com