The weather has been getting colder.
The earth dragon began to burn again.
In the warm room, Li Yansong and other cabinet ministers knelt below Emperor Jing.
Today was a private meeting, so the atmosphere was quite relaxed.
Emperor Jing raised his hand and handed over a memorial, sighing, "This is the memorial submitted by the Imperial Observatory yesterday."
"It is said that the weather this year is extremely cold, perhaps even colder than four years ago."
"I still remember the heavy snow four years ago. It snowed for ten days and nearly four thousand people and animals froze to death in the capital. At that time, the people could only wear short clothes and rely on stoves and straw to keep warm."
"Alas... Although the Imperial Astronomical Observatory may not be accurate, if the prediction comes true, there will be another disaster this winter. If you have any ideas, please share them. Speak freely today."
Several people began to pass the memorial around to each other.
After all the documents were circulated, Li Yansong said calmly, "Your Majesty, winter has always been a problem, but there may be some changes this winter. I heard that Banshan Textile Factory has cooperated with cloth merchants in the city to lower the price of cloth, so before the weather turns cold, the price of clothing and cloth in the capital has begun to plummet. Now most people should have taken advantage of the low prices to buy new clothes and cloth, so this year's situation should be much better than in previous years. Banshan Textile Factory has made great contributions to this matter!"
Emperor Jing nodded and said, "I have heard about this matter, but it is only limited to the capital. What about the areas near the capital and to the north?"
Zheng Qiao replied, "Your Majesty, there have been reports from the local areas recently. Before we could present them to Your Majesty, it was reported that the price of clothing in the local area has actually begun to fall."
"Oh? Why is that?" Emperor Jing became interested.
"The price of winter clothing fabrics sold in the capital city has been extremely low recently, so many small merchants have started hiring people to buy them in large quantities and then sell them in other places at high prices."
"When these clothes and fabrics are transferred to other places, they are still cheaper than the local prices. Although the quantity is not large, it has a significant impact on the local prices."
Emperor Jing frowned slightly. "It's true... The price of cloth is falling, which is a good thing, but these merchants are really omnipresent. If everyone rushes to buy and resell, will the people of the capital have anything to buy? The cloth merchants in the city are kind-hearted in lowering the price of cloth, but don't other merchants take advantage of the chaos to make profits? "
Zheng Qiao explained: "In fact, the cloth merchants are well aware of the second-hand vendors, but the Mid-Levels Textile Factory notified several of the largest cloth merchants and allowed them to release a small amount of goods to the second-hand vendors. They just ordered those vendors not to continue selling in the capital, and if anyone is found to be selling illegally, they will report to the authorities for handling."
"Ordinary people in the capital city were not affected that much. Most cloth shops in the city had long queues every day. People who could afford to spend the winter naturally did not want to queue all day, so most of them gave up in advance or planned to buy later. However, those who really needed cheap winter clothes were often willing to spend a lot of time queuing to buy them, and they could always buy them after one or two days."
After hearing this, Emperor Jing suddenly realized something and exclaimed, "Banshan Textile Factory was built by Fang Qing. I didn't expect that he had such foresight. He should be credited with a great achievement!"
A strange expression appeared on Zheng Qiao's face: "This... Your Majesty, I'm afraid this matter has nothing to do with Fang Zhengyi."
"What do you mean?" Emperor Jing asked.
"When Fang Zhengyi left Beijing, these things were still far from happening!"
"Although Banshanfang was built by Fangzhengyi, it is widely rumored that Her Royal Highness the Princess is actually in charge of the management. I once sent people to the textile factory to inquire about it. These measures were indeed arranged by the Fifth Princess herself. Her Royal Highness even specially approved a note..."
"Although the princess is in the inner palace, there are eunuchs who report the problems of the textile factory to her every day. This note is also delivered every day. This matter is already known to everyone in the textile factory, so it is unlikely that Fang Zhengyi arranged it in advance."
"When I sent someone to inquire, I heard that a small group of people have begun to spread the word..."
Zheng Qiao paused for a moment, and Emperor Jing asked anxiously, "What do you want to tell me?"
I thought it was just a minor matter, so I didn't take it too seriously.
It's not nice to say that a royal woman is doing business herself! It damages the dignity of the royal family!
"It is said that the princess is a role model for all women in the world!"
What? !
Emperor Jing was stunned.
I originally thought Fang Zhengyi was just putting on a show to please his daughter, so I didn't pay much attention to it. I didn't expect that she actually had such a talent and even gained a good reputation!
If he were a man, with such vision, he could probably become an official in the local government!
Although he was somewhat happy, Emperor Jing still frowned and said, "How can a woman engage in business? I was negligent in not disciplining her. How could people say such a thing?"
Zheng Qiao said, "Your Majesty, because the price of this cloth is so much cheaper and the material is solid. Therefore, the people do not think that Your Highness is doing business. Instead, they think that the royal family is seeking benefits for the people. It is natural to have such a view. Your Highness is so talented and beautiful that she is called a model for women in the world. I think it is not an exaggeration at all!"
This loud flattery instantly hit Emperor Jing!
My daughter, at such a young age and not even married, has become a role model for women all over the world?
Emperor Jing blushed slightly and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "You are too flattering! How can she be worthy of such a title and have such vision? I think she is just doing it by accident!"
Zhang Dongxiang, who had been silent for a long time, interrupted and said, "Your Majesty, this is indeed a great thing, but it should be the court's responsibility to help the people in the cold winter, and it cannot be entirely borne by merchants. I think, since the price of clothes is low now, we can order cloth merchants to exchange old clothes for new clothes in the market, and then the court will make up the difference. The old clothes exchanged can be collected and distributed to the poor people. As for whether this is feasible, it happens that Her Royal Highness the Princess knows a lot about cloth merchants and can serve as an advisor. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Jing thought for a moment, nodded and said, "Master Zhang is right. I will find someone else to arrange this matter."
"Your Majesty, not only the princess, but also the Crown Prince has made great efforts this time!" Zheng Qiao continued, "I also heard that Your Majesty has started to build greenhouses in Banshanfang and dozens of surrounding markets to help the homeless people spend the winter."
"What is a greenhouse?" Emperor Jing began to laugh. He did not expect that the prince would take the initiative to take responsibility!
"This greenhouse is actually a hastily built wooden house that can accommodate dozens or even hundreds of people. His Highness also ordered people to collect a large number of discarded chicken and duck feathers, sew them into feather quilts or spread them on the ground for heating. An open space is also enclosed in the greenhouse, and a charcoal stove is burned every night. A kettle is also prepared for boiling hot water. Overall, the cost is extremely low, but the effect is definitely not bad!"
"Many homeless people freeze to death every winter. This is a great way to achieve great results with little money! I think this method can be promoted to the whole country!"
Emperor Jing was delighted when he heard this: "Is this idea really from the Crown Prince? Could it be that it was from Fang Qing?"
Although he said this, he had a hidden hope in his heart. How could he not hope that it was his own son who did it?
Everyone present was depressed, and a despicable person who deserved a beating suddenly appeared in their minds.
I've mentioned him several times in such a short while! How long has Fang Zhengyi been gone?
Why is he everywhere?!
......
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