In the afternoon, Pyongyang quieted down a bit, and the people who did business on both sides of the street gradually went home.
Qingyan found it strange that the merchants would work until dark, but the people here only worked until dinner.
"Gentlemen, our teahouse is closing soon." The manager sat down directly. They had spent the entire afternoon in the private room, and now that they were closing, they still hadn't left, so the manager had to come over in person.
What?
Qingyan took out a pocket watch from her purse and realized it was only four o'clock in the afternoon.
"Shopkeeper, why are you closing so early?!" E Shuo noticed Qing Yan's gaze and quickly stepped forward to ask.
"Oh, we've been closing this early ever since the bombing. The world outside is in chaos, and we can't afford to get ourselves killed. We all have elderly parents and young children to support," the shopkeeper explained helplessly. "I noticed you didn't seem to be locals, so I said a few more words. Otherwise, I wouldn't have said a word."
"Manager, when I first came here, I found that you were setting off firecrackers at night. What's going on?" Yinzhen asked directly, without stopping Eshuo from settling the bill.
"Uh, uh, uh! This is what makes us happy. Rather than letting those spoiled brats cause trouble, it's better to let the Qing people come and rule. At least, the Qing generals won't just take away any pretty woman they see, like those people do. Some of the more benevolent rich young masters will only give them some financial assistance," the shopkeeper explained helplessly.
The shopkeeper was quite relaxed in front of Yinzhen and his entourage. After all, they were outsiders, and seeing the tragic scene, they must have been confused.
After paying the bill downstairs, E'shuo came up directly, pushed open the door, and found that the atmosphere in the private room had completely changed. The innkeeper was sitting at the white-lined table, talking to Yinzhen and Qingyan.
Qingyan frowned slightly, and her complexion also turned somewhat pale.
"Fourth Master, the bill has been settled!" E'shuo sat down next to Qingyan, listening to the manager talk about the actions of the officials.
These people, besides their problems with women, are even more focused on exploiting the people, making it impossible for them to live a peaceful life.
"Didn't you go to the government to file a complaint?" After listening to the innkeeper's complaints, Yinzhen finally understood why Yuelai Inn hadn't made any money in Pyongyang and North Korea over the past few years. On the contrary, Qingyan often had to subsidize this inn from other shops.
Qingyan's face was grim. The innkeeper of Yuelai Inn often said that the taxes in Korea were different from those in the Qing Dynasty, and she had always let it go. Now, however, she was having a headache. It turned out that the taxes were not just handed over to the government, but that officials were taking kickbacks.
"Did the managers themselves propose that all the shopkeepers have to give kickbacks to the officials?" Qingyan asked repeatedly.
"Actually, the shopkeepers don't want to pay tribute to the officials anymore, but they have no choice. Some shopkeepers hope to get better opportunities and have increased their chances of receiving kickbacks," the shopkeeper explained directly.
Qingyan took a sip of tea and listened to the shopkeeper's complaints, which gave them a sense of what was going on.
“I understand the situation. This money is basically going to the Crown Prince’s residence. The expenses there are huge. Now, the Crown Prince has been sent to the capital of the Qing Dynasty to be a hostage!” The shopkeeper sneered. “Everyone knows that this hostage is to leave a bloodline for Korea. We would rather let the Qing officials govern this place and tidy up the city properly so that we can do business in peace.”
Yinzhen glanced at the shopkeeper and said, "What you said, shopkeeper, is quite surprising. Do you prefer people from the Qing Dynasty to manage things?"
"At least, we won't have to pay exorbitant taxes anymore." The shopkeeper saw the group preparing to leave and quickly got up to see them off.
At the entrance, Yinzhen helped Qingyan into the carriage. She leaned on Yinzhen's shoulder, feeling somewhat helpless.
"Fourth, the people here actually want us to manage them. Heh, I can't figure it out. Is the manager just exaggerating?" Qingyan asked, puzzled.
Yinzhen shook his head and said, "What that man said was half true. Some of the things the shopkeeper said are indeed true!"
He looked out at the street, where people were hurrying home as if something was chasing them if they didn't return by evening.
"Half true? But why hasn't the night market opened?" Qingyan had heard from the shopkeeper that there was a very lively night market here. "Could it be that it's closed now?"
"Of course we won't open it. It's not safe at night. Both cities have basically implemented curfews, so it's better not to go out," Yinzhen said helplessly.
"Will the night market here still be open in the future?" Qingyan said that he really hoped that a night market could be opened here. It would be nice to take a walk around then. Every night market is different and has its own style.
“Of course, now that the night market has opened, I’ll come with you to take a look,” Yinzhen comforted Qingyan. “After things calm down here, I’ll bring you here to stroll around.”
Qingyan nodded quickly. The city had calmed down, so they could definitely come directly over.
“We can bring the children here when we’re on vacation. Merchant ships often come by, and we can come and see them too!” Yinzhen comforted Qingyan.
"Fourth Prince, it will take us several days to get here. Apart from the Golden Festival, we have no time to come. We can't even leave during the Spring Festival holiday!" After Yinzhen returns to the capital, he will definitely have very little time to get out.
"Yes, I'll let you know in advance when I have a vacation. We'll leave as soon as we get the vacation, and then come back directly from there on the day we're about to go on official business!" Yinzhen had his own plan. The twins were getting older, so it would be good for them to travel more.
“The children are always very happy when they go out, and they’re on a big ship, so Iken’e will definitely be happy!” Iken’e has a special fondness for ships; if she gets on one, she’ll definitely make a ruckus.
"Definitely, Yiken'e cannot board a warship. The merchant ships that Yuelai Inn uses to purchase goods are of similar size to warships," Yinzhen comforted Qingyan.
The twins loved going out, but they had never been able to. Emperor Kangxi noticed Yiken'e's little secret and would teach him whenever he could go out.
"Father Emperor understood Yiken'e's thoughts, which is why he accompanied the carriage. On the imperial palanquin, separated by a screen, Yiken'e listened to some matters of state. In addition, after Kangxi's careful tutelage, Yiken'e became exceptionally outstanding," Yinzhen remarked.
He failed in educating the crown prince, but found satisfaction in Yiken'e.
“Okay, I’ll listen to you. After we come out, you’ll need to ask Father Emperor for leave.” Qingyan shook his head and said.
If Yinzhen and his son Yiken'e were to travel far away, they would certainly have to request permission from Emperor Kangxi.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
