Early in the morning, the family of five had breakfast and then took their three children to Changchun Garden to pay their respects.
"Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen, the Emperor will ask you about business matters later. You must tell the truth, understand?" Yin instructed his daughter.
"I understand, Ah Hun said we can't deceive Mafa!" Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen was a sensible child, so he knew that no one could hide anything from Kangxi.
The carriage moved slowly forward. Qingyan handed over all the information about the salt route from the south to Yin and his son Yiken'e. Yin needed this information to adjust the Ministry of Revenue's policies, while Yiken'e used it to adjust his bargaining chips for the next negotiation.
"Mother, are these reports true?" Yiken'e looked at the price of the salt permits for this year's salt transport, each one costing a considerable amount of silver.
Qingyan nodded: "There are very few catalysts this year, so the price is very high. Yuelai Inn has already made a lot of money ahead of schedule, so everyone hopes to complete this deal as soon as possible."
Yin sat to the side, listening to the mother and son's conversation. What Qingyan said did not align with Kangxi's decision.
"Little Darling, how much has the price of your catalyst gone up?" Yin wanted to find out exactly what had happened.
"It's almost a third more than last year!" Qingyan said, puzzled. "We did go south this year, and I didn't see any disasters."
Qingyan looked at Yin and asked, but Yin didn't say a word. He just looked at Yiken.
“Mother, this price increase probably wasn’t arranged by Grandfather. It’s more likely that those imperial merchants from the Imperial Household Department colluded and took advantage of the fact that the emperor is far away to raise prices on the spot. Luckily, we knew the price in advance, otherwise, we might have had to spend even more!” Yiken’e sneered.
These business people are completely dishonest; some are practically selling their conscience in order to earn more money.
"Yiken'e, what are your thoughts?" Qingyan had heard from the manager of Yuelai Inn that Yiken'e's methods were swift and decisive, and he seemed to be of royal origin.
"Of course, we should conduct a secret investigation first. There's no guarantee that one or two of these people won't slip through the net. As long as we can catch them red-handed, we can save some money on these salt permits!" Yiken said directly.
Upon hearing this, Yin was greatly shocked. In the beginning, when Qingyan was doing business, he often complained about these salt merchants, and that's what Yin said back then.
"Hehe," Qingyan laughed, "Fourth Brother, Yiken'e and you have very similar thoughts, so you two think the same way!"
"Yes." Yin patted Yiken'e's little head. "Yiken'e, doing this will have a drawback. Think about it carefully!"
Yiken looked up at Yin, his mind replaying Yin's words.
"Father, please give me some pointers!" Yiken'e asked curiously.
Yin smiled and said, "You should know that the officials in the south are basically in cahoots with the salt merchants. If something really happens, do you think those officials can stand idly by?"
After speaking, Yiken fell silent. Logically speaking, Yiken's status was very noble, which should have frightened some shops.
Those shops that have been in business for decades or even centuries are not afraid at all; these are basically time-honored brands.
"Mother, what do you think?" Yiken'e looked at Qingyan. Whenever the father and son had a disagreement, they would let Qingyan make the choice.
Qingyan sighed, wondering why this father and son still liked each other so much.
“I think your father is right. You know, salt merchants have a lot of money. Once those officials have some profits, they will definitely convert them into silver!” Qingyan noticed that the officials over there were all honored guests in the salt merchants’ homes.
“We must take things slowly when dealing with the salt merchants. Nothing can be accomplished overnight!” Qingyan said to Yiken’e. “Think about it. If we really followed your idea and thoroughly investigated the background of these salt merchants, how many shop owners do you think could be as capable as the one from the other day?”
Yiken'e was stunned: "Mother, why?"
"Don't stir up trouble!" Yin gave four words directly. "Those salt merchants are very careful to feed the officials in the south. Cao Yin and Li Xu have both accumulated a lot of wealth. Although they are from the Bannermen, they have a lot of imperial favor."
"Hasn't the Li family already fallen? Why do you still have so many feelings about this?" Qingyan asked, looking at Yin.
A fleeting hint of sarcasm flashed across Yin's phoenix eyes.
"Within just three years, the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau can generate millions in profits." Yin and his companion raided the homes of several low-ranking officials in the south, and the information they gathered from these homes was truly perplexing.
What? !
Qingyan and the twins stared blankly at Yin. Was it really only three short years?
"What a generous gesture from the salt merchants!" Yiken'e thought of those salt merchants who wanted to give him gifts, but Yiken'e refused them all.
Before arriving in Jiangnan, Kangxi specifically instructed Yiken'e not to accept silver notes from these people.
"Yes, this is just the tip of the iceberg," Qingyan said sarcastically.
The twins sat obediently to the side, listening to Qingyan's teachings.
"Mother, what is the real situation?" Yiken'e wanted to hear what happened next. Today, Yin and Qingyan talked about these things, which can be regarded as an acknowledgment that Yiken'e has grown up.
“Yes, it’s all about things. You need to know, who can resist those temptations?” Qingyan said, looking at Yin.
Yiken'e saw a hint of hesitation in Yin's eyes, and felt a great deal of pain in his heart.
"Father, can't you have any faith in me?" Yiken looked at Yin pitifully.
In Yiken'e's memory, Yin was always a strict father. Although he treated all three children the same, he was most worried about Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen.
"No!" Yin and Qingyan said in unison.
Ugh!
Yiken was slightly embarrassed. Her parents' teachings were all correct, but Yiken hoped to do her best so that her parents wouldn't criticize her.
"Father, after I go back this time, I will definitely look for more information." Yiken'e was worried about the people who went south to negotiate. Could these people really make decisions?
"Yiken'e, let's wait until the next meeting to discuss the next steps!" Qingyan said, looking at Yiken'e.
"Can I participate?" Yiken asked Yin pleadingly.
"No!" Qingyan wanted Yiken to discuss business, but Yin disagreed.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
