Before you say that, you should at least wipe the drool from your mouth. There are many hypocrites who are stubborn and inflexible, but what good are they besides holding others back?
"That's good enough. I know you too well. You just feel the input and output aren't proportional, and even if you have the capability, you're not comfortable sending a large army across the ocean."
[How can you have such a good deal: wanting to save face and reputation while also dreaming of becoming a ruler for all ages?]
While Sun Miaoqing wasn't paying attention, the chubby orange cat subtly wiped the corner of his mouth, touching nothing but his beard.
He said that even if he was attracted to someone, he wouldn't do something as improper as drooling.
Sun Miaoqing said, "If Your Majesty doesn't like to hear it, then I won't mention it. Anyway, we have to eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time."
"Let's clean up the things at home first, then we can talk about other things."
Both men knew perfectly well that if the maritime ban were lifted, the Qing Dynasty would reap enormous profits. What they were saying now was simply a matter of time.
The chubby orange said, "I wholeheartedly agree with what you just said about trying to benefit the most people."
"But no one has ever done this before. Ordinary people have limited resources, so they will definitely be more cautious about such new things."
"Even with the court's endorsement, getting everyone to accept it won't be a matter of a day. It would be better to make it entirely state-run, like the Textile Bureau."
"Wait until things are better in a few years, then let them all participate. Wool is good, but it's more expensive than cotton."
"Most of them still live in thatched huts and can't even afford cotton quilts. They can only keep warm by using straw."
[Fat Orange actually knows this! And he even admitted to my face that ordinary people can't even afford a cotton quilt, it's not easy for them.]
Let alone the emperor, there are probably very few officials in the court who have ever seen such a thing.
Sun Miaoqing was genuinely astonished at this moment, in an era of limited information and regional isolation. Before becoming emperor, he lived in a prince's mansion; after becoming emperor, he lived in the imperial palace.
Even when he toured the south of the Yangtze River, all he saw and heard was splendor and magnificence. Which official would dare let him see ragged commoners or dilapidated villages?
The fact that the chubby orange only knows this much clearly shows that its control over the Qing Dynasty is extraordinary.
He didn't say many things, but he knew them perfectly well and wouldn't be easily fooled.
Sun Miaoqing recalled how she had foolishly asked that winters used to be even colder, with no heating or air conditioning, and people couldn't even afford cotton-padded clothes.
In the north, people can heat kang beds, but what do people in the south rely on? Later, I was told that they rely on grass, and I learned that thatched houses are warmer than tents in extreme cold.
By placing straw on the bed and weaving it into a quilt to cover oneself, one can ensure that one will not freeze to death in winter.
Even when leading troops into battle, the saying "an army marches on its stomach" applies because soldiers rely on a bundle of straw each to keep warm while sleeping at night.
To be able to act like an emperor so convincingly requires real skill.
The chubby orange cat saw that Sun Miaoqing remained silent for a long time, clearly intimidated by his domineering aura.
She said smugly, "What, does Consort Cheng think that I, sitting high in the court, am unaware of what's going on down there?"
"Despite numerous obstacles from both the court and the common people, I still intend to promote the land tax reform, so that the poor people below can live a better life."
Sun Miaoqing sat on the big fat orange's lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and said admiringly, "Your Majesty loves the people like your own children. You are truly a benevolent ruler who surpasses even the late Emperor."
Although Fatty Orange (the dog) had a lot of personal agendas mixed in, he wasn't as selfless as he claimed.
Judging by actions, not intentions, is inherently a win-win situation. The more he does, regardless of his true thoughts, the more deserving he is of the title of a wise ruler.
The chubby orange-haired girl laughed and said, "Does Consort Cheng also think my method is better?"
Sun Miaoqing began to feel conflicted. If she had to choose between a regular job and a government-affiliated institution, she would definitely prefer one. Not only would it be more stable, but it would also offer greater job security compared to other small workshops.
However, with the government monopolizing these resources, the pace of development will inevitably be much slower. For at least a decade or more, ordinary people at the bottom of society will still be unable to afford them.
The commodity economy has always been strictly restricted. Although there are signs of easing now, the overall attitude of the country is far from changing.
Although feudalism was thoroughly defeated by capitalism, capitalism is still in its infancy.
In today's highly centralized imperial power, it can be wiped out with a mere twist of the pen.
Sun Miaoqing realized that she had been too hasty, wishing she could bring about a complete transformation in the Qing Dynasty all at once.
The transition from old to new is bound to be bloody, but things have gone too smoothly for the past year or so, and everyone has spoiled her, making her forget the risks behind it.
Without becoming Empress Dowager, her life wasn't even secure...
Having figured all this out, Sun Miaoqing's words now seemed to carry a hint of sincerity.
"Your Majesty's wisdom is beyond my comprehension. You have thought of everything so thoroughly that I am far from being able to match you."
Big Fat Orange laughed heartily. At the beginning of his reign, the entire Qing Dynasty looked prosperous and thriving.
In reality, it was riddled with holes and shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.
Beset by internal and external troubles, he devoted countless efforts to both the imperial court and the harem. After more than two years of meticulous planning and, with the blessing of Heaven, he has achieved his current success.
Soon there will only be one voice in the court, and what he wants to do will certainly go as he wishes.
*
The matter of Mongolia suddenly became the most important thing in Big Fat Orange's mind.
Because it was inconvenient to do these things in the palace, they made up an excuse to have Sun Miaoqing take people to stay at the Yuanmingyuan for a while.
She left in a hurry, and by the time others found out about it, Sun Miaoqing had already arrived at the Yuanmingyuan with bags and packages.
The palace was abuzz with gossip, with some suspecting that Consort Cheng had offended the emperor and was thus sent to the imperial palace for a private audience.
Fortunately, before leaving the palace, Sun Miaoqing had someone inform Consort Hua and An Lingrong.
Consort Xin lived in the same palace as her. Although she did not know the inside story, she understood that it was not because she had fallen out of favor.
Therefore, although the concubines talked about it in private and made all sorts of guesses, they did not go too far.
However, the affairs of the cosmetics shop were all handed over to An Lingrong. Although An Lingrong appeared calm on the surface, she was still somewhat nervous inside, as it was her first time handling such an important matter.
Although Anbihuai had previously been in the spice business, she had no experience with these things. She worried that if she didn't do a good enough job, she would disappoint Sun Miaoqing's expectations.
Looking at the several large tables in front of me, I saw dozens of cosmetics and perfumes on them.
There were also the rouges in several colors that she and Sun Miaoqing had just made, and perfumes with twelve different scents, including rose, osmanthus, and jasmine.
And after entering the palace, having nothing to do, she concocted several rare spices based on ancient books.
With the addition of some cosmetics and fragrances commonly used in the palace, the business should be able to keep going.
Looking at the dishes on the table, Juqing said enviously, "Your Highness and Consort Cheng have spent so many days preparing this."
“Even the tributes bestowed by the Emperor cannot compare to these few items. Especially those twelve bottles of perfume, I have never seen anything so fine before.”
"Just a few drops are enough to keep you smelling good all day long, it's better than a sachet."
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