"In the words of the ancients, it means 'to observe customs, know one's gains and losses, and correct oneself,'" He Youyou explained.
As she spoke, she took out a pen and some paper from her sleeve and handed them to Han Wenzheng.
"Ah Li, come on, let's walk around and talk. While we're walking, I'll teach you in detail how to do the survey. Here, take the paper and pen, please help me take notes."
Han Wenzheng took the paper and pen, and asked in surprise, "Mother, is this a pen? Don't you have an inkstone and ink?"
He Youyou smiled as she took the pen and removed the cap: "Look, this pen can be used right away. There's an ink sac inside the pen, so you don't need to dip it in ink or use an inkstone."
This pen is a scientific calligraphy brush with ink storage, also known as a fountain pen-style calligraphy brush.
The brush tip is made of small regular script wolf hair, and the inside of the brush handle is a fountain pen-style ink reservoir.
As long as there is ink in the ink sac, one can write continuously.
He Youyou had kept this brush in her study for who knows how long, because she didn't usually use a brush to write or practice calligraphy, and hadn't used it since she got it.
This time, it came in handy.
Han Wenzheng was so excited that he couldn't put it down, and Zhao Changqing's eyes were opened to a whole new world.
"Mother, where did you buy this brush? I have never seen such an exquisite brush with a mechanism inside."
Not to mention Han Wenzheng's limited experience and lack of knowledge, even Zhao Changqing, who had lived for over twenty years, was seeing it for the first time.
"I bought it from an overseas merchant." He Youyou had no choice but to use the overseas merchant as an excuse again.
If this thing could be sold in the Great Gan Dynasty, it would definitely be worth a fortune, but unfortunately she doesn't have many of them.
The one in her hand was a gift from one of the cultural and creative companies she invested in.
A gift set containing calligraphy in three sizes: large, medium, and small.
Moreover, this is an industrial product, and the materials available in this day and age are inadequate. Even if we knew how to make it, we wouldn't be able to replicate it.
Seeing that Han Wenzheng really liked it, He Youyou took out the gift box and picked out a calligraphy scroll for him: "If you really like it, this one is for you. Take it and use it."
It would be a waste to leave it with her anyway.
Han Wenzheng accepted it, overjoyed, and repeatedly thanked her, saying, "Thank you, Mother, I like it very much."
Zhao Changqing, who was standing to the side, was also very eager to watch.
I was just too embarrassed to ask.
He watched longingly as He Youyou tucked the gift box back into her sleeve.
He Youyou and Han Wenzheng packed up and set off to go shopping.
Zhao Changqing stood up: "Let's go together. I'm worried about you two, a woman and a child, without anyone to accompany you."
Whether there's one more person or one less, He Youyou doesn't mind.
Zhao Changqing has a better understanding of things from this era, and he might be able to ask this local if he encounters anything he doesn't understand.
With that in mind, she readily agreed.
The three of them set off together in a horse-drawn carriage, their destination the busiest market in the city.
On the way, He Youyou explained the significance of the investigation to Han Wenzheng.
"Ah Li, whether you're pursuing an official career or going into business, social surveys are a very important tool. They're a crucial means for us to understand, analyze, and solve problems."
Han Wenzheng listened attentively, nodding frequently as he listened.
"Officials must be able to communicate information from top to bottom. This communication from top to bottom is about the people's sentiments and opinions. And how to understand the people's sentiments and opinions is through investigation. In official circles, 'social investigation' is called 'collecting local customs' or 'observing local customs,' with the aim of enabling the rulers to 'know the world without leaving their windows and doors.'"
Zhao Changqing's eyes lit up when he heard her say that.
Hmm, not bad, you're quite knowledgeable, you even know these things.
In Jizhou's busiest market, a dazzling array of vendors and goods are on display.
Upon seeing this scene, Han Wenzheng couldn't help but recite: "Gather the people of the world, collect the goods of the world, trade and then leave, each getting what they deserve."
He Youyou's investigation was meticulous and detailed.
When do vendors reopen their businesses after the Lunar New Year?
What kinds of goods are sold in the market?
How many grain dealers are there? What will the grain price be this spring? What will the grain price be last year?
How many stones were received? How many stones were sent out?
How many workers did each store employ? How much were they paid?
The same applies to other goods; every detail, big or small, is thoroughly investigated.
He Youyou flitted around the market like a butterfly flitting among flowers, chatting with the shopkeepers of one shop, striking up conversations with the shop assistants of another, and getting close to the buyers who were haggling over prices...
Besides the market, she also targeted artisans.
He visited every blacksmith shop, tailor shop, clothing shop, and coffin shop in the area.
They even targeted brothels.
She chatted with the pimp at the entrance of the brothel for a long time, making him think she was a jealous woman who had chased after someone to the brothel.
Zhao Changqing was puzzled again: "What are you asking around in the brothel for? Do you want to start a brothel business?"
He Youyou explained, "Young Master Zhao, brothels are a barometer of a city's economic development. Take the customers of brothels, for example. In Jizhou, do you think more merchants, scholars, or gentry come here?"
Zhao Changqing frowned and said, "I've never been there, how would I know?"
He Youyou smiled slightly: "When I asked earlier, the pimp said that there were more merchants coming in the first half of last year, but from the second half of this year until now, there have been fewer merchants than wealthy gentry. Why do you think that is?"
Before Zhao Changqing could answer, Han Wenzheng said from the side, "Could it be because merchants can't make money anymore?"
He Youyou smiled approvingly, "That's very likely the reason. Then, why aren't merchants making money? That's another question worth investigating. Is it because the selling price has dropped this year? Or has the cost increased? Is it because labor costs are higher? Or are there fewer buyers? Or is it because the government is collecting too much tax?"
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