Chapter 974: Chapter 972: Why Is There Still No News?
Jiang Yifan obviously already understood the key points of the matter. In this monarchy-based feudal society, trying to continuously advance something is incredibly difficult.
Perhaps during this monarch’s reign, a policy may be of great interest, but when the next monarch ascends the throne, because of personal views and intentions, it might be completely overturned, and then disappear without a trace.
Just like the very developed maritime industry of the Ming Dynasty. Several monarchs of the Ming Dynasty banned sea trade according to their own understanding and preferences and then reopened it for some reason. Later, they reopened it again, only to ban it once more. It completely did not give the maritime industry a chance to further develop or even transform into expanding mainstream trade.
The same goes for the steam engine. Many viewpoints suggest that the reason why the Western industry was able to flourish at the time was because of the allure of capital operations, and capital was controlled by the capitalists. The pursuit of money and profits continuously drove the industrial revolution, expanded its reach, making Western countries stand at the peak of the world.
Seeing Jiang Yifan’s brows gradually furrow, Ye Xinyan continued, "So, what you and His Highness Prince Yu used to say about turning the Mechanical Workshop over to the court ought to be impracticable. In fact, there should be many such research-oriented mechanical workshops that are separately controlled by different large families. In this way, driven by profit, industry and machinery can only develop continuously. Relying on imperial power and the court to develop capital and industry is utterly laughable."
Jiang Yifan listened to Ye Xinyan’s words, his eyes kept flashing, and he gradually fell into contemplation.
Ye Xinyan didn’t disturb him either, as the concepts of capital and private enterprise were hard for an ancient person to accept immediately. He probably needs time to think seriously.
Moreover, in the monarchic feudal dynasty, large amounts of assets amassed in private hands are very taboo. Excessive financial resources could threaten the imperial power. These factors limit industrial and capital operations, and how to solve them... with a mind like Ye Xinyan’s, she couldn’t figure it out. She could only let people like Jiang Yifan and Jinrong, who are skilled in strategizing, ponder it.
Perhaps Jinrong, for the sake of national righteousness, might temporarily set aside imperial power, develop industry first, and then think of ways to limit it?
Jiang Yifan pondered for a long time, took out paper and pen to write, sometimes erasing and modifying.
Ye Xinyan was very curious about what he was doing, so she looked over and was greatly impressed. This guy was actually writing about the impact on the regime when various industries bloom and wealth concentrates in the hands of large families, as well as the court’s restriction measures against it.
One must say, the talents of any era should not be underestimated. What Jiang Yifan wrote had some rough connotations of political economy.
If from this time onwards, the court had someone focusing on economic development and the relationship between politics and economics, maybe they would find that controlling and regulating the economy has benefits for the regime. The subsequent progress of social development might really be different.
It wasn’t until bedtime approached that Jiang Yifan put away his pen and ink, carefully rolled up Wong Qiao’s blueprint, and asked Ye Xinyan, "I need to talk to His Highness about this, what’s your opinion, Ah Yan, is it okay?"
"Talk about what? Steam engine, or private enterprise?" Ye Xinyan’s gaze immediately turned unfriendly. Private enterprise was okay to talk about, but the steam engine, wasn’t it too early to discuss?
The emperor had said that, regardless of whether patent law had been enacted, this thing must be protected for her. If at this time the principle of the steam engine is leaked out, given the intelligence and ingenuity of ancient people, they might collectively make actual products even before Wong Qiao.
Then, who would she go to for reasoning?
Seeing her attitude, Jiang Yifan laughed, rubbed her hair, which had already been let down, and laughed, "What are you thinking? The Mechanical Workshop has our family’s share too. How could I let others take advantage of it? Besides, who dares? With my wife’s prowess, absolutely no one dares to reach out."
"Then what are you going to talk about?"
Jiang Yifan steadfastly said, "Of course, I’ll talk about everything. Without the steam engine and its wide application, what can I talk about concerning private enterprise and capital? There’s completely no standing otherwise, isn’t it?"
His words elicited a big warning glare from Ye Xinyan, "If you leak my stuff... you and Jinrong can think of the consequences yourselves!" It seemed she really didn’t have any effective punitive measures.
......
Jiang Yifan and his wife were discussing important matters like the steam engine, while the Qi family was talking about something else.
Qi Younian watched the couple of Ye Xinyan leave, looked at the departing carriage, and gradually got a worried look on his face.
Nanny Liu first noticed that Qi Younian’s expression was off, seeming to have trouble expressing something. She asked softly, "Is there something troubling you, sir?"
Also coming out to send off Ye Xinyan were Nanny Jin and the two young ones from the Qi family. Nanny Liu’s words caught the attention of others, who all turned their gaze toward Qi Younian.
Qi Younian patted Qi Jiaer’s head, "It’s getting late, you and your cousin go wash up and sleep, you still have to practice and go to school tomorrow. Skipping sleep won’t do."
He then turned to Nanny Liu and Nanny Jin and said, "There is something indeed, I was just about to talk to you about it."
Qi Jiaer was still a bit skeptical and didn’t want to leave, but Qi Sanshun forcibly pulled him away.
Qi Younian returned to the guest room, gestured for Nanny Liu and Nanny Jin to sit down, and seeing that they insisted not to, he didn’t force it, sat down by himself, and said, "When I was in Yuanzhou, Ah Qiao mentioned that his wife was pregnant. Madam Liang of the Zhou family was worried about her daughter and urged the two of them to send Ah Qiao’s wife back to the capital to await childbirth once the fetus stabilizes."
Qi Younian said this, glanced at Nanny Jin, and said, "Ye Zi is much older than Ah Qiao’s wife, having been married for nearly a year, yet there’s no news. I didn’t bring it up today, fearing it would make Ye Zi feel uncomfortable if mentioned. Such matters aren’t easy for an old man like me to discuss; Nanny should pay more attention to these things."
Speaking of this, Qi Younian was indeed a bit worried. Given a woman of Ye Xinyan’s age, it’s not unusual to be surrounded by children, but she still doesn’t have a single child. If the Jiang family gets anxious and arranges a concubine or maid for Jiang Yifan, then, with his granddaughter’s temperament, life would become unbearable.
Nanny Jin immediately found herself in a dilemma, "Not just you, sir, I’m anxious too. But every time I bring it up, the young lady acts indifferent, saying she wants to let nature take its course. Then she wholeheartedly agrees to pay attention to her diet and rest, and more. I really have no way to deal with her."
Currently, Nanny Liu is working in the Qi family, and she feels very content. Although the Qi family is not among the nobility and high officials, with the young lady supporting and a prince watching over, it’s still a distinguished family.
These are all trivial; the important thing is, her husband and eldest son are now managing affairs in the Qi family, and are well-regarded. Her youngest son works with Wong Qiao, who values him highly, his future is promising.
The honor and disgrace of her family are closely tied to Ye Xinyan, so naturally, she hopes for Ye Xinyan’s well-being. Seeing Nanny Jin and Qi Younian troubled, she suggested, "How about having Nanny Jin talk to Madam Gu at the Marquis’ Mansion?"
Nanny Jin hesitated just for a moment before agreeing, "That’s fine, I’ll go talk to Madam Gu tomorrow. I previously thought Madam Gu isn’t having an easy time either, and didn’t want to burden her with these matters."