Chapter 976: Chapter 994: Brutal Honesty
Jinrong had always been interested in mechanisms and ingenious devices. As Jiang Yifan’s fingers turned and demonstrated the transmission with the other hand, he gradually understood what Jiang Yifan was trying to convey.
Although Hu Jing was adept in strategy, after accompanying Jinrong to Yuyuan Prefecture and having more contact with Ye Xinyan, he started gaining some insight into tools and construction works. Especially since he was in charge of the railway carriage that year, he had a rudimentary understanding of these kinds of devices.
He grasped the prospects described by Jiang Yifan more clearly and was more shocked. He understood Jiang Yifan’s meaning: if this steam engine were successfully created, it could replace many tasks currently reliant on human power for operation and rotation, with an effectiveness far beyond what a few people could achieve.
The current issue is that it needs enough time for improvement and development.
"Hundreds of years? That won’t be easy." Hu Jing looked at Jinrong. Even if His Highness Prince Yu ascends the throne, he cannot determine affairs for his successors.
How many enlightened rulers had prosperity only during their reign? As for what sons and grandsons think or do, involving imperial power, or the private desires of the emperor and numerous ministers, it becomes ambiguous.
Jinrong apparently understood this principle as well and said, "How about I propose to Imperial Father to establish an exclusive mechanical research institute, with strict orders for its uninterrupted continuation, without halting the development of steam engine uses."
In Jinrong’s view, this was the best solution. Emperor Qianqing had been on the throne for over twenty years, and imperial power was stable; adding one institution under Emperor Qianqing’s rule was relatively easy.
With Emperor Qianqing’s years of construction and stabilization, and his own strengthening and consolidation once he ascends the throne for decades, mechanical research would surely yield benefits. Once benefits are apparent, this institution can continue to operate.
To speak irreverently, so long as it enriches the country and strengthens the people, even if dynasties change, this institution can be retained.
Historically, among so many dynasties, one replaces the other in succession, yet the court’s structure often extends from the previous dynasty with little alteration.
However, this idea was also anticipated and dismissed by Ye Xinyan. In Jiang Yifan’s understanding, his wife’s rejection indicated that Jinrong’s idea was unreliable.
He shook his head and said, "I’m afraid not, Ah Yan wouldn’t agree. Ah Yan also thinks the steam engine is very important, with epoch-making significance. This institution is so crucial it should not belong to one family; this would limit the craftsmen’s roles, and it should definitely not belong to the court."
Jinrong felt displeased, furrowing his brows. It might be reasonable not to belong to one family, but what did that kid mean by ’definitely not belong to the court’? Can the royal family not be trusted?
Alright, the royal family may indeed not be very trustworthy. Jinrong felt a bit frustrated.
Hu Jing observed Jinrong’s changing expressions and smiled, "Yuanfan is right. There are those who sincerely think for the common people, but in the end, they are a minority, far less than those who focus on seeking wealth for themselves."
He turned to Jiang Yifan and asked, "What does Yuanfan think?"
Jiang Yifan picked up a stack of papers from the desk and handed it to Hu Jing, saying, "Mr. Hu should understand this better than I do. These are some of my preliminary ideas. Have a look to see if they are feasible."
He then addressed Jinrong, "To sustain the development of handicrafts, emphasis must start with the court’s attention towards craftsmen and handicrafts. It’s commonly said that people strive for wealth and birds die for food; as long as there’s profit, there’s no fear of people not doing it.
If skilled craftsmen are willing to put effort into their techniques, even without the funds for research and development, they might present their concepts to wealthy families, potentially securing funding or being hired for a generous fee from them."
Hu Jing was reading the stack of papers and couldn’t help but applaud when hearing Jiang Yifan’s words: "Yuanfan’s idea is good, truly feasible. Don’t look at the current aristocratic clans who oppose patents; once they understand the key aspects, they’ll be overjoyed.
In such matters, craftsmen earn small profits, financially powerful and business-savvy great families could earn plentiful silver, while the court stands to gain the most."
"Moreover, this," Hu Jing handed the stack of papers to Jinrong, "This is Yuanfan’s proposal. Developing industry within wealthy families will certainly accumulate wealth, but through the court’s control of commerce and handicraft development, the influence of great families on the court and market can be regulated, also adjusting the livelihood and taxation of the common people. This is excellent; if done well, it greatly benefits strengthening national power and stabilizing governance."
......
While Jiang Yifan, Jinrong, and Hu Jing were discussing significant matters, Ye Xinyan continued to work at Guangsha Construction as usual.
She honestly wanted to stay home and rest for a few days, doing nothing but sleeping. Then, depending on her mood, she’d lead the leisurely, sporadic lifestyle of a wealthy second-generation kid.
But Qi Younian, already past sixty, had just returned after a ten-day journey. It was better to let the old man rest. She certainly couldn’t leave her responsibilities right after the old man returned, could she?
Therefore, she still had to head to the construction industry to manage affairs these days. She’d only quit once Qi Younian recovered his energy, to rest at home for several days.
Now that winter has set in, construction projects are nearing completion. Many matters require Ye Xinyan’s direct involvement. After the project wraps up, various settlements and account compilations need total reassessment.
She was busy reviewing the data compiled by the accounting room when a young servant came over to say that the In-law Madam had already arrived at the mansion and was waiting for the eldest madam to return.
Ye Xinyan was taken aback; it was still before the Wei Hour. Why had her mother come to her house at such an untimely moment, without advance notice? Could something have happened?
But asking the young servant yielded no clear answer. The servant simply said the In-law Madam seemed fine, quite leisurely, not as though there was anything urgent.
Ye Xinyan was slightly relieved, handing her tasks to two of her document clerks before riding back home.
She entered her own yard, got out of the vehicle, walked straight into the courtyard where she and Jiang Yifan lived, and entered the room. Upon seeing Madam Yin sitting on the warm kang and the maids and old women servants inside and outside calmly attending to their tasks, Ye Xinyan was completely at ease.
This... it seemed nothing was amiss after all.
While removing her outer garment and handing it to Jiu Zhen, she said, "Mother, why are you here at this hour? You didn’t call ahead. Had you told me earlier, I’d be home waiting for you. I thought something was up, got me all worried."
Madam Yin, looking nonchalant, chided, "What call? I just didn’t think of it before now. I only suddenly wanted to come visit you; why would I need to call? You worried for nothing. If I had urgent matters, I wouldn’t seek you—I’d rather find your uncle, it’d be more effective than finding you."
Ye Xinyan paused, cloth towel in hand, hearing Madam Yin’s words: What truthful nonsense! Is this something a real mother says? She should be gratified by this blood kinship, shouldn’t she!