flstandardbreds Chapter 166 Do You Know (61)
Chapter 166 Do You Know (61)
The account books of Yuyan Hall filled up Molan's desk.
The fine handwriting dazzled her.
Molan rubbed her sore eyes and sighed softly.
She never thought that managing a shop could be so complicated.
The scent of rouge and powder lingered around her nose, but at this moment it made her feel a little suffocated.
In my memory, my mother always had a smile on her face and handled everything with ease.
Now that I have experienced it myself, I know how much hard work is behind that calmness.
Every morning, she would check yesterday's accounts.
Every expenditure and every income needs to be carefully checked.
If there is any slight error, the calculation must be recalculated until it is accurate.
In the afternoon, we work on developing new products.
She worked with the artisans to try out new recipes and adjust proportions.
The feel of the skin, the intensity of the fragrance, and the depth of the color all need to be carefully considered.
It was not until late at night that she could put down her work and take a break.
Lin Qinshuang was very pleased to see Molan gradually adapting to the busy life.
It was time for her to start preparing for the factory.
This matter is of great importance and must be handled with caution.
Yuyan Hall is already eye-catching enough, and if there are any major moves, it will inevitably attract criticism.
More importantly, we must not arouse the emperor's suspicion.
Lin Qinshuang thought it over again and again and decided to write a memorial to report to the emperor first.
She walked to the desk, spread out the paper, picked up the pen and dipped it in ink.
My sister has heard that governing a country requires regular practice, and benefiting the people is the foundation. Today, the four seas are at peace, and the nine provinces are gradually enjoying prosperity. However, there are still many avenues to be explored for improving people's livelihoods, and the benefits of women have not yet been fully realized.
Nowadays, we see that many poor girls in the market are good at weaving, but they are limited by the crudeness of their looms and the narrow sales channels, so they can only make a living and it is difficult for them to enrich their families.
If the imperial court chooses a good location to build a brocade weaving workshop and gathers the labor of all women, it can develop a great industry.
Recruit skilled women from the public, hire good teachers to teach them skills, and master the techniques of weaving brocade, embroidery, and silk.
Once the weaving workshop is completed, the silk embroidery produced will be exquisite and can be presented as tribute to the palace to add to the royal family's splendor; it can be sold to wealthy merchants to earn wealth from all over the world; it can be traded in foreign countries to enhance the country's reputation and prestige.
Women entered the workshop and were paid according to their skills and diligence. They earned a monthly income and their families gradually became wealthy.
The poor will be lifted out of poverty, the rich will become richer, and talented women in the boudoir will not be buried, but will be able to help their husbands raise children and build up their families.
It is actually a way to kill several birds with one stone. It can enrich the treasury, make the family rich, and promote the reputation of your skills.
I hope Your Majesty will examine this matter and order the officials to act quickly, so that it will benefit the people and set an example for future generations.
I, your sister, am extremely cautious and respectfully present this memorial, hoping for your Majesty’s decision.
After writing the memorial, Lin Qinshuang reviewed it carefully.
After confirming that everything was correct, he carefully folded it and put it into the envelope.
She called her trusted maid and told her to deliver the memorial to the palace.
The maid took the order and left, while Lin Qinshuang fell into deep thought.
On the second day, there was a grand court meeting.
The morning light shines through the carved window lattices, casting mottled light and shadows on the golden brick floor.
The emperor sat on the dragon throne with a dignified look.
He unfolded a bright yellow scroll and glanced at the ministers and officials of His Highness.
"My dear ministers," the emperor said in a calm yet commanding tone, "This is the memorial submitted by Princess Fuxi yesterday. Please take a look."
Zhang Maoze held a whisk in his hand and handed the memorial over.
The ministers passed it around one by one, and whispers gradually arose.
The Minister of Revenue, Lord Wang, stepped out first and bowed, saying, "I believe that Princess Fuxi's proposal is truly a policy that benefits both the country and the people."
He stroked his beard and continued, "If we can build a brocade weaving workshop, it will not only enrich the national treasury, but also provide a place for poor women. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone."
Minister Zhang of the Ministry of War frowned and retorted, "I think this matter still needs to be considered."
He said solemnly, "Women have always been considered virtuous for their quietness. If they were to show their faces in public, it would be detrimental to morals."
"Furthermore, if we build a large-scale project and spend a huge amount of money, what if the results are poor? Wouldn't that be a waste of money and manpower?"
Minister of Works Liu stepped forward and echoed, "Master Zhang is absolutely right. I also think it is inappropriate."
He said tactfully, "It may be against ancestral rules for a woman to enter the monastery. Your Majesty, please reconsider."
The Minister of Rites, Lord Zhao, disagreed. He cupped his hands and said, "I think what Princess Fuxi said makes a lot of sense."
He looked around and said loudly, "Now that our national strength is growing, it is time to make great plans."
"If we can build a brocade weaving workshop, it will not only improve our silk weaving skills, but also demonstrate our national prestige."
"As for expenditure, I believe that with proper planning, we can make the best use of it."
Several ministers were arguing with each other, and the atmosphere in the hall became tense.
The emperor listened quietly, his eyes deep and his mood unremarkable.
He raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.
"What you have said, my dear ministers, is all true." The emperor said in a calm tone.
His eyes fell on the memorial and he said slowly, "I think Princess Fuxi's memorial has some merits."
“Although women are not as talented as men, they also have their own talents.”
“If we can make good use of it, it can also serve the country.”
The emperor paused, his tone firm, "I have made up my mind. This matter will be managed by Princess Fuxi."
"The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works will fully cooperate to ensure the completion of the Jinxiu Weaving Workshop."
"As for the required silver, it will be allocated from the inner treasury."
The emperor glanced at the ministers and asked, "My dear ministers, do you have any objections?"
The hall was completely silent, and no one dared to object.
After the court was dismissed, Lin Qinshuang waited anxiously in Yuyan Hall.
She paced back and forth, feeling uneasy.
Seeing this, Molan stepped forward and softly comforted her, "Mother, don't worry, the emperor will definitely agree."
Lin Qinshuang forced a smile, "I hope so."
Soon, the palace eunuch came to convey the imperial edict.
Lin Qinshuang held her breath and listened attentively as the eunuch read out the imperial edict.
According to heaven’s destiny, the emperor issued an edict:
I observe the world and find that people's livelihood is beginning to be stabilized. However, if we want to achieve peace and prosperity, we should attach importance to agriculture and sericulture, and promote industry and commerce to improve people's livelihood and benefit the country.
Today's textile industry is related to the livelihood of the people, especially women, as it can be a way to increase income and display their talents.
My adopted sister, Princess Fuxi, is pure and intelligent, benevolent, and possesses extraordinary talent. I have specially appointed her to personally manage the affairs of the Brocade Weaving Workshop, so that she can display her talents and benefit the people.
The princess should choose a good location to build a weaving workshop, recruit skilled women from the countryside, and carefully teach them various textile and embroidery techniques, ensuring that the workshop's products are exquisite and unparalleled in the world. The embroidery produced will be used by the imperial court, showcasing the wealth and elegance of the royal family.
Secondly, it can promote the prosperity of trade, connect the domestic and foreign markets, and accumulate wealth in the treasury;
The third is to enable women to establish their own careers with their skills, increase family income, and promote prosperity of the people.
I grant the princess the power to act at her own discretion and to mobilize the necessary human, material and financial resources. Government officials at all levels must fully cooperate and must not make any mistakes.
I hope the princess will devote all her energy and resources to the management and planning of the Jinxiu Weaving Workshop, so that it can become a vital industry for the nation and a benefit to the people, spreading the glory of our dynasty throughout the world and setting a model for women to lead their own businesses. I decree this!
When Lin Qinshuang heard that the emperor agreed to build the Jinxiu Weaving Workshop and that she would be fully responsible for it, her heart finally settled.
She took the imperial edict excitedly, her hands trembling slightly.
Molan was also delighted and stepped forward to support Lin Qinshuang, "Mother, the emperor has agreed."
Lin Qinshuang took a deep breath and tried to calm her excitement.
The imperial edict shocked the whole government and the public.
Some people admired Princess Fuxi's foresight, while others secretly speculated about the emperor's intentions.
All kinds of rumors are spreading.
Lin Qinshuang turned a deaf ear to this and devoted herself to the preparation work for the Jinxiu Weaving Workshop.
Site selection, design, recruiting craftsmen, purchasing raw materials...
She does everything herself.
Molan also assisted with all her strength. The mother and daughter worked in perfect harmony and handled all matters in an orderly manner.