The weather has become increasingly cold.
The earth dragon also started to burn again.
In the Nuan Pavilion, Li Yansong and other cabinet ministers knelt and sat under Emperor Jing's head.
Today was a private meeting, so the atmosphere seemed quite relaxed.
Emperor Jing raised his hand and handed over a memorial, sighing: "This is the memorial that was presented to Qin Tian Prison yesterday."
“It’s said that the weather this year will be extremely cold, perhaps even worse than four years ago.”
"I still remember the heavy snowfall four years ago. It fell for ten days and nearly 4,000 people and animals froze to death in the capital. At that time, the people could only wear short brown clothes and rely on stove fires and straw to keep out the cold."
"Sigh... Although Qintian Prison may not be accurate, if the prediction comes true, there will be another catastrophe this winter. If you have any ideas, please tell me. Speak freely today."
Several people began to pass the memorial to each other.
After all the circulation was completed, Li Yansong calmly said: "Your Majesty, winter has always been a problem, but there may be some changes this winter. I heard that the Banshan Textile Factory and the cloth merchants in the city have lowered the price of cloth, so before the weather turns cold, The price of clothing and fabrics in Beijing has begun to plummet. Now most people should have taken advantage of the low prices to buy new clothes and fabrics, so the situation this year should be far better than in previous years. Banshan Textile Factory can be said to have made the greatest contribution to this matter. !”
Emperor Jing nodded and said: "I have heard about this matter, but after all it is only limited to the capital city. What about the areas near the capital and to the north?"
Zheng Qiao replied: "Your Majesty, there has been a report from the local government recently. Before I can submit it to Your Majesty, the price of clothes in the local area has actually begun to fall."
"Oh? Why is this?" Emperor Jing became interested.
"The price of winter coat fabrics recently sold in the capital is extremely low, so many small businessmen have begun to hire people to buy them on a large scale and then sell them in other places at high prices."
"These clothes and fabrics are still cheaper than the local prices when they are transferred to the local area. Although the quantity is not large, it also has a considerable impact on local prices."
Emperor Jing frowned slightly: "What happened... It is a good thing that the price of cloth has dropped, but these merchants are really pervasive. If they all rush to buy and resell, will the people of the capital still have goods to buy? Why are those cloth merchants in the city offering low cloth prices? They have good intentions, but other merchants are taking advantage of the chaos to make profits. Don’t they have some countermeasures?"
Zheng Qiao explained: "Actually, the cloth merchants are well aware of the situation of second-hand traders, but Banshan Textile Factory notified several of the largest cloth merchants, allowing them to release small quantities of goods to second-hand traders. They just ordered those traders not to Sales will continue in the capital, and if anyone is found to be selling illegally, we will report it to the officials."
"Ordinary people in the capital are actually not greatly affected. Most of the cloth shops in the city have long queues every day. People who can afford to survive the winter are naturally not willing to queue all day long. Most of them give up in advance or plan to buy later. And those People who are really in urgent need of cheap winter coats are often willing to spend a lot of time queuing up to buy them, and they can always buy them in a day or two.”
After hearing this, Emperor Jing suddenly realized and sighed: "The Banshan Textile Factory was built by Fang Qing. I didn't expect it to be so far-sighted? It should be remembered as a great contribution!"
A strange expression appeared on Zheng Qiao's face: "This... Your Majesty, this matter probably has nothing to do with Fang Zhengyi."
"What do you say?" Emperor Jing asked.
"When Fang Zhengyi left Beijing, these things had not happened yet!"
"Although Banshanfang was built by Fang Zhengyi, there is a popular rumor among the people that Her Royal Highness is actually managing it. I once sent someone to the textile factory to inquire. These measures were indeed arranged by the fifth princess personally. Your Highness also specially approved the note... .”
"Although the princess is in the palace, people report problems in the textile factory to the princess through the eunuchs every day. This note is also delivered every day. Everyone in the textile factory knows about this matter, so it is unlikely that Fang Zheng One’s advance arrangements.”
"When I sent someone to inquire, I heard that a small group of people have begun to spread the word..."
Zheng Qiao paused for a moment when he said this, and Emperor Jing asked anxiously: "What is the message?"
I thought it was just a small fight, so I never paid much attention to it.
It’s really not nice to tell people that a royal woman is doing business with her own hands! It damages the royal majesty!
"It is said...that the princess is a model for women in the world!"
What? !
Emperor Jing was stunned.
I originally thought that Fang Zhengyi was just putting on a show to please his daughter, so I didn't care much about it, but I didn't expect that she actually had such a talent and gained a good reputation!
If he were a man, with such a vision, he might be able to become a local official!
Although he was a little happy, Emperor Jing still said with a straight face: "How can a woman do the work of a merchant? I didn't discipline her and she was careless. How can the people say this?"
Zheng Qiao said: "Your Majesty, because the price of this cloth is so cheap and the materials are solid. Therefore, no people think that Her Royal Highness is doing business as a merchant. Instead, they all think that the royal family is doing things for the benefit of the people. There is such a saying It is also natural. Your Highness is so talented and beautiful that you can be called a model for women in the world. I think it is not an exaggeration at all!"
This loud flattery hit Emperor Jing instantly!
My daughter has become a model for women in the world at such a young age and before she gets married?
Emperor Jing's face turned slightly red, and he waved his hands repeatedly and said: "Excessive praise, too much praise! How can she afford such a name and such a vision? I think she just wants to do it without any intention!"
Zhang Dongxiang, who had been silent for a long time, interrupted: "Your Majesty, this is indeed a good thing, but it is the responsibility of the court to help the people in the cold winter, and it cannot be borne entirely by merchants. I thought, since the price of clothes is now low, I can order cloth. Merchants exchange old clothes for new clothes in the market, and the court subsidizes the price difference. The old clothes in exchange are collected and distributed to the poor people. As for whether this is feasible, Her Royal Highness happens to have a deep understanding of the cloth industry and can serve as a consultant. , I wonder what your Majesty thinks?"
Emperor Jing thought for a moment, nodded and said: "Master Zhang's words make sense. I will find someone else to arrange this matter."
"Your Majesty, not only the princess, but also His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has contributed a lot this time!" Zheng Qiao continued: "I also heard that Your Highness has started building greenhouses in Banshanfang and dozens of surrounding cities to help the homeless. winter."
"What is a greenhouse?" Emperor Jing started to laugh, but he didn't expect that the prince would take the initiative to take responsibility!
"This greenhouse is actually a hastily built wooden house. One room can accommodate dozens or hundreds of people. His Highness also ordered people to collect a large number of discarded chicken and duck feathers, sew them into feather quilts or spread them on the ground for warmth. There is also a fence around the greenhouse. There is an open space to burn a furnace of charcoal every night, and a kettle is provided to heat hot water. Overall, the cost seems very low, but the effect is definitely not bad!"
"Every winter, many homeless people freeze to death. This is a small amount of money spent to achieve big things! I think this method can be implemented throughout the world!"
Emperor Jing was overjoyed when he heard this: "Is this really the prince's idea? It couldn't have been Fang Qing's idea, right?"
Although he said this, he had a vague expectation in his heart. How could he not hope that it was his son who did it.
Everyone present was depressed, and a mean person who deserved to be beaten suddenly came to mind.
How many times have I mentioned him in this short conversation? How long has Fang Zhengyi been gone!
Why is he everywhere? !
...
