Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Meng Die spoke calmly, her words piercing like daggers: "Due to the Shi Huanli incident, it's now common knowledge that many redeemed courtesans work under my supervision. Those who used to frequently visit brothels might now be aware of their own unclean past and fear leaving any traces. As a result, they dare not continue patronizing these establishments. Since last year up until now, out of the over a hundred brothels in the capital, each has seen an average decrease of at least forty to fifty percent in business."

Meng Tingyi continued: "In the surrounding counties near the capital, cases of abduction and trafficking of women and girls have dropped by thirty percent in the past three months. And this statistic only includes a few immediate neighboring counties. The more distant regions haven't been accounted for yet, but based on the case files we've reviewed, those areas also show a decline in such incidents."

Qiao Wanming passed Meng Tingyi's report to Ren Qinghua: "The decrease is certainly not limited to that. Many families don't even report when their young girls go missing, so the actual reduction in trafficking cases is likely higher than the recorded statistics. Brothels should indeed be abolished."

Ren Qinghua pondered for a moment: "Brothels do need to be abolished, but I believe it shouldn't be done all at once. They should be eradicated in the provinces, prefectures, and cities. However, brothels in counties and towns can still remain." After all, it was the brothels in these smaller locales that truly played a role in maintaining stability.

Tan Zhengze nodded. "That's also a solution."

Pei Ji Huan responded, "There might be potential risks. As long as brothels exist, there will always be those who seek pleasure. Once they do, the brothels in rural towns will soon resemble those in the state capitals. Eventually, due to the proximity of the countryside to these towns, the security in rural areas would be even worse than in cities. At that time, women and young girls in the countryside would have even less protection."

Ran Pengfei asked, "But if we abolish them altogether, what will happen to those people?" The identity of 'those people' was clear to everyone present.

All eyes turned to Meng Die. Since you proposed the abolition of brothels, have you considered the subsequent issues that may arise?

Indeed, Meng Die had given it some thought; she planned on sneaking in her own agenda.

Meng Die smiled. "I have indeed given thought to the matter of social stability. The root cause for most men not being able to marry is their poverty and lack of skills. Before the New Year, Her Majesty the Empress mentioned her intention to promote literacy through phonetic methods among the common folk. Once they learn to read, they will have more opportunities to find work and thus earn more money."

However, this is merely a fleeting advantage, for once the pinyin system gains widespread adoption, the people of our Great Yi Dynasty will, sooner or later, all become literate. With literacy comes the ability to secure jobs based on their reading skills, and our current edge would swiftly fade away.

All those present in the palace hall nodded in unison.

Meng Die: "My elder sister-in-law, Lady Wen, once shared with me that her grandfather, the Salt Inspector, was once an illiterate man. His success in the salt trade was entirely due to his courage and determination. During the time when the Great Ancestor first ventured into maritime commerce, he was among the very first to brave the seas, and eventually amassed a vast fortune."

Ran Pengfei inquired, "You mean the imperial court should construct ships to send them overseas in search of livelihoods?"

Meng Die nodded in agreement.

Silence reigned within the Diligent Governance Palace. In times of peace, these people were indeed unstable elements, but in warfare, they would make the finest soldiers. Especially when it came to shipbuilding – how much silver would that require? !

Meng Die was well aware of their thoughts. "The criteria for sending them away are set by us. We can establish a schedule for them to alternate between voyages and returns. Moreover, I've always believed in the folk saying that a tree may wither if not moved, but a person thrives with change. Perhaps they might truly find a way out when they're abroad."

Meng Die added fuel to the fire. "And once we send more people out, there will surely be those who succeed. With their connections and influence overseas, they can support us in return. At the very least, we'll have an advantage in the competition for silk carpets and silk."

Silk, silk carpets! The mention of these commodities reminded those in the Diligent Governance Palace of the nine million taels of silver. If this business were not a one-time deal but an annual affair, Ran Pengfei couldn't help but clutch his chest; his heart was pounding far too rapidly.

Do not scoff at these pillars of the state; the downfall of many dynasties began with a depleted treasury. Simply put, with a full national coffers, they could alleviate disasters when the people suffered; without silver, how could they provide relief? Failing to do so would lead the victims to rebel.

Exiting the Diligent Governance Palace, Meng Die couldn't help but feel content as she began to enumerate her accomplishments one by one from within the carriage.

The case of the Rong mother and daughter could reshape public opinion. Thinking about this, Meng Die's smile widened. Initially, she had thought that changing people's mindset would require years of planning and gradual steps. She never imagined it could be resolved so smoothly.

This shift in perception was crucial. Why had the abandonment of baby girls sharply increased since the previous dynasty? In the past, infanticide only occurred during famine years. It was because they knew that without a son, their properties would be seized. To preserve their belongings, they had to bear sons.

Now, things were different. The change in law ensured that one's assets would not be easily divided, and the Rong mother and daughter's case demonstrated that daughters were indeed flesh and blood.

With this dual approach, even if some still clung to traditional beliefs and were hesitant to embrace new ideas, they wouldn't dare abandon baby girls anymore. After all, in the event that no son was born, a daughter could be one's only fallback. Who would cut off their sole source of hope?

With this precedent set, it wouldn't take three to five years; within one or two years, the survival rate of baby girls would see a significant increase. Their right to live would be more secured.

Abolishing brothels would greatly enhance the safety of women's living environments. Although the buying and selling of slaves was currently legal, outside of brothels, males were generally considered more valuable than females in the hands of slave traders. Moreover, if a girl sold into servitude managed to gain favor in a wealthy household, the fate of those traffickers could truly be uncertain.

Safety was ensured.

This time, Hai Guanxing returned with a large sum of silver, all earned by the hard work of these women. In times of peace, women could now support their families as well.

A solid economic foundation has been established.

Most importantly, with the substantial profits earned by the court, they would undoubtedly push for the widespread distribution of the book filled with tricks and tips. To achieve this, they must first popularize the phonetic system. Once men can read, women will naturally follow suit. It will become much harder to deceive them in the future.

With literacy, women will find it easier to participate in various professions and eventually attain their rightful accomplishments and status. Of course, this won't happen overnight, but Meng Die believes that there are so many intelligent girls in the world. Given just a little opportunity, they can break free from constraints, transform like a butterfly from its cocoon, and soar high into the sky.

The following morning, Hai Guanxing entered the capital under the escort of soldiers, carrying a vast sum of silver.

Knowing that the day had come to divide the spoils – or rather, distribute the money – the officials were unusually well-behaved during the early court session. After going through the formalities, they hurriedly withdrew.

In the Diligent Governance Hall, Hai Guanxing, who had become even paler and thinner, announced with certainty that he had brought back nine million taels of silver. Even someone as composed as Qiao Wanming felt his heart race; it was an enormous sum.

Everyone couldn't help but direct their gazes towards Meng Die. Today's meeting was to discuss domestic affairs, and logically, Meng Die should not have been present. However, the emperor had summoned both the empress and Meng Die. At that moment, they all strangely understood the emperor's intentions. As the initiator of the silk carpet trade, Meng Die had the right to be in the Diligent Governance Hall and hear this delightful outcome firsthand.

Nine million taels! A pure profit, since the workers were conscripted laborers and didn't require wages. Now, they only needed to settle the construction materials and loom costs for the merchants, an amount that had already been calculated at nearly a million taels. The remaining eight million could be directly deposited into the national treasury.

Ran Pengfei's face glowed with excitement. "Your Majesty, I've compiled the statistics. In the regions where factories were built last year, very few citizens froze to death during the winter, especially in poorer villages. The survival rate of the elderly, women, and children has significantly increased. I believe that such buildings should be constructed in every northern region, not necessarily as factories, but as shelters for the impoverished during winter."

The emperor nodded. "I have also seen the reports from local officials, praising the factories for their remarkable fuel efficiency. There are still many areas without factories. How much silver would be required to build them all?"

The Minister of Works, Su Yuquan, spoke with unusual confidence, "Your Majesty, with the assistance of Lady Meng, I've estimated that we would need approximately three million taels of silver for this project."

Ran Pengfei's face instantly lost its flush; he was taken aback. "That much? Didn't we spend less than a million taels on constructing those factories last time?"

Su Yuquan replied, "This time, we're building more factories than last year, that's one thing. Another is that we didn't pay laborers last year; instead, we used corvée labor. For this year's construction, we must compensate the workers."

Ran Pengfei felt a twinge of pain in his heart; he hadn't even had a chance to enjoy the newly acquired silver. "Your Majesty, perhaps we could still use corvée labor as payment this time."

The emperor was also tempted. Parting with three million taels at once would sting.

Meng Die: "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, it would be better to offer wages. When the common folk receive their pay, they will have silver to spend. Most likely, they will purchase goods, which in turn will benefit the street vendors and stimulate the rapid prosperity of the entire region."

Su Yuquan nodded repeatedly. "Your Majesty, the County Princess speaks wisely. The substitute labor system was implemented last year, and many levees and irrigation channels need construction and maintenance this year."

The Emperor nodded in approval. "As you both suggest, the Ministry of Revenue shall allocate three million taels of silver to the Ministry of Works for the construction of factories in various regions."

Ran Pengfei wilted, replying meekly, "Your servant obeys the command."

No amount of money could suffice for such endeavors, and the emperor issued an edict to propagate the use of pinyin. Learning that Li Ai's soldiers had mastered pinyin, he ordered Li Ai to select some of them to travel to various provincial capitals. There, they were to teach the local officials and village heads first, who would then instruct the common folk in turn.

Meng Die offered herself enthusiastically, "Your Majesty, I have recently acquired a bookstore and am willing to donate three hundred thousand copies of books with pinyin and one hundred thousand copies of books filled with useful tips, all for the palace's use."

This was indeed a generous gesture. Aside from the Emperor and Empress, Ran Pengfei was the happiest. Had Meng Die not stepped forward, the Ministry of Revenue would eventually have to allocate funds, but now a substantial amount had been saved.

Meng Die was also delighted. Spending some money was insignificant; the seeds had been sown, and now all that was left was to wait for them to bloom.

Returning from the palace, Meng Die collapsed onto her bed, physically exhausted yet mentally exhilarated. "Has the Hai family sent an invitation?" she asked.

Hulu replied, "Yes, Miss Hai said she will visit two days from now."

"Second Master has returned."

Li Ai was equally exhausted as he came back, usually not feeling drained from his duties, but today's task of selecting candidates for teaching phonetics had left him with a headache, as everyone vied for the chance to be an instructor.

Seeing Meng Die freshly changed, he hurriedly went to freshen up. "Did the Hai family bring anything new and intriguing this time?"

Meng Die picked up her chopsticks and teased Li Ai, "You really are something. After just returning from stargazing, you don't even let her have a couple of days to rest properly at home."

Li Ai replied, "You're right about that. When will she be coming over?"

"The day after tomorrow."

Li Ai's eyes sparkled. "Perfect, I have my day off in two days. Let's see what other treasures there are." Li Ai now harbored a great curiosity for things from abroad. The large glass panes were simply too useful, providing both protection against the wind and excellent clarity. If not for the scarcity of glass, he truly wished to replace all the major windows in both of his marquis mansions with this type of grand glass.

Two days later, Hai Guanxing paid a visit.

This time, when Hai Guanxing arrived at Marquis Yongyi's residence, she felt not even the slightest hint of nervousness. As usual, Hulu came to receive her, and the two chatted and laughed their way to the main hall of Qiuxia Yard.

Hai Guanxing bowed and said, "Greetings, Lady County, Lord Marquis."

Li Ai couldn't wait to inquire, "Did you bring back the large glass panels this time?"

Hai Guanxing replied, "Indeed, I did. In fact, I brought even more this time - a hundred pieces in total, and not a single one was damaged."

With this answer, Li Ai was content.

Meng Die asked, "How did you manage to preserve them?"

Hai Guanxing explained, "Each piece was encased in a wooden frame and cushioned with compressed cotton. If iron weren't so heavy and a concern for the ship's load-bearing capacity, I would have brought even more large glass panels. For my next voyage, my family plans to construct a slightly smaller ship specifically for this purpose."

Meng Die: "When the time comes, we'll follow the main fleet out and bring back more cargo?"

Hai Guanxing nodded. "When I visited the palace the other day, Her Majesty mentioned that His Majesty plans to issue an edict to build large ocean-going vessels. From the way she spoke, it seems like it won't be just one."

Meng Die acknowledged with a nod. "Indeed, they must be planning to build such ships." The emperor had tasted significant profits from a single venture; if he didn't wish to continue with maritime trade, he would be foolish.

Li Ai chimed in, "His Majesty also has intentions to establish a shipyard in the Fujian-Guangdong region."

Meng Die: "The Fujian-Guangdong area is vast. Exactly where do they intend to build this shipyard?"

Li Ai: "Initially, we were set on Fujian, as they claimed to have wood suitable for shipbuilding. But then we recalled Miss Hai mentioning that Siam has even better timber for this purpose, and it's more affordable. Hence, we're now considering Guangdong. The Fujian provincial administrator somehow got wind of this and submitted a memorial arguing that they also possess suitable wood. Not to be outdone, the Guangdong administrator also submitted a memorial."

Meng Die chuckled. "So now, the two administrators are having a heated argument?"

Li Ai nodded earnestly. "It's quite intense. His Majesty gets a headache just seeing their memorials. When I suggested building in both places, Secretary Ran's face turned pale."

"Haha..."

After their laughter, Meng Die asked Hai Guanxing, "Aside from glass, what other intriguing items can be found overseas?"

Hai Guanxing: "Indeed, our silk carpets and textiles are so sought after that many prominent merchants have tried to curry favor with me by presenting me with two items that can't be bought in the market."

The maidservants entered, each carrying a box – one long and rectangular, the other square.

Placing them on the table, Hai Guanxing was the first to open the elongated box.

Li Ai was taken aback. "A blunderbuss, a matchlock gun?"

Meng Die couldn't wait to uncover the contents of the square box. Li Ai glanced over. "A flintlock pistol."

Meng Die cast a glance at Li Ai, her surprise evident. "You are acquainted with all of these? Do we have such things in our Great Yi Dynasty as well?"

Li Ai nodded. "They emerged during the late periods of the previous dynasty, and even the Great Ancestor delved into this. Unfortunately, even the finest craftsmanship could not guarantee an ignition rate exceeding seventy percent for flintlock guns – many fell below fifty percent. Yet, the Great Ancestor remained optimistic, believing they held more potential than our bows and swords. Sadly, the technology couldn't advance, and the former emperor didn't attach much importance to it, leading the Ministry of Works to set it aside." Li Ai didn't mention that research hadn't been resumed in the present era.

Hai Guanxing nodded, "I see. The one I brought back isn't like that. Its current activation rate has already surpassed ninety percent."

"Ninety!" Li Ai was astonished.

Hai Guanxing nodded. "Indeed, it's ninety percent effective. However, they say it can malfunction and explode, but it didn't happen when they demonstrated it to me."

Li Ai inquired, "Do they have any chance of causing an explosion?"

Hai Guanxing shakes his head. "I'm not certain about that. Apart from these, they also possess cannons, something that existed in the latter period of the preceding dynasty."

Li Ai remarked, "We have them as well." However, similarly, the late emperor did not prioritize such matters. The cannons of the Great Yi Dynasty that remain in use today are legacies from the time of our illustrious founder, and due to their extended period of disuse, they have long succumbed to rust and are utterly inoperable.

Li Ai abruptly turned his gaze toward Meng Die. He noticed that ever since they discussed the matchlock and flintlock guns, she hadn't spoken much. Now, observing her pale countenance, he inquired, "What's the matter?"

Meng Die shakes her head. "Can we acquire those cannons by stargazing, do you think?"

Hai Guanxing: "It's possible, but it's not advisable."

Meng Die stroked the cold flintlock gun with her hand. "Is it because they only sell what they plan to phase out?"

Hai Guanxing: "Second Lady is wise. That's exactly it. Their lands are divided among many nations, so there's often minor conflict. Thus, they place great value on weapons. Although they do sell them, they're usually outdated models."

Meng Die lowered her gaze. "How are their ships built?"

A smile lit up Hai Guanxing's face as his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Excellently. They've sailed to many places in the ocean and discovered numerous new countries and lands. They even map the seas, though unfortunately, such information is classified and not easily shown to outsiders. I plan to assemble my own fleet. Once the silk rug business stabilizes, I'll embark on oceanic adventures with my own fleet."

Meng Die had finally regained her former vivacity, her brows lifting and a smile blooming on her face. "How ambitious! Who knows, you might just become the first navigator of our Great Yi Dynasty. That would surely etch your name into the annals of history, immortalizing you for ages to come."

In Hai Guanxing's eyes, a spark named ambition flickered: "I will strive with all my might."

Under the moonlit willow boughs, all was silent in the world. Within Marquis Yongyi's manor, aside from the night watchmen leaning against the wall, nodding off in intermittent slumber, the majority of its inhabitants had succumbed to the embrace of sleep.

Meng Die found herself tossing and turning throughout the night, an unusual occurrence since she turned fifteen and came of age. She seldom dreamed about the other world anymore, but tonight, for some inexplicable reason, that advanced realm reappeared in her dreams – yet it seemed somehow different.

Amidst ruins and remnants, traces of devastating fires scar the landscape. Though it is a scene of utter desolation, even in these shattered remains, one can glimpse the former glory that this place once held.

The scene before her eyes transformed dramatically, from ruins and broken walls to ornately carved beams and painted pillars, while the untamed wild grass was replaced by a carpet of vibrant flowers. In this instant, Meng Die felt as if she had been transported into an enchanting fairyland. Was she now dreaming within a dream?

Regardless, she would first indulge in the beautiful scenery before her. Meng Die lifted her leg.

Boom —— the sound of an explosion echoed, swiftly followed by the chaotic chatter of gunfire. Meng Die spun around, just in time to see a cohort of indistinct figures bursting in from outside. They ravaged with fire, claimed lives, plundered possessions, left nothing but destruction in their wake, and ultimately set the place ablaze.

In the blink of an eye, the splendor vanished, and the entire space returned to its initial state of decay. Meng Die abruptly opened her eyes, jolting upright from her dream. She recalled that in her dream, Meng Die had studied a passage in a text. The exact title eluded her, but there was one phrase that both she and the dream version of herself remembered vividly—those who fall behind will be punished!

Li Ai inquired, "What's the matter?" He lifted the bed curtains and lit a candle on the ground.

A gentle glow spread, and Meng Die's pounding heart gradually calmed. Li Ai placed the candlestick by the bedside, glanced at Meng Die, and handed her a handkerchief. "Why are you so sweaty? Did you have a nightmare?"

Taking the silk handkerchief, Meng Die wiped away her cold sweat. "I did have a rather unpleasant dream."

Li Ai replied, "Dreams are often the opposite. Something good is about to happen to you."

Meng Die teased, "Like marrying off my sister?"

Li Ai caught on immediately. "Yes, if your sister becomes an unparalleled chef or even a culinary deity, that would certainly be a great thing."

Meng Die couldn't help but laugh, dispelling much of the gloom she had carried from her dream. Lying down once more, she fell into a peaceful slumber.

On the sixth day of the third lunar month, a propitious day for weddings, Li Ai and Meng Die both rose before dawn. After getting themselves ready, Meng Die visited her factory for the second time that day.

The small wooden gate of the factory stood wide open, with conveyer belts temporarily halted. Red draperies adorned not only the factory but also the surrounding areas, creating an illusion of a vast red sea when seen from afar.

The small building where Lu Wei and the others resided was also freshly decorated. Upon Meng Die's arrival, everyone stood up to pay their respects. She hurriedly waved them off, "Go back to your tasks, all of you."

Ruixue brought over a chair, "Second Grandma, please have a seat here."

Meng Die nodded. She watched as Ying'er and Tao'er helped Xing Huang don her wedding dress, a gown they had hastily sewn during the New Year period. The phoenix embroidered on the skirt seemed so lifelike that it appeared ready to take flight at any moment.

Xue Qing entered with a tray in hand. "Second Aunt, I've finished embroidering the red veil. You can place it on Xing Huang later."

Meng Die acknowledged with a nod. "You embroidered the entire veil?"

Xue Qing shook her head. "Not at all. I've only been back for a short while. Ying'er and Tao'er did most of the work. They left only the eyes of the dragon and phoenix on the 'auspicious dragon and phoenix' pattern for me to sew."

Meng Die chuckled and examined the veil. "They say the painting is brought to life by adding the eyes to the dragon. In your case, it's embroidery that brings the piece alive! It looks fantastic, truly." Indeed, Ying'er and Tao'er's embroidery skills were no match for Xue Qing's.

"Oh no, her face is too flushed. We don't need such heavy makeup."

Meng Die looked up to see the matchmaker applying makeup on Xing Huang, who clearly disliked it. The matchmaker tried to persuade her, "All brides are made up this way. A rosy blush and vibrant lips enhance one's beauty."

Xing Huang remained unconvinced. "I can't bear it. This much makeup is truly uncomfortable for me. I rarely wear makeup in my daily life."

The matchmaker attempted to persist, but Meng Die intervened with a smile. "On this day, the bride's wishes come first. Just follow her request for a light and subtle makeup look." In those times, most powders contained lead, and Meng Die, having grown up with minimal makeup, had influenced those around her to adopt the same habit.

Reluctantly, the matchmaker complied and gave Xing Huang a simple, understated makeup look.