Chapter 47: Following the Trend

  The export volume of cotton cloth is only ranked after tea, silk and satin in the country, with a staggering trade volume. The annual trade volume at Jianghai Customs alone is around 30 million pieces, and its proportion in overseas trade at Guangdong, Fujian and Zhejiang Customs can be seen from this. This ban will put many ships in a difficult situation without goods to transport. As a result, a large number of ships will flock to Shanghai, and foreign ships that need to import large quantities of cotton cloth will also have to enter Shanghai for trade.

  What's even more astonishing is that Kangxi's edict was to take cotton as an example for trial implementation, and whether silk, grain, tea, and sugar would also be operated in the same way. Grain, tea, and sugar are still okay, after all, their main producing areas are not in Shanghai, but the main producing area of silk and satin is just around Shanghai, if following the example of cotton cloth, Shanghai will control three major export commodities: cotton, silk, and satin.

  Ying Zhen is also the supervisor of Jianghai Customs, and at that time, I don't know how many fleets will rely on him for food. In this situation, they still unite to strangle his neck, unless they don't want to do maritime trade anymore.

  After the shock, it's fear. Kangxi's edict is clearly telling everyone not to provoke Yinzheng, otherwise the consequences will be severe. The panicked officials didn't even have time for visits and discussions, each quickly passing on the news. Just over a month later, large numbers of fast horses again rushed out of the capital, heading towards the coastal areas of the Qing dynasty.

  "Marvelous! Marvelous beyond words!" Wu Si said, putting down the newspaper and couldn't help but loudly praise. After finishing speaking, he stood up with his cane and slowly walked around in the room.

  Seeing Wu Sidao's rare move, Yin Zhen couldn't help but laugh and say, "This time, sir, you've really met your match. The 14th brother has played a beautiful hand. With this move, it's not just the cardamom wood that will be sent to our doorstep, I'm afraid all the major sea trade fleets will be eager to deliver the wood to us. I didn't realize until now that my own brother had such vision and courage."

  Wu Si Dao turned around and said calmly, "Fourth Master, the Emperor's attitude is very clear. We cannot go against it now, so we can only follow the trend."

  Go with the flow? What's the method of going with the flow? Yongzheng had a puzzled expression.

  "Heh heh, isn't there still a gap of 200 million for the 14th master? This time, it's not just about resolving the export control rights of wood and cotton cloth being in his hands. The gold and silver mountains will come rolling in. But judging from the way things are going, it seems that the 14th master won't stop at this. There might be more to come later. These fourth masters don't need to pay attention, just sing praises for the 14th master in front of Sheng. However, one must praise from the perspective of doing good for the country and the people."

  Yin Zan's face was gloomy, as a prince, flattering especially flattering the emperor, was a compulsory course from an early age, it wasn't difficult at all, but what good would it do for himself? The 14th brother was already favored by the emperor, and helping him boast, how could his brothers live in the future?

  Wu Si Dao was a perceptive person, and as soon as he saw Yongzheng's expression, he roughly guessed his thoughts. Without making any explanations, he changed the subject, "Has Eighth Brother been acting strangely lately?"

  Yin Zhen slightly shook his head, "Lao Ba is now at home resting due to illness, he doesn't even step out of the house all day, he can barely avoid suspicion, how could he possibly have any irregularities."

  "Has anything been out of the ordinary with the prince recently?"

  "Second Brother has been quiet lately, his power was greatly reduced this time, he is now being extremely cautious, afraid to attract the attention of the Emperor. However, two of his subordinates, Xiteku and Nierta, who are usually not noticeable, have not been seen for a month. After saying that, Yongzheng suddenly realized that these two brothers were too quiet, was it because they wanted him to follow their example?"

  "From now on, please keep a distance from the Crown Prince, just knowing about his affairs is enough, absolutely cannot get involved." Wu Si said in a low voice, "On the surface, it's the Crown Prince and Eighth Master, but in reality, we also need to add Fourteenth Master and you, Fourth Master. Now, Eighth Master is recuperating at home to avoid suspicion, the Crown Prince is also being obedient on the surface, and Fourteenth Master has even fled to a distant place." He glanced at Yongzheng and said, "The Emperor's birthday is already fifty-seven this year, what does he desire most?"

  Although Wu Si Dao didn't say it explicitly, that one glance made Yongzheng feel a bit embarrassed. What's the point of these brothers hiding and being ill? What is Emperor Ama longing for now?

  Wu Si said in a low and mournful tone: "The Emperor is old, he also longs for family affection like ordinary elderly people, especially under the current circumstances, he can feel more deeply the preciousness of family affection. What can move the Emperor's heart most now is filial piety!"

  Yongzheng finally understood that being obedient and following orders was the same as being filial. The so-called "following the trend" meant following Kangxi's will.

  Ruan Beile Mansion, Ninth Brother Yunxun and Tenth Brother Yunxi rushed to Eighth Brother Yunyi's mansion early in the morning. "Eighth Brother, take a look," said Yunxi as he handed over the imperial edict.

  Yongzheng smiled and accepted it. "Don't ask about trivial matters when entering the door, one look at your face can tell, what's the good news today?"

  Yin Xiang smiled and said: "Just take a look and you'll know, Old Fourteen has a big handwriting."

  After a careful look, Yinxiu furrowed his brow, "This old fourteen is indeed a big hand, but he has inexplicably trampled on Gali's foot." He said with a sigh, "I'll have to help him clean up the mess again."

  Yin Yun smiled indifferently: "Gali is over there, Eighth Brother wants to send someone to comfort him, but Old Fourteen has really given us a big boost this time. This morning at court, those officials blocked my brothers and me for half an hour before we managed to extricate ourselves."

  "Ah, for half a year now, among all the brothers, only the 14th brother has been able to stand firm in Shanghai. This situation didn't come easily." Yinxiang let out a relieved sigh: "Now that he's got his footing, we three brothers don't have to worry anymore."

  Yin Yun smiled and said, "Fourteenth brother is having a great time in Jiangnan, but I'm worried that Ninth Brother will get into trouble."

  "You'd better give up on that idea, the Emperor won't allow it." Yongzheng smiled, "Don't be jealous either, that's a thankless job. Building the fleet is already keeping fourteen busy enough, and now you want to add another Jianghai Customs?" He paused for a moment before continuing: "We three brothers shouldn't just stand by and watch, let's go back and clean up the servants in our households, pick out some honest and hardworking ones and send them over to help fourteen. Be careful, don't send any lazy ones, we can't afford to lose face."

  The two of them smiled and said, "Eighth Brother, rest assured, we know what's at stake."

  After the two brothers left, Yong Yi sighed and began to write a letter to Gali. In his heart, he thought that this old fourteen was still not changing his reckless personality, and it was time to give him a hint by writing a letter. With his approach, all the big officials who had been recruited with great difficulty would be offended by him.