Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The weather had gradually turned harsh.

The heating system was fired up again.

Inside the warm chamber, Li Yansong and other Grand Secretariat officials were kneeling below Emperor Jing.

As today was a private meeting, the atmosphere was quite relaxed.

Emperor Jing raised his hand and passed down a memorial, sighing, "This is the memorial submitted by the Imperial Astronomical Observatory yesterday."

"It states that this year's weather will be severe, perhaps even more so than four years ago."

"I vividly remember the heavy snow four years ago. It snowed for ten whole days. Nearly four thousand people and livestock in the capital region froze to death. At that time, the common people could only wear coarse short garments, relying on stoves and straw for warmth."

"Alas... Although the Imperial Astronomical Observatory may not be accurate, if their prediction comes true, this winter will be a great disaster again. What are your thoughts? Speak freely today."

The officials began passing the memorial to each other.

After everyone had finished reading it, Li Yansong leisurely said, "Your Majesty, getting through the winter has always been a problem, but this winter may bring some changes. I heard that the Banshan Textile Factory, in conjunction with the cloth merchants in the city, have lowered the price of cloth. Therefore, even before the weather turned cold, the price of clothing and cloth in the capital had already begun to plummet. Most of the common people should have taken advantage of the low prices to purchase new clothes and cloth, so this year's situation should be much better than in previous years. In this matter, the Banshan Textile Factory can be said to have made a great contribution!"

Emperor Jing nodded and said, "I have heard something about this, but it is ultimately limited to the capital. What about the areas near the capital and further north?"

Zheng Qiao replied, "Your Majesty, recently, memorials have been sent from the localities, which have not yet been presented to Your Majesty for review. The price of clothing in the localities has also begun to fall."

"Oh? Why is that?" Emperor Jing asked with interest.

"The winter clothing and cloth sold in the capital recently are extremely cheap, so many small merchants have begun to hire people to purchase them in large quantities and then sell them at high prices in other places."

"These clothes and cloth, even when resold in the localities, are still cheaper than the local prices. Although the quantity is not large, it has still had a significant impact on local prices."

Emperor Jing frowned slightly, "So that's the case... It is certainly a good thing that cloth prices are falling, but these merchants are truly opportunistic. If they all rush to buy and resell, will the people of the capital still have goods to buy? The cloth merchants in the city have lowered cloth prices with good intentions, but have they not introduced any countermeasures against other merchants profiting from the chaos?"

Zheng Qiao explained, "Actually, those cloth merchants are well aware of the situation with second-hand dealers, but the Banshan Textile Factory has notified several of the largest cloth merchants to allow them to release a small amount of goods to second-hand dealers. However, they have ordered those merchants not to continue selling within the capital. If anyone is found selling in violation of the rules, they will be reported to the authorities."

"The ordinary people of the capital are not greatly affected. Most of the cloth shops in the city have long queues every day. Those who can afford to get through the winter naturally do not want to queue all day, and mostly give up early or plan to buy later. And those who are truly in urgent need of cheap winter clothing are often willing to spend a lot of time queuing to buy it. Spending a day or two will always get them what they need."

Emperor Jing suddenly understood after listening and exclaimed, "The Banshan Textile Factory was built by Fang Qing. I didn't expect him to have such foresight? A great merit must be recorded!"

A strange expression appeared on Zheng Qiao's face, "This... Your Majesty, I'm afraid this matter has nothing to do with Fang Zheng Yi."

"How so?" Emperor Jing asked further.

"When Fang Zheng Yi left the capital, these things had not yet happened!"

"Although Banshan Workshop was built by Fang Zheng Yi, it is rumored among the people that Her Highness the Princess is actually managing it. I sent someone to the textile factory to inquire, and these methods were indeed personally arranged by the Fifth Princess. Her Highness even specifically approved notes...."

"Although the Princess is in the deep palace, people report the problems of the textile factory to the Princess through eunuchs every day. These notes are also delivered daily. This matter is already well known within the textile factory, so it is unlikely to be Fang Zheng Yi's prior arrangement."

"When I sent someone to inquire, I also heard that a small group of people have begun to spread rumors in the workshops..."

Zheng Qiao paused at this point, and Emperor Jing eagerly said, "What are they spreading?"

He originally thought it was a small matter, so he had not paid much attention to it.

It was really unpleasant to say that the royal woman was doing business by herself! It damaged the royal dignity!

"They are spreading... that the Princess is a model for all women in the world!"

What?!

Emperor Jing was stunned.

He originally thought that Fang Zheng Yi was putting on a show to please his daughter, so he didn't care much. He didn't expect her to have such talent and even gained a good reputation!

If it were a man, such a vision would probably have allowed him to become an official in the locality!

Although he was somewhat happy, Emperor Jing still put on a straight face and said, "How can a woman engage in business? I didn't discipline her, and it was a temporary oversight. How can there be such a saying among the people?"

Zheng Qiao said, "Your Majesty, because the price of this cloth is too cheap and the materials are solid, no one thinks that Her Highness the Princess is doing business. Instead, they all think that the royal family is seeking benefits for the people. It is natural to have such a saying. Her Highness is talented and beautiful, and it is not an exaggeration to call her a model for all women in the world!"

This resounding flattery instantly struck Emperor Jing!

My daughter, young and unmarried, has become a model for all women in the world?

Emperor Jing's face flushed slightly, and he repeatedly waved his hand, saying, "Overpraise, overpraise! How can she bear such a title? Does she have such a vision? I think she just planted a willow unintentionally!"

Zhang Dongxiang, who had been silent for a long time, interjected, "Your Majesty, this is indeed a great thing, but providing relief to the people in the cold winter should be the responsibility of the imperial court, not entirely borne by merchants. I think that since the price of clothing is now low, cloth merchants can be ordered to exchange old clothes for new clothes in the market, and the imperial court will subsidize the price difference. The exchanged old clothes will then be collected and distributed to the poor. As for whether this matter is feasible, it is good that Her Highness the Princess has a deep understanding of the cloth industry and can serve as an advisor. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"

Emperor Jing pondered for a moment and nodded, saying, "Master Zhang is right. I will find someone else to arrange this matter."

"Your Majesty, not only the Princess, but His Highness the Crown Prince has also contributed greatly this time!" Zheng Qiao continued, "I also heard that His Highness has begun to build warm houses in Banshan Workshop and more than a dozen surrounding workshops to help the homeless get through the winter."

"What are warm houses?" Emperor Jing began to smile, not expecting the Crown Prince to know to take responsibility on his own!

"These warm houses are actually simply built wooden houses that 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. A space is also enclosed in the warm house, and a stove of charcoal is burned every night, and kettles are prepared to boil hot water. Overall, the cost is extremely low, but the effect should not be bad!"

"Every winter, many homeless people freeze to death. This is a way to do great things with little money! I think this method can be promoted to the world!"

Emperor Jing was overjoyed and said, "Did the Crown Prince really come up with this idea? Could it be Fang Qing's idea?"

Although he said so, he had a faint expectation in his heart, how could he not hope that his son had done it.

Everyone present was depressed, and a cheap, very annoying person suddenly appeared in their minds.

We've mentioned him several times while chatting! How long has Fang Zheng Yi been gone!

Why is he everywhere?!