After a thorough investigation by the Huzhou Yan, various signs indicated that it was a celestial fire. Because the residents of that market were mostly woodworkers, with large amounts of wood piled in their hos, the fire was exacerbated, leading to an irreversible tragedy.
That’s what the official report said, but the rumors brought by nurous rchants traveling to and from the capital did not die down because of it. The carpenters ntioned in the official report were actually textile machine craftsn residing in Huzhou.
Upon hearing this rumor, Jiang Yifan and Jinrong imdiately sensed that this matter was not simple. The fact that an entire market’s residents were engulfed by flas suggested sothing highly unusual.
When Ye Xinyan learned of this, the first person she thought of was Shi Yin. At the end of March, Shi Yin had taken two young craftsn and two apprentices to Jiangnan for an on-site study to improve the spinning machine.
Where was Shi Yin when the fire in Pingyang City, Huzhou, occurred?
The only comfort was that there were two guards accompanying Shi Yin, so even if they encountered a fire, it would be impossible for all of them to perish silently. At the very least, so news would return.
Fortunately, while the uproar was still unfolding, Shi Yin returned. Apart from the few people who originally set off, there were two additional craftsn specializing in making spinning machines.
Jinrong and Ye Xinyan were overjoyed to see Shi Yin and his party return. Although Wong Qiao was the chief manager of the chanical Workshop, Shi Yin played a crucial role in project developnt.
Shi Yin was already over sixty years old, a ripe old age in ancient tis, and was hardly fit for long journeys, let alone any horrifying experiences.
If it weren’t for Shi Yin’s high interest, everyone wouldn’t have let him travel all over the place at such an age.
The two craftsn were experts in making spinning machines, attracted by the renowned Qi Family chanical Workshop in the north. Additionally, with Shi Yin’s eloquent persuasion, they followed Shi Yin’s group and beca affiliated with the Qi Family chanical Workshop.
The workshop always welcod skilled craftsn, especially those that caught Shi Yin’s eye, being assured of their craftsmanship.
The two received a warm reception from the workshop owner and manager and were given well-arranged accommodations, which greatly comforted them. Although the Qi Family chanical Workshop was famous and had strong backing, they were remarkably amiable and did not look down on people.
After resting for a day and having a welcoming banquet, Jinrong and Jiang Yifan invited Shi Yin and carefully inquired if he knew about the great fire in Pingyang, Huzhou.
Shi Yin said, "I know that place, it’s just that they specialize in textiles, so they weren’t part of our itinerary."
Although disappointed, Jiang Yifan took note that even if Shi Yin hadn’t gone, he was aware of the place.
"Mr. Shi, you knew about it beforehand? Is it quite renowned?"
Shi Yin nodded, "Yes, that place is ho to a group of craftsn who specialize in making textile machines. Most of the textile machines used in households in Huzhou and surrounding areas are made there."
He sighed, "We’ve all heard about the great fire, and I’m afraid there’s sothing strange about this matter. There are rumors that so skilled craftsn there were working together to improve the textile machine and had reportedly made significant progress.
Alas, possessing such a treasure is a cri. Although patent law can protect the artisans’ interests, if the benefits are significant enough to attract the attention of vicious individuals, it can beco a monstrous disaster."
Jinrong and Jiang Yifan exchanged glances, and Jinrong said, "If the rumors are not unfounded, then this case is a serious one."
Sitting beside Jiang Yifan, Ye Xinyan was extrely indignant upon hearing this, "What is the Yan doing? An entire market’s residents were burned to death, and they brush it off as a celestial fire. If more incidents like this happen, what ordinary craftsn would dare to make new equipnt anymore? It’s ultimately about preserving their lives, regardless of how well their interests are protected."
Jiang Yifan nodded, "This kind of thing must be curbed. I’ll submit a morandum to the Cabinet tomorrow, demanding a thorough investigation."
He turned to Shi Yin, "Please, Mr. Shi, share the details of the rumors from the south with ."
"It’s not much to say," Shi Yin shook his head. "Pingyang is not far from Huzhou Prefecture City, and such a large fire was hastily concluded. I’m afraid the Huzhou Governnt Office is involved, so it won’t be easy to investigate."
Ye Xinyan frowned, "Fear not, the people and craftsn of the world deserve an explanation. Even if we can’t uncover the truth now, we just need to patiently wait and see who will apply for a textile machine patent. Investigate the origins of these patents thoroughly, and we’re bound to find out which textile machine has questionable origins."
...
On the sa day, Jiang Yifan wrote a morandum and submitted it to the Cabinet the next day.
Of course, the ministers of the Cabinet knew about the great fire. When they saw the morandum with its additional suspicions, they realized the gravity of the situation. After a brief discussion, they forwarded the morandum to the imperial palace.
The emperor had the official report from the Huzhou Yan brought in for a re-check. He was startled by the suspicious nature of the case and beca increasingly angry. If Huzhou officials were involved in the fire, ordinary imperial envoys would likely be unable to uncover the truth.
The next day, Lih Mian, the commander of the Imperial Guard Camp, received the imperial decree. With thirty attendants, he rode swiftly out of the south gate, leaving only the swirling dust and the rumbling sound of the iron hooves for the various forces in the capital.
Jinrong watched Lih Mian leave. With the most crucial safeguard by the emperor’s side absent from the capital, Jinrong, Jiang Yifan, and others were on high alert.
The Crown Prince and Prince Fu were also paying attention to Lih Mian’s departure from the capital.
On the surface, the capital seed as usual, but in private, various individuals connected, and various ssages were quietly exchanged.
...
August Ninth was the birthday of Jinrong’s Royal Mother, Consort Liang.
Perhaps because the Crown Prince had lost favor, the Empress had been much more courteous to Consort Liang in these past two years. For this birthday, the Empress was particularly enthusiastic, having notified the Imperial Household Departnt early to properly prepare a birthday banquet for Consort Liang.
Watching as late July approached, the Empress used her own silver to purchase limited quantities of cheese and so rare delicacies multiple tis, and had the imperial chefs learn several cheese dishes, claiming that this ti, there would be enough cheese for everyone to eat to their fill.
It had been almost three months since the last eting between the Crown Prince and Prince Fu. Under orders to remain discreet, only Jiang Yifan’s n were tasked with keeping a close eye on the Crown Prince and Prince Fu’s movents.
During this ti, people from both Prince Fu and the Crown Prince’s camps made contact, and their trusted advisors had shared tea several tis. However, this did not prove anything. Moreover, Jinrong, Jiang Yifan, and others were not concerned with these interactions; they sought a decisive and irrevocable opportunity.
After three months of observation, it seed that the most likely ti for an incident would be on the upcoming August Ninth, and the location should be within the imperial palace.
Since the first Duke An was granted his title by Emperor Taizu, successive Dukes An had been supporters and robust safeguards for imperial power.
This support was not driven by political opinions or personal inclinations; it aid at maintaining the stability of the Great Xia Dynasty, unrelated to matters of right or wrong, acknowledging only the Commander’s Seal issued by the emperor and the private seal of the Great Xia Dynasty’s emperor.
Therefore, this kind of maintenance was actually quite ruthless.
However, after a conversation between Jiang Yifan and Duke An, the old man began to discreetly organize his forces, with so close subordinates receiving orders to stand by.
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