She Became A Downfall Noble Lady Chapter 988: 986: Wong Qiao's Account

Chapter 988: Chapter 986: Wong Qiao’s Account

The psychological resilience of Jinrong and his companions was strong. After the initial shock and astonishnt, they had regained their composure and noticed that Shi Yin’s smile held a deeper aning, realizing that his question was only the beginning. Thus, they remained silent, waiting for Shi Yin to continue.

Yuan Shang was aware of his own status. Although he longed to respond and, in passing, ask Shi Yin what kind of world that would be, he adhered to protocol and dared not lose composure in front of Jinrong.

Hong Wu, observing Shi Yin’s harmless yet encouraging smile, montarily forgot his place and nodded in agreent, saying, “Indeed, if this world were filled with spinning things, this humble one cannot quite imagine such a scene.”

Shi Yin glared at Hong Wu. This boy, after all these years, still hadn’t changed his tendency to push to the forefront. When encountering matters, he was always the first to step forward. Didn’t he understand how to yield the spotlight to the younger ones to fill the gaps? Did he really think this was a good position?

With his montum dampened, Shi Yin spoke gloomily, “Prince, don’t say that I am not being candid with you. What I speak of for the future is not sothing that can be achieved in a short span, not in one or two generations. Being a mber of the Imperial Clan, as the world prospers, so too does the royal family. Whether the steam engine can be used to its fullest, whether it can bring prosperity to all trades, still depends on whether the royal family can persistently advance the craftsmanship industry.”

Shi Yin did not say these words in vain, nor was he muddle-headed. In his advanced age, with superb craftsmanship and profound accomplishnts in machinery and ingenious devices, he has connected with so significant figures. But he saw more of the hardships of craftsn across the world.

The status of craftsn was not high; they lived by their hands, earning a living by working for others. Even those talented in craftsmanship would spend their lives struggling for the livelihood of their family and wouldn’t have much ti or energy to explore new inventions.

Even if they occasionally made discoveries and poured their hearts into them, the benefits rarely fell into their hands. Generally, craftsn wouldn’t engage in such loss-making endeavors.

The reason why the chanical workshop in the Peach Grove could gather dozens of skilled and insightful craftsn, continually producing new devices, was not only because of Ye Xinyan’s various ingenious ideas.

More importantly, behind the chanical workshop were the influential forces of Prince Yu and Duke An’s Mansion. With such powerful backing in terms of resources and finances, the chanical workshop could maintain its operations, allowing craftsn to focus on imrsing themselves in chanics, turning their creativity and skills into reality.

If an ordinary craftsman without backing had creative ideas, the final outco would be coveted by those in power, their craftsmanship rely serving as a wedding dress for others. If the results were astonishing enough to generate significant profit, it could even bring catastrophe to the craftsman, possibly leading to the destruction of their family.

Without good backing and support from the court, the craftsmanship industry could never thrive and flourish.

In the earlier years, to divert attention from the princes, Jinrong had used the pretext of being interested in chanical matters. It was during this ti that he t Shi Yin, who beca sowhat of a ntor to him.

Thus, Shi Yin’s words were frank, and Jinrong, having interacted with Ye Xinyan, Qi Younian, and others for many years, was already very familiar with these sentints and naturally understood the deeper aning behind them.

Jinrong earnestly nodded, “Master Shi is right, I understand his intentions. The manufacturing of steam engines is no longer just a lucrative tool. If steam engines can be successfully introduced, they will greatly benefit the court and the entire world.”

Jinrong’s gaze swept over the craftsn present one by one, continuing, “The production of steam engines still relies on the dedication of Master Shi, Steward Wong, and all the craftsn. Though my abilities are limited, I will certainly exert my utmost efforts to propel the continuous developnt and use of steam engines, ensuring that the hard work of all the craftsn is not in vain. I hereby extend my thanks to all of you.” As he spoke, he clasped his hands and bowed towards Shi Yin, Wong Qiao, and the six craftsn.

Jinrong, being the emperor’s son and a reigning prince, was not only able to treat craftsn with courtesy but also extended his respects to them today, leaving the craftsn astonished and hurriedly returning the salute.

Two of the craftsn even knelt directly on the ground, repeatedly expressing unworthiness.

Jinrong hastily assisted them.

The commotion in the scene even surpassed the shocking effect of the steam engine’s operation.

……

After busying themselves with these matters, everyone began to feel ravenous. By this ti, it was well past lunchti. After a series of polite refusals, Jinrong did not stay to make the craftsn uncomfortable but instead asked Hong Wu to reserve several tables of fine banquets at the largest restaurant in the capital, to welco the craftsn newly arrived from the Peach Grove.

Over twenty craftsn were brought from the Peach Grove to the capital, leaving the chanical workshop at the Peach Grove with just over a dozen craftsn, all specifically tasked with developing farming tools.

The craftsn brought to the capital were basically all involved in the steam engine project. The developnt of the steam engine had made so progress and was at a crucial stage of refinent, so the schedule was very tight.

They rushed here and had only half a day to rest in the capital.

After lunch, they took a brief break, and Yuan Shang, along with two young assistants, took them around bustling places in the capital to look around and buy so daily necessities.

Wong Qiao was also pressed for ti. After lunch, it was already late Shen hour. He first went to visit Qi Younian, bringing him a letter from Qi Yougui and roughly explained the situation of Clear Water Village and the main branch of the Qi family.

With the foundation laid by Jiang Yifan and Jinrong, the main branch of the Qi family in Clear Water Village and the surrounding prominent families did not dare to slight them, so Qi Yougui’s entire household was naturally doing well. Furthermore, the Qi family’s upright conduct and the promising future of their children added to their strength.

However, Qi Yourong’s family was not faring well, lacking protection from the Second Branch family. Although the Second Branch could employ anyone from within or outside the village for their ventures, they exclusively refrained from employing people from the Qi Family Third Branch. Thus, in Clear Water Village, Yourong’s family was among the poorest households.

Fortunately, Qi Yourong could still glean so benefits from Qi Yougui, ensuring they did not starve or freeze. But any further ambitions were out of reach. Their family didn’t even have the chance to rely on influence.

The Second Branch of the Qi family was now renowned in Qingyuan County and the surrounding counties. The business managed by Lady Qi, the eldest daughter of the Duke An’s Mansion from the Second Branch family, had driven comrcial prosperity in Qingyuan County and its surrounding county towns, holding significant standing among the governnt office and influential people.

Almost everyone knew that the Qi Family Third Branch had incurred the scorn, even aversion, of the Second Branch and Lady Qi.

Especially Qi Liang and his malicious stepwife, who were notorious for mistreating the Second Branch’s heir, Qi Jiaer; basically, no one dared to associate with them, fearing backlash if seen consorting with enemies of the Second Branch.

Now, it wasn’t just Qingyuan County, but even the major clans in neighboring counties, who had business dealings or financial interests tied to the cattle farm, dairy workshop, and the Peach Grove. Being disfavored by the Second Branch would an losing a profitable business channel. For the common people, offending the Second Branch ant losing a source of employnt and inco, forcing them to be cautious.

It could be said that Qi Liang’s family lived like mice in a crack, shunned by others. Similarly, the Qi Family Third Branch wasn’t much better off; anyone daring to converse with Madam Song or Lady Zhang had to ensure no one was watching.

Since Qi Younian had left Clear Water Village these past two years, although there were occasional letters exchanged with Qi Yougui and Cheung Wusi, only Wong Qiao’s account provided such detailed information.

Thinking that despite being brothers, he himself had achieved wealth and his elder brother’s family was doing well, but Qi Yourong’s family had fallen to their current state, really stirred him with compassion.

However, when he recalled the suffering his grandson had endured, the Third Branch indeed didn’t deserve any benefits from the Second Branch.

Qi Younian sighed for a mont before setting the matter aside, now quite curious as to why Wong Qiao’s mother Lady Zhao hadn’t returned with his parents.