kvmb Chapter 312 Consort Fucha
Chapter 312 Consort Fucha
Merchants inquired among themselves, hoping to find a suitable way to establish a relationship with the princesses.
Some suggested going directly to the palace to find the princesses.
Of course, this was quickly rejected, since the palace was not a place that could be entered casually.
Some suggested using palace eunuchs or maids to relay messages, but this seemed too informal and too risky.
Later, someone suggested that they could first try to establish a relationship with "Liyue Pavilion".
The owner of "Liyue Pavilion" was not a princess, but a prince.
He is the new emperor and the princesses' brother.
When "Liyue Pavilion" opened,
They all bought a lot of glass products and chatted with the prince for a while.
This prince is easy to get along with; they should be able to establish a connection with him.
We'll then test whether their shop can advertise in the *Daqing Baixing Bao* (a local newspaper).
The next day, merchants from the capital flocked to "Liyue Pavilion".
With carefully prepared gifts, she hoped to take this opportunity to establish a deeper connection with Hongzhou.
Hongzhou chuckled inwardly when he saw so many merchants arriving, knowing their intentions.
Hongzhou took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with these merchants, using the chance to probe their intentions.
It's often said that merchants are profit-driven and cunning, but Hongzhou doesn't think so.
Businessmen are human too, and human beings include both good and bad people.
There are unscrupulous merchants who only care about their own interests, and there are also virtuous merchants who have a sense of righteousness and are honest and trustworthy.
Hongzhou could take this opportunity to do a thorough selection.
Let's see who is only interested in profit and who, while also seeking profit, is willing to do something practical for the people and the Qing Dynasty.
Hongzhou talked with the merchants while observing their words and actions.
He simply responded politely to those businessmen who only talked about profits and made boastful remarks.
As for those with good reputations and who keep their word...
Hongzhou would pay more attention to merchants who spoke sincerely.
He promised to convey their idea to the princesses and see if they could place an advertisement in the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" newspaper.
The merchants were delighted to hear this and expressed their determination to prepare their products and advertising content accordingly.
Hongzhou also had a plan in mind: if he could select a group of reliable merchants,
By coordinating with the princesses' businesses, it could not only promote commercial prosperity but also bring more revenue to the Qing Dynasty.
This was also something his sixth brother had entrusted to him; the Qing Dynasty needed funds to develop many areas.
Even if he earns a lot of money, it's still a drop in the ocean.
True prosperity would come if more merchants could participate in the economic development of the Qing Dynasty.
Hongzhou quickly selected a group of reputable and socially responsible businessmen.
And I've compiled their information so I can have a proper talk with Wenyi and the others later.
Hongzhou also had these merchants who said it was good.
This required advertising their shops and goods in the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" (People's Daily of the Qing Dynasty).
There will definitely be a price to pay, and that's the advertising cost.
Of course, it's not that paying advertising fees is enough.
"Gentlemen, since everyone wants to advertise in the *Da Qing Bai Xing Bao* (People's Daily of the Qing Dynasty),"
Then we'll have to show some real skills.
First and foremost, the quality of the goods must be excellent; substandard products cannot be used to deceive the public.
Secondly, the content of advertisements must be truthful and reliable, and should not be exaggerated.
Finally, everyone must abide by the rules and not slander each other.
Only if you can do these three things will I be able to recommend your advertisement to the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" newspaper.
Although the *Daqing Baixing Bao* (People's Daily of the Qing Dynasty) received your advertising fees,
However, the *Daqing Baixing Bao* (People's Daily of the Qing Dynasty) was run for the people, and its interests were always the top priority.
The "Daqing Baixing Bao" newspaper will strictly control the content of advertisements to ensure that they do not mislead the public.
The *Da Qing Bai Xing Bao* (The People's Daily of the Great Qing Dynasty) was a newspaper aimed at all the people of the Great Qing Dynasty.
Its influence is enormous, therefore the authenticity and reliability of advertising content must be ensured.
In order to maintain the credibility of the newspaper and protect the interests of the people.
If false advertising or misconduct is discovered, not only will the advertising qualification be revoked, but legal action will also be taken.
And be permanently blacklisted by the *Da Qing Bai Xing Bao* newspaper.
Make your store and products public.
They were removed from the list of partners of the *Da Qing Bai Xing Bao* (The People's Daily of the Qing Dynasty), and would never have the opportunity to advertise there again.
The merchants were all alarmed by Hongzhou's words; the consequences were truly dire.
Not being able to advertise anymore is secondary; what's more important is that it might cause problems.
Let the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" spread its bad reputation throughout the entire Qing Dynasty.
Then they won't be able to do business anymore; they'll probably be criticized behind their backs.
They all nodded in agreement, not daring to voice any dissent.
They knew in their hearts that being able to advertise in the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" (People's Daily of the Qing Dynasty) was a rare opportunity.
Nobody wants to mess things up.
A few days later, Hongzhou brought the selected merchant information to the palace and found Princess Wenyi and others.
The princesses listened to Hongzhou's idea and thought it was feasible, so they decided to cooperate with these merchants.
As a result, the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" newspaper now features many more advertisements from various businesses.
From silk shops to restaurants, from jewelry stores to herbal medicine shops, there was a wide variety of businesses.
These advertisements have all undergone rigorous review.
The content is authentic and of reliable quality, and it has been well received by the people.
With the increase in advertising, the influence of the "Daqing Baixing Bao" (Daqing People's Daily) expanded further, attracting more readers.
People learned about various products through newspapers, giving them more shopping options.
And those merchants who advertised in the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" newspaper...
Business indeed improved, and sales increased significantly.
They also became more proactive in supporting the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" newspaper and were willing to pay more for advertising.
With the continuous development of the advertising business of the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" newspaper,
Its influence grew, becoming widely known not only in the capital but throughout the entire Qing Dynasty.
More businessmen began to proactively approach them.
They hoped to promote their products through the "Daqing Baixing Bao" newspaper.
Commerce in the Qing Dynasty began to flourish.
Treasury revenue also increased accordingly.
Hongchang was very pleased to see all this.
The greater the national treasury's revenue, the more confident he will be in expanding his territory in the future.
However, in terms of territorial expansion, the most urgent task is to enhance the military strength of the Qing Dynasty.
Fortunately, Dai Zi's descendants have been brought to Beijing and are being properly taken care of.
When Dai Zi's descendants came to Beijing, they also brought several new and improved firearms.
Hongchang was overjoyed and immediately summoned Dai Zi's descendants.
Dai Zi's descendants presented design drawings and samples of several new firearms.
They had muskets with longer ranges and cannons with greater power.
After carefully testing them, Hongchang was very satisfied with the power of these muskets and cannons.
Compared to previous firearms, these new firearms have significantly improved performance.
Hongchang immediately ordered the Ministry of Works to organize craftsmen to mass-produce the components according to the design drawings.
It was then promoted and used in the military.
At the same time, he also arranged for special personnel to protect Dai Zi's descendants.
Let them continue to improve and develop more advanced firearms.
Of course, Dai Zi's false accusations were also cleared.
Meanwhile, raids to seize opium poppies are ongoing in various regions.
Local officials dared not slacken their efforts and continuously sent the seized opium and the people involved to the capital.
As the investigation deepened, more and more clandestine collusion was exposed.
The atmosphere in the Qing Dynasty's officialdom was greatly improved.
Hongchang also officially commissioned the "Daqing People's Daily" to expose the harms of the opium to the public.
Only then did everyone in the world realize that although the name of this "longevity ointment" sounded nice...
It is indeed a truly unlucky thing; it will not only ruin a person's health,
It can also corrupt one's soul, turning one into a walking corpse.
Most importantly, once you start using this drug, it's very difficult to quit.
If anyone in your household uses opium,
The whole family will be dragged down, and it can easily lead to their ruin and death.
Hongchang also ordered Fuheng to take those Manchu bannermen who had taken opium to the streets for a parade!
These once-glorious Manchu bannermen,
Now, however, his face is as thin as a ghost, his body is extremely weak, and his eyes are dull and lifeless.
They were locked in cages, their hands and feet bound by heavy shackles, unable to move freely.
And around their necks hung conspicuous wooden plaques.
Their names and the dates they used opium were clearly written on it.
Such a scene is frightening to behold.
It also evokes pity.
At the same time, we gained a deeper understanding of the harm caused by opium.
Before long, someone in the crowd exclaimed in surprise:
"Look! Isn't that Amur from the Plain Red Banner? How did he end up like this?"
Immediately afterwards, someone else chimed in: "And there's Tulun, who carries the Bordered Red Banner!"
He used to be so powerful and imposing, but now he's so down on his luck..."
Those who recognized them were all Manchus, and their voices rose and fell as they pointed at the people they knew in the cage.
Everyone was shocked and saddened by the sight of these once-familiar faces.
"This opium is really harmful!" someone said indignantly.
"Yes, these Manchu bannermen spend their days playing with cats and dogs, living a life of endless glory."
Now they've ended up like this.
Another person sighed.
While people were discussing it, several people hurriedly ran away.
Go and inform the families of these Manchu bannermen.
Not long after, a group of people rushed over.
Their faces were grave as they looked at the inhuman, ghostly creatures in the cage.
It took me a long time to confirm that these were indeed my sons, brothers, or relatives.
They originally thought these young men had long been sent to serve on the frontier.
I never imagined it would come to this.
A mother saw her son locked in a cage, his face gaunt, and couldn't help but burst into tears.
"My son, how did you end up like this?"
Fu Heng stepped forward and addressed the family members:
"Everyone, this is the consequence of consuming opium."
The Emperor's actions were intended to make everyone aware of the dangers of this substance and to serve as a warning.
"Sir, is there any hope for them?" someone asked in a trembling voice.
Fu Heng said in a deep voice, "Once you get hooked on the drug, it is extremely difficult to quit."
Those marching here today are all long-time addicts who can't quit.
Their bodies are ruined beyond repair.
Those who had just started using drugs have already been sent to rehab centers; hopefully, they can get through it.
Upon hearing this, some family members were devastated, while others were furious.
They condemned the unscrupulous merchants who sold opium.
Seeing this, Fu Heng seized the opportunity to say:
"Rest assured, everyone, His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter of the opium."
Those unscrupulous merchants who sold opium and those officials who colluded with foreigners will not escape punishment.
We hope everyone will cooperate with the government, provide clues, and work together to eradicate this scourge.
With the advent of this medicated oil, the court officials finally faced the wolfish ambitions of those foreigners.
They no longer deceived themselves into believing that the Qing Dynasty was vast, rich, and incomparably powerful.
They gained a profound understanding of the harm caused by foreigners.
They dared not accuse Hongchang of trying to exonerate Dai Zi again, and of spending large sums of money on research into firearms and large ships.
These foreigners have one face in public and another in private; their conspiracy is now obvious.
The court officials all realized that
The prosperity of the Qing Dynasty was not indestructible; external threats were already quietly approaching.
They began to support Hongchang's reform measures, believing that only by strengthening their own power could they resist the invasion of foreign enemies.
Given the temperament of their new emperor, foreign wars are inevitable.
Rather than sit back and wait for death, it is better to take the initiative.
Therefore, in the imperial court, the ministers no longer opposed Hongchang's decision to enhance military strength.
Instead, they actively offered suggestions and provided more support for firearms research and development and naval construction.
Local officials also intensified their oversight of foreign trade to prevent more harmful substances like opium from flowing into the Qing Dynasty.
Meanwhile, the princesses' businesses continued to grow with the help of the "Da Qing Bai Xing Bao" newspaper.
The cooperation with the merchants selected by Hongzhou became increasingly close, and the scene of commercial prosperity continued to spread.
Taking this opportunity, Hongchang officially announced the lifting of the sea ban.
Closing the country to the outside world would not protect the Qing Dynasty; on the contrary, it would hinder its development.
He announced that the Qing Dynasty would reopen its ports and resume trade with other countries.
However, it must be under strict supervision to ensure that the interests of the Qing Dynasty are not harmed.
At the same time, it is necessary to prevent harmful substances from entering the country.
Although some ministers still harbored doubts about lifting the sea ban.
However, thanks to Hongchang's insistence and the support of most ministers, the decision was eventually passed.
Hongchang made it clear that lifting the maritime ban was not unconditional.
Rather, it must be done on the premise of ensuring the sovereignty and interests of the Qing Dynasty.
To this end, he established a series of strict regulatory measures:
1. Establishment of the General Administration of Customs: The General Administration of Customs was established in Beijing to be responsible for the unified management of customs affairs nationwide.
Customs branches were established in ports across the country.
Strictly inspect ships and cargo entering and leaving the port, levy customs duties, and prevent smuggling and the inflow of harmful goods.
2. Issuance of Trade Licenses: All merchants trading with foreign countries must apply for a trade license from the General Administration of Customs.
The license specifies in detail the types and quantities of goods that are permitted to be traded, and any goods traded without a license are strictly prohibited.
3. Establish a trade blacklist: For merchants who violate regulations, smuggle, or sell harmful goods,
Once verified, they will be placed on a trade blacklist and permanently prohibited from engaging in foreign trade activities.
And pursue their legal responsibility.
4. Strengthen maritime patrols: Build a powerful naval fleet.
Responsible for patrolling coastal areas, combating piracy and smuggling, and protecting the maritime trade security of the Qing Dynasty.
With the support of these measures, the Qing Dynasty's foreign trade gradually recovered and flourished.
Ports around the world became bustling again, with frequent merchant ships bringing in a great deal of wealth and advanced technology.