Di Ming

Chapter 91 Zhuang's Daughter

Ning Caiwei had a beautiful dream.

The dream was too beautiful to wake up from.

She established the Ningyin Trading Company, whose business spanned the world, with merchant ships sailing like clouds and caravans moving like dragons on land.

Maritime trade, finance, mining, metallurgy, silk, porcelain, fur, salt, tea, arms, grain, jewelry, entertainment, catering...

It involves all walks of life!

She and Zhu Yin became the richest people in the Ming Dynasty and the world, gradually taking control of the Ming Dynasty's economic lifeline.

This vast commercial empire crushed the colonizers' East India Company and became a global commercial superpower.

Ningyin Trading Company used its vast financial resources to cultivate scientific and technological talents, establish theoretical systems and industry standards, and become the engine driving the technological progress of the Ming Dynasty.

As for the men... with the support of their wealth, they rose steadily in their careers, maneuvered skillfully in the officialdom, and gradually gained control of the court's military and political power, becoming powerful ministers who were above the emperor.

Finally, the man simply deposed the incompetent emperor, eliminated the treacherous officials, seized the throne, and began China's version of the Renaissance.

She herself became empress, enjoying the honor of her husband's rise to power and becoming the mother of the nation.

She was the most honorable woman in the world, the richest woman, and the woman most capable of helping the world and changing the Ming Dynasty.

Compared to her previous role as president of the Ning Group, she has reached higher positions, gone further, and accomplished more.

How will history record her?
A wise and virtuous empress? A business sage? A female Yao and Shun? A celestial empress? The mother of the Renaissance?
As for the younger sister... since she is a devout follower of Plato, shouldn't we stop worrying about this doctor who prioritizes spirituality?
Suddenly, Ning Caiwei felt someone pushing her and even pinching her nose, making it difficult for her to breathe.

How dare you... Who would dare to be so disrespectful to me?

Ning Caiwei opened her sharp eyes and saw a boy's chubby face in front of her.

The boy grinned, revealing his gap-toothed smile, a smile that seemed to capture the tranquility of life.

"Ugh! I was sleeping so soundly!"

Ning Caiwei was grumpy from waking up, her little face showing displeasure. But then she suddenly remembered that she had been a bit fierce, and her expression immediately changed to a sweet smile. "Why are you up so early? What time is it?"

As she spoke, she gracefully tossed her hair, "Come on, little tiger, let me help you tie your hair up."

Zhu Yin was a little stunned to see that she had been looking annoyed just a moment ago, and he was expecting her to scold him for waking her up, but the next moment she was as gentle as water.

This changed way too fast!

However, he had gotten used to Ning Caiwei styling his hair. He sat obediently in front of the dressing table, letting Ning Caiwei style his hair, which had grown to six inches long.

"It's already past 7 AM. The bell hasn't even woken us up. How sleepy must we be?"

Zhu Yin didn't get up early either.

"Wait a minute." Ning Caiwei only helped him tie up one of his hair buns before suddenly running out again.

She didn't bind her feet and ran very fast.

"What?" Zhu Yin, who had a bun on the left side, said with dissatisfaction. He turned his head and looked around, but the figure was nowhere to be seen.

Ning Caiwei ran out of her room and into the courtyard of the inn, where she immediately checked her carriage.

She was relieved after a quick glance.

Based on my previous deliberate memory, the stones were distributed in the same way and had not been disturbed.

The little girl clapped her hands, smiled at the pile of stones, and then returned to her room, satisfied.

Then, he continued to give Zhu Yin a different bun.

Zhu Yin shook his head and said, "Jadeite is not popular yet. Its value will skyrocket in China only during the Qing Dynasty."

"Nowadays, only royalty and a few wealthy families own jade jewelry, and even they themselves don't say they particularly like it. After all, if something isn't fashionable, people won't appreciate its value."

Ning Caiwei said, "That's why you don't care much about business matters. How did diamonds become so popular? Through hype. The stock of diamonds is much larger than that of jade."

"The highest quality Grade A glass-type jadeite from Myanmar is extremely rare."

"Moreover, diamonds can be synthesized in later generations, but jade cannot."

“The jade in our hands is top-grade material. Its rarity is probably only known to the Burmese themselves. Zheng Yuankui doesn’t value it, otherwise he wouldn’t just pile it up like a stone.”

"If the hype is successful, our batch of jadeite will be worth a lot of money."

Zhu Yin shook his head again. His perspective on problems was different from Ning Caiwei's. His core thinking was always about important matters, not money.

"So what if the hype is successful?" Zhu Yin said dismissively. "If the hype is successful and jade becomes popular, isn't that just benefiting Myanmar? It's China's enemies who will benefit."

"We do have a lot of material in these two truckloads. But compared to Myanmar's reserves, it's negligible! In the end, we'll only get a small profit, while the Burmese will reap a huge one!"

"Don't forget, jade has become a pillar industry of Myanmar."

"So what?" Ning Caiwei sneered. "Isn't politics and military affairs all about serving economic interests? Myanmar has a lot of jade, so we send troops to occupy the jade raw material producing areas."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yin couldn't help but smile.

This is the capitalist mindset.

"Let me correct you," Zhu Yin said seriously, "It's not about sending troops to occupy, it's about retaking and recovering!"

Ning Caiwei was taken aback. "The jadeite producing area originally belonged to us?"

Zhu Yin clapped his hands, "That's right! It was originally all the territory of the Ming Dynasty, but it was occupied by Burma and became theirs."

At this point, Zhu Yin expressed even greater disappointment and frustration with the Ming Dynasty.

Because the jadeite producing area was originally under the jurisdiction of Yunnan Provincial Administration Commission, which belonged to the territory of the Ming Dynasty, but is now occupied by Myanmar.

Thus, jade, originally produced in China, later became Myanmar's national treasure and a pillar industry.

It’s really ironic when you think about it.

Since the bureaucratic group that tested the Four Books and Five Classics became the leaders of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty's military prowess has been declining.

The early Ming Dynasty was known for its military prowess, reminiscent of the Han and Tang dynasties, as it expanded its territory and grazed its horses across thousands of mountains.

If this continues for decades, it could very well surpass the Han and Tang dynasties.

Unfortunately, Zhu Zhanji was an incompetent ruler who ruined the country and even caused his own son to become a student in the Oirat Mongols. This short-lived emperor, who reigned for only ten years and was a debauched and dissolute ruler, was even despised by the Korean envoys as a "good grandson," yet they praised him as a wise and benevolent ruler.

They truly hold the power; if they say you're capable, you are, and if they say you're not, you are.

Zhu Yin stopped thinking about these things and said, "After washing up and having breakfast, let's go to the front street of the county to see Tianqing Pavilion."

Ning Caiwei laughed and said, "We must first become the richest man in Nanjing, then the richest man in Southern Zhili, then the richest man in Jiangnan, the richest man in the Ming Dynasty, and the richest man in the world!"

Zhu Yin was speechless. "And then, like Shen Wansan and Hu Xueyan, they'll be slaughtered like pigs, right?"

Ning Caiwei stared with her dark eyes, "Isn't it you who's here? You're the head of the family. With you in power, we're tigers, not pigs. Aren't you just a little tiger?"

Zhu Yin nodded: "Okay, President Ning, what you said makes a lot of sense."

Ning Caiwei smiled radiantly, looking at the two people in the mirror, and whispered playfully in Zhu Yin's ear:
"Although I was able to go back to my childhood and become twenty years younger, I still feel that we are growing too slowly."

"Even if people in ancient times married early, we still have to wait many years. The longer the time goes on, the more things can go wrong, and the greater the risks become."

"If you pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, you'll be like Tang Sanzang's flesh—an absolutely high-quality and scarce asset. Countless high-ranking officials and nobles will want you as their son-in-law."

Zhu Yin: "..."

He initially wanted to say that Ning Caiwei was worrying unnecessarily. But after putting himself in her shoes, he realized that her concerns were valid.

After the two finished their breakfast at the inn, they went to Tianqing Pavilion.

As expected, Tianqing Pavilion has been sealed off.

Zhu Yin inquired and learned that everyone, including the Pavilion Master Hao Zheng, had been arrested by government soldiers during the night.

It is said to be the decree of Haiqing Tianxia.

Since it was Haiqing Tianxia's order, it means that Tianqing Pavilion must have a problem.

Zhu Yin breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that Hao Zheng had been arrested.

With Hao Zheng and Zheng Yuankui arrested together, things became much easier.

He guessed that Old Man Hai must have gone to find the garrison eunuch Tian Yi at this time.

This case involves a series of crimes, including theft of military equipment, theft of books from the Xiaoling Mausoleum in the palace, collusion with the enemy, large-scale trafficking of women and children, and secret rebellion against the Ming Dynasty.

Many officials and eunuchs were also involved.

Without the support of Tian Yi, the garrison eunuch and director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, the case would be difficult to handle.

Zhu Yin knew that Tian Yi was a well-regarded eunuch in history, and was relatively fair and honest.

Clearly, the shrewd and experienced Old Man Hai knew this too. With his experience, he would definitely try to gain Tian Yi's support as soon as possible.

Zhu Yin could rest assured about the cases handled by Hai Rui. The results would definitely be correct.

Even high-ranking cabinet officials couldn't change Hai Rui's decision.

“Let’s go see Magistrate Zhuang,” Zhu Yin said with a smile. “I bought a Jun porcelain brush washer at Tianqing Pavilion last time for three hundred taels of silver. Let’s send it to him.”

Ning Caiwei said with heartache, "Alright, then let's go bribe them together. If Old Man Hai finds out you're doing this, he won't let you in."

Zhu Yin said, "If you don't tell me, and I don't tell you, how will he know?"

The two arrived at the imposing entrance of the county government office, where the bailiff surnamed Zhao immediately smiled upon seeing Zhu Yin.

"Young Master Zhu!" Zhao Hong actually stepped down the steps this time, his pockmarked face beaming with a smile. "Are you here to pay your respects to Master Zan?"

He still vividly remembers what happened seven days ago.

This young master is a nephew of Magistrate Zhuang.

If he didn't try to curry favor with them, wouldn't he be a fool?

"Brother Zhao, don't call me Young Master, it's too formal. Just call me Brother!" Zhu Yin said with a grin.

"It's almost Mid-Autumn Festival, so I came to visit my uncle in advance."

Zhao Hong laughed and said, "When you come out, little brother, I'll treat you to a drink."

As he spoke, he led the two directly into the outer courtyard of the county government office.

Upon arriving at the ceremonial gate, the same arrogant gatekeeper surnamed Sun from last time greeted Zhu Yin with a beaming smile, inviting him inside as if they were old acquaintances.

This time, Zhu Yin actually went straight into the second hall and arrived at the county magistrate's office.

As the main county leader, the county magistrate naturally had his own official residence, independent office area, and his own staff.

When Zhu Yin met Zhuang Tingjian in the study, Zhuang Tingjian was reviewing official documents.

But they didn't seem busy.

"Your son greets Uncle!" Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei bowed respectfully together.

Zhuang Tingjian was very pleased to see Zhu Yin and chuckled:
"Speak of the devil, and he appears. It's quite a coincidence; I was just mentioning you to Fourth Sister this morning, and here you are."

Beside him was a little girl of about ten years old, wearing a pale yellow pleated skirt with a plain brocade jacket with a dark floral pattern, a pearl flower in her dark hair, and a plum blossom decoration between her eyebrows.

This young girl has exquisite features and skin as white as snow; she is truly a rare beauty.

She was wearing a pair of exquisitely embroidered shoes, about three inches in size.

Three-inch golden lotuses!

Zhuang Tingjian smiled and said to her, "Fourth Sister, this is the Zhu Yin that Father mentioned. He was only nine years old when he was given the courtesy name Zhihu."

Upon hearing this, Ning Caiwei's heart skipped a beat, and she narrowed her starry eyes as she looked at the Zhuang family's daughter.

The farmer's daughter happened to look over as well.

The moment the two girls' eyes met, an indescribable feeling quietly arose...

P.S.: There will be an extra chapter for the Alliance Leader tonight, along with a large combined chapter. See you tonight!

(End of this chapter)