She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 628 - 626: Unthinkable

Chapter 628: Chapter 626: Unthinkable

Jinrong looked at Qi Younian’s slightly smug smile and couldn’t help but chuckle, "You’re just listening to her talk to herself. According to her, those who fail the imperial examination suddenly become capable. If anyone could become an expert simply by picking up a book, wouldn’t everyone in the world be skilled?"

Jiang Yifan smiled without saying a word, although Ah Yan’s statement was a bit exaggerated, the previous Zhou Biyao was indeed an example. With just a book and instructions from those around her, she had become a standout in the industry.

Qi Younian also listened with a smile. In the world, there were people like his granddaughter, and of course, there would be those outstanding people who fail the imperial examinations, as described by his granddaughter, but they are only the minority.

His own granddaughter, although not a man and not having gone through the examinations, was undoubtedly one of those exceedingly rare exceptional individuals. And he, this old man, was extremely fortunate to acknowledge such an outstanding granddaughter.

Jiang Yifan hadn’t discussed this matter with Qi Younian in detail and asked curiously, "Training one’s own team in the capital is indeed important, but the master craftsmen there are not easy to maintain, their treatment in various households should be quite good. The old master has only recently joined the Construction Industry in the capital, without a reputation in this field, how can you make people stay with you for the long term?"

Speaking of this, Qi Younian was confident, "To retain highly skilled craftsmen, you rely on wages, treatment, and prospects. Secondly, it’s the character and reputation of the employer. Our character and reputation go without saying, and if the Construction Business becomes one of the top-notch industries of the Great Xia Dynasty, with wages and treatment to match, having such a steady job, they wouldn’t leave even if you asked them to."

He didn’t dare to express the full extent of his thoughts in front of Prince Yu and Jiang Yifan; his Ye Zi had put it plainly, aiming to make the Construction Business one of the top businesses in the world. In this, he had no doubts. The top businesses in the world, would they lack skilled craftsmen?

Jinrong, however, was noncommittal about Qi Younian’s words. If one could become a top industry in the world, of course, there would be excellent craftsmen who would willingly join. But becoming a top industry in the world is extremely tough.

The Qi Family Construction Business was doing well in Yuyuan Prefecture and Qingyuan County, which was a fortunate coincidence, as he had come across the opportunity to build a residence, providing him with a chance to showcase his skills. Even then, over the following years, the Qi Family Construction Business mostly engaged in small projects. Although it now had a considerable scale, it was still just one among many in Yuyuan Prefecture, not quite at the pinnacle.

Seeing Jinrong’s silence, Qi Younian continued, "Our Ye Zi has some unconventional ideas, a child with ambition..."

Qi Younian shared with Jinrong and Jiang Yifan the perspectives once expressed by Ye Xinyan, namely, the belief that for the court and the people, an outstanding craftsman was far much more advantageous and could push the historical process forward more than an outstanding scholar.

"Ye Zi once said, if every generation of the Craftsmanship Sector could produce one or a few outstanding craftsmen, those who can create new and practical tools. Such practical tools, over time, could advance efficiency in all aspects of industry and agriculture worldwide, and even more so, stimulate and expand the thinking of future craftsmen, which is far more beneficial than scholars or famous scholars wielding their pens for hundreds of years."

After Qi Younian finished speaking, he gave Jiang Yifan a bow, apologetically saying, "Ye Zi was discussing the general phenomenon, not including scholars like Lord Jiang. If all scholars in the world were like Lord Jiang, knowledgeable in practical matters and carrying out real work, that would be a great fortune indeed."

Jinrong pondered over Qi Younian’s words, mulling over Ye Xinyan’s views on craftsmen and scholars in his mind, his thoughts growing even heavier.

Throughout the ages, the court has always highly valued scholars, being especially stringent in the imperial examination to ensure absolute meritocracy, in hopes of not overlooking talented individuals. This was also to give scholars the confidence that if they studied well, they would have a day to stand out.

In comparison, whether the craftsmen and skilled workers were literate or had any scholarly knowledge, once they entered the Craftsmanship Sector, no matter how excellent the craftsman, they would fall into a category deemed insignificant and without prospects.

Just like the commonly quoted saying: "All trades are beneath contempt, only scholarship is esteemed." In the eyes of the world, only scholarly success is considered the most noble and glorious.

However, Ye Xinyan proposed a completely different theory, and this theory, starkly contrasting with the main current of thought at the court, sounded so reasonable.

Even if reasonable, how could the deeply ingrained perception in people’s hearts change so easily? Especially with so many scholars in power, how could they possibly give up their esteemed and exalted status?

Jinrong looked towards Jiang Yifan.

Clearly, this was the first time Jiang Yifan had heard this argument as well, and he was looking back at Jinrong.

Jinrong asked, "What do you think of this argument?"

Qi Younian looked at them both, somewhat surprised. After all, it was just Ye Zi’s opinion; as a craftsman, he naturally supported his granddaughter’s viewpoint.

But what did these two mean? One aspired to the ultimate position in the Great Xia Dynasty, the other was a standout among scholars and intended to reach the pinnacle of the official career. What did the plight of craftsmen have to do with them, since it naturally related more to the employers who hired the craftsmen?

Seeing that Jiang Yifan was also serious, after hearing Jinrong’s question, he actually thought carefully before speaking, "If the accomplished craftsmen Ye Zi mentioned are those who can create devices like hand-pulled hoists and hoisting machines, or conceive of methods of rail transport, then indeed, they are more useful to the court and the people than scholars."

Qi Younian’s eyes widened, his beard almost curling up from surprise. Was Lord Jiang, a scholar, actually agreeing with Ye Zi’s view, elevating the role of craftsmen to such a high level?

Jinrong continued with a piercing gaze, "Since ancient times, though such craftsmen have been few, they have existed—like those who created the threshing machine, waterwheel, and loom. Their contributions cannot be said to be insignificant, yet they have not received the honor or position they deserve."

When Qi Younian heard this, he snapped back to reality, nodding repeatedly in agreement with Jinrong, and his eyes also showed a glimmer of hope. Sixth Master was someone involved in the struggle for the crown; if he ultimately assumed that position, Qi Younian wondered if what Sixth Master said today could benefit craftsmen throughout the world.

Jinrong turned back and asked Qi Younian, "In that case, Ye Zi places great importance on craftsmen. What kind of treatment is she planning to give them?"

Considering the future of the Construction Industry and possibly the entire Craftsmanship Sector, Qi Younian answered more cautiously.

"When I initially planned to start the construction business, Ye Zi had said that she wanted to build one of the greatest construction businesses under the heavens, to ensure craftsmen could receive the remuneration and respect they deserved from our business. She hopes that in the future, the Craftsmanship Sector can become a respected trade, and more exceptional individuals will be willing to enter this industry."

Qi Younian paused, then looked at Jinrong and said, "Ye Zi said, if more intelligent people are willing to dedicate themselves to research in the Craftsmanship Sector, and fully utilize their ingenuity, it could increase the efficiency of construction and agriculture in the world by several or even dozens of times, reaching a level beyond what one could imagine."