She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 629 - 627 Give Up A Lot

Chapter 629: Chapter 627 Give Up A Lot

Inconceivable? Jinrong furrowed his brows.

Yet, Jiang Yifan knew that the world Ye Xinyan spoke of, for the present times, could indeed be defined as inconceivable.

He explained to Jinrong, "What Ye Zi probably means is that if the talented people of the world weren’t all competing for success in the imperial examinations but instead some devoted themselves to mastering craftsmen’s skills, then the world would continuously see the emergence of ingenious devices such as rail transportation, hand-operated hoists, and screw-cutting lathes, perhaps even more refined and unexpected devices based on the skills of predecessors. When that time arrives, everyone’s actions and everything they use will be of such wondrous invention that the world would truly be deemed inconceivable."

Jinrong strained to envision what such a world would be like and said in confusion, "Everyone in the whole world using unimaginably ingenious devices?"

Jiang Yifan nodded and said, "Indeed. If you had not seen it with your own eyes, could you have imagined that a small piece of iron could actually lift a weight of a thousand jin? Could you have pictured a piece of iron being transformed into a uniformly threaded rod on a workstation, capable of interlocking tightly? Could you have imagined that in just one daylight hour, Jiwang’s military provisions could be transported to the key town in Liaoyuan Prefecture?

If this continues, in a few hundred years, the earthly paradise that people dream of might just appear. Everyone in the world would have enough to eat and warm clothes to wear, ordinary people could ride vehicles as swift as the wind, and the Immortal Realm’s all-seeing eyes and all-hearing ears would become commonly used items by the people..."

"Could there really be such a day?" Jinrong was full of skepticism, yet thinking of the things that had been created in Clear Water Village, if all the world’s ingenious minds dedicated themselves to the craft of mechanics, after years of immersion, perhaps that day really could come.

"Does Ye Zi believe that by raising the wages of craftsmen, the lot of craftsmen can be changed, making the people of the world willing to commit to handicraft skills?" Jinrong asked.

Qi Younian nodded and said, "There’s an old saying, ’Man dies in pursuit of wealth, and birds die in pursuit of food.’ The common people toil their whole lives mostly for food and warmth. If engaging in craftsmanship could bring them substantial reward and a carefree life, no doubt many more people would be willing to become craftsmen and more would be willing to delve into this field.

And if those with great contributions or outstanding achievements could enjoy the honors and fame of renowned scholars and masters, certainly, more clever individuals would be willing to strive for that honor."

Jinrong listened and was moved, but on further thought, he realized this was no simple feat to accomplish overnight. Shaking his head, he said, "The old gentleman oversimplifies. Learning a skill is not that easy; it requires the master-apprentice tradition. The saying that ’the master starves as soon as he has passed on his skills to the apprentice’ is widely circulated in the Craftsmanship Sector, which shows that skills are not easy to master."

Jinrong, who had previously exerted himself in the area of mechanisms and ingenious devices to appear more like an idle prince, had had more contact with craftsmen and knew the rules of the Craftsmanship Sector and the craftsman’s mindset better than others, which led to his comments.

Qi Younian paused, met the earnest gazes of the other two, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "What if the court and the various levels of yamen took charge? If they collected all kinds of skills from the common folk, and if there were individual craftsmen with outstanding skills, the government could buy them at a high price. Then categorize them, compile into books, preserved and distributed by official means wouldn’t that lessen the situation Sixth Master spoke of? Those craftsmen fond of research, possessing books, would also have a basis to delve deeper.

Alternatively, crafts could also be taught through the model of schools. Today’s schools aim to educate scholars for imperial exams, while craft schools would exist to teach crafts as a livelihood. If done to perfection, one could still achieve honors, and it seems likely that many would be willing to attend school. Uh... When it comes to learning a craft, hands-on ability is very important, so half-work, half-study programs could be implemented, allowing even students from poorer families to afford education."

This method was suggested by Ye Xinyan, but as it involved the court, the government, and schooling, Qi Younian was uncertain whether such a method might have any taboos, which is why he didn’t mention Ye Xinyan.

Jinrong’s eyes flickered for a moment, and he nodded thoughtfully before lowering his gaze and falling silent.

After bidding farewell and leaving the Qi Family Courtyard, Jinrong walked alongside Jiang Yifan, saying, "Ye Zi’s view on things is still so novel and precise, and his analysis of the role craftsmen play in this world is spot-on. There’s merit in it."

Jiang Yifan grunted in response, also quietly reflecting. If a small part of the world’s intelligent scholars were willing to dedicate the same strenuous effort they used for scholarly studies to the art of craftsmanship, could their Great Xia Dynasty one day reach the advanced heights of Ye Zi’s previous life?

Jinrong continued, "It’s quite obvious, yet no one mentioned it before. Is it because those who have a voice in the Imperial Court come from scholarly backgrounds and, with their sense of superiority, unconsciously resist and look down upon those who live by manual labor? Or is it for the benefit of their own group, intentionally diminishing the role craftsmen have played in the course of history?"

Jiang Yifan glanced at the distant and nearby guards, then said softly, "That’s why we have to try even harder. Sixth Master can change this situation, and under Sixth Master’s governance, ensure that the craftsmanship sector is no longer looked down upon. Let the whole world benefit from the work of artisans, and let our Great Xia Dynasty be one step ahead in its dominance of the Four Seas."

Jinrong squinted, casting his gaze into the distance. When he was young, he fought for that supreme position for his Royal Mother. As he grew up, he did it for her and to realize his own ambitions. Now, he knew he could also do it for the entire world and all its people, be they scholars, craftsmen, farmers, or merchants.

The two walked in silence out of the alley. As they were about to part ways, Jinrong suddenly stopped and turned to look at Jiang Yifan.

Jiang Yifan stopped as well, surprised, and turned to Jinrong. Seeing the unprecedented gravity on his face, he couldn’t help but ask, "What’s the matter? Does Sixth Master have any other orders?"

Wasn’t it time for everyone to go back to their own homes? This was the capital city, and as an Assistant Manager of the Ministry of Personnel who was also a prince, it wouldn’t be proper for him to have private drinks and talks with a minor official from the Ministry of Revenue, would it?

Jinrong’s expression remained serious as he said, "I no longer have a chance. Therefore, you must treat her well. If you ever betray her, I won’t let you off, even if I have to bear the infamy of the whole world."

He was destined to have no chance at that position, as he had to give up a lot, and that woman was one of those many things.

Jinrong did not specify who "she" was, but both he and Jiang Yifan knew clearly in their hearts.

Jiang Yifan looked at Jinrong with resolute eyes, "Sixth Master can rest assured, I will not give Sixth Master an opportunity to bear any infamy."

Jiang Yifan also didn’t ask Jinrong what exactly he meant by treating her well. But he knew, and could assure, that he could treat Ah Yan well in every way. He would not give anyone a chance to criticize him.