Yang Ruxin’s gaze flickered for a mont. She had heard of overseas rchant ships long ago. Back when she was admiring the plum blossoms at the Shen Family estate, she had witnessed their extravagant use of glass to decorate the Warm Pavilion. At the ti, Wei Yao had even volunteered to ask her father if he could procure so glass for her. However, the Wei Family’s connections were limited, so they couldn’t manage it.
She had also thought about asking the Eighth Prince, but later beca so preoccupied with other matters that she forgot.
Now, Hao Jian had brought her a pocket watch. Could this an he had access to Western objects like glass?
Hao Jian saw Yang Ruxin’s expression and knew the gift had hit the mark. His grin beca even brighter. "Sis, if there’s anything else you like, just let know and I’ll help you get it. I’ve heard they also have sound-making boxes, needles that can point south, and other amazing things from over there..."
Yang Ruxin raised her eyes. "Do they have that transparent, colorless glass? It’s also called glass."
Hao Jian blinked quickly a couple of tis. "Sis, you want that?"
"Can you get it?" Yang Ruxin raised her brow slightly.
"I’ll have to ask my father." Hao Jian scratched his head awkwardly.
"Alright then." Yang Ruxin nodded. "Go ask him. As long as you can get it, silver won’t be an issue... Thanks for the gift; I really like it."
Hao Jian’s eyes lit up. "Glad you like it, Sis."
"By the way, do you know which rchant family’s ship your family invested in?" Yang Ruxin handed the item to Du Man to hold before chatting with Hao Jian as they walked.
"My dad did tell that. It’s the ng Family’s ship." Hao Jian looked rather smug. "Let tell you, this ti four ships set sail, but two were lost along the way. My father’s investnt was in the one that made it..."
"The ng Family?"
"Yeah. The ng Family is now the top leader in Jiangnan’s mariti shipping." Hao Jian’s face was filled with envy. "So many people want to invest in their ships, but they don’t accept anyone without connections."
Yang Ruxin appeared deep in thought.
"My dad also said, even though the Imperial Court hasn’t officially opened mariti shipping, the officials in the southern regions just turn a blind eye. So even hold shares themselves..." Hao Jian leaned closer to Yang Ruxin while speaking. "The mariti shipping and canal transportation in Jiangnan are controlled by the four major families. In the past, the Chu Family and Duo Family were evenly matched, but later, the Duo Family withdrew, the Chu Family declined, and then the ng Family rose to prominence... Sis, I heard the ng Family has soone powerful backing them."
Yang Ruxin stopped walking and looked at Hao Jian. "Do you know who’s backing the ng Family?"
"They say it’s soone connected to the Crown Prince..."
"The Crown Prince?" Yang Ruxin frowned.
Hao Jian nodded. "That’s why the ng Family’s ships aren’t inspected by the Governor’s Office. They ship our tea, silk, and porcelain overseas, and I’ve heard the prices triple or quintuple over there. anwhile, the goods they bring back are mostly transported directly to Beijing, where the prices are even higher. Just look at this pocket watch; it’s selling for a thousand silver taels each in Beijing, and you can’t even get your hands on one..."
"Alright, got it." Yang Ruxin felt uneasy but didn’t say anything further. Instead, she laughed and patted Hao Jian on the shoulder. "Why have you lost weight?" She changed the subject.
"My cousin said if I can slim down to less than 150 pounds, she’ll marry ..." Hao Jian suddenly beca bashful, scratching his head.
"Ah, the power of love. Not bad..." Yang Ruxin nodded. "Keep it up. Believe , you’ll definitely win the beauty’s heart in the end."
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