The most arrogant in history

Chapter 811: Incompetent.

Gongsun Erniang smiled and said:

"People in the civilian world have to work, and it is inconvenient to wear formal clothes and long gowns, so many people wear short clothes. The new clothes designed by the emperor, with separate jackets and pants, are very popular among the people."

The new clothes that Gongsun Erniang mentioned were all designed by Ye Kun.

In other words, Ye Kun copied the style of later generations.

There are casual clothes and Mao suits.

There are also jackets with zippers.

Few of the nobles in Zhuo County wore it, as they thought that the two-piece dress was not dignified enough.

Especially the hem of the clothes, which does not cover the buttocks, is suspected to be indecent.

Ye Kun was at a loss whether to laugh or cry at these statements and opinions, and was powerless to refute them, so he just let them go.

I originally wanted to design jeans, but I really didn’t dare.

Those jeans that are tight on the buttocks and show off the body contours, once they are put on the market, won’t they be criticized to death by those sanctimonious hypocrites?

Thinking of this, Ye Kun smiled bitterly and said, "The new clothes I designed can save fabrics and make life more convenient. But some old stubborn people don't accept it and even talk about me. Changing customs is a big deal, so let's take it slowly."

"Brother, don't be discouraged. The customs of the people have changed a lot without you noticing."

Gongsun Erniang comforted Ye Kun and said, "Take funerals as an example. In the past few years, lavish burials were the norm. Now, the imperial court has vigorously promoted and guided the public to live lavishly and bury simply, and the people have responded. Nowadays, folk funerals usually have three to five tables of guests and ordinary food and wine. The burial objects are even simpler, just a few pieces of clothing that the deceased carried with him."

Ye Kun felt a little relieved: "That's right. When a person dies, everything is empty. There is no need to prepare any burial objects."

Gongsun Erniang continued, "Jiangdong is rich and prosperous, especially many merchants, who make a lot of money by going to sea or the Grand Canal, and are still quite extravagant. Especially in the Jinling area, weddings and funerals are all quite wasteful.

Last year, two families married at the same time, competing with each other for wealth. The Zhang family used bright red Sichuan brocade to cover a twelve-mile area as a carpet; the Wang family built a twelve-mile railway and used horses to pull a train as a sedan chair for the bride.

"Oh my god, that's not so exaggerated, is it?"

Ye Kun was shocked.

A twelve-mile road paved with bright red Shu brocade and a twelve-mile private railway, how much does it cost?

Even the imperial family does not have such luxury!

Gongsun Erniang smiled bitterly: "This is absolutely true, I saw it with my own eyes."

Ye Kun frowned: "The local officials didn't stop it? Logically speaking, building a twelve-mile railway cannot be completed overnight. The local officials should be aware of it."

"The government was aware of this and tried to dissuade them."

Gongsun Erniang smiled and said, "But both parties have brought the emperor out."

"Carry me out? What does that mean?" Ye Kun was puzzled.

Gongsun Erniang explained: "The parties involved argued with the government, saying that it was the emperor's original words that the common people can do anything unless prohibited by law. The court laws do not prohibit the common people from building railways, nor do they prohibit the use of silk to make carpets..."

"These two unruly people are really speaking out of turn."

Ye Kun chuckled: "But I also said that the law also states that if the law does not prohibit something, it can be done on the premise that it does not violate public order and morality.

These two families were extravagant and had a bad influence on the customs of the people. This was contrary to the thrift and diligence advocated by the imperial court. The imperial court could have restrained them. "

"Ordinarily, that's right."

Gongsun Erniang nodded: "The local officials and I have discussed this matter. I think the emperor wants to develop the economy and be lenient to others, so I tolerated it."

Ye Kun pondered and said, "It seems that there are still many wealthy families in Jiangnan and the coastal areas. Is our taxation a little too light?"

The merchants made a fortune either by evading taxes or because the taxes were too light.

"Taxes on maritime and canal transport are indeed very low."

Gongsun Erniang said: "The tax on sea transportation is low. The emperor is encouraging private capital to enter the shipping industry in order to immigrate overseas. However, the tax on inland water transport, as well as railway taxes and freight rates, can be appropriately increased.

The current water transport and railway routes are mature, and merchants are highly dependent on water transport and railway transportation. "

"Very good. I will suggest to the Ministry of Finance and Taxation to increase the shipping fees and taxes for grain transport."

Ye Kun nodded.

It would be great if I could collect more money from the rich businessmen.

Gongsun Erniang's work report lasted for two hours.

Before leaving, Ye Kun suddenly said, "By the way, Junior Sister, I plan to step down as the leader of the Mohist School and let the prince be the next leader. What do you think?"

"Is the emperor planning to transfer power?" Gongsun Erniang understood immediately.

"Yes, I want to support Crown Prince Ye Feng, let him establish his prestige and control the overall situation."

Ye Kun sighed: "Junior sister, this is my selfish desire, I admit it. But under the current situation, I can only give up my status as a great master to the prince to stabilize the situation.

If I select another great man, power will be dispersed in the future, which will be detrimental to governing the country. It is more likely to cause disagreements and even internal strife, returning to the situation of war among the princes, and plunging the people into dire straits. "

"Brother, I understand you."

Gongsun Erniang also sighed slightly: "The hereditary emperor is unfair to others. But at present, it is still the best choice to prevent ambitious people from taking advantage of it. I am willing to assist the prince and cooperate with his work."

"Thank you, junior sister."

Ye Kun bowed deeply: "I owe many people a lot of favors for my journey to where I am today. But I feel that I owe Junior Sister and Junior Sister Ding Ding the most. You have always been taking risks without asking for anything. The great way is for all, and only you and Ding Ding have truly achieved it. I, a disciple of the Mohist School, am not qualified for this job."

Gongsun Erniang returned the greeting and said with a smile, "Because Ding Ding and I are true disciples of the Mohist school. But Senior Brother is not."

Ye Kun was stunned, then smiled bitterly and said, "I know, I can't hide it from the two junior sisters. I was indeed pretending to be a disciple of the Mohist School, but it turns out I wasn't. But now I am learning the culture and essence of the Mohist School, so I should be considered a Mohist."

"Even if you are a Mohist."

Gongsun Erniang paused and stared at Ye Kun: "Brother, I am still very curious, where did you get all this knowledge from?"

"It was a dream. This is the only explanation I can give for it."

Ye Kun scratched his head and said, “When I was in Caomiao Village, Pingye County, I had a very long dream. I dreamed that I was living in a world 1,800 years later.

In that world, technology was very advanced and there was a lot of knowledge. In my dream, I learned a lot of things, including astronomy, geography, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and all my inventions. Even the poems and songs I wrote were learned in that dream. "

"Eighteen hundred years later? A thousand years in a dream?"

"Yes, a dream spans a thousand years."

Gongsun Erniang became even more curious and asked, "Brother, do you still remember what the world looked like in your dream 1,800 years later? Can you tell me about it?"