Chapter 764: Chapter 586: Decay of the Imperial Commerce Bureau
August 12th.
Emperor Yanping issued a decree, Yang Mingcheng inherited the title and officially became Marquis Jing’an of Da Rong.
In the main courtyard of the Yang family, Yang Mingcheng changed into a Qilin robe, with the belief that just like Buddha relies on gold, a person relies on clothes. Once clad in the Qilin robe, Yang Mingcheng immediately appeared majestic and distinguished.
Ms. Wang adjusted Yang Mingcheng’s clothing and was smiling so broadly that her teeth were showing.
"Dad, do you think these clothes fit well?" she asked Yang Zhenshan, seemingly without a clue.
Yang Zhenshan was almost rendered speechless by her.
His wife was good in many ways, but sometimes she seemed a bit petty.
Getting promoted and rich was considered a great joy in Ms. Wang’s eyes.
Her husband becoming a marquis made her overwhelmingly happy.
It was a matter of perspective; although Ms. Wang was enjoying wealth and prestige now, her inherent pettiness had not faded.
Of course, Yang Zhenshan wouldn’t get mad at her about this, as Ms. Wang was good in all other aspects.
"Mmm, not bad, you really do look like a marquis!" Yang Zhenshan didn’t sing discordant notes, stroking his beard and smiling.
Yang Mingcheng laughed naively, "Why do I feel somewhat uncomfortable?"
"Uncomfortable? I think it looks great!" Ms. Wang immediately responded discontentedly.
The clothing wasn’t on her, so naturally, she wouldn’t feel the discomfort; she just enjoyed the look of it.
Yang Zhenshan laughed: "It’s too cumbersome, indeed uncomfortable to wear!"
Yang Mingcheng took a few steps, nodding, "Exactly, I can’t even practice martial arts wearing this!"
Although the Qilin robe was gorgeous, its excessive ornamentation made it unsuitable for daily wear.
Indeed, Yang Zhenshan rarely wore his Qilin robe.
"I’ll change out of it!" As Yang Mingcheng spoke, he headed towards the side chamber.
"Ah, why change out of it? I think it looks great, just wear it!"
Ms. Wang quickly followed him.
Seeing this, Yu Qingyi couldn’t help but laugh, "Tomorrow let her wear the Marchioness’s mantle, and see if she still likes it!"
Yang Zhenshan also laughed.
The costumes for noble women were even more complex, with over twenty different kinds of head ornaments alone, making them feel like they were carrying a large pot on their head; and the garments were incredibly complicated, with "dropping collars", "seven utilities", and various other accessories, restricting swift movement.
Wearing such outfits daily would indeed be intolerably uncomfortable.
While the two were talking, Lu Shou entered the hall and said, "Marquis, Old Master Luo is here!"
Yang Zhenshan stood up and said, "I’ll go to the front courtyard first!"
"Mmm!" Yu Qingyi nodded.
In the front courtyard, Luo Shang and Luo Zhen were sitting in the teahouse waiting.
Upon Yang Zhenshan’s entrance, both stood up quickly and bowed, "Greetings to Old Marquis!"
The title had been passed down to Yang Mingcheng, who was now the Marquis, making Yang Zhenshan the Old Marquis, and Yang Chengye became an officially recognized young marquis.
"Take a seat!"
Yang Zhenshan casually sat down by the tea table, leaning lazily against the soft seat.
He looked at Luo Shang and Luo Zhen; Luo Shang’s hair had turned all white, and he seemed to be in poor health today.
"Is there something wrong?" Yang Zhenshan asked.
Luo Shang hesitated before sighing deeply, "Old Marquis, the Imperial Commerce Bureau might be in trouble!"
Yang Zhenshan was startled and looked at him bewildered, "What could possibly go wrong with the Imperial Commerce Bureau?"
The Imperial Commerce Bureau was like a cash pouch for Emperor Yanping and the Ministry of Revenue, contributing tens of millions of taels of silver each year. In the eyes of both Emperor Yanping and the Ministry of Revenue officials, the Bureau was a treasured asset. Neither the Emperor nor the officials would allow anything to go wrong with it.
And the Bureau’s situation had been quite good these past two years. Although the profit margins from the glass business were decreasing, glass products had become widely accessible to the populace, with the cheapest products selling for a few taels of silver, affordable even for rural rich folks.
Although the profits were reducing, the market was expanding, and the Imperial Commerce Bureau was still able to earn substantial amounts of Silver Coin through the glass business.
As long as there were no issues with the glass business, the Bureau shouldn’t be facing major problems.
Luo Shang looked bitter, "Old Marquis might not be aware, but since last year the Bureau’s revenue started to decline. Two years ago, the Bureau’s annual revenue exceeded thirteen million taels, last year it only reached eleven point eight million, and this year it might even fall below ten million!"
Yang Zhenshan was even more astonished, "Why is that?"
This made no sense!
The revenue of the Imperial Commerce Bureau was expected to increase, not decline.
Not just the glass business, but also maritime trade; the Bureau also controlled a sizeable portion of maritime trade industries.
Moreover, as the Bureau intervened in maritime trade, Da Rong’s maritime industries were booming. From Liaodong to Jiangnan, extending to Fuhai, the scale of coastal maritime trade was growing larger, generating increasing profits.
Luo Shang explained, "First, a large number of private glass workshops have emerged among the common folks, and second, there are problems within the Bureau itself."
"Wait, didn’t the court forbid private glass workshops?" Yang Zhenshan interjected.
Luo Shang said helplessly, "The court forbids it, but that can’t stop those blinded by greed! Not only are they privately running glass workshops, but they are also using the Bureau’s channels to sell glass products!"
"The Wang family, the Qi family, the Zhang family, the Lin family have all been deeply involved, even Zhen Yang can no longer resist, and I have also received numerous threats!"
Yang Zhenshan fell silent.
Controlling the glass business wasn’t due to those glass workshops, but due to the immense sales channels of the six Imperial Merchants.
In reality, private glass workshops had been around for a while, but lacking sales channels and facing the court’s prohibition, these illicit workshops were only marginally operational in certain places.