After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 635 The Ideals and Aspirations of the Working Class

“Your Highness, as we said before, the first Zhenhai was just a trial run. To take over Japan’s silver mine in one fell swoop, one ship is far from enough.”

"But sir, this one ship took more than half a year to build. It will probably take several years to build ten ships."

"Then we'll recruit shipbuilding craftsmen nationwide. Those experienced craftsmen from last time can be divided into small teams, each leading a group of craftsmen."

Building ten ships simultaneously won't take much longer than building one.

Jiang Xiaoqi believed that if they started now, the ten ships could be completed by next spring. Then, when the main force set off, they could take down the still weak Japan in one fell swoop.

"Sir, won't this make too much noise?"

"Your Highness, His Majesty already knows you've returned to normal. So, isn't it perfectly normal for you to want to do what you want to do now that you're back to normal?"

"The pressure on Lord Qiu will increase significantly, so we need to send more people to help Qiu Cheng."

"We also have manpower readily available. If Your Highness trusts us, my Jiang family has several capable young men, as well as my five brothers-in-law, all of whom are competent."

Furthermore, the six scholars whom Lord Qiu once sponsored have all passed the imperial examinations and are now serving as officials in the court. Your Highness could choose a few to assist Lord Qiu.”

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaoqi's words, the Second Prince instantly understood that his master intended to mobilize the entire Jiang family to help him.

Actually, the Second Prince had already thought of this when Jiang Xiaoqi recommended his own confidant.

It seems that taking this risky step was the right decision, and the gentleman has finally decided to go all in.

Jiang Xiaoqi decided to take a gamble even earlier, dating back to when His Majesty was poisoned.

Jiang Xiaoqi had always felt that there was something fishy about the poisoning incident, but since His Majesty himself had accepted that it was a misunderstanding and had not allowed anyone to continue the investigation, it was even more difficult for him, who seemed to be an outsider, to say anything.

He also had his own selfish motives in recommending his family to the Second Prince today.

My mother wrote that she will be arriving in the capital soon. After she returns, only my eldest sister and her husband's family will be left in the capital.

Although Linhai County has become increasingly prosperous under the leadership of my brother-in-law, it is still too far away.

After nearly six years of experience in a coastal county town, who could be more suitable than my brother-in-law Dong Jin to assist with shipbuilding, testing, and sea voyages at Tongzhou Wharf?

“What you say makes sense. It is really difficult for Qiu Cheng to manage the construction of ten ships by himself. However, as far as I know, my father wants to transfer Lord Li and Lord Xue to the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Justice, respectively.”

Li Haisheng and Xue Xu were highly regarded by His Majesty, even more so than Jiang Xiaoqi later. Perhaps the Emperor intended to reserve Jiang Xiaoqi for his own son, so he was not particularly close to him.

This is also a way of being an emperor: those who are too trusted by the previous emperor may not be trusted and relied upon by the successor.

"This humble subject also knows that my second and third brother-in-laws are indeed going to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Personnel, respectively. It is a special favor from His Majesty."

"I am not familiar with the younger generation of the Jiang family. Please make the arrangements as you see fit, sir. Just give me their names when the time comes."

"Actually, the person I most want to transfer here is my eldest brother-in-law. He has served as the magistrate of Linhai County for more than five years and has made Linhai County increasingly prosperous."

Moreover, Linhai County is located by the sea, and its residents have a better understanding of maritime affairs, which would be of greater help in shipbuilding and setting sail.

The Second Prince hadn't remembered that Jiang Xiaoqi's brother-in-law was the magistrate of Linhai County, but he admired the Jiang family for their skill in choosing a son-in-law.

While they may not have captured all the talented young people, they certainly selected families that suited their tastes perfectly.

"Linhai County, is that the Linhai County that Fourth Brother stole the official ship to go to?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaoqi felt awkward for a moment, since this matter seemed to have something to do with her.

Bah! What does this have to do with him? It's just the Fourth Prince having a fit of hysteria!

"Um, it's Linhai County, which is also my second brother-in-law's hometown."

"What a coincidence! A small county like Linhai produced a top scholar, and even a prince went so far as to steal an official ship to visit him."

Could it be a blessed land with outstanding people and beautiful scenery?

Your Highness, it seems your focus has strayed a bit!

Jiang Xiaoqi was speechless, but since the Second Prince had just recovered from a serious illness, she should give way to him.

"Sir, Magistrate Dong has a good track record in Linhai County, so why hasn't he been transferred yet?"

"Well... in the past, we never managed to curry favor with someone like Your Highness. Even if we had achievements, we still had to wait in line. The Ministry of Personnel isn't run by my family; it's run by Your Highness."

"Hahahaha, when did you become so mischievous, sir? Lord Xue is about to be transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. They are brothers-in-law, so the Ministry of Personnel can be considered to have a share for your family."

"Hey~ How can you compare working people and sugar daddies? The Ministry of Personnel is still the Ministry of Personnel of the Great Zhou Dynasty, His Majesty's Ministry of Personnel, and in the future, His Highness's Ministry of Personnel."

"Working class? Sugar daddy? These are novel terms. Simple, clear, and catchy. Did you make up these terms yourself, sir?"

"Well, you could say that. Officials in the court, servants in the palace, and guards in front of the emperor—aren't they all just working people? His Majesty the Emperor is the benefactor of all of them."

Therefore, whether for the sake of livelihood or future prospects, working for one's benefactor is only natural.

The second prince seemed to be thinking about this, and then nodded: "This is also similar to taking someone's money to solve their problems, but it's normal. Everyone in the world is busy for profit."

"Yes."

"This makes a lot of things clear. Sometimes, the so-called working class no longer pledges loyalty to their employers, either because they are not paid enough or because they see no hope of promotion."

Therefore, employers don't need to worry too much about betrayal. As long as the money is paid properly, rewards are given where deserved, and promotions are given where appropriate, there's no need to fear employees neglecting their duties.

"Has Your Highness understood?"

"Following the teacher, I always understand many seemingly complicated things from some strange perspectives. I guess I've come to enlightenment?"

"But sir, you'll be spending over a million taels of silver on shipbuilding. As a laborer, isn't that a losing proposition?"

Jiang Xiaoqi shook her head: "For working people who are short of money, of course, the higher the salary, the better. But for working people who are not short of money, what they want is something more expensive than money."

For example, realizing one's life ambitions, achieving one's life ideals, or fulfilling the grand goal of bringing prosperity to one's family—aren't these all more difficult than acquiring more money?

"So, your ideal is to go to Japan to mine silver?"

Jiang Xiaoqi's lips curled slightly. It's not as simple as just mining silver.

First, impose economic sanctions on them, then enslave them ideologically and culturally, whether they are assimilated or enslaved...

Anyway, a few hundred years from now, there won't be a country where people are living a comfortable life!