Chapter 828 - 59: Water Can Carry a Boat, But Can Also Overturn It

Gu Yi had been quietly observing all of this.

Watching the machines that were gradually becoming more structured, even he couldn’t help but feel a fluctuation in his emotions.

This was indeed a monumental event!

If they could truly enter the steam age, the things that the Gu Clan could accomplish would be far beyond what was possible now!

The increase in productivity, the speed of information exchange...

It could be said that——

As long as they can successfully take this step, all the current limitations on the Gu Clan will be easily resolved!

How could he not look forward to this?

Gu Yi even couldn’t help but think of another question.

Given the current situation, if this "steam age" truly arrives years ahead of time, to what extent will modern changes be?

This will undoubtedly cause earth-shattering changes.

From the perspective of original history, since the steam age,

the whole world has undergone tremendous changes.

And now the emergence of the Gu Clan allows the steam age to arrive years earlier, who can imagine what changes will come from it?

Of course, he naturally also has some concerns.

——The inherent constraints of the system!

Although the Gu Clan seems to have a bright future, in reality, the pressure they bear is increasingly significant.

Whether it’s the leap of the entire Kyushu, or the threshold about to be broken now, all developments are closely related to the entire Gu Clan.

He cannot help but consider all of this.

After all, the whole game’s "rules" are in place, and he doesn’t believe the Gu Clan will continue smoothly.

However, the good news is that now he still holds a divine level item.

To Gu Yi,

He can accept the Gu Clan’s current failures, but as long as there’s a chance left, with the current foundation and reputation of the Gu Clan, there is certainly hope for a comeback!

Similarly, he also has a considerable amount of achievement points at hand.

This is also one of Gu Yi’s greatest confidences!

.....

Time flies by rapidly.

Yingtian Prefecture.

As the current core of the world, relying on Jiangnan’s wealth and the benefits of canal transport, its power is growing stronger.

The city expanded, the streets criss-crossed, shops were lined up in rows, and goods from all directions gathered.

Official boats and merchant vessels on the canal weaved through one another day and night, continuously importing southeastern rice and silk, as well as overseas treasures; in front of the Maritime Trade Supervisor, Goryeo ginseng, Japanese silver, and fragrant Southern Ocean goods were piled high, then distributed throughout Kyushu.

This is the current political center of Kyushu.

And similarly, the political center of all Kyushu.

As the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty.

Gu Lin naturally has always been managing various issues in this Yingtian Prefecture.

He is indeed very skilled at governing.

Especially in the current situation of the world, Gu Lin manages various state affairs very methodically, and with the assistance of a crowd of talents, problems rarely arise.

But things will not always go smoothly.

As Gu Lin gets older, the various contradictions within the Song Court gradually intensify.

No, perhaps it should not be said that it’s because Gu Lin is getting older.

It is because of interests.

At this time, Champion Marquis Mansion.

The atmosphere in the study was several times heavier than usual.

Under the candlelight, not only officials from Jiangnan, but also a few from northern noble families, as well as a few influential officials in the court, were rarely gathered here.

And the target of their repeated visits today is just one thing——the profits of maritime trade!

"Grand Tutor," said an Assistant Minister of Revenue from Jiangnan first, in a respectful tone but with a hidden sharpness, "Now that maritime trade is flourishing, a thousand-ton sea ship traveling to and from the Southern Ocean can bring profits equivalent to a thousand hectares of good land."

"However, the ’special permit’ system of the Maritime Trade Supervisor concentrates the profits excessively, and the people along the southeast coast, as well as merchants across the world who wish to contribute to the court, all look forward to it, willing to exert their efforts to open up sea borders and increase tax sources for the court."

As soon as he finished speaking, an official from a renowned family in Shu Province immediately echoed: "The Assistant Minister is absolutely right."

"Grand Tutor, maritime trade is indeed a benefit to the world."

"Shu brocade, Jingdezhen porcelain, and even northern medicinal materials and furs can be exported overseas via the sea."

"Now, with scarce special permits, many products find no outlet, private capital lies idle, and the transportation via canals to the sea results in unknown losses. If this continues long, it may not be a blessing for the country."

"I humbly ask the Grand Tutor to think carefully!"

Another official overseeing parts of canal transportation also pondered and said: "The pressure on canal transport is increasing daily, with immense losses."

"If some cargo can be diverted to maritime transport, it will indeed lighten the court’s burden."

"However, without enough sea vessels and merchant fleets familiar with the routes, this policy is mere empty talk.

"Grand Tutor, I recommend that you might consider moderately relaxing the restrictions on private shipbuilding and long voyages, which would be mutually beneficial for the country and the people..."

A series of sonorous voices continuously rang out in the hall.

These people have been proposing this matter for many days.

In short, they wanted Gu Lin to completely remove the various limitations on maritime trade.

——Such as having to go through canal transport, or the various reviews by the Maritime Trade Supervisor.

The reason is naturally simple.

Merely for profit.

In fact, the current maritime trade system of the Great Song is already quite mature, with merchants from various places driving the populace through canal transport, finally uniting under the control of the court before going to sea.

The effects that this system can bring will naturally feed countless people.

Not only transporting goods... including the various aspects along the canals.....

All these seemingly trivial matters can actually provide countless people a way to live.

And equally, with reasonable regulations,

the court is also better managing all of this.

Gu Lin cannot completely open up maritime transport, just as Gu Yi will not allow him to do so.