Kapitel 258: Ministry of Revenue

The Ministry of Revenue was not far off from the primary entrance of the Baishi Mall. Like the entrance, it was a pagoda, except it was shorter and wider. Rather than red with gold, it was white with black accents. The pagoda rose several stories high, its tiered roof of sweeping eaves that curved upwards towards the sky. Flanking the entrance were two stone lion statues.

Kazi and David were intercepted by two guards in yellow fancy gis. No doubt now, this property belonged to the the Imperial Sect.

"State your purpose."

David showed a white parchment with black text: a Geas of Service, stamped forty days ago.

Kazi beamed at them, confident and not one bit nervous. He was supposed to be here, so why be nervous? "We await Prince Yuzin."

The two guards nodded and gave way to them. "Enter. Prince Yuzin will be waiting at the top floor."

So they walked and walked and walked. Apparently, there were only stairs in this building, forcing them to witness the chaos of every floor. Lots of desks, lots of people, and lots of Dove Pigeons swooping in and out. Surprisingly, the place was quiet. Dasha surmised this place functioned as a support center for owners and workers of the Baishi Mall, which housed over two thousand stores, on top of everything else.

The staircase went in a spiral at the edges of the interior. There was some resistance as they made their way up to the office of Prince Yuzi, some questions on who they were and why they were here.

"An appointment with Prince Yuzin," Kazi would say, flashing the letter, and everytime they would let him through. Not every floor was guarded but it appeared the vital ones were.

Five minutes of walking up stairs later and they arrived at the seventh and final floor. Lavish furnishings and decorations befitting the stature of a Prince of the Second Rank came into sight. The bookshelves were filled with accounting records. Every room had been but this was different.

The prince stood on top of a desk of carved lacquer. His posture was impeccable, his back straight and his legs crossed in a traditional lotus position. He was as still as the four stacks of paper surrounding him. His face was framed by a neatly trimmed moustache.

"State your names."

David stepped up to the plate. "David Tremblay and my friend, Kazi."

Prince Yuzin's eyes were shut. "State your purpose. Are you a manager in the Baishi Mall?"

"Oh, no, we're here regarding a business proposal," David said. The two dark wooden chairs were thick and heavy and with a symbol at the back. David hesitated and contemplated. Kazi didn't waste down and plopped down.

"Cultivating, eh? This is my first time seeing a master at it."

"A master, no. I have been struggling toward Core Formation for years." Prince Yuzin opened his eyes. Kazi did not feel he had to. "Now, be quick with your proposal. I will be quick in my response."

"We won't take up your time," Kazi said. He waved David over who quickly took a seat. The awkwardness of facing a minister that was sitting on his own desk was not lost on anyone save the minister himself.

"Do you know what an integrated circuit is, My Prince?" Kazi said.

"Enlighten me."

David immediately brought out a small stack of papers. However, not knowing where to put them, he put it on his lap and left Kazi to explain.

"It's a micro-chip. An itty-bitty square of silicon, wired together and powered by electricity. Some stalls sell them in their electronic toys. If you haven't heard of them, maybe the kids in your family have. The integrated circuit's function is to store and bring forward information. In the case of gadgets, they help to make them fun and vast." Kazi pointed at the bookshelves. "Like those bookshelves. Imagine all those books, all those numbers and records, and being able to snap whatever piece you'd like with a click of a button."

The trinkets were primarily sold in the Sun Mall by Japanese folks in the electronics industry. Due to a lack of marketing, investment, and the sheer cost of production, they weren't popular. Kazi had to make it sound like they were though.

This was an untapped market that he wanted to take by storm.

"Storing and summoning information..." Prince Yuzin listened intently, eyes half-open and half invested in his meditation. "And what is the greater purpose of this… integrated circuit? Storing information, as you said, can be done through paper."

"Ah, but consider the type of information, My Prince. Photos, for example. You can store and access them at any time via an outlet. In the case we are familiar with, a glass screen."

"Cameras contain these circuits?"

"Not yet they don't. But with them, you can turn the four kilos camera into a quarter that weight. They are that much better."

"And this is proven?"

"It is. On Earth, integrated circuits are everywhere. So common, in fact, that ordinary people do not know how to make them, akin to how the common people do not know to make steel tools."

"But not you." Prince Yuzin breathed in and out. "Integrated circuits...I have heard of that term. On Earth, you say it is common, but here, the technology has not made any headway. Why should I believe you? Why should I invest in your work of integrated circuits specifically?"

*****

"Hierarchy (From Highest to Lowest)

For Princes:

Qinwang (Prince of the First Rank or Prince of the Blood)

Junwang (Prince of the Second Rank)

Beile (Prince of the Third Rank)

Beizi (Prince of the Fourth Rank)

For Princesses:

Gongzhu (Princess of the First Rank, State Princess, or Gurun Princess)

Junzhu (Princess of the Second Rank)

Xianzhu (Princess of the Third Rank)

Deliberative Council of Princes and Ministers

The Emperor's Trusted Advisory Board

The Deliberative Council of Princes and Ministers is an important advisory board formed by the Kangxi Emperor. This council is special because it isn't made up of high-ranking officials—it includes the emperor's children, especially his sons. These princes offer their advice on key decisions, helping to shape policy and ensure stability in the Imperial Sect.

Six Ministries:

Ministry of Finance

Ministry of Rites

Ministry of War

Ministry of Justice

Ministry of Works

Imperial Household Ministry

- The council is part of the emperor's strategy to train his children in governance and ensure they were capable of ruling when the time came.

- Qinwang and Junwang princes are often given prominent roles on the council.

- Excerpt from the Hierarchy of the Imperial Sect, 170 HE

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