Su Ran knew all too well that if the conflict between traditional textile workshops and Chen Qiyuan’s textile factory were not handled properly, it would become like a malignant tumor, rapidly eroding the foundation of the New Policies and casting a long, dark shadow over them. After careful deliberation, he decided to travel south personally to investigate the situation on the ground, determined to resolve this thorny issue with his own wisdom and resolve.
Upon arriving in the south, Su Ran dressed in plain clothes, traveling incognito and maintaining a low profile. He first visited the traditional workshops that were on the verge of bankruptcy. As he entered a dim workshop, a few slivers of sunlight struggled through gaps in the dilapidated roof, falling onto dust-covered looms. The workers looked haggard, their eyes filled with helplessness and confusion, as if life itself had been drained from them. Idle machines stood in silence, as if recounting their once-busy past and their current desolation. In the corner, stacks of unsold fabric were coated in thick layers of dust, giving off a stale, musty odor. Su Ran walked over to an old workshop owner and began to speak with him softly. The man’s brows were furrowed, his lips trembled, and his eyes were full of despair and supplication as he said, "Sir, just look at this workshop of ours—we can hardly hold on anymore. In a single day, those machines can produce more fabric than we could weave by hand in a month. They’ve snatched all the business, and people like us have no way left to survive. My entire family depends on this trade to put food on the table, but now..." The old owner sighed, his face a map of hardship and resignation.
Deeply moved, Su Ran felt profound sympathy for the plight of the traditional craftsmen. Later, he went to Chen Qiyuan’s textile factory. As soon as he stepped into the complex, the roar of machinery was deafening, like a stirring anthem of progress. Inside the plant, workers moved nimbly between rows of high-speed machines, their movements skilled and orderly, their faces glowing with focus and dedication. The air was filled with the faint scent of machine oil and the crisp, fresh aroma of new fabric, a scene vibrant with life. Seeing Su Ran, Chen Qiyuan quickly set aside his work and hurried over. Looking out at the bustling factory, Su Ran said, "Mr. Chen, this factory of yours is truly well-run and has contributed immensely to the economic development of the Great Qing. However, there is much resentment among the traditional workshop owners. What is your take on this?"
Chen Qiyuan frowned slightly, his expression revealing a mix of helplessness and conflict. Looking troubled, he replied, "Your Majesty, I am aware of the situation. While machine weaving is efficient and represents advanced productivity, the traditional owners have relied on manual labor for generations and cannot easily adapt to such a shift; it is indeed a thorny problem. Yet, it would be a great pity to limit the development of machine weaving, as it is the inevitable trend of industrial progress. I, too, have been distressed, trying to find a way to balance the two."
Su Ran nodded and fell into deep thought. He knew that he had to safeguard the livelihood of the traditional craftsmen without stifling the growth of emerging industries; a win-win solution had to be found. After careful deliberation, a plan took shape. Upon returning to the temporary imperial residence, Su Ran immediately summoned local officials, Chen Qiyuan, and representatives of the traditional workshops to discuss a solution.
Sitting at the head of the table with a solemn expression, Su Ran scanned the room and said, "Gentlemen, both the traditional textile industry and the mechanized textile industry are of vital importance to the Great Qing—neither can be dispensed with. The traditional industry sustains the livelihoods of countless people and is the bedrock of their peace and contentment, while the mechanized industry represents advanced productivity and concerns the future development of our nation. Having pondered this, I believe the two can cooperate and develop together to achieve mutual benefit."
The crowd looked at each other in confusion, whispering among themselves. Su Ran patiently explained, "Mr. Chen, you can utilize your machines for the large-scale production of raw fabric, leveraging their efficiency. As for the traditional workshop owners, you can use your generations of exquisite craftsmanship to excel in the processes of dyeing, printing, and embroidery—the value-added stages. In this way, we can improve production efficiency while ensuring product diversity and quality, allowing everyone to have business and share in the prosperity of the textile industry."
Upon hearing the Emperor’s proposal, the crowd was stunned for a moment, then began to nod in approval. A flicker of excitement crossed Chen Qiyuan’s eyes; he saw the new opportunities this partnership offered and immediately expressed his willingness to cooperate. The representatives of the traditional workshops also brightened, seeing this as a viable path forward, and agreed to the collaboration. Su Ran then spoke sternly to the local officials: "You must effectively coordinate this work and provide convenient conditions for both sides to cooperate. Furthermore, the Imperial Court will introduce relevant policies to support the development of the textile industry, ensuring this partnership proceeds smoothly."
Having resolved the conflict in the south, Su Ran was just about to return to the Capital when he received news that British and French forces were conducting joint military exercises along the coast. Their warships, like black behemoths, were lined up along the seaboard, their cannons aimed directly at the Great Qing coastline. The thunderous roar of gunfire churned the sea into a frenzy, and rolling plumes of thick smoke rose, as if to shroud the region in terror. The coastal populace panicked and fled inland, their cries and screams intermingling. Faced with this intimidation, the local officials were visibly nervous, pacing back and forth, unsure of how to respond. Su Ran understood that this was the foreign powers’ fear of the successes of the New Policies; they were attempting to suppress the Great Qing and curb its development through such shows of force.
Facing this provocation, Su Ran decided he would no longer show weakness. With a firm gaze, he immediately ordered the coastal provinces to reinforce their defenses and prepare for combat. The soldiers quickly moved into a state of alert, patrolling day and night and constructing defensive fortifications. Simultaneously, he ordered scientific research institutions to accelerate the development of new warships, concentrating the nation’s research strength to bolster the Great Qing navy. However, these steps would inevitably draw an even sharper reaction from the foreign powers, and the relationship between the Great Qing and the West grew increasingly tense. Su Ran knew the road ahead was fraught with thorns, yet he did not shrink back. How would he navigate this complex international situation to secure space for the Great Qing’s development while steadfastly continuing the New Policies? A more intense struggle was about to begin.