During this critical period as the Great Qing worked in unison to rebuild and thrive following the war, the surface appeared calm and peaceful. Yet, beneath this tranquil facade, a covert and dangerous undercurrent was surging, like a viper hiding in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike a fatal blow.
Instigated and lured by the ulterior motives of foreign powers, several neighboring small nations—though intimidated by the Great Qing’s strength and unwilling to engage in a direct, open confrontation—began to provoke trouble in the realms of trade and resources. They enacted a series of discriminatory policies against the Great Qing, significantly raising tariffs on its goods. As a result, traditional export staples like silk and tea faced heavy obstacles upon entering these markets, with costs soaring and market competitiveness plummeting. At the same time, these nations placed strict restrictions on their own resource exports, cutting off the Great Qing’s access to key materials. They hoped through these means to create insurmountable barriers to the Great Qing’s economic development and curb its forward momentum.
During a solemn session of the imperial court, the Minister of Revenue reported this matter to Su Ran, his expression grave and laden with worry. He bowed and said, his voice filled with anxiety, "Your Majesty, several neighboring countries have recently set up numerous malicious trade barriers against us. Our once-popular goods, such as silk and …
Chapter 152