Early winter.

More than a dozen investigation reports were placed in front of Zhao Han.

The emergence of the steam engine did not destroy the small farmer economy and traditional handicraft industry. Instead, it promoted the development of traditional handmade textiles and increased the income of spinning farmers. This status quo surprised Zhao Han. He even thought that technology would no longer advance and maintain this state.

The status quo is best.

Once the steam engine could spin fine yarn, it would definitely be a huge blow to textile manufacturers.

The use of foreign slaves has become common in several southern provinces, which is far beyond Zhao Han's expectation.

Especially the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River had several Nanyang female slaves at home, and there were also many male slaves working in the fields.

In the winter of this year, another imperial edict was issued: foreign male employees were not allowed to get married and have children in China. Foreign female employees were encouraged by the government to get married. After getting married and having children, their household registration would be in the husband's family, and their status would be the same as that of a Chinese citizen, and they would no longer pay additional head taxes.

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Once this order came out, it further stimulated the slave trade, and a large number of female slaves were sold to the north where women were scarce!

Many northern men who cannot marry a wife save money to buy Nanyang women. Anyway, the lowest price only costs a few yuan, and according to the imperial edict, they can still settle in the government normally. I will provide you with the fastest update, 596 [Social situation
Chapter completed!