During Emperor Kang-xi’s (康熙大帝) sixty-one year rule (reign 1661–1722), he made six expeditions to southern China: in 1684, 1689, 1699, 1704, 1705 and 1707. The second tour in 1689 was the longest, most extensive, and grandest.

Some scholars believe that during this second trip, Emperor Kang-xi spent the night in Kaifeng. According to this story, the emperor entered a silk shop owned by a Jewish descendant, Shi Zi-yu (石子玉). He spent a long time in the shop appreciating the silk and repeated the following phrase: “Beautiful Kaifeng Silk! Beautiful Kaifeng Silk! (好汴绸! 好汴绸!)”

Kaifeng Silk originated at the end of the Great Ming Dynasty and is more durable and stretchier than traditional silk from Hangzhou.

From this point onwards, the Shi family regularly paid tribute to the Imperial Court by offering them their luscious Kaifeng Silk.