These were: the "Royal Salt Shop," the "Royal Winery," and a "Fruit and Vegetable Shop" established by the imperial court.

The goods sold in these shops were precisely the refined salt, distilled liquor, and green vegetables that Liu Hong had prepared for a long time.

These items were already well-known to powerful families and influential people through court officials and the New Year's Eve banquet, and were deeply loved and sought after.

Those who had tasted its flavor constantly inquired and searched through various means, but unfortunately it was not sold on the market. Now that they heard that these things would soon be available for sale, it immediately attracted countless dignitaries to come and purchase them.

A half-pound box of refined salt costs five hundred coins, which is ten times the price of ordinary coarse salt.

A three-jin jar of imperial wine costs ten thousand coins, twenty times the price of ordinary wine.

As for the vegetables, even the cheapest chives were sold by Cao Song for a thousand coins per catty, not to mention the other low-yield vegetables.

As the saying goes, expensive doesn't necessarily mean good, but good definitely means expensive.

The above-mentioned goods are unaffordable for ordinary people, but they are rare and valuable items for wealthy and powerful families.

These things not only satisfy their need for enjoyment, but also give them a sense of satisfaction and superiority.

Throughout history, people's consumption concepts have remained unchanged, especially for the wealthy. They are not afraid of expensive things, but they are afraid of things becoming too common. Only things that the vast majority of people cannot afford are more likely to be sought after by them.

Are they stupid? No... It's all about saving face. Eating refined salt, drinking imperial wine, and eating vegetables in winter—things that ordinary people can't afford, but I can afford. What does that mean?

Therefore, despite the exorbitant prices, sales are still booming. These three shops have been open in the morning but closed at night, and people come to buy them in an endless stream.

Cartloads of refined salt, imperial wine, and vegetables were immediately snapped up as soon as they arrived at the shops.