Chapter 45 On Salt
Chang'an He Mansion.
He Sanlang's life is as leisurely as ever.
He painted a picture of orchids in a valley in his own yard. Next to the octagonal auspicious cloud inkstone, there was a dish of snow-white salt.
Before the color on the painting had dried, He Sanlang took some salt and sprinkled it on the orchid painting to create the effect of morning dew.
He Sanlang likes to use salt when painting, especially when painting wind, snow, rain and dew, to add realistic texture and layering.
The salt he used was a rare refined fine salt on the market, and was much more expensive than the salt that ordinary people used to eat.
While He Sanlang was immersed in leisure and elegance, He Tingfangzheng frowned deeply.
Light smoke rises from the copper incense burner.
He Tingfang paced back and forth in the study:
"That Lingnan line has been safe for so many years, why did it get investigated by the Censor this time?"
The Minister of Revenue, Fu Qian, was crammed into the armchair with his fat body, and his face was not in good shape.
"Li Qiong didn't know how to restrain himself. His usual activities were exposed and reported. Then he ran into Zheng Mingtang, a serious person. He followed the clues and uncovered the illegal salt business."
"Plus, that stubborn old man Gu Jing is also serving as the governor of Xunzhou."
He Tingfang walked to the window, with his hands behind his back:
"Where did the silver go?"
Dayu's illegal salt trafficking continued despite repeated bans, and officials in the court also colluded with each other to make profits privately.
He Tingfang and Fu Qian have been operating secretly for more than ten years.
Private salt has high profits and brings in considerable income every year. Now that the Lingnan line is gone, the income this year will be much less.
Fu Qian wrinkled his fat nose:
"Zheng Mingtang and his men didn't find him, and neither did our people. It's likely that Li Qiong hid him to leave behind some wealth for himself."
He Tingfang sneered, his eyes like an eagle:
"If he has the stomach to swallow the money, he must have a chance to spend it."
"If this matter is reported back to the capital, the Emperor will certainly conduct a strict investigation into illegal salt trafficking in various places. You should have the Yangzhou branch cease operations for the time being and stay out of the spotlight for the time being."
Fu Qian clasped his hands together, a look of uneasiness between his brows:
"If Li Qiong can't stand the interrogation and reveals our side, Zheng Mingtang and Gu Jing will definitely trace it back to the capital."
He Tingfang's eyes were dim: "Then tell him to shut up."
Imperial city.
The blooming roses are redder than the palace walls.
Murong Wan's skirt brushed against the flower petals, and her dress seemed to be stained with a touch of floral color.
Murong Ming walked beside him and yawned.
The brother and sister were walking on the way to Lihe Hall when they saw several eunuchs dragging a man with blood on his pants hurriedly passing by.
Murong Wan saw it but pretended not to see it.
My mother said that I shouldn’t ask too much about things in the palace.
But Murong Ming would always be attracted by these things and stare at the other person's blood-red pants.
"Did the Emperor's uncle beat someone with a stick?"
Murong Ming was very surprised. In his impression, the emperor's uncle was a very kind and majestic person, not at all like the kind of person who would beat people with a stick.
Murong Wan whispered, "Don't worry about it."
"Aming, Wan'er." The voice of Crown Prince Murong Zhen came from behind.
Murong Ming and his sister saluted together: "Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"No need to be so polite."
Murong Zhen raised his hand and glanced at the person being dragged away by the eunuch.
"The Emperor has been unhappy these past two days because of the illegal salt case."
In addition to Xunzhou, other places also found the crime of collusion between officials and businessmen to smuggle salt, and the emperor was furious.
When the ruler of a country is displeased, people around him often have to see blood.
Murong Ming scratched his head: "What illegal salt case?"
Murong Zhen did not explain.
But in the Lihe Hall, Grand Tutor Zhang also brought up the smuggling salt case.
"Recently, the court discovered that the Xunzhou Chief Secretary had colluded with salt dealers and repeatedly smuggled salt. The emperor ordered a thorough investigation of all areas, and in Qingzhou, Yuezhou, and other places, officials and civilians have also been found smuggling salt..."
"The illegal salt trade continues despite repeated bans. Salt farmers hide illegal salt, salt dealers transport illegal salt, ordinary people buy illegal salt, and officials protect illegal salt."
Murong Ming rarely stayed awake, but after listening for a long time, he became even more confused.
He couldn't understand why they had to make so much fuss about salt. It was just something you put in your food. What was so special about it?
Zhang Taifu continued to explain in simple terms:
"Official salt is expensive, while private salt is cheap, so people buy private salt."
"Although the price of official salt is high, the salt tax is heavy, and salt farmers cannot make ends meet. To seek profit, they sell private salt."
"What do your Highnesses think of this matter?"
Princess Ning'an said arrogantly, "My father gave salt to all the people in the world, so they won't buy private salt."
Imperial Tutor Zhang: "...Princess, do you know how much salt is stored in the palace? And how many people live there?"
Murong Wan also thought it was not difficult: "Catch those who smuggled salt, give them a severe fine, and punish their families as well, so that they won't dare to do it again."
Zhang Taifu looked at Murong Zhen:
"Your Highness the Crown Prince?"
Murong Zhen thought for a moment and concluded, "This Xunzhou salt case was uncovered by the Imperial Inspector. From now on, the court will send more Imperial Inspectors to inspect various places to prevent further problems."
Tutor Zhang nodded, turned around and lowered his eyes to hide the disappointment in his eyes.
Murong Di, who was sitting at the back, kept his shoulders hunched and his head down in silence.
not enough.
There is insufficient punishment and supervision.
Officials must give benefits to the people.
…
"It would be better if the imperial court could collect less money and sell the official salt to everyone at a lower price."
Su Zhizhi took a bite of the watermelon, and the red flesh was full of juice.
In May, the weather will enter midsummer.
The first batch of watermelons from Heifei Mountain were ripe, and the villagers pushed a small cart of watermelons to Baiyun County for Su Zhizhi's family.
On the day of vacation, the whole family sat under the arbour and ate watermelon, while Abao flapped his wings, bringing gusts of cool breeze.
As they chatted, they talked about the salt case, and Hao Ren explained it to Su Zhizhi and Xue Che.
Su Zhizhi blurted out, "If the imperial court didn't charge salt vendors so much, and didn't charge ordinary people so much, wouldn't everyone stop buying private salt?"
Xue Che spit the watermelon seeds in his mouth into his handkerchief and disagreed:
"If the imperial court has no money and the treasury is empty, then soldiers like my father who guard the border will have no pay."
Su Zhizhi put down the watermelon rind and wiped her mouth:
"Why must the common people and soldiers go hungry? Can't those in Chang'an who use the national treasury's money be allowed to spend less?"
Xue Che thought of the extravagant lifestyle of the nobles in Chang'an, and his face became serious:
"The nobles in the palace may not agree."
"Then we will replace them with another group of people to serve as honored guests in the palace."
When Su Zhizhi said this, everyone in the yard looked at her, except Kong Wu who was busy eating watermelon.
Hao Ren, Wu Yingniang and Old Man Qin looked at each other. None of them had ever taught Su Zhizhi such words.
But Su Zhizhi said it so naturally.
Xue Che's face changed drastically, and he quickly covered Su Zhizhi's mouth:
"You can't say that. That's treasonous."
Su Zhizhi pulled Xue Che's hand away and raised her eyebrows:
"If you become my little brother, I won't say anything."
"no."
Xue Che covered Su Zhizhi's mouth with both hands.
Su Zhizhi continued to pull Xue Che's hand away.
The two people were fighting, standing up and pushing each other.
Su Zhizhi cunningly took a step back, causing Xue Che to push forward without making a move. He lost his footing and fell forward.
"you--"
Su Zhizhi didn't expect Xue Che to fall forward, so she used her body to block it.
But she didn't notice that her heels were touching the steps, and her upper body fell backwards, and she fell to the ground with Xue Che.
When they fell into a heap, Su Zhizhi's teeth hit Xue Che's face.
Su Zhizhi held her teeth and inhaled.
Xue Che rubbed his red face.
Wu Yingniang and Hao Ren came over and helped the two children up.
Wu Yingniang: "What are you fussing about? Are you hurt?"
Su Zhizhi said calmly:
"I didn't fall and got hurt. I just bit Che a little bit."
Xue Che's face was burning hot, redder than watermelon flesh.
No one has ever bitten him!
He said stubbornly: "I didn't bite it."
Su Zhizhi: "I bit it."
"No, absolutely not!"
Xue Che ran back to the house with a red face.
He buried his head in the quilt and clenched his fists.
That night, he tremblingly wrote in his notebook:
On May 13, the sixth year of Zhaoqing, I discussed salt with Zhizhi.
Zhizhi pecks my face, my innocence is gone! 】
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