Chapter 189 Zhao Lingmeng first learned about the salt crisis in Jingguo
"Do you have a specific painting? Your description is too abstract. There are certainly many that meet the requirements. If your Highness has a specific painting, I can ask someone to keep an eye out for it."
Although Fan Yong didn't know what Princess Funing was looking for this for, he would still be happy to help if there was a specific picture album.
Zhao Lingmeng had also seen this on TV in her previous life, but she couldn't remember the details for a moment. She only knew that the tree was a rubber tree, which should be quite tall, and white juice would repeatedly ooze out when the bark was cut.
Zhao Lingmeng described the characteristics she knew in detail again. If this thing could be found, traveling by carriage would be much more comfortable in the future.
Fan Yong agreed immediately: "Okay, I'll keep an eye on it, and I'll have someone keep an eye on it too. I just happened to be sending someone out to look for something, so I'll help Your Highness keep an eye on it while I can."
"Stop, I don't want to know what you are looking for." Zhao Lingmeng really had no interest in such secrets.
Fan Yong thought about Zhao Lingmeng's identity. This secret was nothing to her. "It's not a special secret mission. It's just about finding salt. Our country has always had a shortage of salt. This is also an open secret.
So in fact, China's salt control is even stricter than iron. Ordinary people cannot afford to eat it all year round.
Among the neighboring countries, Nangan’s salt is the cheapest. I’m so envious!
"Oh? I remember Jingguo is on the coast! Are you still short of salt?"
After she asked, her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that drying sea salt hadn't been done yet in this era? But she had already asked, and she couldn't take it back.
Zhao Lingmeng looked at Fan Huli's half-smile and asked cautiously, "Is it too late for me to retract my previous question?"
"What do you think, Your Highness?" Fan Yong exclaimed in his heart, "Wow, the boss is here!" He also admired Princess Funing more and more. He didn't know why she knew so much with the same brain.
"Hehe!" Zhao Lingmeng could only smile awkwardly.
"Your Highness, what do you think?" Fan Yong asked directly.
Zhao Lingmeng was really angry at her outspoken mouth! She was not really the emperor's daughter, and she was really afraid that the emperor would be wary of her.
In this world of imperial power, if the emperor wanted to kill her, it would be as easy as crushing an ant, and there were many people willing to be the pioneers for this.
Zhao Lingmeng could only helplessly lean back in the chair: "Well, it depends on what the emperor thinks... You know what I mean!"
Fan Yong was also a smart man. He understood what Zhao Lingmeng said. She was afraid that the emperor would be wary of her. But who could guarantee such a thing? Even if it didn't happen before, it doesn't happen now, will it happen in the future?
For a moment, Zhao Lingmeng and Fan Yong were silent. Fan Yong had no intention of using this to gain merit; he felt that he and Funing were friends. If she didn't want others to know, he would pretend he hadn't heard her words tonight.
"Your Highness, make your own decision! I will pretend that I didn't hear this tonight, and you don't need to explain it to me in detail."
Fan Yong felt that although he was the leader of the secret guards, his heart was not that corrupt.
"Master Fan doesn't want this credit?" This really made Zhao Lingmeng look at him with new eyes. In this era, they were all raised with the idea of loyalty to the emperor. Master Fan actually chose to protect her. This was a huge favor.
"Think about it! It all depends on His Highness's opinion! I really can't guarantee what the Emperor thinks."
Fan Yong really thought so. If he persuaded Princess Funing this time, he would really feel guilty if something happened in the future. After all, Funing had made such great contributions to Jing State and the people, and she was such a good person.
Zhao Lingmeng didn't answer immediately, but asked: "How expensive is salt in Jingguo?"
She really didn't know about this matter. She had never worried about money in her previous life or this life. It can be said that she really didn't know the suffering of the people. But she was willing to go against the emperor's conscience for these people. It's not that she was a saint, but it was mainly because she didn't know about it. If she knew and didn't do something, she would always feel...
Speaking of this topic, Fan Yong's eyes darkened. He recalled the information he had previously investigated: "Ordinary people can only eat salt for three or four months a year! After all, salt must be supplied first to the powerful and the military, and there is not much left. Fighting requires strength, and they cannot be short of salt. And Jingguo has only discovered two salt wells."
"Go back and tell the Emperor first! I want to take a gamble. If I lose, forget it!" Zhao Lingmeng said this, but in her heart she was thinking that if she lost the gamble, she would make some gunpowder, and maybe she could turn the tables. But she couldn't say this to anyone else.
"Can seawater really make salt? How did you do that?" Fan Yong knew it was an inappropriate question to ask, but he was really curious.
"Yes, I read about it in an interesting ancient book before, but I only have theories. After all, there is no sea in Yuanjing, so where can I go to test it? I can't find that ancient book anymore. After all, I was young at that time and often went out to buy things. I don't know where to put it after reading it.
My parents' life plan for me was to marry a good man and have a few children. I just watched and played!"
Originally, Zhao Lingmeng had considered Fan Yong merely a good colleague, someone with whom she could chat when she had free time. However, his choice this time made her feel that he was still a very loyal person. She felt they could be friends, and so she was willing to talk to him more.
"If you have made up your mind, I will go to see the emperor right away. After I report to the emperor, it will be too late for you to regret it!" Fan Yong looked at Zhao Lingmeng seriously. This was a big decision. After all, this contribution was greater than that of the smallpox medicine. It would still test the emperor's conscience.
Zhao Lingmeng waved his hand helplessly, "Go! Go! Before I change my mind."
Seeing Zhao Lingmeng was serious, Fan Yong stood up and bowed solemnly to Zhao Lingmeng. "On behalf of the people of Jing Kingdom, I thank Your Highness!"
Zhao Lingmeng watched Lord Fan bow and leave through the window. She didn't know if her decision was right or not. She only whispered to herself, "Forget it if I don't know. Now that I know, it's not good to do nothing. A country comes first, then a family!"
Fan Yong quietly left the Princess Zhao Lingmeng's mansion and went straight to the palace.
The emperor happened to have arranged for Zhao Lingmeng to travel today to deal with matters related to the smallpox medicine, so he did not finish reading the memorials during the day and slept directly in the back hall of the imperial study at night.
When Fan Yong came to ask for an audience, the emperor had just fallen asleep. When he heard Fan Yong's request for an audience, he immediately ordered Eunuch Zhuo to help him get up.
The emperor knew Fan Yong. If there was no urgent matter, he would not ask for an audience so late.
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