The fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Early in the morning, the shops belonging to the Chen family in Nanzhou Prefecture were packed with people and bustling with activity.
When the people woke up, they found that the salt they needed for daily life could be bought for just over a hundred coins.
Many people gathered in front of the shop, discussing it animatedly, unable to believe it was true.
"Auntie, why would I lie to you? It's not like I'm taking your money and not delivering the goods," the waiter said helplessly, shaking his head.
A scholar-like man in tattered robes came out, pointed at the white salt on the counter, and looked very tempted.
"Really only 130 coins?"
"That's right, fine salt is only 130 coins, and coarse salt is cheaper at 110 coins," the waiter said patiently again.
Can I try?
The waiter immediately took out some salt with his tools. The scholar dipped his finger in the coarse salt and put it in his mouth to taste it. There was no bitterness at all.
"It's so salty!"
The waiter grinned smugly.
"See? I wasn't wrong, was I? Our salt is unique in the south. You won't regret buying it; every household uses it every day."
The scholar fumbled in his sleeve and pulled out several dozen copper coins.
"Weigh out half a jin for me."
"Alright! Young master, give me half a pound of coarse salt," the waiter called out enthusiastically.
The scholar walked out of the shop carrying a paper bag containing half a pound of salt, and was immediately surrounded by aunties and uncles.
“It’s good salt. You can try it before you buy it. I bought it because I tried it and thought it was good.” The scholar said as he squeezed out of the crowd.
Seeing this, everyone rushed to the counter.
"Waiter, weigh me a pound."
"I want half a jin."
"..."
Good products sell well, and this opportunity was rare. Before noon, the affordable salt was sold out.
I was so frustrated that I didn't manage to grab it; I just regretted being too slow.
The shopkeeper grinned from ear to ear and said to everyone, "Gentlemen, our Chen family's affordable salt is supplied regularly and in fixed quantities every day. If you didn't get any today, don't worry, we'll have more tomorrow."
"Those who have bought it do not need to stock up anymore. The price of salt will remain the same every day from now on."
On the street, a few beggars peeked out, occasionally answering questions from passersby who were unaware of what was going on.
The same scene was unfolding in towns and cities of all sizes throughout the southern regions and Cangwu County.
Inside the Yu family's council chamber.
All the stewards sat solemnly at the lower level, while the head of the Yu family, having received the news, struggled to his feet and took the seat at the head of the table.
Yu Xunmei and Yu Shida sat on either side of him, their eyes occasionally meeting.
After hearing the report from his subordinates, the head of the Yu family turned ashen-faced. He slammed his fist on the table with all his might, startling the steward below.
"What a bunch of fools, the Chen family of Yongqing! They're utterly courting death, daring to provoke us!"
"Investigate! Investigate where this salt came from!"
A steward stood up tremblingly, swallowed hard, and suppressed his fear, saying, "Reporting to the patriarch, I bribed the stewards under the Chen family and found out that their salt is mainly supplied by Longtan."
"Dragon Pool?"
It was Dragon Pool again, and the managers below immediately started discussing it.
"Longtan has no salt wells or salt mines, so where does their salt come from?"
"Don't forget that they occupied Xihe County!"
His words were a wake-up call for everyone.
"Could it be that they actually know how to boil sea salt?"
"Seawater is bitter and astringent, so it will probably be difficult to boil it into salt."
"Their salt is so cheap, its quality can't be very good!"
Just then, a servant hurried in carrying a paper package.
"Sir, this is the salt that the gatekeeper's son's parents went to queue up to buy this morning."
The head of the Yu family was so annoyed by their noise that he reached out and dipped his hand in the paper packet in the servant's hand, then put it in his mouth and smacked it a few times. A dark and ambiguous light flashed in his eyes.
The servants handed the paper packets to the various managers one by one.
After everyone had tasted the salt, the entire council chamber fell silent, and no one discussed it anymore.
The head of the Yu family swept his gaze over the embarrassed faces of the crowd, his heart filled with rage. He thought they were nothing but a bunch of good-for-nothings. He said to his servants, "Tell them how much the Chen family is selling this salt for?"
"This fine salt is only 130 coins per catty, and there is a kind with coarser grains that is only 110 coins."
"Gentlemen, what do you think of the quality of this salt?"
Looking at the silent crowd, the head of the Yu family had a gloomy expression. Since he fell ill, his subordinates had not been doing their jobs properly.
He didn't even dare to think about what would happen to the Yu family if he were gone one day.
Looking at his daughter and son on either side, he felt a sense of relief. Fortunately, the Yu family still had them. He needed to prepare in advance and help them clear the obstacles in their path.
A trusted steward stood up and said, "Master, since Xihe County can produce sea salt, I must take this place back."
“Yes! The Central Plains are in chaos now, making it difficult to transport salt from there. If we can get our hands on the Xihe Saltworks, the Yu family will surely prosper!” a steward immediately flattered.
Recalling the soldiers sent to Xihe some time ago, Yu Shida's face flashed with determination. "Master, with the two thousand troops led by Vice General Li, I think Xihe County may already be under Vice General Li's control."
Upon hearing this, the Yu family head's ashen face softened considerably, and he clapped his hands happily, "Good! I knew I hadn't misjudged him. I'm increasingly reassured by Shida's work."
He had barely finished speaking when another servant rushed in to report.
"Master, Deputy General Wang requests an audience!"
Yu Shida's eyes gleamed with the joy of victory. "It must be that Deputy General Wang brought back that group of refugees from Longtan County."
"Congratulations! Brother Da is so talented!" Yu Xunmei looked at him shyly, her eyes shining and her cheeks slightly flushed.
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