Chapter 81
She paused and continued, "The way back was even more dangerous. To avoid Li Song's eyes, we didn't take the official road, but chose a more difficult and dangerous ancient trade route.
Fortunately, Zhao Lin was experienced, so we were able to return to the capital on time on the ninth day."
Shen Yanzhi was horrified when he heard this. He held Song Qingyuan's hand tightly with such strength that it seemed as if he wanted to rub her into his bones and blood.
He couldn't imagine how a woman like her could lead everyone in such a dangerous environment and overcome so many difficulties. He only hated himself for not being able to be with her.
"Don't take risks like this again." There was a hint of command in his voice, but more of it was heartache.
"That won't do." Song Qingyuan winked at him playfully, "If it weren't for this adventure, we would have been trampled under the feet of that old fox Li Song.
Besides," she leaned close to his ear and lowered her voice, "seeing him so frustrated and helpless against us, don't you feel...refreshed?"
Shen Yanzhi looked at her cunning smile, and all his worries and fears turned into helpless doting. He pinched her nose: "You are such a little fox. But... I like it."
He held her in his arms again, and this time, he held her very tightly.
"Yuanyuan, thank you."
Thank you for not only bringing me victory, but also bringing me the brightest light in the world.
Inside the Grand Tutor's residence, a deathly silence reigned. Fragments of precious porcelain lay scattered across the floor, mixed with the finest Longjing tea leaves, creating a tangled mess. Li Song sat in his study, his hair disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, like a gambler who had lost all his chips in a casino.
He lost. He lost miserably.
Song Qingyuan's salt transport convoy, which came like heavenly soldiers and generals, not only crushed all his plans, but also crushed his dignity and face into the mud.
Now the whole capital was talking about how Grand Tutor Li, despite all his scheming, had been completely outmaneuvered by a woman. The officials who usually fawned over him were now laughing at him behind his back.
"Useless! A bunch of useless people!" He grabbed the paperweight on the table and slammed it to the ground with a dull thud. "I've raised you for so many years, and you can't even track down a woman! Good-for-nothings!"
The housekeepers and staff kneeling outside the door were silent, afraid to raise their heads. Who could have imagined that the Princess of Yan's so-called "occasional cold" was actually a trick to escape? Who could have imagined that she had such extraordinary abilities, able to transport an entire mountain of salt from a thousand miles away in just nine days?
"Grand Master, calm down..." a bolder aide said in a trembling voice, "Getting angry right now is useless. The Prince of Yan's Palace has already started selling salt with salt coupons, and the price is fair, no one is cheated. Now the hearts of the people in the entire capital are... on their side."
"The people's support?" Li Song sneered, his laughter hoarse and unpleasant. "The people's support is bullshit! They are a bunch of opportunists who will follow whoever gives them benefits! I have been doing business for decades, so why would I be afraid of this?"
Even so, he knew in his heart that this time was different. Shen Yanzhi and Song Qingyuan, using the most direct and people-friendly method, harvested the gratitude of the people of the entire city.
This gratitude would transform into a tremendous force and become their strongest shield. Even if the emperor wanted to move against them, he would have to consider whether it would provoke a popular uprising.
"No, we can't let them get away with this!" Li Song paced back and forth in his study, the madness in his eyes growing stronger and stronger. He was like a cornered beast, desperately looking for an opportunity to strike back.
"Salt... salt..." He muttered to himself, his mind racing.
Got it!
He stopped abruptly, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Go! Investigate immediately! Find out where Song Qingyuan's salt is coming from! The salt and iron monopoly is the foundation of our nation. Since the time of Emperor Taizu, it's been an ironclad law that prohibits private mining and trafficking! Even if Song Qingyuan has made great contributions, if she's convicted of 'illegally mining official salt,' she's doomed!"
As soon as these words came out, the staff's eyes lit up. That's right! Why didn't they think of this!
The Zhou Dynasty maintained extremely strict control over salt. All salt fields were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue's Salt and Iron Bureau, with quotas set for both production and sales. Song Qingyuan's salt, of unknown origin and in such a large quantity, could not have been obtained through legitimate channels.
As long as we grasp this point, we can turn the merit of "relieving the people's difficulties" into the heinous crime of "disregarding the law of the country"!
"The Grand Tutor is wise!" The staff members began to flatter him.
"Brilliant ass!" Li Song kicked over the chair next to him. "What are you still standing there for? Go investigate! Even if you have to turn the floor upside down, you must find evidence for me! Also, come to the palace immediately! I want to see the emperor!"
He wanted to take the initiative and plant a thorn of suspicion in the emperor's heart before Shen Yanzhi could completely stabilize the situation!
Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.
Emperor Shen Chong frowned as he read the joint memorial submitted by the Dali Temple and the Jingzhao Yin. It detailed Song Qingyuan's return of salt to the capital, and the jubilation of the people inside and outside the capital after the Prince of Yan's mansion opened its salt warehouses. Every word was filled with praise for the Prince of Yan and his wife.
"Hmph, what a great Prince of Yan, what a great Princess of Yan." Shen Chong threw the memorial on the table, his tone unclear, "Without making any noise, he gave me such a big 'surprise'."
As the emperor, on the one hand, he was happy to see the salt price crisis resolved and the capital city stable; but on the other hand, seeing that the reputation of Shen Yanzhi and his wife had reached such a peak among the people, he felt a deep fear in his heart.
Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Today the people can cheer for them, but tomorrow... who can stop them from doing whatever they want?
This feeling of having his authority challenged made him very uncomfortable.
At this moment, the eunuch announced: "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Li Song requests an audience."
"Oh?" A hint of amusement flashed in Shen Chong's eyes, "Let him in."
As soon as Li Song entered the imperial study, he fell to his knees with a plop, tears streaming down his face. "Your Majesty! I am guilty! I failed to judge people and nearly caused a disaster. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
This attitude of his surprised Shen Chong. He had expected Li Song to defend himself or criticize him.
"Grand Master, please stand up." Shen Chong said calmly, "What crime have you committed?"
"My crime was that I failed to stabilize the salt price in time, causing panic among the people in the capital. Fortunately, the Princess of Yan turned the tide and resolved the crisis. I am incompetent and unworthy of your majesty's trust!" Li Song said as he wiped his tears with his sleeves, looking very pretentious.
He first took the initiative to admit his mistakes and exposed his incompetence in order to reduce the emperor's vigilance.
Shen Chong said "hmm" without comment, indicating that he should continue.
Li Song kowtowed before continuing, "Although I am incompetent, my loyalty to Your Majesty is evident to all heaven! Although the salt price crisis has been resolved, I still have a grave concern in my heart that I must address, or I will be unable to sleep or eat."
"speak."
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