Chapter 83
The Minister of Revenue also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor is absolutely right. I have checked all the files of the Salt and Iron Bureau and have found no record of any salt field producing such large quantities of refined salt."
The Princess of Yan must give the court an explanation for this matter."
For a moment, all the criticism was directed at Song Qingyuan.
Shen Yanzhi, however, acted as if nothing had happened, not even raising his eyelids, as if this siege against his wife had nothing to do with him.
Shen Chong observed everyone's reactions and felt even more apprehensive about Shen Yanzhi's composure. He looked at Song Qingyuan and asked in a deep voice, "Song Qingyuan, are they telling the truth?"
Song Qingyuan calmly took out a scroll from her sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, this batch of salt from your daughter-in-law is indeed not from any salt field listed in the Ministry of Revenue."
After hearing this, Li Song's eyes lit up even more. She admitted it!
"But," Song Qingyuan changed the subject, her voice clear, "it is not 'private salt', but a new treasure trove that your daughter-in-law has found for our Great Zhou!"
Shen Yanzhi, who was beside her, took the scroll from her hand at the right moment and presented it to the eunuch beside her. The eunuch slowly unfolded the scroll on the imperial desk in front of the emperor.
It was an extremely detailed map. Mountains, rivers, and streams were clearly marked. In the northwest, deep within the Qilian Mountains, a red circle marked a place—"Sky Realm."
"This is..." Shen Chong looked at the map with confusion in his eyes.
Song Qingyuan explained, "Your Majesty, this place is a clue that I found in a geographical annals of the previous dynasty. The book calls it the 'Devil's Eye' and it is a vast inland salt marsh.
Because of its remote location and harsh climate, it has been forgotten for hundreds of years. This time, I am leaving the capital precisely to verify the authenticity of this matter.
"I led my men deep into the Qilian Mountains, and after enduring many hardships, we finally found this salt marsh. Its size and abundance far exceeded our imagination. Even more remarkable is the abundant sunshine and dry climate here. The salt produced here can be simply dried to produce high-quality refined salt as fine as snowflakes.
I, your daughter-in-law, have the audacity to name it 'Sky Realm'."
She paused, glanced at the dazed Li Song and the Minister of Revenue, and continued, "The 50,000 stones of salt I brought back this time is just a drop in the bucket from the surface of the salt lake.
According to my preliminary estimates, if this salt marsh can be mined properly, its annual salt production will be enough to supply several provinces in the north of our Great Zhou! Its quality is far superior to any existing salt fields in our dynasty!
These words, like a thunderclap, exploded in the imperial study!
Everyone was stunned.
Discovering a new salt field with huge reserves and extremely high quality? What a tremendous achievement!
The Minister of Revenue opened his mouth but could not utter a word for a long time. He was in charge of the salt and iron industry, but he knew nothing about such an important treasury. This in itself was a dereliction of duty.
Li Song's face went from elation to shock, then to ashen, and finally to ashes. He had calculated everything, but he hadn't anticipated that Song Qingyuan wasn't going to "steal" but to "give away treasure"! The crime he had carefully crafted became a ridiculous joke in the face of such a huge achievement.
Shen Chong stared at the map intently, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid. As the emperor, he knew better than anyone what such a high-yield, high-quality salt field meant to the Great Zhou.
It means a steady stream of tax revenue, means that we can completely get rid of the constraints of salt merchants in certain regions, and means a full treasury and strong national strength!
"Are you... serious?" His voice was trembling.
"I dare not deceive your majesty." Song Qingyuan pulled out a small brocade box from her sleeve and presented it. "This is the salt sample I brought back from the Sky Realm, as well as the local water and soil samples. Your Majesty and the others, please review them."
The eunuch opened the brocade box, and inside were indeed crystal clear salt grains and several small bottles filled with soil and stones.
The evidence is conclusive and irrefutable.
"Hahaha...hahahaha!" Shen Chong suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter filled with ecstasy. He walked down the steps and personally helped Song Qingyuan up. "Well done! What a great Princess of Yan! You have made an unparalleled contribution to our Great Zhou! Reward! A generous reward!"
He turned to look at Li Song, whose face was ashen, his eyes becoming cold and sharp. "Grand Master, do you still think that the Princess of Yan is guilty?"
Li Song shuddered, his back instantly drenched in cold sweat. He fell to his knees with a thud, his head banging against the ground. "This old minister...this old minister was blind and nearly misjudged a loyal minister! This old minister was foolish! Please, Your Majesty, punish me!"
He knew that he had completely lost. Not only did he fail to overthrow Shen Yanzhi, but he became a stepping stone for Song Qingyuan's achievements, using his own stupidity to contrast the other party's wisdom and achievements.
Shen Chong snorted coldly, not bothering to look at him again. Instead, he held Song Qingyuan's hand, his face full of praise: "Princess Yan, whatever reward you want, just ask! Gold, silver, jewelry, land and fiefdoms, I will grant you all!"
Everyone's eyes were focused on Song Qingyuan.
Song Qingyuan slowly shook his head, broke free from the emperor's hand, took a step back, stood side by side with Shen Yanzhi, and bowed again.
"Your Majesty, I do not want any reward." Her voice was calm and firm. "'Sky Realm' is an auspicious gift bestowed by Heaven upon our Great Zhou, and it should rightfully belong to the state.
I, your Highness, would like to present to Your Majesty and the Imperial Court the detailed map of this salt marsh, the method of mining, and the newly developed refining and purification techniques!"
"I have only one request."
Shen Chong was in a good mood: "Speak!"
Song Qingyuan raised her head, her eyes clear. "Your Majesty, I implore you to price this 'snow salt' at no more than 30% of the price of the old coarse salt, and sell it to the people of the world. Let the people of the Great Zhou now have access to good, affordable salt."
Only in this way can we live up to the grace of Heaven in bestowing upon us this treasure house."
When these words were spoken, everyone in the room was shocked.
Even Chen Yanzhi glanced sideways at his wife, his eyes filled with endless tenderness and pride.
This immense wealth, which was enough to make a family as wealthy as a country, was given away just so that the people of the world could have a taste of affordable salt.
What a broad mind! What a boldness!
Shen Chong stared at the woman before him, a mixture of emotions running through his mind. Fear, admiration, shock, and even a hint of guilt. He had previously suspected someone like her of harboring evil intentions.
He sighed deeply, personally helped Song Qingyuan up, and spoke with an unprecedented sincerity: "Princess Yan, you are so righteous. I... on behalf of the people of the world, thank you."
At this moment, the winner has been decided.
Li Song collapsed to the ground, feeling drained of all his strength. He knew that from now on, he would never be able to shake the Prince of Yan's Palace in the slightest, in the eyes of the people and the emperor.
Shen Yanzhi and Song Qingyuan looked at each other and saw in each other's eyes the ultimate victory of this political gamble. They not only won against Li Song, but also won the future.
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