Chapter 87
Just one bite and the difference is immediately apparent.
Dishes cooked with well salt have a subtle bitterness to them, while dishes cooked with snow salt have a pure saltiness that brings out the flavors of the ingredients. This difference is all too obvious to those who have been working with salt for years.
The faces of several salt merchants became even uglier.
Shen Yanzhi took their reactions in his eyes and smiled slightly: "It seems that everyone has already figured it out."
He changed the subject: "This is the second thing I want to discuss, business."
Sun Jimao's heart moved and he raised his head: "What do you mean by this, Your Majesty?"
"It's very simple." Shen Yanzhi's eyes swept over everyone present. "The quality of the snow salt from 'Sky Realm' has been tasted by everyone. Its reserves are abundant, enough to supply the entire Great Zhou.
"I, following Your Majesty's orders, am implementing the new salt policy to ensure that all people in the world can enjoy access to high-quality, affordable salt. This is the unstoppable trend of the times and cannot be reversed."
Hearing this, the hearts of several Jiangnan salt merchants sank to the bottom.
"But," Shen Yanzhi's voice rang out again, "I also know that you have been engaged in the salt industry for generations, contributing a lot of tax revenue to the court and supporting countless salt workers and boatmen. The court cannot cut off your livelihood just because of the new salt fields."
These words cheered up Sun Jimao and others, and they pricked up their ears.
"So, I want to show you a new way to make money." Shen Yanzhi picked up a small celadon bottle on the table and handed it to Sun Jimao, "Boss Sun, open it and take a look."
Sun Jimao took it with a puzzled look, uncorked it, and was greeted by a rich aroma of soy sauce. He poured a little onto his fingertips, put it in his mouth, and his eyes widened instantly.
"This...is this...soy sauce?"
"That's right." Song Qingyuan spoke from the side in a clear voice, "This is not ordinary soy sauce. We use the by-products of 'Sky Realm' and beans, brewed using a new method. We call it 'Imperial Fresh'. Its taste is far more delicious than any other sauce on the market."
Shen Yanzhi continued, "The production of salt in the Sky Realm produces a large amount of brine, which was previously considered waste. However, the princess studied ancient methods and discovered that this brine is a real treasure.
In addition to brewing this "Yupinxian" soy sauce, we can also make dozens of condiments such as vinegar, bean paste, fermented bean curd, etc. Each one is unique and delicious.
He looked at the dazed Sun Jimao and said, "I intend to give you the exclusive distribution rights of these new condiments."
"Exclusive distribution rights?" Sun Jimao's voice trembled slightly.
"That's right." Shen Yanzhi nodded. "You have trade routes all over the country, experienced associates, and a mature sales network. You are the perfect person to sell these things. I can guarantee that the profit from these condiments will definitely not be lower than the profit you made from selling illegal salt in the past."
He paused, his tone becoming more meaningful: "Of course, I also have a condition."
"Your Highness, please speak!" Sun Jimao was now completely attracted by this new way to make money.
"From now on, your fleet, in addition to transporting your own goods, will also be responsible for transporting some of the 'snow salt'. The court will pay the freight according to the market price.
You have done a great job. Not only will I allow you to continue the seasoning business, but I will also allocate a portion of the salt from Sky Realm to you for underwriting in the future."
"This..." Sun Jimao hesitated. Wouldn't this be like asking them to transport salt themselves and destroy their own jobs?
Shen Yanzhi saw through his thoughts and sneered: "Boss Sun, you are a smart man. Do you think that even if you don't take action, the King of Wei will let you go? He can use you to deal with me today, and tomorrow he can swallow up your Jiangnan Salt Industry in one gulp after the matter is accomplished. What is the end of seeking the skin of a tiger? I don't need to say more, right?"
These words were like a bucket of cold water, pouring down Sun Jimao's heart. He instantly understood the key point.
Indeed, how could a man like the King of Wei truly help them? They were merely pawns. Rather than being a pawn that could be discarded at any moment, they would rather join the King of Yan, who held real power and had a promising future!
Using the pledge of transporting snow salt in exchange for an exclusive business with greater profits and broader prospects, this deal is a good deal no matter how you look at it!
"Your Highness is wise!" Sun Jimao made a prompt decision and bowed deeply to Shen Yanzhi, "Your humble servant... no, I, the guilty minister Sun Jimao, am willing to serve Your Highness like a dog and a horse! From now on, our Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce will follow Your Highness's lead!"
Seeing this, several other salt merchants also knelt down to show their loyalty.
Shen Yanzhi and Song Qingyuan exchanged a smile. Without bloodshed, they had taken over the force most likely to become a resistance and used it for their own benefit.
Three days later, Emperor Shen Chong received two reports.
A letter from Shen Yanzhi, the Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner, stated that the Jiangnan salt merchants were well aware of the righteousness of the matter and were willing to share the worries of the court. They took the initiative to undertake the task of transporting snow salt and presented a detailed transportation plan, which was 30% more efficient than the court's original plan.
The other was an anonymous letter of accusation, exposing the conspiracy of the Prince of Wei to collude with the Jiangnan salt merchants to undermine the new salt policy and murder the Prince of Yan. The letter included a detailed record of the time, place, and content of the meeting between the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Wei's Palace and Sun Jimao and others.
Shen Chong looked at the watertight transportation plan, then at the harshly worded letter of accusation, and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he let out a long laugh.
"Great! Great Shen Yanzhi! Great at removing the fuel from under the cauldron and using the opponent's force to counterattack!"
He threw the letter of denunciation into the brazier in front of him, and the flames flared up, turning it into ashes in an instant.
"Someone come."
"The servant is here."
"I hereby decree that Prince of Yan, Shen Yanzhi, be appointed Crown Prince, and that he shall ascend to the Eastern Palace on a chosen day. Furthermore, Prince of Wei, Shen Chongyuan, whose words and deeds are improper and whose virtue is unworthy of his position, shall be removed from the capital and taken to his fiefdom. He shall not return to the capital without my order."
When the decree was announced, the whole court was shocked.
No one expected that this storm caused by salt would eventually decide the position of crown prince in such a thundering way.
Prince Yan's Mansion, no, it should be called the Eastern Palace now.
Shen Yanzhi and Song Qingyuan stood in the courtyard, watching the sunset in the sky.
“Father, I have finally made a decision.” Shen Yanzhi’s voice was very soft.
"He didn't make a decision. He simply chose the son who could help him solve the most problems." Song Qingyuan leaned on his shoulder. "However, the King of Wei was driven out of the capital like this. I always feel that things are not that simple."
"Of course not." Shen Yanzhi squeezed her hand. "Father's 'Gu breeding' has just begun. He just temporarily took the most hidden poisonous insect out of the Gu basin. But there's still the most impatient and stupid one in the basin."
He was talking about the King of Qi.
"The position of Crown Prince is an honor, but also a target." Song Qingyuan said softly, "The road ahead will be even more difficult."
"With you here, no matter how difficult the road is, it will lead to heaven." Shen Yanzhi turned his head and placed a kiss on her forehead.
The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their figures far, far away. A greater storm awaited them ahead. But their eyes held no fear, only a resolve to face the future together.
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