Chapter 90
Unfortunately, these two restaurants were "ungrateful" and limited the daily quantity. If you went too late, you would not be able to eat. This aroused everyone's competitive spirit and curiosity.
At the same time, the news released by Sun Jimao that "the monthly limit is 300 bottles, and only available for reservation in the mansions of Dukes and above" spread throughout the capital like wings.
At that time, countless people used their connections and channels to try to get a bottle of "Yupinxian". Its price on the black market was rapidly driven up, from the initial ten taels of silver per bottle, soaring all the way to fifty taels, and even a hundred taels, and there was still no demand.
That day, Zhang Weizheng, the Minister of War, was locked outside his study, exposed to the cold wind for half the night, because he failed to snatch a bottle of "Imperial Fresh" for his wife. The next day, when he went to court, he had dark circles under his eyes and saw the Minister of Personnel, Li Ge, as if he were meeting a family member.
"Brother Li, I heard that your family got a bottle of 'Imperial Fresh' the day before yesterday?" Zhang Weizhen asked seriously.
Li Ge stroked his beard, a look of unconcealed pride on his face. "It was just luck, just luck. My son must have had some connections and begged it from Boss Sun. Wow, the taste is really not exaggerated. I've lived for sixty years, and this is the first time I've known that soy sauce can taste like this."
Zhang Weizheng was filled with envy and jealousy. He leaned over and whispered, "Brother Li, how about giving me half a bottle? The price is negotiable! My wife is about to blow the roof off our house because of this."
Li Ge waved his hands repeatedly. "Brother Zhang, this isn't about money. This bottle of 'Imperial Fresh' is now the treasure of my house. Not even a drop can be lost, let alone half a bottle! My daughters-in-law almost had a fight in the backyard over deciding what to cook with it for lunch today."
As the two were talking, a light cough was heard nearby. The Minister of Revenue, Lord Qian, spoke quietly, "My lords, please stop showing off. I heard that the Duke of Anguo ordered ten bottles at once. That's what you call grandeur."
When these words were spoken, the officials around him gasped.
The Duke of Anguo was Song Qingyuan's grandfather. Everyone suddenly realized that this "Imperial Fresh" was actually the Crown Princess's business! No wonder it was connected to the Eastern Palace.
For a moment, everyone's eyes changed when they looked at Shen Yanzhi. This prince was not only very capable, but the princess he married was also a remarkable woman with a good way of making money. Together, this couple was invincible.
After the court session, Shen Yanzhi returned to the East Palace and saw Song Qingyuan sitting in the yard, basking in the sun and looking at the account book with a smile.
"What are you so happy about?" Shen Yanzhi walked over, took the account book from her hand, took a look at it, and was also happy.
The account book clearly stated: First batch of 300 bottles of "Imperial Fresh," advance payment of 15,000 taels of silver. This was just the list price, not counting the multiples of the black market price. The cost of the soy sauce itself was less than 100 taels.
“This is faster than robbing money.” Shen Yanzhi sighed.
"This is called brand premium." Song Qingyuan shook his head proudly. "Wait two months, when the market is fully opened, we will launch the affordable version. That's when we'll really make a lot of money."
She leaned on Shen Yanzhi's shoulder, looking forward to the future: "The salt from the Sky Realm can feed the people. Our condiments can help them eat well. In the future, we will open a cannery and a textile factory... and expand the business of the Great Zhou to the vast seas and the earth."
Shen Yanzhi listened to her grand blueprint, and his heart softened. He held her hand and whispered, "Okay, I'll do as you say."
However, a big tree attracts the wind.
The popularity of "Yupinxian" naturally attracted countless covetous and jealous eyes.
That day, a rumor suddenly began circulating in the capital. It claimed that the delicious flavor of "Imperial Delicacy" came from a powdered substance called "opium poppy" from the Western Regions. A small amount of this substance could invigorate the spirit and stimulate appetite, but excessive consumption could lead to addiction, ultimately depleting the body.
The rumor was so convincing that it said the raw material of "Imperial Fresh" was the "toxic brine" discharged from the salt fields, which was originally a waste product and was used by the Crown Princess to pass it off as good quality, bringing disaster to the people.
At first, everyone thought it was just a joke. After all, the words "Eastern Palace" were engraved on "Yupinxian" (御品鮮), so who would dare to joke about that?
But soon, things started to go wrong.
A wealthy businessman in the south of the city suffered from vomiting and diarrhea with his entire family after eating dinner made with "Imperial Fresh". Several doctors were consulted but none of them could help.
Soon after, several more households developed similar symptoms.
For a time, panic gripped the capital. Rumors that "Yupinxian" was "poisonous" spread like wildfire. The once bustling "Zuixianlou" and "Wangjiangyue" restaurants suddenly became deserted. Even those who had reserved "Yupinxian" products sent representatives to return them, expressing adamant fears of being associated with them.
Sun Jimao was so anxious that blisters appeared on his mouth, and he rushed to the East Palace as soon as possible.
"Your Highness, Crown Princess, what should we do?" He knelt down as soon as he entered the room. "Someone must be behind this! Our soy sauce, from bean selection to brewing, every step is spotless. There's absolutely no way it could be wrong!"
Song Qingyuan's expression was also very solemn. She helped Sun Jimao up and said, "Boss Sun, don't worry. I know what's going on."
Of course she knew her stuff was fine. So the problem lay with the people.
Shen Yanzhi’s eyes turned cold: “You came quite quickly.”
He knew without hesitation who was behind this. With the King of Qi under house arrest, the court's opportunistic and flanking officials had temporarily subsided. Only one person could dare to resort to such a treacherous tactic against the Eastern Palace at this time.
The one who was driven out of the capital by him but still had evil intentions - King Wei, Shen Chongyuan.
Although he wasn't in the capital, the King of Wei had been operating for many years and his influence in the capital was deeply entrenched, far more than that of the incompetent King of Qi. He was trying to cut off the source of funds and directly destroy the economic foundation that Shen Yanzhi and Song Qingyuan had just established.
"He thinks he can bring us down like this?" Song Qingyuan's lips curled up in a cold arc, "He really underestimates me, Song Qingyuan."
She looked at Shen Yanzhi: "Husband, this time, you don't have to do anything. I will get my place back myself."
Shen Yanzhi looked at the burning fighting spirit in her eyes, and instead of being worried, he was filled with confidence. He knew that his little princess would personally go out and deal with those jumping clowns.
"Okay." He said only one word, his eyes full of doting and trust, "If you need anything, feel free to ask. The entire East Palace is your backing."
A storm, sparked by a bottle of soy sauce, quickly gathered over the capital. This time, Song Qingyuan decided to show everyone that she, the Crown Princess, was not only a virtuous wife to the Crown Prince, but also a capable commander.
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