As for those from the previous dynasty, they dared not do it. Besides, the people from the previous dynasty had no connections to take action against the young Qing. Kangxi was very protective of her, and it wasn't worth it for a fetus whose gender was unknown.
Two more months passed, and Youqing was three months pregnant and the pregnancy was stable.
At this time, Kangxi received a memorial from Jiangnan, where a problem had occurred, related to salt.
Rice, oil, and salt.
Ordinary families can use some dry branches and fallen leaves as firewood.
Rice is grown by the people, and its production depends on the weather; they rely on the heavens for their livelihood.
The oil was mostly lard, though some vegetable oil was also available, but not much. Pigs could be domesticated, and the availability of oil depended on the farmers themselves.
However, this salt has many problems.
Salt production requires specialized personnel, and people cannot live without salt. Since ancient times, salt has been controlled by the imperial court. However, even with such control, the allure of profit has led to a lack of genuine integrity between salt officials and salt merchants throughout history. Even if there were, their fates were rarely good.
Sure enough, two salt officials in Jiangnan died, their deaths were extremely gruesome.
To be able to serve as a salt official meant one of Kangxi's confidants. The fact that they dared to treat Kangxi's confidants this way shows how rampant the salt merchants in Jiangnan and the interest groups behind them were.
This enraged Emperor Kangxi.
That evening, Youqing noticed Kangxi's furrowed brows and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Kangxi did not shy away from discussing state affairs with her, saying directly: "Two salt officials in Jiangnan died under mysterious circumstances, and my men could not find out anything. I don't know what Jiangnan has become. The people have difficulty getting salt, and there is no salt available even when it is available. The people can only eat smuggled salt, but how many people can afford smuggled salt? These salt merchants are hateful."
Although Youqing knew some history, she didn't really understand the difficulties people faced in getting salt. After all, in modern times, a bag of salt cost two yuan and one bag would last a long time.
However, she felt she had a solution to the problem of ordinary people not being able to afford salt.
"I have an idea, but I don't know if it will work?"
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