Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 132 Yancheng
Seeing the huge crowd from afar, Jiu Que couldn't help but feel curious.

"Are they also a delegation heading to the capital to pay tribute? Why are they carrying so much cargo?"

It's understandable that Jiu Que would have this question, since although the groups traveling with her were all heading to the capital to offer tribute, the amount of offerings they carried was limited. A group that stretched as far as the eye could see was indeed rather strange.

However, Bai Yichun's eyesight was much better than that of ordinary people. She stared at the seemingly grand convoy for a long time, frowned, and a solemn expression appeared on her face.

"Perhaps they've run into some problems. Don't be fooled by that huge fleet of cars; they're all empty."

"what?"

"An empty truck? What are they going to do with this empty truck?"

"This might not be the convoy heading to the capital. I remember that Yancheng is not far ahead. Yancheng does need to transport a large amount of salt to the capital every year. After all, most places don't produce salt, and well salt is still too scarce. Yancheng's status is beyond doubt. But judging from their gloomy appearance, something has most likely happened."

Jiu Que couldn't help but frown. She knew that salt production in ancient times was very limited, with only a few fixed locations producing it. In this era, salt was the economic lifeline of a country, and if there were problems with salt production, it might cause some unrest.

At this moment, not only did they discover the vast procession ahead, but the people ahead also discovered them. Before long, a middle-aged general riding a fine horse emerged from the crowded throng.

The man seemed to know Bai Yichun, greeting her from a distance, and Bai Yichun returned the greeting with a smile. However, having spent the past few days with her, Jiu Que could tell that although Bai Yichun was smiling, she seemed rather unhappy inside, as if her relationship with the man in front of her was only superficial.

The middle-aged general arrived quickly, and Jiu Que listened for a while before frowning.

"General Baiyi, it's been a long time since we've seen you. You still look as dashing as ever. It seems the tribute collection went well this year. Unlike us, we're exposed to the wind and sun all day, and our salt production is still insufficient. The demand from the surrounding people is too great, and we're almost falling behind."

"General Zhao, what are you saying? If it weren't for the salt wells in your Yancheng, the surrounding counties would be in dire straits. Everyone knows that it's precisely because of the Prince of Binyang's generosity that the prices we pay for salt are much lower. Speaking of which, General Zhao, I have a favor to ask. Could you sell more salt to Miaocheng this year? We've already been very frugal, but you can never have too much salt."

Jiu Que looked at Bai Yi Chun with some surprise. In her impression, Bai Yi Chun was cheerful and generous, but she had a certain arrogance. Even when facing superiors, she would not be obsequious. Didn't she have a conflict with officials in the capital before? However, when facing General Zhao, who was of the same rank as her, her attitude was respectful to the point of being obsequious.

General Zhao's attitude was also quite intriguing. Although he and Bai Yichun were clearly of equal rank, he took Bai Yichun's flattery for granted, even displaying an air of superiority, and his words were extremely perfunctory.

“General Baiyi, it’s not that Yancheng is unwilling to provide salt, it’s just that most of the salt in the country comes from Yancheng. Even if the salt well workers worked day and night, the amount of salt they could produce was limited. Every year, a large portion has to be paid as tribute to the capital, leaving very little for ourselves. However…”

At this point, the middle-aged general changed his tone, seeing that things might be turning around. Bai Yichun immediately stepped forward and offered his sincere support.

"But what? If there's anything difficult, General, just give the order. I, Bai Yichun, may not have much else, but I certainly have plenty of strength." A hint of disdain flashed in General Zhao's eyes, though it quickly disappeared. But Jiu Que swore that Bai Yichun definitely saw it, yet she acted as if she hadn't, still smiling.

"However, if General Baiyi really wants it, we do have a batch of salt here that wasn't refined very carefully due to a worker's mistake. It was originally intended for Bohai City, but our Yanzhou and Miaozhou have always had a good relationship, and the Prince has repeatedly emphasized that Miaozhou should be treated well. If General Baiyi doesn't mind, you can take it with you."

Jiu Que keenly noticed that Bai Yi Chun's hand twitched slightly in her sleeve. She didn't know if the other party had clenched his fist, so she could only remain silent for the moment. Before knowing the truth, she could not speak rashly, lest she cause trouble for Bai Yi Chun.

Sure enough, Bai Yichun barely stumbled and immediately smiled and agreed.

"No problem, of course not. As long as there's salt to eat, who would complain? It's just that the price is still the same as before?"

“General Baiyi, I’m really angry about this. There are only a few salt wells in Yanzhou, and the workers there not only don’t appreciate the money the Prince gives them, but they also cheat and shirk their duties. As a result, this year’s salt production has dropped significantly, so the price… will naturally go up a bit. I wonder if General Baiyi can accept that?”

"I understand, lower production naturally leads to higher prices, but I wonder by how much?"

"The price is 30% higher than before. If General Baiyi is willing, the batch of salt is ready and waiting for your inspection. We can exchange money for goods on the spot, and neither of us will owe the other anything. What do you think?"

Bai Yichun looked back at the group, estimated the time, and felt that they could enter the capital before the agreed date, so he nodded decisively.

"Of course, but I'll have to trouble General Zhao to wait a while. I'll settle this whole group of people in and then follow you into the city."

General Zhao glanced condescendingly at the large entourage behind her. He knew they were a tribute delegation from the poorest counties in the far south. Although he felt a bit disdainful, he wasn't foolish enough to say it aloud. It was a good opportunity to show these poor devils the strength of Yanzhou. Later, when selling salt to them, he could naturally raise the price.

"Of course, General Baiyi, please come in."

From beginning to end, General Zhao didn't even glance at Jiu Que. In his eyes, she was just a relative accompanying Bai Yi Chun. The Dai people in Miao Prefecture lived in a chaotic and mixed way, and it was absurd that women could also be in charge. However, that was the custom in Miao Prefecture, and General Zhao didn't want to lower himself to the level of Bai Yi Chun, a woman with only martial prowess, so he simply ignored her.

Bai Yichun immediately turned around and arranged for the troops to set up camp and rest. Jiu Que followed behind her and finally found a moment to ask in a low voice.

"General Baiyi, who was that person just now? How could he speak like that? It was extremely rude of him."

Bai Yichun immediately pulled Jiu Que aside with a tense expression. He looked around and was relieved to find that General Zhao was still holding his nose high and refused to take a step in their direction.

(End of this chapter)