The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 99 What...what kind of salt is this? Where did it come from?

Li Yichen stayed at home for three days.

Inside the room, in front of him were several earthenware pots, a linen filter, and a small charcoal stove.

The coarse salt blocks gradually melt in the clear water. After several filtrations, boilings, and crystallizations, a small pinch of fine, snow-white salt powder is finally obtained.

He picked up a small amount and placed it on the tip of his tongue; the pure saltiness spread quickly, without any of the bitterness or impurities of ordinary salt.

This was the anchor he chose—salt.

During the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, the salt administration followed the old system of the previous dynasty and did not implement a government monopoly.

During the reign of Emperor Gaozu, the emperor issued an edict to "open up the salt lakes and salt wells for the common people to use," allowing the people to mine and trade the salt on their own.

During the Zhenguan era, Li Shimin continued this policy, and most of the salt ponds and salt wells in the country were operated by local powerful families or ordinary people. The imperial court only collected a small amount of salt tax, which was included in the taxes levied on the prefectures and counties.

However, the debate in the court over the profits from salt and iron never ceased.

The Northern Wei and Northern Zhou dynasties implemented a salt monopoly, and the Sui dynasty also briefly did so.

Whenever border troubles arose and the national treasury was strained, ministers would always submit memorials requesting the restoration of state monopolies on salt and iron to fund military expenses.

Especially after the imperial court launched a military campaign against the Xueyantuo last year, the Ministry of Civil Affairs petitioned to investigate all the salt wells in the country and to discuss increasing the salt tax. Although this did not come to fruition, signs of trouble were already evident.

Li Yichen knew very well that the snowflake salt in his hand was indeed priceless at the moment.

Its white color, pure quality, and authentic taste are far superior to the coarse salt on the market that is mixed with yellow and green and contains the bitter taste of saltpeter.

If a credit system for lending and repayment is built around this as its core, it would initially attract merchants and wealthy people in droves, relieving the urgent need for money and grain in Xizhou.

But he was even more aware of the fatal weakness of salt as an anchor – it was entirely dependent on the current lenient salt policy.

If the court's policies change and it follows the example of Emperor Wu of Han by implementing a salt monopoly system, confiscating salt profits and strictly prohibiting private salt production and sales, then the credibility that the Crown Prince built on private salt would collapse in an instant.

At that time, not only will the money and grain of Xizhou be lost, but the Crown Prince will also be burdened with the crimes of "competing with the people for profit" and "smuggling official salt," his credibility will be completely ruined, and he will have no chance to recover.

The risk is extremely high.

However, he has no other choice at the moment.

Li Chengqian's patience was nearing its limit, and the situation at court was extremely urgent.

He must use this most effective measure to first stabilize the Crown Prince and secure the foundation of the Eastern Palace.

Moreover, he also needed to use this operation to cause a stir in the court, to guide Li Chengqian on how to fight correctly and to abandon any inappropriate thoughts.

He took a purple bamboo brush that had been prepared beforehand; the brush handle was hollow.

He carefully wrapped the refined salt in thin oil paper, divided it into several small packets, stuffed them one by one into the pen barrel, and sealed them with the original stopper, so that there was no flaw in the appearance.

This approach is not foolproof; if someone with ulterior motives investigates it thoroughly, it will inevitably be exposed.

But he was betting that no one would notice an ordinary writing brush in the short term, and he was betting on the privacy of his meeting with the crown prince.

He tucked the writing brush containing salt into the silk sash at his waist, just like an ordinary scholar.

When I pushed open the door and stepped out, it was still early, and the morning mist had not yet dissipated.

Li Quan stood in the courtyard, seemingly having been waiting for a long time.

His gaze swept over the writing brush at Li Yichen's waist, but he didn't ask any further questions. He simply said in a deep voice, "Some time ago, Wang, the head of the Ministry of Personnel, came by."

Li Quan's voice had a slightly dry quality that was barely perceptible.

Li Yichen paused slightly.

"Why?"

"It was just casual conversation. They asked about your recent situation in the Eastern Palace, and during the conversation...they asked about your past experiences."

Li Quan spoke slowly.

"Now, the appointment of the Xizhou Promotion and Removal Commissioner will likely be announced soon, and Cui Dunli is quite favored by the Emperor."

Li Yichen remained silent.

His father was informing him of the wind direction in the way he could.

"Your son understands." Li Yichen bowed respectfully.

"Father, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Li Quan glanced at him, his expression complex and indescribable, and simply waved his hand.

"Go. Be cautious in all things."

Stepping out of the Li residence, the air was crisp and cool. Early risers were already strolling through Yankang Ward, the ward walls standing silently, dividing families of varying status, some illustrious, some humble.

He repeatedly rehearsed the subsequent steps in his mind.

Offering salt is only the first step; the key is to use it as a foundation to quickly build a framework of trust.

At the same time, it is necessary to prepare contingency plans to guard against the risk of sudden changes in salt administration.

Perhaps... once the credit system is established and the first batch of money and grain are attracted, they could proactively seek to "offer" the salt-making method to the court, separating the Crown Prince from the direct management of this matter, and instead allowing him to play the role of advocating state-run operations and seeking benefits for the country.

Gradually, replace the anchor with other objects.

However, this requires extremely high operational skills and a precise grasp of timing.

East Palace.

After verifying the fish-shaped tally and passing through layers of palace restrictions, a stagnant atmosphere, unlike any other, filled the air.

The eunuchs and palace maids hurried along, their eyes lowered.

The Crown Prince's recommendation failed, and the power of the King of Wei rose. Every breeze here carried a chill.

Xiande Hall is just ahead.

Li Yichen took a deep breath and went to his cell to wait for his turn to read.

"You're back." Li Chengqian's voice was a little hoarse, revealing a suppressed weariness.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects." Li Yichen bowed in accordance with proper etiquette.

Li Chengqian waved his hand, gesturing for him to come closer.

After Li Yichen walked a few steps away from the table and stood still, he tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing an expression that could hardly be called a smile.

"Yichen, Cui Dunli will soon receive his orders."

His gaze finally focused on Li Yichen's face, with an inquiring look in his eyes.

"Yichen, tell me, how much longer do we have to wait?"

Li Yichen remained silent for a moment, and instead of answering directly, he took the purple bamboo writing brush from his waist.

“Your Highness, as I said before, we need an anchor to leverage your credit to secure funds and supplies.”

Li Chengqian's gaze fell on the calligraphy brush, his brows furrowed slightly, clearly puzzled.

“This substance is salt,” Li Yichen said calmly.

"Salt?" Li Chengqian was stunned, then an absurd expression appeared on his face.

"Yichen! Have you lost your mind? Salt? Salt that can be bought anywhere in the market? How can this be exchanged for 150,000 strings of cash and 200,000 shi of grain?"

He leaned forward, his voice becoming agitated.

"If you said it was some kind of overseas treasure or rare item, I might believe you to some extent!"

"Salt? Are you suggesting I become like those peddlers, selling salt for profit?"

"Leaving aside whether we can earn that money and grain, if this matter gets out, what will become of my reputation as the Crown Prince? What will the court officials say? How furious will my father be!"

After Li Yichen finished scolding him, he slowly showed him both ends of the brush, then gently unscrewed the stopper at the top of the brush and poured out a small oil paper packet.

He carefully spread a sheet of white paper on the table and poured a little of the white powder from the packet onto it.

"Your Highness, please take a look. Is this salt different from that sold in the market?"

Li Chengqian leaned closer to examine it with suspicion.

The salt was snow-white, with fine and uniform grains, unlike the greenish-yellow hue and the hard, coarse texture of ordinary salt.

He hesitated for a moment, then dipped his finger in the mixture and put it in his mouth.

A pure and intense salty taste instantly melts on the tip of the tongue, without any bitterness or off-flavors.

He was stunned.

During the Tang Dynasty, the royal family and nobles would dip certain foods directly in salt before eating them, and thus they were very familiar with high-quality salt.

As the crown prince, he naturally consumed the finest salt supplied exclusively to the palace, but even the tribute salt was far inferior to the pure and authentic salt before him.

"What...what kind of salt is this? Where did it come from?" Li Chengqian asked in surprise and doubt.

(End of this chapter)