The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

On the other hand, Cui Xuan approached Cui Dunli, a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, and Cui Gan, a vice minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

Cui Gan's original name was Cui Mingan, but like Pei Ju and Li Ji, he changed his name to avoid using the same character as Li Shimin's name.

They were both from the Cui clan of Boling. Although they were not from the same branch of the family, they were naturally familiar with each other in the imperial court.

"My two cousins, you should have already figured out what Chen Huai'an is up to, right?"

After a moment of silence, Cui Xuan spoke first.

Cui Dunli calmly said, "I don't want to get involved in your fight. Whatever your plans are, don't drag me into it."

"And if I may be so bold, you've gone too far! It's true that Chen Huai'an threatened your interests, but you shouldn't have sent people to kill him, especially at such a crucial time when he had already been assassinated once before and had just assumed the position of Minister of Revenue!"

"Do you know what the consequences of your actions will be? What will His Majesty think? Are you determined to escalate the conflict to an irreconcilable point?"

Cui Xuan's expression was somewhat grim, and he said in a deep voice, "I didn't send anyone to ambush and kill him; I only found out about it after word spread!"

"I didn't need to do that. No matter what, I'm not so unreasonable as to be so clueless about the seriousness of the matter!"

"You! You didn't send anyone to surround and kill him!" Cui Gan snorted coldly, emphasizing the word "you," "Just because you didn't doesn't mean your main branch didn't."

"Sending someone to kill Chen Huai'an is foolish! Utterly foolish!"

"You've been able to sit still for months since refined salt became available, so why are you suddenly so restless now?"

"You could have waited!"

Cui Xuan had nothing to say and could only accept Cui Gan's accusations.

The other party is right; they were indeed waiting at first.

What are we waiting for?

Just look at the Li family of Zhao County.

Wine is one of the important industries of the Li family of Zhao County. Once Chen Huai'an's Beauty Pass came out, other wines simply couldn't be sold.

But did anyone from the Li family of Zhao County say anything?

No!

Why?

Because Chen Huai'an distributed the profits from the very beginning.

The reason why Chen Huai'an's Meiren Pass expanded so quickly and why the acquisition of raw materials was so smooth, including Wang Bai's successful acquisition of grain, was due to the help of the Li family of Zhao County.

During this time, the Li family of Zhao County and Chen Huai'an tacitly agreed to each other's schemes and made a fortune.

Everyone knows that salt involves such huge profits, and with Chen Huai'an's intelligence, he couldn't possibly be unaware of the consequences of hoarding it.

Therefore, Cui Xuan's faction has been waiting for Chen Huai'an to share the profits.

They weren't in a hurry before because they knew very well that Chen Huai'an and Li Shimin needed money, so they weren't in a rush.

However, this month Chen Huai'an implemented a city lockdown, almost overturning the table and smashing the plates with a forceful attitude, forcing everyone to sell their grain at low prices.

One of their elders lost too much grain, and in a fit of rage, did something outrageous.

If they did it, fine, but if they really killed Chen Huai'an, they might be able to slowly infiltrate the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works and obtain the methods of salt production and iron forging.

Now look what's happened! Not only are all six assassins dead, but Chen Huai'an is completely unharmed.

They even brought out papermaking techniques, intending to promote woodblock printing.

It all started because of them.

Cui Xuan remained silent and said, "There's no point in saying these things anymore. We will handle these matters, but we have only one request."

"We are determined to secure the profits from refined salt."

Cui Dunli and Cui Gan had indifferent expressions, seemingly unconcerned about it.

Both of them understood that when Cui Xuan said "we," he was not referring to the three of them, but to Cui Xuan and the eldest branch of the Boling Cui family behind him.

Cui Dunli said unhurriedly, "Suit yourself. Anyway, our second branch doesn't produce any salt. If you want it, then go ahead and take it."

Whether Chen Huai'an is willing to give it to you for free is your business, it has nothing to do with us.

Cui Gan nodded slightly: "That's right, it's useless for you to tell us this. I'll just warn you one thing: don't try to do something as stupid as murder again."

"Chen Huai'an survived an assassination attempt and immediately produced the papermaking technique. Do you really believe he could produce the papermaking technique and even new paper in a single day?"

"This shows that Chen Huai'an already possessed the papermaking technique, but he never revealed it due to the constraints of his powerful family."

"Now that you've pushed him too far, forcing him to reveal the secret of papermaking, do you think the other powerful families will hold you accountable for this as well?"

Cui Xuan was speechless. He recalled that when he opposed papermaking in the imperial court, almost no one from other aristocratic families supported him. He sighed slightly.

"I understand. Like I said, I will handle this matter well."

"But I'll say it again, our main branch must secure the profits from refined salt!"

As he said this, Cui Xuan stared intently at the two people in front of him, his gaze carrying a hint of threat.

There was no other way; salt was crucial to their main branch of the family business, an absolute pillar industry.

Now that we've run out of salt, we need to hold onto our finest salt even more tightly.

If they could get refined salt, they might be able to earn more than before, so that's their bottom line.

Cui Dunli's eyes flickered slightly, but he said calmly, "I'll say it again: if you want it, go get it yourselves. It's none of our business."

Cui Gan didn't speak, but he clearly meant the same thing.

Cui Xuan softened his tone: "My two cousins, please forgive my rudeness, but we know exactly what Chen Huai'an is up to."

"We are family after all, let's not give outsiders a reason to laugh at us."

Having said that, Cui Dunli hesitated for a moment before finally stating, "I promise you, I won't interfere with the salt business; everything else is none of my concern."

Cui Gan said, "I can agree to that, but I hope you won't do anything foolish again. Chen Huai'an is a very complicated person. If possible, don't fight him to the death."

Cui Xuan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "I understand, thank you both, cousins."

"You should figure out how to get that profit from Chen Huai'an," Cui Gan shook his head. "Such a huge profit, no one can sit still, and you've almost offended him to death."

"Trying to compete with others? It's not that easy."

After saying that, he left on his own, as did Cui Dunli.

Cui Xuan stood there, lost in thought.

Cui Gan is right. Other powerful families did not participate in the salt industry before, or participated very little, and did not care about it.

Now that Chen Huai'an has thrown out such a big piece of meat, can the others resist taking a bite?

If Chen Huai'an were to voluntarily share the profits with other companies, could they refuse?

The answer is yes!

No one can resist a piece of fatty meat that's been delivered right to their mouth.

Cui Xuan stood there, struggled for a moment, and then made a decision in his heart!

"..."