I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 305 The Gao Family
Yes, as soon as people heard this, they immediately gritted their teeth and bought several kilograms or dozens of kilograms, and some families with some extra money even bought hundreds of kilograms.

"Sorry, sir, each household is limited to purchasing three jin per month."

"Why is that?" some people asked anxiously. They had never heard of a buyer wanting to buy but a seller not wanting to sell!

"This was decided by Her Highness the Princess!" The waiter calmed the noisy crowd with just one sentence.

"The princess said that if the purchase is allowed, some wealthy families affected by the plague will definitely buy thousands or tens of thousands of catties of salt to hoard, or sell it to you when their shops run out of salt, or transport it out of the northwest to sell to people in other states. No matter which possibility it is, it is us ordinary people who will suffer!"

People who had suffered losses before immediately realized what was happening.

"That's right. A few years ago, when there was a flood in Jiangnan, some unscrupulous wealthy people bought up large quantities of grain that the imperial court was transporting to the disaster area and then resold it to the disaster victims at high prices."

"Oh my god, how could there be such a heartless person!"

“That’s right,” the salt shop clerk sighed. “To prevent this from happening, the Princess gave a strict order to all salt shops: each household is limited to purchasing three catties per month. That’s how the salt shops have always had fine salt for sale.”

"Fellow villagers, don't worry. The princess has specially consulted someone to calculate that each person will eat at most half a catty of salt per month. Three catties will definitely be enough to feed a family of six for a month."

One of the villagers hurriedly said, "My family is large, with twenty-seven or twenty-eight members, young and old. What should we do?"

"Sir, you can find a familiar neighbor or the village head to testify that there are many people in your family. The salt shop will then sell you the corresponding amount of salt based on the number of people in your family."

The shop assistant said seriously, "But if the salt shop finds out about any deception, not only the criminals, but also the witnesses will all be imprisoned!"

Wow! That's so ruthless!
It's good to be tough, though. If we're not tough, we won't be able to stop the unhealthy trend of big players hoarding and selling at high prices!
Someone stealthily slipped out of the crowd and ran back to the mansion to report, "Something terrible has happened, sir!"

The servant quickly recounted everything he had heard in front of the salt shop.

Master Gao slammed his hand on the table. "What a fine Princess Zhaoshan!"

This move effectively thwarted all their plans.

Young Master Gao sighed. He had said long ago that a shrewd and wise woman like Princess Zhaoshan would never give them any loopholes.
Young Master Gao dismissed the servant and personally handed a cup of tea to Master Gao, saying, "Father, have some tea to calm your anger."

How could Gao De calm down? The Gao family made their living by trading salt. Now that Tang Zhao has cut off the Gao family's livelihood, what will the hundreds of Gao family members eat and drink in the future?
“Father, our Gao family is nothing more than a small merchant family. Even with the backing of the Prefect of Ningzhou, we didn’t dare to oppose Princess Zhaoshan, let alone now?”

Since Ningzhou got a new prefect, the Gao family's business has been suppressed in every way. Their income has plummeted while their expenses remain the same, and in just a few months they have become unable to make ends meet.

Gao Xing originally thought that once the siege of the Northwest was lifted, the Gao family could continue to trade salt using their old connections and trade routes, and the Gao family would still be able to stand firm.

But who could have imagined that Princess Zhaoshan could develop such superior fine salt and sell it at such a low price?

Gao Xing was certain that Princess Zhaoshan would not be satisfied with selling fine salt only in the Northwest.

Even if Princess Zhaoshan agrees, the people of Dayu will not allow it!
In this way, the Gao family's business will inevitably come to an end, leaving them with only two paths: either change their allegiance or decline into obscurity.

As the next head of the Gao family, Gao Xing naturally wouldn't let the Gao family decline, so he advised, "Father, it's time for our Gao family to switch allegiance to a wise ruler."

What doesn't Gaode understand? It's just that back then, he relied on the prefect of Ningzhou to act arrogantly and did many things that skirted the edge of the law. Now, thinking about it, he can't sleep soundly at night.

Given Tang Zhao's temperament, it's hard to imagine what price he would have to pay to save himself and his people from Tang Zhao's clutches!

Gao Xing also fell silent, clearly aware of how unethical his father and clansmen had been.

"Then what should we do according to Father's opinion?"

"Let's move!" Gao De made up his mind. "Now that the soldiers besieging Ningzhou have retreated and the roads between Ningzhou and the outside world are open, we will move our whole family to Jiangnan." Jiangnan is full of powerful families, and Gao De was not sure that he could not find another powerful backer.

Gao Xing watched his father's resolute expression and remained silent. After returning to his room, he pondered for a long time. The next day, he used the excuse of checking accounts to go out and secretly went straight to the Ningzhou Prefectural Government Office.

A constable came to report, "Sir, the young master of the Gao family requests an audience."

"As expected, they've arrived," Zhang Anzhi put down his official duties, stood up leisurely, and went to the back hall.

"This humble subject pays his respects to Your Excellency," Gao Xing said, kowtowing deeply with a resounding thud.

Zhang Anzhi personally helped him up. "Young Master Gao, did you come to the government office because of the salt merchants?"

Gao Xing was surprised that Zhang Anzhi was so open and honest. He was both happy and nervous. "Your Excellency is very insightful. I have come here for the matter of the salt merchants."

Gao Xing said with embarrassment, "To be honest, sir, the Gao family used to rely on the support of Xianzhi Prefecture to do a lot of things by buying low and selling high, which I am deeply ashamed of."

Zhang Anzhi laughed and said, "Doing business naturally involves buying low and selling high, otherwise how can you make money? As long as you don't break the law or violate morality, I will naturally not make things difficult for you."

The heart that had been hanging in my throat finally settled down. The Gao family had done a lot of unethical things, but thankfully they hadn't crossed any legal lines.

"This humble subject has come to see you today to ask for your introduction to Your Highness the Princess," Gao Xing said solemnly. "I have connections and inside information about salt trading, which I wish to share with Your Highness the Princess."

"Young Master Gao is so righteous, the princess will surely be willing to see you."

Zhang Anzhi agreed, "The Princess will arrive in Ningzhou soon, and I will introduce you to Young Master Gao then."

Overjoyed, she exclaimed, "Thank you so much, sir!"

The border between Gansu and Sichuan prefectures.

Having just finished a major battle, King Xuan mounted his horse and said to the trembling Prefect of Shu Prefecture, who was kneeling on the ground begging for mercy, "Go back and tell Emperor Pingyuan to wait for me in Luoyang!"

The prefect of Shuzhou was terrified. He pressed his head firmly to the ground and only collapsed to the ground as if relieved after the army had left.

"My lord!" Shao Yin stepped forward to help him up.

"Quickly, help me back to the government office! I need to submit a memorial to His Majesty immediately!"

The prefect of Shuzhou was carried back to the government office by the yamen runners. He tried to write several times but failed. He had no choice but to let the vice magistrate write down King Xuan's words in detail on the memorial and send it to the capital by express courier.

Northwest, Wuwei Prefecture.

Tang Zhao skipped forward, "Father!"

"Zhao Zhao!" King Xuan dismounted and stepped forward to embrace Tang Zhao. "Quickly, let your father see if you are injured."

Tang Zhao circled around in front of King Xuan, saying, "Father, don't worry, Zhao Zhao is doing very well."

"It's good that you're not hurt," Prince Xuan gently stroked Tang Zhao's head. "Don't worry, Zhao Zhao, your father will definitely avenge you!"

Tang Zhao nodded vigorously, "Yes!"

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