I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 326 Exploring the Salt Depot
The officials of the Salt Transport Commissioner, who had been waiting on the shore, bowed and greeted Tang Zhao as he disembarked, saying, "Greetings, Commander of the Salt Transport Commissioner!"

"Gentlemen, please excuse the formalities," Tang Zhao said, raising his hand. "I am sure you all know the purpose of my trip. I hope you will work together with me to accomplish this task."

"We, your humble servants, will certainly follow Your Majesty's lead!"

Tang Zhao was satisfied. Regardless of what the officials of the Salt Transport Commissioner were like in private, they still respected her on the surface.

The Salt Transport Commissioner's Office was located on Guanqian Street, the most bustling street in Suzhou Prefecture, covering an area of ​​over a hundred acres. Two huge stone kylins stood solemnly at the entrance, and a soldier stood guard every five steps. A patrol team passed by every incense stick, making it extremely well-guarded.

Tang Zhao walked through artificial hills and flower corridors, past pavilions and towers, and finally arrived at the office of the Salt Commissioner after walking for about half an incense stick's time.

The soldier on duty at the gate lifted the bamboo curtain, and a blast of cool air rushed in, instantly invigorating Tang Zhao, who had been wilting from the scorching sun.

The spacious and bright office was filled with ice basins, instantly lowering the temperature to a comfortable level. Bright sunlight streamed in through the half-open windows, illuminating the sheer curtains.

Even in July or August, the Biyuan Courtyard didn't set out so many ice basins all at once. Tang Zhao clicked his tongue in admiration, thinking that the officials in Suzhou really knew how to enjoy life and how to spend money.

"You must be tired from your journey. Have a bowl of chilled yogurt to refresh yourself."

Yang Qianyi, the chief clerk of the Salt Transport Office, clapped his hands, and two servants quickly presented him with ice cream.

Tang Zhao looked down and saw that in the sky-blue porcelain bowl, there was a milky white, smooth, semi-solidified milk mixed with crystal-clear ice cubes, topped with a thick layer of dried fruit pieces, and decorated with several budding flower stamens, which looked very appetizing.

Tang Zhao picked up the porcelain bowl, scooped a spoonful, and put it in his mouth. The ice cream had a delicate and smooth texture, was cool and slightly sweet, and had a hint of wine aroma.

It tasted even better than what the imperial kitchen made.

After finishing a bowl of chilled yogurt, Tang Zhao felt refreshed. "Lord Yang, we've eaten and drunk our fill, it's time to get down to business."

"You're right, sir," Yang Qian quickly put down the half-eaten ice cream. "Where would you like to begin, sir?"

Tang Zhao thought for a moment and said, "Salt."

Yang Qianyi hesitated. Shouldn't a new official check the accounts first when taking office?

"Does Lord Yang have any questions?"

"No, no, I will have someone send the salt over right away."

"No need," Tang Zhao stood up. "I will go to the salt depot myself!"

Yang Qian led the way, and Tang Zhao headed towards the backyard.

At the entrance of the salt depot, the officials responsible for guarding the depot were chatting idly.

"Hey, what do you think is the background of this new salt commissioner?"

"Who cares! I definitely won't be staying here for long anyway."

"I heard that the newly appointed Salt Commissioner is a woman. It's truly a rare occurrence for a woman to hold office!"

"Tch! So what if it's a strange story? No matter how powerful she is, she's just a woman! With so many people in our Salt Transport Office, we can't fool her?"

Tang Zhao paused in his steps.

Yang Qian's vision went black, and he opened his mouth to scold, but Gu Ci quickly covered his mouth.

"The officials in charge have already set up a trap, just waiting for this commander to fall into it headfirst. Once she's deeply mired in it, they'll reach out and pull her out."

"If she knows what's good for her, she'll naturally turn a blind eye to the Salt Transport Commissioner's affairs. If she doesn't, the officials in charge will beat her while she's down, not only sending her back to the capital but also jeopardizing her official position!"

Tang Zhao glanced at Yang Qian.

Yang Qian shook her head in horror.

One of the officials was somewhat worried, "The commander has His Majesty's backing; what if she decides to fight to the death..."

"What's there to be afraid of? The officials in charge can't handle it, and there are also these powerful families in Jiangnan. Let alone a mere commander, even His Majesty..." "Cough!" Tang Zhao coughed heavily.

She could pretend not to hear if you said that, but if you said it was His Majesty, then she couldn't pretend not to hear anymore.

The three salt warehouse officials turned around, and upon seeing Tang Zhao's official robes and Yang Qian's unpleasant expression, their faces turned pale instantly. They knelt on the ground with a thud and kowtowed, begging for mercy.

Gu Ci let go of her hand.

Yang Qian, mindful of Tang Zhao's presence, suppressed the urge to kick those three bastards to death and knelt down to plead, "Your Honor, please investigate. We have served as officials for many years, always working diligently and cautiously, never daring to overstep our bounds in the slightest."

"As for something as unforgivable as deceiving an official, I wouldn't even dare to think about it!" Yang Qian glared fiercely at the three men who were pale with fright. "Tell me, who instructed you to slander me like this!"

The three officials wept uncontrollably, saying, "We were just speaking recklessly and uttering nonsense. The Salt Transport Commissioner's Office is loyal and devoted, and would not dare to do anything disobedient."

Tang Zhao stared at them for a moment, then chuckled, "Get up, all of you, get up!"

Yang Qian and the other three had no idea what Tang Zhao was up to, and dared not move.

"I know that the Salt Transport Commissioner's Office is very busy and everyone is under a lot of pressure. It is inevitable that they will get together to chat during their spare time."

Tang Zhao smiled and glanced at the three salt warehouse officials. "Of course, exaggeration, fabrication, and parroting are inevitable."

"It's just a few idle words. Although I am a woman, I am not a petty or calculative person, and I will not take your words to heart."

Yang Qian was filled with doubt and surprise, while the three salt warehouse officials wept with joy.

"However, under no circumstances should His Majesty be mentioned. If this happens again, I will not let you off lightly!"

The three salt warehouse officials repeatedly assured, "Your Excellency, we will certainly follow your instructions and never repeat this mistake!"

"Then get up!" Tang Zhao walked past them to the gate of the salt depot. "Open the gate, I need to inspect the salt."

The official in charge of the salt warehouse keys stumbled forward, his hands trembling as he unlocked the lock. Two other officials hurriedly stepped forward and pushed open the salt warehouse door, saying, "Please come in, sir."

Tang Zhao stepped inside and casually pointed to a sack. "Open it."

Two salt warehouse officials worked together to lift the sack out, untied the ropes binding it, and opened the sack.

Tang Zhao reached out and picked up a lump of salt.

Why isn't it being crushed?

"Your Excellency, this salt depot is a wartime military salt depot and cannot be used in peacetime. Jiangnan has always been peaceful and there has been no opportunity to use this salt depot, so the salt has not been crushed."

Crushing also requires manpower, which means hiring people, and hiring people requires spending money.

Money is a wonderful thing; spend it when you should, and save it when you should.

Tang Zhao tried to pry it open, but couldn't, so he handed it to Gu Ci.

With a slight flick of his wrist, Gu Ci caused the rock-hard salt block to crack.

Tang Zhao urged, "Try it."

Gu Ci dipped his finger in a grain of salt that had fallen into his palm and put it in his mouth to taste. Not only was it not very salty, but it also had a strong bitter taste.

Having grown accustomed to the fine salt produced by Zhao Zhao, eating this salt block was truly difficult to swallow.

Tang Zhao asked expectantly, "How is it?"

Gu Ci stated frankly, "It tastes terrible."

Tang Zhao was completely satisfied.

The National Day holiday is over, sob sob sob