I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 334 Eat it, then spit it out

“Your Excellency is wise. When did I incite the people?” Min Zhuang explained, “I am ignorant and do not know that wood ash can remove toxic substances from sea salt. I mistakenly believed that sea salt was poisonous and sent troops to block the salt shops because I was afraid that the people under my jurisdiction would be harmed.”

Min Zhuang lifted his official robe and knelt down, "This humble official was reckless and almost tarnished Your Excellency's reputation. I beg Your Excellency to punish me!"

"My reputation is a small matter; the failure of the salt administration reform and the resulting inability of the people to afford salt is a big deal," Tang Zhao said, looking down at Min Zhuang. "Since Lord Min admits his lack of talent and knowledge, he should consult me ​​more often before doing anything in the future."

Min Zhuang gritted his teeth, "Your humble servant obeys!"

"Get up," Tang Zhao said, turning to the people. "Fellow villagers, please continue queuing to buy salt!"

The people cried out joyfully, "Thank you, Your Excellency!"

"Does Lord Min have some free time later?" Tang Zhao looked at Min Zhuang, whose face was tense. "If you are free, I would like to invite you to watch a play."

Min Zhuang gave a forced smile, "Since you have invited me, how could I dare refuse?"

The two walked westward for less than 500 meters before the Salt Transport Commissioner's Office came into view.

Min Zhuang glanced at it and instantly felt as if he had entered an ice cave.

Soldiers dressed in Northwest Army uniforms, holding long spears and carrying long knives, surrounded the Salt Transport Commissioner's office. From the head of the Salt Transport Commissioner's office to the lowest clerks and scribes, all of them were bound hand and foot, gagged, and pressed to the ground. There were also signs behind them, clearly showing their names and official titles.

The young man standing before them was dressed in a purple prince's robe and wore a purple-gold jade crown. He had a cool and dignified demeanor and a handsome and noble face, which attracted the attention of the young women and wives who were watching the commotion from afar.

Min Zhuang's voice was hoarse. "My lord, this is..."

Tang Zhao smiled faintly and walked straight to Gu Ci without saying a word.

Upon seeing Tang Zhao, Gu Ci's icy expression instantly melted, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

"Is everything going well?"

Tang Zhao raised his chin, "With me in charge, success will naturally be achieved!"

Gu Ci's smile deepened, and he bowed slightly, saying, "Your Excellency is mighty."

If Tang Zhao had a tail, it would probably be wagging its tail to the sky.

The two chatted and laughed for a while, oblivious to everyone else. Min Zhuang endured it for a long time, but finally couldn't bear it any longer. "Your Highness, what crime have the officials of the Salt Transport Commission committed? Why are they suffering such humiliation?"

The sweet atmosphere was interrupted, and Gu Ci was displeased. "Humiliation? This little bit of humiliation is nothing compared to what they have done."

Min Zhuang's heart skipped a beat, and he tentatively asked, "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

Gu Ci turned his head to look at Fu An, the only one whose mouth had not been gagged. Fu An quickly recounted in detail how Yang and others had smuggled government salt.

Manager Yang was making incoherent noises, and the veins on his neck were bulging.

Min Zhuang's hands and feet were ice-cold. He hadn't expected Yang Qian to be so bold as to dare to touch the salt warehouse!
"Sir, is there a misunderstanding here?" Min Zhuang asked, forcing himself to speak. "The testimony of a mere salt depot official is ultimately insufficient to prove the guilt of Manager Yang and the others."

“Lord Min is right,” Tang Zhao agreed wholeheartedly. “We must let people have a say in the matter.”

Zhaohui stepped forward and pulled the rag out of Yang Qian's mouth.

"My lord, I am innocent!" Yang Qian cried out. "Even if I had the guts of a bear and the gall of a leopard, I would never dare to smuggle salt from the salt warehouse!"

"How do you interpret Fu An's testimony?"

“That day, Fu An and the other two spoke ill of you behind your back. I was furious when I heard this, so I deducted a year’s salary from them as punishment. Perhaps because of this, they hold a grudge against me and want to kill me!”

Tang Zhao was speechless. This reason was too far-fetched. To frame one's very superior for a year's salary? Did he have a death wish?
Yang Qian crawled a few steps on his knees. "Your Excellency is wise! Fu An and the other two have always only guarded the wartime military salt depots. The twelve salt depots in the east and west are guarded by other salt depot officials. How could they know whether the salt in the depots has been smuggled?" Fu An was about to retort when Tang Zhao gave him a look, and Fu An was so frightened that he immediately shut his mouth.

Yang Qian seized the opportunity, "My lord! I swear on my life that not a single grain of salt is missing from the salt depot!"

Tang Zhao seemed somewhat hesitant. "In that case, please ask Steward Yang to open the salt warehouse so that I can personally inspect it before making a decision."

Yang Qian lowered his voice by eight octaves, and after a long pause, he finally said, "My lord, please forgive me. I have unfortunately lost the key to the salt warehouse, and I am afraid I cannot open it now."

Tang Zhao:. . . . . .

Couldn't you come up with a slightly more plausible reason?

Seeing Tang Zhao frown, Yang Qian hurriedly said, "Please give me ten days, no, seven days. After seven days, I will definitely find someone to open the salt warehouse so that you can inspect it."

Tang Zhao looked at Gu Ci, "What does Your Highness think?"

Gu Ci nodded. "Alright."

"Very well, I'll give Steward Yang seven days. If the salt warehouse gates still can't be opened after seven days, I'll dismantle them by force."

Yang Qian repeatedly assured him.

Min Zhuang interjected, "Sir, that salt depot official is framing his superior."

Tang Zhao interrupted, "Whether it is a false accusation or not still needs to be proven. For the time being, let them stay with me and I will personally guard them."

Min Zhuang forced a smile, "Your Excellency is wise."

"The play is over, and I'm sure Lord Min has many official duties to attend to. I won't keep you any longer," Tang Zhao said hastily, seeing his guest off.

Min Zhuang glanced at the disheveled Yang Qian, then bowed and withdrew.

Once Minzhuang was out of sight, Tang Zhao seemed to realize something and lightly slapped his forehead. "Quick, quick, untie the officials!"

Chaohui and Chaoyi drew their swords from their waists and swung them lightly, breaking the ropes and sending them crashing to the ground.

Yang Qian and the others had been kneeling for too long, and their legs were numb so they couldn't stand up. But they were afraid that Tang Zhao would change his mind, so they gritted their teeth and helped each other to their feet.

Tang Zhao seemed to see them fifty or sixty years later, when they were old and frail.

If they live to see that day.

"I will be heading to Zhejiang to reform the salt administration, and I will leave the affairs of Suzhou entirely to you."

Yang Qian took the lead and said, "Rest assured, sir, we will certainly live up to your expectations."

Tang Zhao nodded in satisfaction.

After watching the last Northwest soldier disappear from sight, Yang Qian immediately led the officials of the Salt Transport Commission back to the main hall. He sat at the head of the table and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, at this critical moment, we must unite against the enemy in order to save our lives from Tang Zhao's guillotine!"

Manager Jin's face was grim. "Manager Yang makes it sound so easy. Nearly 80% of the official salt in the twelve salt warehouses in the east and west—where are you expecting everyone to get it?"

"Either return all the salt, or die!" Yang Qian sneered. "Don't forget, everyone was involved in the illegal sale of government salt, and everyone shared the profits. No one can get away with it!"

Manager Jiang and Manager Zou exchanged a glance, their expressions equally grim.

Who wants to spit out what they've already eaten?
"Seven days, just seven days," Manager Yang softened his tone. "I only have one question: how you took the salt from the salt depot, how you return it now."