Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 256, Section 255: The National Treasury is Destitute
Uyu and Mrs. Ba could not imagine what "snowflake salt" was.

But since it was salt, the profits were bound to be substantial, and the two were overjoyed, eagerly awaiting the Queen's detailed explanation.

But there was no need for Qin Shi to explain further; another maidservant came with a box and presented it directly to Wu You and Lady Ba.

"Please take a look, you two."

Inside the brocade-wrapped box, glistening, jade-like particles lay quietly.

At first glance, Wu You thought they were snowflakes falling from beyond the Great Wall, pure white and especially noble.

Is this salt?
This is completely different from the finest salt he had come into contact with.

At that moment, he exchanged a glance with Madam Ba, who was also breathing heavily, and then whispered urgently, "I apologize for the offense."

Then he picked up a few and put them in his mouth.

salty.

Extremely salty.

But this pure, salty taste is far superior to any salt from the past, with not a trace of bitterness, astringency, or impurities!

If this is such refined salt, then travel outside the Great Wall will truly be unimpeded!

After all, grasslands and pastures that are uncultivable and lack species are even more in need of such hard currency.

If before we were excited by the king's favor and reward, or had fantasies about the future of our people... now, this is a tangible benefit that we can actually grasp!

Wu You cupped his hands in greeting: "Snowflake Salt lives up to its name! We, we are also qualified..."

He was so excited that even his usually shrewd and diplomatic nature prevented him from speaking coherently.

Watching from the side, Wen Xun recalled the Queen's earlier words, "All the world's hustle and bustle is for profit," and gained a deeper understanding of the matter.

The queen, who was above the rank, smiled and said:

"That's right. But the salt production is low, and the share you two receive is also low. If you want to qualify, you'll need to work extra hard on what I've instructed."

"This is nature, this is nature!"

Mrs. Ba happily agreed.

How can someone be rewarded repeatedly without having accomplished anything?
Businessmen like the Queen rewarded people after they achieved results, and then rewarded them again, which made people feel more at ease!
Her fingernails, hidden in her sleeve, dug deeply into her palms, and at that moment she felt that the path to heaven was right before her eyes!

Once we return to our clan, I doubt any elder will dare to say a word!

With such a round and large pie in front of them, Madam Ba and Wuyou felt a burning passion in their hearts until they stepped into Zhangtai Palace again and sat down comfortably in a corner.

Then look at the hall filled with high-ranking officials and dignitaries, the gleaming glass and bronze lamp bases in the corners, and the various desserts and delicacies I've never seen before...

The two sat in their respective seats, clearly some distance apart, yet Madam Ba still extended a hand towards Wuyou from afar:

"Next year, many weddings will take place in our tribes, and the young men will get to know each other and explore different trade methods... I wonder what the Wu merchant thinks?"

Intermarriage and exchange are now the closest relationships connecting a family.

Wu You became even more excited: "I couldn't be happier!"

Oh dear, he had never thought before that he had any deep connection with the family in the Sichuan region, but now he was in a great period of good fortune, and the Queen had given him so much!

If they miss out because they are not strong enough, wouldn't they regret it for the rest of their lives?

So what if they are at the very end of Zhangtai Palace? Judging from the Queen's magnanimity and arrangements, one day, young men and women from their clan will be able to enter the depths of Zhangtai Palace!

The two of them always felt that they were insignificant in the last seat.

But in reality, Prime Minister Wang Fu, who was gathered in front, had already examined the area thoroughly, and then turned to ask Wang Xueyuan:
"Are these the two merchants mentioned by the Imperial Censor?"

"Exactly." Wang Xueyuan also found it quite astonishing.
"That merchant from Wuzhou made his fortune by trading horses and livestock outside the Great Wall. He is a man of integrity and hard work, and he has a good reputation in his hometown."

"That woman is often called Madam Ba, but that's just a respectful title in the countryside; she doesn't actually have that kind of status."

The title of "Madam" is not something that ordinary people can attain.

However, when her husband's serious illness made it impossible for him to support the family, Ba Shi Ying turned the tide, causing various powerful families to fight each other. But she still firmly controlled the salt route, and therefore she was highly respected by the locals.

Since the people didn't report it and the officials didn't investigate, they chatted idly here, and no one wanted to delve into this crime.

Wang Xueyuan briefly explained their identities, and at that moment, she couldn't help but chuckle softly:

"I originally thought that the two of them were just providing some clues in Dongjun and making a small contribution."

Unexpectedly, he caught the Queen's eye and was subsequently entrusted with an important task.

Nowadays, people around Xianyang are singing praises of the King and Queen's benevolence, and coal dust sold by merchants in various post stations is being sold in baskets and buckets.

Wheelbarrows, curved plows, and coal stoves—portable and convenient. As the year draws to a close, the prices of potters and carpenters in Xianyang have soared, according to data gathered from various medical clinics the other day—

There are far fewer people experiencing unexplained abdominal pain and headaches this winter.

Saving lives is a great virtue!
Otherwise, even with the Queen's personal order, it wouldn't have been so easy for someone of his mere merchant status to be placed in Zhangtai Palace.

Those death row inmates who had not yet been resettled in Xianyang City were now being sent to the mines in large numbers.

Previously, no one could have imagined that coal, which produces a lot of smoke, has a strong odor, and can easily cause poisoning, could become such a heating material after proper processing!

The entire Zhangtai Palace was warm and cozy this winter. Wang Xueyuan sighed inwardly, "I wonder if Your Majesty could bestow upon me the grace of craftsmen so that I may have this kind of heated wall installed in my home after the New Year..."

The price of high-quality smokeless carbon was particularly high, and nobles competed with each other, not daring to use inferior materials for fear of losing face.

But with this coal to burn in the fire wall, it is only necessary in a secluded and deserted place, which is neither wasteful nor wasteful, and makes the winter warm and cozy.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to invite friends over for drinks, with music and singing filling the air?!
The Minister of Justice, Xin Wan, was always cold and stern, and he did not approve of Wang Xueyuan's dissolute and pleasure-seeking behavior. However, being a subordinate official, he merely glanced in the direction of the two merchants again:
"Merchants act for profit and seek shortcuts in everything. Although they may be useful, they should not be relied upon."

"Prime Minister, next year we must petition the King not to grant too many preferential treatments. Otherwise, the flow of gold and silver may cause many problems."

Prime Minister Wang Fu smiled and stroked his beard: "That's natural."

To be honest, the coal-fired walls for heating will be renovated by craftsmen sent to his residence after the New Year.

Before the coldest days arrive, even this old man can enjoy himself.

But before that, he also glanced intently in that direction:
With the Queen having so many good strategies and making good use of such merchants, I wonder if the Qin treasury will be even more abundant next year.
At the end of the year, funds are allocated from various places, and at the beginning of the new year, requests for funds from various places must also be prepared. In summer, there are often floods, droughts, and disasters in various places...

Now that the six states have been brought under Qin's control, the area under Qin's jurisdiction and the number of incidents will inevitably increase several times over.

This money is insufficient, and we are truly struggling to make ends meet!
Sure enough, it was supposed to be a joyous New Year, but a few days ago, when he was holding the account books, the few sparse old hairs on his head that even his hair crown couldn't hold back were now even more unable to stay in place!

Alas, how impoverished we are!

　I ordered braised hairy crabs in oil, hey! Late-night snack!

　　(End of this chapter)