Dugong

Chapter 127 Establishing Trust Through Salt
The third year of Yongning.

April.

Taizhou Prefectural Government Office.

The seven thousand soldiers formed several layers of outer perimeter, with constant overt patrols and dozens of covert sentry posts, making it virtually impenetrable.

One month ago, in the middle of the night, Eunuch An suddenly withdrew his troops from Guanyun County.

It was more like a hasty retreat than a retreat.

After a two-day, one-night forced march, they arrived in the prefectural city and took over the internal and external defenses. Anyone who dared to question them was immediately arrested and imprisoned for interrogation.

Li Ping'an stayed in the government office for half a month and, finding no suspicious traces following him, finally summoned his subordinates to discuss salt system reform.

"His Majesty has decreed that salt certificates be replaced with salt tickets. How can we quickly implement this new system?"

The old and young eunuchs looked at each other, knowing that they understood intrigue and framing, but reform and governance were indeed difficult.

Gao Yuan, the former seventh-rank county magistrate and now the temporary sixth-rank prefect of Songjiang Prefecture, stepped forward and said: "Your Excellency, as the ancients said, 'Laws without credibility cannot stand, and governance without credibility cannot function.' Therefore, the key to new policies lies in gaining the trust of the people."

Li Ping'an agreed, "That's right, continue."

Judge Gao suggested, “There is an ancient story about establishing trust by setting up a log. Adults can establish trust by setting up salt, and those who buy salt tickets can collect the salt on the spot to sell. Naturally, people will be willing to try it.”

"This method works."

Li Ping'an instructed, "Xiao Yuzi, arrange a few salt brokers, so as not to let the market get cold."

Xiao Yuzi was beaming, his face as if he had applied rouge. In the past two months, he had seized the property of the officials under Prefect Wen and made a lot of money. He bowed and accepted the order with a smile.

"Don't worry, Godfather, I will handle it properly."

Judge Gao warned, "Sir, the new salt tickets do not restrict the salt-trading areas, so we must be wary of salt merchants from other places who might suppress the sales of salt."

Li Ping'an pondered for a moment: "This is easy. Stamp the 'Imperial Horse Administration' seal on the back of the salt tickets. Let's see who dares to obstruct us."

Judge Gao flattered him, saying, "Your Excellency's destruction of the Li family has shaken the Jiangnan region; the new policies will surely be implemented smoothly."

Li Ping'an said, "If this matter is accomplished, Xiao Gao can be promoted to prefect. If he can maintain the salt tax revenue for a few years, he can be placed in the imperial court."

Gao Tongpan knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Your Excellency is my second parent!"

"Xiao Gao, there's no need for that."

Li Ping'an helped Gao Tongpan up and said earnestly, "When you rise to a high position in the government, do not get too close to me. Instead, submit a memorial to the emperor and criticize him."

Judge Gao's eyes were filled with tears. "For the sake of our future, Eunuch An is actually willing to endure infamy. He's much more carefree than those scoundrels in the court."

Li Pingan added, "Once Xiao Gao is exonerated, who will dare to slander our family behind our backs? Make a list and deal with them properly."

"I understand."

Judge Gao nodded repeatedly in agreement. He came from a poor family and had been suppressed by powerful clans for many years. He was considered a true orthodox member of the Qingliu faction.

"Xiao Huizi, Xiao Chenzi, Eunuch Kang, Eunuch You..."

Li Ping'an called out each person's name and gave the order: "Each of you shall lead two hundred men to blockade all salt fields within the three prefectures and send the produce to the Salt Transport Office."

The eunuchs bowed and said, "Yes, sir."

Li Ping'an then said, "Eunuch Xia, take men to take over the salt transport office and post notices about salt tickets."

Eunuch Xia asked, "How should the officials and eunuchs serving in the yamen be dealt with?"

"Those who obey will be dismissed; those who disobey will be traitors!"

……

The following month.

The cries of agony echoed endlessly from the Sanfu Saltworks.

If all the eunuchs and officials in charge of the salt fields were beheaded, there might be some who were unjustly killed; if nine out of ten were executed, there would definitely be some who escaped.

Eunuch An didn't care about killing the wrong person or letting anyone escape, as long as they obediently got out of the way and made room for him.

After cleaning, the eunuchs of the Imperial Horse Administration were appointed as salt officials and salt supervisors, and the soldiers' squad leaders and sergeants were appointed as supervisors. From salt production to sales by the government, everyone was a member of the family.

The fifth day of May.

Outside the salt transport office, salt packages were piled up like mountains, and next to them was a new salt administration gazette, which several literate soldiers took turns reading aloud. Salt was essential for survival, and the people crowded around, watching and discussing it noisily.

Intimidated by the authority of the government, no one dared to step forward and inquire.

Li Ergou, a salt smuggler, mingled among them. After listening to the soldiers read out the new policy several times, he carefully calculated the price of official salt, which was about 50% more expensive than that of smuggled salt.

"But the price of government-issued salt has increased fivefold, and with salt coupons, there's no longer any fear of being arrested and beheaded."

Even during the salt trade, they would still be exploited by officials; ultimately, they only cared about money, not their lives.

Li Ergou's eyes darted around, and seeing several eager colleagues, he gritted his teeth, squeezed through the crowd, and walked up to the soldier to ask him questions.

"Sir, can we buy salt coupons?"

The soldier asked, "Do you have a letter of introduction?"

"There is."

Li Ergou took out a cloth bag from his pocket, and from it took out a business license, which listed his name, place of origin, age, and business scope as "itinerant merchant".

The soldier did not verify the authenticity of the merchant's pass, but pointed to the entrance of the yamen and said, "Go inside and buy salt tickets. You need to buy at least one bag of 100 catties, and then you can get salt with the ticket."

"Thank you, sir."

Li Ergou skillfully took out a small piece of silver and stuffed it into the soldier's hand.

The soldier didn't refuse, and the income slipped from his sleeve without a second thought. In recent months, he had been making money everywhere with Eunuch An, and he didn't care about a few pieces of silver.

Li Ergou took a few deep breaths, mustered his courage, and stepped into the salt transport office. Seeing the densely packed soldiers inside, he bent over even lower.

"With such tight defenses, could there be some secrets hidden here? Sigh... I was too impulsive. I should have waited for Liu the Cripple and Scarface to try it out first."

Once inside the yamen, there was no turning back. Li Ergou timidly approached the front office and saw a familiar face upon entering.

Pfft!
Li Ergou knelt down and kowtowed: "This humble subject pays respects to the Commander-in-Chief."

Li Ping'an ticked a box on the official document, agreeing to execute several salt officials suspected of treason, and then looked up and asked.

"You recognize our house?"

Li Ergou replied, "I saw your heroic figure at the North Gate two months ago, dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse. I can't forget it day or night."

Li Ping'an asked in surprise, "You've been to school?"

Li Ergou replied, "I studied for a few years earlier, but I was not good enough to pass the exam. After my parents passed away, I made a living by doing business."

Li Ping'an asked, "How many salt coupons do you plan to buy?"

Li Ergou said, "I'm just a humble citizen, and all my savings can only buy two tickets."

Li Ping'an asked, "If you're the first to buy salt coupons, we'll give you a hundred on credit. You have to pay the balance in three days. Do you dare to take it?"

Li Ergou glanced at the two rows of eunuchs on his left and right. Their eyes were filled with envy and jealousy as they looked at him. His nature as a salt smuggler, who valued money over life, was triggered, and he kowtowed.

"This humble subject thanks Your Excellency for your great favor."

Li Ping'an wrote a salt collection slip in running script, and after diligently practicing, he had already developed a style. He then ordered his young servant to take Li Ergou to collect the salt.

After the two left the government office, Xiao Yuzi asked curiously, "Godfather, why did you give salt to this man on credit?"

"It looks good."

Li Ping'an instructed, "You secretly lead men to follow him. Anyone who dares to obstruct his salt trade, confiscate their property."

"My child obeys."

Little Yuzi loved the job of raiding houses, and happily agreed, completely unaware of the cold glint in Eunuch An's eyes.

the other side.

Li Ergou collected one hundred bags of salt with a receipt, called over a familiar salt smuggler, and together they carried the bag to the market.

They sold it on the spot for double the purchase price.

The common people had never seen government-supplied salt so cheap, and it quickly became a hot commodity, with everyone fearing they would miss out if they waited too long.

In just two days, all 100 bags of salt were sold out.

Other salt merchants in Taizhou lowered their prices upon hearing the news.

(End of this chapter)