Brocade Robe Unparalleled

Chapter 18 One Fish, Three Ways

As Lin Xuan stepped out of the Jingbian Division gate, he gently rubbed his temples.

I've put in a lot of effort these past few days, and I didn't sleep a wink last night. Even an eighth-rank martial artist like myself feels quite exhausted.

However, Lin Xuan did not go home immediately, but went straight to Tianji Salt Shop.

Inside the room, Tian Qingluan seemed to have anticipated his arrival and personally poured him a cup of fresh tea.

Lin Xuan didn't stand on ceremony and said directly, "Miss Tian, ​​Commander Zhou is already aware of the new salt law. He ordered me to present the new salt law to the court. You know, under these circumstances, I had no choice."

Tian Qingluan smiled slightly, her face showing little surprise, but rather a hint of understanding. She said softly, "Commander Zhou has keen insight. He discovered such a beneficial technique for the country and will naturally report it to the court. I had already anticipated this."

Lin Xuan looked at Tian Qingluan and said, "With the new salt law being implemented by the imperial court, the Tian family will lose its exclusive advantage in refined salt. According to our original agreement, the contract is hereby voided, and all profits from the sale of salt can go to the Tian family. I, Lin, will not take a single penny."

Tian Qingluan put down her teacup, her calm eyes looking directly at Lin Xuan. She gently shook her head, her voice gentle yet firm: "Lin Xiaoqi, you are mistaken. It is only right to offer suggestions for the country. It is not Lin Xiaoqi's fault. The 20% profit should be given to Lin Xiaoqi, not a penny less."

Lin Xuan, unwilling to take advantage of others for no reason, shook his head and said, "No..."

Tian Qingluan looked at Lin Xuan, leaned forward slightly, her gaze intense, and said, word by word, "Young Master Lin, what I value has never been just that piece of salt law..."

Lin Xuan was forced back two steps by her ample bosom, and leaned on the table for support, his gaze slightly narrowed: "Miss Tian... what does this mean?"

Tian Qingluan's eyes sparkled as she slowly said, "Qingluan believes that you, sir, are destined for greatness. Perhaps the Tian family will need your help in the future. Consider this 20% profit as a way to establish a good relationship with you..."

After pondering for a moment, Lin Xuan finally nodded and said, "In that case, I would be impolite to refuse."

Tian Qingluan straightened up, a gentle smile returning to her lips: "This is what Lin Xiaoqi deserves."

Then, her expression turned serious, and she said, "There are some things Qingluan wants to remind Lin Xiaoqi of. The salt administration reform is a matter of great importance, involving the interests of countless people. Lin Xiaoqi must not get too involved, otherwise, it may bring about his death..."

Lin Xuan nodded and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Miss Tian. I will remember it."

Lin Xuan naturally knew that there was a lot more to this than met the eye.

Historically, salt administration reforms have always been accompanied by bloodshed and turmoil.

His mention of Wu Baihu and Zhou Qianhu in the new salt law was not entirely about personal relationships.

If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up; surely we can't let a mere flag officer bear the burden?
After that, no matter how the imperial court reformed the salt administration, it was no longer his concern.

If he, a mere flag officer, were really to be forced to take the blame, he could simply follow the man in black robes back to Nanzhao. Although his identity as a spy was dangerous, it was still a viable escape route.

After leaving Tianji Salt Shop, Lin Xuan went straight home.

He has been under a lot of stress these past two days and desperately needs a good night's sleep to recharge.

Lin Xuan slept soundly for a long time. When he woke up, everything was pitch black, so it must have been late at night.

Lin Xuan got out of bed in the dark, groped his way to the table, and lit the oil lamp.

When the lights came on, Lin Xuan saw a figure shrouded in a black robe sitting quietly at the table.

The next moment, he heard a hoarse yet familiar voice in his ear.

"You've slept long enough..."

Lin Xuan clutched her wildly beating chest. This man in black always appeared so silently.

Taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart, Lin Xuan bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency."

The man in black robes cut to the chase: "How did you mediate the feud between the Tian and Yang families?"

Lord Sengoku already asked the same question once.

Lin Xuan could only repeat those words again.

"What?" The black-robed man's usually calm voice showed a noticeable fluctuation for the first time, even carrying a hint of disbelief and astonishment: "You have created a new method of salt production that can significantly reduce the amount of water required, shorten the salt production time, and produce a large amount of refined salt?"

Lin Xuan nodded and said, "Yes."

The man in black robes couldn't hide his surprise and immediately said, "Write it down, now, immediately, write down the new salt law, without missing a single detail!"

At this moment, her hands, hidden in her wide black robe, were trembling slightly.

The Nanzhao Kingdom was small and barren, with scarce resources, and salt was particularly scarce. Every year, it had to spend huge sums of gold and silver to purchase it from the Yong Kingdom, and it was always subject to the control of others.

The new salt production method saves water and time, making it ideal for the mountainous and water-scarce region of Nanzhao. If it can be promoted, Nanzhao will be able to produce its own high-quality salt and will no longer have to rely on others. The amount of silver saved each year will be considerable.

Lin Xuan sighed inwardly and silently picked up a pen and paper.

The weak have no voice. Whether in front of Commander Zhou or the man in black robes, he had no choice.

The inkstone was empty, and Lin Xuan was about to grind some more when the man in black robes grabbed the ink stick and said urgently, "I'll do it!"

Lin Xuan glanced at it sideways and thought to himself, "Knowledge is power; this saying seems to apply everywhere."

Wu Baihu usually bossed him around, and the man in black robes was even more arrogant, but today, they could only stand obediently beside him grinding ink.

After he had ground the ink, Lin Xuan picked up his brush and began to write.

The man in black robes stood behind Lin Xuan, his eyes fixed on every stroke of his brush.

The room was eerily quiet, with only the scratching of pens on paper; the atmosphere was so heavy it was suffocating.

After an unknown amount of time, Lin Xuan finally put down his pen, rubbed his slightly sore wrist, and presented the several sheets of paper filled with writing with both hands: "My lord, this is the new salt law."

The woman in black immediately took the papers and, by the dim light of the oil lamp, carefully examined them word by word. After reading them several times, she carefully folded the papers neatly and hid them inside the innermost layer of her black robe.

After doing all this, she sat back down in her chair, turned her hood toward Lin Xuan, and although she couldn't see his expression under the mask, her tone was much gentler: "Very good. You have made such a great contribution this time. I will apply for a reward for you as soon as possible. When you return to Nanzhao in the future, today's achievement will be enough to bring you immense wealth and glory!"

Lin Xuan clasped his hands and said, "It is an honor for me to serve you, my lord, and I dare not ask for any reward."

The man in black robes said, "Don't worry, the Secret Service is fair in its rewards and punishments. You will receive your due reward in full..."

She seemed very anxious; after saying those words, she turned and left, her figure quickly disappearing into the night.

Soon, only Lin Xuan and the flickering oil lamp on the table remained in the room.

The dim candlelight cast a long shadow of Lin Xuan, and the cracked wall behind him, like a spider web, trapped his shadow firmly.

Lin Xuan slowly sat down, staring at the shadow on the wall, and remained silent for a long time.

He handed over the same "new salt law" to the Tian family, to the imperial court, and to the Nanzhao Kingdom... truly making the most of the situation.

Lin Xuan was not worried that he would be exposed because of this.

Once the Tian family begins its new salt-making reforms, the layers of salt fields used for graded salt production will be impossible to hide. And if someone is willing to investigate, they will discover that the family has purchased large quantities of charcoal, gauze, and other materials, and their purification and filtration methods will be revealed.

Even if they suspect him, Lin Xuan can still face the Mirror of Inquiry with equanimity.

Every day since he came into this world, he has been walking a tightrope between life and death.

Taking a step to the left means death, taking a step to the right also means death.

Fortunately, so far he has been steadily walking in the middle.

From initial worry and sleepless nights to now being at ease and adept at navigating social situations, Lin Xuan has gradually adapted to her current predicament...

(End of this chapter)