Brocade Robe Unparalleled

Chapter 58 Undercurrent
The next morning, after checking in at the Jingbian Division, Lin Xuan left the yamen again.

Two furtive figures were still following him at a distance. Although he could easily shake them off, doing so would only arouse suspicion.

Lin Xuan swaggered into Tian's Salt Shop, explained his purpose, and waited for Tian Qingluan while drinking tea.

This time, the waiter refilled his tea several times before Tian Qingluan finally arrived.

Upon seeing Lin Xuan, she spoke first: "Lin Xiaoqi, you've come at just the right time. Qingluan happens to have something she'd like to discuss with you."

Lin Xuan put down his teacup and said, "What is it, Miss Qingluan? Please speak freely."

Tian Qingluan sat down opposite Lin Xuan and said, "Qingluan would like to ask Lin Xiaoqi first, besides the Tian family and the imperial court, has Lin Xiaoqi informed anyone else about the 'new salt law'?"

Lin Xuan shook his head and said, "No."

That time, Lin Xuan used the fish in three ways. In addition to the Tian family and the imperial court, he also handed over the "new salt law" to Nanzhao, which he certainly could not admit.

Tian Qingluan looked surprised and murmured, "That's strange. Not long after the Tian family launched their refined salt, the Song family of Shuidong also launched a type of refined salt, whose quality is no less than that of the Tian family's..."

Lin Xuan wondered to himself, could it be that Nanzhao had given the new salt law to the Song family?

Tian Qingluan continued, "The Song family is one of the three major chieftains in the southwest. They control nearly 20% of the salt industry in the southwest. Under the impact of the Song family's refined salt, the salt industries of the other families have been affected. In particular, the Yang family, which is fiercely competing with the Song family in the salt industry, has suffered heavy losses. Yesterday, the Yang family and the An family, the two major chieftain families, arrived at Black Stone Village at the same time, wanting to buy the 'new salt law' from the Tian family. Qingluan wants to ask Lin Xiaoqi for his opinion."

Lin Xuan picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

Once the Tian family starts selling refined salt, it won't be long before other salt merchants in the southwest find out.

The Song, Yang, and An families were all prominent chieftains in the southwest.

The Tian family's strength is simply no match for them.

However, this does not mean that the Tian family is afraid of them. There are clear spheres of influence among the chieftains.

No matter how powerful those chieftains were, they wouldn't come to Sizhou to cause trouble for the Tian family.

Lin Xuan had no desire to get involved in salt administration.

He waved his hand and said, "I have already sold the new salt law to the Tian family. You can decide how to deal with it yourself, Miss Qingluan."

Tian Qingluan lowered her head and said, "Neither the Yang family nor the An family are people that the small Tian family can afford to offend. Since that's the case, Qingluan has no choice but to sell the secret recipe to them. How about the Tian family and Lin Xiaoqi split the proceeds fifty-fifty?"

Lin Xuan continued to wave his hand: "No need. I have already sold the new salt law to the Tian family for a thousand taels of silver, plus ten years of profit sharing. No matter how much silver it sells for this time, it all belongs to the Tian family. I will not take a penny."

Tian Qingluan thought for a moment and said, "In that case, the money belonging to Lin Xiaoqi will be kept by the Tian family for now, and Qingluan will hold it for you. The Tian family will pay you 10% interest every year. Lin Xiaoqi can ask for the money whenever he needs it..."

A 10% annual interest rate is quite good, and it's more profitable than depositing money in any money exchange.

Lin Xuan didn't continue the topic. He looked at Tian Qingluan and said, "Actually, I came here this time because I have something I'd like to ask Miss Qingluan for help with."

Tian Qingluan smiled slightly: "Lin Xiaoqi, there's no need to be so polite. Just say what you need to say."

Lin Xuan said, "I want to purchase some 'Tranquilizing Pills' through the Tian family's channels."

Tian Qingluan was slightly surprised and murmured, "Tranquilizing Pill, this seems to be a pill used by sorcerers during meditation..."

Lin Xuan explained, "It's like this, I have a friend..."

Tian Qingluan nodded slightly and said, "Alright, although this kind of pill is rare, with some effort, we should be able to buy it. I will send it to Lin Xiaoqi when the time comes."

Lin Xuan shook his head and said, "No need. If I manage to buy it, please leave it at the main store, Miss Qingluan. I will go and get it myself. Also... I hope that only Miss Qingluan and I know about this matter."

Tian Qingluan looked at Lin Xuan, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and then said, "Don't worry, Lin Xiaoqi, this matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me, and will never be heard by a third person."

Lin Xuan had an inexplicable trust in Tian Qingluan.

This trust is built on the foundation of their numerous collaborations.

Perhaps because of her identity as a businesswoman, although she was a woman, her methods of handling affairs were more decisive than most men.

Someone from the Jingbian Division was watching him, and Lin Xuan's own actions were probably also under the surveillance of the man in black robes.

This matter is best left to her. The two chatted about other things for a while, and then Lin announced his departure.

After seeing Lin Xuan off, Tian Qingluan returned to the village immediately.

Black Stone Stronghold Chief Tian Yunting and several elders had been waiting for him for a long time. As soon as he entered the council hall, one of the elders couldn't help but ask, "Qingluan, whether to sell or not is ultimately your decision..."

Tian Qingluan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Sell it. We can't afford to offend the Yang family and the An family."

Tian Yunting said, "But if we sell to them, wouldn't our profit be..."

Tian Qingluan shook her head slightly and said, "The new salt law is something our Tian family can't protect. We might as well give them face and negotiate some terms with them, hoping to open up more sales channels..."

At this moment, an elder stepped forward and said, "We initially promised Lin Xiaoqi a 20% cut because of the profits from refined salt. Now that several major chieftains have obtained this method, our profits will inevitably be much lower than before. Shouldn't we lower the conditions we promised him earlier...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Tian Qingluan waved her hand to interrupt him.

Tian Qingluan looked at everyone and said seriously, "In this matter, it wasn't Lin Xiaoqi who benefited, but my Tian family. If it weren't for the new salt law, the Tian family would have been swallowed up and reduced to a vassal in this reform..."

She sighed softly, looked at the elder, and said, "Fifth Elder, you are getting on in years. From now on, you should stay home and rest during clan meetings..."

No one in the room, including Tian Yunting, objected to her words.

The Tian family owes its current status to Qingluan, and the Tian family unconditionally obeys all her decisions.

Tian Yunting helped the elder up, saying, "Come, Fifth Uncle, let me help you out..."

An hour later, the two groups of people walked out of Black Stone Village in high spirits.

Although the Yang and An families do not take the Tian family seriously, it is difficult for them to extend their influence into Sizhou.

If the Tian family refuses to sell under the new salt law, they'll really have a headache.

Unexpectedly, the Tian family was quite sensible. Although the price was a bit high, five thousand taels of silver per family, it was nothing compared to the losses they had suffered.

If the Song family isn't stopped soon, their own salt shop will soon be squeezed out of business.

Salt profits were of paramount importance to them, and compared to that, the small request made by the Tian family was nothing.

They just want to open a few shops within their sphere of influence. Let them open them; it's just a few shops, it won't affect the overall situation.

at this time.

Inside the council hall of Black Stone Village.

The elders had already dispersed. Tian Yunting looked at Tian Qingluan and asked, "Qingluan, tell me, where did the Song family get their new salt laws? Could it be that Lin Xiaoqi is profiting from both sides...?"

Tian Qingluan shook her head slightly and said, "No."

Tian Yunting asked in surprise, "Then it could be..."

Tian Qingluan's gaze flickered, but she didn't explain further, only saying, "Our Tian family will just focus on selling our salt; other matters are none of our concern..."

……

Beijing.

Wanshou Palace.

From behind a curtain, the sound of chimes could be heard occasionally.

Commander Chen Bing of the Jingye Division bowed before the curtain and whispered, "The Yang and An families have already purchased the new salt laws from the Tian family. In the future, the salt industry in the entire southwest will probably be completely divided up by these major chieftains. The survival of other small and medium-sized chieftains who rely on the salt industry will become extremely difficult, and there may be trouble..."

The chime music behind the curtain stopped, followed by a languid voice.

"It was those powerful chieftains, not the imperial court, who stole their livelihoods and drove them to desperation. The Jingbian Commandery is ordered to appease them properly. They can purchase their salt mines at 60% of the market price, and at the same time, they can recruit young men from their tribes into the garrisons with generous salaries..."

(End of this chapter)