In ancient times, the powerful and wealthy seized power step by step.

Zhu Qingyu was genuinely frightened by Gu Zhao's words.

She never imagined that a high-ranking young master like Gu Zhao would have such keen insight into the lives of ordinary people.

How could someone who has never even stepped into a kitchen in their entire life possibly be able to tell whether a dish contains official salt or smuggled salt?

The laws of this dynasty stipulate that buying and selling smuggled salt is a crime punishable by the same penalty: those who buy smuggled salt will be punished with seventy strokes of the cane, two years of imprisonment, and confiscation of their property.

Gu Zhao came to Yangzhou to handle the case of banning smuggled salt. If he really took it seriously and strictly followed the law, the boatman would have been ruined and killed today with just one order.

The boatman ran a pleasure boat business, and Yangzhou cuisine emphasizes light flavors. If he used government-issued salt, the dishes would be ruined, and his business would naturally fail. He was just honestly running a legitimate business. Why did he have to go to such lengths to ruin his family over salt?

Zhu Qingyu began to smooth things over:

"Whether it's smuggled salt or official salt, I can't tell the difference. Since the cook's dishes suit your taste, he should be rewarded, shouldn't he?"

Gu Zhao suddenly stopped eating and looked at her with a probing gaze:

"Madam Zhu, are you afraid? Why? Do you think I would kill for this?"

Zhu Qingyu was indeed somewhat worried. She didn't know Gu Zhao well, yet he possessed such legitimate rights.

More than two years ago, the previous imperial envoy with this power was also ordered to investigate a salt smuggling case. After discovering that even the executioner Hu Xiaofeng could not stop the smuggling of salt, he was at his wit's end and had no other options. He had committed many atrocities in accordance with the law.

Su Mu and the others, each with their own trials and tribulations, were bought back by Zhu Qingyu around that time.

Having personally experienced that catastrophe, Zhu Qingyu still feels lingering fear and cannot forget it to this day. She asked in return:

"Sir, do you know how?"

Gu Zhao straightened his expression:

"Madam Zhu, the reason you ask this is because you think I would do such a thing. It seems you don't understand me. Since you're worried, I can tell you very clearly that for me, salt is both a matter of national policy and a necessity for the people. Buying salt is not a crime. To ban smuggled salt and protect salt taxes, I don't rely on killing ordinary people who buy salt. So, can you feel more at ease?"

Gu Zhao's candor made Zhu Qingyu feel somewhat ashamed.

Ultimately, she never truly knew or even wanted to know what kind of person Gu Zhao was. All her knowledge of Gu Zhao stemmed from her stereotypes about the powerful and wealthy, from the prejudice she had formed by seeing so many bad officials here, and from her own unfounded speculations.

But now, judging from his words and actions, Gu Zhao might be the kind of good official that only exists in books—caring for the people, upright in character, not greedy for money, and not doing evil.

Zhu Qingyu stood up and, under Gu Zhao's surprised gaze, bowed to him:

"It was my petty thinking, please forgive me, Lord Gu."

Seeing that the young woman before him had lowered her guard, Gu Zhao remained unmoved, his serious expression unchanged, and replied:

"Qingyu, we've had so many dealings together, I consider ourselves to have some kind of relationship. While we wouldn't call each other bosom friends, we're certainly on good terms. That's why I've come to ask for your help today. It's rather formal for you to always address me as 'Sir.' From now on, in private, may we address each other by our courtesy names?"

Because she had just made malicious assumptions about Gu Zhao, Zhu Qingyu actually felt quite embarrassed. Although she thought it was a bit far-fetched for a merchant's wife to be friends with a second-rank official, Gu Zhao's request was merely to change how he addressed her in private, which wasn't unreasonable, so she readily agreed.

"Okay, Shouming, I understand."

Gu Zhao laughed:

"Let's eat, the food's getting cold."

After this, the social gathering transformed from a gesture of returning favors into a mutual support among friends, and even the atmosphere at the table became more relaxed.

Gu Zhao even took the initiative to talk to Zhu Qingyu about the issue of the second manager, which was of most concern to her:

"Your shop's second-in-command has been arrested and is in my hands. He's not a tough nut to crack; he confessed to everything. It was a very simple scheme. First, Lord Liu pretended to befriend him with the appearance of being courteous and respectful. Then, he had the casino lure his son into incurring a huge gambling debt that would cost his entire family their lives. Lord Liu then stepped in to settle things for him. Lord Liu didn't ask for much; he just wanted him to make a fake ledger and come out as a witness when it mattered most."

She understood why the second manager acted this way, but she really didn't understand where Lord Liu's malice came from.

Seeing Zhu Qingyu's confused expression, Gu Zhaoshan kindly answered her question:

"Last year, Lei Dawu tried to use someone to facilitate the salt smuggling business through the Zhang family's ships, but Zhang Jingyan didn't agree. What, he didn't tell you?"

Zhu Qingyu had indeed never heard Zhang Shen mention this matter. Based on her understanding of Zhang Shen, she suspected it might involve salt smugglers, and that the more she knew, the more dangerous it would be for her.

Since this matter originated with Lei Dawu, the crisis can be resolved as long as Lei Dawu and his backer are brought to justice.

Zhu Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief and replied:

"Then when the master catches Lei Dawu..."

Seeing Gu Zhao looking at her with a half-smile, Zhu Qingyu realized what was happening and quickly changed her words:

"Once Shouming catches Lei Dawu, the Zhang family will be exonerated."

Gu Zhao's smile softened:

Do you think I can catch him?

Zhu Qingyu answered affirmatively:

"Of course, he's just a bandit. If he didn't have a powerful backer, how could he possibly stand up to the government? His life would have been in your hands long ago. If it weren't for the need to root out the traitors within the government, you would have arrested him long ago. How could he have been allowed to roam free until now?"

Gu Zhao's smile deepened, and he asked again:

"So do you think the illegal salt trade can be stopped?"

Zhu Qingyu hesitated for a moment. She usually didn't talk about national affairs in front of people she wasn't very familiar with. In this place, saying the wrong thing could cost her her head.

Gu Zhao's gentle smile remained unchanged, as if he were completely unaware of Zhu Qingyu's hesitation, and he asked again:

"Qingyu, do you think smuggled salt can be banned?"

In fact, Zhu Qingyu didn't have many friends here for a long time.

Zhang Shen and Zhang Ruohua are relatives, Su Mu and the others are students, and the others are either of different status or gender, so they are not suitable to develop friendships.

Now that Lord Gu has treated her with the courtesy due to a friend, she should reciprocate with the same sincerity.

Zhu Qingyu, abandoning her usual perfunctory attitude, replied seriously:

"Then let me share my thoughts, Shouming, feel free to listen. I believe that arresting only Lei Dawu is insufficient. The existence of smuggled salt didn't originate with salt smuggler Lei Dawu; it arose because the people had a demand for smuggled salt. Even if Lei Dawu dies today, another salt smuggler will surely emerge in the future. Salt is unlike anything else; people absolutely need salt. As long as the price of smuggled salt is far lower than that of official salt, smuggling cannot be stopped. Only when the prices of official and smuggled salt drop to the same level can smuggling be effectively curbed."

Gu Zhao looked at Zhu Qingyu and remained silent for a long time.

He suddenly realized that he had never really known her; all his knowledge of her came from his own fantasies born of lust.

He was initially drawn to her beautiful face, but little did he know that behind that lovely appearance lay a compassionate heart, and behind that compassionate heart lay a profound understanding, a wealth of knowledge, and insight far surpassing that of ordinary people.

The more he learned about her, the more vivid she became in his eyes, drawing him deeper into her allure and making him infatuated.