Following the instructions of the salt people, Han Jiang went to the workshop where "refined salt" was made.
Seeing that the finished product had almost no odor, Han Jiang was surprised again. He did not expect that sea salt could be made so finely, surpassing most table salt in the world.
If it is sold in separate batches with ordinary salt, it seems likely to add another financial income to the court.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh. For the princes in the court, the Huaidong Salt Field was already a quagmire. Prime Minister Wang also wanted to use the salt field to delay Cao Bin. Unexpectedly, Cao Bin not only solved the problem quickly, We also strive to do better.
People like me have always regarded themselves as loyal and capable ministers, but it turns out that they are so different from Cao Bin, a dandy with a noble background. I don't know what Wang Xianggong and others will think when they know about the progress here. Will they be like me? Feeling ashamed.
Just as Han Jiang was sighing secretly, a group of people with armbands followed the previous salt people and came over:
"My lord, the salt factory is an important place for the imperial court..."
Han Jiang glanced at the Yan people who were leading the way, quickly stopped the guards around him, and looked at the leader's "armband" curiously:
"I am the imperial envoy Han Jiang. Who are you?"
The dress of this team is really too strange. They are uniformly dressed but they don't look like officials, nor do they look like civilians.
The leader "Armband" quickly saluted and said:
"Sir, we are the salt workers' union picket team. Mr. Cao ordered us to ensure the normal production of salt..."
After a brief inquiry, Han Jiang understood what kind of organization the salt workers' union was. What surprised him even more was that the union was actually from salt workers, and they would be awarded titles by the court for outstanding work.
Although the official position promised by Cao Bin was extremely small, it also added a way for the people to make progress, and also added a possibility for the Yan people to supervise the government. It was the first of its kind in ancient times. Will the imperial court agree?
At this time, he couldn't help being surprised by Cao Bin's courage, and he probably understood Cao Bin's purpose of doing this.
The government is not exactly the same as the court. They have a unified stance, but they also have opposing contradictions. The establishment of a trade union can effectively prevent local officials from deceiving the superiors and hiding from the subordinates and acting recklessly.
But in the final analysis, the government is a tool for the court to control the people. Transferring rights to the people is something that many people in the government would never want to see.
Looking at the busy and orderly salt production scene around him, and the tired but energetic and hopeful eyes of the salt residents, Han Jiang suddenly became a little silent. Perhaps this was the meaning of Cao Bin's daring to risk the disapproval of the court.
He wanted to ask more questions, but was interrupted by the staff member who came over:
"Sir, all the people and property have disembarked. Now we should confirm the intention of Lord Cao as soon as possible."
"People from Yushitai and Kaifeng Mansion may have already come after them..."
Only then did Han Jiang remember the purpose of coming to Yancheng. Now that Wang Yanling and Pan Renmei were fighting fiercely, they could no longer care about themselves. If Cao Bin didn't want to speak for him, then he would be doomed.
Thinking of this, he nodded quickly and walked out:
"Okay, follow me to the city quickly to ask for an audience with Marquis Zhongjing."
Although most of his actions are forced by Cao Bin, and the other party has achieved his goal, it stands to reason that he will not see his misfortune, but Cao Bin has never been unreasonable, who knows if he will burn bridges?
You still need to confirm what the other person thinks before you can feel at ease.
After entering the city, Han Jiang didn't care about anything else and went straight to Wu's manor to meet Cao Bin.
Seeing Yan Qing and Yang Zhi go in and give orders, and then quickly take the task and go out, Han Jiang only waited for a reply from the housekeeper:
"Master Han, the Marquis said that the handover between you and him has been completed. Since you are in a hurry to return to Beijing, there is no need to meet. He wishes you a safe journey."
Hearing this, Han Jiang felt bad.
Damn it, when you were using yourself, you would use your official position to suppress others in order to keep yourself. Now that you have finished using yourself, you want to get rid of yourself without even seeing him. Is this so inhumane?
Han Jiang was naturally unwilling to give up this life-saving straw and quickly said respectfully:
"Butler, please inform me again that Han Jiang is willing to wait, and please ask the Marquis to see me no matter what."
The housekeeper was very embarrassed and said with some unbearability:
"Sir, my Mrs. Yang is pregnant. In order to be with her, the Marquis has postponed many official duties and even stopped going out for fun."
"Since the Marquis said that you have handed over the official duties, it is better not to disturb my Marquis..."
Han Jiang asked for help many times, but the housekeeper refused to inform him.
Gradually, Han Jiang also noticed something, so he gritted his teeth and took out a memorial from his arms and said:
"Please ask the housekeeper to inform you again that Han Jiang wants to impeach Wang Yanling for his arrogance and wants to ask the Marquis for advice."
This was the trump card he had prepared long ago. In order to let Cao Bin rescue him, he had no choice but to sell Wang Yanling and temporarily join Cao Bin.
After all, that old guy Wang Yanling is used to digging holes but not burying them. Wang Yanling is a big reason for Han Jiang's unlucky time this time. It is impossible for him to say that he has no resentment in his heart.
However, Han Jiang was quite kind and did not expose Wang Yanling's real weakness. He only brought up some less important issues to make a fuss about.
As expected, when the housekeeper of the Hou Mansion heard this, he ran to report it without saying a word, leaving him quite speechless.
This is obviously to take advantage of him.
In the inner courtyard of the manor, Cao Bin was listening to books with his eighth sister for fun. When he heard the butler's report, he couldn't help but smile to eighth sister Yang:
"Han Jiang looks kind-hearted, but he actually has a lot of tricks up his sleeve."
Sister Yang nodded while smacking the melon seeds, and said aggrievedly:
"Maybe in this court, I am the only one in the Yang family who is upright. I was betrayed by Wang Yanling without any means of counterattack."
With that said, she put down the melon seeds again, pushed Cao Bin gently and said:
"Cao Lang, go quickly. You have been staying with me these days. Don't delay your business because of me."
After saying that, she laughed crazily again. After finding out she was pregnant not long ago, she wrote a letter to Taijun She immediately.
This child is not only her own long-awaited child, but also the hope of the Yang family. I wonder how happy Mrs. She will be when she receives the news.
Seeing this, Cao Bin had no choice but to stand up and say:
"Okay, as my husband, I'll go see Han Jiang."
In fact, Cao Bin did not intend to trick him to death this time. Han Jiang was easy to use. He was from a family of officials. His father had been an official and participated in political affairs, and several brothers were also officials in various places. He has extensive friendship with the conservative faction in the DPRK and China.
Cao Bin didn't expect him to be loyal to him, as long as he stated his position, it was enough.
When Wang Anshi, a stubborn husband, is used in the future, Han Jiang can be used as his deputy to act as a buffer and lubrication.
"Master Hou, you can't cross the river and burn the bridge!"
As soon as he entered the front hall, Cao Bin was grabbed by Han Jiang's sleeve, and he cried out in grievance.
Cao Bin shook off his arm without leaving a trace, turned around and sat on the main seat, took a sip of tea, then showed a smile and vowed:
"Don't be anxious, Zihua, am I the one who crosses the river and demolishes the bridge?"
"Don't worry, I already have evidence of the Marquis of Yangzhou's evil intentions. When someone from the court comes, I will definitely protect you."
Hearing this, although Han Jiang was heartbroken, she finally felt relieved and said happily:
"That's great. Mr. Hou is such an honest and kind gentleman. It's timely."
Later, he assured:
"Don't worry, Lord Marquis, I will send the memorial to impeach Prime Minister Wang to the court right away..."
"Also, if the refined salt made by the Marquis is graded and sold to wealthy people in various countries? This will add another wealth to the court, and the lower officials will also write memorials to help the Marquis claim credit."
Cao Bin became confused after hearing this:
"Who said that I want to sell Huaidong refined salt separately to wealthy people? It only requires two or three more processes, and the output is still much higher than boiling salt."
"If there is something good, why hide it?"
Even if it is sold in grades, it is not necessary to classify them with the precision of salt, just add some fine packaging.
What's more, how can it be as cost-effective to harvest the salt money of the rich in surrounding countries as to export a large number of sea trade, occupy the sea trade salt market, and plunder the overall wealth of various countries?
Hearing this, Han Jiang was stunned...
