Lianhua Mountain is located in the northwest of Guzang County.
The terrain in this area is relatively steep, and outside Lianhua Mountain, there are undulating mountains, blocking the roads in and out of the mountain. The area where the county seat of Guzang County is located is a low-lying plain, while Lianhua Mountain is located higher, with hillsides and forests everywhere.
Entering the mountain from the outside, you have to climb many steep slopes and go around rugged mountain roads before you can reach the vicinity of Lianhua Mountain.
Especially in the northeast of Lianhua Mountain, there is a desert area. The area where Lianhua Mountain is located is quite picturesque.
There is a Taoist temple on Lianhua Mountain.
The Taoist temple was called Wulian Temple. Han Yan took Huan Suzhi and a group of soldiers over the mountains and finally came to the vicinity of Wulian Temple.
Han Yan stood on a hillside and looked in the direction of Guzang County. Because the terrain is higher, you can see the direction of Guzang County from a distance. It is a low-lying plain area, so when the city was built, countless people gathered.
Han Yan's face was a little pale. After all, the weather in April in Guzang County was not so cold. It was not so cold under the sun. However, the temperature was already lower when entering the mountains, especially in Guzang County. Now Han Yan was not only a little cold, but also a little tired, which took too much energy.
I think at the beginning, Shen Quan would not have come here if he had not heard that the Five Lotus Temple was quite magical.
Too remote.
In particular, the roads are not easy to walk.
Huan Suzhi looked at the Five Lotus Temple not far away and asked: "Han Yan, we have arrived at Lianhua Mountain. Next, should we go to the Taoist Temple to rest, or how to arrange it?"
"Instead of resting, we directly asked Taoist Master Tianxu from Wulian Temple to take us to see the salt wells in the Taoist temple. Then, we went to nearby Lianhua Mountain to see the salt wells in a relatively low-lying area, which are used by villagers in the nearby mountains. "
Han Yan didn't want to waste time.
His idea is very simple, that is, to quickly show his value.
Only by confirming the salt well can he have his future.
Huan Suzhi nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do as you say and go directly to Wulian Temple."
The group continued to move forward, and in less than half a quarter of an hour, they reached the Five Lotus Temple on the mountain. This area on the mountain is slightly flatter and not so steep.
Wulian Temple is not big, with only about ten Taoists.
These are all Taoist priests who practice Qing Dynasty.
Han Yan directly stated his intention. The master of Wulian Temple, Taoist Master Tianxu, waved his hand with a smile on his face and said: "Several donors are coming with me."
The group went straight to the salt well in the backyard.
Taoist Master Tianxu asked the Taoist boy to fetch a bucket of water and said, "This is the well water from the salt well. Let's taste it and find that the water is salty. Everyday we boil the water and boil it dry, and naturally there will be salt." come out."
Han Yan knew this a long time ago, so he looked directly at Huan Suzhi and said, "Master Huan, give it a try."
Huan Suzhi took a sip and raised his brows.
It tastes very salty, it is indeed a salt well.
Taoist Master Tianxu continued: "Several donors, we don't have many people in the Taoist temple, so we don't have much demand. Therefore, this salt well is enough. The quality of the salt wells here is not the best, and not much can be produced. "
"The real salt wells are on the Sunset Slope side. The terrain in that area is lower and there are more salt wells. The nearby villagers on Lianhua Mountain get water to boil salt there. The salt there is of better quality and whiter. "
Huan Suzhi thought for a while and suddenly said: "Taoist Master Tianxu, since there are salt wells in Lianhua Mountain that produce salt, why not sell them? Such an income is enough to easily provide for the food and accommodation of the people in the mountain, and even make a lot of money." Money. Although the road is difficult, you can still make money, right?"
"well……"
Taoist Master Tianxu sighed.
Huan Su said: "Why does the Taoist sigh?"
Taoist priest Tianxu explained: "On the one hand, there are not many people living in the mountains, only about twenty households. To go out to sell salt in the mountains, you have to cross mountains and ridges. It takes several days to go out, and the round trip time is very long."
"It's a very tricky time."
"Especially people in the mountains are not familiar with the outside world and are unwilling to go out. After all, if you are unfamiliar with the place, you will be in danger if you encounter a bad person."
"On the other hand, it is also the most important reason. It is extremely dangerous to go out to sell salt. Someone went out to sell salt before and was robbed and beaten. At that time, the salt seller was also asked, where does the salt come from? "
"Thankfully the people who went out were clever and did not directly say that there was a salt well in the mountain, but only said that it was a bit of salt they picked up before hiding. Otherwise, once it is discovered that there is salt in the mountain, even greater disaster may befall our Lianhua Mountain. "
"The people outside the mountain are extremely ruthless."
"So when we go back and forth, we villagers in Lianhua Mountain don't think about anything else. If we can't even protect ourselves, how can we talk about making money? The more than 20 households in Lianhua Mountain all tacitly abide by the rules and live and work here in peace and contentment."
Speaking of this, Taoist Master Tianxu said: "Although it is said to be poor in the mountains, in fact, you can barely live. If you go out to the mountains, you may not be able to make money, and you will easily be beaten to death. People in the mountains are more timid and petty. A little bit is not bad.”
Huan Suzhi completely understood.
You carry salt on your back and sell it, especially the best salt, which seems to make money. But when you go to a strange place, if the other party sees that you have no strength, then they will just devour you.
This is human nature.
Human nature is inherently evil.
Huan Suzhi said in a deep voice: "Taoist Master Tianxu, entering Lianhua Mountain from outside the mountain, the road is steep and rugged. It even has to climb several mountains. But in fact, as long as the mountain is split, a road can still be made. Came from the road.”
"Now that the new county magistrate wants to develop Guzang County, the salt in the mountains is very important. As long as the salt from the salt wells can be used to cook salt on a large scale, the people in the mountains can also live a good life and not be so poor."
Huan Su said: "Furthermore, because it is the government that does the work, people in the mountains don't have to worry about being oppressed."
Taoist Master Tianxu said: "Master Huan, we can't stop you. I just listen to you."
Huan Su said: "I won't say any unnecessary big words. In short, the government will not treat you badly. I can guarantee that if more than 20 households in the mountains want to live in the mountains, the government will make arrangements and allocate land. "
"really?"
Taoist priest Tianxu was very surprised when he heard this.
Distributing land is a big deal.
Taoist Master Tianxu looked at Huan Suzhi hesitantly and asked, "Are you really the one who can make the decision?"
Huan Su said: "Of course I can make the decision, and the magistrate of Guzang County is my sworn brother. Taoist Tianxu doesn't have to worry about this."
Taoist Master Tianxu said: "People in the mountains, I can make the decision. I will take you to where the salt well is."
"Thank you."
Huan Suzhi nodded in thanks.
The group left the Taoist temple and walked some distance into the mountains, descending the hillside and arriving at a relatively open and flat area.
This is Sunset Slope.
In this area, there are salt wells, and some people are even extracting salt water and taking it away.
Taoist Master Tianxu took Huan Suzhi to check carefully. Huan Suzhi tested the salt water in every well, and the saltiness was saltier than that in Wulian Temple.
This means that the salt is more pure.
Huan Suzhi also learned about the depth of salt wells. Most salt wells are about three feet deep. It’s not too deep, but the salt water from the salt well is very good.
By boiling salt, it can be supplied on a large scale.
After Huan Suzhi was convinced, he cupped his hands and said: "Taoist Master Tianxu, I have understood it clearly and will go back and report it now. After I report the salt well to the county magistrate, I will arrange for someone to open a mountain road so that the salt can be boiled and obtained." .”
"In addition, please ask the people in the mountains. If the people in the mountains are willing to leave here and live in Guzang County, I will still say the same thing. The government will arrange land cultivation to ensure that you can live."
"In addition, when I go back this time, I have to bring a bag of the best refined salt with me and let the county magistrate take a look."
Huan Su said: "In short, I will return and inform Taoist Tianxu as soon as possible."
Taoist Master Tianxu felt grateful. He could hear Huan Suzhi's words sincerely. They were neither lies nor deceptions. Taoist Master Tianxu asked someone to fetch the latest boiled and dried bag of salt, handed it to Huan Suzhi, and solemnly said: "We are in the mountains, waiting for Master Huan to come."
"Farewell!"
Huan Suzhi stopped staying and left with Han Yan.
When the group left Lianhua Mountain and stopped to rest, Huan Suzhi looked at Han Yan and said, "Han Yan, the salt well matter is very important. You have made great achievements. I don't care what kind of person you were in the past. But here, there is only one standard for the Marquis, and that is to be able to do things. There is no need for you to flatter, no need for you to work hard to please, as long as you are capable, the Marquis will reuse you. "
Han Yan said gratefully: "Mr. Huan gave me some advice, Han Yan will keep it in mind."
Huan Suzhi continued: "The future of the Marquis must be bright, and it will be easy for the Marquis to become prime minister. This is your opportunity, seize it."
"clear."
Han Yan nodded again and answered.
The two rested for a while and then continued their journey. The return trip took two days. You must know that the whole group of people rode on horseback and traveled for two days. The journey was very difficult.
When the group returned, Huan Su first settled Han Yan and the group, and he went straight to the study.
When Lin Feng saw that Huan Suzhi had come back, especially in just a few days, Huan Suzhi had lost a lot of weight. He said seriously: "Brother, it seems that this journey has not been easy. I have lost a lot of weight. Thank you for your hard work."
"It's not hard."
Huan Suzhi shook his head.
He took out a bag of salt, handed it to Lin Feng, and said: "Master Hou, take a look. This salt is extremely white, extremely fine, without any impurities, and of excellent quality. I have tasted it, and there is no trace of bitterness in this salt." Taste. That is, the salt dried on the seaside of Jin State can achieve such quality. Ordinary salt tastes bitter and is of extremely poor quality."
Lin Feng looked at it carefully, tasted a little more, and his eyes lit up.
Compared with the salt of later generations, this salt is much different. But in this day and age, it's pretty good.
This can already be called refined salt.
Lin Feng said: "With this kind of salt, we can already open trade routes. After all, this kind of salt is unmatched by many salts."
Huan Suzhi said: "The place where there are salt wells is called Lianhua Mountain. Most of the areas in the mountains are steep and the roads are difficult to travel. However, large-scale salt wells are located in flat and low-lying areas. I made some observations and found that more digging can be done locally. Salt wells are used to boil salt on a large scale. I just don’t know how long the salt water in this salt well can last? If the water is gone, we can’t get the salt."
Lin Feng chuckled and said, "Brother, you are wrong."
Huan Su said: "Why?"
Lin Feng explained: "Salt wells can boil salt, not because there is water, but because there are salt mines underground. The current situation is that the water seeping out of the ground dilutes the salt mines and brings out the salt, so it can Get water and boil salt.”
"If there is no water in the well, you can pour water in, continue to dilute and melt the salt minerals underground, and continue to extract the brine. Once the salt minerals are almost diluted, you can continue to drill the wells, deepen the depth, and continue to extract salt."
"Since there are salt mines down there, it is impossible to consume them all in a short period of time. Brother, don't worry about this. There are salt mines in the Lianhua Mountain area, so this matter will be easy to handle. Our reform in Guzang County, salt production It’s an opportunity, it’s an opportunity for tax reform.”
Huan Su said: "What are your plans?"
Lin Feng said sternly: "There will definitely be great resistance to implementing the policy of apportioning one person into an acre and reforming taxation. In fact, on the one hand, the government is vigorously promoting it, and on the other hand, it is to enable the big families in Guzang County to Full support."
"As long as they agree, the reform of sharing every acre of land will naturally be implemented. This time, the business of mining salt will be controlled by the government. But the sale and sale of salt can be left to them."
Lin Feng said: "They will not stop them if they are lured with profit. This is their condition for selling salt."
Huan Suzhi frowned and said, "The management of Yantie is controlled by the government. Should we let them go?"
"Wrong, I didn't let them go."
Lin Feng explained: "Brother, salt production and cooking are still under the control of the government. However, the government is only responsible for the general sales of salt, and the sales in the following counties and regions are left to the merchants."
"They are only responsible for sales and cannot control too much. In addition, in order to stabilize prices, the government will set the sales price of salt. Generally speaking, I cannot allow merchants to raise the price of salt."
"If these merchants raise prices, the government will control or even order them to lower prices. Therefore, there will be no sky-high salt prices in salt management. The government is responsible for the overall situation, and the merchants are responsible for the lower operations. This is the best arrangement."
Lin Feng said: "If every level of the company controls and operates by itself, the biggest result will be that problems will easily arise at all levels."
After hearing this, Huan Suzhi admired in his heart.
He had to admit that Lin Feng's arrangement was excellent. If the government controls operations at all levels, it is very likely that there will be corruption at every level.
It is best to be responsible for the overall situation.
Huan Suzhi said with emotion: "Brother Xian, you are not very old, but you are really powerful in running a business. Such an arrangement can mobilize the enthusiasm of businessmen and big families. At the same time, it can also reduce corruption and make money on a large scale. .”
"This arrangement is indeed excellent. I agree with this arrangement."
"Can salt alone impress these people? After all, businessmen pursue profits, and people from big families also pursue profits in nature. These big families have a large number of shops and a large number of industries. I am worried that they will not agree."
"Especially if you want to promote the idea of dividing one person into an acre, they may not be willing to do so if there are such conditions."
Huan Suzhi raised his concerns.
Lin Fengdao: "On the one hand, it is the policy of the imperial court to allocate people into acres, and it must be promoted. If anyone directly blocks it and does not cooperate, I will deal with it directly. This is mandatory and does not depend on personal wishes. On the other hand, If you give benefits and benefits, they will agree after weighing them. With coercion and inducement, the means of deterrence, and the comfort of benefits, they can only agree even if they are reluctant."
Huan Su said: "That's true, but I have another concern."
Lin Feng said: "What are you worried about?"
Huan Suzhi said: "Guzang County's promotion of the reform of dividing households into acres will probably cause waves. Is the Qin court really ready?"
"Already prepared."
Lin Feng nodded and said: "Brother, don't worry, there will be no problem. The whole court is united and will not be affected."
"That's good."
Huan Suzhi nodded.
There was hope in his eyes, and he said: "I also hope that Da Qin can succeed in its reform. Once the reform of land allocation is carried out, the entire tax policy of Da Qin will change. Da Qin will not have to worry about land issues or population annexation. In short, , Da Qin will definitely quickly catch up with Jin and Qi, and even catch up with Xia."
Lin Feng smiled and said, "I'm looking forward to it too."
"Somebody come!"
Lin Feng gave an order.
Gao Xiaoyu entered and bowed.
Lin Feng said: "Gao Xiaoyu, please inform Zhang Feng's Mansion and ask him to summon people from all the major families. Invite them to come to the county government office. I have important matters to discuss."
"Here!"
Gao Xiaoyu turned around and went to inform.
Lin Feng and Huan Suzhi chatted, and after deciding the matter, Huan Suzhi arranged Han Yan's affairs first.
