"Why?"
"This..." Zhao Huaiyuan pondered for a moment and said softly: "Second Master, ordinary people can't even afford some low-quality mineral salt, let alone such pure white refined salt!"
"In Dayu Salt Market, ordinary coarse salt costs thirty cents per dou, while the finer sea salt costs at least fifty cents per dou. As for green salt (lake salt), it is priceless but not marketable!"
"Your refined salt is not bitter at all, and its color is as pure as crystal. How can ordinary people afford it?"
A faint smile appeared on Ning Fan's face, and he whispered: "What if my refined salt is sold cheaper than Hu's coarse salt?"
"What!"
"Second brother, are you crazy?"
"Buying at a loss?"
The three of them all looked startled, and they all looked at Ning Fan with expressions of gaffes on their faces!
"I'm not crazy!"
"But the cost of this refined salt is very low, even negligible!"
"Over the past few years, the Hu family has monopolized the salt market in Dayu. The finished product is bitter and even contains impurities, but it sells for thirty cents per dou. They are absolutely profiteers!"
Ning Fan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. You must know that the importance of salt is not just a seasoning, but a strategic material!
The government's control of the salt channel can not only create huge fiscal revenue, but also stabilize the market, prices, people's livelihood, and most importantly, stabilize the political power!
Whenever there is a rebellion, as long as the salt channel is controlled, the rebels will gradually become weak in limbs, nauseated and vomited, until they lose their fighting ability, and even threaten their lives without salt intake!
Therefore, during wartime, salt is a strategic material!
Moreover, Ning Fan fully understands the horror of monopoly, whether it is salt or food, or even the mainstay of the national economy in his previous life - cigarettes!
The financial revenue contributed every year is an astronomical figure!
For example, during the Ming and Qing Dynasties in the previous life, the income generated from the salt road alone could reach more than half of the imperial court's fiscal revenue!
On the other hand, under Emperor Yu, the salt tax had been neglected for many years, and was even controlled by a family for decades, forming a monopoly. Over the years, Emperor Yu had been deliberately planning to reform the salt system!
But now that the Hu family controls the world's salt channels, the situation has long been established and cannot be moved lightly!
The so-called "Four Great Families" of Dayu are rather the Four Great Vampires. The foundation accumulated by these four great families over the years must have reached a very terrifying level!
"Second Master, now almost all of Dayu's salt market is controlled by the Hu family. If we interfere, I'm afraid..."
Liu Yuan expressed his worries and looked at Ning Fan with a strange light.
"so what?"
"The Hu family has had a monopoly on the Salt Road for so many years. All the late entrants have been wiped out by them, and their families have even been destroyed!"
"The imperial court has been extremely tolerant of the Hu family over the years!"
Ning Fan held a cup of bitter tea in his hand, resisting the astringency, slowly put it down, and said softly: "Although the Hu family is among the so-called four prominent families, in the final analysis, it is just a merchant family!"
"I am responsible for providing refined salt products, and you are responsible for opening up sales!"
"how?"
Hearing Ning Fan's words, Zhao Huaiyuan nodded directly and agreed without hesitation: "Your Highness, I will do it!"
"I don't care if he messes with the Hu family or not. We'll talk about it after we break it!"
"Brother wants to get rich!"
A flash of emotion flashed on Su Chi's face, but there was also a trace of hesitation, and Liu Yuan also fell into brief contemplation!
"oops!"
"Why are you two hesitating!"
"Second Master is willing to give us a hand and lead us to make a fortune together. Don't you two be ignorant!"
Su Chi nodded slightly and said softly: "Second Master, I did it too!"
After saying that, both of them looked at Liu Yuan, who smiled helplessly and nodded slightly: "Okay, we brothers will advance and retreat together, but we still have to say hello to the old man at home!"
"Um!"
After talking about the business, Zhao Huaiyuan suddenly became unserious. He winked at Ning Fan and said softly, "Second Master, do you have time to go out for a walk tomorrow night?"
"Some time ago, several new girls came to Xiuchun Pavilion. They are all beautiful and talented!"
"Why don't we brothers go and open up the world?"
Seeing the wretched look on Zhao Huaiyuan's face, Ning Fan twitched the corner of his mouth and said with a smile: "There are a lot of trivial matters these days, and the new year is approaching, you guys should be more peaceful!"
"Second Master, it's rare for brothers to relax for a few days!"
"I also made an appointment with Xie Yan and Prince Ning!"
"It's a rare gathering, and I hope you'll appreciate it!"
After finishing speaking, he leaned into Ning Fan's ear and said, "Second Master, those girls are from the Western Regions, and they are absolutely stunning in appearance and figure!"
"Western Region?"
Ning Fan frowned slightly, and there was a hint of curiosity in his expression. The Western Region and Dayu were thousands of miles apart, and there was very little business contact, let alone girls from the Western Region!
However, looking at Zhao Huaiyuan's vow, it is obvious that this is indeed the case!
"Okay, then I will go with you to see it!"
"okay!"
Seeing Ning Fan agreeing, Zhao Huaiyuan immediately beamed with joy. While everyone was talking and laughing, he saw Lin Yong hurriedly walked in and said softly: "Second Master, someone is coming from the palace!"
"Um!"
Ning Fan stood up slowly and strode towards the main hall. He saw Wei Ying standing quietly in front of the hall, holding a golden scroll in his hand!
"Your Highness!"
"You're here?"
When Wei Ying saw Ning Fan, he showed a kind smile. Now this person is a popular person in front of His Majesty. He even asked him to personally handle the rewards for several staff members of Prince Yong's Mansion!
It is enough to show that Emperor Yu loves His Highness King Yong!
"Eunuch Gao, declare the decree!"
"Your Highness, the process can be skipped. I congratulate Your Highness and the generals!"
"Generals, please thank the Lord for your kindness!"
As soon as Wei Ying finished speaking, Dian Wei, Guan Yu and others strode forward and bowed respectfully. Wei Ying also ordered someone to bring in a reward!
"My lord, thank you Your Majesty!"
After the process was completed, it was getting late, and Zhao Huaiyuan and the other three also stood up to say goodbye!
"Your Highness!"
"The banquet is ready!"
"Um!"
Ning Fan nodded slightly, stood up slowly, and walked towards the main hall where the banquet was held!
"Your Highness!"
When Jiang Wei saw Ning Fan, he strode over and said softly: "Your Highness, the fifth prince has returned to the capital!"
"Um?"
A strange look appeared on Ning Fan's face, he paused, looked at Jiang Ying and said, "How many people are back in Beijing?"
"There is only one fifth prince!"
"oh?"
A look of surprise appeared on Ning Fan's face, with a glint in his eyes, and he murmured: "I didn't expect that the fifth child would come back too!"
【Boom! 】
[Release the main mission: Seize the direct descendant! 】
[Task requirement: Win the position of Prince of the East Palace! 】
[Mission time limit: one year! 】
[Task reward: 1,000 merit points, the Four Beauties (Part 1) of the Kowloon Creation Sutra (Part 1) and the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms]
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