"Selling salt?"
The yamen clerk who was about to close the door rolled his eyes at Zhang Leping and waved impatiently:
"It's too late today, you should come early tomorrow."
"My lord, please be accommodating. We have come all the way here, so it's not easy."
While talking, Zhang Leping took out a couple of pieces of silver from his pocket and stuffed it with a smile.
The clerk accepted it without any politeness, and immediately stuffed it into his pocket. His face changed, and he said softly:
"It's not easy for the shopkeeper to come all the way, so... let's come in first and ask about the rest."
It has to be convenient for him to collect the money, so you won't be allowed to enter the yamen.
As for whether anyone will receive the goods later, it is none of his business.
"Thank you, sir."
Zhang Leping waved his hand, and the groom pulled the two carriages into the yard of the salt storage through the side door.
In an inconspicuous roadside tea shop, Xu Sanlang was responsible for taking care of the team members' mounts and the Yan Ling Dao hanging on the saddle.
Xu Qin was drinking tea and waiting inside.
He sent five mine protection team members to go in empty-handed to help Zhang Leping.
Both people and carriages entered the salt storage compound.
Maybe it was because it was relatively late, all the petty officials in the yamen were off duty.
In an ordinary official room next to the Yamen courtyard, a middle-aged man wearing a green official uniform was sitting.
Either the sixth grade or the seventh grade.
This man was packing his things and preparing to leave. When he saw someone coming in, he hummed to a government official in displeasure:
"Aren't they all gone? Why are they letting people in?"
"My lord, we have a long journey and have wasted time. Please forgive me!"
Before the official could speak, Zhang Leping had already lowered his head and smiled.
He stepped forward and blocked it with his body. A five-tael ingot of silver fell from his sleeve and was placed in the opponent's hand very skillfully.
The middle-aged official stretched out his five claws, and also silently grasped the silver ingot in his hand, and put it in his bag.
After receiving five taels of silver, his face suddenly changed.
In this society, those who can cause trouble often do not suffer.
Zhang Leping knows this well.
Speaking of the Ming Dynasty, what Zhu Yuanzhang hated most was corrupt officials.
According to historical records, it is estimated that more than 100,000 officials were executed during his decades in office.
Many people were even skinned and cramped, filled with straw and hung at the yamen entrance.
However, corrupt officials continue to follow one another.
There was no way, the official salaries in the Ming Dynasty were too small.
A third-grade court official could not support a family of seven with his salary.
Lao Zhu is a coward, stingy as never before, and there is really no one left.
These officials were all scholar-bureaucrats, who had to support their families and maintain the dignity of officialdom.
Even if you die, you must be greedy.
Even if you become an upright official, your life will be worse than that of ordinary people.
For example, Liu Bowen.
Will Lao Zhu not kill him?
During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, officials were generally a high-risk group with their heads tucked into their waistbands.
Still don’t know what the meaning of being an official is?
This middle-aged official is called Lu Yingping. He is the young director of the Salt Storage Office of the Huaian Prefecture Salt Transportation Bureau. His main job is to collect salt.
He raised his eyes and looked at Zhang Leping coldly and said:
"I see you are very unfamiliar. This is your first time selling salt. Who is the owner?"
"My lord, you are really discerning. This is indeed our first time here."
Zhang Leping flattered him smoothly, "My first boss didn't come, I'm the second boss."
This means that he can also be the master of the house.
Lu Yingping nodded understandingly, spoke in an official tone, and said in a deep voice:
"It's better to come early than to come by chance. A few days ago, the prefect ordered us to purchase refined salt.
The price is increased by 10% to 30%, and there are no IOUs. "
The implication is that the previous salt payment was in arrears.
Zhang Leping felt happy when he heard this.
"The magistrate's kindness is as great as a mountain, and he has also entrusted you with your blessing."
A good word can warm the winter.
"Without further ado, open your salt bags and let me see the quality of the salt. If the quality is bad, we won't be able to accept it."
This statement is rich in connotation.
"I understand, little one."
Zhang Leping first nodded and bowed to Lu Yingping, then turned around and waved his hand, "Hurry up and bring a bag of salt, open it and ask your Excellency to take a look."
In response, the two team members moved a bag of salt from the mule carriage and opened the sack in public.
Lu Yingping walked up to him with his hands behind his back and a look of disdain, ready to take a look and send them away, and then find a place to "discuss" slowly at night.
But when he got closer and took a look, he was stunned.
Damn, is this salt?
Lu Yingping was so shocked that he could not close his mouth for a long time.
Then, he squatted down, poked his hand into the salt bag and began to examine it carefully.
To be honest, he is a master at testing table salt.
The salt he has passed through in his life is many times more than the rice he has eaten.
But this is the first time I have seen such fine and white refined salt.
It's as delicate as flour.
He rubbed it again with his fingers.
It feels grainy.
Although delicate, it definitely does not feel like flour.
He dipped some more with his fingers, brought it to his mouth and licked it.
Um?
Unbelievable, unbelievable.
"From the other car, pull a bag out of the middle."
Lu Yingping frowned and said loudly.
He wants to start spot checks seriously.
Zhang Leping followed his request and moved a bag from the middle position of another car.
Open for inspection…
The result is the same, fine white salt.
It's really table salt, extremely pure refined salt.
There are almost no impurities, the bitterness is very light, and the finish is negligible!
Completely exceeds refined salt standards.
"This...is this the salt you developed yourself?"
Lu Yingping said seriously.
His voice trembled slightly when he spoke.
"Yes."
Zhang Leping nodded firmly.
After getting confirmation from the other party, Lu Yingping was obviously a little excited.
I saw him widening his eyes and questioning loudly:
"How did you make it?"
"To put it simply, what method of making salt is used? Mine purification method or salt field drying method?"
He has been engaged in salt administration for more than 20 years and is familiar with various methods of making salt in the world.
But no matter which salt production method is used, throughout the ages, although there are unique tricks, they can only increase production capacity.
When it comes to the quality of the salt, there is almost no change.
The so-called refined salt that appears on the market is essentially refined and dried at the expense of a lot of labor.
But this kind of process cannot be produced on a large scale at all.
He had never seen anyone who could purify high-quality refined salt in huge quantities.
But now that I see it, isn’t it like seeing a ghost alive?
"this…"
Zhang Leping was unprepared for Lu Yingping's sudden question.
But as an official of the Salt Administration Yamen, he has the power to review or question the salt-making process.
Zhang Leping hesitated for a moment, then answered cautiously:
"To report back to your lord, this is mine salt, and of course we use the brine purification method."
"As for how to purify and produce...you don't need to reveal it, right?"
"Ah...that's right...that's not necessary."
Lu Yingping smiled awkwardly when he heard this.
He understands this rule.
There are thousands of salt-making households in the world, each with their own unique techniques and secret recipes, such as pharmaceutical prescriptions, brewing or soy sauce recipes and processes.
Everyone is hiding and tucking them in like treasures.
