Chapter 27: The Capital II

During dinner, Zhao Wuji remarked with feigned casualness, "Bin’er has been at his fief for several months now. I wonder if he has grown accustomed to life in Yan City."

Consort Ding understood that the Emperor was beginning to probe for the contents of the letter. She signaled to Liu’er, who turned and walked toward a nearby desk.

Consort Ding turned back to Zhao Wuji and said, "I intended to report to Your Majesty after you finished your meal. Bin’er sent two letters today: one for me, and one for me to pass on to Your Majesty."

Zhao Wuji appeared slightly surprised. "Oh? Bin’er has sent a letter? Quickly, bring it for me to see."

Consort Ding accepted the letters from Liu’er and handed them to Zhao Wuji. "Please, Your Majesty."

Zhao Wuji set down his chopsticks and took the letters. When he read that Zhao Bin had developed a method for producing salt from seawater, he could not conceal his excitement.

The Great Xia Dynasty had limited salt mines, and the annual output was restricted, keeping market prices high; ordinary families could rarely afford much salt. Furthermore, most of these salt mines were controlled by powerful aristocratic clans. While the salt trade brought them immense wealth, the imperial court could only collect meager taxes. If the court possessed a method for refining salt, they could drive these clans out of the imperial sphere of influence and bolster state revenue.

Zhao Wuji continued reading. Since he was already aware that Zhao Bin had been trading salt for livestock with the Xianbei people, he did not dwell on it. Moreover, Zhao Bin had distributed the cattle and sheep to the common people, and aside from keeping a portion of the horses for his own use, he had sent the rest to the imperial court—enough to form a small cavalry unit.

However, as he reached the end of the letter, Zhao Wuji’s brows furrowed. Zhao Bin had not handed over the refining method directly; instead, he proposed a business arrangement: selling the salt to the court at 150 wen per jin.

After a moment’s reflection, Zhao Wuji realized there was logic in Zhao Bin’s request. Firstly, the imperial territory was largely inland and not near the sea. Secondly, most of the court officials were affiliated with powerful clans; if the secret of refining salt entered the palace today, it would likely leak out by tomorrow.

Zhao Wuji placed the letter on the table. Consort Ding, observing the shift in his expression, asked with concern, "Your Majesty, what does Bin’er say in the letter? Has he caused trouble for you again?"

Zhao Wuji looked up at her, composed himself, and said, "No. Far from causing trouble, Bin’er has rendered a great service." He gave her a brief summary of the letter’s contents.

After hearing his account, Consort Ding remarked, "That child is truly thoughtless. Since he has found a way to refine salt, he should have presented it to the court. How could he refine it privately?"

"We cannot blame him for this. His concern that the method might leak is a valid reality. As for the conditions he proposed, I can agree to them. The Yan region is harsh and cold; it is only natural that Bin’er wishes to earn more silver," Zhao Wuji said with a smile.

"I thank Your Majesty on Bin’er’s behalf. By the way, Your Majesty, Bin’er also sent a wooden box. Liu’er, go and fetch it."

Liu’er placed the box on the table and unlocked the clasp. Inside was a cloth bag filled with pristine, fine white salt.

Zhao Wuji stared at the salt with excitement and let out a hearty laugh. "Ha! Good, good, truly excellent fine salt. This high-quality salt will surely sell well in the capital."

The following day, Zhao Wuji left the Qingxin Palace in high spirits. Soon after, several shops in the capital’s marketplace changed ownership and began renovations.

In the market, the restaurant rented by the Prince's mansion was still under construction when two men walked in. They were Zhou Shun and Li Hua, who had delivered the letters from Yan City.

A waiter noticed them and hurriedly stepped forward. "Gentlemen, I apologize, but the shop is still under renovation and not yet open for business. If you wish to eat, please try elsewhere."

"We are not here to eat. We are here to find someone," Li Hua replied.

The waiter scratched his head. "Who are you looking for?"

At that moment, Tian Qi, who was busy on the second floor, heard the conversation below. Looking down, he immediately recognized Zhou Shun and Li Hua. "Shunzi, why have you come?"

Zhou Shun looked up and saw Tian Qi descending the stairs. He was about to call him "Captain Tian," but catching himself, he quickly changed his tone. "Brother Qi, the Young Master sent us."

Tian Qi walked down the stairs and told the waiter, "Go back to your work." The waiter nodded and hurried off.

"Let’s go to the backyard to talk," Tian Qi said, leading them through the main hall to the rear courtyard.

Tian Qi approached a door and whispered, "Miss, people from home have arrived."

This was Xing'er’s room. They had agreed on these titles to avoid using their real names in the capital, where they might be overheard.

The door opened gently, and Xing'er stepped out. Seeing Zhou Shun and Li Hua, her face lit up with a smile. "Why have you come?"

Li Hua whispered, "The Prince sent us to deliver a letter to the Consort, and then directed us to find you."

Xing'er gently closed the door and said, "Let’s go to the parlor to talk."

Once they were seated, Xing'er asked, "Is the Prince doing well?"

"Rest assured, Miss Xing'er, the Prince is in good health. This is the letter he asked us to bring you."

Xing'er took the letter. The opening contained such affectionate words that her face flushed a deep red. She read on, noting the instructions regarding the restaurant, then tucked the letter back into her sleeve.

"The restaurant is nearly finished and can open in a few days. However, we might have to source the mutton in the capital for now."

"Do not worry, Miss," Li Hua replied. "The autumn harvest is over, and there is vast open land north of the Yellow River with no crops. The Prince has already ordered people to drive a portion of the sheep to the northern bank. As it will soon be freezing, the mutton can be slaughtered and transported here directly."

Li Hua then gave a general account of the commoners performing corvée labor.

Upon hearing that many peasants who had received cattle and sheep had volunteered for the labor, Xing'er remarked, "The Prince has truly planted seeds of kindness in the hearts of the people."

"Indeed," Zhou Shun added with pride. "You should have seen the scene—over twenty thousand people flooded toward Yan City. Everyone thought the city was under attack. Only later did we learn they had come to help of their own accord. Since ancient times, no one has ever heard of people fighting to perform corvée labor. Only our Prince has that ability."

"Not only that," Li Hua added, "Captain Wei has found an iron mine. The Prince has now ordered the construction of a smelting plant northeast of the city to forge farm tools for the people. The Prince says he wants to increase the farmers' productivity."

They chatted for a while longer, and the next day, the two men took their leave and headed back to Yan City.