My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 120 The Salt Tycoon of Qu County
"If you do not believe me, you may come with me to Qu County. My young master will explain the whole story to you in detail."

Liu Feng was both angry and amused. This Xu Qin was truly a talent, able to tell lies so well. But how could these fabrications possibly fool Liu Feng?
How many people are there in his village? And they can only boil salt during the off-season. How much salt can they possibly consume?
Even if we tried to sell them, we wouldn't be able to sell many.

Looking at the girl's beautiful face, isn't it clear what this young master of the Wang family is thinking?
However, Liu Feng was not so easy to deal with.

He started walking directly towards the girl.

Pan Zhang was the first to catch up, following closely behind, his eyes glaring fiercely at Xu Qin and the others, his gaze filled with murderous intent.

If Pan Zhang is the wolf king, then Xu Qin isn't even a male wolf. He was already feeling weak in the knees after just one glance from Pan Zhang.

Xu Qin was no pushover; he had beaten countless villagers in the surrounding area and even killed a few. But compared to Pan Zhang, he was like a tiger compared to a dog.

Not to mention that behind Pan Zhang were three powerful figures: Xu Sheng, Zhou Tai, and Jiang Qin.

Each of them was like a dragon or a tiger, like a bear or a leopard. Just being stared at by them made Xu Qin feel uneasy.

Liu Feng walked to the girl's side, stared at the two burly men in blue robes who were holding her with a half-smile, and said softly, "Let go."

The two burly men in blue didn't even dare to look at Xu Qin before letting go of his hands.

Caught off guard, the girl was about to fall, and Liu Feng had to reach out to support her.

"Your father sells salt. How much does salt cost?"

The girl blushed slightly, lowered her head, and answered softly, "Your Excellency, one hundred and twenty coins per bushel."

One hundred and twenty coins for a dou, so one shi would be one thousand two hundred coins.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the price of salt fluctuated between 800 and 1100 wen per shi (a unit of dry measure).

But that was the price of salt in peacetime. What time is it now?
As far as Liu Feng knew, the price of salt in Xuzhou had already skyrocketed to two or three thousand wen per shi (a unit of dry measure).

The salt sold by this girl's father was less than half the price of that of the big salt tycoons. Considering the current rise in fuel prices, the price was quite reasonable.

Clearly, this price was unacceptable to the powerful families. They didn't care about the small volume of goods being shipped, but rather that this price was tantamount to slapping the salt tycoons in the face.

At this moment, Liu Feng surprisingly had the leisure to inquire about other matters: "How much profit can be made per shi at this price?"

The girl was very anxious, concerned about her father's safety. However, her family's only hope lay with this noble young master, so she dared not be negligent. She could only suppress her anxiety and answer, "I can get three hundred coins."

Liu Feng was surprised. He hadn't expected that such a low price would still yield a net profit of over 20%, and this should be the profit after deducting the salt tax.

Think of those wealthy salt merchants who sell salt for two or three thousand coins a stone; wouldn't their profits be as high as three or four hundred percent?
Isn't that like going to heaven?
Liu Feng sneered inwardly. All this money went into the pockets of the salt magnates. The state government could only collect 100 coins per shi at most, earning less than the girl's father.

No wonder these salt magnates banded together to fight against the state government; the interests involved were too great.

Seeing Liu Feng's surprise, the surrounding villagers also dared to chime in.

"Uncle Zhao saw that it was not easy for us villagers to get salt. Even though we are right by the sea, we still have to buy salt from the Wang family at a high price. It costs thirty coins per liter, and it is mixed with sand."

"Don't talk nonsense!"

Xu Qin became anxious and wanted to find the person who had just spoken.

Pan Zhang, however, was not going to tolerate him. He stepped forward and slapped Xu Qin so hard that Xu Qin spun around on the spot, completely stunned.

Loud cheers erupted from the villagers. Pan Zhang's actions greatly reduced their fear of Xu Qin and his gang of thugs, and they began to voice their accusations.

“Young Master, you don’t know, we used to buy salt from the Wang family at high prices. At the beginning of this year, the young master of the Wang family suddenly took pity on us and asked us to raise 10,000 coins. In return, he allowed the three surrounding villages to boil their own salt, but we were not allowed to sell it outside.”

"Uncle Zhao used to travel as a merchant and had a lot of experience. He was also kind-hearted. When everyone begged him, he stepped forward and took the lead. The three villages pooled together 10,000 coins, bought a prison cellar from the Wang family, built a fire pit, and cooked only about ten shi (a unit of dry measure), which was not enough to share among the three villages. Then, the Wang family's lackeys came to bully them."

“Yes! They insist that we sold it outside, but they have no evidence. We don’t even have enough salt for ourselves, so why would we sell it for money? Even if we stopped eating salt and tried to exchange it for money, the surrounding villages are all controlled by the Wang family, so who would dare to buy salt from us?”

"Now the prison cell has been smashed, and we won't be able to boil salt anymore. Even Uncle Zhao was injured. The Wang family is bullying us too much."

The villagers discussed the matter animatedly, and their words, one after another, sketched out a fairly complete picture of what had happened.

After listening, Liu Feng already had a plan in mind. Just as he had guessed, the young master of the Wang family probably had his eye on the clever girl in front of him and was setting a trap to harm them.

So Liu Feng nodded knowingly, then changed the subject and said to the clever girl, "It would be easy for me to save you today, but after I leave, they probably won't let you off the hook. When they come back, even the villagers might not be able to protect your family."

What Liu Feng said was true. Xu Qin swallowed hard, opening his mouth as if to say something, but Pan Zhang glared at him, and he quickly closed his mouth again.

The girl was indeed clever. Upon hearing this, she immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Liu Feng, saying, "Please, young master, save my family. I am willing to be your slave."

"There's no need for you to be a slave. I'll have the doctor examine your father. You and your mother should pack your things and leave this place."

Liu Feng turned around and called out to the group behind him, "Mr. Zou, thank you for your trouble."

Mr. Zou is also a famous doctor in Xuzhou. Although he is not as famous as Hua Tuo, he is already a leader among the younger generation, having just turned 30.

Mr. Zou responded and went to examine the wound. After a moment, he reported, "The lungs and internal organs have suffered some injuries, but nothing serious. They just need some rest. However..."

"Just what?"

Liu Feng looked over with some confusion.

Mr. Zou explained, "If the internal organs are injured, it is best not to move them lightly, as this can easily aggravate internal injuries and lead to incurable diseases."

Liu Feng suddenly realized that the concern must be about internal bleeding.

After a moment's thought, he replied, "Then let's take him back to his house and let him rest for a few days."

Then he instructed Xu Sheng, "Wenxiang, leave a few people here to keep watch, lest some fools act recklessly."

"Yes! Young Master!"

Xu Sheng respectfully accepted the order and then made the arrangements.

Four armored soldiers were called by name, stepped forward, and remained in the village.

Xu Qin and the others stood to the side with their heads down, not daring to utter a sound.

Xu Qin was a smart man. He could tell from these armored soldiers that the young man was extremely wealthy and powerful. He was likely a scion of a prominent family in Tancheng, and certainly a direct descendant.

Although the world is in chaos right now, not everyone can travel with armored soldiers and a large entourage.

Among the elders of this nobleman's family, there must be at least a captain who was born with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain).

The Wang family has been based in Qu County for over a hundred years and has produced several county magistrates with salaries exceeding 1,000 shi (a unit of grain measure). They also have good relations with the Gan and Tian families, so they might not be too afraid. However, Xu Qin himself knew that if he dared to offend the young master in front of him for the sake of the Wang family, the Wang family would definitely throw him out afterward to appease the other party's anger.

No powerful family would stand against such a powerful family for the sake of a wandering knight, even if it was out of loyalty.

Now, Xu Qin only wants to burrow into the ground, hoping that the noble young master will never see him again.

But the more you worry about something, the more likely it is to happen.

Liu Feng actually walked up to him, looked at him and said, "Come on, take me to see your master."

Xu Qin inwardly groaned. His earlier intention in taking Liu Feng to see Wang Yu was to sever the connection between Liu Feng and these troublemakers, and also to allow Wang Yu to communicate with Liu Feng and probe his background, perhaps managing to fool him.

But now that Liu Feng has asked about everything clearly, wouldn't it be asking for trouble if I took this person to see the young master?
If I get into another conflict with the young master, no matter who suffers the loss, I'll be the one who ends up in trouble.

So Xu Qin forced a smile and said, "What are you saying, sir? Whatever you say, I will do. But there's no need to disturb my young master any further."

Liu Feng laughed. He hadn't realized that this guest of the Wang family was quite clever, knowing when to back down and understanding right from wrong. It was just a pity that he absolutely had to see the young master of the Wang family today, and nothing he said would make a difference.

"Either you take me there, or I'll break your legs and have your men take me."

After Liu Feng finished speaking, he made a gesture to Pan Zhang.

Pan Zhang was overjoyed and walked towards Xu Qin with a ferocious expression.

Xu Qin was so frightened that he forgot all his thoughts and nodded repeatedly: "I choose the first one, I choose the first one, I only beg you to spare my life."

Pan Zhang then stopped, his face full of regret.

Led by Xu Qin, Liu Feng and his group entered Qu County.

In Qu County, there are several powerful clans. The most famous is naturally the Mi family, which boasts wealth in Haidong. However, the Gan family, Wang family, and other aristocratic families are also wealthy, but they are hidden in the shadow of the Mi family.

This time, Liu Feng sought out Wang Yu, the eldest son of the Wang family.

This young man was a close friend of Mi Fang. The two were very close, often sharing a car and riding together, and going on trips together.

A few days ago, Mi Fang set off for Tancheng, and Wang Yu saw him off outside the city, traveling thirty li before returning home. This story became a popular tale in Qu County. The gentry and their sons marveled at the friendship between Mi Fang and Wang Yu, praising it highly.

After Wang Yu remembered the clever girl today, he sent Xu Qin over to try and resolve the matter.

As for how to solve it?

Naturally, the debt is settled by the person who repays it.

Unexpectedly, Xu Qin failed to complete the task and instead returned with a strange young man.

That young man even brought dozens of armored soldiers with him, which is a bit troublesome.

Wang Yu glanced at Xu Qin, who lowered his head and dared not utter a sound, before turning to Liu Feng and asking, "I am Wang Yu from Qu County. May I ask how this young man is addressed?"

Liu Feng was extremely polite at this moment, cupping his hands and saying, "I am Liu Feng from Zhuozhou, greetings to Brother Wang."

Wang Yu was stunned for a moment. Zhuozhou?

That should be in Hebei province, right?

Is it Youzhou, Jizhou, or Bingzhou?

The place was too far away for Wang Yu to tell clearly.

However, as long as the other party responds, that's a good thing, and it also makes it easier for me to find out what's going on with them.

"So it's Brother Liu, please come in and have a seat."

While politely leading Liu Feng inside, Wang Yu casually glanced at the people behind Liu Feng.

Xu Sheng, Pan Zhang, Zhou Tai, and Jiang Qin stood out like cranes among chickens. Such martial arts masters are not easily found even once in ordinary times, but now four of them have appeared at once. This young brother Liu is no ordinary person.

The late Eastern Han Dynasty was an era of mental schizophrenia, with individuals from all walks of life, from scholars to warriors, exhibiting signs of mental instability.

Scholars questioned whether Confucianism could truly save the world, and whether the Confucianism they had learned was real and effective, or just self-deception.

While despising warriors, they also realized that chaos was approaching and the status of warriors would be greatly elevated.

This is why Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin were famous in Jiujiang, and merchant ships were willing to pay taxes, but no prefect was willing to recruit them as officials.

Although the aristocratic families realized the useless value of Zhou Tai and others, they still only wanted to treat them as dogs to guard their homes, rather than as real talents.

Zhou Tai and others were the same; while they were indignant about the suppression and blockade of the gentry on the path to officialdom, they couldn't help but yearn to be accepted by the gentry, even if it meant being their henchmen.

Their last vestige of dignity was simply preventing them from completely surrendering and becoming dogs.

Wang Yu was exhibiting typical aristocratic logic from the late Eastern Han Dynasty. He recognized the formidable strength of these four warriors, noting that they were unlike any other warriors in the entire Donghai Commandery, let alone Qu County.

However, he was not worried at all that the other party would harm him, because in his mind, these few warriors were nothing more than lackeys raised by Liu Feng, and they would not dare to harm him, a member of the same class of aristocratic family as Liu Feng.

"May I ask what brings Brother Liu to our Qu County?"

Wang Yu was extremely polite, not only leading Liu Feng into his main hall but also serving him hot soup, showing great courtesy: "If there is anything I can help you with, Brother Liu, please feel free to ask."

Liu Feng smiled, put down his tea, and said, "Brother Wang, you are very kind. I really do have something I would like to ask you for a favor."

Wang Yu was somewhat surprised that his words, which were half polite and half probing, had actually elicited a response.

He immediately came to his senses, glanced at the person standing solemnly, and tentatively said, "Brother Liu, please don't be so polite. Just give me your orders."

"I don't dare to obey my orders."

Liu Feng said with a smile, "I heard that Brother Wang's family boils salt?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

So they came to buy salt, but it's too far to come all the way from Zhuozhou to Xuzhou. Does Hebei not produce salt?
His mind was wandering, but that didn't stop him from answering: "Indeed, my family's salt is sold in the three prefectures of Xu, Yan and Yu. The grains are distinct and the color is bright yellow. It is one of the best salts. What's even more remarkable is that the prominent Mi and Gan families of Qu County once joined forces to suppress the price of salt, stipulating that the salt produced in this prefecture should not exceed three thousand coins per shi. This is truly a great merit."

Three thousand coins per stone, or it cannot exceed that?

Liu Feng was so angry he almost laughed.

To take a recent example, the Zhao family I just saw boiled salt. They sold it for 1,200 coins and made a profit of 300 coins. Even after deducting 100 coins for the brine, the total cost, including labor, was only 800 coins.

"Three thousand coins? That's quite a high price."

Liu Feng smiled and said, "If my demand is large, I wonder if you could give me a discount?"

Wang Yu blinked, surprised that it was such a big business opportunity.

“I hit it off with Brother Liu at first sight. Since you have so many requests, my family will offer you a discount, as a way of forming a good relationship with Brother Liu.”

After a moment's thought, Wang Yu said seriously, "How about two thousand eight hundred coins per shi?"

Instead of answering, Liu Feng asked, "How many shi (a unit of dry measure) can Brother Wang supply each year?"

Wang Yu was suspicious, but smiled without saying anything and started drinking his tea.

Liu Feng clapped his hands, and Zhou Tai, who had been guarding him, stepped forward, holding a small black box, and placed it in front of Wang Yu.

"Brother Wang, you might as well open it and take a look. I believe this item will give you a glimpse into my family's wealth and power."

Liu Feng said sarcastically, "Surely we can't even afford a little bit of salt."

Wang Yu remained calm. For him, wealth was the most important thing, and being insulted a few times was nothing.

Curious, he opened it and found only a small clump of white crystals wrapped in silk.

"This is rock sugar, Brother Wang, please try it."

Although Liu Feng said that, Wang Yu would not actually eat anything brought by a stranger.

"Brother Liu, I have been rude."

He thought for a moment, then summoned a servant and asked him to try it first.

Unexpectedly, the attendant exclaimed as soon as he finished tasting it: "So sweet! Young master, this is candy! It's really sweet!"

Wang Yu waited patiently for a moment, and after confirming that the attendant was alright, he waved him away.

Even though everything was done in front of Liu Feng, Wang Yu showed no sign of embarrassment. This time, he tasted the rock sugar himself, and his eyes suddenly became fiery.

Unable to contain himself, Wang Yu involuntarily asked, "Brother Liu, where did you get this rock candy?"

Liu Feng chuckled and glanced sideways at Wang Yu, teasingly saying, "Brother Wang, this is probably not something you should be concerned about, is it?"

"Hahaha."

Wang Yu chuckled dryly, and after a moment, he looked at Liu Feng with eager eyes: "I didn't expect Brother Liu's clan to have such a treasure. I wonder if you could sell this rock candy to my family?"

Liu Feng smiled enigmatically: "Brother Wang, your question is so amusing, but you've forgotten that you've never answered my question before."

Wang Yu pretended to understand and nodded repeatedly: "Brother Liu, please don't be offended. Since you have shown your sincerity, I naturally cannot hide anything from you. To be honest, my family can produce 6,000 shi of salt a year."

Liu Feng silently calculated and concluded that Wang Yu was probably still concealing something.

Xuzhou previously had a population of over 2.8 million. People in those days were very frugal with salt, but it was still a necessity, especially for those working in the fields, which was physically demanding and required a large intake of salt to maintain their strength.

Therefore, even with a low average intake, one would still need to consume at least six kilograms per year on average.

The population is over 2.8 million, and the annual salt consumption is nearly 500,000 shi (a unit of dry measure).

Even without considering the procurement of salt from other states, and excluding the salt production of Langya and Guangling, the annual output of salt in the East China Sea must be at least 200,000 shi (a unit of dry measure).

The Mi family takes the lion's share; even if they take 60%, there's still a shortfall of 80,000 shi (a unit of dry measure).

The Wang family, along with the Mi and Gan families, could dominate Qu County, yet they only produced 6,000 shi of salt annually. They're just taking advantage of him.

Even though the population of Xuzhou plummeted due to the devastation of war, which led to a decline in salt production, the amount produced was certainly not as small as a few thousand shi (a unit of dry measure).

Seeing that Wang Yu was still not telling the truth, Liu Feng was too lazy to test him any further and simply held up one finger: "One thousand coins per shi. How much salt does the Wang family have?"

Wang Yu's face instantly turned cold. He glanced at Zhou Tai and the others, his expression grim, and said, "Brother Liu, are you joking?"

(End of this chapter)