The widow becomes a fairy, and the time-traveling girl counterattacks and becomes the queen

The group slowly entered the kitchen. Wang Xinyao methodically directed the servants to slice the fresh snake meat into thin slices. Then, she began to meticulously guide the cooking process. From controlling the heat to adding seasonings, she patiently explained and demonstrated everything herself.

Just as the snake meat was about to be served, Wang Xinyao opened the small bag she was holding and scooped a few spoonfuls of salt, evenly spreading it into the steaming snake soup. As the salt blended in, the broth began to swirl slightly, emitting waves of enticing aroma.

She scooped out a bowl of golden, fragrant snake soup, walked up to Luo Qing, and said respectfully, "Sir, the snake soup is ready. Please enjoy it."

"Hasn't the salt been added yet? Wait until the salt is added before eating." Luo Qing's eyes were fixed on the bowl of snake soup. If the food was not added with salt, it would lose its essence. He really didn't want to see such a delicious bowl of snake meat have any flaws.

Hearing this, Wang Xinyao hurried forward to explain, "Sir, the salt has been added! Just now, those few spoonfuls of white powder were table salt."

"How is that possible? Table salt doesn't look like this! It's yellow and blocky, and each grain should be relatively large! But these you put in are white and fine." Luo Qing widened his eyes, his face full of astonishment. He stood up from the stool abruptly, and because of his violent movement, he even knocked over the stool behind him.

Seeing this, Wang Xinyao calmly placed the bowl on the table and said, "Sir, please calm down. This is indeed edible salt, but it doesn't come from ordinary salt mines. I extracted it from my own well."

"What? Isn't well salt poisonous? Do you want to murder me?" When Luo Qing heard that it was well salt, he immediately became so angry that his face turned blue, and he pointed at Wang Xinyao and shouted loudly.

Wang Xinyao wasn't frightened by Luo Qing's anger. She smiled faintly and calmly picked up the bowl of fragrant snake soup she had just put down. Without hesitation, she tilted her head back and gulped it down in a few gulps. Instantly, the rich aroma spread quickly, filling the entire kitchen, making everyone salivate.

After drinking, she wiped the corners of her mouth and said to Luo Qing with a smile: "My lord, you see, I have just drunk all the snake soup with well salt. If it were poisonous, I would have died by now. So please rest assured, my lord, this well salt I made is absolutely not toxic. My family and I have been eating this well salt for some time and have never been poisoned."

After hearing Wang Xinyao's words, Luo Qing's entire body was in turmoil. He thought to himself: If this well salt is really safe to eat, it will undoubtedly be a huge blessing for the entire Xia Kingdom! Thinking of this, his eyes turned to Wang Xinyao with a complicated look, full of suspicion and expectation.

The aroma of snake soup still slowly permeated the kitchen. Luo Qing was a person who was very particular about food. After half a quarter of an hour, Wang Xinyao was safe and sound. Thinking that she would never dare to murder him in the county government office, he immediately ordered the servants to bring him a bowl.

He had always considered himself a gourmet, but the moment he took a sip of the snake soup, the unique flavor completely absorbed him. He didn't know whether it was the deliciousness of the snake meat or the wonder of the salt, but in short, he felt deeply that all he had eaten in the past was crude food.

The bowl of snake soup was quickly finished. Although Luo Qing wasn't satisfied, he resisted the urge to get a second bowl. He stood up and saluted Wang Xinyao. "Miss Wang, do you know how to make this well salt? Is it possible to produce it on a large scale?"

The corners of Wang Xinyao's mouth rose slightly, outlining a faint smile. There was a hint of intelligence and pride in her eyes. Everything was developing smoothly as she expected.

"Sir, I have encountered many difficulties in obtaining this formula. After repeated experiments and verifications, I have learned that this edible salt can not only be mass-produced, but also has superior quality. However..." Having said that, Wang Xinyao deliberately paused for a moment.

Luo Qing, who had been listening intently, suddenly brightened when he heard the word "mass production." He bowed respectfully to Wang Xinyao again and said earnestly and eagerly, "Miss Wang, if this salt formula can truly be implemented on a large scale, it will undoubtedly benefit the local people and even the entire Great Xia Nation!"

Luo Qing pondered for a moment and continued, "Given your intelligence, I'm sure you've come to me today for more than just a simple gift of this soup. In my opinion, you have a noble purpose and wish to present this recipe to the court. If so, please be frank and state your specific requirements. As long as they are reasonable, I will do my utmost to facilitate this."

Wang Xinyao said slowly, "Sir, I hope the court will grant me a large plot of land in Nanhu County on which to build a workshop. The court will provide the raw materials for digging salt ore and arrange the sale of the finished product. I will be responsible for the manpower, materials, and formula for the production process. As for the profits, I hope to distribute them according to the unified price at the time of sale. The profits will be split 30% and 70% respectively, with the court taking 30%. Is this feasible?"

Luo Qingxin pondered, "This 37% profit-sharing plan is generally acceptable. After all, in the past, the court and salt merchants also adopted a 37% profit-sharing model for those low-quality salt. If this cooperation can be achieved, even if I don't have any thoughts of promotion, for me personally, I have made a contribution to society and benefited the people of the world."

Thinking of this, Luo Qing turned to Wang Xinyao and said solemnly, "Miss Wang, this matter is of great importance. It is difficult for me to make a decision alone. Therefore, please allow me to rush to the capital and report this matter to the court. After the emperor gives a clear reply, I can give you an accurate response!"

After saying this, Luo Qing bowed deeply to Wang Xinyao again and said sincerely, "Young lady, please rest assured. I will do my best to promote this matter, and all your requests are within reasonable limits. In my opinion, the emperor will certainly approve it. Next, please complete the relevant preparations in advance so that work can begin at any time!"

Hearing this, Wang Xinyao couldn't help but feel ecstatic. She secretly estimated that this plan had a 90% chance of success, and her joy was beyond words.

She bowed slightly, bowed deeply to the county magistrate, and said earnestly, "Thank you for your help, sir. I will do my best to cooperate with you to complete this matter!"

Wang Xinyao's mind was clear as day. On the surface, this 70% profit-sharing plan seemed to give the court the lion's share, resulting in higher profits. However, there were many hidden complications! The construction of the site required a significant investment, the procurement of salt ore was also a significant expense, and then there were the personnel responsible for sales, among other things. Each of these items represented a significant expense. In comparison, her share was merely the manufacturing process, which accounted for only one-tenth of the total cost. By this calculation, her ultimate profit was actually greater than that of the court.

More importantly, once you control the country's salt revenue, it's equivalent to holding one-fifth of the country's economic lifeline! Every day, huge amounts of money will flow into your pocket like a tide.

With such strong financial support, he should be able to compete with the unattainable prince in terms of economy. Thinking of this, Wang Xinyao's eyes became more determined, as if she had already seen the brilliant future.

At this moment, Luo Qing turned solemnly to the steward standing nearby and shouted, "Hurry to the storehouse and fetch two hundred taels of silver! Also, quickly prepare the fastest horse for me. I have urgent business to attend to and must immediately see the emperor in the palace. Come back quickly!"

Upon hearing the order, the butler hurriedly bowed and agreed, then hurried away with quick steps.

Luo Qing turned to look at Wang Xinyao in front of him, smiling and speaking sincerely, "Miss Wang, I am truly grateful for your hard work in bringing me such delicious food today! I hope you will accept this small gift."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xinyao couldn't help but ponder, "Luo Qing is just a small county magistrate, yet he was able to obtain the opportunity to see the emperor so easily, and with such confidence and without hesitation. I think the power behind him must be extraordinary, and his family background is probably beyond the reach of ordinary people!"

Soon, the servant handed Wang Xinyao two hundred taels of silver. She took the silver with both hands, a bright smile on her face, and said, "Thank you for your generous reward, sir. I wish you a smooth journey and immediate success! I will be waiting at home for your good news!"