Making you a son-in-law is not about making you conquer the world.

"Really?" Qi Tianzhang stared at Lin Ping excitedly, almost incoherently.

Salt in Yingtian Prefecture has become so scarce that even princes and nobles are facing the predicament of not being able to get salt. The salt transport envoy is extremely anxious and may have to pack his bags and leave if he cannot come up with a practical solution.

Qi Tianzhang is the second-in-command of the Salt Transport Commissioner's Office, and he has a heavy responsibility. If he does this job well, he will likely be promoted to a higher position soon. In this society where power is paramount, this is definitely more exciting than making some money.

"Does the Vice Prefect not believe me?" Lin Ping said, feigning indignation. In reality, he was trying to elevate his status. "I am a divine physician. My word is my bond. How could I possibly deceive a mere mortal like you?"

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant, please don't be angry, Divine Physician," Qi Tianzhang hurriedly explained, afraid that Lin Ping would be angry because of this.

Qi Tianzhang was a fourth-rank official in the imperial court, with the opportunity to attend court and meet the emperor regularly. Yet now he had to humbly apologize to Lin Ping, which was enough to prove how high the other party's status was in his heart.

"Since you trust me so much, I will write a letter to the Lord of Jiangcheng. You can then appoint a deputy envoy to deliver the letter to the Lord of Jiangcheng. He will surely be able to purchase a large quantity of salt," Lin Ping said seriously, but a strange smile appeared in his eyes.

The divine physician wanted to write a letter, which was quite a big deal. Qi Tianzhang personally brought him pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and bowed his head to wait for Lin Ping to write. This letter was Qi Tianzhang's capital for rising to prominence.

Lin Ping casually dipped his brush into the inkstone and then wrote a few crooked characters in a flamboyant manner. He probably wanted to get Ping Xiujie and the others to raise the price on the spot, since it was the imperial court's money and they might as well make some.

Moreover, the Salt Transport Commissioner would certainly sell the salt to the salt merchants at a higher price, or even raise the price drastically.

In this way, Lin Ping was making money off the wealthy merchants, waiting for them to hoard large quantities of salt before dumping even larger quantities to make them lose everything. This was exactly the same scheme as Jiangcheng Prefecture.

As for when to release the large quantity of salt, that depends on Lin Ping's mood; he might want to let the Zhou family make some money first.

Qi Tianzhang didn't dare to look at the contents of Lin Ping's letter. He personally helped put it into an envelope and then sealed it with wax.

"That's enough." Lin Ping dusted his hands off and said with a sigh of relief.

"When will I go to see the divine physician again for acupuncture?" Qi Tianzhang asked respectfully as Lin Ping was about to turn and leave.

This was not only because Qi Tianzhang valued his life, but also because he wanted to get closer to Lin Ping. He always felt that Lin Ping was destined for greatness and would rise to prominence sooner or later. Rather than currying favor with him then, he would rather offer him as much help as he could now.

"Lord Qi's condition has mostly recovered. As long as he eats a light diet from now on, there shouldn't be any major problems," Lin Ping replied with a smile, not wanting to focus too much energy on Qi Tianzhang alone.

Lord Ping is a man destined for great things; how could his vision be limited to a mere salt transport magistrate?

"I thank the divine doctor again for saving my life. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you are welcome to come to me. I will do my best to help you as much as I can," Qi Tianzhang said confidently, seemingly hoping that Lin Ping would also encounter some trouble.

Although Lin Ping is a divine physician, he has no connections in the court. In addition, his upright and unyielding character may offend powerful figures. At that time, Qi Tianzhang can make a high-profile appearance and leave a good impression on the divine physician.

Lin Ping didn't answer, waved behind him, and strode away.

"My lord, this is just a young boy. Does he deserve such treatment?" the steward said indignantly. He couldn't see much skill in Lin Ping and thought he was more like a spoiled brat. Qi Tianzhang shouldn't have lowered himself to flatter him.

It's like a swan chasing a toad.

"What do you know? Based on my experience, this man is no ordinary person," Qi Tianzhang said confidently, envisioning a bright future in his mind, and quickly arranged a team to head to Jiangcheng City to buy salt.

At this moment, the area outside the Zhou residence became lively again, with numerous carriages fully loaded with goods coming to a stop.

With all the gatekeepers severely injured, the gate was left unguarded. Several guards rushed into the mansion, shouting, "Where is the patriarch?"

Most of the maids in the mansion were crying when they suddenly heard this sound, and they were so frightened that they trembled all over.

They knew that the Zhou family had offended powerful figures and was likely to face retaliation. If they weren't homeless, they probably would have already packed their bags and fled. Even Zhou Xiyin brought up the matter herself.

"Wan'er, escape through the back door. I'll hold them off here," Zhou Xiyin said urgently.

The current predicament is something the Zhou family must face, and it has nothing to do with these maids. Zhou Xiyin doesn't want them to be implicated, so she intends for everyone to leave.

"This servant will not leave," Wan'er replied, puffing out her cheeks, her large, watery eyes revealing a sharp and resolute glint.

She was sold to the Zhou family when she was young and grew up with Zhou Xiyin. She admitted that Zhou Xiyin was a bit willful, but she did not treat her as a servant. Wan'er knew how to be grateful and would not run away at this critical moment. She wanted to stand with Zhou Xiyin through thick and thin.

Zhou Xiyin was naturally moved, but without saying much, she quickly walked to the front yard. She couldn't let her seriously ill father take the blame for her.

"I am the head of the family. What are your orders, sir?" Zhou Xiyin said neither humbly nor arrogantly, already prepared for the worst.

The people who came were wearing official uniforms, undoubtedly government officials and soldiers, who could arrest them at any time.

The newcomer sized Zhou Xiyin up and down, pondering to himself, and quickly took two steps forward.

"What do you want to do? Just take me away first. This has nothing to do with Miss." Wan'er was terrified by the people's actions and actually mustered up her courage to stand in front of Zhou Xiyin.

"Greetings, Miss Zhou!" The newcomer suddenly knelt on one knee and uttered this shocking statement.

Even if the visitor is not of high rank, he is still a public official and would not casually bow to a merchant of low status. There must be a reason for this.

Zhou Xiyin was completely stunned, staring at the other person in astonishment, and stammered, "May I ask... what brings you here?"

Even though she was a bit willful, Zhou Xiyin wasn't stupid, and she didn't believe that the other party had come to pay her respects.

However, judging from the other party's respectful attitude, it shouldn't be a bad thing.

The newcomer did not answer, but instead waved behind him. A moment later, dozens of people carried stones of salt on their shoulders and placed them steadily and orderly under the courtyard wall.

"This is... salt?" Zhou Xiyin was even more surprised. She never expected that the imperial court would take the initiative to send her salt to prolong her life. It seemed that there was a bigger purpose behind this.

"Miss Zhou, don't worry, this isn't something that scoundrel Ruan Dan is using to threaten you. It's because the Assistant Magistrate agreed to a request from a certain Physician Lin to sell all the salt in the Salt Transport Office to the Zhou family at the lowest possible price," the visitor explained ambiguously, noticing Zhou Xiyin's confusion.

Is there a certain Dr. Lin?

Are you sure you're trying to hide the other person's identity? It seems a bit... too deliberate.