Who understands? He traveled through time with a high-spec spatial ability.

Qiao Jingjing's words instantly froze the smile on Jiang Yuming's face. He quickly took a few steps closer and lowered his voice, saying, "Your Highness, are you joking? Isn't there plenty of cement to go around?"

“Lord Jiang, you may not know this,” Qiao Jingjing picked up a sample of latex paint from the table and gently rubbed its surface. “It’s not that there isn’t enough cement, but rather that there’s a special ingredient in the latex paint formula that has a limited annual production. I only obtained these by chance.”

Jiang Yuming's forehead was beaded with sweat, and his fingers unconsciously rubbed the hem of his official robes: "What are we going to do? There are already hundreds of households that have paid deposits..."

"Can I use lime powder mixed with gypsum?"

Qiao Jingjing thought for a moment, "That's fine, but the walls won't be as smooth and even. I'll have someone test it. As long as the difference isn't too big, we can build another batch. But we shouldn't build too many. Lord Jiang should understand the principle of scarcity, right? It would be best to separate them into two areas. The style also needs to be changed."

The more she talked, the more open her mind became, and Jiang Yuming listened attentively. The county magistrate not only provided him with ways to make money, but also helped him increase income and reduce expenses considerably.

The palace released over a hundred palace maids who had reached retirement age. If these maids had nowhere to go, keeping them in the palace would have been a significant expense. The women's club run by the county princess conveniently solved the re-employment problem for these maids after they left the palace.

"Your Highness, what should we do next? I don't know if plaster mixed with lime powder will work. If it does, there are still some people outside who are eager to pay deposits, can we accept them?"

"Don't worry, sir." A sly glint flashed in Qiao Jingjing's eyes. "I have another idea."

She gestured for Jiang Yuming to come closer and whispered, "We can offer 'installment pre-sales.' We'll collect a 30% deposit upfront, and then start construction once the materials arrive. This will alleviate our financial pressure and give the buyers a satisfactory explanation."

Jiang Yuming's eyes lit up, then he frowned: "But what if the houses can't be handed over soon..."

"Construction will definitely begin within three months," Qiao Jingjing confidently stated. "If delivery is delayed, double the deposit will be refunded."

Anyway, she has other ways, so she's not afraid of not being able to start work.

"Great! Let's do it that way!" Jiang Yuming slapped his thigh.

After saying that, he rubbed his hands together and said with a fawning smile, "Your Highness, if you have any other ways to make money, you must tell me. The Ministry of Revenue will definitely cooperate fully."

“Lord Jiang is too greedy,” Qiao Jingjing glanced at him. “I’ve already offered up my most treasured ideas, and you still think it’s not enough? In less than six months, the profits from high-yield grains and real estate will be enough to make you happy.”

Jiang Yuming knew that Qiao Jingjing wasn't telling the truth and that she must be hiding some other way to make money.

"It's not that I'm greedy, it's just that the court is terrified of poverty. The Ministry of Revenue hasn't had any surplus funds in recent years. Just when we were finally able to catch our breath, we were hit by a famine. Alas, you don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. I am truly unworthy of the title of Minister of Revenue."

Qiao Jingjing didn't speak, but in her mind she was calculating what other skills she knew that she hadn't yet revealed.

Jiang Yuming was used to complaining about being poor. It should be said that no matter which dynasty or era, the Minister of Revenue was the most adept at complaining about being poor.

But he wasn't entirely lying; the Liang family was indeed not wealthy. Presumably, his position as head of the Ministry of Revenue had been incredibly demanding, and he knew best the hardships and joys involved.

Wait, salty?

Yes, she knows how to make salt. The small shop used to sell a little fine salt, but she stopped selling it because she thought it would be too conspicuous.

They've switched to selling coarse salt.

Even coarse salt is highly refined salt, unlike the slightly bitter coarse salt available on the market today.

Later, she learned that selling salt illegally was a crime, so she stopped selling coarse salt as well.

She had studied history and knew that salt was a vital commodity for people's livelihood. In ancient times, it held an extremely high economic, political, and social status, serving as a national strategic resource, a necessity for people's livelihood, and a cultural symbol.

Now that she is a member of the royal family and the Ministry of Revenue needs her help, she should have no problem doing salt business.

Jiang Yuming was still complaining about being poor, recounting his hardships. Qiao Jingjing tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, then suddenly asked, "Lord Jiang, what do you think of the salt administration of our Great Liang?"

Jiang Yuming was taken aback by these words, then smiled wryly and said, "Your Highness is trying to hit a nerve with me. Salt taxes are consistently below the target, smuggled salt is rampant, and official salt is of poor quality and overpriced..."

Salt was of paramount importance, and the fact that insufficient taxes were collected suggests the existence of shady dealings.

The imperial court had considered taking control of the salt administration, but the issues involved were quite complex.

“What if I could produce salt that is finer than official salt and 30% cheaper than smuggled salt?” Qiao Jingjing interrupted.

Jiang Yuming abruptly stood up, his official hat askew: "Does the county magistrate truly mean this?!"

Qiao Jingjing took out a small cloth bag from her spatial storage using her sleeve, and untied it to reveal crystal-clear, snow-white fine salt: "This is something I made in my spare time. Please try it, Lord Jiang."

Jiang Yuming dipped his trembling finger in the salt, put it in his mouth, and his eyes widened immediately: "This...this is even purer than tribute salt!"

"I have three new methods for salt production," Qiao Jingjing said in a low voice. "An improved version of the sun-drying method, a modified version of the boiling method, and a secret method. If we cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue, we can increase salt tax revenue by one million taels a year."

Jiang Yuming's beard trembled with excitement: "What conditions does the county magistrate require?"

“I want 30% of the profits,” Qiao Jingjing held up three fingers, “but not in cash, I want salt certificates.”

“This…” Jiang Yuming looked troubled, “The salt permits involve far too many things…”

“Lord Jiang,” Qiao Jingjing suddenly said seriously, “I know that the salt merchants have a deeply entrenched power in the court. But think about it, if the salt tax were doubled, what would the Emperor think?”

These words struck a nerve with Jiang Yuming. He hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Very well! I will go to the palace to meet the Emperor immediately!"

The next day, in the Imperial Study.

The emperor examined the salt sample presented by Qiao Jingjing, his face beaming with delight: "Jingjing, this salt is even better than the tribute from Lingnan. I hereby grant you permission to jointly operate the salt fields with the Ministry of Revenue, and I will give you a 20% salt permit."

Qiao Jingjing bowed and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. However, I have another request."

"speak."

"Please allow me to build a clinic near the salt fields to treat common ailments among miners," Qiao Jingjing explained. "This will both protect the health of the salt workers and prevent the secret salt-making methods from being leaked."

The emperor gave her a meaningful look: "Granted. However..." He suddenly lowered his voice, "Your 'secret technique,' it wasn't conjured using magic, was it?"

Qiao Jingjing couldn't help but chuckle: "Your Majesty is joking; they're just some clever chemical formulas."

As they left the imperial study, Jiang Yuming caught up and whispered, "The county princess is brilliant! Using a medical clinic as a pretext, she's actually planning to build..."

"Shh—" Qiao Jingjing blinked, "Lord Jiang, some things are better left unsaid."

Her real plan was to establish a laboratory near the salt fields to further develop gunpowder formulas. After all, controlling salt and iron meant controlling the economic lifeline of the Great Liang Dynasty.

A spring breeze swept across the palace walls, and Qiao Jingjing gazed at the azure sky, a slight smile playing on her lips.

She encountered Qiu Tong who bowed to her, saying, "Princess, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence at Fanghua Palace."