Since ancient times, merchants have lived at the end of the "Shinong Industry and Commerce", and the scholar class looks down on merchants. However, the current environment, frequent economic activities, and the gradual prosperity of commerce have also allowed businessmen and commerce to have a certain influence in social activities.

Zhen Feng started with the impact of business on people's livelihood.

"Salt is a necessity, the poor buy less, the rich use more, and it is impossible to do without salt. Once the price soars, the price of things related to salt will also rise directly, and indirectly, others will spend a lot of money to buy salt, and they will have to earn it back. This has led to a skyrocketing price hike across the market. It is the people who suffer hardship, and the money will eventually flow into the pockets of some people. However, this is not the point, the point is that by the time we react, the initiative has been occupied by the Wei Ruan behind the scenes. Salt controls the economic lifeblood of a city or even a country, don't you think it's scary for this to go on like this?

There are three debatable points, why can Wei Ruan easily deal with so many illegal salt dealers in Jiangning and even Tang State? As everyone knows, it is a field with mixed interests, is it that they control the ultimate lifeblood of private salt, but they were originally lurking in Jiangbei, and now they are going to tear off their coats and show their fangs? Furthermore, why do the people believe that the Tang Kingdom's annual salt imports will be cut off, is there any strong evidence to support this rumor? They didn't appear before, but now in the Song and Han Wars, they suddenly appeared, and they were able to enter Jiangning with tens of thousands of stone salt so easily, did anyone respond, did they have any special purpose? Isn't all this suspicious? ”

Zhen Feng did not explicitly state his speculation: Wei Ruan had a monopoly of private salt resources, and even the Song Dynasty authorities promoted it behind the scenes, came to the Tang State at the time of the Song-Han War, and used salt to evacuate the Tang economy, contain the Tang State's possible support to the Han State, and lay the groundwork for the next Song-Tang War.

Xu You slowly tapped his fingers on the table and asked, "Are these what you thought of yourself?" ”

"Martin used to help a lot in Caoyun, and he knew a lot of people, and he felt that something was strange, so he made many inquiries, and I strung together this information. However, I know that my energy is limited, and after all, I can't find the head of the Wei Ruan, so I still kick this burden to Mr. ”

"In this way, there is no evidence for this matter, and it is not appropriate to speculate too much. However, it involves smuggling salt, and it should also be cracked down. The old man sent someone to inquire about Wei Ruanfang, and then make plans. ”

Zhen Feng nodded, he was full of enthusiasm, and he was also worried that someone would use salt to do things, and he still owed Xu You a favor, and he couldn't bear to see the imperial court troubled by the salt problem in the near future, so he took the initiative to come to the door. It just seems to be mediocre.

At this time, the housekeeper just brought a plate of steaming boiled tofu in clear water, Zhen Feng took it, poured out a small bowl from the soy sauce jar, poured it evenly on the tofu, and then handed the chopsticks and said, "Sir, try it." ”

"It's that simple?"

"It's very simple to discern the beauty of soy sauce."

Xu You had a lesson from the past, and suspiciously took a chopstick tofu and put it in his mouth. After taking a bite, he sped up and pinched a few more chopsticks in a row, making a nasal "uh-huh" sound.

The housekeeper asked suspiciously: "Master, this tofu is just boiled in water, except for the aroma of beans, it is also bland and tasteless." Brother Feng added something just now, is there any difference? ”

"With the addition of soy sauce, it's like the finishing touch. The fragrance of tofu and the saltiness of soy sauce are all in one, so simple but delicious. In the past, when eaten with dipping sauce, it was more about the taste of the sauce, which was rich and covered with the fragrance and tenderness of the tofu. This soy sauce is not simple. No wonder this kid wants to sell it for a pound and four dollars. ”

"Sir, this jar of soy sauce got up early, in fact, it is not enough to taste, and if it settles for another month, the taste can be more mellow and delicious."

"Okay, the old man will use this altar for a month first, and then you will have to send some good ones. But soy sauce is more than that, right? ”

"Sir, do you feel that the dishes you eat in Huajian Lou are less flavorful than those in Wangjiang Tower?"

"Ahh Are you saying that the dishes at the dinner in the Flower House lacked soy sauce as a condiment? No wonder the old man always feels that something is missing! ”

Zhen Feng showed a sly smile and said, "Sir, if you want to eat the dishes of Wangjianglou at any time and know more wonderful uses of soy sauce, it is better to find a trustworthy cook to study under my aunt after Wangjianglou reopens in a few days, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds!" ”

Xu You laughed loudly and said, "You kid is too shrewd, and you actually borrowed it from the old man's mansion." How did the old man refuse? Yours is it! Have you really figured it out, though? That's your secret recipe, the foundation of your Wangjiang Tower's survival. ”

In fact, in the eyes of the students, it is not a secret recipe, it is an innovation in cooking, if more people can eat better and more delicious meals at home, it is also a merit of Wangjianglou. Only inheritance can make it better. Moreover, there are more people to share the uniqueness of Huajian Building, and they have all become the disciples and grandchildren of Wangjiang Building, why not do it? ”

"Hahahaha, you're really a big game of chess. Then the old man will give you a start. ”

"In that case, the student is here to thank Mr."

Zhen Feng said goodbye to Xu You, this trip, the small and private matters were completed smoothly and successfully, but the major national affairs are more complicated, but this is also in line with the guidelines for handling state affairs, and it is also in line with the righteousness of friends, and the separation of public and private.

Thinking about it like this, Zhen Feng was completely relieved, everything will have its rules and laws of the game, and if you blindly want to violate it, you will generally backfire in the end. For example, if you want to get a piece of wine and food soup from the banks of the Qinhuai River, if the foundation is not strong, members of the upper reaches of the food chain will appear to devour it.

Two days later, the housekeeper Xu Fuji went to Wangjiang Tower to find Zhen Feng. Previously, Xu Fuji followed behind and rarely spoke, but it was not until the day before yesterday that Zhen Feng sent soy sauce to the door, and there was an exchange. Xu Fuji understands his master's attitude towards the young man in front of him, so although the other party is only white, even a businessman, he is also polite and courteous.

Xu Fuji saluted and said: "Master Zhen, the master has already sent someone to inquire, and ordered the old slave to come and have a feedback." The lord said that it is true that Wei Ruan is a business name from the north, but this merchant has complete documents and operates a good business, and there is no illegal behavior, so please don't need to investigate again. As for the price of salt, the matter of cutting off salt in the Northern Dynasty is purely imaginary, groundless, and it will not be self-defeating in the near future, and the prince does not need to take any more risks. The lord also said that he is still very grateful to the prince for working for the economic lifeline of the Tang Kingdom. ”

Zhen Feng listened to such an official response, not like Xu You's usual style of talking to him, so he asked, "These are the original words of Mr.?" ”

"Yes, the old man asked the old slave to convey the original words, and the old slave did not dare to specialize."

Zhen Feng sent Xu Fuji away, chewed Xu You's words again, and felt that Xu You had something to say, he said, "No need to explore", "No need to take risks", that is to say, it is Longtan Tiger's Den, and it will be risky to explore.

Xu You is really an old fritter, and he still talks like this. Thinking about it, this matter may not be what he imagined, there are still some unknown secrets, the water is too deep, even Xu You doesn't want to or can't touch it easily.