Since the Han Dynasty, the imperial court has set up official regulations for some important materials, such as salt and iron, which are related to the lifeline and safety of the country. And this practice has been extended to the Great Song Dynasty, even wine, tea, etc. were included in the private trade of materials prohibited by the people by the imperial court, and only through the government's bidding can be approved, which is the so-called guanpu.

In fact, a large part of the income from these materials did not go to the state treasury, but was sent to the palace by the relevant yamen and into the emperor's private treasury. And this official monopoly in charge of salt and iron and other affairs is the salt and tea division, although it is under the name of the household department, but it is half free, only responsible to the Son of Heaven, and its power is naturally not small.

In fact, since the beginning of the official salt theory, private salt has been prevalent in the world, and the government has turned a blind eye to it many times. But if someone really wants to dig deeper, it would be a big sin to buy and sell illegal salt, or even use it to open a hotel. It is precisely because he understands how serious the problem is that Wu Li will think about making money to send the other party.

But to his surprise, this official was not affected by it at all, and with a wave of his hand, he knocked the money bag down on the counter: "What do you mean by this, do you want to bribe this official and cover up for you?" The tone was full of serenity.

This made Wu Li even more surprised, and quickly explained with a smile: "How dare the villain be like this? It's just that I feel that it is hard for the officials to bring people to come on errands, so I ......"

"This is not necessary, the duty of the official lies. Someone come, search for me, find out all the salt in the store, and the official wants to see if they use private salt. The official immediately gave the order, and there was no room for turnaround.

The dukes immediately agreed, and then went to the back kitchen, and a few people came to the stove where the chicken was still fried on the side, and after rummaging, they took a few jars, and the salt in them was naturally white flowers.

At this time, as the public went in a rampage, the guests inside were all disturbed, and they all got up to avoid it, and some even left the hotel directly. These people are not stupid, they know at a glance that the government is targeting Liufangju, and they dare not stay in such a place of right and wrong.

Seeing that they were so strong, Wu Li's heart was even more anxious, if something happened, he really couldn't afford it. Even if it was difficult to deal with, he could only go up: "This official, I have always been in charge of my duties, and I never dared to violate discipline and law...... Moreover, this is the property of Mrs. Tong's family, how could he make such a big mistake. ”

"What? Are you trying to use Captain Tong to press me? The other party didn't pay attention to Wu Li's hint at all, and didn't even take Tong Guan to heart, just looked at the cans of salt that were found. Only a yamen like the Salt Tea Division, who is deeply trusted in the palace, dares to do this.

"You ......" Wu Li was even more panicked, his body was already sweating, and his forehead was a little wet, but he couldn't say anything more useful. The other party sneered: "Actually, this is Mrs. Tong's industry, so it's more likely that there will be a problem." Two years ago, Tong Taiwei was still in the northwest, and I heard that the refined salt produced by the Qingbai Salt Pond of the party was far better than the salt in my Central Plains. ”

While he was talking, several of the dukes came out with a few more jars, which were also filled with table salt. And after opening it to check, the smile on the official's face was even colder: "There is obviously a big difference between these salts. This jar is very rough, and these are much more delicate, what else do you say? Do you dare to say that these salts are not private salt? ”

This time, the evidence was really conclusive, and the shopkeeper Wu turned pale with fright, his legs were weak, and he almost collapsed. At this moment, he was really remorseful and afraid, he shouldn't have listened to Sun Tu's use of the salt he provided.

It turned out that when the hotel reopened, Sun Tu not only provided the recipe for fried chicken, but also took out the salt pressed in the warehouse. The salt of this era was not only rough but also bitter in taste, which was naturally far inferior to the refined salt of later generations. This is also one of the keys to the next level of cuisine in Liufangju.

However, Sun Tu did not say the origin of these table salts, and Wu Li thought that it was just a trivial matter and did not delve into it. As a result, there is a big problem today, but how is this good?

Seeing that he was sweating urgently in such a cold winter month, the official became more and more convinced of his weakness, so he sneered: "I think you can't defend yourself, that is guilty." Come on, take all the relevant people here away, and then seal this restaurant for me! ”

He dared to make such a decision to make a decision on the Tong family's industry, and naturally he also had his confidence, in addition to his own yamen being a close minister of the Son of Heaven, but also because he knew that someone in the court would take the opportunity to deal with Tong Guan. As a eunuch and military general who was completely opposed to the Chinese officials of the dynasty, Tong Guan had many political enemies, and as long as they were given a chance, these court officials would bite him down fiercely.

But at this moment, a clear voice suddenly sounded from the side: "Slow! With that, a man stepped out in two steps and stopped in front of them.

"Who are you? Dare to obstruct the government's errand! Seeing that someone was blocking the way, all the public immediately showed vigilance, and several people even drew their sabers from their waists.

"In Xia Sun Tu, he can be regarded as a person in charge of this Liufangju. This official, you are so hasty that you want to take the people in my store and close the store, but it is really unconvincing. Sun Tu didn't see the slightest fear, and said calmly.

After what happened just now, he has been watching from the sidelines, while thinking about countermeasures. At this time, he dared to come forward to obstruct it, naturally because he had a way to deal with the current situation.

I don't know if it was because he was bluffed by Sun Tu's calm bearing, or because he was afraid that he might be an important person of the Tong family, the official did not forcefully let people take him down, but sneered: "Now that the evidence of your Liufangju's use of illicit salt for profit has been found, do you still dare to quibble?" ”

"The official's words are wrong, so these salts must be private salt? Did the officials know the origin of these salts and hold the same private salt? Sun Tu took a step forward and asked.

"What are you talking about, this kid, this is the official salt, what you make is very different from it, do you dare not admit it?" The official said, pointing to a couple of jars.

Sun Tu smiled: "That's not what you said, who said that official salt must be so rough?" Can't our hotel make it more elaborate? ”

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's very simple, these salts themselves are also official salts, and it's only because I Liufangju has refined them in order to make the guests eat better, which is why there is the so-called private salt in the mouth of the officials." Sun Tu immediately said loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a little bit of my heart for you, but I didn't expect it to be misunderstood by the government, and it was even used by traitors as evidence to slander our use of private salt!" ”

At this time, many of the guests in the restaurant have gone out, but they have not dispersed, after all, everyone is also concerned about what the result of Liufangju will be, and whether they can eat the wine and food here in the future. As soon as they heard this, many people responded to the harmony: "Sun Gongzi, what you said is true?" How? ”

The official's face suddenly sank: "It's just nonsense, how can it be possible to turn the official salt into such a look!" You don't want to mess around here, and use strong words! ”

"If the officials don't believe it, they can set an example now." Sun Tu replied without retreating.

This can be regarded as a general of the opponent's army, so that it will be entangled for a short time, if he is allowed to demonstrate, he can really get refined salt, he will run away in vain today, and the previous plan will also deviate. But if he is not allowed to demonstrate, it will be difficult for everyone to stop it, and I am afraid that the Tong family will also use this as a breakthrough to fight back, and then his situation will only be more dangerous.

Under the trade-off, he could only choose the path that was less threatening to himself: "Okay, this official will give you this opportunity." As long as you can make refined salt from this coarse salt, you are not guilty. If not, the government will punish you severely. ”

"Thank you for your impartiality." Sun Tu hugged his fists and thanked him, and patted Wu Li, who was still frightened: "Shopkeeper Wu, please call a few people to help me do things, so that everyone knows that I am innocent!" ”