Since the pipe, salt and iron have been strictly controlled by the state, which shows the importance of these two things.

Salt gone?

The young man was also a great minister during his lifetime, and immediately understood the importance of this matter. He walked out from behind the pillar and asked directly, "Salt Pond, what happened to the Salt Pond of Xia Kingdom?"

Yang Ke looked at Yu Yuan, and the great witch smiled bitterly and said, "I don't know the specific situation, but the people below have passed it to the Spirit Palace." The specific matter is in the royal court, so I want you to go back quickly. ”

"Then don't hurry up!" I heard that there was an accident in Yanchi, and it was related to Xiao Ningyuan, where could Yang Ke still sit still?

The young man wanted to follow, but Yu Yuan stopped him: "Your Excellency, you go back first and inform Your Highness privately so that he can be prepared." As for the royal court, I'll go over and take a look, and I'll talk to His Highness in detail when I get back. ”

Yu Yu hurriedly caught up with Yang Ke and went to the royal court together.

Back in the main hall, Yang Ke glanced at the waiting Zhuqing, and walked to his place as usual.

"What the hell is going on?"

Liu Sheng had a sad face and a worried expression: "Ning Yuan lost contact yesterday. ”

"That kid didn't believe it yesterday? Why didn't you say it earlier!"

Liu Sheng rubbed his head: "Haven't I been trying to get in touch with him? ”

Salt is a daily commodity closely related to the people. As early as when Liegong established Jiugong City, he found a salt pond eight hundred miles to the east. This place has always been heavily guarded. In Yang Ke's generation, his henchman Xun An personally led people to garrison Yanchi to prevent the plundering of other tribes.

"Your Highness. An old minister stood up: "Yanchi's matter is very important, and someone must be sent to find out the news quickly." ”

Liu Sheng: "I already sent scouts yesterday. Therefore, today it is certain that something has happened. After a pause, he continued: "According to the spies' report. The salt pond disappeared, and Ning Yuan and the others also disappeared with them. ”

"Disappear?" Yang Ke hurriedly asked, "How is it considered to be gone? The salt produced is gone, or is the entire salt pond missing? Does it include those tools for making salt?"

"Yes, according to eyewitnesses, there is only a deep pit left on the site of the salt pond. Not to mention half a grain of salt, not even a living thing exists. ”

Hearing this, Yang Ke's expression became more and more gloomy.

Yu Yuan knew that he was worried about Xun Ningyuan's situation, so he persuaded: "Xun An's kid has always been lucky, he survived several disasters back then, and this time he must be able to turn evil into good fortune." What's more, there is still His Royal Highness the National Spirit at this time. If you go back and ask His Royal Highness Ji, you will definitely be able to know Xun An's whereabouts. ”

Xun An, whose name is Ningyuan, is also a good friend of Yang Ke and them who grew up together. Now thinking that the other party is out of contact, Yang Ke sighed faintly: "Let's press the news first." Don't let Tiger Lie know. Otherwise, I'm afraid they won't be able to sit still. ”

Several old ministers saw the three of them talking, looked at each other, and finally couldn't help but open their mouths to break this affectionate scene: "Ning Yuan's kid is missing, but there is no news itself, but it is good news, which means that he is still alive." With his ability to survive, he will definitely be able to come back. The most important thing at the moment is, what will happen to the salt ponds? How long will the salt in the treasury last? And, it won't be long before that happens!"

Thinking of that, Yang Ke's face was gloomy again. Yes, in addition to the salt for your own use, you have to make offerings to that person, which is troublesome.

......

The young man returned to the Yongle Palace, managed to lure Feng'e away, and informed Ji Le and Shi Huang of the news.

"Table salt?"

Hearing the current tangled questions in Great Xia, Ji Le turned his head to look at Shi Huang's family.

During this period, Cangjie sorted out the texts for Daxia, repaired the school palace, recorded the history books, and dabbled in this aspect. He picked up the event book recorded in Great Xia over the past hundred years, and said to Ji Le: "In the east of Great Xia, there is a natural salt pond. With a little processing, salt can be produced. ”

Ji Le frowned: "The source of salt in Great Xia is only relying on pool salt?"

As far as Ji Le knows, there are several sources of salt, such as sea salt, pool salt, well salt and mineral salt.

"Regardless of well salt or mineral salt, sea salt should be the best, right?"

"Although further east, you can indeed reach the sea. But the distance is too far to garrison a tribe on the coast. What's more, according to the current estimation of the Xia Kingdom, the salt pond can be used for fifty years. ”

"If a person has no foresight, he must have near-term worries. Fifty years is a long time?" Ji Le said unhappily: "Did the Xia country survey the nearby salt fields in advance? I don't believe it, there's only one salt-producing area nearby! If you destroy so many tribes, you won't have many more salt-producing fields?"

The young man also said: "If there is an accident in Yanchi, the top priority is to find a replacement. Treasury salt must be able to support it for a while. Plus there are several small tribal states nearby. If you can take those small city-states near Nanyu Mountain, it will be enough to support you for a few years, right?"

Shi Huang's expression was strange: "Plundering nearby tribes for salt?"

"What's the matter, the old man can't bear it?" The young man sneered: "At this time, it is natural to put the survival of our clan first! The small countries near Nanyu Mountain are all enemies, and they are the dependents of the Nanyu Mountain land, so you still have to be benevolent and righteous to those enemies?"

Shi Huang shook his head: "You don't understand, salt has another use besides eating." ”

"Is there any other use?" the young man thought for a moment, "Is it industry? ”

Ji Le smiled: "Industrial salt is different from edible salt. The old man is referring to the sacrifice to the gods, right?"

In ancient China, there was a ritual of using salt as a sacrifice, and it took a very ceremonial name - salty luan.

"That's right. For those countries that don't need to eat salt, the only use of salt is to worship the gods. ”

"Don't eat salt?" Ji Le muttered to himself, as if he understood something, but he didn't dare to imagine it.

Youth: "Boss, you explain it plainly!"

Shi Huang's expression was strange: "According to the information collected by the ancestors in the surrounding countries. It seems that the natives can maintain their daily needs without eating salt. ”

"Huh?" Ji Le and the young man were stunned at the same time.

The young man asked directly: "Don't you need to eat salt?

Shi Huang shook his head: "In the eyes of the natives, salt is just a tribute offering, and they don't eat it themselves. ”

Ji Le frowned and said: "Salt has various benefits for our human body, and it can even stop bleeding and sterilize. Don't the natives need it?"

"They seem to have other ways to complement it. In short, they don't need to eat salt. ”

The young man sneered, "Don't eat salt? Is the news correct? The natives can't stand under the sun and use sunlight to replenish their salt, right? Do you really think they belong to plants? They can't be salt people who produce salt on their own? Do you supplement salt through other foods?"

Ji Le's heart moved, and he thought to himself: Daylight? After all, this is the age of mythology, and who knows if there is some mystery in the aborigines that can replenish salt from the air or sunlight. Sure enough, it's still a difference in species, right? No wonder our Xia Kingdom is rejected by the world, and the dare species are different!

The natives of this world are a strange human being who does not lack salt.

"Don't eat salt, just see it as an offering. The old man meant that if we plundered the salt, it would be equivalent to robbing others of the sacrifices offered to the gods. This is blasphemy, to be punished by the gods?"

"That's right. This matter, His Royal Highness Feng'e should be clear. Salt is often used in sacrifices to the gods. Moreover, the one who wants it the most. ”

God loves white and has decreed that all the nations of the earth should offer "clean salt."

Going to other countries to seize salt is clearly a provocation to the god king.

"What's more, this kind of tribute is not only for other countries, but also for our Xia Kingdom, which is the so-called 'salt ritual sacrifice'. ”

It is a festival ordained by God that in the middle of April every year, the nations of the earth offer salt to the gods.

"Just like we in China like to have salt and iron controlled by the state. Here, God regards salt as his own forbidden condition. Every year he ordered mortals to offer clean salt. If there is a mistake in this, I am afraid it will not be easy to do. ”

Anger God, another curse, everyone is done.

Therefore, the salt ceremony should not only give, but also give the best clean salt, so that God does not take this opportunity to toss the Xia Kingdom.

Ji Le calmed down: "Old man, don't panic first. It's unclear how. Let Yu Yu go to the royal court to inquire about information, and let's think about whether we can find another salt-producing area. What's more, our thousands of years in China are not just a way to make salt. ”

He smiled calmly: "I originally intended to start with people's livelihood and improve national productivity. The innovation of salt refining technology, which was originally planned, is now happening. ”

Ji Le understands that as a national spirit, he must not panic at this moment. Therefore, he put on a calm and calm attitude, and said in an orderly manner:

"Right now, one is to find new salt ponds or sources of salt production. ”

"Second, it is to control the salt stored in the treasury to prevent theft. ”

"Third, it is necessary to appease the people, block the news, and try not to cause panic. ”

After thinking about it, Ji Leti wrote the word "salt" on the bamboo slip. Suddenly, the word changed to a pinch of white grains of salt.

"It's really not good, we can use the power of words to make table salt, and it can last for a while. ”

The young man pinched the salt grains and tasted them: "It's okay." Using words to extract the power of nature to manifest table salt can indeed last for a while and temporarily relieve the urgent need. ”

Shi Huangshi: "But what about the salty turtle used for sacrifice? This thing can't be changed with spells, right?"

Otherwise, a big charge of disrespect will fall, and there will be another thunderstorm.

"Rest assured, God should not be able to do it again at this moment. I don't think the same trick will be used twice. Of course, it is true that you must pay attention to the salt ceremony. ”

Ji Le muttered: "Go back and ask His Royal Highness Feng'e, first know the rules and taboos of the salt ceremony, and then think of a way." It's really not good, and you can use the current inventory of the treasury to refine and purify it again, and you can fool around. Of course, the specific situation still needs to be asked by the royal court before making a decision. But don't worry, so many of us can be trapped to death by a small 'salt'?"