"Lieutenant Marshal, do you have any better way to boil salt?" Zhang Shide's eyes lit up.

After all, it is his old profession since childhood, and as soon as he entered the professional field, Zhang Shide's blood is to awaken his thirst for knowledge.

Zhu Han thought about it for a while, and decided not to hide it, and taught Zhang Shide them, that is, to improve the efficiency of working for himself.

"I have a salt drying method, which can reduce your cost to 30% of the original!" Zhu Han said.

"What, this can't be!" Zhang Shide was suddenly shocked, revealing a look of disbelief.

The experience of boiling salt at the beach made him know that the salt farmers have already reduced the cost again and again, and it is impossible to reduce it to the original 30%!

In fact, it doesn't need to be reduced to 30%, it only needs to be reduced to 80%, and many salt farmers will treat him as the living ancestor and the master.

Zhu Han laughed when he heard this.

Not only Zhang Shide, but even Zhu Yuanzhang, Shi Nai'an and others also showed surprised and suspicious expressions.

They also don't believe that Zhu Han can know how to boil salt better than Zhang Shide, an old salt farmer?

Faced with everyone's suspicion, Zhu Han immediately took the pen and paper and began to draw quickly.

Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhang Shide, Shi Nai'an and Cui Changxing all gathered around to see what Zhu Han wanted to paint.

I saw Zhu Han holding a brush and sprinkling it on rice paper, which was again pictures and words.

Soon it was a bunch of miscellaneous things.

Zhu Yuanzhang, Shi Nai'an and others couldn't understand it, and they didn't feel anything surprised.

And Zhang Shide is completely different.

He was already petrified on the spot, like wood, staring at the paper in front of him.

"This, this is, is this really what the deputy marshal came up with?" Zhang Shide finally asked with trembling lips.

"Judging from a broken book, I can't remember who wrote it." Zhu Han said with a smile.

The salt drying method he depicted was a famous creation in history, and it was not until the establishment of the Ming Dynasty that it was slowly promoted to the whole country.

"Rebirth: The Great Age of Waves"

The salt drying method, through a large number of phased salt pans, turns the original boiling and evaporation into a salt drying method that uses sun exposure.

Not only has there been a huge increase in production, but it has also led to a drastic reduction in costs.

In particular, the reuse of some windmill leaching has accelerated the process of salt drying.

"Deputy Marshal, can you teach me this method?" Zhang Shide asked nervously.

"Haha, it's for you, it's useless for me to keep it." Zhu Han said generously.

Zhang Shide's eyes suddenly lit up, and he rolled up the rice paper and stuffed it into his arms like a treasure.

"Deputy marshal, don't worry, the price of salt is ten cents, I can call the shots!" Zhang Shide said hurriedly.

Zhu Han shook his head and said with a smile: "General Zhang, you are not kind, with this salt drying method, if you still sell it for ten cents a catty, is it too dark." ”

Zhang Shide's old face flushed.

He's a clear man.

If this salt drying method is used, it costs five cents a pound of salt, and salt farmers can still make a lot more money than the original.

"Then, the deputy marshal, you can tell me a price!"

Zhang Shide decided to put away his little abacus and said frankly.

"I can't let you suffer, a pound of salt is priced at five cents, as long as it is loaded on the ship, it will be paid immediately, and we will be responsible for all subsequent expenses!" Zhu Han said.

Five pennies!

It is far from Zhang Shide's bottom line, which is completely acceptable.

At the very least, now the mountains of salt in Huaidong are piled up, if the five cents are exchanged for food, the brothers of the Zhang family can also wake up with laughter.

"Okay, that's settled."

"It's a deal!"

In the end, Zhu Yuanzhang, as a family member, made a decision.

Zhang Shicheng's Huaidong Righteous Army won the title of Marshal of Huaidong of the Red Turban Army, and the two sides agreed to purchase Huaidong's salt by the Except Zhou Righteous Army at a discount of five cents and one catty, and all future transportation and sales were all determined by Zhu Yuanzhang.

In addition to making salt, the Huaidong Righteous Army did not sell it abroad.

The two sides got what they needed, Zhang Shide happily left the state and went back to restore his life, and Shi Nai'an, as the representative of the Red Turban Army in the state, went to Huaidong with him to meet Zhang Shicheng.

The rest of the thing is basically a step-by-step docking.

It is nothing more than arranging people to go to the south of the Yangtze River and Huguang to expand sales.

A few days later, Shi Nai'an returned to Zhuzhou with dozens of large ships.

These big ships are full of table salt.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Han happily came to the ship to check.

"Haha, it's all good salt, 50,000 catties!" Shi Nai'an said with a smile.

Zhang Shicheng was also very satisfied with the agreement reached between the two sides, and immediately ordered 50,000 catties of salt to be transported first.

"With so much salt, I don't know what price it will sell?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Although what I want is food, but in the end, I still have to convert the price of silver.

"I've inquired, Jiangnan lacks salt, Jiangxi lacks salt, Huguang also lacks salt, and even Henan is also short of salt. Zhu Han said with a smile.

The salt of these white flowers in front of you is real money.

"Since you want to sell it, let's sell it to Jiangnan, and it's closer to transport grain." Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"If it's a one-shot deal, let's sell it at a high price, but we already plan to do a long-term deal, so we have to think about the price, not too high, not too low." Zhu Han said.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "This kind of profiteer's business, you are the best at it, so I will leave it to you." ”

Zhu Han immediately rolled his eyes, "Brother, what you said is not kind!" ”

"Haha, to say that you are a profiteer, that is to praise you!" Zhu Yuanzhang also laughed.

50,000 catties of salt, in fact, is not too much at all, at most it is a stone throwing to ask for directions.

After arranging the storage of salt, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Han walked all the way back to the city of Jiezhou.

The two discussed it and decided to send someone to Jiqing Mansion in Jiangnan to personally inquire about the local salt market, and then set a price.

However, this candidate is a little difficult.

The old brothers they know each other are all big and coarse, and they don't even know a few big characters, let alone do business to find out information.

As for those scholars and gentry who took refuge, they felt that they did not have enough trust, and they were afraid that they would collude with the wealthy businessmen in Jiangsu and Zhejiang and dig into their own corners.

After all, the temperament of the wealthy businessmen in Jiangnan is not a loyal and good man and a woman.

The two of them didn't come up with a clue all the way.

As soon as I arrived at the gate of the government, a voice came from the front.

"Heavy eight!"

"Seven-five!"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Han were stunned.

Although their former names are well known, no one dares to shout them in public.

"Who?"

"Who?"

The two men looked up.

I saw in the corner of the gate of the government in front.

Out came a man in tattered clothes, holding a little boy of eleven or twelve years old in his hand.

A few guards thought it was some kind of villain, and hurriedly stepped forward to stop it.

Who knows, Zhu Yuanzhang is just a face, and he immediately recognized this person.

"Second brother-in-law!

”

Zhu Yuanzhang rushed forward, and saw that it was really his second brother-in-law Li Chongjiu.

The little boy next to him is his nephew Li Bao'er.

"Woohoo!

”

The second brother-in-law, Li Chongjiu, immediately cried.

"Chonghachi, I've found you!

！ ”

While speaking, Li Chongjiu pulled his son Bao'er and said.

"Bao'er, kowtow to your uncle!"

Bao'er immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed.

Zhu Han was young before, and he had no impression of this second brother-in-law.

That is, Zhu Yuanzhang is old, and he can still remember this second brother-in-law who has repeatedly helped his family.

Suddenly, Zhu Yuanzhang looked behind him and to the side, and his heart suddenly sank.

"Brother-in-law, where is our second sister!"

When Li Chongjiu heard this, tears flowed down again.

"Chongba, I'm sorry for your sister, I'm so poor that I haven't lived, I can only watch her die!"

Li Chongjiu's words were like a heavy hammer, which made Zhu Yuanzhang tremble suddenly.

"Brother!"

Zhu Han hurriedly stepped forward to support him.

In the crying and crying of the second brother-in-law Li Chongjiu, he finally told his own experience.

It turned out that when Zhu Chongba and them fled from Huangjue Temple last year, the second sister was already suffering from illness, and then there was chaos near Haozhou, and Li Chongjiu's family originally had a little property, but it was also looted.

The second sister, Zhu Fonu, also died of fright, sickness and hunger, and the second brother-in-law Li Chongjiu took his son Bao'er all the way to become a homeless person.

They didn't know that the famous Longxing Temple at that time was Zhu Chong's eight brothers.

After several twists and turns, the good news of the state fighting local tyrants and dividing the land attracted them to come.

Two days ago, Li Chongjiu saw Zhu Yuanzhang's appearance from a distance on the street, and at first he couldn't believe it, but after several inquiries, he had the courage to recognize each other today.

After some conversation, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Han were also embarrassed.

Now that the second sister has passed away, there are only two of them left in this world.

"Chongba, it's good to find you, so you don't have to go hungry!" Li Chongjiu said excitedly.

He originally belonged to a well-off family, and he could eat enough coarse grains, but now he is as hungry as a hemp stick.

"Eat well, never go hungry again!"

As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang took his nephew Bao'er's hand and led his brother-in-law and grandfather to the palace.

I haven't seen him for many years, and Zhu Yuanzhang has a lot of things he wants to say.

However, every time they couldn't say two sentences, several people wept bitterly.

In the end, Li Chongjiu killed three bowls of risotto one after another, and it was only then that he regained some calm.

"Don't go, don't go again, you can arrange an errand for me, you can dig up a lot of!" Li Chongjiu said sincerely.

Zhu Yuanzhang knew that his second brother-in-law was honest, and his words were not pretentious.

"What a big! We are now the generalissimo all the way, if you are asked to dig out the dung, it will not be a slap in the face! Second brother-in-law, even if you take Bao'er to eat and drink, run errands or something, I'll talk about it later! Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"That's right, second brother-in-law, I remember that you can still read and write, and you should be enough to make a paperwork in the future, right?" Zhu Han also said.

Belch!

Li Chongjiu couldn't help but burp and said a little embarrassed.

"What is reading and literacy, it's just that my father asked me to learn to do business, and I read some words, and doing paperwork will only embarrass you!"

After a few people recognized each other, they were naturally reluctant to separate.

The second brother-in-law, Li Chongjiu, took his son Bao'er and lived directly in the mansion, eating and sleeping with Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Han for three or five days in a row, as if he wanted to count all the hardships of the past few years.

After a few days of recuperation, Li Chongjiu's complexion quickly improved, and he no longer had the weak appearance of falling with the wind before.

After his body became firm, Li Chongjiu felt uneasy again, feeling that it was not a matter for him to eat and drink for nothing.

He came to Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Han brothers, and repeatedly begged them to give him an errand.

Faced with the sincere request of the second brother-in-law, Zhu Han suddenly had an idea.

"Second brother-in-law, I remember, you said that you had been to Jiqing Mansion?" Zhu Han asked.

"That's right, when I was an apprentice, I went to Jiqing Mansion several times, hey! I have to say, people's Jiqing Mansion is big and good, good and that, that, anyway, it's big and good! Li Chongjiu said as he thought back to the past.

Zhu Han glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang and said with a smile: "Brother, our second brother-in-law, what do you think?" ”

"How's that?" Zhu Yuanzhang was a little puzzled.

"Go to Jiqing Mansion and find out the grain market in the salt industry for us." Zhu Han said.

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he immediately laughed, and couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration.

"Yes, yes! It's so suitable, hahaha! ”

The second brother-in-law, Li Chongjiu, is the closest person to them, and he is definitely able to give 100% trust, so that he can touch and negotiate business, with the mind of the second brother-in-law, it is not a difficult task.

Although Li Chongjiu is honest by nature, he is not a fool, otherwise he would have died 800 times after more than a year of homeless life.

Moreover, Li Chongjiu went to Jiqing Mansion, representing Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Han, as long as he greeted Liu Bowen, he believed that the top and bottom of Mengyuan officialdom would not dare to do anything to him.

Not only did he not dare to do anything, but he had to be treated as an uncle!

Really.

Just as Zhu Han and Zhu Yuanzhang thought, when they told Bolu Fan Yao and the others the news that they wanted to traffic salt to Jiangnan, through Liu Bowen.

Bolu and Fan Yao almost didn't go crazy with joy!

Salt!

A Wanli salt was originally a big fat meat for the Huaidong government-run salt farm and salt merchants, and Jiangsu and Zhejiang, which were close to the late ruler, couldn't talk at all.

Now, Zhang Shicheng has killed the original officials and salt merchants of the imperial court.

Zhu Yuanzhang transferred the salt to his own hands again, so he didn't sell as much as he wanted!

"Hahaha, Berwyn, you are really my lucky star!" Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Pingzhang Bolu is the more he looks at Liu Bowen, the more cute he becomes, and he can't help but go up and kiss the two.

"Berwyn, how much salt Zhu Han is talking about, if it is too little, it will not be interesting." Fan Yao asked.

"The two adults, Zhu Han said, that salt, they monopolize all the salt in Huaidong, as much as they want, they can have as much as they want, all according to the price, after converting the price, they will settle with grain and cloth." Liu Bowen said.

"No problem, what do we want in Jiangnan, it's just a lack of salt!" Bruw exclaimed.

"My lord, this is illegal salt after all, there are too many quantities, even if it is evenly distributed to various salt merchants, it is a little too eye-catching, in case the court knows that we sell illegal salt, wouldn't it be dangerous." Fan Yao was a little worried.

Selling illicit salt is a trivial matter, and if their collusion with the Red Turbans is exposed, it will be dangerous.

"This ,,, is really a bit tricky." Beru frowned, also a little scared.

However, this is not difficult for Liu Bowen.

I saw Liu Bowen smile slightly, and said to Bolu and Fan Yao.

"Two adults, are you mistaken, we are not selling illicit salt!"

"These are all illicit salt seized by the imperial court officials on the Yangtze River!"

Bo Lu and Fan Yao must have been surprised and delighted.

"Yes, yes, it's not selling illicit salt!"

"Hahaha, it's all seized illicit salt! It's a seizure, not a sale! ”

Although Beru Fan Yao is the highest power holder in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, if he wants to sell illicit salt, he must rely on the power of the big salt merchants.

Only the local salt merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang have the ability to distribute these salts layer by layer, and finally sell them to the people for silver.

The center of the salt merchants of Jiangsu and Zhejiang was in Jinling Jiqing Mansion, and a letter of invitation from Bolu immediately gathered them all in Pingzhang Mansion.

These large salt merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang were actually originally at the next level of Yangzhou Salt Division Yamen and Yangzhou Salt Merchants.

The Yangzhou area was killed by Zhang Shicheng, and the inventory of salt in their hands was already seriously insufficient.

In this case, all the big salt merchants are strictly controlling the amount of salt they sell each day, and the price is getting higher and higher.

From before the Yangzhou Rebellion, a pound of salt was about less than 20 yuan, and it soared all the way to more than 40 yuan.

In many remote local states and counties, even because of the increase in the cost of salt transportation, it has reached 100 Wen, and the highest price is 200 Wen a catty.

Therefore, when these big salt merchants came to Pingzhang Mansion and heard that there was a large amount of salt that could be transported to Jiqing, their eyes were all green.

A few of the leading salt merchants even couldn't wait to ask.

"Dare to ask Lord Pingzhang, is this salt Huaidong salt from Yangzhou, or Sichuan salt?"

"Yangzhou salt officials have been abolished, the salt we sell is not private salt, will the court investigate it?"

For these two issues, all the big salt merchants are very concerned.

It's not just a matter of making money, it's a matter of their lives.

Boru smiled slightly and said steadily.

"Although there are no salt officials in Yangzhou, there are still so many salt households in Huaidong, they can't do anything else except boiling salt, as long as there is salt shipped out, then we can sell it, anyway, whether it is the official salt of the salt official, or private salt, from now on, in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, only the private salt seized by the imperial court soldiers, and the sale of the seized private salt, even if the imperial court investigates, it cannot be held accountable to anyone!"

When all the salt merchants heard this, they all understood that eight or nine were not far from ten.

As the Pingzhang of Jiangsu and Zhejiang Province, when Bolu ransomed the city with one million silver coins to let Zhu Han withdraw from the army, most of the missing silver was raised from these big salt merchants and other wealthy merchants.

Many well-informed salt merchants have already heard of the secret collusion between Bolu Fan Yao and others and the red turban thieves.

Now it seems that most of these private salts were transferred by the Red Turban Army.

However, for the big salt merchants, it doesn't matter what official salt or what private salt is at all.

Anyway, as long as you can make money.

"My lord, how much salt is there?" A salt merchant asked.

"How much, how much! Suffice it to say, it's only a lot more than before! Buru said with a smile.

"What is the price of salt?" Another salt merchant asked again.

At this time, Fan Yao took over the conversation and said to the salt merchants: "The price of salt has not been set yet, but it should not exceed the previous official salt price." ”

When the salt merchants heard this, they all rejoiced.

I only listened to Fan Yao continue; "However, even if the price of salt is set, when settling, it may not only be silver, but also grain, cloth and other goods to settle, you yourself will find a way to settle the matter at that time, and the government will not ask about the settlement, as long as half of the profit is extracted!"

Hearing this, the salt merchants immediately discussed in low voices.

They soon reached a consensus, although the profit of half of the extract is really not low, but because there is no tax card of Yangzhou salt officials and the price increase of the big salt merchants, even if it is sold to the previous price, the salt merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang can still make more.

"No problem, my lord! As long as there is salt shipped, how much is there, and how much we sell for adults! ”

Bo Lu and Fan Yao looked at each other and smiled, and said in unison.

"Good!"

After completing the last link of salt distribution, Bo Lu and Fan Yao immediately asked Liu Bowen to inform Zhu Han that he could send someone to Jiqing Mansion.

Whether it was the safety of the envoy's itinerary or the hospitality guidance, Berlu and the salt merchants had already arranged it properly.

After receiving the letter sent by Liu Bowen, Zhu Han and Zhu Yuanzhang both laughed.

"Unexpectedly, Berlu and their actions are really fast." Zhu Han said with a smile.

"Yes, the second brother-in-law is not ready here, they are already in a hurry, it seems that the second brother-in-law has to go to Jiqing Mansion in advance." Zhu Yuanzhang also said with a smile.

The second brother-in-law, Li Chongjiu, has been living as a homeless person for a long time, and he has no meat on his body, and he is still in the stage of replenishment with less oil and less salt.

Originally, I wanted to raise it again, but I looked rich and set off, and the province made the salt merchants of Jiangsu and Zhejiang look down on it.

Now it's time to leave early.

"Not only are they anxious, but Zhang Shicheng is also anxious, waiting for us to deliver them the follow-up food." Zhu Han said.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Well, since that's the case, let's let the second brother-in-law hurry up, anyway, Jiqing is close to each other, there won't be any accidents, let him go where to find out the bottom of the salt merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and can't let our salt be sold cheaply." ”

Huaidong salt was originally pumped by salt officials, big salt merchants, tax cards, etc., and in the hands of Jiangsu and Zhejiang salt merchants, it was already at a high price, if Zhu Han and they could sell Huaidong salt directly to Jiangsu and Zhejiang salt merchants, then the intermediate profits would definitely increase greatly.

The second brother-in-law, Li Chongjiu, was already a little uneasy in his heart during the days when he was recuperating in the state.

This simple man always feels that he can't be a soldier or a civilian, and he eats two brothers' rice every day, and his face is really unbearable.

Especially his son Li Bao'er, after being taken in by Zhu Yuanzhang's side to teach and train him personally, his second brother-in-law Li Chongjiu felt that he had to fight for the two brothers.

"No problem, then I can leave for Jiqing tomorrow!" When the second brother-in-law Li Chongjiu got the news, he immediately expressed his eagerness.

"Second brother-in-law, you wait until you arrive at Jiqing, don't be afraid, don't panic, we have a lot of confidence, no matter what the requirements are, although they have nothing to say about those Tartar officials and salt merchants." Zhu Han said with a smile.

Now that Huaidong is in turmoil and the Yangtze River waterway is cut off, he is willing to transport salt to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, that is, to send silver to Beru and salt merchants, which can naturally be shaken.

"Brother, don't worry, I'll go to Jiqing Mansion this time and take care of this errand!" Li Chongjiu said.

"Second brother-in-law, then after you go to Jiqing, let's take Wen Zhong back to Dingyuan City first, and then go to see him when you come back from Jiqing." Zhu Yuanzhang said.

The so-called Wenzhong is the eldest nephew Li Bao'er, and Zhu Yuanzhang gave him an official name, called Li Wenzhong.

"Well, that's the best, then I can go to Jiqing with confidence!" Second brother-in-law Li Chongjiu nodded and said.

After all, the state is close to the territory of Mengyuan in the south of the Yangtze River, and if there is any war, it must be earlier than Dingyuan City.

Zhu Yuanzhang brought Li Wenzhong back to Dingyuan City, not only to take care of him better, but also to be safer.

After all, Zhu Han, the little uncle, is only two years older than Li Wenzhong, so he can't take care of him at all.

At least, in the eyes of the second brother-in-law Li Chongjiu.

Zhu Han sent someone to send a letter to Liu Bowen, asking Bolu and the others to arrange preparations for receiving their envoys.

Bo Lu and Fan Yao, who got the news, were immediately overjoyed.

"Great, we've got everything ready, just waiting for them to set the price!" Bruw said with a smile.

Beru has slowly experienced the taste of controlling the authority of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and because of the severance of the Huaidong Canal and shipping, the Yuan Dynasty emperor in the northern capital is unable to command and monitor himself, which makes Beru very happy.

Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, how he wants to come, then how to come.

"Don't worry, my lord, I have already arranged for me to personally lead the salt merchants to entertain this envoy from Jiangbei!" Zuo Cheng Fan Yao of Jiangsu and Zhejiang Province said.

This incident of trafficking illicit salt was the beginning of the thorough cooperation between Beru Fan Yao and the local gentry and wealthy families in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

As long as the matter of trafficking in illicit salt is done well, then in the future, even if the red turban thieves and other counter-thieves are eliminated, they will be able to establish their own chain of illicit salt trafficking.

Even if the salt officials of the imperial court returned to Huaidong, it would not delay them from continuing to earn silver.

"By the way, Berwyn, what is the origin of the messenger who came, and what are his preferences, it must be arranged!" Bruw said with a smile.

Liu Bowen nodded slightly, and said to Beru: "Pingzhang rest assured, Xia Guan has already ordered someone to prepare." ”

Two days later, as the envoy of Jiangbei Prefecture, the second brother-in-law Li Chongjiu came to Jiqing Mansion by boat.

In order to avoid complications, all the entry into the city is carried out in a low-key manner.

Li Chongjiu was also dressed as an ordinary businessman and followed him into Jiqing Mansion.

After a tiring journey, Fan Yao, who was dressed as a wealthy businessman, proposed to go to the best restaurant in Jiqing Mansion to pick up the messenger and wash the dust.

As for the matter of probing pricing, we can talk about it until tomorrow.

"Shopkeeper Li, what do you think of this arrangement?" Fan Yao asked Li Chongjiu.

Although he had been to Jinling Jiqing Mansion before, and now he was wearing a high-end silk robe, Li Chongjiu was still a little unconfident in his heart.

Even if Zhu Han had cheered him up in advance, he was still a little timid when he saw Fan Yao and other graceful and wealthy businessmen in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

It's just that the confidence in the price of salt makes Li Chongjiu strong.

"What Shopkeeper Fan said makes sense, I'm really a little hungry in this stomach." Li Chongjiu said with a smile.

"Haha, that's good, let's go eat first!"

Fan Yao said with a smile.

Surrounded by a group of big salt merchants, Li Chongjiu sat in a soft sedan chair and was invited to the best restaurant in Jiqing City.

As soon as he entered the restaurant, Li Chongjiu was dumbfounded.

All kinds of beautiful decorations and accessories, as well as the lively scene of shuttling back and forth, all made Li Chongjiu, who was still hungry and homeless half a month ago, feel that there is nowhere to put his hands and feet.

When he sat down in the best private room of the restaurant, Li Chongjiu, who was sitting in the VIP seat, was in trouble again.

Because, he doesn't order at all!

It's just that Fan Yao and the others are all waiting for him to speak.

"Shopkeeper Li, whatever you want to eat, just order!" Fan Yao reminded with a smile.

After getting along with each other, Fan Yao has already figured out that the envoy named Li Zhen in front of him is most likely a mud leg from a poor background, and he can't show off his wealth too much to deal with this kind of person, and he is considered to look down on people by the province.

Therefore, Fan Yao was very patient at this time.

Before coming to Jiqing, Zhu Han asked his second brother-in-law Li Chongjiu to change his name, because the names of Chongjiu and Chongba were born in poverty at first glance, and it was easy for wealthy businessmen in Jiangsu and Zhejiang to look down on people, so he asked Shi Nai'an to give him a new name of 'Li Zhen'.

"Then eat a **!" The second brother-in-law, Li Zhen, said after holding back for a long time.

Fan Yao and the others were stunned for a moment, and then laughed together and said that they all love chicken.

"It's good to eat chicken!"

"Then eat a **!"

"I don't know what kind of chicken shopkeeper Li is going to eat?" Fan Yao asked.

Second brother-in-law Li Zhen: "Well, it's boiled chicken." ”

"Okay, then just boil the chicken in plain water, and arrange it immediately!" Fan Yao said to the shopkeeper of the restaurant who was personally serving beside him.

The shopkeeper's face was already stiff with a smile, and when he heard this way of eating, he hurriedly responded.

Subsequently, Fan Yao and others accompanied Li Zhen to drink tea and listen to music in the private room, waiting to eat chicken later.

The shopkeeper came to the back kitchen and told the chef what the guests wanted.

"White boiled chicken?" When the chef heard this, he was stunned.

"That's right, it's boiled chicken, today Fan Zuocheng, and the guests brought by a group of wealthy businessmen and gentry, it's really a bit weird, don't want anything, just boiled chicken in plain water!" The shopkeeper of the restaurant couldn't figure out what the reason was.

In fact, how did he know that the most fragrant delicacy that his second brother-in-law Li Zhen had eaten in his life was that he stole a neighbor's chicken when he was a child.

"Hehe, shopkeeper, I can figure it out." The chef suddenly smiled, clapped his hands and said.

The shopkeeper of the restaurant didn't know, "What do you want to understand?" ”

The chef smiled slightly, revealing the confidence to see through everything, and then said: "Lord Fan Zuocheng, as well as those wealthy businessmen, what a noble person, the distinguished guests they invite must also be from an extraordinary background, well-informed, what to say about boiled chicken, in fact, is a test of our restaurant's cooking skills!" ”

"Huh? Is that really the case? The shopkeeper of the restaurant suddenly became nervous, the provincial Zuo Cheng came to the restaurant, if the hospitality was not good, I am afraid that not only the business would not be able to continue, but also his life would be in danger.

"Absolutely! Since the beginning of the apprenticeship of the villain, I have already known that the simpler-sounding dish, the more it will test the kung fu! ”

As he spoke, the chef rolled up his sleeves and said to the apprentices next to him.

"Cheer me up, if something goes wrong with today's dish, we all have to get out!"

Afterwards, the chef of the Drunken Immortal Building was busy.

The kitchen of the entire Zuixian Building was busy for more than half an hour, and a well-made pot of boiled chicken was presented.

The soup is clear and bright, the fragrance is mellow, and the meat is smooth and tender, which is definitely the culmination of decades of skill by the chef of Zuixianlou.

"No problem, let's serve it." The chef checked again, confirmed that there was nothing wrong, wiped the sweat from his forehead and said.

The runner hurriedly brought this dish of boiled chicken.

That is, less than a moment later, the shopkeeper of the Drunken Immortal Building ran to the back kitchen in person.

I saw the shopkeeper's face full of smiles, and said to the chef: "Quick! Hurry up and make another serving, the guests are very satisfied with this boiled chicken! ”

The chef smiled slightly, and said proudly: "Haha, it's right to be satisfied, the shopkeeper, my boiled chicken looks like white water, and its practical use is Xianggu from Fujian, Tang Cai from Changdao, sea cucumber from Beihai, abalone from Nanya, and more than 20 kinds of precious dishes to make soup base, not to mention cooking this high-quality Xuanzhou chicken, even if it is boiled risotto, it can be fragrant for ten miles!" ”

"Don't blow it, hurry up and do it, you're waiting!" The shopkeeper interrupted.

"It's okay, don't worry, I just made two in one go, and then I can present it." The chef of the Drunken Immortal Building looks like he is in control.

"Great!" The shopkeeper is even happier.

Soon, the second boiled chicken was served again.

After a short while, the shopkeeper of the Drunken Immortal Building ran over again.

"Quick, hurry up and make another one, no, make another pot! If you don't have enough to eat, you have to name them! ”

At this moment, it was the turn of the restaurant chef to sit still.

My own boiled chicken, although it is an excellent delicacy!

But this kind of guest who is not enough to eat two is something that the chef has never seen in his life.

"It can't be the reincarnation of a starving ghost, right?"

The chef hurriedly started to work, and couldn't help but complain in his heart.

After a lot of busyness, the distinguished guest actually ate two more boiled chickens in a row, which made the chef roll his eyes.

Winter, winter, winter!

A rush of footsteps came into the kitchen again, and the shopkeeper ran in with a panicked face.

Seeing this, the chef's jaw was about to drop, "Shopkeeper, do you want to order the guests?" ”

The shopkeeper was sweating in a hurry, and he didn't answer at all, and hurriedly shouted: "Give me vinegar and garlic!" The guests rolled their eyes! ”

Chef: ......

When it was dark, Li Zhen held on to her sore waist and legs, and finally stopped.

He ate four chickens in one go, dismantled a little to make a good one, poured a large mouthful of old vinegar garlic, and kept walking and digesting it for most of the day.

It was only now that he was out of danger.

Li Zhen's performance made Bolu, Fan Yao and others completely relieved.

Inside the Heijang Mansion.

"Hahaha, these Jiangbei Red Turban Army are really some dirt buns! A boiled chicken in white water almost survived, it seems that there is nothing difficult to deal with, pick some treasures and beauties tomorrow or something, give this Li Zhen, let him set the price of salt lower, it will not be a problem at all. Buru said with a smile.

"That's right, now the price of salt is almost fifty wen a catty, and the price of Huaiyang salt was originally only twenty wen, if we can set the price of salt to fifteen wen, we can make double the profit as soon as we sell it to salt merchants!" Fan Yao said with a smile.

Liu Bowen on the side listened to the conversation between the two people, but he was extremely disgusted in his heart.

It turned out that although Bolu and Fan Yao had the Huaiyang salt transported by the Jiangbei Red Turban Army, they did not plan to reduce the price significantly, and still wanted to keep the price of salt at a high level, so that they could accumulate the people's fat and ointment.

Liu Bowen once persuaded him on this issue, but it had no effect.

"Berwyn, what do you think?" Bolu asked with a smile to Liu Bowen.

Liu Bowen's expression was flat, "The lower officials think that what the two adults said is extremely true!" ”

"Haha, okay, then the profits from the confiscation of illicit salt, we will set aside 10% for the imperial court at that time, and store it with me first, and divide the rest equally."

This time, the 'illicit salt' sold and confiscated by Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces can be said to be the result of the unity of the upper and lower levels, and officials and sergeants at all levels must also eat a bite of dividends, otherwise it is not conducive to long-term maintenance.

Half a month later.

That is, the twelfth year of Yuan Zhizheng, the first year of the Red Turban Army Song Longfeng, August.

Except for the state.

On the wharf outside the city, hundreds of river boats loaded with grain, cloth, and ironware arrived in the prefecture.

Zhu Han led the officials of the pacification envoy in addition to the state, and came to the wharf to appreciate the profits obtained in exchange for the first batch of illicit salt.

"Vice Marshal, this is 50,000 stone of grain, 30,000 horses of cloth, as well as ironware, medicinal materials, paper and other goods, all the account books are here, please take a look!"

Li Zhen held an account book in her hand and said to Zhu Han respectfully.

Zhu Han smiled slightly, and did not pick up the account book, but pulled Li Zhen up and said.

"Second brother-in-law, we are all our own family, we don't have to salute like this, and it's not too late to go back and read the account books!"

Li Zhen was a little embarrassed, and said in a low voice: "That's different, this is outside, if you don't take care of your handsome face, you won't be able to lead troops in the future!" ”

Li Zhen is cautious and timid, always afraid of his own mistakes, which will bring bad consequences to Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Han brothers.

"Haha, second brother-in-law, you are modest, this time you can set a high price of fifteen yuan a pound with the salt merchants of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and you have contributed a lot." Zhu Han praised happily.

The price of salt in Zhu Han's hands was sold to himself for five cents a pound from Zhang Shicheng, and he originally thought that he was very happy to be able to earn double the gross profit by selling it to salt merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang for ten cents a catty.

Unexpectedly, the second brother-in-law Li Zhen came back with a high price of fifteen yuan a catty, which really made Zhu Han very happy.

Li Zhen was a little embarrassed, "Actually, I didn't do anything, those salt merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang sent silver and women, and I had to ask me to set the price of salt at fifteen yuan, and I had no choice." ”

Zhu Han smiled, for this matter and Have your say.

No matter what the reason is, Li Zhen can complete the task and come back, that is, he is a meritorious man, as for whether it is a pie falling from the sky, or a blind cat touching Lao Tzu to death, it will not affect the reward for meritorious service.

"Second brother-in-law, when will the follow-up grain, grass and cloth be delivered?" Zhu Han continued to ask.

Li Zhen immediately said: "Three days at most!" Salt merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang have already hoarded grain, as long as our salt is transported to Jiqing Wharf, the front foot will unload the salt, and the back foot will be loaded with grain cloth! ”

For such a quick action, Zhu Han nodded with satisfaction.

Since controlling the Yangtze River waterway, it has been able to monopolize the salt business.

Don't worry about running out of food anymore.

"Chen Baodao, often meet spring, Hu Yiba!" Zhu Han called out to the three generals behind him.

When the three of them heard this, they immediately lined up in unison.

"The last general!"

"You have all seen it, from now on, you don't have to worry about the lack of food and grass, the original training once every three days was immediately changed to one practice a day, just grasp the severity of the degree!" Zhu Han ordered.

"The last general obeys!"

All three are happy answers.

In this era, the strongest army is only training every three days, and it is already at the elite level, which is not that they don't want to practice, but the cost of training is too high.

Large-intensity training is naturally indispensable for good food, and it almost needs to have meat at once, and it is the kind that is full of a large amount of food, so that the sergeants can maintain their physical fitness.

Zhu Han now has money and food, so he naturally wants to improve his military strength again.

Seeing Chang Yuchun on the side, Zhu Han seemed to remember something.

"Spring is always in the spring!" Zhu Han said.

"Vice marshal, the last general!" Chang Yuchun hurriedly responded.

"I remember, last time you said that there were some relatives and villagers living in seclusion in the mountains?" Zhu Han asked.

"Yes, deputy marshal, the last general has a lot of old acquaintances, and he doesn't know the good of our righteous army, and the last general wants to take a leave of absence and recruit them all to the state!" Chang Yuchun said.

Chang Yuchun came to join the rebels, originally thinking of having a full meal, and then seeing what the future of the rebels was, if it was good, it was to pick up those relatives and friends who hid in the mountains and took refuge.

Who knows, after coming to the rebel army, this small day is not simply a full meal, it is simply a fairy day, when you become a big soldier, you can get five acres of land, and you can eat fish or meat every three days.

Chang Yuchun has long wanted to take his wife, children, relatives and friends hidden in the mountains to enjoy the blessings of the state.