Chapter 216 The strategic significance of salt!
"Why?"
"This..." Zhao Huaiyuan hesitated for a moment and said softly: "Second Master, ordinary people can't even afford some inferior mineral salt, let alone such pure and flawless refined salt!"
"In my Dayu Salt Market, ordinary coarse salt is thirty coins per bucket, and the better sea salt is at least fifty coins per bucket. As for green salt (lake salt), it is even more expensive!"
"Your refined salt is not bitter at all, and the color is pure as crystal. How can ordinary people afford it?"
Ning Fan showed a faint smile on his face and said softly: "What if my refined salt is cheaper than the Hu family's coarse salt?"
"What!"
"Second brother, are you crazy?"
"Losing business?"
The three of them were all stunned, and looked at Ning Fan together, with a look of loss of composure!
"I'm not crazy!"
"But the cost of refined salt is very low, even negligible!"
"Over the years, the Hu family has monopolized the Dayu Salt Market. The finished product is bitter and even contains impurities, but it is sold for thirty coins a bucket. It is simply a complete profiteer!"
Ning Fan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. You know, the importance of salt is not just as simple as a seasoning, but a strategic material!
The government controls the salt road, which can not only create huge fiscal revenue, but also stabilize the market, stabilize prices, stabilize people's livelihood, and most importantly, stabilize the regime!
Whenever there is a rebellion, as long as the salt road is controlled, the rebels will gradually become weak in their limbs, nausea and vomit without salt intake, until they lose their combat effectiveness and even threaten their lives!
So every time there is a war, salt is a strategic material!
Besides, Ning Fan has a deep understanding of the horror of monopoly, whether it is salt or food, or even the pillar of the national economy in the previous life-cigarettes!
The fiscal revenue contributed each year is an astronomical figure!
For example, in the Ming and Qing dynasties of the previous life, the income generated from the salt road alone could reach more than half of the court's fiscal revenue!
On the other hand, Dayu, the salt tax has been abandoned for many years, and even controlled by a family for decades, forming a monopoly. Over the years, Emperor Yu has been planning to reform the salt system!
But now the Hu family controls the salt road in the world, and the general trend has long been established, and it cannot be moved lightly!
The so-called "four great families" of Dayu are better said to be the four vampires. The accumulation of the four great families over the years must have reached a very terrifying level!
"Second Master, now my Dayu's salt market is almost completely controlled by the Hu family. If we intervene, I'm afraid..."
Liu Yuan expressed his concerns and looked at Ning Fan with a strange light in his eyes.
"So what?"
"The Hu family has monopolized the salt road for so many years. All those who came later were ruined by them, and even their families were destroyed!"
"The court has been extremely tolerant of the Hu family over the years!"
Ning Fan held a cup of bitter tea in his hand, resisted the bitterness, slowly put it down, and said softly: "Although the Hu family is listed among the so-called four major families, in the final analysis, it is just a merchant family!"
"I will be responsible for providing refined salt products, and you will be responsible for opening up sales!"
"How?"
Hearing Ning Fan's words, Zhao Huaiyuan nodded directly and agreed without hesitation: "Your Highness, I'll do it!"
"Who cares if it's the Hu family or not, just knock it down first!"
"Brother wants to get rich!"
Su Chi's face flashed with a touch of desire, but with a hint of hesitation, Liu Yuan also fell into a brief contemplation!
"Oh!"
"What are you two hesitating about!"
"Second Master is willing to help us and make a fortune with us, so don't be ungrateful!"
Su Chi nodded slightly and said softly: "Second Master, I did it too!"
After that, the two of them looked at Liu Yuan together. The latter smiled helplessly and nodded slightly: "Okay, we brothers will advance and retreat together, but we still have to say hello to the old man at home!"
"Yeah!"
After talking about the business, Zhao Huaiyuan suddenly became unserious, winked at Ning Fan and said softly: "Second Master, do you have time to go out tomorrow night?"
"Some time ago, several new girls came to Xiuchun Pavilion, each of them is beautiful and talented. !"
"Why don't we go and see the world?"
Looking at Zhao Huaiyuan's wretched expression, Ning Fan's mouth twitched, and he smiled and said: "There have been many trivial matters these days, and the New Year is coming, you guys should be more obedient!"
"Second Master, it's rare for brothers to relax for a few days!"
"I also made an appointment with Xie Yan and Prince Ning!"
"It's a rare gathering, please give me the honor!"
After that, he leaned close to Ning Fan's ear and said: "Second Master, those girls are from the Western Regions, no matter their appearance or figure, they are simply amazing!"
"Western Regions?"
Ning Fan frowned slightly, and there was a hint of curiosity in his expression. The Western Regions are thousands of miles away from Dayu, and there is rarely any trade between them, let alone the girls from the Western Regions!
However, looking at Zhao Huaiyuan's solemn look, it is obvious that this is true!
"Okay, then I'll go with you guys to take a look!"
"Okay!"
Seeing Ning Fan agreed, Zhao Huaiyuan instantly smiled. While everyone was chatting and laughing, he saw Lin Yong hurriedly walked in and whispered: "Second Master, someone is coming from the palace!"
"Yes!"
Ning Fan slowly stood up and strode towards the hall, and saw Wei Ying standing quietly in front of the hall, holding a golden scroll in his hand!
"Your Highness!"
"You are here?"
When Wei Ying saw Ning Fan's figure, he showed a kind smile. Now this is the one that His Majesty asked him to do!
It is enough to show that Emperor Yu loves His Highness King Yong!
"Eunuch Gao, declare the decree!"
"Your Highness, the process can be skipped. I congratulate Your Highness and the generals!"
"Generals, please thank the Lord for your kindness!"
As soon as Wei Ying finished speaking, Dian Wei, Guan Yu and others strode forward and bowed respectfully. Wei Ying also ordered someone to bring in a reward!
"My lord, thank you Your Majesty!"
After the process was completed, it was getting late, and Zhao Huaiyuan and the other three also stood up to say goodbye!
"Your Highness!"
"The banquet is ready!"
"Um!"
Ning Fan nodded slightly, stood up slowly, and walked towards the main hall where the banquet was held!
"Your Highness!"
When Jiang Wei saw Ning Fan, he strode over and said softly: "Your Highness, the fifth prince has returned to the capital!"
"Um?"
A strange look appeared on Ning Fan's face, he paused, looked at Jiang Ying and said, "How many people are back in Beijing?"
"There is only one fifth prince!"
"oh?"
A look of surprise appeared on Ning Fan's face, with a glint in his eyes, and he murmured: "I didn't expect that the fifth child would come back too!"
【Boom! 】
[Release the main mission: Seize the direct descendant! 】
[Task requirement: Win the position of Prince of the East Palace! 】
[Mission time limit: one year! 】
[Task reward: 1,000 points of merit, the Four Beauties (Part 1) of the Kowloon Creation Sutra (Part 2), and the Eighteen Palms of Subduing the Dragon]
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