The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 116
Yangjinchuan Salt Factory.

Jiao Jixun led [-] light cavalry to arrive. Regardless of the dusk and the rush, he looked around with great interest.

Xu Xingsi yelled that he was tired, but he moved his legs sincerely, and followed beside him.

Zhu Xiu naturally played the role of commentator.

When he entered a salt warehouse and saw a mountain-like pile of salt packets, Jiao Jixun's face changed slightly, and Xu Xingsi's mouth opened wide with shock on his face.

The salt factory is filled with a special smell, somewhat like the smell of saltpeter. As a salt envoy of the capital, Xu Xingsi has been dealing with salt transportation for many years and is very familiar with this smell.

For him, it's also the smell of money.

Xu Xingsi climbed up the herringbone ladder, randomly selected a sack in the middle of the salt bags stacked more than two feet high, roughly thrust his fingers through the binding, stirred it vigorously, then pulled it out and stuffed it into his mouth, sucking greedily. The salty taste made him shrug his shoulders and look extremely satisfied and intoxicated.

Jiao Jixun was much more gentle than him. He wiped it on several sacks casually, sniffing lightly at first, and then licking his palms like a dragonfly dripping water. The pure salty taste made him nod unconsciously.

"How much salt is stored in this warehouse?" Jiao Jixun asked, patting a strong sack.

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "The warehouse is about fifteen thousand jins full."

Jiao Jixun praised: "Not bad, not bad."

Zhu Xiu smiled again and said: "There are five other warehouses of the same size."

Jiao Jixun took a deep breath, and his breathing became a little heavier: "No wonder it can alarm the officials, Shi Jieshuai, what a big deal!"

Xu Xingsi trembled and almost fell off the ladder. Fortunately, two of Jiao Jixun's personal guards helped him.

Zhu Xiu pouted, why didn't he throw this guy to death?

"All six salt warehouses are full?" Xu Xingsi's eyes widened, with bloodshot eyes scattered around his pupils, like a hungry wild dog.

"It's full." Zhu Xiu smiled, "The terrain here is low-lying and the humidity is heavy. I originally planned to build a few larger warehouses on higher ground in the north, but it's a pity."

Zhu Xiu spread his hands, meaning clearly that the arrival of you guys has disrupted the plan.

"Ninety, ninety thousand kilograms!" Xu Xingsi licked his dry lips, his eyes rolling, and he had even calculated in his mind how much benefit he could get from the ninety thousand kilograms of salt if he was responsible for transporting it.

Jiao Jixun said: "Take me to see the salt-harvesting workshop again."

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Of course, Jiao Shuai and Xu Dushi, please!~"

Standing on the half-slope, below is a messy rock salt mining site. Rocks of different sizes are scattered everywhere. Shovels, pickaxes, bamboo baskets, baskets, backpacks, and carts are scattered everywhere.

Several workshops are distributed in the three- to four-mile-long river valley according to the process flow. Unfortunately, there is not a single worker in the entire salt factory now. Each workshop is empty. There are process drawings, process instructions, and several special tools used to filter the solution. They were all gathered together and burned cleanly by a fire, turning into a pile of black ashes in front of each workshop.

Jiao Jixun and Xu Xingsi walked into each workshop to check, and Zhu Xiu also explained the purpose of each workshop to them in detail.

From the mining of rock salt rocks to the final step of drying and precipitating salt crystals, Zhu Xiu expressed all the processes orally. If he encountered something abstract that he did not understand, he would explain it with gestures.

Anyway, I can explain it in any way, but I can't see any physical objects, let alone the specific operation process.

Xu Xingsi couldn't help but said: "Can't you find a few skilled salt workers to demonstrate it again?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "The war is in chaos, and all the workers have been dismissed."

"Then put out the tools and utensils you mentioned, and then explain them according to the process! How can we understand it by just talking like this?" Xu Xingsi was anxious.

Zhu Xiu pointed to several piles of burnt blackened waste and said with a smile: "Burn them all, leaving nothing behind."

Xu Xingsi was stunned and jumped in anger: "You, you obviously did it on purpose!"

"Yes." Zhu Xiu admitted frankly.

Xu Xingsi put his finger in front of Zhu Xiu's nose sadly, wanting to scold her without saying anything.

Jiao Jixun said: "The rock salt detoxification method is a top-secret technique of the salt supervision. Only a small number of salt households appointed by the imperial court know it. Where did you learn it?"

Zhu Xiu cupped his hands toward the northeast and said, "Of course I inherited it from my mentor."

Jiao Jixun frowned and stared at him closely, obviously suspicious.

Zhu Xiu's expression was calm, without any panic in her heart.

Even Chai Rong was deceived by this excuse. Are you afraid that it won't be able to deceive you, Jiao Jixun?

Anyway, Tanzhou is far away from Youyan, and it is under the control of the Khitan people, so I am not afraid of you running to seek confirmation.

Xu Xingsi said angrily: "I will send people back to Chang'an immediately and ask the Wangdu Supervisor to allocate salt households to station in Yangjinchuan!"

Zhu Xiu said proudly: "The rock salt detoxification method mastered by the Salt Supervisor is rough and simple. Even if Yangjinchuan is handed over to the Salt Supervisor, it will not be able to produce high-quality Jingzhou white salt. At most, it can produce Some loose salt and coarse salt. I dare to say that the quality of Jingzhou white salt is the best in the world. This is the only one!"

Xu Xingsi was choked and speechless. He threw up his sleeves and stamped his feet angrily.

As the salt envoy of the capital, he was well aware of the quality of the salt produced in important salt pools everywhere. He also knew which salts were expensive and were exclusively supplied to the court and dignitaries, and which salts were of poor quality and low-priced and were supplied to the public in large quantities.

And Jingzhou white salt is indeed the best quality salt he has ever seen. Its color, luster and taste are even better than Jiezhou salt which is specially used for imperial tribute!
"You actually provide this kind of white salt to the common people and still don't make a penny?" Xu Xingsi clutched his heart. When he thought of the white salt being carried home by the villagers in sacks, he just felt... It hurts so much that I can't breathe.

These high-quality white salts should be sold at a higher price to Chang'an, Luoyang, and Kaifeng. If they are sold across the river to the south, they can make more money.

Zhu Xiu distributed tens of thousands of kilograms of white salt to the people for free, which in Xu Xingsi's opinion was a waste of natural resources.

Zhu Xiu said disapprovingly: "The salt in Yangjinchuan is produced by the people of Jingzhou. The people have suffered from the high price of salt for many years, so they should be compensated."

Xu Xingsi sighed, shook his head and said: "Absurd~"

Jiao Jixun said calmly: "Do you want to rely on this salt factory to keep Shi Kuangwei's position as Jiedushi?"

Zhu Xiu smiled a little teasingly: "Shuai Jiao is wise. The conditions offered by the Xue family are nothing more than this. Otherwise, how could Shuai Jiao lead his army here?"

Jiao Jixun smiled and said: "I am here because I am obliged to do so according to the imperial edict, and secondly to express my condolences to Mr. Xue."

By the way, to see if he could get millions of pounds of salt, Zhu Xiu added in his mind and raised a pair of middle fingers.

Xu Xingsi said anxiously with a pale face: "If Shi Kuangwei is willing to hand over the salt factory to the Salt Supervisor and put it under the unified jurisdiction of the Salt Supervisor, I can ask Wangdu Supervisor to come forward and intercede for Shi Kuangwei and set up a private salt factory. That's it. It no longer exists.”

Zhu Xiu blinked without saying a word and glanced at Jiao Jixun secretly.

Sure enough, Jiao Jixun inadvertently frowned and said in a slightly cold tone: "Mr. Xu, have you forgotten that I am also the governor of Jingzhao Prefecture, and also have the title of Middle Attendant? According to the regulations, I am responsible for the transportation of salt and iron in Jingzhao. I have the right to intervene. The imperial decree ordered me to come to Jingzhou to deal with this matter, why should I report it to Wang Dujian?"

Xu Xingsi handed over his hand, with interests at the forefront and not caring about offending, and said in an official tone: "Shuai Jiao's words are wrong! Jiao Shuai's job is to command the Fengxiang Army and handle the affairs of the feudal town. The affairs of Jingzhao Mansion are just in name. Wang As the capital city's salt and iron transport envoy, the governor of Guanzhong should be in charge of the salt administration in Guanzhong."

Jiao Jixun's face grew colder: "The decree states that this time when entering Jingzhou, I will be the main commander, and Xu Du will be the supplementary one. When it comes to matters, it is my commander's decision!"

Xu Xingsi became anxious, stiffened his neck and said: "The imperial court has set up a salt supervisor, which is managed separately and is not subject to interference by local officials in the vassal town. It should be reported to the Wang Du Supervisor who is in charge of salt and iron affairs!"

The two had a dispute over the ownership of the salt factory, each insisting on their own opinions and refusing to give in.

Jiao Jixun's eyebrows were filled with anger and his eyes were stern, while Xu Xingsi looked guilty and lacking in energy.In terms of official position and status, Xu Xingsi is naturally incomparable, but behind him stands the powerful figure Wang Jun.

Xu Xingsi knew very well that if he couldn't win such a large sum of salt profit for Wang Jun, his life in Chang'an would not be easy.

For him, getting the Yangjinchuan Salt Factory would also make him a huge fortune.

Therefore, he had to muster up the courage to compete with Jiao Jixun in both public and private matters.

"Cough cough~"

Zhu Xiu saw that the two were arguing and stalemate, and their eyes seemed to be sparked, and interrupted with a dry cough: "Jiao Shuai, Xu Dushi, there is actually one more thing, I forgot to say, this salt factory is actually related to another person. Related. Before you two decide on the ownership of the salt factory, I think you should first seek his opinion."

Jiao Jixun and Xu Xingsi were both stunned. They both turned to look at him and said in unison: "Who?"

Zhu Xiu smiled strangely: "Hezhong Jiedushi, Tongping Zhangshi, Li Shouzhen!"

The two were stunned again.

Xu Xingsi sneered: "What a naughty boy, it's not good to move anyone out, but Li Shouzhen? Hezhong is more than 1000 miles away, how can Li Shouzhen control it? I have never heard that Hezhong has a relationship with Zhangyi, Li Shouzhen thinks very highly of himself, even more Wouldn't he take the initiative to make friends with Shi Kuangwei? How does this salt factory have anything to do with Li Shouzhen?"

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "It is true that Hezhong has no friendship with our Zhangyi, but Li Shouzhen's daughter-in-law, Madam Fu Jinzhan, had an old relationship with me when we were in Cangzhou. Madam Fu and his wife are in Chang'an right now. Before the two of them arrived, I have sent people to Chang'an to ask for an audience with Mrs. Fu."

Jiao Jixun reacted suddenly, his eyes suddenly gleaming: "Do you want to tell Li Shouzhen about Jingzhou and the salt factory?"

Zhu Xiu said hey: "Not only that, I also promised to send 30 jins of salt to the river within half a year! From then on, the Zhangyi Army will supply [-] jins of salt to the river for free every year! The condition is that I ask the Hezhong Army to show me the The rebels should take care of them. If anyone uses some trumped-up charges to extort money, Li Shuaiye and the Hezhong Army will naturally stand up and seek justice."

Hiss~Xu Xingsi gasped, handing over 30 catties of salt to He Zhongjun every year, what a big deal!

"Crazy! You, you kid are crazy!" Xu Xingsi pointed at him with trembling hands.

If the Changyi Army is willing to hand over 30 kilograms of salt to the Salt Supervisor, Wang Jun will not embarrass Shi Kuangwei again with the salt factory.

The small profit the Xue family promised was nothing compared to the 30 kilograms of salt.

If these salts are given to Feng Xiangjun, I'm afraid Jiao Jixun will immediately take Shi Kuangwei to chop off chicken heads and burn yellow paper to become brothers!

Who the hell would care about the Xue family?

In-law relationship?If it doesn't exist, Jiao Jixun is afraid that when he goes back, his youngest son, a concubine, will divorce the Xue family's first wife, and he will never have contact with the Xue family from then on.

Jiao Jixun and Xu Xingsi's expressions were extremely ugly. They could not understand why Zhangyi's army wanted to go far away from the nearby, leaving Wang Jun and Fengxiang's army to fawn over, and went to curry favor with Li Shouzhen in the river?

Even if Li Shouzhen is known as the King of Guanzhong in private and the Hezhong Army is strong, the Zhangyi Army, Wang Jun and Fengxiang Army are neighbors!

The Zhangyi Army wanted to find a backer and pay protection money, but instead of looking for Wang Jun and Jiao Jixun, they went to find Li Shouzhen who was far away in the river?

What's the meaning?Do you look down on Wang Jun and Feng Xiangjun?
It’s simply unbelievable and outrageous!

Zhu Xiu saw that their faces were turning green and red, and calmly waved his chicken feather fan.

Of course, it was impossible for the two of them to know Zhu Xiu's thoughts and calculations.

The salt factory belongs to the Chang Yi Army and no one can touch it.

But this piece of fat was so big that it attracted two hungry wolves, Wang Jun and Jiao Jixun.

The Changyi Army suffered from civil strife. After a lot of trouble, they were at best a cute and stupid teddy, and of course they couldn't defeat two wolves.

There is no other way but to find another one that is more ferocious and fierce to join the game.

After searching all over Guanzhong, only the Hezhong Army had such power.

More importantly, Li Shouzhen is strong, but he is destined to be short-term.

Invite him to be the backer of Zhang Yijun so that Wang Jun and Jiao Jixun will not dare to make any more decisions. They will wait until they survive this disaster safely before kicking Li Shouzhen away.

Zhu Xiu had planned it long ago. As soon as Li Shouzhen rebelled, Zhang Yijun announced that he would draw a clear line with him and would never be implicated in it.

So no matter how big a cake is drawn for Li Shouzhen now, he is destined to not be able to eat it.

Wang Jun and Jiao Jixun are different. If you surrender to them, it will be like inviting a wolf into the house, losing the interests of the salt factory, and the subsequent development of the Changyi Army will be greatly reduced.

Zhu Xiu thought hard for several days and nights, and the plan he came up with would only be known to the public when Li Shouzhen declared his independence.

At the moment, in the eyes of Jiao Jixun and Xu Xingsi, Zhang Yijun's decision to defect to Li Shouzhen was simply a decision made by being kicked in the head.

But in this way, if Li Shouzhen really intervenes, it will be troublesome. How to deal with the salt factory still needs to be discussed in the long run.

Jiao Jixun believed that he was very good at cultivating qi and would not express emotions easily. But today, he was first surprised by the spectacular salt warehouse, and then he was very angry by the news that Zhu Xiu dropped.

"Come here! Take this boy back to the camp and keep him under strict guard! No one is allowed to approach him without my command!"

Jiao Jixun gave the order coldly, and immediately two soldiers stepped forward and twisted Zhu Xiu's arms from left to right.

"Ouch~ be gentle!" Zhu Xiu screamed in pain and was dragged away by the soldiers.

"Jiao Shuai, remember to send someone to pay attention to the news in Chang'an! I believe the Hezhong Army will send someone to contact you soon! Also, arrange a clean military tent for me, supply hot water in the morning and evening, and there is no shortage of three meals a day~ ~~"

The sound faded away, and Zhu Xiu was stuffed into a carriage.

Xu Xingsi was so angry that he yelled and cursed, and then he said angrily: "Jiao Shuai, what should we do?"

Jiao Jixun said coldly: "Why would Commander Xu think of asking this commander now? It's better to send someone to Chang'an to ask the capital supervisor!"

"Ouch~ Jiao Shuai, don't just make sarcastic remarks. Li Shouzhen is greedy and domineering. If he is allowed to interfere in the matter of justice, neither of us will think twice about it!" Xu Xingsi bowed with a bitter face.

"Why not kill Zhu Xiu, and then Jiao Shuai will lead his army into Anding, and kill Shi Kuangwei together with him for resisting the imperial decree! Push the Xue family to the top, and from now on you and I will share the profits of the salt factory!"

Xu Xingsi's eyes were full of fierceness and his face was twisted.

Jiao Jixun twisted his beard and said indifferently: "If Zhu Xiu is killed, the rock salt detoxification method will also be lost. I am afraid that the salt factory will no longer produce high-quality white salt. Moreover, if he really has a relationship with Guo Wei Chai Rong, I will be handsome in the future." After going to Kaifeng, how should I explain to his father and son?

As for attacking the city, it is even more undesirable. We, Fengxiang Army, will lose troops and lose generals. From now on, officials will accuse me in court that Jiao Jixun relied on force and attacked neighboring vassal towns across the border without authorization from the Privy Council. How can I defend myself then?Will Inspector Wang stand up and speak for me? "

Xu Xingsi was speechless and cried, "Then what should we do?"

Jiao Jixun said in a deep voice: "On the one hand, I will send someone to report to the Wangdu Supervisor, and on the other hand, I will pay attention to the movements of the army in the river."

Xu Xingsi sighed. He couldn't eat it when it reached his mouth. How could he be willing to do so?

But thinking about Li Shouzhen, who was running rampant in Guanzhong, Xu Xingsi felt scared again.

He was a ruthless character who even made Wang Jun smile.

(End of this chapter)