Read Novel Full Chapter 813 - 1: Tiger Talisman
Chapter 813: Chapter 1: Tiger Talisman
The journey from Quanting County to Lingnan by boat was fairly peaceful.
Although some people with ulterior motives saw Zhao Yao’s fleet in great numbers and entertained forbidden thoughts, upon seeing these were official ships filled with guards, they hesitated. These guards were not in official uniforms, but the sabers at their waists were not mere decoration.
Robbing official ships is no simple task. If caught, one will face severe punishment, something that ordinary people cannot withstand.
At this moment, Zhao Yao was sitting on the deck with He Lianfang, chatting and fishing.
Having been at sea for days, the novelty had worn off after three days, and it started to become tedious. Besides, the sea only offered endless ocean views, hardly appealing.
If it weren’t for the boredom of being on the ship, Zhao Yao would be too lazy to gaze at the vast sea. To be honest, after seeing it often, the ocean seemed less impressive.
Fishing was a rare form of entertainment at sea, perfect for passing the time.
The sound of approaching footsteps was heard; it was Tong Xi. He handed Zhao Yao a newly received letter.
Seeing it was from Wen Daoji, Zhao Yao quickly laid down his fishing rod, took the letter, and opened it in haste.
He Lianfang noticed Zhao Yao’s increasingly grave expression while reading the letter and quickly inquired with concern, "What’s the matter?"
After finishing the letter, Zhao Yao passed it to He Lianfang, his face turned somber as he replied, "Mr. Wen has recently been inspecting towns across Lingnan and has discovered a rise in salt prices in the various states of Lingnan. Those local officials and chieftains have been colluding with salt merchants from other regions, smuggling Great Zhou’s salt to Annan, Siam, Lusong, and other countries."
He Lianfang carefully read the letter from Wen Daoji, where he detailed the salt situation in various states of Lingnan.
"What angers me the most is these officials forcing Lingnan’s locals to consume bitter sea salt while selling the good salt to Lusong and elsewhere." Years ago, while in Jinling, Zhao Yao had learned deeply about the greed and callousness of the salt merchants. "The price of good salt within Lingnan has been raised so high that the locals can’t afford it, leaving them to consume cheap and unpalatable sea salt."
He Lianfang stated coldly, "They really are bold."
Zhao Yao laughed cynically, "I said that Lingnan is a barbaric land. Officials there do not have substantial stipends, so where do they get their wealth? Turns out it’s through smuggling. They’re not only smuggling salt but also tea, porcelain, cloth, and various medicinal items."
"Are they colluding with merchants from inland?" Zhao Yao mentioned Inland. Lingnan’s geographical location is exceptionally remote compared to the Central Plains.
"I initially thought they were only colluding with Lingnan chieftains and overseas merchants. I underestimated their involvement with inland merchants." Zhao Yao felt his understanding of Lingnan officials had been lacking, "I wondered why these officials, sent to Lingnan, were not eager to establish relationships for a transfer back inland. It turns out they don’t want to return. In Lingnan, far from the emperor’s influence, they are akin to local sovereigns, doing as they please with complete authority. They collude with foreign merchants or officials for smuggling and secretly with inland merchants, earning lavishly while living decadently, so naturally, they don’t want to return inland for duty."
He Lianfang also underestimated Lingnan’s officials, "These officials always find ways to embezzle and receive bribes, even far away in Lingnan coming up with methods to make money, quite impressive."
"Certainly impressive. I estimate that officials in the capital, or the noble families, are not as wealthy as these Lingnan officials." Zhao Yao remembered sending his second uncle to do business in Lingnan, untouched by local officials or chieftain extortion, a sign of ignorance on his part. "Reflecting now, perhaps because those officials deemed my second uncle’s profits insignificant, or didn’t wish to startle the snake."
He Lianfang agreed with Zhao Yao’s perspective, "It appears they are foresighted, not bothered by your second uncle’s modest profits, nor willing to compromise significant smuggling gains over petty amounts."
"These people are cunning and indeed foresighted." Zhao Yao frowned, his face tense, "Once I reach Lingnan, they’ll find ways to deal with me."
"As Prince Han, suddenly descending upon Lingnan and becoming its most powerful person, they definitely don’t want you to come," He Lianfang analyzed, "They’ll send someone to assassinate you on your way to Lingnan. If unsuccessful, once you arrive, they’ll try again to eliminate you."