Bright Claws

"When I received the request from the emperor to build this salt-making workshop."

"My princess and His Highness Prince Jin have considered that the method of making snowflake salt cannot be leaked."

“Everyone knows the importance of snowflake salt, so I won’t go into details here.”

"With this in mind, when we first built this workshop, we divided it into three parts."

As he said that, Lu Yaoyao looked at the Minister of the Ministry of Industry and said, "The Minister of the Ministry of Industry should be very clear about the first and third parts."

"These two parts are the entrance and exit that the lord just mentioned. The salt mine belongs to the imperial court, and there will be records of how much is mined. The Minister of the Ministry of Industry knows this best."

"The princess is right, the Ministry of Industry is responsible for this."

"Then comes the third part, the sale of finished snowflake salt. The Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Household Affairs are involved in this, and you all know it well."

Once again, someone came forward to express their knowledge.

"And this second part is also the most critical part."

"His Majesty also said just now that the manufacturing method of this snowflake salt cannot be leaked, and this second part is the production."

"His Royal Highness the King of Jin has always been responsible for this part. His Highness the King of Jin hired the craftsmen. In the past few months, nothing has gone wrong, which proves that those people are still trustworthy."

"This is the most important part of the salt-making workshop, and it is also the part that has the least connection with the imperial court."

"Because in this part, except for the King of Jin, no one from the imperial court was involved."

Everyone nodded, seeming to understand Princess Wanfu's plan.

"To put it simply, the imperial court is only responsible for supplying materials and collecting the money earned from selling salt."

"As for production, I basically have no involvement."

"And if we don't want the method of making snowflake salt to be leaked, the fewer people who know about it, the better."

"Your Majesty proposed that I, the Princess, take over the business. It was for this reason that I was the one who made this snowflake salt. No one here knows it better than I, the Princess."

"And if I, the princess, want to leak it out, I can do it whether I go to the salt factory or not."

This is true. Although someone else made it and gave it to the court, you can still make it yourself.

"As I said just now, the imperial court's role in the salt factory is nothing more than a matter of entry and exit."

"As the princess takes over, the court is still responsible for these entries and exits. Is this considered interfering in the government's affairs?"

"After listening to what the princess said, it makes sense when I think about it carefully. It cannot be considered as interfering in the government's affairs."

Prime Minister Dong was the first to speak.

At this time, no one spoke, and the meaning behind their words was just to take over the second part, which had little to do with the court.

Thinking about it carefully, it's really appropriate for her to take over this part.

"The princess is indeed a very suitable candidate. Your Majesty agrees to hand over the salt workshop to Princess Wanfu to manage it on your behalf."

The Minister of Industry stood up.

"I second the proposal."

The Minister of Household Affairs also came out.

As for the Ministry of Household Affairs, although they also hope to take over, there are so many people from the Ministry of Works watching, and they really can't take it over. They can just let the Wanfu County Supervisor take over. Anyway, they all have the money to take over.

"In this case, the salt factory will be taken over by Princess Wanfu."

At this time, no one jumped out, and they all expressed that the emperor was wise.

"Your Majesty, since my daughter is now the person in charge of this salt factory, I have to report something to you."

"Oh? What's the matter?"

Emperor Hongwen was a little confused, and so were everyone else.

Looking at Lu Yaoyao again, he slowly took out a few pieces of white paper recording things from the purse at his waist.

"Your Majesty, the village has a large population. Everyone knows that when I was dealing with the village's accounts a few days ago, I heard from my servants that the price of snowflake salt has increased a lot."

"This made me very surprised. I remember that I had carefully discussed the price with the emperor, and also said that the price would not be increased."

Emperor Hongwen, who was sitting on the dragon throne, frowned and nodded and said, "I did say this. At that time, you also said that you hoped that people all over the world could eat snowflake salt. You also said that in the future, the price would only be reduced and not increased."

"Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, do you know about the price increase?"

Hearing this, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue quickly stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I just checked the account once and there was no price increase."

"No price increase? That's not right. Just a few days ago, the princess heard the news and asked someone to investigate. All the major sales points of snowflake salt have increased their prices to varying degrees."

"The first point here in the capital has only increased by ten to twenty cents per catty."

"But outside the capital, the prices are different. They range from 30 to 100 fen. The further away from the capital, the greater the price fluctuation."

"And the price of snowflake salt outside the capital has been rising a few months ago."

As soon as she said these words, do the old officials present here still don’t understand what’s going on?

"That's not right. Since it has already risen a few months ago, then the account cannot be reconciled. Your Majesty, the account is incorrect. Every time I go to the salt factory to check the account, the price has not fluctuated."

The Minister of Revenue immediately spoke.

"Could it be that His Highness the King of Jin is lining his own pockets?"

As soon as these words came out, Lu Yaoyao's gaze flew over and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Just when he was about to say something, the Minister of Hubu shook his head and said, "It can't be the King of Jin."

"Princess Wanfu just said that when King Jin manages the salt factory, he is only responsible for the second part. Regarding the entry and exit, the Ministry of Industry is mainly responsible for it, and the Department of Household Affairs assists. His Highness King Jin has never intervened."

Hearing this, the Minister of Works quickly stood up.

"Your Majesty, although the Ministry of Industry is mainly responsible for import and export, it has always sold according to the original price and has not increased the price. Your Majesty, please take a closer look."

"Of course I want to keep a close eye on you, but I want to see who is going to do this in a secretive way."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang De retreated, and after about a quarter of an hour, he came back.

"Wang De asked someone to inquire just now. The price in the capital has indeed increased by twelve yuan as Wanfu said."

"As for outside the capital, the situation should be similar to what Wanfu said."

"Minister of Industry, please explain to me what is going on?"

Emperor Hongwen's face turned ugly.

How dare anyone dare to play this trick with him?

If the original price goes out and the price starts to rise when it is lowered, where will the money produced go to these rising prices?

"Your Majesty, I am not sure. I am responsible for this matter, Li Chao, the Minister of Industry."

As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes turned to Li Chao, the man who was facing Lu Yaoyao in front.

At this time, Li Chao was already covered in cold sweat.

"Your Majesty, I don't know much about this matter. I don't know what happened to the people below after Xuehuayan went out."

"Oh? Don't know?"

Lu Yaoyao smiled.

Then he said, "Your Majesty, I have an investigation report here. Please take a look at it."

Emperor Hongwen nodded, and Wang De quickly came down and took the things from Lu Yaoyao's hand.

"Master Li, this princess just said that it is not certain whether it is a bloody rant or not."
Chapter completed!