“Indeed, I am.” Knowing the young man’s identity, Xue Fang bowed and said, “My respects to Second Young Master Mi.”
“What brings you here, sir?” Mi Fang frowned as he examined Xue Fang.
At present, his elder brother was serving in the Provincial Governor’s office, leaving him in charge of the family affairs.
Unfortunately, he had always disliked social engagements.
“I have come for a business deal.” Xue Fang paid little attention to Mi Fang’s attitude.
“If it’s business,” Mi Fang turned to a servant beside him and instructed, “Uncle Rong, take Mister Xue to see the steward.”
As the second young master of the Mi family— A household with more than ten thousand servants and retainers— Even though the family had built its fortune through commerce, he could hardly be expected to handle every minor transaction personally.
“Second Young Master misunderstands.” Xue Fang said calmly, “The business I bring is not something your stewards can decide upon.”
“The commodity in my possession is salt.”
“Not only is it cheaper than refined green salt, but it also tastes better.”
“One shi costs only five thousand cash.”
“Do you think a steward could make a decision on a deal of this magnitude?”
As soon as those words were spoken, The expressions of the Mi household attendants changed dramatically.
Everyone knew that the Mi family’s wealth rested upon two pillars:
First, salt.
Second, grain.
The family’s inns, taverns, and other businesses were insignificant compared to those two.
The refined salt sold by the Mi family fetched one hundred cash per jin.
A single shi would therefore cost twelve thousand cash.
If the Mi family’s salt business suffered a serious blow, the consequences would be devastating.
“Salt? Five thousand cash per shi?” Mi Fang’s face darkened.
No matter how little attention he paid to business, he understood exactly what salt at such a price could do to the Mi family’s operations.
“Are you certain you wish to discuss this matter here?” Xue Fang glanced meaningfully at the surrounding servants.
“Follow me, sir.” Taking a deep breath, Mi Fang immediately turned and led the way.
After arriving at a secluded hall, And ensuring there was no one else nearby, Mi Fang finally spoke with a grim expression.
“Do you have proof of what you’ve claimed, sir?”
“You should know that the Mi family is not one that can be toyed with.”
“The Mi family’s reputation is known far and wide. How could I not know that?” Xue Fang smiled.
Reaching into his robes, he withdrew a small pouch.
Opening it, he revealed salt as white as freshly fallen snow.
He took a pinch and dissolved it in a cup of tea before him.
After gently swirling it, he drank it in one gulp.
“Why doesn’t the Young Master have a taste?” Afterward, he looked at Mi Fang with a smile.
“Uncle Rong!” Mi Fang stared fixedly at Xue Fang before calling for the steward.
When the old servant entered, Mi Fang instructed:
“This is refined salt brought by Mister Xue. Take it and compare it with the refined salt from our household. See what differences there are.”
“Yes, Young Master.” Uncle Rong accepted the pouch and departed.
After he had left, Mi Fang looked at the composed and unhurried Xue Fang.
“Mister Xue,” he said, “What exactly do you want?”
“If this salt is genuine— And if you are willing to hand over its formula— I, Mi Fang, guarantee that you will enjoy limitless wealth and honor for the rest of your life.”
Although nothing had yet been confirmed, Mi Fang could not afford to gamble.
If the salt was genuine, and Xue Fang chose not to cooperate with the Mi family, the consequences would be disastrous.
In that case, he would become a sinner in the eyes of his clan.
Of course— If he could obtain the recipe, That would be an entirely different matter.
“Wealth and honor?” Xue Fang shook his head.
“I have already experienced such things before.”
“I come from Dong Commandery. What use are wealth and honor to me now?”
“From Dong Commandery?” Only then did Mi Fang seem to realize something.
A chill ran through his heart.
“I have heard that Yan Province is now occupied by the Yellow Turbans.”
“Even the Imperial Court has been unable to deal with them.”
“I have also heard that the Yellow Turbans have slaughtered many of the great clans and noble families within the province.”
“Could it be that you…?”
“I merely seek to survive.” Xue Fang’s reply carried a double meaning.
He neither admitted nor denied anything.
“What is it that you want, then?” Mi Fang studied him carefully.
By now he understood that the man before him was not someone he could easily coerce.
Even if he seized Xue Fang, It would solve nothing.
In fact, it might provoke the Yellow Turbans.
At that point, not only would cooperation become impossible, but the opportunity might instead be handed to rival merchants.
“Grain.” Xue Fang answered simply.
“As long as the Mi family provides grain, I can make the decision myself.”
“The supply of white salt throughout Xu and Qing Provinces will belong exclusively to the Mi family.”
“Impossible!” Mi Fang rejected the proposal without hesitation.
“The Mi family may possess grain, but we cannot trade with the Yellow Turbans.”
“If the Provincial Governor learns of it, punishment will surely follow.”
“Even my elder brother would be unable to protect the Mi family.”
“Second Young Master is mistaken.” Xue Fang shook his head.
“The one trading grain with the Mi family is Xue Fang—not the Yellow Turbans.”
“Besides, even if the Mi family refuses to cooperate, there are plenty of merchants in Xu Province. Someone will be eager to take your place.”
“And when that happens, I can guarantee that not a single grain of the Mi family’s refined salt will sell anymore. The Central Plains are already in chaos, and warlords are rising everywhere.”
“Xu Province belongs to the Imperial Court—and to Tao Qian. But Tao Qian is old. How many years does he have left?”
“Only the Mi family truly belongs to the Mi family. As long as you cooperate with me and deliver grain to the designated granaries, someone will naturally transport it out of Xu Province.”
“In this way, not only will the Mi family be protected— But your family’s prestige and influence will rise to even greater heights.”
Xue Fang’s words were like the whispers of a devil, Echoing repeatedly within Mi Fang’s mind.
To his surprise, The more he thought about them, the more reasonable they seemed.
Even his elder brother had repeatedly remarked that the realm was descending into turmoil.
Sooner or later, The age of competing warlords would arrive.
Under such circumstances, Allowing the Mi family to suffer a devastating blow would be incredibly foolish.
“Young Master!” Just as Mi Fang was lost in thought, Uncle Rong hurried into the hall.
Leaning close, he whispered something into Mi Fang’s ear.
At once, Mi Fang’s expression changed several times.
“Uncle Rong, you may withdraw.” Taking a deep breath, Mi Fang waited until the old servant had left before turning back to Xue Fang.
“How much white salt can Mister Xue supply?”
“Haha!” Xue Fang laughed heartily.
“As much as Young Master Mi desires, I can provide.”
“But what I would like to know is— How much grain can the Mi family supply me?”
“At most, five hundred thousand shi.” Mi Fang’s face darkened as he considered the matter before finally naming a figure.
From Xue Fang’s confidence, He could already tell that the white salt was not only inexpensive but also produced in considerable quantities.
“Excellent.” Xue Fang accepted immediately without the slightest hesitation.
He knew the Mi family did not possess unlimited grain reserves.
But he was in no hurry.
Once the grain route through Xu Province had been established, And once everyone became accustomed to using white salt, There would be no shortage of willing partners.
Nor would he need to worry about Mi Fang refusing cooperation.
The two men continued discussing the details for some time.
When Xue Fang finally took his leave, He presented Mi Fang with an exquisite box.
Inside was a bar of Warm Jade— The true bait he had intended to cast all along.
At the same time, Among the great clans of Yu Province—the Xu clan and the Qiao clan;
Among the prominent families of Ji Province—the Cui clan and the Zhen clan;
And among the powerful houses of the capital region—the Tian clan, the Sima clan, and others— A special guest arrived at each estate.
Their purpose was the same as Xue Fang’s:
White salt as the lure, Warm Jade as the bait.
In less than half a month, Grain prices in the regions surrounding Yan Province began to rise quietly.
At the same time, A luxury item known as Warm Jade— Rumored to be a precious treasure imported from the Western Regions— Started circulating among the highest social circles throughout the land.
It was enthusiastically praised by nobles and influential figures alike.
After all, Everyone knew that goods imported from the Western Regions were usually of exceptional quality.
Their only flaw— Was that they were expensive.
— The end of the Chapter–
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