Chapter 802: A Thousand Pounds of Salt
Editor: Henyee Translations
Sun Shisheng, the eldest son of a landlord, came from a family that raised many pigs. Previously, Chu Qingzhi had even purchased several piglets from their farm.
The landlord, Sun, was also fraught with worry, saying, “With the year-end approaching, everyone’s holding off selling their pigs until now, causing the market price of pork to drop daily. Selling now hardly turns a profit.”
Sun Shisheng, anxious, said, “If we don’t sell now and the price drops even lower later, we’ll make even less money.”
The landlord was silent. With the price of pork changing daily, it was difficult to make a sale, which troubled him deeply.
Sun Shisheng urged, “Dad, please think of something. Silence isn’t going to solve our problem.”
Irritated by his son’s nagging, the landlord retorted, “If I had a solution, I would have sold the pigs already instead of listening to you go on and on. You’re young and should have fresh ideas. Why haven’t you come up with anything?”
Sun Shisheng replied with a smile, “Dad, that’s not fair. The saying goes ‘the older, the wiser.’ I may be young, but I lack experience.”
The landlord glanced at his son and huffed, leaving the house.
Sun Shisheng touched his nose, wishing he could come up with a solution, but felt stuck due to his lack of ideas.
The landlord wandered around the village and the pigsty, then made his way to Chu Village.
He had heard of Chu Qingzhi’s intelligence and, now that his family were her subjects, thought it wouldn’t hurt to seek her advice.
With this thought, he hastened his pace.
In Chu Village.
Thanks to everyone’s efforts, Chu Qingzhi’s bamboo house was gradually taking shape.
The bamboo house consisted of seven rooms in total. Three were dedicated to different types of administrative affairs, one served as a waiting area for visitors, one for document storage, another as a storeroom, and the last room was kept spare.
A small courtyard was planned for the front, to be adorned with flowers and plants…
Li’s father turned out to be an excellent builder, not any less skilled than An Shanwu, as observed by Chu Qingzhi. However, his overly honest nature suited him more for labor than management.
With him overseeing the bamboo house, Chu Qingzhi felt relieved to focus on other matters.
She made a trip to the county town to buy some dyes and then to a medicinal herb shop for some herbs.
The bamboo house required protection against insects and moisture. Chu Qingzhi planned to concoct a coating using the dyes and herbs, which would not only color the bamboo but also protect it from pests and dampness.
After preparing the coating and handing it over to Li’s father, she saw Landlord Sun approaching.
The two were acquainted through previous business transactions.
Landlord Sun greeted her respectfully, “Greetings, Marquise.”
Chu Qingzhi responded, “At ease, Landlord Sun. Speak freely.” She knew people only sought her out when they faced unsolvable issues.
Landlord Sun, with a troubled look, said, “I can’t sell the pigs from my home. Miss, do you have any suggestions?”
Selling pigs was a business transaction, and the proceeds were subject to a share of business tax paid to Chu Qingzhi.
Since being conferred the title of Marquise, Chu Qingzhi’s business taxes were no longer payable to the government but directly to her, meaning essentially no tax was due.
The business tax was twenty percent, and Chu’s trading company had to pay a thousand taels to the government each month. Not having to pay taxes anymore brought great joy to her household.
Chu Qingzhi inquired, “How many pigs do you have ready for sale?”
Landlord Sun quickly said, “One hundred and fifty, each weighing over two hundred pounds. They could be sold, but the price is too low…”
Chu Qingzhi thought to herself that her household indeed needed a large quantity of pork, but since they already had a supplier under contract, buying more would be excessive. She needed to think of another solution.
A cold wind blew by
Feeling the chilly breeze, an idea struck Chu Qingzhi. Pork could be made into cured meat!
In this era, salt was expensive, and there was little awareness among the populace about making cured meat, hence its absence from the market.
Pork could be used not just for cured meat but also for sausages, cured ribs, and preserved meat, all of which were excellent preserved foods.
Furthermore, pig bristles could be made into toothbrushes, and fat could be processed into soap – both had a market demand. Thus, a pig could be fully utilized.
This era had toothbrushes, albeit crudely made and barely fit for use.
Chu Qingzhi said, “Sell your pigs to me.”
Landlord Sun, overjoyed, asked, “All of them?”
Chu Qingzhi nodded, “I’ll buy them at the normal price, but I need to prepare some things first. It might take until tomorrow or the day after to begin slaughtering. Can you wait?”
Landlord Sun was ecstatic, “I can wait, Miss, you’ve helped me immensely.”
Chu Qingzhi instructed, “Go home for now. I’ll have someone notify you when it’s time.”
Landlord Sun eagerly agreed, “Yes, yes, thank you, Miss.”
“Hm,” Chu Qingzhi returned to her room and wrote a list of spices needed for curing meat – sichuan pepper, star anise, cinnamon, and other ingredients, specifying the quantities required.
After finishing, she handed the list to Chu Haodong, “Get these items by noon tomorrow.”
Chu Haodong took the list, “Alright.”
At that moment, an unexpected visitor arrived in the village, “Miss, I have something important for you.”
Chu Qingzhi turned to see it was the county secretary, “county secretary.”
The county secretary had come on horseback, a challenge for a scholar. Dismounting, he handed Chu Qingzhi a piece of paper, “This is the salt warrant you requested from the Emperor, granting you two hundred dan (a dan equals too pounds, so two hundred dan equals twenty thousand pounds) for a year.”
He thought to himself, daring to ask the Emperor for something, Chu Qingzhi was indeed formidable and uniquely favored, especially to be granted two hundred dan of salt, a highly sought-after commodity.
Chu Qingzhi smiled slightly, “Thank you for making the trip, county secretary. Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?”
The county secretary waved his hand, “No need, I have other matters to attend to.”
Chu Qingzhi politely said, “Then take care, county secretary.”
The county secretary bowed, “Farewell.”
Chu Qingzhi reviewed the salt warrant again. With this warrant, buying salt from the ‘Levy Office’ would be half the price, saving money.
The ‘Levy Office’ managed the sale of government-monopolized goods like tea, salt, and iron, issuing receipts for merchant payments and selling exotic goods in cities and counties everywhere.
Having not yet left, Chu Qingzhi handed the salt warrant to Chu Haodong, “Go and buy a thousand pounds of salt immediately.”
“Yes.” Chu Haodong felt privileged, amazed that he would get to see and use a salt warrant in his lifetime, a rare honor not afforded to many.
With the salt warrant, purchasing salt went smoothly. Moreover, the ‘Levy Office,’ knowing the salt was for Chu Qingzhi, even discreetly gifted her an extra ten pounds, aiming to curry favor.
At the courtyard entrance.
“Qingzhi!” A slender girl in a pink dress approached Chu Qingzhi.
Chu Qingzhi turned, “Wanwan.”
Yu Wanwan, after over three months of recuperation, not only had her health fully recovered but she also developed curves. Her tall stature made her particularly eye-catching.