Daily Life In Qin Dynasty

"Tell me in detail."

Ying Zheng said quickly.

But Mr. Mo did not respond immediately. Instead, he glanced at Mr. Chang Wen next to him, and then hesitantly said: "Your Majesty, there are many people here with mixed opinions..."

After hearing what Mr. Mo said, Mr. Chang Wen, whose face was already a little stiff, turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.

Ying Zheng looked down at Chang Wenjun and seven or eight other ministers who had spent several days failing to find a solution, and waved his hands impatiently.

"Mo Qing will follow me into the back hall for a while, and the rest of the ministers will leave for now!"

"Yes, I will take my leave."

Chang Wenjun bowed slightly stiffly and then slowly exited the palace.

Wait until everyone else has left.

Mo Jun followed Ying Zheng into the back hall, where the communication between the two became much more casual.

The servants in the palace served Mo Lord and Ying Zheng each a cup of tea. Ying Zheng took a sip and then slowly said, "Do you have any good ideas, Lord Mo, that can relieve everyone's worries?"

"Your Majesty, please take a look."

Mo Jun put down the tea cup, reached out and took out a cloth bag from his arms.

Ying Zheng opened it and took a look, and found that inside was a bag of particles as fine as snowflakes.

"Is this... refined salt?"

Ying Zheng's eyes moved, and he said with a bit of surprise: "Could it be that Mo Qing discovered a new refined salt mine?"

Lord Mo shook his head and said: "Reporting to your Majesty, I have not discovered any new salt mines. These refined salts were extracted from poisonous salt mines through a special method."

The words just fell.

Pa~

Ying Zheng suddenly stood up. His movements were so violent that he knocked over the teacup on the desk and soaked the dragon robe with hot water.

However, Ying Zheng was not aware of this at all. Instead, he widened his eyes and said in shock: "Impossible!"

What is a poisonous salt mine?

It was a salt mine that contained a lot of toxic impurities and would kill someone if eaten.

Although some purification technologies were developed during the Warring States Period, they could only remove very few impurities. Therefore, at present, only salt mines that are very pure in themselves can be mined and used by various countries.

As for the poisonous salt mine, it is a waste mine.

But among the salt mines excavated now, there are an extremely large number of poisonous salt mines. Among the ten salt mines, at least nine are poisonous salt mines, and only the remaining one can be reluctantly used.

This is also the reason why the drying up of only two salt mines in the Qin State caused a salt crisis in the entire Qin State.

However, someone now told him that the extremely large number of 'toxic salt mines' in Qin State could actually extract high-quality refined salt. How could this not shock Ying Zheng.

And not only Ying Zheng, but also Gai Nie, who was standing by the window with his sword in hand and a stern look on his face, cast a somewhat surprised look after Mo Jun finished speaking.

Although there are only two descendants of Guigu's sect in history, each of them is an earth-shattering figure.

As a descendant of Guigu, Gai Nie can be said to be knowledgeable about astronomy and geography. Literary, Taoist and military strategies are all masterful. Normally, it is not a simple thing to arouse the emotions of the descendants of Guigu.

However, since he met Mr. Mo, Gai Nie found that his previous understanding had been subverted time and time again.

Could it be that there are really people in this world who are born with knowledge?

"Isn't Mo Qing really trying to deceive others?"

When he said this, Ying Zheng's eyes were fixed on Mo Jun across from him, and he even breathed heavily.

There is no doubt about the importance of salt to a country.

Its status is equal to that of food.

People will die if they don't eat.

You will also die if you don't eat salt.

Salt is an indispensable substance for human survival. If the human body does not take in enough salt for a long time, 'hyponatremia' will occur, which can lead to symptoms including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fatigue, headache, irritability, and even Confusion and other symptoms.

Since the Shang and Zhou dynasties, salt shortage has been an unsolvable problem for all dynasties.

At present, not only Qin is short of salt, but the other six countries are basically facing similar problems. It may not seem like much at ordinary times, but once an accident occurs, the salt reserves of each country are basically unable to cope with the risk.

Even in a sense, the problem of salt in various countries is more serious than that of food.

Because if there is a food shortage somewhere, the court can still find ways to raise food for disaster relief.

But if there is a 'salt shortage' like this one, even the court will be powerless.

"I dare not lie to the king."

Facing Ying Zheng's gaze, Mo Jun responded calmly.

"color!"

Ying Zheng shouted excitedly: "Mo Qing is worthy of being my humeral minister. First, grain, and then refined salt. The two major crises of our Qin Dynasty have now been solved by Mo Qing. I have Mo Qing, and I am like a fish in water, like a tiger with wings." Also...hahaha!"

Ying Zheng laughed heartily, and stared at Mr. Mo in front of him with a pair of majestic and spiritual eyes, full of burning heat at this moment.

As for Chang Wenjun.

What is that thing?

The dignified young master, when the salt shortage occurred in the Qin Dynasty, did not think about saving the country from danger. Instead, he thought about making small reports against the "big-headed officials" all day long.

What's the use of keeping this kind of thing?

"Mo Qing has made another great contribution to the Qin State! If this 'salt shortage' can be solved, I will definitely reward you heavily."

If Mr. Mo's 'refining method' can really refine the table salt in the poisonous salt mine into refined salt, even if half of it is lost in the process, Qin's salt production will probably increase more than ten times immediately.

This not only solved the "salt shortage" in the Qin State, but from now on, the entire Qin State will not be in crisis because of salt.

Such a great achievement.

To be honest, even Ying Zheng didn't know how to reward Lord Mo for a while.

But at this moment, I heard Mr. Mo suddenly say: "Reporting to the king, I don't need a reward this time, I just want to negotiate a deal with the king... No, it should be two business deals."

Ying Zheng's eyes moved and he said unexpectedly: "Oh? What business?"

Mo Jun said: "What do you think, Your Majesty, is the quality of the refined salt I extracted from the poisonous salt mine?"

Ying Zheng picked up a handful of salt and said first, "This salt is pure in color and fine in texture."

As he spoke, Ying Zheng took another sip, and then his eyes lit up, and he continued: "Mo Qing's method is so amazing, the refined salt extracted does not have even a trace of bitterness. This quality, even compared to the salt provided by the royal family, It’s not bad either.”

Lord Mo asked again: "What kind of profit does the king think this salt will bring to Qin if it is sold to other countries?"

Ying Zheng's eyes suddenly narrowed, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "This salt is of high quality, so it will naturally sell well. But... Mo Qing, don't forget, the laws of the Qin Dynasty clearly stipulate that salt, iron (bronze) are not allowed Selling privately.”

At the end, Ying Zheng also reminded Mo Jun intentionally or unintentionally.

Lord Mo bowed his hands and advised sincerely: "Of course I understand, but as the saying goes, 'blocking is worse than sparing'. Over the years, although the laws of the Qin Dynasty have clearly stipulated that salt, iron (bronze) cannot be sold privately, people who buy and sell salt privately , still countless.”

"Instead of letting those robbers, robbers, and thieves suck the blood of our country, Qin. It's better for us to make the money and make some contribution to the country of Qin."

"Hasn't the King always wanted to add a stable extra income to the treasury? Now is the best opportunity."

After hearing Mr. Mo's persuasion, Ying Zheng suddenly felt a little moved.

these years.

Qin's private salt trade and grain farming have always been prohibited.

As a necessity for survival, salt and grain have always been a highly profitable and stable business, and it is naturally impossible for such a business not to arouse the covetousness of those businessmen.

Even after so many years, Ying Zheng himself no longer knows how many people have been beheaded because of these things.

But there will still be countless people risking their lives and taking desperate risks.

What's more, once the 'refining method' proposed by Lord Mo this time is successful, the huge salt output obtained will never be consumed by the Qin market alone.

Until then.

Those extra refined salts will definitely be stared at by countless pairs of eyes.

As the king of a country, it is naturally impossible for Ying Zheng to focus on the government affairs of 'refined salt' all the time. Therefore, in this case, finding a reliable person to help him keep an eye on it is what Ying Zheng must do. things.

Originally, Chang Wenjun should be responsible for this matter.

But based on Chang Wenjun's performance this time, if he still handed over the responsibility of 'salt tax' to the other party, Ying Zheng himself would feel sorry for Mo Jun's efforts.

Think about it.

Mo Qing in front of him seemed to be the most suitable candidate.

And if he and Mo Jun reach a cooperation, there is no need to worry about the other party being corrupted, because this kind of business is originally a "corruption" between the two of them.

After a while.

After some deep thought, Ying Zheng slowly said, "How does Mo Qing plan to cooperate?"

Hearing Ying Zheng say these words, Mo Jun immediately perked up and spoke decisively about his plan, saying: "The king can first issue an edict to notify the border generals everywhere to strictly block the border and prohibit traders. Conduct private salt sales.”

"Then the minister will take the lead, and the king can select two to three more partners. We will spread the news among the people and attract other private businessmen to join the team."

"Then we will set up a cooperative chamber of commerce to provide 'refined salt' and 'sales channels'."

“At that time, only private businessmen with our consent can ‘sell private salt’.”

"Any other merchants who dare to sell illegal salt will be attacked by the imperial court and other private merchants in the chamber of commerce. Once discovered, all nine tribes will be punished."

"As for the final net profit, the king can keep 70%, the minister will take 10%, and the remaining 20% ​​will be shared among several other collaborators."

Ying Zheng: "······"

Gai Nie: "·······"

After listening to Mr. Mo's overall plan, the entire back hall suddenly fell into a dead silence.

Ying Zheng and Gai Nie said nothing, but at this moment, the two men looked at Mo Jun as if they were looking at a ghost.

You are really at a loss!

Is this a plan that any serious person could come up with?

If Ying Zheng simply seals the border, no matter how strict the inspections are and how strict the laws are, countless people will still take risks and sell illegal salt.

Because when profits reach 300%, most businessmen can risk their lives and break the law.

But there is a prerequisite.

That is when these businessmen have no other choice, they will risk their lives to gamble.

But if Lord Mo gives them another safer way, then even the most daring businessmen will inevitably fall into hesitation. After all, no one is really not afraid of death.

Later, the so-called 'Cooperative Chamber of Commerce' established by Mo Jun was even more upright and caused the businessmen group to fall into peer struggles.

Until then.

If there are still people who want to sell private salt without joining the Chamber of Commerce, the merchants who have joined the Chamber of Commerce will take care of the businessmen who have not yet joined the Chamber of Commerce without even having to take action from the court.

Because the most fundamental conflict of interest has emerged between the two.

And this is an unsolvable conflict of interest.

As for Ying Zheng, Mo Jun and others, they only need to provide "refined salt" and "sales channels" behind the scenes, so that they can sit firmly on the Diaoyutai and make huge profits.

Although Ying Zheng and Gai Nie had discovered that Mo Jun was good at doing business more than once before, it was not until today that the two of them truly saw Mo Jun's business methods.

"I have a personal experience of Mo Qing's talent today. But..."

Ying Zheng suddenly sighed, but in the middle of his words, he heard Ying Zheng suddenly say: "Mo Qing only charges 10% of the profit, isn't it a bit too low?"

Mr. Mo shook his head and said: "I only receive this 10% of the profit, because in addition, I have another additional condition for this cooperation."

"And this is the second transaction I wanted to make with the king as I said before."

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