Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 18 Salt Merchant

More than ten people dressed in fine silk blocked the entrance to the hall, venting their emotions at the Lin family steward.

Salt merchants and the salt administration were actually in a mutually dependent and cooperative relationship.

While the Salt Administration Office certainly controlled the wealth, status, and even the life and death of salt merchants, conversely, weren't the salt merchants also indispensable partners of the Salt Administration Office?

Salt administration is, after all, a matter of vital importance to the livelihoods of millions of people. How could the small number of soldiers in the salt administration office possibly take care of it all?

This led to a perception among some salt merchants that whether or not they could hold onto their positions as salt commissioners in the imperial court, and whether or not they could perform their duties well, depended entirely on whether or not the officials showed them any respect…

After all, the salt tax amounts to millions or even tens of millions of taels of silver every year. If the salt officials don't cooperate, it will be really difficult for the salt administration to collect it! Even if they do collect it, they may not be able to collect the full amount... If they delay collecting tens or hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, not to mention the career prospects of the salt administration officials, they may not even be able to save their lives!

Therefore, most of the salt merchants were dissatisfied with the imperial court's donation policy, which was clearly intended to exploit them again.

Since they were dissatisfied, they thought of appealing to the higher authorities. As salt officials who were "supported" by them, it was only natural that they should stand up and speak for them at this critical juncture concerning the life and death of the entire industry!

So when Jia Lian appeared here along the corridor, he saw a group of pot-bellied merchants blocking the way, shouting things like "We want to see Lord Lin" and "Please, sir, do us justice."

Perhaps seeing Jia Lian come out from inside, dressed entirely in white mourning clothes, they assumed he was a member of the Lin family and quieted down a bit.

Jia Lian remained silent, slowly walking to the center and standing on the steps, scanning the crowd.

Jia Lian's arrogant attitude immediately aroused the dissatisfaction of some people.

One of them stepped forward and shouted, "Who are you? Where is Lord Lin? Why doesn't Lord Lin come out to see us?"

Jia Lian looked down at the people before him with an air of superiority and said in an equally impolite voice, "My uncle is unwell and is resting in the back hall. Why are you all making such a racket here, disturbing his peace?"

Upon hearing that he was not a member of the Lin family but merely a relative, the crowd became far from polite.

"Where did this ignorant brat come from? We have important matters to discuss with Lord Lin; how dare you interfere?"

"Indeed, why don't you step back? You're delaying our important business; I'm afraid even your master can't bear the consequences!"

First, they were given the runaround by Lin Ruhai and waited there for half a day, which already made everyone angry. Now, Jia Lian's attitude only made them angrier, and they vented their dissatisfaction on him without any restraint.

Faced with the salt merchants' cacophony of accusations, Jia Lian's face darkened, and he roared, "Insolence!"

The scene immediately fell silent.

Everyone stared at Jia Lian in astonishment. First, they didn't expect Jia Lian to dare to yell at them, and second, they didn't expect that Jia Lian, who was so young, could have such a loud voice that it hurt their ears!

Jia Lian gave them no time to react, continuing to intimidate them: "This is the Salt Administration Office, representing the majesty of the imperial court. If you dare to make a sound again, you will all be punished severely for trespassing on official business!"

Born into the Duke's family, Jia Lian naturally had a superior psychological advantage in his dealings with others, which cultivated his extraordinary demeanor.

This reprimand has actually intimidated them.

They exchanged glances, and seeing that no one spoke, they all realized that their previous behavior had indeed been excessive.

However, there are always some hot-tempered people. The fat man who had previously cursed Jia Lian as a "young brat" stepped forward again: "Of course we know that this is the Salt Administration Office. We are here to discuss important matters of salt administration with Lord Lin!"

We are salt merchants from Yangzhou, and we have always been law-abiding citizens. Every year, we donate nearly ten million taels of silver in taxes to the court! All of us here have made great contributions to the court. Even Lord Lin treats us with kindness and courtesy. Who are you to dare to be so arrogant towards us?

We have acted uprightly and honestly, so why would we be threatened by you!

When Zhao'er, who had come with Jia Lian, saw that Jia Lian was being provoked, she stepped forward and was about to introduce herself as a threat.

Jia Lian stopped him in advance, then looked at the crowd below the steps and sneered, "Upright in conduct and conduct? Have you made great contributions to the court?"

"How laughable! You dare claim to have rendered service to the court in your current state?"

At this point, many people had already guessed that Jia Lian's status was probably not low, and he might even be the son of an official, otherwise he wouldn't have spoken to them in such a condescending tone.

However, this did not frighten them; instead, it hurt them even more!

As the last class of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants were generally looked down upon by scholars, and it was not easy for them to gain status.

As salt merchants who contributed more than a quarter of the court's annual revenue, they all believed that they had made great contributions to the court!

Jia Lian's words were undoubtedly a denial of what they were most proud of, which was absolutely intolerable.

Therefore, they were all filled with righteous indignation and showed signs of anger.

Jia Lian, however, remained unperturbed and continued, "I know why you've come! The court is now implementing a new salt policy, encouraging merchants across the land to transport grain to the border in exchange for salt permits. This breaks the existing salt permit allocation system, and you feel it will harm your own interests. Therefore, disregarding the mourning period in my uncle's family, you've gathered here, intending to force him to speak out for you and persuade the court to rescind this new policy. Is that not it?"

There was one thing in Jia Lian's words that the salt merchants couldn't refute and felt very guilty about: they had indeed deliberately come because of the funeral at the Lin family's residence.

Otherwise, Lin Ruhai wouldn't let them in!

There are many salt merchants in Yangzhou, and they come in different batches every day. Under the pretext of mourning for Madam Lin, how could the Lin family have the nerve to turn them away?

They wanted to use this to force Lin Ruhai to comply. They all knew that Lin Ruhai had influence with the emperor, and if he submitted a memorial to the emperor, he might be able to persuade the court to change or even cancel the donation policy.

If you don't agree, we'll come every day!

It was shameless, but as merchants, most of them had their consciences worn down, so they easily overlooked this issue and argued: "The policy of donation is inherently unreasonable. There are so many merchants in the world. If everyone could get involved in the salt trade, we can guarantee that within two years, the world would be flooded with smuggled salt, and it would be impossible to control."

In the end, the one who will suffer the most will be the imperial court!

Moreover, salt is a matter of vital importance to the people's livelihood. If it were to be out of control, at least half of the people in the country would be without salt to eat, and the whole country would be in danger!

That's why we asked Lord Lin to submit a truthful memorial; this action was precisely for the sake of the court and the people.

The gravity of this matter is far beyond what someone of your age could comprehend.

"That's right, why don't you step aside quickly? Only Lord Lin can resolve this matter. In this world, only Lord Lin has the ability to turn the tide!"

Jia Lian found it amusing. Were they trying to fool him into thinking he was a real good-for-nothing playboy?

If smuggled salt were allowed to proliferate, the biggest beneficiaries would undoubtedly be ordinary people all over the world…

Just imagine how much a bag of salt would cost in later years; compared to now, it's like comparing heaven and earth!

Therefore, facing the once again imposing and almost clamorous group of salt merchants, Jia Lian burst into laughter.

"How absurd this is! It is clear that you are afraid of losing your vested interests to others, so you have disregarded propriety and shame and come to coerce my uncle into becoming your pawn. Now you still have the nerve to talk about the court and the world."

Do you really not know why the court implemented this "donation" policy?

Our great Wei has been established for a hundred years, and on the surface, it appears to be a peaceful and prosperous country with rivers flowing freely and the seas turning green!

However, the Sao Danu people to the far north have long been preparing for war and are eyeing our Great Wei with covetous intent, while the various tribes to the west also have many desires to seize our Great Wei's territory.

In order to deal with these wolves and tigers, the imperial court has been continuously increasing the number of troops at the border in recent years, which has ensured the peace and tranquility within the territory of our Great Wei!

However, the daily military expenses and provisions of a million border troops are enormous. If the imperial court were to transport them, the waste would be too great. Therefore, the huge profits from salt were used to encourage merchants from all over the country to take on the responsibility of transporting provisions, which is also the responsibility of protecting the country!

This is a matter of vital importance to the safety of the nation, yet you are obstructing it for your own selfish gain. How dare you claim such actions are of service to the country and the world?

"What do you know..."

Someone tried to argue, but Jia Lian, seizing the opportunity, immediately interrupted: "I may not understand salt administration, but I do understand one thing:

If it benefits my family and country, I will risk my life; how could I avoid it because of personal gain or loss?

But look at you? Bah! You've utterly disgraced the merchants of Great Wei!

You do not understand the Emperor's concerns, which is disloyal! As citizens of the Great Wei, your ancestors received the Emperor's favor, which granted you the status of salt merchants, allowing you to live in luxury. Now, instead of repaying this favor, you are branding yourselves as villains for petty gains. Such an act of disgracing your family is unfilial.

My aunt recently passed away, and you all came to my door in a group, not to pay respects to her spirit, but instead to take the opportunity to force my uncle to commit illegal acts. This is inhumane. Knowing that the soldiers at the border are short of food and clothing, you only care about your own selfish interests and obstruct others from donating. This is unjust!

Having committed such disloyal, unfilial, inhumane, and unjust acts, how dare you spout such nonsense and presumptuously talk about your merits?

I have never seen such a shameless person!

Jia Lian's barrage of insults and belittling remarks left everyone below somewhat dizzy.

They are all people who are used to being rich and powerful. How could they tolerate such a situation?

"Ah! You little brat, you're utterly despicable and deserving of death!"

"You've infuriated me! You...you...you're the one spouting nonsense! Tell me your identity, and I'll definitely come to your door another day to ask how your father raised his son!"

The salt merchants were furious.

Every salt merchant had a powerful background, and even the prefect had to give them face.

Who would have thought that today I would be so belittled and humiliated by a young man who doesn't even look like he's yet?

Their individual strength may be limited, but the combined power of the salt merchants in Yangzhou is absolutely unimaginable!

Therefore, even if Jia Lian is Lin Ruhai's relative, they will definitely find a way to deal with him.

Even touching his father or family wouldn't be a problem at all.

Hmph, there's no person or problem in Yangzhou that these salt merchants can't solve!

How could Zhao'er tolerate the salt merchants cursing Jia Lian?

He stepped forward and roared at the crowd, "My second master is the eldest grandson of the Duke of Rongguo and the son of a first-class Divine Might General. If you have any guts, go to the capital and find my master!"

Uh……

The scene, which had been filled with hostility, suddenly fell silent, eerily quiet.

A few people who were still shouting with their mouths open were caught off guard by the sudden silence and hadn't even had time to close their mouths. Their bewildered expressions were quite amusing.

The old steward of the Lin family had long disliked this group of people. Seeing that they were frightened, and fearing that some of them might not believe Zhao'er's words, he immediately added, "My lady is originally from the Rongguo Mansion in the capital. She is the eldest daughter of the Duke of Rongguo. This is my lady's nephew, who is also the eldest grandson of the Duke of Rongguo. He has come here specifically to pay respects to my lady and just arrived today."

The steward's cheerful demeanor contrasted sharply with the miserable expressions of the salt merchants.

The salt merchants looked at Jia Lian again, but Jia Lian no longer spoke to them.

He took a gold-inlaid and jade-embroidered sword from a servant, placed it beside him, and said angrily, "I am not one to rely on my power or status, but I have made my reasoning clear to you all. If anyone dares to make a disturbance here and disturb my uncle's peace or my aunt's tranquility, then you may test the sharpness of this sword!"

No one dared to answer.

Some people may not be familiar with the Rongguo Mansion, but the mere mention of the title "Duke" is enough to intimidate anyone.

That's the pinnacle of a subject's life! The Duke's Mansion is already the most prestigious family below the Prince's Mansion.

The young man before them was actually from the Duke's mansion, and was even the eldest grandson of the Duke. No one had any desire for revenge or punishment anymore.

Although they were a group that the salt merchants were not to be trifled with in Yangzhou, and even in the whole of Jiangnan, they were one of the most powerful forces!

They probably wouldn't take governors and provincial governors who don't have a strong background too seriously.

However, no one was willing to provoke the powerful and influential families in the capital!

No one in the world, regardless of their power or influence, would willingly provoke the top powerful families in the capital.

Offending the governor or provincial governor might only result in financial ruin, but offending a powerful family in the capital could lead to the confiscation of your property and the extermination of your entire clan at any time!

Because of the close-knit relationships among the powerful families, most of the nobles in the capital were connected by relatives. They were the most terrifying force in the world, capable of directly influencing the emperor and launching a devastating attack on local powers.

Of course, it's not to say that everyone fears the powerful families of the capital. At least the two or three most influential salt merchants have significant connections with these families, even imperial relatives. However, none of them are among those who came today.

Besides, even if those two or three people were here, they probably wouldn't clash with Jia Lian.

not worth it!

Who knows how much effort and money they've spent maintaining those connections? And once they offend the Rongguo Mansion, who knows how much more favors and money they'll have to spend to smooth things over...

Based on these considerations, when faced with Jia Lian's threats again, although everyone was unhappy, no one dared to speak.

Many people have already quietly turned away, harboring thoughts of retreat.

They had no doubt that Jia Lian would actually dare to draw his sword and injure someone!

After learning each other's identities, they even began to consider things from each other's perspectives.

It seems that causing trouble in front of someone's own aunt's funeral hall is indeed inappropriate.

In ancient times, there was a law that exempted someone from punishment for killing out of filial piety. If Jia Lian really killed them with a sword, and then accused them of causing a disturbance at the funeral, given Jia Lian's status and background, they would probably have died in vain.

Once you think about it that way, everything becomes clear.