met free Page 250
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Hearing Ghost Yama's words, the Snake King and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
No one would complain about having too many treasures, and the items they bring to the stage are naturally of high value, making it a challenge for them as well.
But for the sake of the Ghost Street scene, they had to bring it out beforehand.
Otherwise, they'll end up like those newcomers before, with a guaranteed percentage of earnings.
If you don't contribute to Ghost Street, why should Ghost Street pay you? The guaranteed share is just for the sake of Ghost Street's reputation.
···
"Meet Madam!"
After the Nine Gates of Ghost Street were divided into nine parts, Madam Dongming invited Zhang Xiaoshan to a meeting.
Wearing a fitted brocade dress, she was not only elegant and dignified, but also showed off her exquisite and graceful figure to the fullest, making her exceptionally charming; with a noble temperament and graceful demeanor, Madam Dongming brewed tea for Zhang Xiaoshan while taking out three jars of private salt.
The reason it's considered smuggled salt is that it was dried by the Dongming faction themselves.
The Ryukyu Islands have little else to offer but many sandy islands.
The three jars of smuggled salt were labeled with the characters 'fine', 'refined', and 'snow' respectively.
The tools were made according to the production method that Zhang Xiaoshan had previously taught them.
Fine salt is the lowest quality, and its production process is similar to that of official salt; refined salt undergoes a process of filtration and processing, making it a premium salt that is not only safe but also free of bitterness.
Snow salt is the highest grade, with a delicious flavor and rich nutrition, and its overall appearance is like white snow.
"The lady's abilities far exceeded my expectations; this sea salt is even better than I imagined."
Perhaps it's because there's no environmental pollution in the open sea, or for some other reason, but the salt produced by the Dongming School is several times better than the sea salt produced near the coast, and it is definitely a premium salt for official use.
And this is just the worst kind of fine salt!
"I'm glad you're satisfied, young master!"
A radiant smile, breathtaking.
Lady Dongming was extremely pleased with Zhang Xiaoshan's affirmation of Li Zhao.
It's important to know that smuggled salt was an extra source of income for the Dongming faction, and the Ryukyu Islands had vast saline-alkali land, so shipping tens of thousands of shi (a unit of dry measure) per month was not a problem.
In this way, even if it costs ten coins per catty, and one shi (a unit of dry measure) is one tael of silver, it would be an extra income of ten thousand taels of silver per month, which is equivalent to forging thousands more weapons.
Moreover, it's a business with no initial investment, unlike weapons which require charcoal, iron, and so on. Besides, this is just for fine salt; refined salt and snow salt are not priced like smuggled salt.
“Smuggled salt can be sold to the Salt Gang through Ghost Street. This quality smuggled salt is worth five coins per pound. I don’t think the Salt Gang will refuse!”
Refined salt and snow salt could be sold through official salt merchants, especially snow salt, which was equivalent to silver.
"Is what you say true, young master?"
The profits from fine salt were halved, but Lady Dongming did not expect snow salt to be so expensive. According to the price suggested by Zhang Xiaoshan, it would cost at least tens of thousands of taels of silver per month.
“Of course, if Madam trusts the Zhang family, the Zhang family can handle this deal.”
"Thank you, young master. Meixian has prepared a small feast to express her gratitude for your support of the Dongming Sect. Please do not refuse!"
"Please!" Yi said.
Chapter 308 The Return of the Eastern Heretic: People Who Can't Go Home
Women are tigers!
Upon waking up, Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't help but think of a story from his childhood—the women down the mountain are tigers!
It wasn't until noon that Zhang Xiaoshan returned to the Zhang family home, his body nearly drained, bringing with him ten shi (a unit of dry measure) of snow salt!
These ten stones of snow salt were brought by the Dongming faction as a trial.
If the value of Xueyan (a type of salt) can truly be transformed into a high-end luxury item, then for the Dongming Faction, the business of smuggled salt could replace weapon forging.
Snow salt is at most smuggled salt, and the Dongming faction is not located on the coast or inland, so the risk factor is low.
Seeing that the Zhang family could not possibly finish all ten bushels of snow salt, they knew they couldn't possibly eat it all themselves.
Three stones were delivered to the Hong residence, one stone was placed in the kitchen, and the remaining six stones were divided into five-jin packages and sent out.
This is even more delicate and delicious than the snow salt made by his Zhang family, which should be due to the climate and geography of Ryukyu Island.
However, the Zhang family consumes all the snow salt themselves; as for selling the snow salt...
The Zhang family did not have salt permits, so naturally they were not qualified to sell salt.
If it's for personal use, naturally no one will say anything.
However, if it were to be sold, it would violate the laws against smuggled salt.
Selling smuggled salt is a serious crime that can lead to execution.
The best way for the Dongming Sect to handle snow salt is to entrust it to salt merchants.
Even the best wine needs to be advertised!
Therefore, when giving gifts before the Lunar New Year, snow salt, tea, ham, etc. are all classic New Year's goods.
This might be the first time I've delivered salt.
But Zhang Xiaoshan knew that it wouldn't be long before the snow salt could find a market.
Grand mansions, aren't they all the best?
As long as snow salt demonstrates a value that surpasses that of refined salt, even if it is equivalent to silver, for a grand mansion, it would only be an expense of a few hundred to a thousand taels of silver per year!
If you're frugal, a few dozen taels a year will be enough.
At least within Lin'an Prefecture, for those wealthy merchants and tycoons, there must be a snow salt shop in the residential areas of the east and west cities.
These are all people who are not short of money, and they use the best of everything.
Therefore, snow salt is an absolute luxury for ordinary people, but for the truly wealthy, it is nothing more than a seasoning.
High-grade spices are more expensive than gold, yet many wealthy families still purchase them in large quantities; how much more expensive is snow salt, which is only worth more than silver?
In addition to their relationship with Madam Dongming, the Zhang family sold the goods entirely on their own, sharing the profits 30/70 with the Dongming faction.
The Zhang family accounts for 30%, and the Dongming faction accounts for 30%.
As for salt permits? It wouldn't be too difficult for the Zhang family to obtain them; it's just that the salt industry is too murky, and the Zhang family doesn't want to get involved.
If it were just high-end snow salt, the Zhang family wouldn't have anything to worry about.
···
Thud! Thud! Thud...
On New Year's Eve, amidst the long lanterns and deafening firecrackers, the Zhang family was also filled with joy.
At the grand New Year's Eve banquet, a sumptuous feast resembling a Manchu Han Imperial Feast, were the Zhang family father and son waiting for something?
Inside the courtyard, fireworks blazed and sparks burned endlessly, as if guiding something in some direction.
Finally, after an unknown amount of time, five figures appeared simultaneously from the darkness.
They slowly walked in amidst the dazzling fireworks.
Huang Yaoshi, the Ghost Doctor, Jueming, Juetong, and a master who appeared to be dressed in Indian attire arrived together.
For a moment, all the Zhang family experts inside the body were shaken.
No wonder they haven't been seated yet; they're waiting for someone.
"father!"
Huang Rong stared in disbelief at the graceful figure descending, then excitedly rushed towards it.
"Rong'er!"
Looking at his daughter whom he had missed for so long, Huang Yaoshi was also deeply moved.
Five years have passed, and for Huang Yaoshi, the thing he can't let go of the most is his daughter. She's unruly and willful, and without his protection, who knows what kind of trouble she'll cause.
But seeing Huang Rong's appearance now, Huang Yaoshi felt relieved.
At least in the Zhang family, no one suffered hardship!
"father in law!"
Zhang Xiaoshan first bowed to Huang Yaoshi, and then cupped his hands to the crowd, saying:
"Senior Ghost Doctor, two masters, and who is this gentleman?"
"This is Long Bo, a master we met somewhere who learned Chinese in just three years."
Moreover, he was our guide throughout that period; otherwise, we don't know how many more wrong turns we would have taken.
Both Zhang Yuan and Zhang Xiaoshan were extremely surprised upon hearing Huang Yaoshi's introduction.
Unexpectedly, it could even achieve intercontinental racial exchange.
But Zhang Xiaoshan understood that every race had its own civilization, and this Longbo was undoubtedly a wise man within that tribal civilization!
"Since you are a guest from afar, please take a seat!"
"That's good, let's talk while we eat."
After everyone took their seats, Master Mingchen, Murong Jiu, and the River Stream Duo all looked at these people with curiosity.
They had long known that a group of experts from the Zhang family had gone missing, and today they had finally returned.
Five years have passed since then. What kind of journey is this?
Especially Murong Jiu, who, upon seeing the middle-aged scholar shrouded in a black robe, knew that this was the Ghost Doctor.
She wanted to perform the disciple's rites, but she also understood that the other party didn't even know who she was.
At the banquet, Long Bo, as a guest, naturally received the most attention.
But at the same time, one is also dazzled by the dazzling array of choices.
There are no beautiful women on board, as the monks are inherently ascetic, and the 'elites' from various industries are even more so when facing a new world!
Compared to tribal society, Longbo had never seen such a colorful and exciting society.
The exquisite dishes before us are many times more abundant than their barbecues and boiled dishes.
Due to cultural differences, Kyushu at this time was undoubtedly the most advanced civilization.
When the topic turned to the fleet's landing, Zhang Xiaoshan's expression suddenly turned serious, and his tone became solemn as he said:
“Father-in-law, the Zhang family cannot be allowed to dock this time. I will send people from Ghost Street to take over from them later.”
But if they go ashore, they might be killed!
"You mean?"
Upon hearing this, Pharmacist Huang immediately understood Zhang Xiaoshan's concerns.
The Ghost Doctor shared the same expression; after five years of working together, he didn't want these people to meet with misfortune.
Given the Zhang family's current power over the past five years, it's impossible for other major powers not to be curious about their whereabouts.
Therefore, once these people land, they will inevitably become the key to unlocking the Zhang family's secrets.
This is not bribery, but torture that will bring disaster to the family.
"What about us Shaolin disciples?"
"Even the Southern Shaolin Temple is no exception in the face of absolute power."
The Zhang family wasn't discarding their usefulness after they'd served their purpose; otherwise, they wouldn't have said these things to the two masters. Everything they did was for their safety.
Furthermore, the Zhang family has already escorted most of their members to the coast, and they can be reassigned in three days.
"Alright!"
Huang Yaoshi nodded and did not object.
He knew this was the best option, and with the elites from various industries involved, plus the Zhang family's supplies, he wouldn't become a savage even if he returned to that place.
Moreover, the existence of these people is like a beacon of 'civilization,' bringing them new changes.
As for the Shaolin disciples, they have the choice to make their own decisions.
Compared to the five years of information gaps, Juexin and Juezhi could make choices on behalf of the Shaolin disciples.