Li Ying knew that although the father and son of the Lu family were not given to idle chatter, they truly cherished each other.
At present, she had no idea what upheaval had occurred in the capital. However, the fact that the big boss had been so enraged that he spat blood surely indicated something of great consequence.
She merely exchanged a glance with Lu Xunguang, and the two immediately understood each other.
He would surely go.
A hint of unease crept into Li Ying's heart.
The opponents were clearly coming for the newly - appointed salt merchants of the Lu family. Since she had personally made the nine - roasted bamboo salt, she had to go and see what tricks the adversaries were up to.
But Granny Sun had only just recovered. She had solemnly promised a few days ago that she would stay by the old woman's side every day. Now, she was about to embark on a long journey...
A thoughtful look crossed Li Ying's face. It was Granny Sun who, as if sensing something, shuffled out of the bedroom in her slippers, slowly putting on her robe. She fixed her gentle gaze on Li Ying and smiled kindly.
"A Ying, I often hear scholars say things like'read ten thousand volumes of books and travel ten thousand miles' and 'a good man should aim high'.
"Although you're a woman, in my heart, you've never been inferior to any man. A Ying, if there's any problem with the business in the capital, just go and handle it. Don't be in a dilemma because of an old woman like me who's half - buried in the soil."
She concealed the faint loneliness in her eyes and took out a parcel from behind, just smiling at her.
Li Ying's heart skipped a beat. She took the parcel and hugged Granny Sun's tiny frame tightly.
"Auntie, I promise this is the last time. After this, I'll handle all the trivial matters in the capital clearly and won't make you wait anymore!"
There were glistening tears in her eyes. No matter what her plans were, Granny Sun never asked a single question. She just waited behind her, being her most solid backup. In this life, having such a family member, she had no more regrets.
Lu Xunguang knew that the mother - daughter pair must have a lot of intimate words to say. He got up to bid farewell and went to arrange all the necessities for the journey.
The two didn't delay much and smoothly entered the city.
Outside the newly - opened salt store of the Lu family, it was now desolate. A few clerks were listlessly guarding the courtyard gate. When they saw the two from afar, they seemed to see a savior and rushed forward.
"Master, Mistress, you've finally come!"
Lu Xunguang's face was as cold as ice. He just nodded slightly. It was Li Ying who raised her eyebrows and looked at the dilapidated salt store, asking in confusion, "Where are the customers?"
Hearing her question, the clerk's face became even more gloomy.
"Mistress, you don't know! Our salt store's business was extremely good before. Customers came and went in an endless stream. But after those salt stores came to cause trouble and interrogate us, the common people, I don't know what idle rumors they heard, have been keeping their distance from us these days!"
Li Ying nodded indifferently. She casually asked about the situation that day and then followed Lu Xunguang to visit the big boss.
The big boss was reclining on the couch. It had only been a few days, but he no longer had his former vitality. His expression was listless. When he saw the two of them, he barely mustered up some energy.
"You're here?"
He propped himself up, covering his lips with a handkerchief, coughing lightly twice. Then he slowly recounted what had happened that day.
The leader of the salt merchants who had caused the commotion was the imperial merchant, the Hu family.
The Hu family had received the imperial grace and had been in business for generations. During natural disasters and calamities, they had always been generous and helpful.
During the investigation of Imperial Inspector Lin and the salt and tea tax supervisors, after a thorough investigation, many merchants had been found to be colluding with officials and had been implicated.
However, the Hu family, despite being a prominent salt merchant, had managed to stay out of it effortlessly, without any connection to corrupt officials. They remained firmly established and were highly favored by the emperor.
On the way to the capital, Li Ying had vaguely heard people whispering in twos and threes.
As the saying goes, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. There could only be one imperial salt merchant. Whether it would be the unshakable Hu family or the rising Lu family that would take over was still an unknown.
"The Hu family has always been cautious in their actions. But now, they've joined forces with several other stores and come to cause trouble. They're so impatient. There must be some change."
Lu Xunguang personally served the medicinal soup in front of his father. The big boss looked at him with relief and slowly said in a gentle voice, "You're right."
He casually picked up a scroll from his side and handed it to the two of them.
Li Ying leaned forward to take a look. It clearly stated that the head of the Hu family had suddenly fallen ill, and the young master, only in his twenties, had to hastily take over the Hu family.
No wonder the Hu family had been so flustered at the slightest sign of trouble and rushed over to blame them angrily.
Li Ying found it quite amusing.
The Hu family had repeatedly claimed that the salt merchants in the capital should stand together, share weal and woe, relieve the emperor's worries, and seek benefits for the common people. They blamed the Lu family for making huge profits from the nine - roasted bamboo salt, saying that it was against the duty of a merchant.
They also said that there was no such thing as "nine - roasted bamboo salt" in the world. The colorful seasoning salt was just a gimmick, and the purple - gray salt crystals were even more absurd. They were clearly made by some evil means to deceive people.
In the end, they put on a tone of sincere advice, exhorting the Lu family's salt store to turn back from the wrong path and not continue to play with such flashy but useless things to deceive the common people.
"The young master of the Hu family said that our Lu family was suddenly rehabilitated and in favor with the emperor. Our master, being young and impetuous, was eager for success for a while and took a wrong path. It was understandable. In the past, Lian Ji's family deceived the emperor and lost all their conscience. If we insist on following that old path, even if he wanted to advise us, it would be..."
A young servant recounted word - for - word what the salt merchants had said at the salt store that day. Li Ying and Lu Xunguang exchanged a glance and immediately understood.
No wonder.
The common people in the market knew little about the inside story of the private salt case in the past, but they all regarded Lian Ji as a thorn in their side. The Hu family deliberately brought up the old matter. Coupled with the relatively high price of the nine - roasted bamboo salt, it was no wonder that the common people were shaken and began to doubt the Lu family's intentions.
"Master, what should we do now?"
The clerks in the salt store all turned their eyes to Lu Xunguang.
But Lu Xunguang turned to look at Li Ying.
"A Ying, the idea of the nine - roasted bamboo salt was originally yours. According to your plan, what should we do?"
He straightforwardly admitted that the bamboo salt had been Li Ying's idea from start to finish.
How could Li Ying not know that his action was clearly to establish her authority in front of the clerks?
She gently squeezed Lu Xunguang's palm and smiled sweetly. A confident light flashed in her eyes.
"Since they don't believe in our bamboo salt, then let's make it known to the world. We'll widely recruit apprentices and clearly show the uniqueness of this bamboo salt!"