The voice was not low, and many guests immediately perked up their interest. They looked at Li Ying and the two apprentices with curious eyes.
Li Ying just gave a faint smile.
She had long anticipated that since she had acted so openly, among the restless salt merchants in the capital, there would surely be those with ill intentions who would act secretly.
However, she didn't expect that the first one to lose their composure would be the Hu family of salt merchants.
"I'm just a woman, newly arrived here. I didn't recognize my fellow merchants just now," Li Ying said calmly, completely ignoring the whispering of the common people about "stealing trade secrets." There was even a hint of admiration in her expression. "Sure enough, the Hu family lives up to its reputation. Even their apprentices regard the salt - making process as their lifelong interest. They even take the initiative to come and learn when they have some free time."
Lu Xunguang immediately understood her implication. He also lowered his voice, looked at the apprentices behind him with dignity, and said in a deep voice, "Why don't you all learn from them?"
There was not a single trace of mockery in their words, but the two apprentices had already blushed in unison. They stammered and stood there awkwardly.
"We didn't know that the senior from the Hu family had come to give us some advice. In fact, since we all sell official salt in the capital, it's only reasonable for us to exchange different salt - making techniques and learn from each other's strengths. It's a win - win situation," Li Ying said frankly, but the two apprentices looked even more embarrassed.
It was a big taboo to be recognized while coming to steal trade secrets. This matter was neither too big nor too small, depending entirely on how Li Ying would handle it.
"You good - for - nothing things who don't know the rules! How could the Hu family have raised such embarrassing apprentices as you? Hurry up and apologize to the master of the Lu family!"
Just as they were at a stalemate, a voice suddenly came from the crowd, with a faint, hardly noticeable anger.
The crowd made way, and there stood a young master in brocade clothes, gently waving a folding fan. He was standing upright in front of Li Ying. His sword - shaped eyebrows were slightly furrowed, his thin lips were tightly pursed, and his peach - blossom eyes scanned back and forth between Li Ying and Lu Xunguang.
"It's Young Master Hu!" A commoner recognized the newcomer and exclaimed.
His scrutinizing gaze made Lu Xunguang unhappy. He quickly stepped in front of Li Ying, blocking her completely with his broad back.
"Brother Lu, I'm sorry for not disciplining my subordinates well. Please forgive me," the young master said, bowing slightly. There was no sign of embarrassment on his face; instead, there was a hint of scrutiny.
"Hurry up and get out of here! You can't even handle the business of our own salt shop properly, but you still have the nerve to come and be helpers in someone else's shop! How over - ambitious!"
He shouted angrily. The two apprentices bent over, bowed obediently, and then scurried away in a hurry.
The young master of the Hu family gently waved his folding fan again, saluted Lu Xunguang with his hands clasped in front, and his eyes passed over Lu Xunguang and landed on Li Ying. He gave a meaningful and silent smile, then turned around gracefully and left.
The common people had thought they could watch a good show, but unexpectedly, the confrontation between the two sides was so uneventful. They couldn't help but lose interest and dispersed.
Before long, the processes of roasting salt and shaping salt were all successfully completed. Thanks to the help of the apprentices from the Lu family's salt shop, they could barely produce one or two portions of bamboo salt. Everyone secretly thought that it was no wonder the nine - roasted bamboo salt was so expensive, and they were all convinced.
The guests left contentedly. As for the two servants from the Hu family's salt shop, they knelt in front of the young master of the Hu family, shivering like cicadas in winter. They looked anxious and didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
The young master of the Hu family was named Hu Maolin. He calmly held a cup of tea and glanced at the two servants indifferently. He asked casually, "Is it that the prestige of the Hu family has declined significantly, or are you lazy and insolent servants just being opportunistic? It's just such a simple thing, but you've managed to mess it up like this?"
He scraped the tea foam in the cup slowly without showing any emotion.
The two servants looked at each other. They knew that although this young master Hu seemed elegant and charming, he was actually quite hot - tempered. It was obvious that he was suppressing his anger at the moment.
They quickly kowtowed. The manager of the salt shop standing beside them also said repeatedly, "Young master, please calm down! It's not that we are clumsy! These two are new apprentices sent from the estate. We know them well, and no one in the capital has seen them before. It's really strange that their identities were revealed with just one word today. I'm afraid..."
Hu Maolin raised his eyebrows, and there was a hint of intriguing playfulness in his eyes.
"Do you mean that the young man surnamed Lu had already arranged spies to secretly investigate the Hu family? He not only recognized the people you sent, but today's incident was also meant to give the Hu family a warning in public?"
The manager of the salt shop quickly nodded repeatedly. Hu Maolin frowned even more tightly. He closed his folding fan, and the white jade fan bone hit the table heavily.
"The salt merchants in the capital have always followed the Hu family's lead. This insignificant Lu Xunguang is so arrogant. I originally planned to compete with him after my father recovers. But now it seems that his arrogance can't wait any longer!"
He took a deep breath. When he looked up again, there was a hint of killing intent in his eyes.
"This young man wants to make a name for himself in the capital, right? Fine, I'll grant his wish!"
He gave a few instructions, and before long, a servant prepared several gifts and respectfully placed them in front of him.
Hu Maolin picked up the things, tidied his clothes, and calmly took two apprentices with him and headed straight for the Lu family's mansion.
Today's "stealing trade secrets" incident had caused quite a stir. Morally and logically, the Hu family was in the wrong first.
At present, the only way was to go to the Lu family's mansion to apologize, so as to show that the Hu family was not a bunch of vulgar villains.
Everyone in the capital knew that Young Master Hu was extremely arrogant.
Now, he actually took the initiative to come and apologize, intending to make peace with the Lu family. For a while, the common people in the capital couldn't help but be amazed.
Hu Maolin stood proudly in front of the Lu family's mansion. He paid no attention to the curious or surprised looks from the common people. As usual, there was a faint smile on his face.
Lu Xunguang, your people may indeed be very capable. They secretly investigated the details of the Hu family and made the common people in the capital firmly believe that the Hu family has no tolerance.
But today, I will surely let you know that I, Hu Maolin, am no ordinary person!
He was calm and composed, showing an unshakable poise. Before long, the butler of the Lu family came to open the door, and Lu Xunguang himself came out to greet him.
"Brother Lu, I'm really sorry for my rudeness today. A few days ago, some hot - tempered servants under me were so angry that they offended your father. I finally found some free time. I feel really bad about it, so I've come to apologize. Please don't take it to heart," Hu Maolin said.
"We are all salt merchants. We should serve the emperor and share his worries. If we fight among ourselves, we may give an opportunity to those with ulterior motives. Brother, don't you think so?"
He spoke modestly and politely, looking like he was patiently guiding. Lu Xunguang raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything.