Chapter 59: Yuan Shao Expresses His Disdain

Cao Cao needed only a casual inquiry to completely figure out the situation regarding refined salt.

It was indeed Lu Chuan who had produced the refined salt, and he had made quite a commotion in the process, pulling in both the Zhen family and the Mi family, along with more than seventy major merchants, aiming to establish a nationwide distribution and sales network in the shortest possible time.

Even though Cao Cao was not particularly attentive to commercial affairs, he could easily see what terrifying profits Lu Chuan would reap as the sole—or at least currently the only—manufacturer of refined salt in the entire country!

The thought of so much money continuously flowing into Lu County and into Lu Chuan's pockets filled Cao Cao with intense jealousy.

How could he not be green with envy at the sight of such vast wealth?

Consequently, Cao Cao summoned Cao Hong.

Cao Hong was relatively well-off and possessed some understanding of commerce, so Cao Cao wanted to discuss a major matter with him.

"Mengde, you called for me?"

There was no need for formalities between Cao Hong and Cao Cao. Back when Cao Cao suffered defeat at Xingyang, it was Cao Hong who gave up his own warhorse to Cao Cao, enabling him to escape safely.

Even without considering their blood relation, based solely on Cao Hong's act of yielding his horse in a moment of crisis, the two shared a bond forged through life and death.

"Yes, Zilian, sit down. I have something to discuss with you."

"Discuss something with me? Could it be about the refined salt from Lu County?"

"Precisely. I want to ask you, can you produce refined salt?"

"Me? Make refined salt?"

Cao Hong stared wide-eyed, wondering if Cao Cao had lost his mind.

If he could make refined salt, Cao Hong would have long since become a top-tier tycoon comparable to the Zhen and Mi families; how could he possibly be trailing along following Cao Cao?

Was something like refined salt something that could be made just like that?

Anyone could taste the bitter flavor inherent in raw salt, so why had no one improved it all these years?

It was not out of a lack of desire, but rather an inability to do so.

With foundational scientific knowledge lacking, who could possibly conceive of the steps of dissolving, filtering, and purifying?

Purifying refined salt sounded simple, but finding the correct method without any foundation whatsoever was absolute difficulty.

Just the process of boiling and crystallization consumed vast amounts of firewood; without immense courage, who would be willing to waste so much firewood so casually?

Therefore, before Lu Chuan proactively pierced that layer of window paper, and before the technology for purifying refined salt leaked out, the indigenous people of the late Eastern Han Dynasty had a very long way to go before they could crack the method of salt purification.

"Mengde, I think we had better drop this idea; it cannot be done. Besides, Lu Chuan has already stirred up such a massive commotion. Even if we managed to produce refined salt, could we really stand against Lu Chuan? You mustn't forget that Lu Chuan also commands elite troops under his banner!"

Cao Cao's brow furrowed even deeper.

He also knew that purifying refined salt was not something easily achieved, but he was genuinely green with envy over the terrifying profits Lu Chuan was making by selling refined salt nationwide.

"Is there truly no other way?"

Cao Hong spread his hands. "I certainly have no way. If you think someone else can do it, go summon them and give it a try. In my view, rather than wasting time studying this, we would be far better off hurrying to recruit troops, train soldiers, and build a powerful army as soon as possible. Only then will we have the strength to protect ourselves.

"Look at Lu Chuan; he has developed Lu County so splendidly, yet isn't he also rushing to train new recruits right now? He is undoubtedly worried that others might set their sights on him."

Cao Cao nodded. "It was my mind that went astray. Now that the Han Dynasty is collapsing and the empire is in chaos, even if Lu Chuan has established a nationwide sales network for refined salt, without sufficiently formidable strength to protect himself, he will ultimately end up doing wedding preparations for someone else.

"Very well, let us drop these thoughts. We shall concentrate on training soldiers, generals, and recruiting talent. I refuse to believe that I, Cao Mengde, could possibly lose to a mere county magistrate!"

...

Bohai, the Administrator's Residence.

Yuan Shao tasted the meticulously prepared dishes, nodding repeatedly.

"This refined salt is indeed extraordinary; there isn't the slightest hint of bitterness at all. Pass down my order: from now on, all meals in the residence must use refined salt!"

"Understood!"

"By the way, where is Yuan Tu [Feng Ji]? Is he still at the Administrator's Residence? Invite him over to dine with me."

Although Yuan Shao bore the prestigious reputation of his lineage spanning four generations and three dukes, he was not yet a powerful warlord dominating the northern territory; he was merely the modest Administrator of Bohai, and Feng Ji was the only strategist by his side.

In order to win Feng Ji over, Yuan Shao certainly knew how to play his cards well.

Before long, Feng Ji arrived.

"Ji pays respects to my lord!"

"Yuan Tu, no need for formalities. Come, come, sit and dine with me, and taste the refined salt newly purchased today."

Yuan Shao set down his chopsticks and personally pulled Feng Ji down to a seat.

Feng Ji wore a flattering expression of pleasant surprise, carefully picking up a mouthful of food and placing it in his mouth, whereupon a look of astonishment crossed his face.

"This... there is utterly no bitter taste in the food whatsoever. Is this the refined salt?"

Yuan Shao nodded. "Indeed. I only heard of refined salt a few days ago. Merchants in Bohai City just started selling it, so I had all of it bought up. Take some back with you later; henceforth, you need no longer consume that bitter raw salt."

"Many thanks, my lord!"

Feng Ji hurriedly bowed in gratitude, then added, "I heard that this refined salt originates from Lu County, and the magistrate of that place is named Lu Chuan. It is he who purified this salt."

"Oh? Is that so? What is Lu Chuan's background? Does he have any notable pedigree?"

Feng Ji shook his head. "Prior to this, I had never heard of Lu Chuan's name. This man seems to have appeared out of thin air, and he has no connection to the Lu clan of Jiangdong."

"No connection to the Lu clan whatsoever? That means he is not from an aristocratic clan; at best, he is merely a powerful local magnate, or perhaps... a commoner?"

"That should be the case."

Yuan Shao sneered. "Then he has no background to speak of, merely having stumbled upon a method to purify refined salt and found a path to quick wealth—nothing worthy of attention.

"It's just that Lu County is somewhat distant from Bohai. If it were closer, one could dispatch men to recruit him and absorb Lu County into our fold. I've heard that Lu County is quite prosperous, bearing the semblance of former Luoyang. Is that true?"

Feng Ji chuckled derisively. "How can a tiny county city compare to Luoyang? It is merely idle gossip being exaggerated."

"I should think so. A mere patch of a county—no matter how capable Lu Chuan is, could he possibly use a single county to contend against an entire commandery, let alone Yizhou? In that case, there is no need to pay him any heed."

Yuan Shao's expression returned to normal, his tone dripping with utter disdain for Lu Chuan.

Hailing from a powerful family spanning four generations and three dukes, Yuan Shao was well-qualified to look down upon more than ninety-nine percent of the people in this era.

Even Dong Zhuo, prior to entering Luoyang, had not been taken seriously by Yuan Shao.

Feng Ji nodded once more, then ventured, "My lord, I heard that Cao Cao once attempted to dispatch troops to attack Lu County, but before his army of ten thousand could even reach the place, they were ambushed in their camp by Lu Chuan's cavalry and routed completely."

"Such a thing happened?"

Yuan Shao raised an eyebrow. "Has Cao Ahman become so utterly incompetent? To be defeated at the hands of a mere county magistrate? Truly laughable."

Seeing this, whatever else Feng Ji had intended to say was swallowed back down, and he could only accompany his lord with a forced smile.