The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 1309 - 487: Palace Schemes Versus Rebellion (24)_2

And this "series of processes" is precisely the secret formula held by the noble family.

Without these procedures, even if salt is boiled out, it can’t be eaten directly, cough cough, it’s easy to poison people!

What the noble family monopolizes is not just the salt fields and salt mines, but also these secret formulas.

If there were a secret formula, Emperor Yongcheng would also want to encircle a stretch of beach, then make salt and sell it.

But the problem is, he doesn’t have it!

Now, suddenly hearing of another method of making salt, which doesn’t waste iron pots, firewood, and other tools, Emperor Yongcheng, though incredulous, was nonetheless tempted.

"Exactly! No need to waste any iron pots or firewood, simply by harnessing the power of nature, we can obtain top-quality sea salt!"

Thanks to web novel authors among certain research parties, who describe some processes very thoroughly in their stories.

Such as salt drying, how to open up salt fields, how to air dry, how to filter... Zheng Nianer doesn’t need to specially search for information to understand clearly.

Seeing Emperor Yongcheng truly listening to her words, his eyes full of excitement and urgency, Zheng Nianer secretly felt smug.

She didn’t continue to keep secrets but instead carefully explained the salt drying method once again.

Finally, she boldly expressed, "Erlang, once you’ve produced better, cheaper sea salt, the noble families will never be able to choke your neck again!"

"The court needn’t worry anymore that they will use ’salt’ to bolster their own power, or deliberately use salt to trouble the court and Erlang!"

Actually, Zheng Nianer was quite grateful that in the face of Emperor Yongcheng’s "reforms," those local powerful factions only resorted to rough and violent tax resistance.

They haven’t used more absolute and deadly moves—directly cutting off salt!

After all, they hold all the salt fields and salt mines in the world.

If they sincerely wanted to teach Emperor Yongcheng a lesson, they could completely cut off the supply of table salt.

Without salt in the market, not only would ordinary government families be unable to stand it, even common folks would be discontented, leading to unrest.

If not controlled properly, it might even cause "civil chaos."

Since ancient times, "people rebelling against officials" has never been a pleasant phrase.

And the emperor who leads all of this would, without a doubt, be seen as a "faint-hearted ruler."

Although an upheaval of the world wouldn’t occur just due to salt, after all, the noble families only wish to teach the little Emperor a lesson, not actually cause chaos.

They would promptly stop and quickly restore the market to normal, and the citizens would be appeased.

Yet, Emperor Yongcheng’s prestige as an emperor would be utterly swept away, and his "personal governance" would be a laughingstock.

"..." Emperor Yongcheng listened to Zheng Nianer’s words, but didn’t rush to react.

He kept silent, digesting all those words, and finally a look of ecstasy appeared on his face.

"Haha! Great! Wonderful!"

Emperor Yongcheng excitedly made circles in the grand hall.

After circling several times, he stopped in front of Zheng Nianer, his eyes looking at his little best friend as if gazing at a priceless treasure.

"Nianer, you, you truly are my capable helper!"

Emperor Yongcheng pulled Zheng Nianer into his arms, wishing he could lift her up and spin several times in place.

Cough cough, as to why he didn’t succeed, Emperor Yongcheng refused to admit that he couldn’t lift her.

He’s only a fifteen-year-old young man, raised with care, how could he have such brute strength?

Ultimately, he could only express his inner joy and gratitude by gently patting his beloved’s back with his big hand.

"Quick, Nianer, what reward do you want? I’ll give it to you!"

In a good mood, Emperor Yongcheng became particularly generous.

The matter of salt drying hasn’t succeeded yet, but he’s already eager to reward the Outstanding Officials.

"...As long as I can help Erlang, I am satisfied. I don’t want anything, just for Erlang to always love me, cherish me!"

Zheng Nianer found the word "reward" a bit harsh.

What reward?

Couldn’t one use the word "award" instead?

Though the meanings are similar, the former sounds like a Superior bestowing a gift upon a servant.

Although Zheng Nianer became Emperor Yongcheng’s Favored Consort, in her heart, she always believed that she and Emperor Yongcheng were equals.

She wasn’t neglecting the grade system of the feudal dynasty to preach about human rights and democracy.

She simply felt that she and Emperor Yongcheng were "husband and wife," without any distinction between who was superior or inferior!

However, now is not the time to argue about these things.

As Zheng Nianer thought, once the salt drying method she proposed truly helps Emperor Yongcheng, letting him know she is not just a Consort, a harem woman, but rather a capable helper who can assist him, Emperor Yongcheng will naturally understand how to respect her!