CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 71: SALT FIELD

Although Xiao Chong only took office in Mao County this mid-year, he immediately encountered the high-yield auspicious sign brought by Lin Wanwan, setting the tone for the first year’s performance evaluation.

If he were someone without foundation, he might be manipulated by his superiors, but he need not worry too much about such things.

Using family connections to credit Lin Wanwan is also considered Xiao Chong’s way of reciprocating her efforts.

In fact, if Xiao Chong were ruthless enough, he could directly claim all the credit of Lin Wanwan, leaving her without any means to appeal.

A higher official can outmatch a lower one; that’s reality. It’s even more impossible for civilians to challenge officials.

"Who dares to sue me?" Such statements are full of dark humor when spoken.

The high-yield crops definitely need to be promoted throughout the county and the entire nation, but in the political environment of the Great Tang, Xiao Chong could choose to go solo with the salt drying formula, certainly creating immense wealth for his family.

During the early Tang, private salt was not yet regulated or taxed, offering great operational space. This is not mere petty profit but enormous gain enough to incite disputes.

However, Xiao Chong did not wish to do so. For someone who inherited a great deal of wealth from his mother, the amount of fortune barely stirs him emotionally.

A quote by the great scholar Zhang Zai in his "Hengqu Record" particularly describes his pursuit: "Establish a heart for heaven and earth, establish a decree for the people, continue the knowledge of past sages."

Life is short. As a parental official, ensuring the people under his governance are well-fed and clothed, that young have support and old have dependence, doing something real for his people is his pursuit.

When the first batch of sea salt was dried, Xiao Chong personally visited the salt field to inspect the results, remaining silent for quite a while.

Compared to his calmness, his staff including Xiao Ce, the county magistrate, the chief clerk and the two county magistrates responsible for urging payment of taxes, were all too excited to speak coherently.

"Xiao Mingfu, is such a salt field really under the County Government?"

Xiao Chong nodded calmly: "This salt field shall be called Wanghai Salt Field. The proceeds from salt sales will be credited to the public treasury, and annual gifts will be given to widowed, orphaned, and lonely registered elderly in the county, so everyone can have a good year."

"Xiao Mingfu has great righteousness!"

The previous county magistrate of Mao County was directly punished for favoritism and dereliction of duty, causing trouble for even the recommending Ministry of Personnel officials, naturally bringing tough times to those working under the magistrate.

Now, Xiao Chong had been in Mao County for less than half a year and had continuously brought good happenings. It was hard for everyone to believe Xiao Chong didn’t carry some sort of luck.

As officials, although they grew up reading Confucius’ books, outwardly dismissive of strange powers and deities, inwardly they’re deeply superstitious.

Some would even consult a feng shui master for direction before undertaking anything.

Due to Lin Wanwan’s assistance, Xiao Chong unexpectedly established a lucky koi persona for himself in Mao County’s political scene, coupled with his photographic memory, ability to handle affairs, and diligent and fair attitude, he managed his subordinates seamlessly.

He, this impressive dragon crossing the river, successfully subdued the local evildoers of Mao County.

***

Ever since appearing on hot searches several times, Lin Wanwan has become a celebrity in the neighborhood. Luckily, she was living in a villa area with fewer people, isolated by yard gates and a small stream from the high-rises, sparing her from more hassle.

After staying in the Tang Dynasty for over half a month, she finally returned to the modern era to check the situation.

Looking at Chen Jinyu’s messages on her phone, most of them expressed gratitude, along with news about her breaking off friendship with the girl who had thrown Lin Wanwan’s clothes.

Lin Wanwan called Chen Jinyu, whose mood was evidently still low, yet she was very grateful for Lin Wanwan’s righteous help on that day.

"Wanwan, really thanks to you. I didn’t expect you knew martial arts. Oh, without your appearance, who knows what might have happened to us," Chen Jinyu continued to express thanks.

"No worries, how are you recovering now?"

"Oh, like a pig’s head, I’m afraid of leaving scars. I’ll return to my hometown to heal for a while before speaking further."

"Alright, take good care of yourself then."

"Wanwan, once I recover, I will return to Yongcheng to thank you. By then, you must come out, I really want to thank you properly."

"No need to say such things, as long as you’re fine. Not much else, I have to get busy, you rest well."

"Okay, bye."

Lin Wanwan glanced at Lu Shouyue’s messages again, the latest one being half a month ago, about meeting to view paintings, and then nothing, presumably busy.

Oh well, since the painting is just here, and she doesn’t urgently need money, take it slow.

She planned to go out shopping, then to the post office to collect the deliveries, it’s been over half a month, hopefully not lost.

This time back to the modern world was mainly to replenish beef and spices, buy flour and lamb. Furthermore, Lin Wanwan also ordered a genuine Chenzhiji iron wok and Chenzhiji’s famous knife set from a Hong Kong agent.

The reason she even went through an agent for the wok was because this brand had been snatched in domestic registration by others, no longer authentic Hong Kong vintage and products online were mixed, difficult to verify true or fake, so she decided it’s better to spend more money for reassurance, given that it’s for the Tang Dynasty.

Tang Dynasty’s pots were different from modern ones, mostly jar-like, not the open shape of modern version. Since Tang Dynasty did not stir-fry then, pots were naturally not designed for stir-frying.

Similar to modern pots used for stir-frying, Tang Dynasty actually had them, like the twin ear silver pot. But such items were not used for cooking, instead for alchemy, brewing tea, and preparing medicine.

Lin Wanwan figured, bringing an authentic iron wok back to the Great Tang for cooking, would be the perfect idyllic life. Since Great Tang lacked range hoods, she specially chose a low-smoke option.

Once she finished shopping and was dragging a bunch of delivery boxes home, her phone rang, it was a call from Lu Shouyue.

"Hmm, my luck isn’t bad, today I dialed successfully in one go." Upon connecting, Lu Shouyue first joked before skipping straight to the topic, "Wanwan, do you still have that painting you sent me half a month ago? Convenient to bring out for a look?"

So it’s indeed about the painting, Lin Wanwan chuckled: "It’s here. Are you in the antique shop now? If so, I’ll head over."

"No, I’m in the university library. Went out of town for half a month, just returned with the troop today. Where are you now? I’ll come pick you up."

"No need, I can take a cab there very easily, just send me the location."

"Alright then."

Once the call was hung up, the location was immediately sent via WeChat by Lu Shouyue.

Lin Wanwan put everything in the small villa, things that needed refrigeration were placed in the fridge, after sorting them out, she took the painting and rode a cab out.