Chapter 479 One of the Eight Great Jin Merchants
Tie Niaofei chuckled heartily, then presented a small tray piled with silver.
The Salt Inspector's gaze swept over the offering, and he instantly knew it amounted to at least fifty taels of pure silver. A subtle thrill sparked in his chest. "Quite the generous initial offering," he mused, "this deal must be substantial."
A smile creased his face. "Speak, then," he prompted, "what is it you're after?"
Tie Niaofei replied, "I'm here, esteemed sir, to request that you once again allocate the salt output of an entire village to me."
The Salt Inspector deliberately adopted a stern demeanor. "Last time, I allocated an entire village's salt to you, and look what happened!" he exclaimed. "You pampered the salt artisans. Once they had money in hand, those fellows no longer heeded my authority. They all vanished in the dead of night, leaving the village deserted and causing a considerable dip in my production."
Tie Niaofei suppressed a grin. *Those salt artisans were actually lured away by us to produce illicit salt, and you still believe they just 'fled'? Hahaha. Now I'm here to trick yet another village's worth of your salt artisans, and you still imagine I'm merely looking to buy salt.*
While his mind secretly rejoiced, Tie Niaofei maintained a solemn expression. "The salt artisans' desertion isn't to be blamed on me, esteemed sir," he countered. "The wages you offer them are simply too meager. I've heard they receive only two *wen* per *jin*, while I pay you twenty *wen* per *jin*! If you would just allocate a few more *wen* to them, they would never consider leaving."
The Salt Inspector scoffed, a sneer twisting his lips. "Do you honestly believe I'm some merchant who needs to lavish funds on his underlings?" he challenged. "These artisans aren't direct subordinates; they're mere curs in my employ. A bone to gnaw on is privilege enough; do they truly expect a feast of meat?"
Tie Niaofei cursed inwardly: *Bastard!*
The Salt Inspector shook his head decisively. "Even a higher offer won't suffice," he stated. "This merchant is no common trader... he's a specially authorized supplier for the border army, endorsed by the imperial court. They possess 'salt warrants,' and their salt supplies must take absolute priority."
The words clicked immediately for Tie Niaofei.
Jin merchants!
The Ming Dynasty's founding emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, established nine crucial border garrisons. These frontier forces constantly needed supplies, but the imperial court's logistical capabilities were often stretched thin. To remedy this, the "Kai Zhong Law" was introduced: the court authorized influential merchants to deliver provisions to the border armies. In exchange, these merchants received "salt warrants," which allowed them to collect official salt from Xie Lake in Shanxi's Hedong Circuit, through the Salt Inspector, and sell it for substantial profits.
It was through this system that the formidable "Jin merchants" came into being.
A salt smuggler like Tie Niaofei, in comparison to the immense power of the Jin merchants, was utterly insignificant. The financial might of a Jin merchant could, with a mere flick of a finger, effortlessly annihilate Tie Niaofei's entire fortune.
Tie Niaofei muttered a silent curse. *Bloody hell, why are the Jin merchants swooping in to snatch my goods at this critical juncture? If I fail to fulfill the Heavenly Lord's divine decree, I'll be incurring the wrath of a god!*
He was about to press his case further when a man, clad in the finest merchant's silks, entered the room. The newcomer emanated an air of commerce so palpable it seemed to ripple from his very being.
The Salt Inspector offered no introduction, naturally. Tie Niaofei was, after all, a figure who thrived in the shadows, making formal pleasantries entirely superfluous.
But Tie Niaofei recognized him at a glance: the newcomer was Huang Yunfa, one of Shanxi's renowned Eight Great Jin Merchants.
This man’s enterprises were vast, encompassing salt, tea, ironware, and a myriad of other manufactured goods. Yet, whispers in the jianghu claimed he funneled significant resources beyond the Great Wall, directly into the hands of the Manchus...
However, these remained mere speculations; no one had ever managed to gather concrete evidence against him.
Tie Niaofei, realizing he stood no chance against such an adversary, simply bowed to the Salt Inspector, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, and exited.
One of his trusted lieutenants stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "Boss," he inquired, "what's our next move?"
Tie Niaofei sighed. "We're helpless! Let's return to Gudu Ferry and implore the Heavenly Lord for assistance. Only through the Heavenly Lord's divine intervention can we possibly hope to match Huang Yunfa's financial might and seize this opportunity."
Just as the two men prepared to depart, a jarring clang of alarm bells erupted from the eastern city wall. A single, swift horseman burst through the gates of Hedong Circuit, his voice hoarse as he bellowed, "Rebels! The rebels are here! They've come for the salt!"
The sudden news startled Tie Niaofei profoundly.
His first instinct was to flee, but he quickly realized that abandoning his post now would mean losing all intelligence. He needed to remain to gather further information.
Soldiers and officials throughout Hedong Circuit immediately sprang into frantic action, seizing their weapons and preparing for defense.
Tie Niaofei scrambled up the city wall. Gazing eastward, he saw a vast, dark horde surging closer, a sea of heads stretching to the horizon. Amidst the tumultuous throng, a large banner emblazoned with the single character "Chuǎng" snapped in the wind.
A jolt of alarm shot through him. "It's Chuǎng Wang," he gasped, "a formidable general serving under Wang Jiayin! This man is ranked third among Wang Jiayin's numerous commanders, possessing immense strength. Hedong Circuit is likely doomed."
Before the vanguard of the Chuǎng army, a torrent of frantic officials and salt artisans fled in terror, surging towards the city of Hedong Circuit. It became clear that with the Chuǎng army's advance, the garrisons and ordinary villagers from all the salt-producing settlements around Xie Lake had hastily abandoned their homes, funneling into Hedong Circuit. The entire scene was one of utter pandemonium.
The Salt Inspector scrambled out of his official residence, frantically trying to fasten his helmet. "Rebels? Here?" he blustered, "Damn it all, Hedong Circuit isn't some backwater county town; how dare they even approach!?"
He had boasted of Hedong Circuit's standing as a formidable military district, believing the rebels wouldn't dare breach its defenses. Yet, upon ascending the city wall, he recoiled in horror at the uncountable masses of humanity pressing outside. It was a sight that truly terrified him.
At that sight, the Salt Inspector felt a rush of fear so intense he nearly lost control of his bladder.
Huang Yunfa, the Jin merchant, emerged behind him, displaying not the slightest trace of apprehension. He cast a disdainful glance at the Chuǎng army massing outside and sneered, "A mere disorganized rabble, that's all. Esteemed sir, there's no cause for alarm. Allow my personal guards to launch the initial assault, then you can rally your troops for a crushing flank attack. Victory will be swift and decisive."
The Salt Inspector blinked in stunned disbelief.
Huang Yunfa turned to his trusted lieutenant. "Deploy our personal guard," he commanded, "and let them have some 'sport' with the rebels."
At his curt command, the substantial contingent of guards mobilized instantly.
Both the Salt Inspector and Tie Niaofei found their gazes involuntarily drawn to Huang Yunfa's guard detachment. To their astonishment, the merchant's retinue was a formidable cavalry unit, clad in gleaming armor and moving with practiced precision. A small contingent within this force, particularly towering and muscular, possessed features distinctly non-Central Plains in origin...
Tie Niaofei's heart gave a sudden lurch, and he muttered in a low voice, "That small squad... surely they're not Manchu soldiers? I've heard rumors of this man's illicit dealings with the Manchus."
His subordinate beside him murmured, "Judging by their appearance alone, he would undoubtedly deny it vehemently. He'd simply insist they are herdsmen from the northern frontier."
"Charge!" came the bellow.
With a fervent yell from Huang Yunfa's men, they burst forth from the city gates. Cavalry hooves churned the earth, and the entire contingent moved with the force of a whirlwind. The small squad at the forefront proved exceptionally valorous, their long spears and cavalry sabers carving through the advancing rebel forces, sending them scattering in panicked disarray.
The Salt Inspector watched, utterly dumbfounded. *Good heavens, Huang Yunfa's men are truly this fierce? What on earth are we waiting for?*
He hastily let out a mighty roar, "Charge!"
The city's forces immediately surged forth, driving Chuǎng Wang's army into a humiliating and disorderly retreat.
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