“Your Highness is also thinking of the welfare of the entire army and the prosperity of Dakang. That too is noble conduct. What crime is there in that?”
People lift the flower sedan chair to praise one another, so Jin Feng smoothly complimented the Ninth Princess in return.
“Wen’er is merely a woman. How could I deserve Mister’s praise for noble conduct?” the Ninth Princess replied modestly.
“What difference does being a woman make? The rise and fall of the realm is every common person’s responsibility. Women far outnumber men in Dakang. Why should women not care about the state?”
Jin Feng continued, “Over these years Your Highness has exhausted yourself for Dakang. Now you travel with a body worth a thousand gold to a barren frontier. Which of these acts is not for the good of the people? If such a heart cannot be called noble, then what can?”
He said this not to flatter her. Jin Feng genuinely admired the Ninth Princess.
In a society like Dakang where men were valued and women despised, the pressure on a woman who had secretly influenced court politics for years was unimaginable.
As the emperor’s favourite princess, she could have married into any ducal family in the capital and enjoyed wealth and honour for life.
Yet she had chosen not to take the path of luxury. Instead she gambled her life, her fortune, and her future happiness to marry willingly into the bitter cold of Tubo.
Perhaps she did it mostly for the sake of the imperial house’s rivers and mountains, but even so, Jin Feng believed she surpassed countless court ministers who harboured selfish motives or even sold out their country for glory.
For years the Ninth Princess had listened to countless malicious rumours. Only now did she feel she had finally met someone who truly understood her.
The corners of her eyes grew slightly red. She said softly, “The rise and fall of the realm is every common person’s responsibility. Why should women not care about the state? If everyone in the world had Mister’s breadth of spirit, how wonderful that would be!”
“Wuyang, I wrote to you long ago that Mister never looks down on women.”
Qing Muluan said, “Mister has declared that women can hold up half the sky. Here in Xihe Bay, women not only work but also manage affairs. From the factory director to every team leader at Xihe Bay Saltworks, nearly all are women, and they run the place in perfect order, no less capably than men!”
“Oh, then I simply must see that for myself.”
The Ninth Princess collected her emotions and smiled at Jin Feng. “Mister, may I visit the saltworks?”
“Of course!” Jin Feng answered with a smile. “I have already sent people to prepare fresh clothes. Your Highness can first wash away the dust of the journey. There will be plenty of time to tour afterwards.”
“Then I shall follow Mister’s arrangement.”
The Ninth Princess nodded with a smile.
Jin Feng made a welcoming gesture and led her up the mountain.
Along the way, whether it was patrolling escorts or cart drivers, everyone greeted Jin Feng warmly as soon as they saw him.
Every face bore a genuine smile. The Ninth Princess could tell they were not forcing it. They were truly happy and truly satisfied with their present lives.
Once at the top, Jin Feng first had Qing Muluan take the Ninth Princess to bathe and change clothes. Only then did the party proceed to the workshops.
The market for Xihe Bay refined salt was now fully open. Production continued day and night in a scene of bustling activity.
“Mulan wrote that Mister can turn the rotten into the miraculous. Before, Wuyang did not believe it. Now I do!”
Standing in the packaging warehouse, the Ninth Princess exclaimed, “Poisonous rock salt goes in one end and comes out the other as pure white fine salt. It really is miraculous! If this method could spread across the realm, the common people would never again worry about the price of salt!”
“If Your Highness can guarantee to bring the price down, I am willing to offer the method to you.”
Jin Feng said, “If Your Highness cannot, then please do not raise the matter again. I make salt not to earn money, but neither do I wish to hand this method to salt merchants so they may prey upon the people once more.
Even less do I want it to become, like the trebuchet, a tool for certain people to aid the enemy!”
“This…”
The Ninth Princess hesitated.
She had indeed intended to ask for the salt-making method, but she also knew full well that salt was one of the great clans’ main sources of wealth. Lowering the price would be extremely difficult.
If she were still in Dakang she might try, but she would soon depart for Tubo. There simply was not enough time. The only thing she could realistically achieve was to secure salt for the armies.
“I am sorry, Mister. Wuyang cannot do it.”
The Ninth Princess said helplessly.
“Your Highness need not apologise. The fault is not yours.”
Jin Feng smiled and shook his head.
In truth he had already prepared a refusal in case she asked for the method.
Now that she had given up of her own accord, Jin Feng felt relieved.
“Does Your Highness still wish to purchase salt for the Ministry of War?”
Jin Feng asked. “If so, I will need to prepare more workshops and expand production.”
“Of course I do.
I may be unable to lower salt prices across the entire realm, but military salt procurement has always been funded by the state treasury. That much I am confident I can achieve.”
The Ninth Princess said with confidence, “Anyone who tries to block it can take responsibility for supplying the army’s salt himself.”
After reviewing memorials in the imperial study for so many years, she naturally had her own trusted circle.
This matter would bring only benefits and no harm to the imperial house. Moreover, she understood Chen Ji too well. Even after leaving Dakang, she was certain she could make it happen.
And she had to make it happen.
Because high salt prices meant many soldiers suffered from hyponatremia and constant weakness.
If that problem could be solved, Dakang’s overall military strength would rise considerably.
“Then please let me have the quantities as soon as possible so I can prepare.”
Jin Feng said, “Also, if the distance is great, transport costs will need to be calculated separately.”
“This palace will remain in Jinchuan for some time. I will provide the figures to Mister soon. As for transport costs, we can negotiate further,” the Ninth Princess replied.
Many supplies had sunk with the ship and needed to be salvaged.
Moreover, she wished to investigate the ambush thoroughly.
“Very well,” Jin Feng nodded.
Seeing that Jin Feng and the Ninth Princess had finished talking, Big Liu approached and said quietly, “Mister, the canteen sent word that the food is ready.”
“Your Highness, shall we go and eat something?”
Jin Feng asked the Ninth Princess.
She was preoccupied with the sunken ship and had little appetite.
However, the tour of the workshops was complete and there was nothing more to do here, so she nodded.
Two private rooms stood to the side of the saltworks canteen. During the factory’s construction and expansion, Jin Feng had often gathered the management there for meals and discussions.
Now more than a dozen dishes were laid out on the large round table in the room, all steaming hot.
There were no rare delicacies, only ordinary home-style dishes.
Yet cooking in Dakang was mostly limited to stewing and frying. The Ninth Princess had never seen stir-fried dishes before.
The bright green stir-fried vegetables looked completely different from stewed ones and instantly whetted her appetite.
“Wuyang, Mister Jin has invented a new kind of iron wok and a whole new way of cooking. I promise you will love it after one bite.”
Qing Muluan smiled as she led the Ninth Princess into the room.
“Oh, then this palace must certainly taste it properly.”
The Ninth Princess set aside her other thoughts and answered with a smile.
