Chapter 61

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Since the Spring and Autumn period, salt has been a government monopoly. This remained the case during the Ming Dynasty, with the establishment of six major salt transport commissionerates to oversee salt affairs nationwide. Zhejiang belonged to the Liangzhe Salt Transport Commissionerate, and all salt administration in the province fell under its jurisdiction.

From a status perspective, the salt transport commissionerate was on par with the provincial administration and the provincial inspection commissionerate, all directly responsible to the imperial court, so none could oversee the others. Moreover, since Zhejiang was only part of the Liangzhe Salt Transport Commissionerate's jurisdiction, the commissionerate often felt superior to the provincial administration and the provincial inspection commissionerate.

Despite several official communications from the Zhejiang provincial administration and the provincial inspection commissionerate, requesting flexibility, the salt transport commissionerate refused to budge. They argued that the division of salt sales areas was a rule established by their ancestors, which no one could violate. Transporting salt across designated areas was considered illegal and punishable by death.

"This matter is quite troublesome. Upon reviewing the legal codes, it is indeed true that during the early Hongwu period, the salt transport commissionerates were divided into exclusive sales zones," Zhou Xin said with a slight frown. "However, this was before the implementation of the grain transport system. At that time, salt was exclusively sold by the various sub-commissionerates under the salt transport commissionerate, hence the rule. After the grain transport system was implemented, merchants nationwide could obtain salt permits by transporting grain to the border regions. It would be absurd if merchants from Zhejiang West could not transport salt from Zhejiang East back to Zhejiang West for sale."

"The salt transport commissionerate seeks to monopolize the salt market in Zhejiang West and wants the provincial inspection commissionerate to assist them, which I am unwilling to do," Zhou Xin continued. "However, the salt transport commissionerate is adamant and refuses to compromise. To resolve this issue, we need to go all the way to the top to break the outdated rules. But it's not easy to change old regulations. As you know, the court is in dire need of money, and Emperor Yongle is particularly lenient towards departments that can contribute to the treasury. If we take this to the court, the odds are eight to two in their favor."

After finishing, Zhou Xin looked at the two men and said, "This matter is not your concern. I have been racking my brains for a solution, and today, seeing your impressive skills, I was inspired. So I am sharing this with you to see if you have any good ideas."

Wei Zhixian then said to Wang Xian, "You must be cautious and avoid causing trouble for the provincial inspection commissionerate."

Zhou Xin smiled and said, "Feel free to speak your minds. Regardless of what you say, the consequences will not be your responsibility."

"Still, you must be cautious and avoid risky moves," Wei Zhixian insisted, treating Zhou Xin's words as gospel. "This is a conflict between two high-level departments, not our small Fuyang County!"

"Yes," Wang Xian thought to himself, you treat Zhou Xin like you, believing everything he says and doing exactly as he says?

"Ha ha..." Zhou Xin smiled and gestured for Wei Zhixian to be quiet.

After some thought, Wang Xian looked up and said, "Sir, I have an idea, though I cannot guarantee its success..."

"Speak your mind," Zhou Xin said firmly.

"I will write a letter to the salt commissioner on your behalf," Wang Xian said softly. "It might work."

"Good," Zhou Xin nodded.

In the signing room, various sizes of official paper were always available. Wei Zhixian immediately took out a stack of red-lined letter paper and placed it on the desk. The ink in the inkstone was soaked in high-quality silk, ready for use.

By this time, Wang Xian had already drafted the letter in his mind. He took the pen from the county magistrate and began to write carefully.

Wei Zhixian watched from the side and noticed that although only a month had passed, Wang Xian's handwriting had improved significantly. What used to be messy and slanted was now more stable and legible, clearly the result of much practice.

Wang Xian deliberately wrote neatly and carefully, which made the writing process slower. It took him the time of a meal to finish. He blew on the ink to dry it and presented the letter to the magistrate.

Wei Zhixian then passed it to Zhou Xin. Zhou Xin read the letter and found that although the language was straightforward, it was very forceful. Wang Xian analyzed the不合理ness of dividing salt sales within a province and emphasized the necessity of abolishing the old rules, presenting a well-structured and logical argument!

However, Zhou Xin was not particularly pleased. His own advisors could write such letters, and they would not likely move the salt officials, who were focused on money.

It was not until he turned to the second page and saw a sentence—“Even during the Warring States period, people and goods could move freely; why should Zhejiang East and Zhejiang West be divided in our unified empire?”—that Zhou Xin was truly impressed. Wang Xian was indeed extraordinary!

As the saying goes, a single word is worth a thousand pieces of gold. These twenty words were worth more than twenty thousand pieces of gold! With these words, even if the case went to Emperor Yongle, Zhou Xin was not worried about losing.

The power of these words lay in their appeal to Emperor Yongle's pride. The current Emperor Yongle was one of the most ambitious emperors in history, eager to achieve great deeds and be remembered as a great emperor. He had ruthlessly suppressed any invasions from the south, north, east, and west.

How could such a unifying emperor tolerate his territory being divided, even metaphorically, worse than the Warring States period? Even a metaphor was unacceptable!

Wang Xian then listed the recent famines and banditry in Zhejiang West, creating a strong cause-and-effect relationship, as if the high salt prices in Zhejiang West had led to the suffering of the people. The Liangzhe Salt Transport Commissioner would be hard-pressed not to be concerned... If he did not compromise, the case could be taken to the emperor, and with these words, Zhou Xin felt confident.

"Skillful writing, simple yet profound," Zhou Xin sighed after reading the letter. "I will write on behalf of the merchants and the people of Zhejiang West."

Wang Xian immediately stood up and respectfully said, "I am from Zhejiang and should do my part for my fellow countrymen. Besides, I was instructed by Sir."

"Ha ha, you are very good," Zhou Xin praised, stroking his beard. "But how can I thank you for helping me?"

"Let's see if this method works before rewarding him," Wei Zhixian quickly said. "Besides, helping the provincial inspection commissionerate is part of his duty; he shouldn't expect rewards."

"One thing at a time," Zhou Xin shook his head and smiled. "But I am usually poor, so I can't offer much in the way of a reward. How about this: I will write you a few words."

"I am deeply honored," Wang Xian said respectfully.

Wei Zhixian then prepared a strip of Yuan book paper on the desk and placed a paperweight on it.

Zhou Xin picked up the pen and wrote five powerful characters.

"Jiang, Nan, Di, Yi, Li!" Wei Zhixian read each character slowly. "Sir, you are really praising him to the skies. He can't possibly deserve it..."

"Nothing to be undeserved," Zhou Xin put down the pen and smiled faintly. "Even if he were the best official in the world, he would still be a minor clerk, lower than the lowest-ranking official."

"..." Wang Xian was sweating. The sense of awe and respect he had felt was suddenly gone.

"Don't be discouraged," Zhou Xin said with a smile. "You are only sixteen or seventeen; you have a long way to go..."

"Yes. If you pass the examination at the end of your term, you can become an official," Wei Zhixian quickly added. It seemed everyone had a bit of a sycophant in them.

"You should still read more," Zhou Xin looked at Wang Xian. "You are smart and not too old. Ten years of hard study might lead to success. Even if you don't enter the academy, you should read to understand principles. Otherwise, you will be the 'First Clerk of Jiangnan' for life."

"I will follow your advice," Wang Xian said quickly.

Zhou Xin and Wei Zhixian had more to discuss, so Wang Xian left with the inscription.

As soon as he stepped out of the signing room, Sima Qiu approached and, seeing the inscription and the signature, was envious. "What virtue do you have to receive such praise from the provincial inspection commissioner?" Although the title meant little to Zhou Xin, it was highly valuable to others.

This was the evaluation of the stern and impartial Zhou Xin, whose words carried great weight!

The two guards also saw the inscription and said, "Congratulations, little brother. With this talisman, who would dare to touch you?"

Hearing this, Wang Xian, who had been in a daze, finally understood Zhou Xin's intention... The powerful families who had suffered losses would certainly try to get even. Wei Zhixian, as the county magistrate, was untouchable, but Wang Xian, a minor clerk without official rank, was an easy target. Even if Wei Zhixian wanted to protect him, he might not be able to.

For example, his superiors, Zhang Hua and Xun Sancai, had become sacrifices to preserve the dignity of the gentry and to appease the powerful families...

Now, with Zhou Xin's inscription, he was being set up as a model. Anyone who wanted to harm him would have to consider Zhou Xin's face. With Zhou Xin's formidable reputation, protecting a minor clerk would be no problem.

So, this inscription was likely a talisman given to him by Zhou Xin.

Of course, it could also be his own wishful thinking...

Back in the household office, the clerks were effusive with praise and immediately called for a craftsman to mount the inscription to hang in his office.

Wang Xian did not want to draw attention, but to not properly mount and hang the inscription of a provincial inspection commissioner would be a serious disrespect. He had no choice but to let them do it.

Shaking his head, he lifted the curtain and entered the room, only to find the table empty. He was puzzled and asked, "Where are my things?"

"Sir, are you confused?" the clerks laughed. "You need to move to the clerk's office..."

"Oh..." Wang Xian then remembered that he was now the acting head of the household office, taking over Zhang Hua's position. Of course, he would have to hand over the position when the new clerk arrived. Thinking of this, he cursed them for flattering him. If he had to move back in a few days, wouldn't it be embarrassing?

So, he frowned and said, "Nonsense, bring them back!"

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