Chapter 85

Zhao Zhentang, feeling relieved that the matter was resolved, had a bit of alcohol at noon and spoke less cautiously than usual. He smiled and explained, "Do you know about private salt?"

Zhao Jin nodded, then shook his head. He had heard his parents mention private salt in conversations, and he had also heard others talk about it while practicing martial arts, but he wasn't clear on what it actually was.

"Official salt is a monopoly, but at every step, people try to make money. They mix half a pound of dirt into a pound of salt, and that's considered having a conscience. The price is also high. But private salt doesn't have as many impurities and is cheaper, so those who can use private salt do. .."

Zhao Zhentang smiled as he explained. Private salt evades national taxes, so the government strictly investigates it. However, because private salt is highly profitable, officials and local gentry often get involved. Large quantities of private salt are ultimately sold to individual households, but it can't be openly sold in shops. Therefore, large quantities of private salt are transported by salt smugglers to convenient locations, and then various vendors come to pick up and distribute the salt. This is known as 'dividing the salt.'

"Qi Du Yan used to sell private salt in Xuzhou. He was caught by the salt patrol, lost his salt and money, and was sent to the authorities for punishment. I felt sorry for him and pleaded for his release..."

So that's how it was. Zhao Jin asked a few more questions and learned that Xuzhou's garrison was responsible for maintaining local security. The garrison had three teams: river patrol, salt patrol, and anti-theft patrol, responsible for the canal, salt affairs, and security, respectively. The canal patrol was the most lucrative, followed by the salt patrol, and the anti-theft patrol was the hardest. Zhao Zhentang had once served in the anti-theft patrol. In recent years, with the opening of the Jia River, Xuzhou had declined, and the river patrol was no longer effective.

Zhao Zhentang was very talkative, and Zhao Jin listened with interest. However, as they spoke, Zhao Zhentang's eyes began to droop, and he fell asleep where he was.

Zhao Jin could guess why his father was so tired. He had been busy all night and had been running around for his sake all day, so he hadn't had time to sleep. Now, he was finally able to relax.

The carriage jolted and swayed, and Zhao Jin was lost in thought. He always said he wanted to leave his mark in history and become stronger, but so far, nothing had changed. He still practiced martial arts with his friends every day, and his future path and direction were still unclear. Five years had passed, and he needed to hurry up.

As they passed through the city gate, Zhao Zhentang woke up, gave the driver some silver, and the two of them got out and walked. They walked in silence for a while, and then Zhao Zhentang said, "The case last night, Yunshan Temple was not willing to let it go, but Wang You Shan intervened, and the matter is now settled."

After a few more steps, Zhao Zhentang said in a serious tone, "The friends you have are good. Continue to maintain these relationships; they will help you a lot in the future."

Zhao Jin nodded. He knew that Wang Zhaojing had asked his father for help and remembered the words Wang Zhaojing had said when he left last night, "I'll think of a way." At the time, Wang Zhaojing seemed relaxed, and Zhao Jin thought he was just calm. Now, it seemed that it wasn't a big deal for the Wang family.

When they reached the front of their house, Zhao Jin saw his mother, He Cuihua, looking around. When she saw them, she visibly relaxed.

"You've really become wild outside. You didn't even come home for lunch. Go clean the dust off your body; Xiao Lan is waiting for you in the house!" After scolding him a bit, He Cuihua went back to cook.

Zhao Zhentang smiled and looked at Zhao Jin, saying, "That girl has a thing for you."

Both parents said this, and Zhao Jin felt a chill. It seemed that the family was already considering Mu Shulan as his future wife. Although he didn't have any objections, it felt a bit too early.

When Mu Shulan saw Zhao Jin return, she was overjoyed. After chatting for a bit, she ran to the kitchen to help with the cooking.

"Father, can I go out to practice martial arts tomorrow?"

"Go ahead, but be cautious."

This answer confirmed that everything was back to normal.

The next day, Zhao Jin got up on time, washed up, and went out for a run. After a few steps, he noticed a bit of green in the corner of the street. This discovery lifted his spirits; spring had finally arrived.

When he reached the Wang family's door, he saw Wang Zhaojing, dressed in tight-fitting clothes, waiting there. He waved and greeted Zhao Jin from a distance.

"Are you running today too?"

"Seeing Zhao brother run every day, I thought it must be very beneficial, so I decided to try it out today."

Wang Zhaojing smiled and started running with Zhao Jin. After a few steps, Zhao Jin stopped and bowed deeply, saying, "Yesterday, I wanted to take responsibility for everyone, but because I didn't think it through, I almost caused trouble. Thanks to Brother Wang for persuading your father to help. I am very grateful!"

He bowed deeply, and Wang Zhaojing quickly stepped forward to support him, saying, "Brother Zhao, we are brothers. There's no need to be so formal. You took responsibility for your brothers, and I just asked my family to help. It's nothing."

Wang Zhaojing, who had grown up in the political world, was used to formalities. He thought Zhao Jin would insist on thanking him again, but to his surprise, Zhao Jin stood up straightforwardly and said, "Alright, we are friends and brothers. I thank you once, and I will remember it for life. Let's continue running."

He turned and started running, and Wang Zhaojing quickly followed. After running for a while, he said with a smile, "Brother Zhao is really straightforward."

Zhao Jin smiled and replied, "I am only straightforward with my brothers!"

Wang Zhaojing was taken aback, his face became serious, and he nodded, following Zhao Jin.

After running, they returned home for breakfast. Mu Shulan had already gotten up early and was helping He Cuihua prepare breakfast. Zhao Jin noticed that the once lively girl had changed. Compared to before, Mu Shulan seemed more timid and clingy, always wanting to be near him. During the meal, she tried to sit as close to him as possible.

While Zhao Jin was uncomfortable, Zhao Zhentang and He Cuihua were very pleased, looking at their future daughter-in-law with satisfaction.

"Be alert on the way!" Zhao Zhentang reminded him before going to work.

Zhao Jin finished getting ready and went out to practice martial arts. Before leaving, he thought for a moment and said to his mother, "Mother, I'm taking Xiao Lan to practice martial arts."

He Cuihua was taken aback and then scolded, "You don't even trust your own mother? Go, go!"

This was for safety. With the girl by his side, he didn't have to worry about her being kidnapped. More importantly, the place where they practiced martial arts had at least six fully armed people, so no one would dare to cause trouble.

Mu Shulan was happy to hear Zhao Jin's suggestion. She changed into a set of clothes and held Zhao Jin's hand as they left.

On the way, Zhao Jin walked carefully, looking around from time to time and even taking a longer route to check if anyone was following. If it were a normal day, Mu Shulan would have asked out of curiosity, but now she followed quietly without a word.

It seemed that Wang You Shan's intervention was effective. No one was following, and everything was normal. When Zhao Jin arrived at his second uncle's house, he saw Chen Sheng and Dong Bingfeng waiting there.

Chen Sheng, carrying a long knife on his shoulder, was looking down the road. When he saw Zhao Jin, he quickly walked over and punched him in the chest, laughing, "You really have some skills. You said it would be fine, and it was. Even my father praised you and told me to be closer to you!"

Dong Bingfeng scratched his head and said, "My father originally wanted me to stay with relatives in Pizhou, but last night he told me to continue practicing martial arts, saying that Brother Zhao is not simple."

"Still the same, let's go practice!" Zhao Jin smiled. He could see that Chen Sheng and Dong Bingfeng were genuinely happy that he was safe. This kind of concern from friends and brothers was touching.