World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 172 - 172 124 Return fully loaded!

172: 124: Return fully loaded!

Surround and kill Gui Qinshao!_2 172: 124: Return fully loaded!

Surround and kill Gui Qinshao!_2 “Of course, I wouldn’t dare deceive your grace,” Suo Lun said.

“In fact, as long as there are enough hands, my salt fields can produce one hundred million, two hundred million pounds of salt, or even more.

It can be sold not only to the Rage Wave Kingdom but also to the Xiliang Kingdom, the North Wind Kingdom, and to the Southern Barbarians.”

Duke Zhi Ting held his breath and asked, “How much does it cost for one pound of your salt?”

“Almost nothing,” Suo Lun said.

“Because my salt is not boiled, it doesn’t need to consume wood.”

In this world, unprocessed salt is coarse, and only the refined crystals are used by the nobility.

Therefore, after sun-drying, it can be sold directly.

Although Duke Zhi Ting could hardly believe that the salt in this world didn’t need to be boiled, this didn’t prevent him from calculating in his heart.

If it really could produce one hundred million pounds per year, that would be several billion copper coins, which is a full one hundred thousand Gold Coins.

And if it was the two hundred million pounds Suo Lun mentioned, that would be two hundred thousand Gold Coins.

And as long as there was salt, no matter how much, Duke Zhi Ting would be able to sell it all.

If the Rage Wave Kingdom couldn’t take it all, then sell it to the Xiliang Kingdom, to the North Wind Kingdom, to the Southern Barbarians, and so on.

Just in the Middle Earth World alone, there are several dozens of countries, both large and small, amounting to hundreds of millions of people.

Let’s put it this way, this world relies on boiling seawater for salt, and there are only a few salty lakes inland.

Salt has always been relatively scarce to the extent that by the time it reaches the hands of the common people, it would cost nearly eighty to ninety copper coins per pound.

So as long as there is salt, no matter how much, Duke Zhi Ting would be able to sell it.

If there really are two hundred million pounds, then that’s an annual earning of ten to twenty million Gold Coins, and this would be a long-term business that could continue for generations.

In this way, within ten years, it would be possible to earn over a million Gold Coins, indeed surpassing the annual taxation of the kingdom.

Suo Lun said, “Your Grace, I will only conduct this business with you alone.

I am responsible for production, and you for selling.

We will split the profits fifty-fifty between our two houses.”

Suddenly, Duke Zhi Ting could hardly breathe, his eyes bursting with an immensely bright light.

“Is everything you said true, without any deception?” Duke Zhi Ting said incredulously.

Suo Lun said, “You are my benefactor and my only support in the royal city.

How could I dare to deceive you?”

“Heh, your only support is not just me,” Duke Zhi Ting said.

“However, I find it hard to believe that your barren land could produce one to two hundred million pounds of salt a year.

I really can’t even dream of it.”

Suo Lun said, “It’s very simple.

You only need to send someone you trust to my Chaos Stone Island, and they will see that all I have said is true.”

Duke Zhi Ting closed his eyes and pondered for quite some time.

Then, suddenly opening his eyes, he declared, “I won’t send anyone else.

With such a huge matter at stake, I’ll go myself.”

Suo Lun was taken aback and said, “This will require going out to sea, and on the way, we might encounter ships from the Gui Xingfu fleet, your Grace…”

“I don’t believe Gui Xingfu would dare lay a hand on me,” Duke Zhi Ting said coldly.

“That’s settled then, I’ll personally accompany you to Chaos Stone Island.

I really want to see how your salt is produced?”

…

That night, Duke Zhi Ting secretly entered the palace.

The following day, Duke Zhi Ting, who had almost never left the royal city, announced that he was going to the southeast of the kingdom to relax.

Instantly, the nobles of the royal city were jubilant; the disaster was finally leaving, albeit for a short while.

In contrast, the governorship of the Rage Wave Kingdom’s southeast, the Prefectural Governors, and the Nobles and Lords were all anxious.

This pest better not come to my territory.

This notorious debauchee from the royal city was infamous for his greed and difficult demands.

Under the protection of several thousand elite soldiers, Duke Zhi Ting rode in the most comfortable and magnificent carriage out of the royal city, heading east along the imperial road.

Despite hurrying along, it took a full seven days to reach Izumo County on the northeastern coast of the Rage Wave Kingdom.

The reason for choosing to set sail from here is that Izumo County happened to be under Duke Zhi Ting’s jurisdiction.

The Prefectural Governor of this region, Zuodao Jin, was a fallen nobleman, who had clambered up to his position by shamelessly groveling at Duke Zhi Ting’s feet.

Of course, that’s as far as his official career would go.

Duke Zhi Ting’s influence in the political arena extended no further.

Besides, he had two salt fields in Izumo County, which needed Zuodao Jin’s care.

Yet, being able to sit securely as the Prefectural Governor for life, he was entirely satisfied—even his ancestors would be proud.

As for being despised by the nobles across the land for his groveling to Duke Zhi Ting?

What of it?

Compared to wealth and honor, what’s the worth of reputation?

Hearing that his lord was coming, Prefectural Governor Zuodao Jin was both afraid and excited, having prepared everything meticulously.

He arranged for the finest food, the most luxurious estates, the most beautiful women, including even his wives and concubines.

Still, he feared that his preparations might not be thorough enough, which kept him awake night after night.

In the end, when Duke Zhi Ting arrived at Izumo County, he didn’t stop at all.

He directly boarded a grand and luxurious ship, leading a fleet majestically out to sea.

At once, Prefectural Governor Zuodao Jin collapsed to the ground, nearly wet himself with fright, utterly dispirited and chilled to the bone.

“Have I done something wrong to displease my lord?

Is my end coming?”

His sole reliance had been on Duke Zhi Ting, and if he were to be abandoned, his family would be truly and utterly ruined.

Without dwelling on how Prefectural Governor Zuodao Jin returned to his office in a state of terror, hiding under his blankets and weeping in utter despair…

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