Chapter 95: Reckless Moves Lead to Turmoil

A flicker of surprise crossed Cai Cong’s eyes. As long as they found a good buyer, this tiger skin alone could provide a wealthy life for the entire family, yet they were giving it away for free.

“If the elder intends to give it away, it should be to County Magistrate Du. Were it not for his earnest pleas, I would already be in Luoyang and wouldn’t be concerned with your matters,” Cai Cong said coolly. The village chief looked gratefully at Du Yunlong and bent down, about to kneel.

Du Yunlong quickly stopped him and sincerely said, “As the people's official, seeing the villagers go hungry, how could I rest easy? As long as the people live well, I am satisfied.”

“Ah, ah, please both of you sit for a moment. Young Second Brother, go fetch some pelts and medicinal herbs to show them — these are all fine goods!” The village chief nodded excitedly, then rose and walked off, scolding Gou Sheng for being too slow.

“This village isn’t bad. Go call people from the nearby villages; I won’t visit each one individually.”

“Yes, your servant will summon them immediately.”

“Good! Xinda, give the order to cook a big meal today. I’m in the mood for barbecue.”

Cai Cong said calmly. Soon, the aroma of grilled meat wafted through the mountain village, and the children crowded together, drooling.

“Do you want to eat some?” Cai Cong held out chicken wings and asked. They nodded, then quickly shook their heads. Of course they wanted to eat, but their elders had taught them not to accept favors casually, so they refused, even if their own black dough dumplings tasted awful.

“Heh heh, Village Chief, today I want to treat everyone to a meal. Please do me the honor!” Cai Cong waved his hand, and the table was piled with food. He smiled and spoke to the village chief.

“Thank you, young master. And you should thank the great master!” The village chief swallowed hard. He had eaten plenty of meat in his life, but others always salted it generously and added various seasonings. Their meat, however, was so stingy with salt that it tasted like chewing wax.

Eating the barbecue, the village chief sighed, “Ah, it’s been years since I’ve had meat salted like this. Unfortunately, the salt from our mountain is poisonous; otherwise, we wouldn’t be struggling like this.”

“Hmm? You say there are salt mines on your mountain?” Cai Cong put down his chopsticks, surprised.

“Yes, salt is everywhere on the mountain, but it’s inedible. Eating it causes diarrhea, and too much can kill. Otherwise, even if we sold it secretly, our village would be prosperous,” the village chief said regretfully, openly mentioning selling illegal salt in front of the officials.

“Looks like money won’t be a problem. County Magistrate Du, do you have the documents? I want to buy these mountains.”

Cai Cong smiled. Others might not know how to refine the salt, but he did.

“The documents are here, but...” Du Yunlong hesitated. Cai Cong’s mention of buying the mountains for salt clearly implied some unknown method to turn waste into treasure.

---

But if they sold the mountains to Cai Cong, what would happen to the mountain people? They had lived off the mountain for generations; without it, they wouldn’t survive long.

“Rest assured, County Magistrate Du. After purchasing the mountains, all the mountain people nearby who wish to work for me can become long-term laborers. Even so, more workers will be needed.”

“Xinda, immediately dispatch a team to the mountains to survey the salt mines, bringing along geomancers. We must ascertain the quantity precisely.”

Cai Cong would not buy such a vast mountain without first sending people to investigate.

“This... this won’t do! Your Excellency, we have lived here for generations. If we sell it, what will become of us?” The village chief now looked at Cai Cong with suspicion, thinking he was a good man but finding instead a ruthless wolf.

“Village Chief, rest assured. I, Cai Cong, am no tyrant. Even after purchasing the land, I guarantee your village can remain here. I will not disturb your ancestral graves. If I damage the feng shui, you’d have me at your mercy,” Cai Cong said solemnly. In ancient times, villages and ancestral tombs were sacred; if he hadn’t clarified, the mountain people would have turned violent immediately.

“Is this true, young master? Even if you buy the mountains, you won’t disturb our village or graves?” The village chief asked skeptically.

“My word is my bond. If you don’t believe me, I can sign a contract with you. But that will be after my people confirm the salt’s presence,” Cai Cong said coolly. He had already done well to explain this; further explanations were impossible.

After such a serious matter, light conversation was no longer easy. Cai Cong brewed tea and waited calmly. As the sun began to set, village chiefs from other villages arrived, panting heavily.

In these days, travel was all by foot and communication by shouting, so their arrival was already impressive.

Compared to the village chief of Shigou, these others were timid and inarticulate. Cai Cong had no desire to speak with them and sent Du Yunlong to negotiate and inspect the goods they brought.

Such matters were hardly for village chiefs to decide. Du Yunlong said something, and they nodded submissively, smiling widely. As long as the Cai family caravan bought their goods, they would have money.

The medicinal herbs and pelts were excellent. The official in charge of Gongyi County’s commerce immediately decided that if quality could be maintained, the caravan would return monthly to purchase.

Du Yunlong asked whether to consult the elder, but the person in charge shook his head, smiling. Whatever the caravan leader decided, the elder would not oppose, even if it meant a loss.

After the traders reported, Cai Cong smiled and nodded, entrusting the entire matter to him.

Du Yunlong admired him greatly. Such a large business would surely earn tens of thousands of strings of cash annually, yet Cai Cong entrusted it all to a small county caravan.

---

With the decision made, they agreed that next month the villagers would bring their goods to the official road for settlement.

The next day, the team sent into the mountains returned. They found not only many salt mines but also a vast salt lake — a veritable treasure trove.

Cai Cong immediately signed a contract with Du Yunlong, purchasing the entire mountain range for an enormous sum of ten thousand strings of cash.

Money was trivial to Cai Cong, but others were heartbroken. Gan Xinda tried several times to dissuade him but failed.

“Xinda, no need for words. Since I dare buy these poisonous salt mines, I have methods to turn waste into treasure. Prepare gauze, iron pots, iron pipes, barrels, and charcoal. I will personally demonstrate how to transform poisonous salt into blue salt.”

Cai Cong said confidently. Gan Xinda looked displeased. He wanted to stop him, but someone was already gathering the materials. Gan Xinda’s face darkened as he stood there, lost in thought.

Suddenly, he drew his knife, eyes red, and shouted at everyone, “This is the elder’s secret technique. Unauthorized persons, step back immediately. No one may approach within thirty feet. Anyone caught spying will be killed without mercy.”

Gan Xinda’s words shocked everyone present. Cai Cong’s face darkened; who had authorized Gan Xinda to give such an order on his behalf?

Soldiers immediately drew swords and drove everyone away, even Du Yunlong was expelled. Cai Cong watched coldly, saying nothing.

Seeing the place cleared, Gan Xinda threw down his knife and knelt before Cai Cong.

“I need an explanation,” Cai Cong said coldly. When he looked at Gan Xinda, the familiarity of old was gone.

P.S.: Just arrived in Shenzhen, feeling carsick. Will try to update another chapter before eleven.

(The End of this Chapter)