Chapter 139

Yuwen Yuan really did not want to be contrary or pour cold water on him.

But could these simple tools, which could be seen everywhere, really refine that kind of high-quality fine salt that was distinct grain by grain and without any impurities?

Yuwen Yuan held a skeptical attitude.

"Of course."

Chen Yan set up the small pot, toyed with the rock salt ore cut into small pieces in his hand, and said decisively.

He paused, then continued: "These few tools are more than enough to refine fine salt..."

These few tools were almost a replica of what a certain man surnamed Yun used when he first arrived in the Great Tang.

Moreover, before this, Chen Yan had practiced countless times alone in the mansion...

"You really are confident..."

Yuwen Yuan shook her head helplessly upon hearing this, but out of kindness, she still whispered a reminder: "Be careful and cautious, don't mess it up!"

"Your Highness, we have made a bet; surely no one hopes more than you that this official fails?"

Chen Yan heard this, tilted his head to look at Yuwen Yuan, who was watching from the side, and teased: "Why are you concerned?"

"Hmph!"

Yuwen Yuan gave a light huff, curled her lips, and said: "I'm afraid that the dignified Great Zhou Poet Immortal will lift a rock only to drop it on his own feet..."

It was just a mere bet; she did not take it to heart at all.

Winning or losing was not as important as the method of refining fine salt.

Yuwen Yuan clearly knew that once the refining method was proven true, especially if it was completed through such simple tools, it would have a huge impact on the Great Zhou...

How many commoners could eat fine salt and avoid losing their lives...

"Then Your Highness, just watch and see!" Chen Yan said, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

After a long while.

Chen Yan was still sitting cross-legged in front of the set-up small pot, without any movement.

He had not even started a fire.

He was even extremely calm, closing his eyes to rest his mind.

Yuwen Yuan watched the motionless Chen Yan and could not help but ask: "Chief Mirror Officer Chen, it has been almost a quarter of an hour; why haven't you started yet?"

Especially as the sun in the sky grew stronger, she became increasingly irritable.

"Patience."

Chen Yan did not even lift his eyelids, merely slowly spitting out these four words.

He paused, then continued: "One must wait for an auspicious time to invite the gods with sincerity..."

His appearance was like an old monk who had attained the Dao entering meditation.

"Pretending to be mysterious." Yuwen Yuan curled her lips and gave a light huff.

Even with her keen eyes, she actually could not see through what kind of trick this guy was playing...

Pei Suiwan did not say a word, but she broke into a cold sweat for Chen Yan.

Only as time ticked by, the people watching in the back garden gathered more and more.

"Hey, why are you all running over there?"

"What happened?"

A Pei clan concubine's daughter who was reading stopped several cousins who were running continuously toward the back garden and asked curiously.

"You don't know?"

The woman who was stopped asked back.

She paused, then continued: "The Great Zhou Poet Immortal is going to refine fine salt in the back garden of our mansion!"

"You said who?!"

"The Great Zhou Poet Immortal?"

"And he is going to refine fine... fine salt in our mansion?!"

"Is this true?!"

The Pei clan concubine's daughter was stunned, her eyes widened in surprise.

She knew the Great Zhou Poet Immortal was coming to visit and express gratitude today, but she did not expect he would also refine fine salt...

That was fine salt!

"The rock salt ore has already been sent over..."

"How could that be fake?"

"If you go too slowly, you won't be able to see it!"

The woman slapped away the hand that was holding her and left impatiently.

This kind of thing must not be missed, especially since she could see the famous Great Zhou Poet Immortal; it was said he was an extremely handsome man...

Once missed, she would truly regret it for the rest of her life!

If he took a fancy to her, could there be a better destination than this?

"Then I must hurry!" The Pei clan concubine's daughter heard this, dropped the book in her hand, and followed closely behind.

Another long while passed.

The people in the back garden gathered more and more and began to discuss noisily.

"It's been almost the time of an incense stick, why haven't they started yet?"

"Lord Chen said he is waiting for an auspicious time..."

"Can he really do it?"

"That's right, the Great Zhou Poet Immortal is good at writing poetry, but it's impossible for him to know everything, right?"

"That is fine salt!"

"Exactly."

"I think he's just afraid of being exposed and is starting to stall for time..."

As time passed, and with Chen Yan using the excuse of waiting for an "auspicious time" to remain inactive, the gathered Pei clan members began to become restless.

Questions arose one after another, ringing incessantly in the ears.

Even Du Shuying began to waver, leaned toward Pei Suiwan, lowered her voice, and asked: "Suiwan, do you think Lord Chen Yan can do it?"

"He definitely can!"

Pei Suiwan said firmly without any hesitation.

Immediately, she turned around, swept her gaze over the onlookers to the left and right, raised her volume, and said sternly: "All of you, shut up!"

"Do not discuss it noisily there!"

"Yes."

Compelled by the authority of the Pei clan's legitimate daughter, those concubine-born children and cousins had to lower their heads and agree.

The scene instantly became silent and returned to calm.

"Old You, do you think our Young Master can do it?" Zhu Yi used his elbow to nudge You Xian beside him and asked with a smile.

"Old Zhu, I don't know how to refine it..." You Xian shrugged and said nonchalantly.

He paused, then continued: "But when has our Lord ever fought a battle without preparation?"

You Xian did not understand how to refine fine salt.

But as a personal guard following the Qinzhou judge, he was crystal clear about his own Chief Mirror Officer's style of doing things.

Even if he used strange moves, he would cautiously make full preparations to minimize risks.

In the current situation, it was even more impossible for him to shoot without a target...

"I think so too..." Zhu Yi nodded, appreciating Chen Yan's performance with great interest.

He always felt that his Young Master was actually deliberately waiting for something...

"Brother A Yan, no need to worry..."

"Suiwan believes you can do it!"

Pei Suiwan stepped forward, squatted beside Chen Yan, and comforted him softly.

Truly a good girl... Chen Yan opened his eyes, sighed in his heart, and replied: "Hmm."

On the attic of the back garden.

"Father, it's right here!"

Pei Xilou walked to the railing on the third floor and pointed down.

"There really are quite a few people watching..." Pei Xun lowered his eyes and swept over, saying.

He finally came... Chen Yan keenly captured his target for this trip, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and he said loudly: "The auspicious time has arrived!"

"Zhu Yi, light the fire!"

Zhu Yi, having received the order, acted accordingly, took out a fire starter, and lit the firewood under the pot.

Chen Yan skillfully shaved off the mineral salt, ground it into powder, and put it into clean water to stir and disperse it.

Then he used cloth for preliminary filtration, filtering the solution into the pot.

After the salt-water mixture in the pot was slightly clear, he used charcoal powder for secondary filtration.

Until the liquid was clean, transparent, and free of impurities.

He poured the filtered salt water onto a large stone and placed it under the sun to dry, allowing the water to evaporate naturally.

After the water evaporated, the white powder left on the large stone drew exclamations from those around:

"As white as snow, distinct grains, this... is this really fine salt?!"

"It is fine salt!"

"The Poet Immortal has refined the fine salt!"

"Miraculous skill! Miraculous skill indeed!"

"This is simply inconceivable!"

"How on earth was it done?!"

Those who had previously questioned him, having witnessed the whole process with their own eyes, instantly changed their faces, shocked beyond measure.

"He... actually really refined it?!"

Yuwen Yuan's throat rolled, she exhaled a turbid breath, was incomparably surprised in her heart, and sighed: "As expected of the person the Great Chancellor has taken a fancy to!"

"He never disappoints!"

Chen Yan pinched the fine salt on the stone, sprinkled it like snow, and asked with a smile: "Your Highness, how is it?"

"You won!"

"A bet is a bet; this Princess owes you a promise..."

Yuwen Yuan stared fixedly at the fine salt and said in a deep voice.

She paused, then continued: "I just don't know if this refining method can be...?"

But before she could finish speaking, she was directly interrupted by a vigorous voice from the attic: "Chief Mirror Officer Chen, may you come up to the attic to have a chat with this old man?"