Chapter 456: New Method of Sea Salt

Chen Dynasty, Huainan Circuit, Chu Prefecture Salt Works.

In midsummer, the blazing sun like fire scorched the vast coastal flats.

Here was not the traditional scene of densely packed furnaces and swirling smoke.

Instead, there were carefully planned, checkerboard‑like shallow pools, shimmering under the sun like giant mirrors set into the earth.

This was the highly confidential, Ministry of Works‑directly administered 'New Method Salt Works'.

The Salt Works Director, a dark‑skinned old craftsman with rough hands, accompanied the incognito Zhao Lao Nian as they walked along the dikes of the salt fields.

His face showed uncontained excitement as he pointed to a pool where white crystals had already precipitated, his voice trembling with emotion:

"Lord Zhao, look! It's done! Really done!"

"This batch of beach‑dried salt will be ready for harvest in two days!"

"I roughly estimate that the output of just this one pool equals ten days of nonstop boiling from thirty traditional furnaces."

Zhao Lao Nian crouched, scooping up a handful of salt crystals from the pool bottom.

The salt was pure white, uniform, dry to the touch, lacking the bitter impurities common in boiled salt.

He held it to his nose; only the clean scent of sea salt remained.

"Good! Good!"

Zhao Lao Nian slapped his thigh, his face breaking into a smile that revealed teeth yellowed by smoke.

"This beach‑drying method is truly a hundred times better than that damned boiling method!"

He could barely contain his excitement, saying to the Salt Works Director:

"Tell me in detail—what are the costs now? How much labor is required?"

The Director replied, enumerating every point:

"Sir, costs have already dropped greatly!"

"This method needs no firewood cutting, no building of many furnaces, no round‑the‑clock fire‑tending by countless furnace households."

"The main outlay is the initial labor and materials to construct the salt fields, water channels, and storage ponds."

"Once built, only a few salt workers need to follow the steps: let tidal water into the pools, let sun and wind evaporate and concentrate the brine; when the brine reaches a certain concentration, divert it to the crystallization pools to yield salt."

"Calculated this way, the cost per catty of salt is less than thirty percent of the old method."

"Labor is saved by more than seventy percent!"

"Less than thirty percent cost! Over seventy percent labor saved!"

Hearing this, Zhao Lao Nian's eyes lit up; he rubbed his hands together repeatedly.

"Heaven bless Great Chen! Heaven bless Great Chen!"

He well knew that salt revenues had always been a major source of income for the Imperial Court.

If this method could be spread, it would not only greatly increase state treasury income but also free up the huge labor force formerly engaged in salt boiling for other productive construction.

This would undoubtedly give the burgeoning Chen Dynasty a powerful boost!

Several days later, in the Private Villa's Quiet Chamber,

Zhao Lao Nian brought several jars of the white sea salt produced by the new method, together with a detailed report, and reported this major breakthrough to Chen Wen and the other Guardians.

"... Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, this is the salt produced by the new method."

Zhao Lao Nian opened the salt jar and invited everyone to examine it.

"After repeated trials by the Imperial Medical Bureau and the kitchen, its flavor is pure, far superior to old salt, and it contains hardly any harmful impurities."

"More importantly, its cost has plummeted and labor demand has shrunk dramatically."

He pointed to the data on the report.

"Based on the current scale of the Chu Prefecture Salt Works, if this method is rolled out nationwide, our dynasty's salt output could double within a year, and salt tax revenue could rise by at least fifty percent—if managed well, it might even double."

A chorus of sharp intakes of breath filled the quiet chamber.

Even the Guardians, accustomed to great storms, were shaken by these astonishing numbers.

Zhang Cheng picked up a few grains of salt, examined them closely, then put them back, sighing:

"Food is the people's heaven; salt gives food its flavor. Though seemingly ordinary, this is a vital national asset."

"Doubled output, doubled tax revenue… this is a great boon to strengthening the foundations of the state."

Wang Ru turned to more practical concerns:

"This must be kept strictly secret! The method, especially its core principle, must not leak to False Song."

"Otherwise, with their larger population and longer coastline, they would benefit far more than we do—this would be a zero‑sum loss with unimaginable consequences."

Qian Gui nodded in agreement:

"Envoy Wang is quite right. False Song's finances are already tight; obtaining this method would be like rain after a long drought, greatly easing their plight."

"It must be classified as top secret!"

Shi Dun turned to military considerations:

"Increased salt revenues will fill the treasury, giving us greater confidence to train troops, build ships, and forge weapons."

"Good! Excellent!"

Chen Wen listened silently to the discussion, his fingers brushing over the white, lustrous salt grains, feeling their fine texture.

His thoughts went far beyond mere finance and military matters.

He pondered deeper, farther.

"This salt method is indeed a national asset."

Chen Wen spoke slowly, his voice steady:

"Its benefit lies not only in increased revenue but also in… it is a potential force capable of shaking the economic foundations of False Song."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, turning their gaze to Chen Wen.

The False Song implements the salt monopoly, inheriting the old system of the previous dynasty; official operation and exclusive sale give rise to numerous ills, salt prices are high, private salt proliferates, the people suffer, and the court cannot fully reap its benefits.

Its financial difficulties, the harms of the salt policy are also an important part.

If our dynasty were to grasp this low-cost, high-quality salt source, the future……

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

One could seize the opportunity, using this as a vanguard to strike at their salt market, disturb their finances, and even…… undermine the foundation of their livelihood.

Zhang Cheng's eyes flashed with a sharp light:

The lord's intention is…… an economic war?

One could think so, but not now.

Chen Wen said in a deep voice.

For now, our dynasty still needs to rely on this method to consolidate our foundations; we are far from the time to take the initiative.

Moreover, once this method is exposed, the Iron Crow Army will spare no cost to obtain it, or destroy it.

Therefore, the foremost task at present is secrecy and internal promotion.

He looked toward Zhao Lao Nian and gave the order:

Zhao Lao Nian, the Ministry of Works shall immediately devise a detailed plan for the expansion of the new-law salt fields and the renovation of the old ones.

Site selection must be concealed, management strict; all participating artisans and clerks must undergo rigorous scrutiny and be required to sign confidentiality agreements.

The salt produced by the new method shall initially be prioritized for military needs and the state granaries; any small amount put on the market must also have its source controlled, and absolutely no information related to the new method may be leaked.

I, your servant, obey the command!

Zhao Lao Nian responded solemnly.

Chen Wen then turned his gaze to Wang Ru:

The Jing'an Bureau must strengthen protection and surveillance of both new and old salt fields, especially the artisans who master the core technology, to guard against any possible infiltration or espionage.

At the same time, closely monitor the False Song's salt prices and salt policy trends.

Yes!

Wang Ru accepted the order.

Chen Wen finally looked at that jar of salt, his eyes sharp.

Classify this salt method as a secret of the same rank as the 'Demon-Dispelling Crossbow' and the 'Sea-Subduing Class' treasure ships.

It is now a sharp blade hidden in our sleeve; we will not reveal it lightly before the right moment.

The success of the sea-salt new method is like silently honing for the Chen dynasty an invisible blade that may one day sever the opponent's economic lifeline.

What it brings is not only immediate, tangible wealth, but also a deeply concealed strategic advantage that lies in wait for the opportune moment.