Inside the main hall of the Prefect's mansion in Huaiyang.
Numerous salt merchants were gathered, discussing how to unmask the mastermind behind the scenes. Although they had temporarily found a way to cope, as salt merchants, every acquisition of salt permits and purchase of official salt required significant ready cash.
Whether for bribes or direct purchase, officials and the court only recognized hard currency.
Without sufficient funds, it was difficult to conduct business.
Therefore, while converting all their gold, silver, and jewelry into tangible assets could sustain them for a while, it wasn't a long-term solution. If it continued, their salt businesses would be unsustainable.
Thus, for them, this issue had to be resolved; failure to do so would be tantamount to being forced to their deaths.
Before Prefect Zhen's arrival, the salt merchants present were already agitatedly discussing amongst themselves, complaining and speculating.
"Life is truly unbearable. Those in power neither find ways to solve our problems nor stop demanding money from us. If this continues, we'll be left with nothing. How can we possibly supply them with funds?"
"Exactly! The salt permits are about to expire, and it's time to spend a fortune again. But now, we dare not keep much in savings at home. This is clearly pushing us to our deaths. Who is this scoundrel responsible for our plight?"
"Li Sancai and Zhao Weidong have already decided to quit being salt merchants, sell off their assets, and return to being ordinary gentry. They're worry-free now. Unlike us, we're almost driven mad with worry. My hair is falling out in clumps these days! Zhang Dahai even turned white-haired overnight! Who possesses such immense power to steal our assets from under the noses of so many of us? I initially suspected an inside job, but now it seems impossible. It's as if we've encountered a ghost."
"Actually, I feel this matter is beyond human capability. Have you heard the Legend of the White Snake? When Xiao Qing stole the official silver, didn't she use some 'Five Ghosts Moving Treasure' technique? It left no trace, as if it vanished into thin air. If they hadn't been so careless and used the official silver to pay Xu Xian, they wouldn't have been caught!"
"Are you suggesting supernatural intervention? I've lived over forty years and never heard of any real monsters anywhere. Oh, it must be some unparalleled thief. If there were monsters, it wouldn't be so... In this world of daylight, how can there be monsters?"
"Hey, if you ask me, it really does seem like it! Even if it's not a monster, it's likely some demonic cultivator. Have we been looking in the wrong direction? Perhaps we shouldn't have sought the government's help, but instead invited a Taoist priest. Maybe they could have seen something."
As they were discussing, the somewhat troubled local prefect strode in. The salt merchants immediately fell silent, rose in unison, and bowed. Although they were all wealthy, some with powerful backing, a merchant was still a merchant. While scholars, farmers, and artisans might not always rank above them, and often didn't, scholars were absolutely superior. Thus, no matter how rich they were, they dared not show disrespect.
Prefect Zhen, however, was clearly not in the mood for pleasantries. He waved his hand, signaling them to be seated.
"I am aware of your predicament. This matter has even alerted the imperial court, but I have truly done my utmost. Almost all cities in the vicinity of Huaiyang Prefecture have entered a state of strict investigation. All persons and goods entering and exiting major cities are also being thoroughly inspected. However, nothing has been found. It is virtually impossible for so many items to be transported out stealthily. Yet, you know the results of the inspections within the city; no tunnels or any other irregularities were discovered, nor were your missing goods. This matter is clearly unusual. Thus far, I have found only one potentially related clue, which also involves you and requires your cooperation in the investigation, which is why I specifically summoned you here to discuss it."
"Some time ago, I received a piece of information. In regions like eastern and central Dian, a period of 'Salt God' worship suddenly emerged. Upon investigation, it was found that the cause was many villagers and mountain dwellers in those areas who had suddenly received a considerable amount of salt that had 'fallen from the sky.' The scope of this phenomenon was vast, involving a large number of people. The preliminary estimate of the salt involved was no less than ten million catties. This precisely matches the amount of salt lost by several salt merchants half a year ago. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the salt 'received from the sky' by those villagers and mountain dwellers is likely the salt you lost. However, how did ten million catties of salt manage to be transported out of the city, and how did it pass through numerous checkpoints to be transported thousands of miles to eastern and central Dian! This involves a great many matters and raises many perplexing questions. Now, tell me, among you, are there any who sell salt in eastern and central Dian, and what has been your sales situation over the past six months?"
As the Prefect of Huaiyang Prefecture said this, the salt merchants present all felt a chill run down their spines. Several even gasped in disbelief, while others suddenly understood. They now realized why their salt sales in those regions had plummeted.
"Lord Zhen, our family does sell salt to the areas you mentioned, and sales in those regions have indeed dropped significantly in the past six months. However, we only assumed someone was selling a large amount of smuggled salt locally, so we merely asked the local prefectural office to help crack down on private salt sales, without delving deeper into the specific situation. We never expected this to be the reason. But how was so much salt transported there? And why would they give away salt for free?"
One of the salt merchants immediately replied, also voicing his confusion. In his opinion, giving away stolen goods for free was a complete loss, not to mention the effort of transporting it so far and the risks of exposure along the way.
"Our family also sells salt to places like eastern and central Dian, and our sales have dropped dramatically. Only recently have they begun to recover slightly, but not significantly."
"But that doesn't make sense either. How could so much salt be transported out without a sound? There are so many checkpoints along the way; it's impossible for it not to be discovered. It's not like it flew through the air, is it?"
"This is simply too outrageous..."
"Could it really be a supernatural being at work?"
"Lord Zhen, do you have any conclusions?"