Chapter 8, feeling struck down

However, are these Loulan people really that intelligent

Li Shimin certainly did not believe in the supernatural; he picked up some fine salt and tasted it lightly

As they spoke, everyone had already arrived at a mountain. Upon approaching the mountain, Li Shimin heard the clanging sounds.

By that time, these fine salts will belong to me!

After a pause, the person in charge seemed to feel that the blow was not enough, and added, "Not to mention you, even if the current Emperor wanted that ice silkworm silk, the Loulan people would not sell it to him, because the Emperor cannot produce this fine salt, do you understand what I mean"

Suddenly, a salty taste flooded his mind

Those three courtesans you trained and those silks and stockings are also mine

The Eighteen Riders of Yanyun belong to me!

The person in charge chuckled lightly upon hearing this: "This is the fine salt produced by our governor, which is different from ordinary coarse salt. If you don't believe me, you can try it yourself"

However, now the refined salt produced by Luotong has no bitterness at all; in other words, the value of this refined salt far exceeds that of coarse salt

No matter how hard Cheng Yaojin tried to think, he could not understand why the Loulan people would take them to the salt mine

At this moment, Li Shimin suddenly squinted his eyes: "In fact, they must feel that the matter of the salt mine violates the laws of our Tang Dynasty, but they do not know how to resolve it, which is why they brought us over, pulling us into their scheme of selling illicit salt."

The salt they are currently using, although it has a salty taste, actually carries a slight bitterness due to its coarse nature

Li Shimin gazed into the distance and discovered that the entire salt mine was divided into three areas. The foremost area consisted of these salt wells, behind which were rows of houses that appeared to be used for salt refining. In the farthest distance, some individuals were drilling, clearly engaged in the extraction of new salt wells

In the past, upon a glance, the mountains and fields were filled with people. At the mouths of wells resembling water wells, many individuals were continuously extracting substances from within. The brine extracted was placed into nearby buckets, from which it was then carried away to distant houses.

Luotong is the last bloodline of Luocheng; if he dies, the Luo family will be extinguished

"Isn't it a bit hasty for us to join them in the business of selling illicit salt just because of a disagreement?" Cheng Yaojin still seemed somewhat unconvinced

Luotong, wait for me. I have now found the evidence of your illegal salt trading.

This is to strike against oneself

What is this thing

The illustrious emperor of the Tang Dynasty was actually deceived by someone

The salt here is both fine and small

Li Shimin cast a cold glance at Cheng Yaojin and said, "Rest assured, as long as his smuggling of private salt is not excessive, I will allow him to live"

Cheng Yaojin sensed the killing intent emanating from Li Shimin, and his heart skipped a beat

He finally understood why the Loulan people brought him here

Upon recalling the collusion between Luotong and the Loulan people, who sold a large quantity of salt at https://www.hetushu.com, the murderous intent that Li Shimin had originally suppressed suddenly resurfaced in his heart

"May I take a look at this salt?" Li Shimin suddenly asked the person in charge.

And all of this is brought about by the fine salt produced by Luo Tong

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows and said, "What do you think then?"

He previously thought that the Loulan people were afraid of conflicting with him, worried that he would persist in wanting to buy ice silk. It turns out they were not afraid of his persistence at all; they directly delivered a dimensional blow with refined salt

Li Shimin's expression changed dramatically as he fixed his gaze on the fine salt in his hand, feeling an overwhelming sense of astonishment in his heart

That little rascal Luotongna has produced refined salt and has monopolized the ice silkworm silk of the Loulan people with it. How can I still purchase ice silkworm silk from the Loulan people!

At that moment, a voice suddenly came from a distance, belonging to Cheng Yaojin: "My lord, hurry up, they are deliberately luring us over!"

After a moment of hesitation, Cheng Yaojin quietly pleaded, "Your Majesty, Luo Tong is still young and may inevitably stray onto the wrong path. I hope Your Majesty can grant him a chance to live."

What is even more critical is that the Yanyun Eighteen Riders saw them heading towards the salt mine together with the Loulan people, yet they did not take action to stop them

At this moment, Li Shimin solidified his determination to capture Luotong

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression darkened instantly

The middle-aged man laughed heartily upon hearing this and took the receipt from the steward's hand: "We trust Lord Luo; he is forever a friend of the Loulan people"

The person in charge at www.hetushu.com seemed to know why Li Shimin had come here. Upon hearing this, he shrugged and smiled, saying, "Of course!"

Li Shimin's expression darkened, and a thought suddenly sprang to his mind

Is it true that salt is categorized into coarse salt and fine salt

That guy, Luotong, is utterly despicable

Li Shimin approached the bags filled with fine salt. He untied one of the bags and discovered a large expanse of tiny white granules inside, which was quite different from the salt he was familiar with

The Loulan Kingdom is located in a remote area, lacking even coarse salt. Now that Luotong is willing to exchange refined salt for their ice silkworm silk, the Loulan people should be grateful to Luotong's ancestors for eight generations

Such a large salt mine, that rascal Rotong must have sold quite a bit of illicit salt

Cheng Yaojin rolled his eyes

The source of this ice silkworm silk is something others can only dream of; the Loulan people are not fools and would never give up such precious resources.

At this moment, Li Shimin frowned, somewhat surprised

Compared to refined salt, Li Shimin's use of money to purchase ice silk is simply an insult to the Loulan people

refined salt

If we continue to talk like this today, then there will be nothing left to discuss

"When we arrive at the salt mine, I will hold them back. You and the hundred riders should investigate the situation over there. Once I have gathered evidence against Luotong, I will ensure he is brought to justice"

Along the way, Cheng Yaojin, somewhat puzzled, quietly asked Li Shimin beside him: "Your Majesty, why are they taking us over there?"

Hmph, I can spare your life, but you have violated the laws of the Great Tang regarding *maps* and *books*, and you must be apprehended

In a moment of contemplation, a person resembling a steward approached the group of Loulan people: "The fine salt is ready. Please check it, and if everything is correct, kindly sign on this."

After reading this, Li Shimin's face instantly darkened ominously

Moreover, over there are some abandoned salt wells, which must have already extracted all the brine from within. This indicates that Luotong must have begun mining this salt mine a long time ago

By the end, Li Shimin's tone had already carried a hint of murderous intent

I have been ambushed

Hearing this, Li Shimin let out a cold laugh and looked up at the Loulan man leading the way: "They are not fools; they must have sensed my extraordinary presence and do not wish to engage in conflict with us, which is why they are taking the initiative to lead us to the salt mine"

So much salt, it is all money

With this assurance, Cheng Yaojin let out a sigh of relief

Not only did the other party not hide anything, but they even took the initiative to bring them to the salt mine, which is somewhat perplexing. Could it be that the other party is not afraid of the matter being leaked out

This salt mine is vast, at least beyond the sight of Li Shimin, and there are many people on the mountain, densely packed with individuals. What is strange, however, is that each person is dedicated to their task, diligently working without a single person slacking off

If you had said this earlier, it would have saved me a lot of thought

Although the refined salt was produced by you, the fact that you, Luotong, and the Loulan people are engaged in the trafficking of illicit salt is indeed true

The sale of illicit salt is a capital offense, and these Loulan people cannot possibly be unaware of it

Living is better than being dead

The salt used by Li Shimin is both coarse and large

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression changed dramatically. He raised his head and looked around, only to see many armored soldiers surrounding him and the hundred riders beside him

The man in charge wore a proud expression: "I am not boasting; there is no one in the entire world who can offer such fine goods to trade with the Loulan people for ice silk. To think you can buy ice silk with money is simply a delusion."

After signing, the other Loulan people then went aside to carry the bags of fine salt

Cheng Yaojin fell silent

After unloading the cargo, the Loulan people indeed took Li Shimin and others to another large mountain.

Selling illicit salt, even the royal relatives of the Tang Dynasty would not have the audacity to do so. Luo Tong actually dares to engage in such activities, truly a remarkable display of boldness.

Therefore, the other party brought him here to see the refined salt and broaden his horizons

Cheng Yaojin's lips curled slightly: "Your Majesty, do you think they believe you are exceptionally brave, which is why they took the initiative to lead the way?"

At that moment of surprise, the steward beside him chuckled lightly: "You came here for the ice silkworm silk supply, didn't you? Now that you've seen these fine salts, I suppose you should have extinguished that thought."

Is this... is this salt?" Li Shimin's eyes widened in disbelief

Li Shimin was so enraged by this thought that his face turned pale

At this thought, Li Shimin's expression suddenly darkened again

Li Shimin shook his head and said with a serious expression: "You do not understand, the business of selling private salt is very profitable, and no one can resist such temptation. But unfortunately for them, they have encountered me today"