It was just a pity that reality didn't give Zheng Nianer this chance!
Or rather, those noble families were not nearly as "kind and benevolent" as Zheng Nianer had once imagined.
Emperor Yongcheng had just obtained the detailed method of salt-making from Zheng Nianer and was preparing to send trusted aides to the seaside to cordon off beaches and dry sea salt, when chaos broke out in the Capital Region.
"Bad news! In the Capital City and the surrounding dozen or so commanderies, all the salt merchants' shops have shut their doors!"
"The Magistrate Mansion arrested dozens of disputes caused by salt in just one day!"
"...Your Majesty, there's no salt in the palace either!"
"And in the South Camp and North Camp, the soldiers can't get salt. They've already started making a fuss. If this isn't handled in time, the camps might explode into mutiny!"
One official after another jumped out in the Imperial court to report the situation.
The first few matters didn't sound that urgent.
