Chapter 44: Cao Aman Was Too Naive

Lu Chuan knew when to stop. Seeing Zhen Jiang lower her posture to such an extent and proactively bring up the favor from yesterday, he stopped pushing further and said, "Very well, since Miss Zhen puts it that way, let us sit down and talk. Please!"

Returning to the main hall, Zhen Jiang no longer had any interest in the food on the table. Even though these dishes were cooked with refined salt and tasted exquisite, compared to the refined salt business, none of this mattered.

"Lord Lu, my mind is entirely consumed by the matter of refined salt. I implore you, my lord, not to keep me in such suspense. If you have any terms in mind, please state them outright. I am fully authorized to represent the Zhen family and make a decisive judgment."

Having already lowered her posture, Zhen Jiang naturally did not mind doing so once more. Therefore, back at the dining table, she eagerly voiced her demands.

Lu Chuan remained unhurried and asked, "Miss Zhen, in which regions are the sales networks established by your Zhen family primarily located? Jizhou, Youzhou, or Bingzhou?"

Seeing that Lu Chuan had finally gotten down to business, the boulder in Zhen Jiang's chest finally settled.

"Jizhou, Youzhou, and Bingzhou all have sales networks established by our Zhen family. In fact, our Zhen family has built a vast network across the northern territories. There is no commodity that reaches our hands and fails to sell. On this point, Lord Lu can rest assured."

"Is that so? Judging by Miss Zhen's words, you wish to secure the refined salt market in the entire North?"

"Is it... only the North?"

Zhen Jiang still possessed great ambition.

Once a commodity like refined salt appeared in the open market, it would inevitably deal a dimensionality-reduction blow to raw salt. Aside from the common folk who could not afford refined salt, anyone with even modest means would choose it instead. Consequently, the profit margins hidden within were terrifying.

Under such terrifying profit margins, capturing only the northern market versus monopolizing the entire empire's market would yield vastly different returns!

Lu Chuan countered with a question, "Does Miss Zhen mean to say that you wish to leave none for me?"

"No, no, that is not what I meant."

Zhen Jiang quickly corrected herself, suddenly realizing how presumptuous her words had been.

The technology for purifying refined salt was firmly in Lu Chuan's hands. As long as the secret was not leaked, how the refined salt business was conducted was entirely up to him. No matter how capable or influential her Zhen family might be, they could only ever act as distributors.

"Lord Lu is willing to let our Zhen family handle the northern market, and for that, I am already deeply grateful. I dare not harbor any other extravagant demands."

Lu Chuan nodded; he greatly appreciated Zhen Jiang's grasp of current affairs.

"Very well, then it is settled. All refined salt shipped to the North shall be handled by your Zhen family. However, I have two additional requirements!"

"Please speak, Lord Lu. As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse!"

"First, I lack the channels to procure raw salt, so your Zhen family must be responsible for transporting the raw salt here. I will acquire it at market price."

At present, Lu Chuan only mastered the technology for purifying refined salt and possessed suitable production grounds; the only things he lacked were procurement and distribution channels. The inclusion of the Zhen family would perfectly make up for this deficiency.

Zhen Jiang nodded repeatedly. "Naturally! Please rest assured on this point, Lord Lu. Our Zhen family will surely deliver all the necessary raw salt! What is your second requirement?"

"My second requirement is that as the largest distributor in the North, whenever any merchant purchases more than ten Dan of refined salt from your Zhen family, you must register them in a ledger. Record their purchased quantities and sales locations, and deliver all these records to me."

"This... Lord Lu, I do not understand. Why must purchases exceeding ten Dan of refined salt be formally registered? Is there a particular reason behind this?"

"Of course! This is what we call market research. Only by mastering this data can I understand where the markets for refined salt lie, which is also vital for future policy adjustments. I hope that the refined salt I purify can be sold to every corner of the Han Dynasty, allowing everyone to taste purified salt and bid farewell to the bitter-tasting raw salt of the past!"

Lu Chuan spoke with high-sounding righteousness, but in truth, his real motive was to thoroughly map out the Zhen family's sales channels.

To expand and strengthen a business, one must control reliable procurement and distribution channels. Zhen Jiang's performance today was commendable, and the Zhen family's attitude was exemplary, but this did not guarantee the future.

Especially after Yuan Shao's rise to power, if the Zhen family were to throw their full support behind him, the promises Zhen Jiang made today might no longer hold sway. Similarly, when Mi Zhu eventually pledged full allegiance to Liu Bei, Lu Chuan would encounter severe obstacles if he wished to rely on the Mi family's channels for business.

Ultimately, both the Zhen and Mi families had massive backers behind them. If Lu Chuan did not employ some countermeasures, how could he keep them in check later on? Entrusting his own lifeline to others was simply not Lu Chuan's style.

Zhen Jiang looked at Lu Chuan, attempting to discern whether his words were true or false, but ultimately gave up. Lu Chuan's expression remained completely unchanged, making it impossible for her to fathom his thoughts.

Considering the immense market for refined salt, Zhen Jiang truly could not bear to let it slip away. Even though she knew his motives might not be as noble as he claimed, she lacked the courage to refuse. If she dared to refuse, Lu Chuan could simply turn around and cooperate with someone else.

There were countless distribution networks; her Zhen family did not hold a monopoly on all of them. The moment Lu Chuan leaked the news, countless merchants would break their heads trying to get a piece of the action.

After all, Lu Chuan held the absolute advantage.

"Very well, let it be as Lord Lu says. Everyone who purchases more than ten Dan of refined salt will be registered in our ledgers, with their purchase quantities and sales locations meticulously recorded."

Lu Chuan nodded. "Good. Since Miss Zhen is so decisive, I shall say no more. I have already drafted a contract. If Miss Zhen finds everything in order, please sign it."

Zhen Jiang took the contract from Lu Chuan's hands, read through it carefully, found no issues, and signed it on the spot.

The contract was drawn up in triplicate: one copy kept by Lu Chuan on behalf of the Lu County official office, one retained by Zhen Jiang, and the final copy deposited with the Lu County Bureau of Industry and Commerce.

With the signatures and official seals affixed, the contract officially took effect. Both Lu Chuan and Zhen Jiang were immensely satisfied.

After seeing Zhen Jiang and Zhen Mi off, Lu Chuan summoned Lu Shui to instruct him on the construction of the refined salt purification workshop.

Simply put, the site for the purification workshop had to be located right next to the brick-making workshop, and it had to be a fully enclosed structure to prevent outsiders from peeping and leaking the purification technology. Furthermore, the workers inside the workshop must be strictly vetted, employing only local residents of Lu County to cut off the risk of technological leakage at the source.

Having given his instructions to Lu Shui, Lu Chuan prepared to rest, but unexpectedly, Lu Jin hurried in.

"My lord, Cao Cao has mobilized his troops."

"Oh? Mobilized his troops? What is he up to?"

Recalling historical records, Cao Cao had just completed his recruitment at this point in time and should have been focusing on training and recuperating. What could he possibly want by mobilizing troops now?

"According to Cao Cao's marching route and the intelligence sent back by County Commandant Dian, the purpose of Cao Cao's troop movement this time appears to be... attacking Lu County!"

Lu Chuan raised an eyebrow, shifting from surprise to a cold sneer.

This Cao Aman was truly naive. Did he really think that recruiting ten thousand soldiers would allow him to contend with him?