Chapter Forty-Five: Stealing the Secret Recipe

Second Young Master Bai could hardly believe he had actually gotten his hands on the secret recipe. Now, he could easily seek out a few people to help him manufacture the product. However, after searching high and low, he found hardly anyone suitable. Most people, upon seeing the recipe, had no idea where to source the raw materials. No matter how clearly the instructions were written, there was simply no way to complete the process.

“What now? After wasting so much manpower, have I ended up with nothing but a worthless piece of paper?” Second Young Master Bai fumed with frustration.

“Master, it’s not quite like that. We might not have the resources to make use of this stolen recipe, but others might,” a servant suggested.

At these words, understanding dawned on him. The court had allowed only the Han family the privilege of the salt trade, precisely because they alone possessed the method. But if this information was leaked to other counties, it would violate imperial law. Then, all blame could be shifted entirely onto Han Qing. Even if they wished to remain, there would be no way out.

“I knew I chose the right people,” Second Young Master Bai said with a sinister smile.

He immediately instructed Bai Yujing to spread the word. The Bai family’s businesses were widespread, and they frequently traveled to other counties. It would seem quite accidental if the secret were to leak out. In a few days, once word reached Luojing, there would be a spectacle to behold.

Meanwhile, Han Qing did not remain idle. Now that he had learned the Bai family’s closely guarded secret, he was determined to find an opportune moment to reveal everything, dealing a heavy blow to their industry.

But the news of the salt enterprise spread faster and faster—so swiftly, in fact, that it had already reached Luojing. Young Master Zhu was the first to catch wind of the rumors. He immediately summoned Han Qing to discuss the matter. If the authorities dispatched inspectors, how would they handle the situation?

“Brother Han, today’s matter is urgent. You must explain everything clearly,” Zhu said sternly. Clearly, something had unsettled him.

“We recently acquired a salt merchant license. The court’s instructions were explicit: we are forbidden to share the method with others. But now, recipes are circulating in nearby counties. What is going on?” Zhu was thoroughly confused and needed to understand the situation in advance.

“Brother Zhu, you wrong me. I am well aware of the rules, and there is absolutely no chance I would let my people spread the secret,” Han Qing replied calmly. After all, there was no so-called secret in the entire salt-making process. Why would anyone speak of a recipe being passed around?

“Then look at this,” Zhu said, handing over a piece of paper.

Han Qing glanced at the writing and instantly understood. “This isn’t a formula for making salt; this is a prescription for treating goiter. Recently, I noticed many people developed swollen necks and aches after consuming large amounts of salt—a condition that proved difficult to treat…”

He found the situation amusing. The physician Zhang had merely asked him for help with a minor problem, and now even that prescription had been stolen.

“What? Quickly explain this to the authorities! Otherwise, if we’re blamed, won’t it become our responsibility?” Young Master Zhu was bewildered. Every day brought new, inexplicable troubles.

“This is the perfect chance to investigate who dared to steal from the salt guild. Do they think they can disregard imperial edicts?”

“Indeed. But I never expected that you, Brother Han, would also know how to treat illnesses,” Zhu said, genuinely surprised. Han Qing was proving to be an unfathomable man.

“It’s nothing—just a matter of having read a few medical books,” Han Qing replied with composure. After all, none of them even knew what a thyroid was. If he spoke too plainly, they might call him a monster.

Second Young Master Bai had hoped to enjoy a good show, but before he could, he was taken away by officials from the Ministry of Justice.

“Lord Wen, you’re being rather bold. Do you know where you are?” he blustered.

“Second Young Master Bai, there has been a theft at the Han family’s salt guild, and all evidence points to you.”

He wanted to protest his innocence, but there was no way out.

“Investigate!” Second Young Master Bai demanded arrogantly. No one had ever dared challenge him before. Moreover, the operation had been so discreet—what did it matter even if they found out?

“What did you say? That prescription is for treating illness? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” he sputtered, completely at a loss. The writing on that paper was clear—how could it turn out to be a medical formula?

“You needn’t concern yourself further,” Wen Qi replied coldly, casting him a withering glance. Because of the Bai family’s influence, many cases were simply dropped. Now, however, his senior had already left, and there were fewer obstacles.

Cold sweat beaded on Second Young Master Bai’s forehead. Fortunately, his adviser had warned him ahead of time to use Bai Yujing’s name, and all the servants involved were from Bai Yujing’s household. If anything went wrong, there would be a scapegoat. Every trace had been thoroughly erased.

As was customary, the Bai family was fined, and Bai Yujing was forbidden to leave the family estate for several days. This infuriated Old Master Bai. The family claimed this wasn’t Second Young Master’s doing, but anyone with eyes could see the truth.

“You think your actions go unnoticed? It’s only because of my reputation that this matter was brushed aside. If this had been more serious, who could protect you then?” he scolded, preparing to mete out family punishment.

The other elders hurried to intervene. “He only did this to defend our family’s honor. Now the salt merchant’s position remains with the Han family, and all our long-standing clients are lost.”

True as that was, his conduct was far too reckless—he never considered the consequences.

“Gathering that group of advisers was useless—none of their schemes were any good,” Old Master Bai continued his reprimands, then refused to see them any further, ordering them back to their quarters for a long lesson.

After physician Zhang’s experience with the tuberculosis remedy, he had become extremely cautious in his research. Recently, many people in the market were suffering from goiter, which left him deeply troubled.

“Brother Han, you’ve done me a great favor. How much do you intend to sell this prescription for?” the old physician asked slyly, fully aware of the fierce competition in this field but valuing skill and efficacy above all. Few others could match Han Qing’s abilities.

“Sell it to you? You must be getting old and muddled—I’m only letting you take a look,” Han Qing replied with a wry smile.

“Your patients still need treatment, and though the prescription has spread, I deliberately left out a key ingredient,” he added nonchalantly, seeing straight through the old man’s attempt to take advantage.