Chapter Fifty-Five: The Lake Water Is Contaminated

With this thought, it all became clear.

Indeed, that was the case. Previously, they had also tried to produce table salt, but they didn’t know what substance could achieve such an effect.

Since the facility was established near Clear Water Lake, it was enough to suggest that the source of everything was likely the lake itself.

“If we can’t do anything with the finished product, can’t we do something to the lake water itself?”

That one question awakened him.

Young Master Bai nodded approvingly.

He immediately ordered men to head to Clear Water Lake under the cover of night, taking advantage of the darkness when no one was watching.

They poured poisonous substances directly into the lake.

With this, the saltworks would be unable to continue production.

If they didn’t cease, Young Master Bai would have every reason to investigate the Han Saltworks directly.

Now, they simply waited to reap the benefits.

Sure enough, the lake water began to change color, obviously polluted.

They quickly relayed this news to Han Qing.

With such a problem in the water source, it was impossible to continue salt production; the properties of the water would inevitably be affected.

“This is simply outrageous. So those troublemakers from yesterday were just a diversion?” Zhu Xiaoye said angrily.

“Yes, but what I want to know is, how did they come up with such a plan?” Han Qing countered unexpectedly.

“They probably thought you were constantly ruining their business, so they figured dealing with the lake would be faster. Besides, the brackish minerals in the lake would have been heavily damaged by now,” Zhu Xiaoye replied slowly.

It was the only reasonable explanation he could think of.

To poison the lake directly? The method was truly despicable.

Fortunately, Clear Water Lake lay some distance from the city. Had a villager happened by, drank a mouthful out of thirst, they would have lost their life.

“Brother Han, have you thought of a solution?”

“No, for now, we can only close the saltworks for a few days. The contaminants in the water are too complex to filter out in a short time,” Han Qing shook his head.

But once closed, the Bai family’s salt business would surely raise prices rapidly.

With no competition, they’d have a monopoly, and could set prices as they pleased—no one could intervene.

“I heard you’ve been seeing a lot of Young Master Bai lately. Do you two have business dealings?” Han Qing asked nonchalantly, his probing tone unmistakable.

“It has nothing to do with me. He called on me of his own accord and I only received him out of courtesy,” Zhu Xiaoye replied casually.

He didn’t believe anyone would trust such rumors.

“You may have had private conversations—I need not know the details. But I hope you’ll be honest with me.”

What?

Zhu Xiaoye grew increasingly baffled.

He hadn’t done anything wrong, and had even promptly refused gifts from the other side.

Why would no one believe him? Even Magistrate Wen found it suspicious.

“It seems the Bai family is keen to make your acquaintance—coming to call nearly a week straight.”

He really had no way to explain.

He simply stopped trying.

Since Han Qing announced the closure of the saltworks, no one left Tinglan Court.

Instead, he devoted himself to study.

Jiang Xiuxiu noticed he’d been staying in the study these days and thought he must be troubled.

She tried to comfort him at once.

“My husband, has something happened outside?” she asked, hesitantly.

Though only a woman and of little influence, she wished to show her care.

“It’s nothing. A business I developed has closed for a few days. Some former friends seem to be avoiding me now,” Han Qing sighed.

Such is the way of the world.

Not everything can be under one’s control.

But family, at least, remains by one’s side.

Word of these events soon spread.

When Young Master Bai heard, his spirits soared.

“So he’s been defeated so easily? Han Qing is nothing special after all. Quickly open our saltworks and make a good profit.”

With that, he ordered his servants to prepare some token gifts, and once again visited Zhu Xiaoye.

He even spread rumors on purpose.

The implication was that Han Qing’s misfortune stemmed largely from friends recognizing his true character and abandoning him, leaving him in dire straits and ignored by all.

This time, Zhu Xiaoye did not return the gifts.

The situation only escalated.

When Han’s mother learned of it, she grew deeply uneasy.

“How could things have changed so much? He was praised before, and now all he hears is scorn?”

She wanted an answer.

But Han Qing only brushed her off with a few words, giving no real reply.

“Mother, his spirits are unsettled now—let him rest,” Jiang Xiuxiu said gently.

She then led Han’s mother back to her room.

Though she didn’t fully grasp why things had turned out this way, she continued to believe in Han Qing.

Rumors in the outside world grew ever wilder.

But who could have expected—

In just three days, the Han Saltworks reopened.

And the price of their salt was even a few coins lower than before.

This move was truly baffling.

“How could this be? The lake water has been completely polluted—he couldn’t possibly keep producing salt. There must be something going on!” When Young Master Bai heard the news, he flew into a rage.

Clear Water Lake was now so defiled it was unusable.

Was Han Qing a fool?

“Send someone to investigate—find out what’s going on!”

He refused to believe it.

“Young master, the lake is truly polluted, and you can clearly see how black the water is.”

How strange.

Could Han Qing be risking lives just for profit?

“Maybe he’s just trying to make some quick money. Besides us, nobody knows where the salt really comes from,” one of his retainers suggested.

He understood.

“Report this to the old master at once. Tell him the Han Saltworks’ salt is unsafe—it could even endanger lives.”

He spoke coldly, a hint of a sneer at his lips.

Such a fine opportunity—he would not let it slip by.

When Magistrate Bai heard, he was perplexed.

How had the water become polluted?

“Is this true? Grandfather can go see Clear Water Lake beyond the city—it’s pitch black. Their salt is made by refining substances from the lake,” Young Master Bai said confidently.

The magistrate sent officers to investigate.

They found the water truly contaminated.

He immediately ordered men to the Han Saltworks.

“Hurry—seal this place at once!”