Volume One, Chapter 13: The Jade Tiger Draws the Silken Thread and Returns from the Well

“Refining fine salt?”

Yuqing Wan was momentarily taken aback.

When did my lord learn to do this?

“First, light the fire and boil water to dissolve the salt.”

Li Chen said as he retrieved the salt bag, pouring all five jin of salt into the pot along with half a pot of water.

He dissolved the coarse salt twice by boiling, filtering out some impurities, then transferred the brine into a large earthenware basin.

“My lord, when my family was in Liangjing, we tried this method as well, but the results were minimal,” Yuqing Wan timidly reminded Li Chen.

“Of course, that’s not all.”

Li Chen smiled faintly.

Then he found another large earthenware basin and filled it with clean water.

To Yuqing Wan’s astonished eyes, he scooped a large shovel of wood ash from the stove and threw it into the basin, stirring vigorously.

After letting it settle and filtering out the impurities, he ladled the clear liquid from the top into another basin. Then, carrying that half basin of ash water, he poured it directly into the basin holding the brine.

“Ah!” the maidservant exclaimed in alarm. “My goodness, isn’t that a waste of an entire pot of brine?”

Yet, instead of the brine becoming murky as expected, she saw the clear liquid quickly react with the brine, forming a cloudy layer of impurities.

After resting a while longer, the top layer was clear bright brine, while a layer of insoluble impurities settled at the bottom.

“Go find a piece of cloth, a large and clean one,” Li Chen instructed the maid.

The maid, puzzled about his intent, fetched a fresh floral cloth about the size of a tabletop.

Li Chen draped the cloth over the pot and slowly poured the brine through it.

After a basin of brine seeped through, the cloth retained a layer of dark impurities.

“Wash the cloth clean and save it for next time,” Li Chen said, squatting down to continue stoking the fire and boiling the salt.

The maid washed the floral cloth diligently and hung it outside to dry.

When she returned, she found Li Chen holding a bowl filled with a pile of white powder.

The powder was as white as clouds, as fine as sand, resembling a small heap of winter snow.

“Ah? This… this is the fine salt my lord has produced?” the maid gasped, eyes wide with wonder.

This is incredible!

“Try it,” Li Chen beckoned her.

The maid approached hesitantly, pinching a bit between her fingers and tasting it.

There was no trace of bitterness; instead, it was intensely savory and delicious.

“This… this is the best salt I’ve ever tasted, nearly as good as the fine salts reserved for the imperial court,” the maid exclaimed, stunned beyond belief.

My lord used leftover ash and a bit of effort to produce fine salt? Remarkable!

Li Chen also tasted a pinch but was not fully satisfied.

Compared to salt of future eras, it was merely safe for consumption and passable in flavor.

In his view, the process still needed refinement.

However, this rudimentary fine salt was already profitable. Later, when the opportunity arose, he would experiment with the ash-to-brine ratio or seek better purification methods.

For now, it was unwise to perfect the technique fully.

After all, the powerless often suffer for possessing treasures beyond their time; having advanced methods without true strength was tantamount to courting death.

Moreover, the yield was meager: five jin of coarse salt yielded just over one jin of fine salt.

If sold, it would have to command a high price.

Lost in thought, Li Chen glanced back and caught the maid gazing at him with profound admiration.

He cleared his throat and spoke gravely, “Remember well, this is the exclusive secret formula of the Li family. We must rely on it to make money, so never let it be revealed.”

“Understood!” the maid nodded firmly, etching his words into her heart.

No one—no matter who—would be told! Not even under threat of death!

“Let’s cook. Use this salt,” Li Chen said, exhaling deeply.

“Please rest, my lord; I’ll prepare the meal immediately,” the maid replied, rolling up her sleeves to reveal fair, delicate arms and began cooking.

They still had a large bird left from the well, which she stewed into soup. She steamed half a pot of brown rice and stir-fried cabbage with chili and vinegar.

Throughout the process, she bit her lip and closed her eyes, using just half a small spoon of the fine salt.

Sitting in the courtyard sipping water, Li Chen happened to notice the maid bustling about with her back to him.

Straight legs, rounded hips, slender waist…

The graceful curves of the young woman held his gaze fast.

Over the past few days, he had not paid much attention, but seen from behind, her figure was exquisite. Though not as voluptuous and fiery as Xu Xiuer, she carried a gentle, moist beauty characteristic of Jiangnan’s water towns.

A flame surged in his heart, and his hunger vanished. He stood up swiftly and strode over.

The maid, seeing him approach, assumed he was impatient and hurriedly said, “Please don’t be anxious, my lord; the meal is almost ready.”

“Not eating yet. I’m going to eat you,” Li Chen said, stopping her hand holding the serving spoon. He set it aside and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, lifting her up as he headed inside.

“Ah? My lord… it’s only just mid-申 hour…” she blushed deeply, shyly whispering, but her hands had already looped around his neck.

Had this been before— even yesterday—she would have feared such advances.

Yet now, inexplicably, a wave of indescribable happiness and joy blossomed within her. Blushing, she boldly clasped his neck, closed her eyes, puckered her lips, and clumsily but willingly responded to Li Chen’s embrace.

This only fueled the fire burning in Li Chen’s heart. Holding her close, he carried her onto the kang bed inside.

The golden toad gnawed the lock and lit incense, the jade tiger pulled the thread and fetched water from the well!

After the storm passed, the two finally began their meal.

Afternoon sunlight streamed into the room, bathing the newly love-washed maid in golden light. Her cheeks flushed like peach blossoms, her beauty breathtaking beyond compare.

Li Chen couldn’t help but sigh, feeling he had truly found a treasure.

With delicious salt, tasty rice and dishes, the meal was exceptionally flavorful. Even the maid ate a large bowl of rice, so full she burped several times.

Thinking that because of my lord, I can have this fine salt for life, the maid was almost moved to tears.

My lord is truly amazing!

After the meal, the diligent maid began tidying the room, then fetched needle and thread to carefully sew the tear on her jacket.

Li Chen went into the workshop to begin his work.

First, he carved wooden sticks.

Before long, he had sharpened over a dozen, all pointed sharply at both ends, razor-sharp and unmatched in edge.