"Reporting to you, my lord, I and several companions make a modest living doing small businesses around Zhun Niu Market. Thanks to the care of the previous Salt Transport Envoy, we were able to conduct our trade in peace."
He Luoyun cupped his hands in apology, his smile faintly obsequious.
"Upon learning that you had taken office, I and several fellow traders prepared a small gift. Please accept it, my lord. And rest assured, my lord—we will offer you our respects every month from now on."
The two hundred taels of silver had not come from him alone. Two other groups of illicit salt dealers like him had also contributed a considerable sum.
It was just that, among the three groups, his family's business was the largest and its strength the greatest, so he had been pushed forward to deal with Chen Mo, the newly appointed Salt Transport Envoy.
"Besides you, how many groups are there in this area? How much silver can you pay each month to have me turn a blind eye?"
Chen Mo did not waste time trading barbs with him. He got straight to the point.
"Reporting to you, my lord, there are two other groups besides mine." At this, he seemed to grit his teeth before making up his mind. "We can give you one hundred taels a month."
When Chen Mo did not respond immediately, he hurriedly added, "It's not that I'm unwilling to show you greater respect, my lord. It's just that besides you, we also have to pay our respects to the Chief Salt Transport Commissioner and the Salt Transport Commissioner. We truly don't have any spare money left to offer you."
Selling illicit salt was indeed a profit among profits—one could say it made money even faster than robbing people as