He stared at the nobleman and enunciated each word. "By scholars, do you mean those 'scholars' who monopolize knowledge, treat books as family heirlooms, and refuse to let commoners learn to read?"
The nobleman's face flushed red.
Ling Feng rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over every noble, sect master, and clan head present.
"Snowflake Salt is cheap to produce and affordable for everyone. From now on, ordinary people no longer have to eat coarse salt mixed with sand."
"With Printing made widespread, a copy of the Thousand Character Classic costs only three copper coins. A farmer can earn enough from a day of odd jobs to buy one, and his children can learn to read."
"Whom has any of this harmed?"
He pointed at the fat, round-eared nobleman. "Did it harm you? Because your family monopolized the salt trade and made millions of Gold Soul Coins every year, but now you can no longer make that money?"
Then he pointed at another nobleman. "Or did it harm you? Because your family hoarded tens of thousands of books and made a fortune charging exorbitant lending fees, but now no one needs to borrow from you?"
The entire hall fell silent.
The nobles' expressions grew uglier by the second.
Prince Xue Xing took a deep breath and said gravely, "Elder Qiangu, is this the attitude of your Spirit Hall?"
"Dumping goods at low prices, disrupting the market, driving countless salt merchants into bankruptcy, and leaving countless scholars without a livelihood—is this Spirit Hall's contribution to the continent?"
What a move—slap on a label first, then force everyone to take sides!
Qiangu Xiaoye finally spoke.
He set down his teacup and looked at Prince Xue Xing, his gaze as calm as a deep pool.
"Your Highness, how much salt does your