My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 37: Madam’s Remarkable Skills

Chapter 37: Madam’s Remarkable Skills

The doors of the room were wide open, and outside the windows lay a small, serene bamboo grove. On this leisurely afternoon, the faint chirping of insects drifted in from outside, becoming the only sound in the room.

When Nalan Zhi first heard Dai Li say, Farewell for now, Nalan, he had a vague premonition.

Farewell for now meant they would meet again later.

At the time, he felt it was only natural—they still had much to discuss, and he was far from satisfied with just one meeting. How could they meet only once?

But after Mo Yanyun privately told him about Madam Dai Li’s background, Nalan Zhi thought to himself that she was not just extraordinary. With such bold and audacious methods, she was likely one in ten thousand.

Despite his shock, Nalan Zhi still admired Dai Li. Now, hearing her express her desire to join the strategists’ group, his face showed only surprise, without a trace of disdain or arrogance.

After a moment of silence, Nalan Zhi spoke, Madam Dai, since we share similar interests, I’ll be frank with you. Unlike many powerful lords who host thousands of retainers and advisors, our Lord has strict requirements. In the early years, any retainer he deemed mediocre was never employed. Later, he established rigorous examinations to filter out those who did not meet his standards, demonstrating a clear preference for quality over quantity.

Dai Li smiled gently. Since you’ve been honest with me, I’ll be honest with you as well. In fact, I already discussed this with the Lord yesterday. The main reason he rejected me was because I am a woman. He said women are only suited to admiring flowers in the manor and that dealing with schemes and intrigues is a man’s affair.

As she spoke, Dai Li lowered her gaze, fearing that her anger would become too evident if she looked directly at Nalan Zhi.

Her tone grew calm. I personally believe the Lord is mistaken in this regard. As the saying goes, ‘Whether a cat is black or white, if it catches mice, it’s a good cat.’ If someone can bring a steady stream of financial revenue to the Dark Valiant Cavalry, and even the entire Northern Territory, why shouldn’t she become the first exception?

Nalan Zhi was stunned.

Bring financial revenue to the Dark Valiant Cavalry, and even the entire Northern Territory?

What an arrogant and audacious claim!

If Nalan Zhi had merely been resigned before, his skepticism was now unmistakable. May I ask, Madam, where this steady stream of financial revenue will come from?

Dai Li replied with just two words: Refined salt.

In this era, refined salt did not exist. Not long before, during the pre-Qin period, the use of salt was still in a relatively primitive stage.

The Qin and Han dynasties marked the beginning of its development, and it was only by the time of the Tang Dynasty that the salt industry entered a new phase.

Dai Li was acutely aware that she was walking a tightrope over a cliff—one misstep, and she would face utter ruin.

Salt taxes had existed since the Zhou Dynasty. During the Spring and Autumn Period, the state of Qi, under Guan Zhong’s guidance, reorganized the salt industry, adopting a state-controlled production and sale model that generated enormous profits.

Whether it was the emperors of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, Huang Chao, the rebel leader who later seized Chang’an, or even Li Zan, who once occupied Ying County and posed a threat to Qin Shaozong, the ruler of the Northern Territory—all of them started by trading illegal salt.

Those in power were well aware of the profits from salt and thus enforced strict control over it, often resorting to the extermination of entire clans as punishment.

This was not something she could discuss directly with Qin Shaozong. Judging by the way he dealt with Jiang Chonghai and Li Zan, he was undoubtedly a formidable and ruthless figure.

To say that such a man’s rules and morals were flexible would be an understatement.

Nalan Zhi’s expression changed dramatically. Refined salt?

The word refined was enough to shatter Nalan Zhi’s composure. He had considered the possibility that Dai Li might be speaking nonsense, but this suspicion lasted only a moment before he dismissed it.

There was no need.

Salt was no trivial matter. Throughout history, countless people had lost their heads over it. She had no reason to joke about something that could endanger her life.

Madam Dai, do you know what those two words of yours represent? Nalan Zhi asked her.

Dai Li observed the pale-faced man with a long beard before her. Over fifty years of age, the marks of time on his face were far deeper than on most. More than half his hair had turned white, suggesting years of hardship. The dark mark on his face clung like a stubborn insect, the kind that might make timid children cry in fear.

Yet Nalan Zhi’s eyes were clear. Though wrinkles surrounded them and his face bore the mark of a convict, he remained gentle—like a clear stream in a mountain valley, or the spring breeze brushing across the open books on his desk.

He did not raise his voice, nor did he sharply rebuke her for her absurdity. He did not summon guards to torture a confession out of her.

He was confirming her earlier words, giving her a well-intentioned reminder. A warning that some things should not be spoken lightly. If she denied it now, he would not speak of it to others, treating it as though it had never happened.

Dai Li thought to herself that while Qin Shaozong was not much of a man, his judgment of people was indeed impeccable.

I know, Dai Li understood perfectly what she was doing. Some paths, though dangerous, were necessary.

Currently, salt comes mainly from three sources: boiling seawater, drilling salt wells, and mining rock salt from mountains. The first method often yields poor purity due to impurities like mud and shells mixed in the water. The latter two are difficult to extract and limited in quantity, hence the saying, ‘Boiling the sea is easy; boiling the well is hard.’

At this, Dai Li smiled. Natural salt springs and wells are mostly located in the southwest. I suspect there are almost no salt wells here that can be used by the Lord.

With each word she spoke, Nalan Zhi grew more solemn. By the end, he was sitting upright with grave attention. Indeed, ‘boiling the sea is easy; boiling the well is hard.’ In your opinion, Madam, how can today’s salt be transformed into what you call refined salt?

If this question had come from Qin Shaozong, Dai Li would have evaded it skillfully.

Her relationship with Qin Shaozong was almost a straightforward transaction. She exchanged the Dragon Bone Waterwheel for information about the Qin collateral branch, and with certain undisclosed bargaining chips, secured his order for the collateral branch to search for her son and return him safely to her.

She would not release the hawk without seeing the hare. If Qin Shaozong were sitting across from her, she would not even mention the words refined salt, let alone discuss further details.

Just then, the attendant Musen entered with boiled water. Seeing a tea set on the table, Dai Li took over the task of brewing tea and sent Musen back to organizing the previously unfinished chests.

After the other had left, Dai Li finally spoke: There are many methods. One is to build high embankments in areas beyond the reach of tides, where salt can be cultivated. Salt farming households each have demarcated plots and do not encroach on one another. If the next day promises no rain, spread rice straw ash or reed ash about an inch thick evenly across the ground. By dawn, when the dew rises, salt will crystallize beneath the ash. At midday, if the weather is clear, sweep up both ash and salt together for leaching and boiling.①

Nian Xia and Bi Po had accompanied Dai Li but did not enter the house with her. The two women knew this courtyard was reserved for distinguished guests and dared not intrude. After Dai Li went inside, they simply stood waiting outside the main gate of the courtyard.

They initially thought Dai Li’s visit wouldn’t take long, but an hour passed without any sign of her emerging. As more time elapsed, the Golden Crow in the sky had nearly sunk below the horizon. Their feet grew numb from standing, yet their Lady still hadn’t come out.

Finally unable to remain standing, the two women leaned against the wall and sat down.

Thus, when Qin Shaozong returned from his study, he spotted two short stakes by Nalan Zhi’s courtyard gate from afar.

Having seen them earlier in the back garden, Qin Shaozong recognized the pair as Dai Li’s personal attendants. Now finding them seated outside Nalan Zhi’s courtyard in such a posture…

He couldn’t help but suspect that a certain fox had been burrowing in a particular courtyard for over an hour. With such prolonged time, had she perhaps dug a whole fox den inside?

Lord.

Lord.

Noticing Qin Shaozong’s approach, the two women hurriedly rose and bowed.

Qin Shaozong couldn’t be bothered to ask if Dai Li was inside, cutting directly to the point: How long has your Lady been here?

Nian Xia replied, Her Ladyship arrived around the Hour of the Goat.

Qin Shaozong did a quick mental calculation.

Well then. She’d been inside for nearly two hours—likely enough time to dig multiple fox dens.

Qin Shaozong strode inside. Before even entering the room, he spotted from a distance the two conversing cheerfully, with Nalan Zhi smiling as he refilled the tea for the lady across from him.

If their encounter in the back garden had seemed like love at first sight, their current rapport suggested they’d become fast friends despite their age difference.

Striding broadly into the room, Qin Shaozong raised a subtle eyebrow. What amusing matters are Wugong and my Lady discussing? Don’t be stingy—share them with me as well.

Dai Li paused briefly, turning toward the voice.

Unnoticed, dusk had arrived.

The orange-gold sunlight dyed the sky in brilliant swathes and cast a golden gauze over the man in the courtyard. Yet his aura remained intimidating; even bathed in the warm twilight, he exuded the sharp, dangerous edge of an unsheathed blade.

The curve of Dai Li’s lips softened slightly, but recalling her earlier conversation with Nalan Zhi, she revived her smile. Of course we can tell you, though I fear some remarks might displease you.

She and Nalan Zhi sat facing each other across a square table, while Qin Shaozong took a seat to their side.

Dispensing with servants, he reached for a cup from a wooden box nearby and said leisurely, Haven’t I heard plenty of your disagreeable words already, my Lady?

Dai Li glanced at Nalan Zhi opposite her, who returned an inquiring look. She nodded slightly with a smile, her left hand resting on her knee gradually curling into a fist.

No day is better than today—no need to wait further. She would seize the moment to fasten the Bite Suppressor onto this fierce tiger.

Qin Shaozong’s peripheral gaze swept casually past them, taking in their expressions. His narrow eyes narrowed further, dark pools gathering in their depths.

A superior recognizes extraordinary talent regardless of humble origins; a subordinate recommends worthiness without avoiding kinship or enmity. My Lord, today I wish to recommend a rare talent to you. Nalan Zhi rose and bowed to Qin Shaozong.

Qin Shaozong didn’t respond immediately, instead turning to look at Dai Li. Seated barely an arm’s length apart, close enough to touch, he clearly saw her eyes crinkle after Nalan Zhi stood up, her long lashes lifting like tiny fans.

But in just one short afternoon, she truly managed to stir up a hornet’s nest.

The stage had already been set. Qin Shaozong could only offer a token gesture to help Nalan Zhi up. No need for such courtesy when no merit has been achieved. Please, tell me, what kind of extraordinary talent is worth you treating them with such reverence?

Nalan Zhi straightened up and said solemnly, It is Madam Dai. Many praise me as outstanding among my peers, exceptional and unrivaled, and say that I am immensely learned and extraordinary. But today, I feel deeply ashamed. The phrase ‘immensely learned’ is something I dare not claim in front of Madam Dai.

Qin Shaozong had guessed that Nalan Zhi would recommend Dai Li, but he never expected him to humble himself to such an extent.

Nalan Zhi had never been the type to flatter or curry favor. If he had been willing to bow and scrape before the powerful back in his Chang’an days, the reforms he proposed would not have been entirely rejected, the Nalan family would not have been framed by treacherous individuals, and he would not have suffered the indelible punishment of facial tattooing, with his entire family exiled thousands of miles to Youzhou.

All these years, he had remained unchanged in his principles, his pride unbroken.

Such a man would never use himself as a stepping stone for others to climb up, whether out of pity or any other reason.

Why are you being so modest when no merit has been achieved? Qin Shaozong asked, puzzled.

Nalan Zhi smiled and shook his head. Lord, it is not modesty but honesty. To be fair, even if I were given another sixty years—or even longer—I would never be able to figure out how to purify salt as perfectly as it is done now.

Those brown pupils suddenly tightened. Qin Shaozong instinctively turned to look at Dai Li beside him, only to see her smiling politely, her expression showing little surprise, as if all his reactions were within her expectations.

Purify salt? How is it purified? Qin Shaozong pressed.

Dai Li did not answer his question. Instead, she picked up the ceramic pot on the table and poured water for him, tentatively asking, Lord, may I now address you as such?

Qin Shaozong’s temple throbbed.

The air seemed to freeze. Steam rose from the hot water in the cup, blurring Qin Shaozong’s darkened expression.

Nalan Zhi spoke up at the right moment. Lord, in ancient times, there was the story of buying horse bones for a thousand gold, and building a golden platform to recruit talents from across the land. Back then, you did not look down on me, a convicted man bearing the mark of a tattoo. Why today would you reject Madam Dai simply because she is a woman?

The cup of tea was right beside Qin Shaozong’s hand. The veins on the back of his hand bulged, his index finger subconsciously twitching toward the cup before being forcibly stilled.

He stared at the steaming cup in front of him, his gaze fierce, as if he were not looking at an ordinary teacup but rather a piece of tantalizing meat hanging just out of reach.

Please, Lord, consider the bigger picture, Nalan Zhi spoke again.

Finally, that large, dark hand moved. It shifted forward a foot and grasped the teacup. Qin Shaozong turned to look at Dai Li, his eyes filled with a terrifying darkness. With a forced smile, he said, You are quite remarkable, Madam. Regarding the purification of salt, I will wait and see. I hope you do not disappoint me.

Dai Li could clearly tell he was angry. His eyes were fierce, as if he wanted to tear her apart and devour her.

But now that she had been promoted to an advisor, with a token of immunity shielding her, Dai Li felt not the slightest fear. Instead, she deliberately addressed him once more as Lord and said, You shall see.

Crack. A faint sound echoed.

A small fissure appeared in the ceramic teacup in Qin Shaozong’s hand, from which tiny droplets of water slowly seeped out.

Yangzhou.

The Qin clan’s influence in the Northern Territory was at its peak, its impact reaching thousands of miles away with lingering, formidable ripples.

This Qin clan, rooted in Fanhua County of Yangzhou, often saw a constant stream of visitors and carriages at its gates—today the Wang family paid a visit, tomorrow the Zhang family arrived with gifts, and the day after, they received a warm invitation from the Zhao family.

Prosperous and flourishing, it truly lived up to the name Fanhua County, which meant County of Blossoms.

The current head of the Yangzhou Qin clan was Qin Ran, just forty years of age. His father, Qin Chong, had been the one who made the decision to move the entire family south years ago.

The main gate of wealthy households was usually kept closed, opened only for distinguished guests or when the host held a grand banquet, as a sign of respect.

The side gate, however, remained open, guarded by a gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper had grown accustomed to frequent visitors, so when several people arrived today, he was not at all surprised. After a quick glance at them, his expression grew even more casual.

All were dressed in black, with no valuable accessories at their waists—one might call it modest attire.

Servants represented the face of their masters. If the servants delivering the visiting card were so poorly dressed, how prestigious could their master be?

But the next moment, the gatekeeper heard the visitors announce themselves: We are the Dark Valiant Cavalry from the Northern Territory, here by order of the Lord to see Qin Ran. We request an audience.

The Dark Valiant Cavalry of the Northern Territory—this elite force, which had helped Qin Shaozong subdue the northern barbarians, was renowned far and wide. Not just in Yangzhou, but even in the southern Jiaozhou, their name thundered with prestige.

The Dark Valiant Cavalry of the Northern Territory… the Lord…

They were sent by him!

The gatekeeper shuddered, so shocked he could not utter a word. Flushing red, he hurriedly opened the gate and bowed deeply, gesturing for them to enter.

The group strode quickly inside.

Qin Ran had just dressed formally and was about to leave for a banquet. The governor of Fanhua County was hosting a hundred-day celebration for his grandson today and had invited many relatives and friends.

Qin Ran’s second son held a sinecure in the official bureau. With officials and merchants being closely connected, it was only proper for him to attend the banquet hosted by Lord Song.

He was properly dressed, and the gifts were prepared.

Just as Qin Ran was about to depart with his sons by carriage, a servant rushed over in a panic.

The servant urgently reported, Master, the Dark Valiant Cavalry from the Northern Territory have come, saying they are here by order of the Lord to see you.

Qin Ran froze, then drew a sharp breath. How many are there? Have they been properly received?

By order of the Lord? There was only one Lord in the Northern Territory—he was both Marquis Wu’an and the clan leader of the Qin family.

And they had sent the Dark Valiant Cavalry—this matter was absolutely no trivial affair.

The servant replied, There are five in total, all seated in the main hall and served fine tea.

Qin Ran turned to his two sons and said, I will not attend Lord Song’s banquet. You two go on behalf of our family. If Lord Song asks why I am absent, tell him I caught a chill last night, and since children are vulnerable, it would be unwise to risk passing it on.

The two sons acknowledged his instructions.

After giving his sons these directions, Qin Ran hurried to the main hall.

As the servant had said, there were five visitors. Qin Ran discreetly observed them—all dressed uniformly in black, each robust and clearly exceptional fighters.

Just their sharp, blade-like aura alone matched the formidable reputation of the Dark Valiant Cavalry.

Their leader, Hu Bao, was also assessing Qin Ran. Seeing him in luxurious attire, with features and age matching the description, he knew this was undoubtedly the head of the Yangzhou Qin clan.

Author’s note: Here’s the update! Please feed me nutrient solutions [orange heart]

①: Tiangong Kaiwu