Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 83 Yun Qi: 99% complete, a rare find!!!

"And my wonderful method today is a way to make money. If it can be mastered in the future, accumulating tens of thousands of taels of silver will be no problem. Perhaps all the profits in the world will be in my pocket."

Ma Wenxiang presented his plan, but the two women in front of him did not believe it.

The method of extracting refined salt has existed since the Spring and Autumn Period. In the Ming Dynasty, it has naturally been further developed, and there are countless craftsmen in the world.

The two men, however, did not believe that Ma Wenxiang, who was originally exceptionally gifted in the imperial examinations, could possibly have made similar achievements in these skills.

It should be known that among the great talents in the world, those who can master even one skill are already pillars of the nation, so how could they possibly master several?

Most of them are jacks-of-all-trades and master-of-nature; they are the kind of prodigies who failed to live up to their potential.

Just as Su Qing'er was beginning to offer some advice, she was stopped by Sun Miaoran.

"After all, it was a well-intentioned act. Should we really strike him before he even puts it into practice?"

Anyway, there won't be any major loss, and the Empress won't blame us when she finds out in the future. Why not let him try it? What if it really works?

This is indeed a great thing that benefits the country and its people.

"Then I'll listen to you, Sister Miaoran."

Su Qing'er said this with a rather cunning mind, and deliberately spoke up in front of Ma Wenxiang.

Who is the older sister and who is the younger sister? Who is older and who is younger?

That scoundrel should be able to tell.

Upon hearing this, Sun Miaoran narrowed her eyes and slightly loosened her grip on Su Qing'er's arm.

A woman's feelings are often hidden in the devilish details.

At this moment, Ma Wenxiang was not entirely unaware of the two women's situation, but he was certainly distracted, his mind almost entirely focused on his method of preparing refined salt.

This method, in particular, is the most important and should be used to achieve instant success.

The first batch of refined salt produced and presented to His Highness the Crown Prince must be as pure as snowflakes, flawless and white, to be considered the best and to earn His Highness's attention, thus achieving his merit and making the Ming Dynasty's subsequent wars more successful, and making the lives of the people of the world a little easier.

Ma Wenxiang naturally needed to concentrate even more at this moment.

This action, once initiated, lasted for a full three days.

During this period, Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and even Zhu Di, including Princess Anqing and Princess Ningguo, were involved.

They also came to help from time to time, which naturally sped up the process.

In the end, many palace staff in Kunning Palace, as well as Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, Anqing, Ningguo, and even some of Zhu Di's close associates, all joined in.

Ma Wenxiang was pleased with this outcome.

Although Ma Wenxiang did not treat these children as ignorant children, he did treat them as juniors who needed care.

Now we have made such a great contribution.

He couldn't possibly keep it all to himself, so it was reasonable to share it with these people, which was a brilliant move that achieved multiple benefits.

"Mother, can this refined salt really be as pure white as snowflakes?"

As the salt-making process unfolded step by step before him, Zhu Shuang, who was in the Kunning Palace courtyard, couldn't help but ask a question.

He did not doubt Ma Wenxiang's plan.

Instead, she worried that if the product failed to be made, her mother would be devastated.

You'll know soon enough.

Ma Wenxiang smiled mysteriously.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Shuang had no choice but to nod first.

At this moment, in the courtyard in front of everyone, an iron pot was bubbling and boiling, and the coarse salt inside was constantly dissolving.

From a distance, a considerable amount of impurities resembling mud and sand had settled at the bottom of the pot.

Once all the salt has settled, the salt water in the pot is poured onto a funnel made from a ceramic bowl with holes drilled in it, which is covered with multiple layers of cotton cloth, and then slowly poured into it.

This process further filters out insoluble impurities such as mud and sand, resulting in clear brine.

Then Ma Wenxiang gently sprinkled it forward, adding a small amount of lime.

In the present Ming Dynasty, although this item is not stored in the palace, it can be easily obtained with a single order and used to remove other impurities.

Then let it stand for a while before filtering again.

At this point, Zhu Biao found himself among the crowd at Kunning Palace.

However, upon hearing about the strange events at Kunning Palace, he recalled Ma Wenxiang's previous plan and, on a whim, came here.

With one hand behind his back and the other supporting him in front of him, he stood in a very close position next to Ma Wenxiang.

Ma Wenxiang carefully poured the pure, water-like brine into the clean earthenware pot, and then stopped using a high flame and instead heated it slowly over a low flame.

He personally handled most of the process, which made it more convincing.

It was nothing serious to ask Zhu Shuang, Zhu Di, An Qing, Ning Guo, and others nearby to lend a hand with such trivial matters.

Even some of their close eunuchs and maids could share in the credit, enough to make their lives in the palace even better in the future.

"It's done, it really is this snowflake salt."

Under the golden sunlight, the clear, transparent salt grains slowly precipitated out in another small pot.

Zhu Shuang's mouth dropped open in shock, and he blurted out the answer instinctively.

"They actually have a method for refining salt, which is far superior to what the Ministry of Works currently uses."

Zhu Biao looked surprised, then slowly spoke.

Ma Wenxiang waved his hand, and someone from Kunning Palace brought over a dark blue porcelain bowl. At Ma Wenxiang's instruction, they took some snowflake salt from the small pot and then separated it with a small dish.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, this servant has come to taste the salt."

Yunqi stepped forward and took the job voluntarily.

Ma Wenxiang didn't care about this, since the salt was non-toxic, and tasting it was a kind of contribution.

Inside the palace, even the two female officials beside Ma Wenxiang, Su Qing'er and Sun Miaoran, would never dare to compete with him for credit at this moment.

Yun Qi's status among all the servants in the palace was so high that no one dared to claim second place.

"Then I'll trouble you."

Ma Wenxiang said.

Seeing that he had tried it himself, Zhu Biao did not refuse anymore, but continued to observe the situation.

Yun Qi smiled, his heart stirred slightly, and then he took the pure white spoon, scooped up a little bit and put it in his mouth, squinting his eyes, gently savoring the salty taste that permeated between his lips and teeth.

Then, she gently raised her orchid-like fingers and exclaimed loudly, "Ninety-nine percent! A rare treasure!!! Your Highness, Your Majesty, this truly deserves the name 'Snowflake Salt,' being completely free of impurities and as white as snowflakes—it lives up to its name."

At this moment, even the dignified Grand Eunuch started flattering Ma Wenxiang.

Upon seeing that he was unharmed, the small dishes containing salt were gradually presented to Ma Wenxiang, Zhu Biao, Zhu Shuang, Zhu Di, and other dignitaries.

Ma Wenxiang took a small bite, and it was exactly as he had expected.