Striving in the Red Mansion.

Summary

In Yangzhou, Jia Huan enjoys Huaiyang cuisine while discussing the region's salt tax issues with He Shi. Yangzhou, a prosperous city, faces severe salt tax arrears due to rampant private salt trading, which undercuts official salt prices. Despite the government's strict regulations, enforcement is ineffective. Sha Sheng, the Right Deputy Minister, seeks to persuade salt merchant Zheng Yuan Jian to cover the tax shortfall, but Zheng claims financial incapacity. The conversation highlights the complexities of tax collection in a planned economy, where salt merchants resist paying taxes due to the competitive market created by private salt.

Full content