It was indeed a period of growing pains, but it would return to normal within half a month at most, because Zhao An could no longer engage in such sleazy business. Besides, Yangzhou City was only so large, consisting of only two "districts," Jiangdu and Ganquan; the street vendors couldn't possibly abandon their business in Ganquan for good.
Once the carriage crossed into the territory of Jiangdu, the cityscape changed drastically from Ganquan. Jiangnan-style gardens were visible everywhere, and the various beautiful scenic spots constructed to welcome the Qianlong Emperor were truly a feast for the eyes. Without the coachman needing to say a word, Zhao An knew that the owners of these gardens were mostly wealthy salt merchants, each building their homes to look nearly like luxury villas. Little did they know that tall trees attract the wind; the more magnificent their estates, the "fatter" they looked in the eyes of officials. The group of chief merchants who had met their downfall in recent years were slaughtered like pigs by the Qianlong Emperor for exactly this reason.
Passing by the Yamen of the Salt Administration Commissioner for the Lianghuai Region, Zhao An took a few extra looks. There was no other reason than the fact that this office was incredibly lucrative—"dripping with oil" wouldn't even begin to describe it. If you didn't pocket a few hundred thousand taels a year, you wouldn't be doing justice to your rank. The current Salt Administration Commissioner was …
Chapter 37