Before winter arrived, Zhao Yan accomplished another major feat: he dealt a decisive blow to the Xue Family’s gambling den. Those who deserved to be arrested were taken into custody, while those who needed reform were lectured accordingly. As for the ill-gotten gains, Zhao Yan confiscated everything for the public treasury. Because of that gambling den, countless families had been ruined. Originally, he had found it difficult to move against it, but he discovered that the Xue Family was daring enough to traffic in illicit salt behind the scenes—a capital offense.
Salt is strictly controlled by the Imperial Court, with prices set by the government. It is a highly lucrative industry, as every household requires salt to season their food, and private sales are strictly prohibited. Such a massive fortune is tempting to everyone, but one must be alive to enjoy it, and the Xue Family had simply been too reckless.
Zhao Yan seized tens of thousands of catties of illicit salt. This matter shook even Fang Zhiyuan. He no longer dared to play dead; he knew this had to be investigated thoroughly, or else someone might report him to the Emperor for dereliction of duty or for shielding the Xue Family, which would be his undoing. Lazy as he was, he dared not involve himself in a crime punishable by death.
Chapter 458