Chapter 117 - 83: Water Monkey, The Corpse Trick
Xu Qing did not care whether the County Captain would step down or even whether the emperor’s surname was Zhao.
But if he lost his connections with the Government Office’s Coroner’s Office because of a case, it would be unforgivable.
Linhe Government Office was one of his important sources for bodies. In a few months, it would be time for the autumn executions, and there would be a year’s worth of excellent corpses waiting for him to collect and examine.
If he lost this channel, it would be like cutting off one of his arms. How could he possibly sit by and do nothing?
Carefully flipping through the case files and on-site autopsy records, Xu Qing had not finished reading before he couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
"Was Old Madam Cao once a steward of the Sixteen Salt Gangs?"
Wang Lingyuan nodded and said, "Old Madam Cao’s original name was Cao Xiuying. When she was young, she was nicknamed ’Lady Salt King’ and secretly managed the affairs of the Linhe Salt Gang. Rumor has it that she was involved in the blood salt case ten years ago."
"No wonder the Grand Defender regards a servant so highly. If Old Madam Cao was able to take control of Linhai River Transport and salt duties, she must have had the help of an influential person close to the Grand Defender."
"Indeed, if it weren’t related to salt affairs, the County Captain wouldn’t be so flustered."
The Jianghuai Salt Gang was closely related to the official salt and iron system. The price of official salt was high, and the private salt trade was highly profitable. This led to numerous salt smugglers, who were almost impossible to ban.