On Blue Star, essence salt was anything but rare—a bag could be had for just one yuan, affordable even for beggars.
Yet in the context of ancient society, salt was an incredibly valuable commodity, a sought-after currency whether traded with common folk or the Hu beyond the borders. Salt was a necessity for survival, an inescapable demand for everyone.
Historically, the financial focus of many dynasties hinged on salt and iron, both of which were state-controlled for the simple reason that they were immensely profitable.
In the Little World, with its production capabilities similar to those of ancient Blue Star, salt retained its status as a staple of trade, even serving as a form of currency.
Chen Guo had taken note that few people used money when entering the city; copper coins seemed to be a rarity, with most transactions involving the exchange of goods.
Salt was among the most common items traded, likely due to its high value—a small bag could be worth several hundred coins.
Chen Guo carried essence salt with him, obtained from the Exchange System in Flame Dragon Village. Accustomed to long journeys, he found it natural to season his wild-roasted meats with a sprinkle of salt, cumin, and chili.
Now, with the means at his disposal, Chen Guo was not about to settle for bland meat.
However, the small bag of essence salt he produced was strikingly conspicuous.
In this Little World, where circulating salt was typically impure coarse salt, essence salt was a rarity, a luxury beyond the reach of ordinary people, consumed only by the elite.
Furthermore, due to the fractured state of the world and the subsequent decline in production, even the high officials and nobles could scarcely afford essence salt. There simply weren't enough idle hands to produce such a commodity.
Presenting a bag of high-quality, snow-white essence salt was bound to draw attention.
Chen Guo was well aware of this.
His reason for offering the essence salt was simple: he lacked copper coins. He had plenty of valuable elixirs, but displaying those would be even more conspicuous. And to part with an elixir just to enter a city would be the epitome of extravagance.
Secondly, his aim was to draw the attention of the city's elite, and ideally, to catch the eye of the city's true sovereign. Armed with the Flying Thunder God Art, he harbored no fear of danger. Why not engage directly with the real power players?
The common folk held a wealth of information, yet it was often fragmented and superficial.
The real, in-depth core information was undoubtedly in the possession of the city's ruler.
Finding a way to pique the interest of the city's ruler and extracting pertinent information from them, or even forging some kind of partnership, could prove to be a valuable shortcut.
Such a path would be too daunting for most, but not for Chen Guo.
This shortcut was akin to negotiating with a tiger for its hide, but Chen Guo was a true dragon. What would a dragon have to fear in such a negotiation?
The refined salt Chen Guo presented took the guards by surprise.
"This salt..."
"I've never encountered salt of such exceptional quality. It's as pristine as snow... to think one could casually produce salt of this caliber..."
The soldiers, staring at the pure white salt in their hands, were visibly astounded. Their comrades crowded around, equally intrigued.
Having been born after the great catastrophe, they had never laid eyes on salt of such quality. Their astonishment was perfectly understandable.
The soldiers had no choice but to inform their captain. A figure resembling a squad leader hurried over, scrutinized the salt meticulously, and then fixed a probing gaze on Chen Guo, as if trying to discern his origins with a mere look.
"Will this bag of salt cover my entrance fee?" Chen Guo inquired, a smile on his face.
"Absolutely, it's more than sufficient. But are you certain you want to use such fine salt for your entry fee?" the squad leader questioned.
Chen Guo replied, "To me, this is trivial. Please, let me pass."
"Make way!" The squad leader gave Chen Guo a penetrating look and commanded.
Chen Guo was aware that he had caught the soldiers' attention, and they would surely relay his presence to their superiors.
He was confident that before long, he would be in contact with the city's upper echelons. Yet, in the meantime, he could freely explore the city and mingle with its residents, savoring the everyday human experiences he had missed for so long.
Chen Guo was ushered into the heart of the city.
His handsome features and distinct aura set him apart from the gaunt citizens, creating a stark contrast. The locals gave him a wide berth, eyeing him with curiosity. They were convinced he was someone of importance and wouldn't dare to provoke him.
In these times of scarcity, only a person of stature could afford such fine clothing, possess a healthy glow, and have such fair skin.
"What's my first order of business?"
"That's right, to make money!"
"Money talks; without it, you're stuck."
"I can't always barter with salt, especially since I didn't bring much."
Chen Guo was a man of clarity. He quickly realized that his initial task was to acquire funds.
He wasn't a bandit; this was a civilized city. To gather information and engage in various activities here, he couldn't resort to thievery—he had to use money.
To spend money, he needed it first. Chen Guo was laden with treasures but penniless. He had dismissed this world as lifeless, expecting no opportunity for legitimate trade, and had discarded all the precious metals and jewels he'd come across.
Unexpectedly, remnants of human society persisted, and money still held value. But retrieving the discarded wealth was out of the question. Now in the city, it would be easy for him to generate some cash.
With intent, Chen Guo scoured the streets and soon pinpointed his source of income—not a bank heist, but the pawnshop. What he once deemed worthless was now considered invaluable in this time.
He wasn't concerned with the amount he'd receive; as long as it covered his immediate expenses, it would suffice.
The Lotus Pawnshop.
This was the sole establishment of its kind in Acomb.
Despite Acomb's vast size, the dwindling population meant that sustaining even one large pawnshop was an achievement. Perhaps the Lotus Pawnshop's monopoly over the city's pawning trade was due to its connections with those in power.
"Welcome, right this way!"
Upon spotting Chen Guo, the pawn shop clerk greeted him with a beaming smile and ushered him inside.
These clerks, seasoned in the art of sizing up customers, could instantly discern that Chen Guo was a man of wealth or status—the very type of patron they preferred. Such clients, whether they came to purchase or to pawn, tended to spend lavishly, and it was from these generous individuals that the clerks made their greatest profits.