Rebirth of Bi Gan: A Male Student Traverses the “Investiture of God”

Several days had passed, and Zhang Hao had sampled various dishes at the palace table, each leaving him with an indescribable sense of blandness. He began to suspect that the issue was not with the chefs but with the limited range of seasonings available in this era. He decided it was time to embark on his salt-making plan.

Zhang Hao stood by the window of his study, his gaze traversing the courtyard and settling on the distant sea. He knew that the sea held an abundance of salt, but how to extract it was a technical challenge. He recalled the modern knowledge that directly sun-dried sea salt contained toxins such as magnesium, which could severely impact health if consumed long-term.

He decided to adopt the ancient Sichuanese method of refining well salt using soy milk to purify it. He sought out the palace craftsmen, explained his plan to them, and guided them in making soy milk and using it to extract impurities from the brine.

"Minister Bi Gan, will this really work?" a craftsman asked skeptically.

Zhang Hao smiled confidently, "Trust me, this will be the key to improving the flavor of our food."

He began constructing a makeshift laboratory in a corner of the palace to start his salt-making experiment. He knew this was not just about enhancing the taste of food but also about elevating his status and influence in this era.

Zhang Hao and the craftsmen initiated their salt-making experiment. They directed seawater into a large pot, boiled it over a fire, and waited for the water to evaporate, leaving behind salt. However, this process was not smooth; they found that the salt produced contained many impurities, making it inedible.

"Minister Bi Gan, this isn't a solution," a craftsman worriedly stated.

Zhang Hao furrowed his brows, knowing he needed a more effective method to purify the salt. He remembered the ancient Sichuanese method of using soy milk to purify well salt and decided to give it a try.

They poured soy milk into the brine, watching as the milk reacted with the brine and impurities gradually precipitated. But this process was very slow, and the results were far from satisfactory.

Amidst repeated failures, Zhang Hao began to feel discouraged. He realized he needed more knowledge and experience to solve this problem. He decided to temporarily set aside his work and seek more guidance and help.

While Zhang Hao was preoccupied with making salt, Daji also noticed his unusual behavior. She approached Zhang Hao with a flirtatious gait, her voice tinged with temptation, "Minister Bi Gan, I've heard that you've been busy with some secretive affairs lately. Could you share a little with me?"

Zhang Hao was taken aback but quickly regained his composure, smilingly responding, "Lady Daji, I'm just studying some ancient texts, hoping to provide the king with useful advice."

A hint of playfulness flashed in Daji's eyes as she chuckled, "Minister Bi Gan is always so mysterious, one can't help but want to know more."

Zhang Hao maintained his smile, his mind racing to divert the topic. He knew he couldn't let Daji become suspicious of his plans.

"Lady Daji, your wisdom and beauty are well-known throughout the palace. I have a little trinket that might pique your interest," Zhang Hao said, pulling a small bronze mirror from his sleeve. The smooth surface reflected Daji's beautiful visage.

Daji took the mirror, surprise flickering in her eyes, "What is this?"

Zhang Hao explained, "It's a mirror, allowing you to admire your beauty at any time."

Daji was amused by this novel trinket, delighted by Zhang Hao's wit and humor, "Minister Bi Gan, you always bring surprises."

As she thanked Zhang Hao, Daji casually brushed against his arm, the fleeting touch causing a stir in Zhang Hao's heart, but he quickly regained his composure, maintaining Bi Gan's dignity.

After his conversation with Daji, Zhang Hao returned to the laboratory, determined to solve the salt-making problem. He tried different methods, from sun-drying to roasting, but none yielded pure salt. When he was about to give up, he suddenly remembered the modern technique of distillation.

He immediately gathered the craftsmen and instructed them to build a simple still. After several days of hard work, they successfully extracted pure salt from seawater. When the first crystal of pure salt emerged from the still, Zhang Hao and the craftsmen were ecstatic.

"Minister Bi Gan, you are a genius!" the craftsmen cheered, their admiration for Bi Gan evident.

Zhang Hao smiled, thinking to himself that this was just the beginning, and he had even greater plans to realize.