Salt is as important as grain. Without grain, people starve; without salt, they fall ill. Any anomaly in grain or salt can cause public panic. If the situation is severe, it might even lead to riots. Therefore, the prices of grain and salt cannot be too high. If they soar, it indicates trouble.
The prices of salt and grain in Great Zhou are somewhat lower than during the previous dynasty. During the previous dynasty's riots, the prices were absurdly high, making it impossible for ordinary people to afford them. Consequently, most people either starved or died from illnesses due to the lack of salt.
The former emperor, upon ascending the throne, first took measures to forcibly lower the prices of grain and salt, restoring them to normal levels so that the people could afford them.
