The reason why ancient salt is so expensive is that the method of making salt is simple, but it is slow and inefficient. In fact, the salt-making method used in ancient times was to take out the seawater and put it by the water's edge to dry, and then after the water evaporated, take out the remaining salt and fry it in a pot. Boiled salt is the earliest method of making salt in ancient times. Of course, such a labor-intensive method naturally makes the production cost of salt extremely high, so salt is very expensive. In addition, the ancient salt was in the hands of the government, and the government was responsible for the refining, production, transportation and sales of salt.
What about the ancients? Don't you eat salt? It is out of the question. Salt is a necessity. If people don't eat salt for a long time, they will be weak and have various uncomfortable symptoms. So the poor in ancient times could not afford it, and the out-and-out officials had to buy private salt. Because the government is very strict with strict supervision and those who have the courage to sell illegal salt also have great strength, so the price of illegal salt is also very expensive, but at least the poor can accept it. If there is no money, they will exchange corresponding things.
Secondly, ordinary people can also use other foods instead of salt. After all, if you are not really weak, it is nothing to eat less salt for a meal or two. At this time, salt becomes a condiment, and people can use seafood with peppers caught in the sea or other foods containing iodine to temporarily supplement the energy needed by the body. There are even some people who can't afford to eat Chili and can only drink their own sweat.
Therefore, we will not be able to live a better life in any dynasty or any period only by hard work. Money is not everything, but we can't do anything without it.