Chapter 352 - 336: The Game

Chapter 352: Chapter 336: The Game

In the hall.

Zhao Yuanhong’s gaze swept across the faces of the crowd, each showing a different emotion, before finally settling on Chen Shouheng, whose eyes were lowered.

He returned to the head seat and broke the silence, his tone as even as he could make it. "Chen Jieyuan, the matter of the Celestial Sword Sect... Since that is settled for the time being, let us proceed with the sale."

Chen Shouheng slowly lifted his head, the swirling anger that had just been in his eyes now concealed.

His face was impassive as he met Zhao Yuanhong’s gaze and nodded. "I am at Lord Zhao’s disposal."

Zhao Yuanhong breathed an inward sigh of relief. He sat back down in the head seat and gestured to the green-robed official waiting at his side.

The green-robed official understood. He stepped forward and announced in a clear voice, "Since there are no objections, we shall proceed. Someone, bring forward the asset registries."

Clerks were already at the ready, carrying three thick dossiers that they presented to Tan Mingyuan, Cao Wenxuan, and Chen Shouheng.

The Deputy Official unfurled the dossier in his hands and read aloud, "Following deliberation by the Commandery Magistrate’s Office and approval from the State Magistrate’s Office, the assets under the name of the Sun Family have been divided into three lots of comparable value, to be sold off individually today. We will now announce the asset inventory..."

"Lot One: A total of fifteen thousand mu of farmland in Qingshui County. This includes three hundred mu of orange groves over ten years old, two hundred mu of cotton fields, one thousand two hundred mu of tea plantations, and two hundred mu of medicinal herb fields cultivated for the past three years. Starting bid: 350,000 taels of silver."

"Lot Two: One five-courtyard mansion in Liyang Commandery City, three street-facing shops, and over twenty warehouses located both inside and outside the city. Additionally, an inventory of ninety thousand measures of high-grade grain, and nine thousand two hundred mu of prime irrigated farmland in Qingshui County. Starting bid: 350,000 taels of silver."

"Lot Three: The entirety of the original Sun’s Textile Workshop. The current inventory of raw silk and assorted silk remnants within the workshop is valued at approximately fifty thousand taels. Also included are four thousand eight hundred mu of mature mulberry fields located within Jingshan County. Starting bid: 350,000 taels of silver."

"For the three lots listed above, each bid increment must be no less than ten thousand taels of silver. You may bid repeatedly. The highest bidder wins. Please deliberate carefully."

The Deputy Official finished his announcement, took a step back, and stood respectfully with his hands lowered.

The hall fell silent.

Zhao Yuanhong spoke at the opportune moment. "You may all choose to bid on one or two lots according to your family’s needs. Of course, if you have your eye on a particular lot but are also interested in the others, you are naturally free to bid. The highest bidder wins."

His tone shifted slightly, as if confiding in them. "I won’t hide this from the three of you. The Commandery Magistrate’s Office’s main priority in this sale is to raise the one million taels of tax silver the Sun Family owed to the Court. This is to solidify the nation’s foundation. As long as the full tax amount is collected, I will be able to report to the Court."

He paused meaningfully before continuing, "If the three of you can each get what you need and we collect the one million taels, it would be a joyous outcome for all involved. It would also save everyone from damaging our friendly relations.

"If a bidding war breaks out and drives the prices too high, although it would be a good thing for the Commandery Magistrate’s Office, the extra silver you would have to spend would ultimately not be a good deal for any of you. I hope you will all think carefully before you act."

His words were dignified and high-minded, but the underlying message couldn’t have been clearer.

As long as the three families each took one lot and collectively paid the one million taels in taxes—even if each lot sold for just 350,000 taels—he would turn a blind eye. That way, everyone could save face.

But if they insisted on fighting and driving up the prices, they would be the only ones to suffer in the end.

The people in the hall were astute; they naturally understood the unspoken message.

Tan Mingyuan’s smile didn’t falter, but his eyes flickered, his thoughts unreadable.

Cao Wenxuan maintained a leisurely posture, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

Chen Shouheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on his knee as his mind raced.

’The division of these three lots is a clever trick; they’ve obviously been curated with care.’

’For the Tan Family, who have no roots in Liyang, let alone Jiangzhou, the most urgent need is a foothold and a ready-made business.’

’The first lot is purely land assets, and quite diverse. It requires a power with strong local roots; otherwise, they wouldn’t even be able to protect the farmland.’

’With the second lot—the mansion, warehouses, grain, and grain fields in the Commandery City—whoever acquires it can immediately take over the Sun Family’s former channels and quickly break into the Liyang grain market.’

’The third lot—the Textile Workshop, raw silk, and mulberry fields—would mean taking control of the entire silk production chain.’

’Those two lots will undoubtedly be the Tan Family’s primary targets.’

’A starting bid of 350,000 taels isn’t expensive, considering the actual value of any of these lots.’

But Chen Shouheng knew that this starting bid would be far from the final selling price.

Once the bidding began, a fight was inevitable.

’The biggest problem now,’ he thought, ’is that I was forced to return that one million taels. My available silver has plummeted to around 1.3 million taels.’

’To bid on all three lots simultaneously would stretch my funds to their absolute limit.’

’And I have no idea about the Tan Family’s background or the extent of their wealth.’

’They’re like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, ready to strike and bite at any moment.’

’Right now, my only hope seems to be the young lady from the Cao Family across the way, with her faint, gentle smile.’

’But is the Cao Family truly here to help, or do they have their own agenda?’

’Will the promise they made a few days ago still hold true on this battlefield of cold, hard cash?’

Chen Shouheng wasn’t entirely sure.

He raised his eyes and looked across the hall.

As it happened, Cao Wenxuan was also looking his way with a gentle smile.

She still wore that same gentle, tranquil smile. Concealed by her sleeve, she almost imperceptibly raised her index finger, gave it a slight flick in Chen Shouheng’s direction, and then retracted it as if nothing had happened.

Chen Shouheng’s mind raced, and he understood in an instant: Cao Wenxuan was going for the first lot, the fifteen thousand mu of farmland.

’I’ll take the gamble!’

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his apprehension and doubt, and gave an almost imperceptible nod in Cao Wenxuan’s direction.

’Whether the Cao Family is sincere or just feigning, right now, I have no choice but to trust them.’

Just then, the Deputy Official stepped forward again and shouted, "With no objections, the auction shall begin! First up is Lot One, fifteen thousand mu of farmland. The starting bid is 350,000 taels! Please place your bids!"

The atmosphere in the hall tightened instantly.

Everyone’s attention snapped back into focus.

Almost as soon as the green-robed official’s voice faded, Cao Wenxuan raised her hand. Her voice was clear and pleasant, without a hint of hesitation.

"The Cao Family bids 350,000 taels."

Chen Shouheng remained silent, making no move, as if completely uninterested in the fifteen thousand mu of farmland.

Seeing Chen Shouheng’s lack of reaction, everyone’s gaze shifted in unison to Tan Mingyuan.

Tan Mingyuan was stunned. The expression on his face froze, his brows knitting together as he shot a look of bewildered suspicion at Chen Shouheng, then at Cao Wenxuan, and finally, a glance at Zhao Yuanhong on the main seat.

’What’s happening? The Chen Family... they’re not even going to fight for it?’

’That’s fifteen thousand mu of solid farmland! For a local family like theirs, it’s the very foundation of their power.’

’Is the Chen Family really giving it up so easily?’

’Or were they so shaken by the Celestial Sword Sect that they’re actually planning to accept Zhao Yuanhong’s suggestion that each family take one lot?’

Tan Mingyuan rapidly weighed his options.

’My main objective here isn’t these fifteen thousand mu of farmland,’ he thought.

’If I bid against the Cao Family now, I might not win against them, since they seem prepared. Besides, my target is the Chen Family; it would be unwise to make another powerful enemy rashly.’

Ultimately, when the Deputy Official’s inquiring gaze turned to him once more, he forced a somewhat stiff smile and shook his head, declining to bid.

The green-robed Deputy Official was clearly surprised by this result and exchanged a glance with Zhao Yuanhong.

Zhao Yuanhong’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but his expression quickly smoothed over as he gave a slight nod to the official.

The Deputy Official cleared his throat and called out, "350,000 taels, going once... going twice... three times..."

No one else bid.

"Lot One is sold to the Cao Family!"

Cao Wenxuan smiled and nodded toward both Zhao Yuanhong and Chen Shouheng.

The green-robed Deputy Official looked to Zhao Yuanhong for confirmation. Receiving a nod, he cleared his throat and announced, "Lot Two: the Sun Family residence, with ninety thousand measures of grain and nine thousand two hundred mu of farmland! The starting bid is 350,000 taels! Please place your bids!"

His voice faded, but the hall remained silent.

Cao Wenxuan sat perfectly still, her gaze lowered and serene, clearly having no intention of participating.

Chen Shouheng was also silent, his eyes downcast, showing no sign of making a bid.

Tan Mingyuan’s brow was furrowed in concentration, his gaze fixed on Chen Shouheng’s face, full of suspicion and uncertainty.

’Chen Shouheng still hasn’t bid. What is he playing at?’

’Could it be that the million taels the Celestial Sword Sect took was all the liquid cash the Chen Family had? Did losing it shatter their nerve so completely that they’re giving up on this lot too?’

Time ticked by, marked by the steady drip of the copper water clock.

The strange silence made even Zhao Yuanhong, seated on high, begin to fidget. He grew worried.

’The Chen Family paid me a bribe of one thousand taels of gold just for a chance at the Sun Family’s assets,’ he thought. ’How could they possibly have no interest now?’

’Even with the Celestial Sword Sect’s interference, it’s not as if they can’t even afford to compete at all, is it? Are they really willing to go home empty-handed?’

The green-robed Deputy Official cleared his throat and announced again, "Is there a bid for the second lot?"

His gaze passed over Tan Mingyuan, then Chen Shouheng. "If... there are no bids, then according to the rules, this lot will be withdrawn and put up for auction at a later date."

Zhao Yuanhong’s expression darkened slightly.

This was not the outcome he wanted to see.

"Wait."

A calm voice spoke up.

Chen Shouheng slowly raised his head and said clearly, "350,000 taels."

He had finally made a bid!

Zhao Yuanhong breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a bit more settled. He looked toward Tan Mingyuan, his eyes carrying a hint of prompting.

Tan Mingyuan was still filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

’What does Chen Shouheng really want? Is he genuinely after the second lot, or is this just a feint, with his real target being the third?’

’But if I give up now, Chen Shouheng gets the second lot for the starting bid. Then he can save his funds to go all-out for the third lot.’

’That would make him a huge threat.’

’I have to make him spend his money!’

In a flash, Tan Mingyuan made his decision.

He glanced up, catching a subtle, suggestive look from Zhao Yuanhong.

Tan Mingyuan understood at once. Without further hesitation, he raised the bid in a clear voice, "360,000 taels!"

"370,000 taels."

Chen Shouheng countered almost immediately.

The two went back and forth, their bids rising one after another. Each new price was called out cleanly, without the slightest hesitation.

The price soared as if on wings, quickly climbing past the five hundred thousand mark.

When Tan Mingyuan called out "510,000 taels," Chen Shouheng suddenly went quiet.

The hall grew quiet once more.

Tan Mingyuan stared intently at Chen Shouheng, his heart pounding in his chest.

Cold sweat broke out on his back.

If Chen Shouheng gave up now, this lot—one he didn’t even particularly want—would be stuck in his hands.

It would exhaust a huge portion of his funds, leaving him completely unable to compete for the third lot.

His entire plan would fall apart.