IDWBE -Chapter 575 The Auction

This auction was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites, with notarization by the Censorate. The empire’s top judge, Tang Jiyu, served as the host, tea was sponsored by Tianfu Restaurant, and the ceremonial attendants were provided by Chunxiang Restaurant.

The Meridian Gate was the main entrance to the imperial palace. A red carpet ran down the center, flanked by imperial guards in bright armor. Participants handed over their red tickets for inspection, then strode arrogantly up the carpet. Amid the cheerful music sung by Chunxiang’s performers, they entered the palace.

Outside the red carpet, a dense crowd of onlookers had gathered, squeezing in people like Jiang Tuhu and Li Sanniang.

Jiang Tuhu complained, “If I had known, I would’ve spent the money to buy a ticket myself—see the world at least once in my life!”

Zhu Rourong snorted coldly. “It’s your fault. I said we should go, but you hesitated over that ten thousand taels. Otherwise, I’d have already gone in.”

Jiang Tuhu grumbled, “Go enjoy the spectacle yourself then. Did I stop you? I only said I wouldn’t go. I never said you couldn’t.”

The two bickered back and forth.

Li Sanniang waved her hand. “Stop arguing. This auction is at the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Even though it’s spacious, the tickets went fast. The three thousand inside the hall sold out in less than half an hour. The thirty thousand tickets for the outer plaza, at a thousand taels each, were gone in under an hour. You lot—money in hand—might not even get a ticket.”

Jiang Tuhu stared in disbelief. “That fast? People don’t even value their silver! How can they be so generous?”

Nearby, Wang Xiaoshuan sneered, “This auction was prepared for six months. Every wealthy merchant in Daliang came—some even pirates from the seas. Who here is short on money? Only us, quibbling over a little silver—life’s just too dull that way.”

Jiang Tuhu frowned. “Pirates came for this?”

Wang Xiaoshuan chuckled, “Of course, to give silver to Lord He. They might not get a chance at the emperor’s lunch auction, but there’s a charity auction afterward—imperial belongings like paintings and jade. Whoever wins can get Lord He’s calligraphy, essentially a free pass for future security and wealth on the mainland.”

Jiang Tuhu said, “Just from ticket sales, the Ministry of Revenue must make a fortune.”

Wang Xiaoshuan pointed at a few furtive figures in the crowd. “Not just the ministry—these middlemen profit too. Tickets are anonymous. Wang Xun alone bought a thousand tickets, marking up by one to two thousand taels. Easy money. If you want in now, find a middleman—you still can.”

“Wang Xun bought that many?”

Li Sanniang looked at Wang Xiaoshuan with suspicion. “You must’ve orchestrated this, right?”

Wang Xiaoshuan laughed. “Smart, Sanniang.”

Jiang Tuhu glared. “Xiaoshuan, your nerve grows bolder. You dare do this?”

“I didn’t break the law—what’s there not to dare?”

Wang Xiaoshuan said smugly, “When I bought the tickets from the ministry, I asked—buy as many as you like. Reselling at a markup? That’s your skill.”

Li Sanniang sighed, then gestured. “Hurry, get me one ticket.”

Wang Xiaoshuan grinned. “Inside the hall or the plaza?”

Li Sanniang snapped, “Inside, of course.”

Wang Xiaoshuan smiled. “Front four rows, center seats. Others I charge thirty thousand taels. You, a friend, pay fourteen thousand six hundred—cost price.”

Li Sanniang huffed. “You’re greedy. At least profit off me, but this much?”

“Unfair. First row is fifty thousand, second thirty thousand, third twenty-one thousand five hundred, fourth fourteen thousand five hundred. I charge fourteen thousand six hundred—just a hundred taels profit. Much?”

He then turned to Jiang Tuhu. “The ten thousand tael tickets you mentioned? Fifth row. Seats get cheaper further back—the last row, three thousand. Want them? Add only a hundred more.”

Li Sanniang counted out silver notes. “Fine, give me the tickets.”

Zhu Rourong gritted his teeth. “I’m going in too—last row.”

Jiang Tuhu shrugged, “Of course, let’s go,” and handed over the silver. “Xiaoshuan, you’ve made a killing—at least a million taels, right?”

Wang Xiaoshuan chuckled. “The capital’s Wang Xun put up the money. I just follow behind for a sip of soup.”

Li Sanniang glared. “After all these years, do you think I don’t know you? Just for a sip of soup, and you work this hard?”

“Better than doing nothing,” he replied, grinning.

Li Sanniang, still irritated, followed Wang Xiaoshuan’s direction for makeup and new clothes.

From the high walls, Lin Yi stood with his hands behind his back, watching the dense crowd. “All money,” he murmured.

The Princess, in white, stood beside him. “So short on money?”

Lin Yi sighed. “Who isn’t?”

Princess scoffed. “Doing this—shaming the court—you’re not afraid of losses?”

Lin Yi shrugged. “Poor people have nothing to lose but pride. Court respect must be earned, not faked. Fooling others and yourself only backfires.”

The Princess snorted. “Excuses. If all poor people think like you, Daliang would have no rich left.”

“It’s a metaphor, do you get it?” Lin Yi asked, turning to the frowning Princess. “Don’t you know Tianning Temple is the outer gate of Jizhao Monastery?”

“Not just me,” she said. “Even Wen Zhaoyi and the Empress Dowager don’t know. Jizhao Monastery has a thousand years of secrets.”

Lin Yi pondered. “Shall I take you tonight to visit them?”

Princess, expressionless: “With pleasure.”

“Done,” Lin Yi said to Han Deqing. “Orders: tonight, I dine at Tianning Temple. Within ten li, not a mosquito in, not a fly out.”

The temple sits atop a mountain; no tunneling machinery exists, so escape tunnels are nearly impossible. Yet feudal society has its “unscientific” methods—secret passages, hidden chambers, dug casually. For safety, the cordon must be wide.

“Understood,” Han Deqing replied.

While the auction raged on, the Jing Camp, Military Command, and Imperial Guards mobilized. The city and surrounding roads stirred panic—people mistook cannon-laden horse-drawn carriages for an expedition north.

Every winter, the Wadan people raid south for forage. Mountains were snow-covered.

Pan Duo looked at the closed gates of Tianning Temple and the black-armored soldiers, then to the commanding officer Wei Yishan. “Think the thieves inside will suddenly attack?”

Wei Yishan shook his head. “If they wanted out, they’d act while we deployed. Now, with our setup complete, unlikely they’ll emerge.”

Pan Duo nodded. “Indeed.”

Night fell, temperatures dropped sharply, wind rose. Snow caught many cooking soldiers off-guard.

After dinner and a couple of drinks, Lin Yi led the Princess and Liu Chaoyuan up the mountain along torchlight.

“Dark and slippery—take care,” he warned. Leaning on Yu Xiaoshi and A-Dai, he stumbled, reminding the others, “Don’t strain yourselves.”

Liu Chaoyuan twitched but bowed, holding his whisk. The Princess, unimpressed, snorted.

Lin Yi chided, “Aunt, your thin clothes—won’t you freeze?”

A-Dai finally spoke the truth: “Grandmasters aren’t harmed by cold or heat—they don’t fear falls either.” Yu Xiaoshi echoed. The air grew tense; the steward’s gaze froze them.

The Princess laughed. Lin Yi, feigning magnanimity, said, “You two are so impervious. Impressive.”

A-Dai: “Grandmastering doesn’t involve fasting—I’d starve.”

Lin Yi: “Learning never stops. Tomorrow, you’ll start fasting for three days—see if you get hungry. Xiao Ying, train them properly—don’t be too lenient. It’s for their good.”

“Understood,” Hong Ying responded cheerfully.

Yu Xiaoshi and A-Dai froze. What did they do wrong? The mountain’s cold intensified. Lin Yi warmed his hands over the fire. “Any sweet potatoes? Roast some—it’s nice.”

Zhang Mian immediately replied, “My lord, wait.”

While roasting, Lin Yi urged, “Don’t dawdle—open the door! Leaving me outside isn’t hospitable.”

“Yes!”

The newly promoted grandmaster Zhou Jing knocked, in new uniform, holding a waist blade. “Regent Prince arrives! Open immediately—no negligence!”

Three breaths passed. No response. He stepped back; protocol required armored men to ram the door.