Chapter 153: The Grand Auction

“Brother Boyi, long time no see?”

“It has been a year since Zjie last saw you. Why did you come here today as well?”

“How could I not come? I heard that a famous wine of a lifetime appeared in Juancheng. How could I miss the chance to see it?”

“Even you know about Lingzhi Wine? Haha, the taste is unforgettable, truly unforgettable~”

“Brother Boyi has tasted it?”

“I was lucky enough to have a sip and taste a small cup of it.”

“If this wine passes your approval, Cai Boyi, it must indeed be extraordinary.”

The magnificent Yan Residence was still filled with music and dance. The “Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River,” which never appears unless on a major holiday, was gracefully performed. Everyone around was laughing and talking like famous scholars and nobles.

“Brother Cheng, you are going to make a great name for yourself this time.”

“Incredible, truly incredible. Nearly nine out of ten of the Great Han’s top noble families are here. I saw them. There are the descendants of the late Cai, the famous master, as well as members of the Wang Clan and the Wei Family. Even the Xun family, who have long retired from the world, are here. Look, did you see that person over there?”

“Previous auctions were held in random places, with only three or five close friends attending. This time is different. It is held at Yan Residence. Look at the ‘Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River’ on the stage. You only get to see it twice a year at most.”

Unlike the noble families and high-ranking nobles who gathered in small groups, the “main characters” of this auction were stuck in the most inconspicuous corner.

After all, compared to those noble families and famous clans, they , as merchants, were originally not considered important enough to show up.

Among this crowd, Fatty Cheng was the happiest. Listening to everyone around him praise him, he felt even more proud, but he quickly raised his hand: “Everyone, please do not flatter me to my ruin. This time, I was merely entrusted to do this to create some excitement. I hope everyone will support my business in the future, yes, please do.”

“Brother Cheng is too polite. If you go to the south in the future and face any difficulties, just say it. We are all traveling merchants; it is only right that we help each other.”

“That’s exactly the point.”

As the dance of “Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River” finished, a group of famous courtesans from Juancheng slowly walked off the stage. A handsome scholar wearing a white silk hat stepped forward:

“Good evening, everyone. I am Chen Shuye. Tonight, I will host the ‘Famous Medicine Auction’ for you.”

“The rules for the ‘Famous Medicine Auction’ are written clearly in the small booklet beside each of you. I will not repeat them one by one. Now, please welcome the first item of this auction: ‘Ten Thousand Gold Powder’ from the Imperial Treasure Pharmacy.”

The scholar waved his hand, and a handmaiden soon walked gracefully to the front holding a tray. After she lifted the red cloth, everyone could see an open red sandalwood box.

“Ten Thousand Gold Powder has been in circulation for a long time. It is a premium medicine from the Imperial Treasure Pharmacy. Due to the complex production process and expensive ingredients, only a small amount is auctioned off each year. This medicine has the amazing effect of stopping bleeding and healing skin immediately after consumption. Taking it daily can also strengthen the body. I am sure everyone in this room knows better than I do.”

“Auctioning begins now. The starting price is 20 gold. Each bid must increase by at least 10 silver. Please place your bids.”

As soon as the scholar finished speaking, someone immediately shouted a price: “20 gold and 30 silver.”

“20 gold and 50 silver.”

“21 gold and 80 silver.”

…

As the auction officially began, although the young men from the Great Han’s noble families sitting in the front remained perfectly still, some people who often attended famous medicine auctions could not resist placing their bids one after another.

They all understood that they would not be the ones to get the final, show-stopping item. So, they naturally grabbed the good items that came first. At least, they would not come for nothing.

The group of merchants still sitting in the corner could not stop talking and gazed intently at the auction hall. They watched as each item was sold at various prices. If an item fetched a high price, they were happy; if it sold for a low price, they could only shake their heads in regret.

Fatty Cheng sat among this group of merchants, looking surprisingly calm.

This time, he did not bring a second batch of medicine to auction because a single jar of “Lingzhi Wine” had already attracted all the attention.

As time passed, ten, then twenty auction items were sold one by one. Two hours later, the grand finale of this auction finally took the stage.

At this moment, those lazy Great Han noble family members finally focused their attention on the scholar wearing the white silk hat.

“The last item of tonight, and the grand finale of this ‘Famous Medicine Auction’, is ‘Lingzhi Wine’. It was entrusted to be auctioned by the Cheng Ji Pharmacy.”

“It is said that the master who brewed this wine was a descendant of Yi Di, the ancestor of wine from the ancient Xia Dynasty. The appearance of this Lingzhi Wine marks the first time the Yi family has shown their presence after staying hidden for a thousand years.”

“Famous wine is precious. I have not tasted such an exceptional delicacy myself, so I am afraid I cannot tell you the effects of this Lingzhi Wine. However, this wine has been praised by many famous scholars, so it is certain to be ranked among the finest brews in the Great Han.”

“The starting price is 600 gold. Each bid must increase by at least 10 gold. Dear guests, please bid.”

Almost the moment the scholar finished speaking, the first bid echoed through the hall:

“650 gold!”

Shortly after, many others joined in:

“680 gold!”

“710 gold!”

“730 gold!”

“800 gold!”

In the blink of an eye, the price of the Lingzhi Wine skyrocketed to 800 gold!

This price was already the amount agreed upon by Mo Xiaobai and Fatty Cheng earlier.

“The Yi family’s ancestral treasure. I, Cai Heng, will not miss this chance. 850 gold.”

“Brother Boyi, that is a bit too much. How can such fine wine be enjoyed alone? Let me have it. I offer 880 gold.”

“When did the young men of the Wang Clan become so modest? I, Zhang Yao, bid 910 gold.”

“Hiss~ The descendant of the Marquis of Liuyang is here too? This is a bit tricky. However, the Lingzhi Wine is truly something I cannot give up. My grandfather ordered me to bring it back for sure. 940 gold. The Cui Family bids.”

“Xun Yi, 1000 gold.”

As the bidding continued to rise, Fatty Cheng, sitting in the back, could not stop smiling.

Such a lively scene made it all worth it. He had sacrificed a small bottle of Lingzhi Wine to let these noble family members taste it, and now they were fighting over the main jar.

Moreover, with the auction price reaching such a high level, he would now have the confidence to visit Mo Xiaobai in Daming Village. If the first auction price had not reached even 800 gold, he would not have had the face to even mention the next auction.

However, while many noble families were busy placing their bids, someone on the left side of the guests’ seating area whispered to another:

“Brother Ziyi, there is no need to bid right now.”

“Hmm?”

The young man referred to as “Ziyi” frowned upon hearing this and looked at the person beside him with some confusion: “Everyone is fighting for it. How can our Wei Family stay silent?”

“Think about it. That so-called Cheng Ji Pharmacy, what right did they have to produce such wine from the Yi family? If we are to compete, we should not fight for this small jar, but rather for that descendant of the Yi family.”

“Hmm, that is not right. You and I are not familiar with Juancheng, so it will be hard to find him.”

“After the auction ends, the boss of Cheng Ji will definitely go to the Yi family. As long as we keep a close eye on Cheng Ji, it will not be difficult to find the true master who brewed the Lingzhi Wine.”

“What you said makes some sense. Then let those heavy drinkers fight over this jar of Lingzhi Wine. If I can find the Yi family, why would I worry about getting Lingzhi Wine?”

The young man nodded repeatedly, then added: “Let us work hard together this time and keep a close watch on Cheng Ji. As long as we get this done, when I return home, I can persuade my father to let you manage part of the Wei Family’s shops. You must have been waiting for this day, haven’t you?”

Hearing this, the person beside him immediately showed a flash of excitement in his eyes: “Thank you, Brother Ziyi. I will do my best to help you and bring the Yi family back to Qing Province.”

Just as the two of them were talking, the bidding for the Lingzhi Wine reached its peak.

At the same time, the man sitting at the far left of the front row, who had not spoken a single word throughout, suddenly raised his hand.