Lord of Fortune

"Your Majesty, my concubine has an idea. Since Qin'er can auction off the imperial gifts to rich merchants at a high price to earn military supplies and disaster relief expenses, why don't we also take out the materials accumulated in the palace and sell them to the common people in public? "

Emperor Chongde thought for a while, and said: "If I do this, I'm afraid those old-fashioned people will say that I shouldn't lower my self-esteem and do business."

"The emperor's move is not for profit, but for the great affairs of the country. If the emperor does this, outsiders will only think that the emperor is concerned about the country and the people." After speaking, Empress Ding winked at Emperor Chongde: "Concubine I know what the emperor is worried about, but as long as we attract good public opinion, those ministers will naturally not be able to say anything about the emperor."

"In order to raise money, Qin'er sold the gifts from the imperial court to giant merchants. The concubine proposed to sell the unnecessary silk and satin in the palace to the common people, but she wanted them to have a sense of participation. When Daqi was in crisis, The individual strength of the common people may be very small, but if they are willing to contribute their own strength, they will add up, and the emperor can also use this method to unite them."

After Emperor Chongde listened, he remained silent for a long time.

After a while, I said: "Every time I finish talking with the queen, I can always gain a lot."

Empress Ding and Han Mengqin, the mother and daughter, may not have as much background as other concubines, and their behavior style is not so strong.But their grasp of the hearts and popularity of the people far surpassed others, and they brought him great help.

Emperor Chongde felt that in the future he would become more and more inseparable from them.

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

While Queen Ding was busy, Han Mengqin was still raising money.Fortunately, Emperor Chongde and Queen Ding had rewarded a lot of things before, otherwise, she would never have thought of raising money in this way.

The rich merchants around are obviously very interested in the imperial gifts.

They are not short of money. To them, money is just a number. On the contrary, it is a gift from the emperor.This is something that can be passed down to grandparents and grandchildren as a family heirloom!

Several wealthy merchants made up their minds to buy a few pieces back at any cost.

A few days ago, Han Mengqin exchanged three imperial gifts for a million taels of silver, which not only relieved Emperor Chongde's urgent need, but also completely whetted the appetites of wealthy businessmen.

She scheduled the second auction in ten days.

Since Han Mengqin does not accept cash, but only accepts gold and silver, the rich merchants have spent the past few days working hard to raise gold.

On the day of the second auction of the imperial gift, many wealthy merchants arrived at the scene early, including several salt merchants who were extremely wealthy.

Zhang Yanshang looked at his colleague Wang Yanshang with a fake smile: "The three imperial gift items auctioned by Miss Han a few days ago were all taken by Brother Wang. Isn't Brother Wang still satisfied? Still want to fight with us?"

The king salt merchant stroked the tiger's beard and said: "The more gifts from the emperor, the better, how can only three be enough?"

Of the three royal gifts he took back last time, one was given to his mother, one was honored to his backer, and only one was still in his own hands.As for that imperial gift, he was so precious that he would not let others see it easily.

"Brother Wang, you're being unkind. Having three is too little? Why don't we have none?" Li Yanshang muttered dissatisfied.

"Don't worry, Brother Li, there should be ten pieces of imperial gifts that Ms. Han auctioned off today, and I won't compete with you, as long as I can get one or two more."

"Since Brother Wang said so, we can rest assured."

Zhang Yanshang and Li Yanshang exchanged a look.There are a total of thirteen imperial bestowals, the Wang family got five of them, and it's not bad that each of them can get four.

Among the three families, in terms of net worth, the Wang family is the richest, and the Zhang family and the Li family are evenly matched. Therefore, they have no objection to the fact that the Wang family has a slightly larger share than the two of them.

At this time, the auction finally started.Han Mengqin sat quietly at the side, with some guards borrowed from Prefect Hu standing beside him to maintain order at the scene.

If Han Mengqin hadn't gotten into trouble with the Jiang family, she would definitely go to Mr. Jiang for such a thing.But now, no matter what she does, she will not take Mr. Jiang with her.

Prefect Hu was very busy and didn't come to the scene in person. Mrs. Hu and Han Mengqin had a good relationship, but she came to the scene to support Han Mengqin in person.

"What you are doing is good for the country. If it weren't for the lack of money in my family, I would like to buy one and go home." Mrs. Hu said quite emotionally.Although the flower shop she opened has made some money now, it is still far from allowing her to bid with those wealthy salt merchants.

"Don't worry, Auntie, the emperor has noticed both your intentions and uncle's. When uncle is promoted in the future and comes into the eyes of the emperor, he will naturally get something from the emperor."

"Let me lend you a good word." Mrs. Hu took out a cloth bag from her bosom, which contained 300 taels of silver.This is all the money she has saved since the store opened, excluding various expenses.Many of the flowers that can be sold at a high price have to be cultivated for another year or two before they can be sold. Therefore, although Mrs. Hu is better off than before, she is not at the point where she can easily spend thousands of taels of silver.

Mrs. Hu handed the cloth bag to Han Mengqin: "Although I don't have the money to take those auction items, I still want to do my part for the country."

"Since my aunt said so, I will accept it on behalf of the emperor."

Mrs. Hu paid less money, and those salt merchants paid more, but Han Mengqin didn't feel that Mrs. Hu's kindness was any worse than those salt merchants.After all, tens of millions of taels of silver are nothing more than a drop in the bucket for those salt merchants, but Mrs. Hu's 300 taels of silver have been saved for a long time.

Seeing this, Han Mengling and Han Mengyin discussed it, and said to Han Mengqin: "Big sister, let's pay 100 taels of silver together. Although our ability is limited and we can't help much, we also want to make a contribution for you." Big sister, do your part for us Daqi."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Hu embraced Han Mengling and Han Mengyin: "They are both good children."

It is unlikely that her son will marry Han Mengqin, and Han Mengyin is a little younger, so she began to think about the possibility of telling her son Han Mengling, who is in the middle.

Although Han Mengling's behavior before the age of ten was a bit inappropriate and her reputation was not very good, but in recent years, she has followed Han Mengqin's example. In terms of behavior, she has become more and more like Han Mengqin. The wife naturally had a good impression of her.

At this time, the maids such as Xiangwu and Xiangcao brought out the first item to be auctioned today.

These are a few bolts of tribute satin awarded by Emperor Chongde, they are all high-quality materials, if they are used to make clothes, they will definitely look very beautiful.However, merchants are generally not qualified to wear this kind of tribute satin, even if they buy it back home, they can only pay for it.

"These bolts of tribute satin are so beautiful, I'll pay you 1 taels of silver!" Zhang Yanshang spoke first.

His opponent, Li Yanshang, immediately said unceremoniously: "Unfortunately, I also like this tribute satin, and I will pay 2 taels of silver!"

"3 taels of silver!" Zhang Yanshang continued to increase the price without raising his eyebrows.

"5 taels of silver!" Li Yanshang immediately followed up.

"10 taels of silver!" Zhang Yanshang was a little annoyed.

"20 taels of silver!" Li Yanshang patted the table!

Zhang Yanshang frowned, but finally did not follow up.Satin is good, but there may be better things later on. If he spends too much money on this first thing, it will be difficult for the next few games.

In the end, these bolts of tribute satin were sold at a price of 20 taels of silver, which was hundreds of times higher than the cost price. However, Li Yanshang, who had photographed these bolts of tribute satin, was very happy, thinking that he had finally settled down. He regained some face in front of Zhang Yanshang.

The second auction item is a calligraphy and painting work awarded by Emperor Chongde, which was produced by a famous artist in the previous dynasty.

If literati who understand the goods are here, I'm afraid they will break their heads.Although merchants do not have such a high level of cultural accomplishment and do not understand the true value of calligraphy and painting, many of them also like arty ones.

In the end, the richest salt merchant, Wang Yanshang, stepped forward and took away the calligraphy and painting: "Next month is my birthday, so I can use it as a birthday present for my lord."

Since Wang Yanshang has come forward, Li Yanshang and Zhang Yanshang will naturally give him some face and not compete with him.

Fortunately, Wang Yanshang was very generous and did not disappoint Han Mengqin. In the end, he sold the calligraphy and painting for 30 taels of silver.

Looking at the boxes of gold and silver, Han Mengqin couldn't help sighing, these merchants are really rich.She had only sold two items, and 50 taels of silver had already entered the account.

In just a few years, Han Mengqin has earned millions of taels of silver. In the eyes of many people, she is already very lucky and very good at making money. However, her silver is not as good as these big salt merchants. In comparison, it's really just a drop in the bucket.

The third thing is a pair of child jade Ruyi gifted by Emperor Chongde.

As soon as Zhang Yanshang saw the pair of Eryu Ruyi, he couldn't move his eyes: "Just now, brother Li has already photographed the tribute satin before me. This time, brother Li should let me go, right?"

Unexpectedly, Li Yanshang really didn't want to let it go: "How can it be enough to only take a few pieces of tribute satin? Unfortunately, I am also very interested in this jade Ruyi, let's speak based on our strength! I will offer 5 taels of silver!"

Zhang Yanshang snorted coldly: "You are still arguing with me just because you are so tight? I will pay 20 taels of silver!"

When the people around heard that the salt merchant had increased the price to 20 taels in one breath, they couldn't help but gasped.

These people really don't take money as money!

Some small merchants who were going to pick up a leak couldn't help but tighten their pockets at this moment, and silently withdrew from the battlefield.

It's not that they don't want to buy the imperial gift, it's not that they don't want to contribute to the country, it's that they can't compete with those big rich salt merchants QAQ said too much and they are crying.

"Three million taels of silver!"

"Three million taels of silver!"

Li Yanshang looked at the bloody Zhang Yanshang, frowned, thought about it, and chose to give up.

In the end, the pair of Kodama Ruyi was photographed by Zhang Yanshang at a price of 60 taels of silver.

Only three items were sold, and the amount of silver raised has already reached one million taels.Han Mengqin reckoned that when she auctioned off the ten imperial gift items, there would be more than enough money for military supplies and disaster relief this time—as long as no one was corrupted.

The fourth auction item is the famous flower bestowed by Emperor Chongde, Biejiao Wanshui - after Emperor Chongde heard that Han Mengqin had personally cultivated this flower through cutting techniques, he ordered someone to give it to her with great interest. She brought a pot over, and then brought back a pot of Biejiao Wanshui that she planted back to the palace.

Back when Han Mengqin planted this flower, he could have sold it for tens of thousands of taels of silver without the name of Yuci. Now, the value of the Yuci's Biejiao Wanshui is naturally higher.

In the end, this pot of Biejiao Wanshui was bought by Wang Salt Merchant at a price of 60 taels of silver.Wang Salt Merchant brought a total of 10 taels of gold today, equivalent to about 100 million taels of silver.After photographing two items, Wang Yanshang did not plan to take another photo, but gave up the space to Li Yanshang and Zhang Yanshang.

The fifth auction item is a jade pendant. This jade pendant is full of water at first glance, and its color is excellent. What's even more rare is that on this jade pendant, there is a five-clawed golden dragon carved on it, and there are bright yellow tassels on it. hang down...

Zhang Yanshang and Li Yanshang were immediately excited. Of course, they are not qualified to wear a jade pendant of this size, but still the same sentence, even if it is placed at home as an offering!The two of them came and went, fighting happily. In the end, this jade pendant was acquired by Li Yanshang at a high price of 150 million taels of silver.

The sixth auction item was a string of beeswax amber bracelets. When the merchants below were bidding, Mrs. Jiang suddenly walked in with Ms. Jiang.

As soon as Miss Jiang saw Han Mengqin, she came over and talked to her affectionately: "Sister Qin's place is really lively. Sister Qin, don't you mind if my mother and I join in the fun?"

Han Mengqin said indifferently: "The visitor is a guest, so naturally I will not drive the guest out."

Ms. Jiang's gaze was on the string of beeswax worm amber bracelets that was auctioned: "Well, I want this string of bracelets, but I don't have much money from my private house. I will buy it from Sister Qin for 100 taels of silver." How about this bracelet?"