Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 342, Section 341: The Queen's Recognition of Character
There were no auctions during the Qin Dynasty.

With her meager assets, she's far from being able to afford an auction, but she does have some experience in taking a gamble.

However, it's always good to build up anticipation from the start when doing things. Therefore, she carefully reviewed the order of each item in this auction.

Now that the auction has begun, Xin has come on stage to announce—

[The first item in the first session of the Qin Dynasty Royal Auction is: The Secret Technique of Firing Azure Glass!]

Indeed, in order to extract money from royalty and nobility, the secrets of glassmaking were meticulously broken down—Qin Shi learned that, without understanding the principles, the firing of emerald green glass and vermilion glass were actually completely different.

The green color mainly relies on ion coloring, and it can be colored in a single firing.

However, red requires coloring with colloids. It is likely to be colorless the first time, and it can only be colored again after a process conversion.

If the craftsmen are given some time and materials to experiment, they will probably be able to figure it out.

However, with the six kingdoms pacified, those who had traveled thousands of miles to attend the auction must have amassed immense wealth. Would they choose to pass down their secret techniques through generations, or would they diligently study at home and recruit skilled craftsmen...?

Most people would probably choose the former, which shows they have the patience and rationality to choose the latter. As long as the auction atmosphere is heated up, there will always be some wealthy and powerful people who won't mind.

Qin Shi had already briefly reported many details of the auction to the King during their daily conversations.

But at this moment, the Censor-in-Chief, who was quite sensitive to economic matters, sighed: "The Queen is kind, but auctioning off such secret methods is like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs."

Qin Shi glanced at him.

Wang Xueyuan's clan is also very wealthy, and some of his clansmen are participating in the auction. Yet, he can say such things now, which clearly shows that he is loyal to the King of Qin.

Sure enough, looking at Ji Heng again, although his expression remained unchanged, Qin Shi could already see that the other party was quite satisfied.

It is likely that Wang Xueyuan's swift reinstatement is inseparable from his loyalty.

In the Qin state today, loyalty to the ruler is a rare virtue!
Therefore, she didn't hide it, but simply smiled and said:
"The price obtained by one family from the Glazed Secret Technique is about ten times higher than the price obtained by two families jointly."

"Furthermore, after His Majesty performs the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, the Xianyang Palace will bestow upon you imperial-made glassware."

Just like porcelain, antiques from folk kilns and official kilns have drastically different prices in later generations.

It's pitiful that she, a media studies student, is now racking her brains to come up with these business ideas—

When will the Qin state produce a talent like Sang Hongyang?

Wang Xueyuan was taken aback, but then she understood:

"The Queen is truly talented."

Meanwhile, the usually taciturn prime minister stroked his beard and chuckled, saying:

"I beg Your Majesty and Queen to show compassion to this old minister and bestow upon him a few more of these imperial treasures."

Wang Xueyuan was immediately annoyed again!
……

Looking at the auction hall, it was indeed bustling with activity. Despite the enthusiasm with which everyone was offering their land and assets, they actually harbored doubts about whether Xianyang Palace would truly auction off such a secret method.

But now?

The official above is explaining the contents of this secret method to everyone.

For example, there are several skilled craftsmen, how many people each successful bidder can send to learn, the time limit, what the glass will look like, and samples will be passed around and displayed in front of the auction stage...

This process takes a lot of effort, but it is precisely because of its complexity that this secret method seems to be truly effective.

As for why the craftsmen weren't included in the auction directly?
Although Zhongshuzi Xin could not serve the Queen personally, he put in his utmost effort and could naturally see how much the Queen valued the craftsmen.

The Queen had even inquired in detail about the specific requirements and benefits of the military merit system. Xin dared to guess that if any craftsmen were exceptionally outstanding, the Queen would personally bestow a title upon them after this auction.

Even those with only the low-ranking title of "Bu Geng" will be exempt from military service and corvée labor in the future.

Therefore, he remained calm in the face of such questions from the crowd at the auction.
“A craftsman who is proficient in such secret techniques must have been enlightened by the Queen using the secret methods of Kunlun. How could they be bought and sold so casually?”

That makes perfect sense.

After a few quiet discussions, no one questioned the [Kunlun Secret Technique Enlightenment], so after an incense stick's time, the [Azure Glazed Secret Technique] was officially auctioned off!
"Starting price: 30,000 shi of top-grade millet!"

"Each increase in price must not be less than one thousand shi!"

(At this time, a city's tax revenue was roughly between 10,000 and 30,000 shi of grain, and grain was a more useful hard currency than gold.)

...

Ji Heng quietly looked at Xin standing on the stage from the side, and nodded slightly:
"The Queen is good at recognizing and employing people. This person is suitable for the position of Zhongshuzi."

This was the first high-ranking official appointed during the Qin Dynasty.

Therefore, even though the position of "Zhongshuzi" was extremely important, being a key advisor to the rulers, crown princes, or prime ministers of past dynasties, Ji Heng granted the request in order not to damage the queen's dignity.

Even if the other party was a convict.

so what?

In the past, Shang Yang came from the State of Wei and served as a junior official under Gongsun Cuo, the prime minister of Wei, before he went to Qin.
Judging from the fact that this junior official has acted steadily and meticulously on several occasions, and acted appropriately, it is clear that the Queen of Qin is also good at recognizing people.

Long time no see!!! Don't worry, I won't scam you, but this...

While reading the Zizhi Tongjian recently, I remembered that Prince Qian was an unlucky fellow who had his face branded and his nose cut off by Shang Yang (the previous crown prince suffered the same fate, and then he himself)...

Oh dear, Qian'er, it's not so bad to have an empty mind. At least this time you're a prince, so you're safe!

……

Before the Qin Dynasty, officials' loyalty was not directed towards the emperor and the country; rather, they sought to demonstrate their abilities and ambitions to those in power. Records from the Warring States period frequently show ministers who, failing to gain favor in one region, would flee to another…

The concept of loyalty to the emperor was an implicit idea that gradually took root after the widespread dissemination of Confucianism.