Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 199 Eastern Han Dynasty Treasures? Your Majesty, we have them all in our treasury!
"It is indeed an artifact from the Eastern Han Dynasty!"

Immediately, someone in the crowd echoed this sentiment.

"I have seen a bronze horse that tramples a swallow, but it is much smaller in size and the dragon and sparrow under its feet are nowhere to be found, yet it is still priced at ten thousand taels of silver."

This piece is a masterpiece of craftsmanship; the crystal-clear glass is undoubtedly extraordinary!

This person was unwilling to say it outright, but everyone knew in their hearts that if it was not an ordinary item, then it was an item belonging to the imperial family!
With such a fine quality and status, this horse that gallops over a swallow must have come from the Eastern Han Dynasty imperial palace.

For a moment, many people felt suffocated.

The audience was excited, but Yu Xiangdou on stage was stunned.

He glanced instinctively at the Flying Horse Trampling a Swallow, which was right in front of him. Was this thing really that powerful? He had never heard Zhang Tongzhi mention it before.

Upon closer inspection, it's covered in some mud, suggesting that Zhang Tongzhi had mentioned arranging for it to be aged and preserved some time ago.

Could it be that the merchants' reactions were also within Zhang Tongzhi's calculations?
Based on the script arranged by Zhang Yunxiu, Yu Xiangdou immediately improvised and continued the conversation.

Both buyers are discerning customers.

This item is indeed also known as Ma Chao Long Yan, a name derived from Zhang Heng's "Ode to the Eastern Capital" from the Eastern Han Dynasty. Acquiring it at the Xishan Auction was extremely difficult.
As you can see, this gap is unique in the world, and it has quite a story behind it. It is said that the General Who Defeated the Qiang in the Eastern Han Dynasty did this to repay the kindness of Emperor Ming.

After a series of persuasive remarks, Yu Xiangdou did not explicitly state that the item was an antique, but he subtly hinted at it throughout the merchants' conversation.

It even gave rise to a historical allusion, making it seem even more profound.

Immediately, a commotion arose in the crowd. Before Yu Xiangdou had even announced his reserve price, people had already started bidding.

"I'll offer ten thousand taels of silver!"

Yu Xiangdou glanced at the nameplate in his hand, ignoring the starting price of five thousand taels, and smiled as he spoke.

"The starting price for this item is ten thousand taels of silver. We invite all buyers to bid."

The bidding below was in full swing, but Emperor Wanli, sitting on his throne, couldn't sit still.

Seeing that the imperial treasure of the Eastern Han Dynasty was about to fall into the hands of others, Emperor Wanli looked at Zhang Yunxiu and said anxiously.

"How could you sell such a treasure? Even I don't have one!"

Zhang Yunzheng, who was watching the spectacle with amusement, said rather speechlessly, "Your Majesty actually likes this? If so, there are ten more in the treasury; take them all back."

Glassware made from this material is commonplace in later generations; it's only the ancients who would make a fuss about it.

Emperor Wanli was stunned for a moment, unable to react, and became somewhat annoyed.

"Didn't you say this item is unique in the world and extremely difficult to obtain? You even said it originated from the Eastern Han Dynasty?"

Zhang Yunxiu spread his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I never said it originated from the Eastern Han Dynasty. I didn't mention it at all. I only said it was obtained. The claim that it originated from the Eastern Han Dynasty is what they said. As for why they said that..."

He wore an innocent smile.

"If we don't use this kind of persuasion, how will they buy it?"

"You treacherous bastard."

Emperor Wanli instinctively wanted to curse, but he immediately stopped himself and his face regained its composure as he spoke.

"Well done! That's exactly how you should deceive people! These people usually oppress the common people and make ill-gotten gains. Now we'll make them cough it all up!"

Zhang Yunxiu looked at the fat emperor with a speechless expression.

Isn't the change a little too fast?
At this moment, the bidding below the stage was fierce and intense.

Tong Pei raised his bidding paddle and announced, "I, Tong, offer eighteen thousand taels!"

"Eighteen thousand taels? They dare to come to the capital with such audacity?"

Behind them, Zhu Yingzhen, looking furious, lost his temper upon seeing the Flying Horse, slamming his fist on the table and saying...

"I, the nobleman, offer twenty thousand taels!"

Logically speaking, given Tong Pei's status, she would never dare to compete with nobles.

But Zhang Yunxiu's deeds speak for themselves, so even the Duke of Cheng had to give him some face.

Being in the other party's territory gave Tong Pei some confidence.

Besides, this was, in a sense, Emperor Wanli's business, so how could the Duke of Cheng dare to act arrogantly?
"Your Excellency is too kind. I am of humble origin and would not dare to be disrespectful. However, this Flying Horse of Gansu is a treasure that will be sold to the highest bidder. I would like to ask to see it for myself."

Tong Pei did not know the other party's identity, but since the other party referred to himself as "this nobleman," it would be perfectly correct to address him as "Lord Noble."

Then, with a composed demeanor, he called out to the stage, "I, Tong, offer 21,000 taels!"

"Shameless!"

Zhu Yingzhen was furious and seemed to be at odds with the other party.

"I, the nobleman, offer twenty-two thousand taels!"

"Twenty-three thousand taels!"

"Twenty-four thousand taels!"

In this back-and-forth process, the price was gradually pushed to an astronomical figure.

Almost no one dared to challenge these two, after all, not everyone could casually produce tens of thousands of taels of silver.

Just as the two were locked in a fierce confrontation, a voice suddenly appeared.

"Wang will offer 35,000 taels! There's no upper limit!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.

Even Yu Xiangdou, who was on stage, suddenly remembered that the auction had a "no upper limit" rule.

Yu Xiangdou coughed and said, "Scholar Wang Shiqi has asked for 35,000 taels. Is there anyone else bidding?"

For a moment, the room fell silent.

The price of 35,000 taels is truly astonishing.

Na Tongpei remained silent, her face as cold as frost.

Zhu Yingzhen, who was behind him, flew into a rage.

"Damn it! I'm taking it today!"

He wanted to raise the price, but Zhang Rong stopped him, angrily rebuking him.

"Calm down! You've lost your composure over a mere 'Horse Trampling a Flying Swallow'? How can you face your father's dying wish?"

Zhang Rong lowered his voice and said, "This item is out of line and may cause trouble. As a nobleman, you should keep yourself pure and upright."

It was this last sentence that finally calmed Zhu Yingzhen down completely, and he slumped into his seat.

"Thirty-five thousand taels once, thirty-five thousand taels twice."

"boom!"

As the hammer fell, Yu Xiangdou said with a broad smile.

"Congratulations to scholar Wang Shiqi for winning the bid for a glass horse-treading-on-a-swallow sculpture, with a bid of 35,000 taels."

Then came another grand ceremony, and everyone was filled with envy as they watched the scholar named Wang Shiqi holding the precious treasure.

"This person is..." Hu Mao, a fellow merchant from Youlong, couldn't help but feel indignant seeing his business being snatched away.

Tong Pei then gazed intently and said, "This name sounds familiar, so he must be from Jiangnan. Judging from his accent, he seems to be related to Suzhou Prefecture. There's no need to worry about it. We have many treasures today, so we can wait for an opportunity to act."

Next came several more treasures, such as glass vases and glass ladies, but they were still far inferior to the Flying Horse.

However, all the merchants present were knowledgeable about their goods.

Even though many of the glass artifacts are brand new, such exquisite craftsmanship is rare in the world, and even glass artifacts from the West cannot achieve this level of detail.

Don't be fooled by the thousands or tens of thousands of taels that are sold at auctions in Xishan. If someone with the right skills goes to the south to sell them, they can probably double the price!
Most glassware became hot commodities, with lower-quality pieces fetching several thousand taels of silver and higher-quality pieces reaching tens of thousands.

Even the princes and ministers who were usually cautious in the capital were now spending money like water.

"The Korean envoy is incredibly audacious! And that Annamite too, they stole my glass statue of a lady!"

Zhu Yingzhen was extremely excited and bought several glass artifacts in succession, but he still seemed unsatisfied, glaring at the envoy's position not far away with resentment.

Zhang Rong said with a hint of helplessness.

"That's enough, my dear nephew. If you keep buying, how will you explain it to your mother?"

"No, no, no~"

Zhu Yingzhen, however, spoke with great conviction.

"Liuli has been a treasure since ancient times. Uncle, don't be fooled by the astonishing price today. If you resell it, you're sure to make a profit."

Even keeping it at home as a treasured possession will benefit future generations; it's better than simply hoarding a pile of money.

Zhang Rong had previously heard Zhang Yunxiu mention that he wanted to manufacture glass.

Although I don't know the truth about this auction, I still instinctively feel that there's something fishy going on.

So Zhang Rong said with a stern face, "Your younger brother is absurd, becoming a crosstalk performer, and you're just as muddle-headed! Listen to what I have to say, stop now!"

Zhu Yingzhen, however, refused to listen to advice: "Uncle is old and doesn't understand things."

This sentence really made Zhang Rong furious.

"What did you say, you brat?"

"Uncle, don't worry!"

Zhu Yingzhen, with an eager look in his eyes, turned his attention back to the stage.

"Something new has come out again."

"What could there be? It's so boring! It's nothing more than Zhang Shiyuan's tricks to fool people!"

Zhang Rong took two steps forward, intending to drag the other person out.

Zhu Yingzhen struggled desperately, shouting something.

"Uncle, don't rush~ Look up there~ Look quickly~ It's your favorite Guan Yu statue~ Hey wow~ A Guan Yu statue of exquisite craftsmanship~"

Upon hearing the words "Guan Yu statue," Zhang Rong immediately lost his temper and cursed under his breath.

"That brat Zhang Shiyuan dares to slander even Guan Yu! He's incredibly audacious!"

Since Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang established Nanjing as the capital and built the Guandi Temple on Jilong Mountain, Guan Yu has been called "Guan Sheng Di Jun" and even included in national sacrifices, ranking alongside Confucius, the Sage of Literature.

Guan Yu held an even higher status among military generals, and before each campaign, military officers would go to the Guan Yu Temple to offer sacrifices.

It can be said that Guan Yu was the supreme spiritual belief in the hearts of many military generals of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yingzhen was grabbed by the neck and shouted.

"Uncle, please take a look first before you decide."

"Hmph! I too will seek revenge on Zhang Shiyuan."

Zhang Rong glared and turned his gaze to the glass statue on the stage, but once he looked at it, he couldn't take his eyes off it.

On the auction stage, a statue of Guan Yu, made entirely of glass, shone brightly under the light.

The painting is decorated with colors. Guan Yu's face is like a red date, his lips are like painted cinnabar, his phoenix eyes are slightly open, his silkworm eyebrows are slanted, and his beautiful beard hangs down to his chest.

His armor and battle robes were adorned with gilded decorations.

He rested his left hand on his knee with the Spring and Autumn Annals, and stroked his long beard with his right hand as he pondered deeply.

The appearance of this item created a scene comparable to the earlier "Flying Horse Trampling a Swallow".

The nobles and military generals could no longer sit still.

"This is Guan Yu, the Holy Emperor!"

"Hey! This is the real highlight of the day! I've never seen such an exquisite statue of Guan Yu before!"

"That Zhang Shiyuan! He still claims he's not a celestial being descended from heaven? Does that mean he brought down a real statue of Guan Yu?"

As the conversation grew increasingly exaggerated, Yu Xiangdou, standing on stage, revealed a slight smile and said...

"This is not some divine object, but it was painstakingly crafted by the Xishan workshop, taking forty-nine days to complete, and was consecrated at the Guandi Temple, receiving the divine protection of Guandi."
Its full name is the Great Emperor Guan Sheng Di Jun, the God of Divine Might Who Subdues Demons in the Three Realms, whose glazed statue needs no further introduction.

The starting price is five thousand taels. Please join the bidding.

The announcement of the reserve price immediately caused an uproar.

The nobles' indignant expressions weren't because they were too noble, but because they were too cheap.

Zhang Rong, in particular, immediately exploded. His hair stood on end, and he angrily addressed the stage.

"Guan Yu is only worth five thousand taels! You are all blind! How can such an exquisite statue be treated so lightly! You will all come with me and bring Guan Yu down!"

Seeing that Zhang Rong's call was met with overwhelming support, he was about to lead the nobles onto the stage.

Zhu Yingzhen immediately stepped forward and hugged the other person tightly around the waist, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Uncle, you mustn't act impulsively. This is an auction, His Majesty's business. The highest bidder wins! The highest bidder wins!"

Zhang Rong stared wide-eyed, then suddenly calmed down. He stared intently at the statue of Guan Yu, wishing he could go up and take it down right now.

He casually picked up the board beside him and held it up high, saying...

"I offer thirty thousand taels of silver!"

Huating County, Songjiang Prefecture.

Two distinguished guests recently visited the Xu family residence. It is truly remarkable that Xu Jie, at the age of seventy-eight, still has old friends visiting him.

No one in the Xu family dared to disobey the old man's wishes. Once the tea and pastries were prepared, they all left the courtyard without daring to linger.

At this very moment, three men dressed in scholar's robes sat among the pavilions and towers in the backyard of the Xu family.

The elderly man with a white beard, whose eyes were too weak to open and whose hands trembled, yet who still held a newspaper to read, was Xu Jie.

Who would have thought that this frail and aged man was once the powerful and influential Grand Secretary of the Cabinet?
Xu Jie held the copy of the Wanli Xinbao newspaper, looked at it again and again, and couldn't help but sigh deeply.

"I'm getting old, and I can't even read the words in the newspaper clearly anymore."

How come the current emperor wants to abolish the Imperial Medical Academy and, following the example of the Hanlin Academy, establish some kind of Great Ming Medical College or Mechanical College?
Then why did Zhang Shiyuan promote this nonsensical theory of national wealth? Is the world going to become the domain of merchants from now on?
"Did I buy a fake newspaper?"

(End of this chapter)