amaotonovel Chapter 136 A Battle of Nations
Chapter 136 A Battle of Nations
He clapped his hands to signal, and immediately someone carried a screen onto the stage.
This screen, six feet tall and eight feet wide, is composed of dozens of pieces of glass. Divided into four sections, each depicting one of the four seasons, it portrays a grand landscape painting: undulating mountains, swirling clouds and mist, rushing rivers, and lush trees, seemingly presenting a realistic scene of nature before the viewer's eyes. Its intricate craftsmanship and exquisite workmanship make it a pinnacle of glass art.
When this glass screen was pushed onto the stage, everyone present couldn't help but marvel at it.
Their eyes widened and their mouths gaped open, awestruck by the beauty and grandeur of the screen.
For a moment, the venue fell silent, everyone immersed in this wonderful moment.
After a long pause, the auctioneer cleared his throat:
"The starting bid for this glass screen is two million taels!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a gasp of surprise rose from the audience, but it was quickly drowned out by the fierce bidding.
"Two million one hundred thousand taels!"
"Two million two hundred thousand taels!"
"Two million two hundred and fifty thousand taels!"
……
Bidding was incessant, and the price soared, quickly surpassing the three million tael mark.
At this point, only a handful of people remained to participate in the bidding, all of whom were determined to acquire the glass screen.
The wealthy businessman from the capital was now blinded by greed. He recklessly raised his paddle to increase the price, determined to acquire this last treasure.
The high-ranking official in the court was equally assertive, engaging in a fierce duel with the wealthy merchant, neither giving an inch.
"Four million taels!"
The wealthy businessman gritted his teeth and quoted an astonishing price, his voice revealing a hint of madness.
Everyone couldn't help but take a second look. Four million taels was an astronomical figure, enough to buy a luxurious mansion.
However, the high-ranking official still showed no sign of giving up. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly raised the plaque in his hand and said:
"Four million one hundred and fifty thousand taels."
Another gasp of astonishment rippled through the hall; everyone was shocked by the astronomical price.
The wealthy businessman's face turned ashen. He hesitated for a long time before finally reluctantly putting down the sign in his hand.
He knew that he was no longer able to compete with this important minister.
Just when the high-ranking official thought victory was assured, someone suddenly held up a sign: "Four million two hundred thousand taels!"
He looked over and saw that it was actually a minister from the White Tiger Kingdom.
This auction was so rare that representatives from many countries came to bid.
Sure enough, someone else bid: "Four million three hundred thousand taels!"
"At this point, it's a contest between nations. Four million four hundred thousand!" The representative from the Vermilion Bird Kingdom glared at the others with an unfriendly expression.
"No, no, it's just that this glass screen depicting the four seasons is considered auspicious for the Azure Dragon Empire, and our emperor wishes to place it in the Hall of Diligent Governance. Four million six hundred thousand!" the representative of the Azure Dragon Empire said with a smile.
"What a coincidence, my old man thought the same thing! So this Crown Prince has no choice but to buy it back as a token of filial piety. Four million eight hundred thousand taels!" The representative of the White Tiger Empire chimed in.
"If you ask me, it would be best to display it in the court of our Vermilion Bird Kingdom. We've brought enough silver to compete with you all this time! Five million taels!" the Vermilion Bird representative replied without any politeness.
"Heh, your Vermilion Bird Kingdom is truly unreasonable. Who wants to compete with you? Six million taels!" The representative of the Black Tortoise Kingdom said he wouldn't compete, but he held up the plaque in his hand straight.
"Seven million!"
This screen is beautiful; their old emperor will surely like it!
Several representatives argued heatedly here, and prices kept soaring.
Are they fighting over the screen?
What we're fighting for is the face of the nation!
Ultimately, the glass screen was auctioned off to Xuanwu's representative for a staggering 28.4 million taels of silver.
The auction concluded successfully amidst gasps of amazement and applause.
Ali also made a fortune from this auction.
This also made her even more famous, turning her into a household name in the capital and even throughout the country.
As for the high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants, although many of them spent all their savings, they felt it was worthwhile to be able to bid for their favorite glass treasures and left the venue satisfied.
Except for one person.
The second princess glared hatefully at Xia Li's departing figure. "The young master of a house full of gold and jade?"
Ah!
What was the point of spending so much money to inflate prices before?
Send money to Xia Li?
She's so angry!
It seems we can't keep all this wealth and luxury.
Thinking of this, she called over a guard and gave him a few instructions.
"Get it done right away!"
……
Black Moon rushed over to report: "Master, Miss Li, the official in charge of books, is causing trouble at Jin Yu Man Tang. She says our fabric is bad and has holes."
Xia Li: !!!
Miss Li, who spoke ill of me last time?
In an instant, she realized that someone was probably going to make a move against Jin Yumantang.
"Baiyue, go to Duzhou via the teleportation array and invite Zeng Sanniang to Jinyu Mantang. Heiyue, go find the manager to verify if this fabric was sold to her. Also, find the embroiderers in the capital, the more famous the better, and give them plenty of money to invite them to Jinyu Mantang." After arranging everything in an orderly manner, she hurried towards Jinyu Mantang.
When Xia Li returned to Jin Yu Man Tang, she saw a group of people gathered there, and Miss Li was throwing a tantrum while holding a piece of clothing.
She quickly stepped forward and flattered, "Oh my, Miss Li, it's such an honor to have you here!" Then she took the clothes and glanced at them, "Wow, such a big tear! That's rare!"
"Hmph! Don't give me that crap! The clothes you sell here are of poor quality, some even have holes. You have no conscience! Who would dare buy anything from you again?"
"We absolutely do not sell products of poor quality."
Miss Li angrily threw the clothes at Xia Li: "Then this hole really exists! Facts speak louder than words! What else do you want to say?"
The onlookers also chimed in:
"If that's the case, we won't dare to buy anything here again."
"If one day you go out to a banquet and suddenly there's a hole in it, you'll really become the laughing stock of the capital."
"I've always bought things from Jin Yu Man Tang, and I've never bought a defective product."
"You're just lucky. Who knows, many people are afraid of the power behind Jin Yu Man Tang and dare not speak up."
"..."
Hearing these words, Ms. Li became even more confident. She arrogantly said, "The evidence is right here. How can you still try to argue?"
At this moment, Hei Yue returned with the steward, who respectfully said, "Miss Li, we have checked the ledgers and have not sold this garment to you."
Miss Li blushed, then became angry and embarrassed: "You must be mistaken, I bought it from here!"