In the western part of the engineering college's square, a temporary platform was erected, with five rows of tables and desks, totaling about two hundred, arranged from east to west in front of it.

Each table had a wooden plaque engraved with the names of the heads of various powerful and influential families in the Luoyang region.

Because today's event is an auction for coal procurement qualifications, powerful families and wealthy merchants from the entire Sili region have gathered here.

The usually quiet engineering school was unusually lively today.

Those powerful and influential families who arrived at the Engineering College Square found their respective spots under the guidance of the attendants.

The rows of seats in the auction hall were arranged from the first to the fifth row according to the status and influence of the various powerful families.

The first row naturally consists of top-tier families such as the Yang, Zhong, Xun, Wang, and Yuan families.

The second and third rows belong to families of a lower rank, such as the Cui family and the Zhang family.

The fourth row is filled with powerful figures from all over the country.

The fifth row consisted of well-known merchants, including representatives from the Mi and Zhen families.

Although this was just an auction, at a glance,

As one of the most famous powerful families in the Sili region, Zhao Ning was assigned to the middle position in the fourth row.

Just as Zhao Ning sat down, a powerful figure approached him with a smile.

This man was named Zhang Xiang. He had once donated money and goods to the imperial court with Zhao Ning, and had also gone to Bingzhou to trade.

Like Zhao Ning, he also took on orders to make special crossbows for the imperial court. Their families were equally wealthy, and both were now well-known figures among the powerful clans in the Sili region.

After Zhao Ning took his seat, Zhang Xiang looked at him and said with a smile, "Oh, Patriarch Zhao, you're late!"

Zhao Ning turned his head and saw that it was Zhang Xiang. He then shook his head and sighed, "Ah~ it's a long story. The road from our place to Luoyang is really difficult to travel. We rushed all the way and finally made it here. At least we didn't miss it!"

Hearing Zhao Ning's complaint, Zhang Xiang echoed, "Yes, the official roads around Luoyang really need some repairs. Last time, the cartloads of crossbows I delivered to the court almost got delayed because of the bumpy ride. Thinking about it now, it's really scary."

The powerful figures around them, upon hearing the conversation between the two, also chimed in with their complaints.

The merchants behind them felt this deeply, as their caravans often wasted a lot of time and suffered heavy losses due to road problems.

"Gentlemen, what do you think of us asking His Majesty to allow us to repair these official roads?"

Hearing everyone's complaints, Zhao Ning suddenly had a bright idea and proposed building a road. He believed this was a great opportunity to curry favor with the emperor and the court.

"Patriarch Zhao's suggestion is excellent. Once the road is built, our journeys to and from Luoyang will be much faster and more convenient!"

Zhang Xiang was the first to speak up in agreement, as he also saw the benefits that road construction would bring him.

In Zhao Ning and Zhang Xiang's eyes, although road construction might cost a lot of money, the rewards they would receive in the future would far outweigh their current efforts compared to currying favor with the emperor and the court.

Other astute individuals, especially those from the Mi and Zhen families, immediately grasped the key point upon hearing Zhao Ning and Zhang Xiang's suggestion.

Consequently, Zhao Ning, Zhang Xiang, and the powerful figures and merchants around them all chimed in with their agreement.

"I'll take the lead on this matter! What do you all think?"

Seeing that everyone agreed to his proposal, Zhao Ning naturally stepped forward without hesitation, since only the leader could get the emperor's attention, right?

Everyone saw right through Zhao Ning's little scheme, but they were helpless. After all, he had connections in the imperial court, connections that reached even the highest levels of government.

That alone makes them incomparable.

Although the Zhen and Mi families had contact with Zhao Zhong, they were, after all, merchants and belonged to a lower class. Naturally, they dared not stand up in front of a group of powerful figures.

Moreover, Zhao Zhong always went there on orders, and he basically never contacted them about anything else.

"Since Patriarch Zhao is willing to take the lead, we naturally have no objections!"

Immediately, those around Zhao Ning also chimed in.

"The Minister of Works and the Minister of Agriculture have arrived!"

Just as everyone was discussing, a loud shout rang out, and Yuan Feng and Cao Song stepped onto the scene together.

"We have met the Minister of Works and the Minister of Agriculture."

Once Yuan Feng and Cao Song had stood still, everyone present stood up and greeted them.

"Hehe~ Please, everyone, no need for formalities! Please be seated!"

As Yuan Feng finished speaking, he and Cao Song went up to the high platform and sat in their respective seats.

After Yuan Feng and Cao Song took their seats, the others present also sat down, their eyes fixed intently on the two on the stage.

"Let me explain the rules of this auction to you all!"

After the room quieted down, Cao Song gestured for an official beside him to step forward and announce the auction rules.

"promise!"

The official accepted the order, took two steps forward, looked at the crowd below, and then shouted loudly: "In accordance with His Majesty's decree, in order to ensure fairness, the coal procurement qualifications will be allocated through an auction. Everyone can participate in the auction, and the highest bidder wins!"

The people present had already thoroughly researched the auction rules, so they were somewhat impatient with this man's rambling. If it weren't for Cao Song and Yuan Feng being there, they might have already kicked him out.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!