Everyone quickly stood up and focused their attention on Liu Wei!

"I am very pleased that you have taken time out of your busy schedules to come to this fertile land."

"No! No!"

"How dare I! How dare I!"

The officials and local gentry immediately bowed in greeting.

"I guarantee that this trip will be worthwhile for everyone. The immense wealth and honor await you; let's see if you can handle it!"

"I'm sure you've all seen the items in the hall."

"Everyone who attends today will receive a free stove and 100 coal briquettes, so that everyone will stay warm this winter!"

Liu Wei said generously.

These local gentry echoed their approval, praising the move repeatedly!

They knew perfectly well that once they got used to this stove, they would have to buy these honeycomb briquettes from Liu Wei.

This stove looks very useful. Although it's given to them for free, they'll probably sell the coal briquettes at a high price, thus making a steady stream of profits.

Many of them run shops and do business in various counties, so they understand this principle perfectly well!

Immediately, many people began to whisper among themselves.

"You're probably thinking that I'll sell honeycomb briquettes to you all and make money off you!"

Isn't that so? The local gentry thought to themselves.

Having coal in your hands is like strangling you.

He smiled slightly and said, "What I want to tell everyone is that I don't want to make money off you, but rather we can all make money together!"

What!

Everyone wore expressions of disbelief. How could a prince, who didn't collect exorbitant taxes, be making money alongside ordinary people?

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Liu Wei knew what they were thinking.

"I intend to find only one person in each county town who is willing to sell our manor's goods!"

"We offer the goods at low prices; you can sell them however you like, but you can't exceed our suggested retail price!"

"However, you can only sell them in this county. If you sell them in other counties, I'm sorry, but I will take back your right to sell them. I wonder if everyone understands?"

Liu Wei briefly explained the county-level authorization model.

The local gentry present, after a moment's thought, understood the mystery behind it.

This is the same principle as the government's authorization of the salt and iron monopoly, so there's nothing strange about it.

However, the goods displayed in the hall now are clearly more profitable than salt and iron.

In particular, honeycomb briquettes and stoves are indispensable in the harsh winter.

You should know that charcoal is currently more expensive than gold.

Liu Wei then had Guo Luo announce the prices and policies.

What!

A coal briquette costs five coins, and a stove costs fifty coins; these are just the suggested retail prices.

If we secure the county distribution rights, we can buy coal briquettes for only 2 coins a day and stoves for only 20 coins a day!

The local gentry in the hall were instantly in an uproar.

Everyone thought that honeycomb briquettes and stoves would be very expensive, but they were surprisingly cheap.

With profits more than doubled, anyone who doesn't grab it is a fool.

In addition, the tables and chairs displayed in the hall are presumably operated in the same way.

They were all eager to try and ready to make a big splash, determined to secure the county's distribution rights.

"I believe everyone understands the rules. Next, we will hold an auction to allow you to compete for the distribution rights in each county."

"First, there's the distribution rights for Linrong County, with a starting bid of one thousand strings of cash..."

"I'll offer 1,100 strings of cash!"

"I'll offer 1,200 strings of cash!"

"......"

Guo Luo arranged for a quick-witted and lively guard to preside over the auction.

The hall was bustling with activity as gentry and merchants bid fiercely, their eyes red with envy.

Liu Wei watched the show with a cheerful smile while drinking tea.

An hour later, the dust settled, and the distribution rights for the fifteen counties and three prefectures of the Hetao region were awarded to various companies.

They signed and sealed the document on the spot, drafted a contract, and paid a partial deposit.

Those who managed to snag a prize were overjoyed, while those who missed out were left dejected.

Eighteen distribution rights brought in a total of over 300,000 strings of cash.

Liu Wei was not worried that the recipients did not carry enough money with them and allowed them to pay the difference within seven days.

If you miss the deadline, it's equivalent to giving up.

Those who haven't received it yet are waiting to get it!

Subsequently, another auction of tables and chairs was held, which brought in more than 200,000 strings of cash.

As for those iron farm tools, Liu Wei only targeted the officials of the three prefectures, requiring the prefectural government's revenue to purchase them.

Despite the low price, the agricultural officials of the three prefectures were scrambling to buy them.

They encouraged the people under their rule to reclaim wasteland, but tools were in very short supply.

Liu Wei then instructed Guo Luo to host a grand banquet to entertain these local gentry.

They also reassured those who did not obtain distribution rights not to be discouraged, assuring them that they would be given priority consideration next time there were good products available.

The hundred or so local gentry and merchants were deeply moved by the Marquis's approachable manner and expressed their unwavering devotion to following his lead.

The banquet ended.

Guo Luo rushed to Liu Wei's side, utterly excited. He couldn't believe what had just happened:

"My lord, I've never seen anything like it. I never imagined it would be so popular. So much money has come in in just one hour."

"Look at your lack of ambition. Besides the Hetao region, you think we also want to sell to Bingzhou, Liangzhou, Youzhou, and the Central Plains."

"Back then, it wasn't just a matter of a few hundred thousand strings of cash; settling directly with gold wouldn't be unreasonable."

Seeing Guo Luo so flustered, Liu Wei laughed and scolded, "In the future, you, Guo Luo, this coal boss, will be richer than a country."

“These all belong to the Marquis; I am merely acting on his behalf!” Guo Luo immediately replied.

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