In fact, Li Xuanji had nothing to do with what he was selling or how much he was selling it for.

How can we sell it for more money?

Jiang Feng is best at maximizing profits.

Murong Anle was an expert at making sales attractive.

Murong Yue listened at first, but then became drowsy.

This part wasn't fun at all; haggling was much more fun.

Ultimately, the first royal auction in the history of the Qing Kingdom was named the "Jianji Auction" and was jointly organized by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue.

A total of 1,400 items from the royal treasury were auctioned.

The proceeds will be turned over to the national treasury.

In addition to the items, the successful bidder will also receive a plaque issued by the Ministry of Rites inscribed with "A Meritorious Person Who Has Achieved Greatness and Helps Others, A Hero of the Nation".

If the auctioned item is owned by an imperial merchant, the corresponding project will have an additional year's validity period.

Anyway, it doesn't matter who gets the title of Imperial Merchant, an extra year makes the title more valuable to the merchants. I imagine these Imperial Merchants will work their hardest to make the most of this one-year deadline.

The date was set for two days after the scientific expedition.

This will also allow students from Qingguo and businesses to interact and integrate with each other.

What else?

Oh, right, we also need to arrange a few shills. When we encounter wealthy clients or people from other countries, we can fleece them as much as we can.

All things considered, there are only four days left before the scientific expedition begins, leaving them with very little time.

They weren't worried that the powerful and wealthy wouldn't make it. They were joking; Qing Kingdom wasn't that big, they could come in time even if they came in person.

Besides, those who have offices or connections in the capital shouldn't even bother participating.

Insufficient strength.

In the end, all Murong Yue knew was that there were four days left for the scientific expedition and six days left for the auction.

Humans really can't live too comfortably.

If you have nothing to do, find something to do.

The ministers knew about the auction, and the radicals were more in favor of it.

"These are all royal items. Your Majesty has the world in your heart, what's wrong with that?"

"Wealth should be stored among the people and used for the people. Once these items reach the people, they will naturally reappear as history unfolds."

The conservatives are further divided into two groups.

Some people feel that these things are part of a heritage, and selling them like this will break the tradition!

Another group felt it was too conservative. Since His Majesty had brought out his private treasury, shouldn't you scholars and aristocratic families do something in return?

We officials are one thing, but we're dirt poor!

Therefore, another step was added to the auction.

Noble families can submit one item from their collection for auction, with the proceeds going to the national treasury, and then His Majesty will personally name one of the items.

As for whether it was written by His Majesty or not, it doesn't matter. Anyway, Li Xuanji said that Murong Yue only needs to stamp it.

Of course, it's voluntary!

It's fine if the powerful families don't want to participate; come and have fun!

These are Murong Anle's original words.

Some prominent families attended, while those who didn't seemed out of place.

Moreover, the things they brought out were too shabby, which made them lose face.

So in the end, the powerful families all paid the price for saving face.

But with a large and wealthy family, it doesn't matter. Besides, we even received His Majesty's calligraphy, so that's enough.

The scientific expedition and auction are being prepared in full swing.

Murong Yue was sunbathing on the steps of the Taihe Hall, with a little rabbit and a little hedgehog nestled on her lap.

Qi Yuan hurriedly led in a travel-worn messenger.

The messenger's face was weathered, his eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was hoarse. "Your Majesty, urgent dispatch from 800 li away."

Murong Yue didn't know what "800 li urgent" meant, but judging from the other party's attire and appearance, she knew that the matter was urgent.

She took the light, flimsy letter.

The thin envelope bore both the wax seal and the red seal of each official post station.

This wasn't in the emails I received before.

This indicates how many official post stations the letter passed through. If any problems arise later, the corresponding post station can be found by looking at the seal.

Murong Yue tore open the envelope. On the paper were words she could recognize: "Yellow River," "Spring," and "Drought."

Drought means a lack of water.

I was afraid I had misread it.

"Qi Yuan, come and see!"

The letter was delivered with utmost urgency. Qi Yuan disregarded everything else and, knowing the Emperor's current situation, immediately stepped forward to take the letter.

"Your Majesty, during my inspection of the upper reaches of the Yellow River, I discovered that the water level has dropped by at least half a meter compared to the same period last year."

"I fear there will be a severe drought this year. I hope Your Majesty and the court will make preparations as soon as possible."

As he read on, Qi Yuan's hand trembled slightly.

A water level of half a meter may not seem like much, but the Yellow River is dotted with tributaries, and water is used everywhere along its banks.

The water level dropped by half a meter upstream, and by the time it reached the middle reaches, it was about half of what it used to be.

Downstream, it will likely dry up completely.

Murong Yue understood now; it meant drought.

Let alone humans, even zombies, creatures that have almost no need for water, cannot withstand drought.

Let alone humans.

During the last class, the teacher taught her that the Yellow River runs through the territory of Qing Kingdom and is the lifeblood of Qing Kingdom.

In the past, her thought would have been that if the base was gone, it was gone.

Go wander on your own, be a happy and free zombie.

Now, we have clues about my mother and some human friends here. This base is so big, what will happen if it's gone?

"I..."

"Go find the teacher!"

This was the first time Murong Yue had encountered something like this. She couldn't leave; her first reaction was to find a teacher to resolve the issue.

Qi Yuan ordered the messenger to go and rest, then turned and chased after him.

Murong Yue ran all the way to Xuanji Hall.

His Majesty has arrived!

Before the announcement had even finished, Murong Yue barged inside.

"Teacher, something terrible has happened!"

"Died suddenly!"

ah?

Li Xuanji was startled. Who died?

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