Mortal Realm: Selling a House to Pay Off Debts (6)
Xie Guijin ordered Lingge to take people back to the city to find Steward Hao and bring him some rice, grain and cloth.
She then instructed, "Tell your uncle to send people to beat drums and gongs throughout the streets and alleys and post notices saying that each guest who comes to participate in the auction tomorrow will receive six dou of rice, one bolt of cloth, and one bolt of silk. Those who come to watch without a bidding number will each receive three dou of rice and one bolt of cloth. Everyone can bring their own bowls and cups to drink unlimited plum juice and mung bean soup."
“Miss, this is a lot of money,” Ayaka reminded her.
“I know,” Xie Guijin nodded and continued, “Tell Butler Hao to make sure to write down the auction time, address, process, items to be auctioned, and other details, and send the written notices to the homes of every auctioneer to ensure that everyone receives one. Alright, go quickly, don’t delay.”
After dismissing Lingge, Xie Guijin discussed the site replanning with the foreman, finished setting up before the city gates closed, and returned to the city.
With curfew approaching, Xie Guijin hurriedly found Steward Hao to obtain the list of dignitaries participating in the auction. Upon learning that Xue Linchuan was still at the Jingzhao Yin's residence, she rushed forward to request an audience.
Soon after receiving the notification, Xie Guijin was able to meet Xue Linchuan without incident.
Xue Linchuan came out of the house to greet her, and before Xie Guijin could even bow, he hurriedly asked, "Miss Xie, you've come in such a hurry, is there anything I can do for you?"
A strange feeling arose in Xie Guijin's heart. She suppressed her emotions, gave a slight curtsy, presented the list of distinguished guests with both hands, and said with a slight smile, "I am not familiar with these distinguished guests and do not know how to arrange the seating. Please advise me, Lord Xue."
Xue Linchuan took the roster, led Xie Guijin to the desk, first ordered someone to serve tea, and then asked Xie Guijin, "May I ask, Miss Xie, how is the venue arranged?"
Xie Guijin took out the blueprints she had prepared beforehand, unfolded them, and placed them on the desk.
After obtaining Xie Guijin's consent, Xue Linchuan wrote down the names of the people in each seat and told Xie Guijin about their grudges, entanglements, and each person's likes and wishes.
Xue Linchuan was born into a prominent family and was in charge of the Jingzhao Prefecture, so he was very familiar with the dirty tricks and petty squabbles among the powerful and wealthy.
While waiting for the ink to dry after he finished writing, he said, "Miss Xie, wait a moment, I will write another summary for you."
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Xue. I will remember it and will not trouble you any further," Xie Guijin said hurriedly.
Seeing Xie Guijin's delighted expression, Xue Linchuan asked, "If others knew that there were often discords among noble people, they might be implicated. Why is Miss Xie not afraid, but rather somewhat happy?"
"I'm a businesswoman, I just want to make more money," Xie Guijin said frankly.
Xue Linchuan understood and couldn't help but advise, "Miss Xie is intelligent and will naturally be able to seize the opportunity, but she must also be careful not to cause trouble. How about I go and cover for Miss Xie tomorrow?"
"Lord Xue is too kind," Xie Guijin said solemnly. "You are busy with official duties. How could I, a commoner, have the honor to make you put aside your duties to support me? If word gets out, wouldn't I be seen as frivolous, ignorant, and lacking in self-control?"
Xue Linchuan secretly regretted his rash words that had angered Xie Guijin, and dared not say anything more. He folded the now-dry blueprint and handed it to Xie Guijin, then escorted her to the gate of the Jingzhao Yin Mansion.
The two remained silent the entire way.
Xue Linchuan wanted to send someone to escort Xie Guijin back to the Xie residence, but he was afraid that because of Master Xie's case, it would give others something to talk about.
Fortunately, Butler Hao and his men were guarding outside.
Xue Linchuan was finally relieved and apologized to Xie Guijin, saying, "I was not sensible just now, and I hope Miss Xie will forgive me."
"What is Lord Xue saying?" Xie Guijin didn't look at Xue Linchuan, but stared straight ahead and said in a flat tone, "I don't understand."
Having said that, he turned aside to bow, so as not to give outsiders any reason to find fault, and then took his leave.
Seeing Xue Linchuan staring at Xie Guijin's back with a look of melancholy, Xue Linchuan's attendant felt anxious, fearful, and a little relieved that his young master had finally come to his senses. He advised, "Young master, Master Xie's case is not yet closed, and Miss Xie is also worried about auctioning the house. She must be exhausted, both physically and mentally, and has no time to think about anything else."
“You’re right. I need to get to the bottom of Master Xie’s case as soon as possible, no matter if the murderer is a human or a ghost, a god or a monster.” Upon hearing this, Xue Linchuan’s spirits lifted, and he turned and strode back to expedite the investigation.
The Jingzhao Yin Mansion stayed up all night, but the Xie family members, under Xie Guijin's arrangement, went to bed early to rest and recharge for the auction the next day.
The next day happened to be a day off, and the sky was clear and the air was fresh.
As soon as the city gates opened, Xie Guijin led his men and various trucks to the City God Temple.
A huge canopy was erected in the open space below the steps outside the City God Temple, covering the entire open space.
A three-zhang-high (approximately 10 meters) red lacquered cedar wood platform was erected directly below the City God Temple, and covered with five-colored brocade.
On the table is a long rosewood table, with a gilded bronze water clock on the left side and a silver-plated wooden mallet and mallet stand in the center.
Directly opposite the stage were six carved rosewood armchairs, and behind them were thirty-two carved huanghuali armchairs arranged in four rows. Next to each armchair stood a high table, on which seasonal fresh fruit, tea and wine were prepared.
The thirty-eight seats were separated by three-foot-high bamboo curtains on the left, right, and back. There were no barriers in front. Outside the curtains stood Xie family servants who were uniformly dressed, handsome, and articulate, and were in charge of summoning and calling out prices.
Six feet behind the seating area, there were twenty-two elm wood stools arranged in two rows. Next to each stool was a tea table, on which seasonal fresh fruits and tea and wine were also prepared, though in smaller quantities and of less expensive varieties. Eight waiters stood scattered throughout this area, calling out prices.
Further outwards, many chessboard-like squares were drawn in white powder. Each square contained two poplar benches, seating six people. The squares were separated by hemp ropes soaked in tung oil. Each square also contained a tea table with a fruit basket on it. The fruit inside was cheap but plentiful and plentiful. No tea was provided.
The outermost perimeter was supported by ten reed mat sheds, under each shed were four large coarse pottery vats, each filled with sour plum soup and mung bean soup, as well as rice bags, cloth and silk piled up like small mountains.
Xie Guijin led her people on a final check to ensure everything was in order, and then waited for the arrival of the people.
At the fourth quarter of Chenshi (approximately 8:00 AM), the Imperial Guards responsible for maintaining order arrived. Xie Guijin hurriedly stepped forward to exchange pleasantries and presented them with silver.
At about 8:30 in the morning, people dressed in coarse cloth, carrying bowls and jars, gradually began to arrive.
At the beginning of the Si hour (around 9:00 AM), guests holding auction numbers began to take their seats.
Before the auction officially began at 9:30 a.m., all the guests had arrived.
Xie Guijin secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was wonderful that no one was late in ancient times with clear class distinctions, saving her the painful choice of whether to wait or not.
When the time came, the gongs and drums sounded, and Xie Guijin personally went on stage to preside over the auction.
Behind her were two large maps. One map showed the outer city area where the sixty houses were located, clearly marking the distances to the planned public pharmacies and other convenient housing around the houses.
The other one is the house floor plan, which clearly shows what materials were used in each part of the house, and how much was used.
Xie Guijin introduced the houses according to the map. These houses were built in the same style and were only slightly different in location. They were divided into three, six, nine and five grades according to location, feng shui and orientation.
The first house to be auctioned was the best of the sixty houses, with a starting price of 10 taels of silver, and each bid would increase the price by at least 5 taels.
Xie Guijin employed the flair of modern marketing, using her silver tongue to create a buzz and subtly capitalizing on the competitive spirit of the wealthy and the spectacle of the many ordinary people watching. She quickly sold the first house for 100 taels of silver.
Others continued to bid.
Xie Guijin temporarily suspended the auction and said with a smile, "Ladies and gentlemen, 100 taels is already ten times the starting price, far exceeding the value of the houses. Thank you all for your kindness, but my Xie family is unworthy of it. How about this auction, the total transaction amount for all the houses is capped at 100 taels of silver?"
“You little lady, you have money but you don’t want to make it. Don’t worry, we have plenty of money, we can afford any amount. We will never cause you any trouble afterward. The high price is our own choice, it has nothing to do with you.”
"That's right, that's right." Many people echoed this sentiment.
Princess Lantai also said, "Miss Xie, please accept the money without worry. In the Western Song Dynasty, it was normal for a house worth 5,000 guan to be sold for a million guan. There is no need to worry."
“Well,” Xie Guijin hesitated again and again, “I’ll sell for a maximum of six hundred taels. I’m a timid woman, so please forgive me. Any more than that, and I won’t dare to sell.”
“Alright,” Princess Lantai smiled and announced loudly without the servant’s intervention, “I will offer 600 taels.”
"Huh?" Xie Guijin was stunned.
Princess Lantai's personal maid chuckled, "Miss Xie, hurry up and knock on the mallet!"
“Uh,” Xie Guijin looked at Princess Lantai, who was sitting directly opposite her on the stage. Seeing Princess Lantai nod at her with her eyes crinkled, she tapped the gavel three times and said with a smile, “Deal. Congratulations to Princess Lantai for winning the No. 1 residence.”
The auction continued, and Xie Guijin had just finished speaking when she announced the start of the bidding.
These young nobles and ladies showed no martial virtue, and someone immediately shouted, "I'll offer 600 taels!"
Some people are dissatisfied.
The person who shouted retorted: "But I didn't say you couldn't shout it all at once. Who told you to be so stupid and not shout it earlier? You weren't just reluctant to part with 600 taels, were you?"
"you......"
Seeing this, Xie Guijin quickly stopped them. She tried to appease them so as not to offend either of them, while thinking that she had let her guard down too soon. Why did this elementary school-style quarrel happen between them? No wonder they didn't become officials in the court and had to take this unorthodox path.
But then, everyone started asking for 600 taels of silver without even asking.
Xie Guijin numbly pounded the gavel, wanting nothing more than to finish quickly.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and another round of bidding ended.
A baby-faced boy yelled, "You already bought it, why are you still shouting? That's not fair!"
"I have money, I'm willing, so what?" The girl, who had just bought her second house, retorted without any politeness.
......
Xie Guijin suppressed the urge to rub her forehead, silently repeating to herself that it was all her fault, that she shouldn't have targeted them, that she brought this upon herself, and that she should just accept it.
"Please allow me to say something," Xie Guijin forcefully interjected between the two bickering, trying to mediate, "We are grateful for your kindness. It's all my fault for not building enough houses for the Xie family. But in order to allow everyone to participate, how about limiting each person to one house?"
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