"Your Highness, the second batch of invitations has been distributed. The Princess Consort has sent me to ask when the next batch will be distributed?" The maid stood respectfully to the side, her head bowed, awaiting Wang Xiuxiu's reply.
"We can start arranging this in the next few days. However, before sending them out, we need to let everyone know that these invitations are not all the same, but are all different. When the auction is held later, we will use the information recorded on the invitations to identify each person."
The maidservant quickly replied, "Yes, this servant will go and inform the Princess Consort immediately."
Once this news spread, those who had originally planned to resell the invitations for personal gain dared not think about such things anymore and obediently kept the invitations to themselves.
For a time, the city was abuzz with discussion.
"Boss Liu, you clearly promised to leave me an invitation, so why have you changed your mind at this crucial moment? Could it be that someone offered a higher price? Tell me the truth, we can still discuss the price!" The man grabbed Boss Liu's sleeve, his face full of urgency.
The boss surnamed Liu quickly cupped his hands in apology, "You're really insulting me. It's not that someone beat me to it; it's that word has spread that every invitation to this auction is unique, and they'll be verified on the spot when you enter the venue. Even if someone did manage to get you one, you wouldn't be able to get in, would you?"
"What can we do! The whole clan has pooled their money, and I've come all the way from Mianzhou just for this!"
Seeing this, Boss Liu quickly comforted him, "Don't worry, although it's true that these invitations can't be bought, I've heard some inside information. It's said that the organizer will release a batch of invitations to the public."
"real?"
"Of course it's true!"
Mr. Liu nodded affirmatively and continued, "However, these invitations are not something you can just get easily. There are certain assessment requirements. First of all, you must provide proof that you have paid your taxes on time every year. After the review is approved, invitations will be issued free of charge to those who meet the requirements."
"It's that simple?" The man could hardly believe it.
"That's right! But this is a piece of cake for you, after all, you abide by the law and are the number one taxpayer in Mianzhou every year! But those families who are always thinking about evading taxes, they don't even have the slightest chance!"
"That's right, that's right! Mr. Liu, with your excellent information network, you must know of other ingenious methods to help me get selected, right? If you could give me some pointers and lend me a hand, I would never forget your kindness if I am fortunate enough to receive an invitation!"
Mr. Liu smiled slightly, gently stroking the few sparse strands of beard on his chin, and said unhurriedly, "Look at what you're saying. What kind of relationship do we have? How could I dare to hold back? In my opinion, you might as well go back to Mianzhou and find the local prefect. Ask him to write you a letter of recommendation, recording all the good deeds and good things you've done in Mianzhou over the years. When you submit the relevant documents, seal this letter of recommendation along with the other materials and submit it. It should be of great benefit!"
Upon hearing this, the man was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly in agreement: "Very well! Everything will be as you wish! I will send the message back right away!"
Meanwhile, similar scenes were unfolding in different places.
Several well-informed individuals, like Boss Liu, relayed Wang Xiuxiu's instructions verbatim to merchants from various regions.
Some bosses felt their confidence soared after hearing this, feeling they were one step closer to being selected.
Others rushed home to send messengers, urging their families to pay the outstanding taxes as soon as possible.
Others, without hesitation, immediately set off for the prefectural government, earnestly requesting that the prefect issue them a letter of recommendation.
Some even rack their brains and try every means to do more good deeds in order to increase their own merits.
This trend quickly spread and swept across the entire Daqian Dynasty.
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