Chapter 25: Asset Auction

As late summer turned crisp, Wu Tiande’s destination was finally settled.

Though Wang Ziteng had hoped to deflect the burden, he could not be too heavy-handed. Ultimately, he consulted Wu Tiande on his preferences and finally assigned him to the Tongguan Garrison. He was given the nominal title of Vice-Commander of the Huayin Thousand-Household Office, while holding the substantive post of Commander of the Fuyu Tuntian Hundred-Household Office, ranking at the lower sixth grade.

Wu Tiande was currently an acting Hundred-Household officer in the Shenji Battalion of the Capital Garrison, also at the lower sixth grade. His new appointment, combining a nominal vice-commandership with a substantive hundred-house command, remained at the lower sixth grade; this was because capital officials generally held a rank one level higher than their provincial counterparts.

The reason Wu Tiande was able to carry the nominal title of Vice-Commander was precisely for this reason. Since his rank had been elevated, his provincial posting had to correspond to his duties—this was the advantage of being a capital official.

Jia Zhen of the Ningguo Mansion was also keen to facilitate this. His close friend, Shi Guangzhu, was currently the Assistant Regional Commander of the Tongguan Garrison. In Jia Zhen’s view, Wu Tiande heading to Tongguan was no different than walking straight into a trap. He had long since written a letter to Shi Guangzhu, instructing him to ensure he "took good care" of Wu Tiande once he arrived.

Wu Tiande had no time to worry about such things. Although the Ministry of War’s official documents had been issued, the transfer of a capital official to the provinces was rare, so he was granted a generous timeline, needing only to report to the Tongguan Garrison by the end of the year. With half a year remaining, he had plenty of time to tie up his affairs in Beiping.

The first order of business was the transfer of the "Zhen Youwei" fast-food chain. Since he was heading far away, he certainly wouldn't leave his major assets in Beiping. If conflict or greed arose, he would be too far away to intervene.

"It is such a pity to give up such a profitable business," Qin Keqing sighed, looking lost. She hadn't been managing the business for long, but in these two or three months, the three branches had consistently provided a monthly profit of over fifty taels of silver. This covered the living expenses of their dozen-plus family members, meaning her father, Qin Ye, no longer needed to spend extra money on rice, flour, and oil. In total, this amounted to seven or eight hundred taels a year—not a small sum.

Giving up such a lucrative venture was difficult for anyone. However, there was no other choice. Wu Tiande’s only uncle, Wu Xinden, was nominally a steward of the Rongguo Mansion’s silver vault, but in reality, he was nothing more than a house slave; he lacked the fortitude to manage a fast-food business. Qin Ye was also unsuitable; he had recently been promoted to a Director in the Ministry of Works, holding a rank that was actually half a grade higher than Wu Tiande’s. But he was honest and overly cautious, and the imperial laws forbade officials from engaging in business, so asking him to oversee it was unrealistic.

After much deliberation, selling the chain seemed the most straightforward solution. The problem was, to whom? Bao Er’s wife wanted to buy it, but the couple had no money. Since acquiring the lavish courtyard house previously owned by Jiao Da, they were penniless and reportedly owed dozens of taels to Jiao Er’s family, who came to dun them every month. Furthermore, with their limited social standing, they could never protect such a large business.

Deng Gang, a Hundred-Household of the Shenji Battalion, could barely afford the three shops, but knowing that Jia Zhen of the Ningguo Mansion had his eyes on the business, how could he dare invite disaster? Unlike Wu Tiande, he didn't have a master-servant bond with the Capital Garrison Commander, Wang Ziteng—and after this incident, that bond was likely frayed anyway. Indeed, Wu Tiande was being exiled to the bitter Northwest precisely because of the trouble he had caused through his business dealings. With this as a warning, Deng Gang made it clear he would not take it over.

Wu Tiande’s former fair-weather friends, such as Feng Ziying and Liu Xianglian, were either too lazy to bother or lacked the capital. With no other options, Wu Tiande posted a notice at the entrances of his three shops: the "Zhen Youwei" fast-food chain would be auctioned at the flagship store on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, with bidding starting at eight hundred taels.

When the news spread, Jia Zhen of the Ningguo Mansion was tempted. "That business is quite booming. If I can take it over, it’s a sure win," he muttered to himself. The three properties alone were worth more than eight hundred taels, not to mention the brand value and the mature operating system. It was worth a try. He figured that although the Ningguo Mansion wasn't what it once was, a lean camel was still bigger than a horse; he could surely scrape together eight hundred taels.

"Master, you must think twice," warned his head steward, Lai Er, noticing his interest.

Jia Zhen frowned. "Think twice about what? I see this as a viable venture."

"Master, have you forgotten?" Lai Er said with a bitter face. "After the incident at the mansion, the casualties among our servants were heavy. Most of our liquid capital went to pay for their families' pensions. The little that remained was given to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang to thank them for their intervention. Our accounts are truly empty. We won't collect the annual rents from the estates until the end of the year. Where can we find eight hundred taels of cash right now?"

The joy on Jia Zhen’s face dimmed. What Lai Er said was true. His previous confrontation with Wu Tiande had been a desperate gamble that ended in an ambush, leaving the Ningguo Mansion severely weakened. He felt a sense of resentment—a hereditary Third-Rank General being tricked by a former servant of the Wang family? Who could he complain to about this?

Yu Lu, who was standing nearby, chimed in cautiously: "Steward Lai is right. And Master, the starting price is eight hundred taels, but that doesn't mean the final price will be that low. The 'Zhen Youwei' business is so popular that many will be eyeing it. Once everyone starts bidding, the price will skyrocket. In my humble opinion, even two thousand taels might not secure it."

The implication was clear: given the Ningguo Mansion’s current state, they shouldn't even bother, as they lacked the strength.

*Smack!*

Jia Zhen slammed the table, his face darkening. He was already in a foul mood over the money, and Yu Lu’s words felt like a slap in the face.

"Yu Lu!" Jia Zhen pointed at his nose, shouting, "What do you know! My Ningguo Mansion hasn't reached the point where we can't afford a shop! How dare you blather on, dampening our spirits and boosting the enemy's ego?"

The more he scolded, the angrier he became, recalling how cowardly Yu Lu had been when fleeing Qin Ye’s house. "Who was it that ran faster than a rabbit at Qin Ye’s place? Now you have the nerve to pour cold water on me? You are a spineless creature, useless in success and a failure in adversity, wasting my food!"

The biting insults struck Yu Lu like a whip. His face turned white, then red, then a mottled purple. He kept his head bowed, not daring to let out a breath. Lai Er, standing by, sighed inwardly. Life in the Ningguo Mansion was becoming increasingly difficult, and the Master’s temper was growing more volatile by the day.

"You dogs," Jia Zhen growled, "don't know a thing! As long as I, Master Zhen, stand at that auction, who would dare bid against me? Eight hundred taels—I will buy it!"

The statement was final. No one dared to dissuade him further. Soon, Jia Zhen stormed off, leaving behind a humiliated Yu Lu and a despondent Lai Er.

The Mid-Autumn Festival arrived. The "Zhen Youwei" flagship store was decorated with lanterns, yet the atmosphere was unusually tense. The shop floor had been cleared, with a high platform set up for the auctioneer. Jia Zhen arrived on schedule, dressed in a brand-new brocade robe, followed by a dejected Lai Er and Yu Lu. He held his head high, as if the business were already his.

However, at the entrance, he was stopped by Madam Lou, a capable helper Wu Tiande had hired. "Master Zhen, please present fifty taels of good-faith deposit to enter," she said with a professional smile, her tone brooking no argument.

Jia Zhen’s smile froze. "Deposit? What deposit?"

"It is the rule set by Master Wu," she explained. "To ensure only serious bidders attend. If you do not win, the deposit will be returned."

Jia Zhen’s heart sank as he reached for his purse. His fingertips brushed it, and he felt a chill—he had left in a hurry, expecting his servants to handle the finances, and had forgotten to bring enough cash. Lai Er and Yu Lu looked at each other, equally empty-handed.

Jia Zhen’s face turned deep crimson. He could feel the curious and mocking gazes of those around him. If he couldn't produce the silver, he would be a laughingstock of the capital.

Just as he was trapped in this dilemma, a familiar voice rang out: "Brother Zhen, what is the matter?"

Jia Zhen turned to see Jia Lian. He had brought his own entourage, clearly also aiming for the business.

"Brother Lian, you’ve come at just the right time!" Jia Zhen grabbed him like a life-saving straw. "Quick, lend me fifty taels of silver for an emergency!"

Jia Lian was taken aback but understood. He didn't ask questions, taking a fifty-tael note from his attendant and handing it over. "Brother Zhen, you are too polite. It’s just a small sum."

Jia Zhen felt relieved and handed the note to Madam Lou, finally gaining entry. But after this incident, and realizing Jia Lian was also hunting for the business, his earlier confidence had largely evaporated. He knew that in terms of wealth, the current Rongguo Mansion was far more substantial than his own.

The auction began, and the atmosphere grew heated.

"Eight hundred taels!" the auctioneer announced. Someone immediately raised a paddle.

"Eight hundred and fifty!"

"Nine hundred!"

The price climbed rapidly, breaking one thousand taels. Jia Zhen tried to raise his paddle several times, but was stopped by a look from Lai Er. He realized that even if he bid, he might not win and would only offend others.

Indeed, shortly after, Jia Lian raised his paddle: "Two thousand taels!"

The price silenced the room. But in the corner, a man in official robes slowly raised his paddle. "Two thousand five hundred taels."

The crowd looked over. The man was unfamiliar but carried an air of distinction, followed by several attendants. Someone whispered, "Isn't that the Chief Clerk of Prince Zhongshun’s Mansion?"

Jia Lian frowned and, after a moment of thought, raised his paddle again: "Two thousand eight hundred taels!" This was his last-ditch effort; he had his eyes on Bao Er’s wife and thought this business would give him the perfect excuse to spend time with her, away from his wife, Wang Xifeng.

The room erupted in gasps. Just as everyone thought Jia Lian had won, the Chief Clerk remained unfazed and raised his paddle again, his voice clear: "Three thousand taels."

Dead silence. The auctioneer called out three times, and no one responded. The business fell to the Chief Clerk of Prince Zhongshun’s Mansion.

As the crowd dispersed, many complained in low voices: "They're crazy! Three thousand taels for a fast-food shop?"

"That clerk is a fool with too much money. It’s a waste on Wu Tiande! It’s not worth that much!"

"They’ll be bankrupt within a year!"

These remarks reached the Clerk’s ears, but he didn't care. A cold, imperceptible smile played on his lips. *You fools know nothing,* he thought. *Prince Zhongshun is paying the three thousand taels. I have already struck a secret deal with Wu Tiande; twenty percent of this price—six hundred taels—is my kickback. That’s more than you idiots could earn in ten years.*

Meanwhile, Wu Tiande looked at the bank notes in his hand, grinning from ear to ear. Though he had to hand over six hundred taels to the clerk, he had still made a massive profit. More importantly, he had used this transaction to climb another rung up the ladder of Prince Zhongshun’s Mansion, earning a monumental favor. This deal had been well worth it.