Chapter 1464: What Exactly Is the Trick?

He Lingchuan nodded. "I understand."

Just as with the Gu family, Viceroy Qingyang had initially intended to make trouble for them. However, King Yao yielded at the last minute and made a deal, leading Qingyang to drop the charges.

Nevertheless, the reputations of the officials and aristocratic families involved were already severely damaged. After all, there’s no smoke without fire; for Qingyang to target them through an impeachment process, they must have had a history of misdeeds or weaknesses that could be exploited.

While everyone was still pondering, the competition in the auction house continued. The contest between the three became fiercer, and the price quickly rose to twenty-three thousand.

The merchant bidding opposite bowed to Zhang Zhan and sat down, indicating he was withdrawing from the competition.

He Lingchuan recognized him as the head of Deyou Merchant Guild.

Only two competitors remained.

Fan Shuang rubbed his hands, his eyes sparkling, "This is getting interesting!"

He Lingchuan also recognized Zhang Zhan’s opponent: Qu Ruhai, the Left Zongzhang of Luodian Kingdom, whom he had met grilling meat in a small courtyard on his first day in Tianshui City!

How could ordinary officials and merchants dare to challenge the Prince Qing's Residence? But the Luodian people clearly had no such reservations.

The last time He Lingchuan saw Qu Ruhai, he knew he was perfectly at ease here, completely unconcerned about any potential harm from the Yao Kingdom.

Qu Ruhai crossed his arms, smiling as he said to Zhang Zhan, "Second Brother Zhang, your bids are so weak. Didn't you eat enough for dinner?"

In response to his provocation, Zhang Zhan sneered, "Aren't you afraid of emptying Luodian's meager family fortune by squandering money like this? Oh, wait, that money was stolen, so you don't feel bad spending it."

Qu Ruhai stroked his beard leisurely and said, "Is the Prince Qing's Residence's money clean? Why was Viceroy Qingyang investigating your family a while ago?"

As soon as he said this, murmurs spread throughout the crowd.

For most, this news was quite new.

Zhang Zhan's eyebrows furrowed, "Spreading rumors and slanders comes with a price! Qu Ruhai, be careful what you say."

He gritted his teeth on the last few words.

During their bickering, the bidding never stopped. The price of the Youhu Villa soared from just over twenty thousand to thirty-five thousand!

Everyone watched with their mouths agape. They hadn't even finished dinner before rushing to Chibao; wasn't it precisely for this kind of spectacle?

Thirty-five thousand! Thirty-five million coins, an amount ordinary people couldn't earn in several lifetimes, just to buy a villa by Youhu Lake!

The most absurd thing was that the house hadn't even had its foundation dug or any earth moved, yet it was already sold?

The world of the wealthy truly was insane.

As everyone watched with curiosity and grumbled, the struggle between Qu and Zhang also slowed down.

Ultimately, it was still too expensive, far exceeding its intrinsic value.

So Qu Ruhai stretched, then waved his hand at the auctioneer, "Forget it, let him have it."

He had only come to disrupt things, and his goal was achieved; there was no need for him to actually buy the mansion. Although a Luodian person living in royal territory sounded satisfying, the cost-effectiveness was clearly an issue—

There was no cost-effectiveness at all!

Zhang Zhan also had a stern face. What he could have initially secured for just over twenty thousand was pushed to thirty-eight thousand by his opponent before he let go. Naturally, the Prince Qing's Residence still lost out.

People fight for pride, but this pride came at a high price.

Zhang Zhan remembered his father's solemn instruction before he left home for Chibao: "Buy back the Youhu Villa, no matter the cost!"

The auctioneer hammered down several times. With no further bids, he announced that the first villa by Youhu Lake now belonged to the Prince Qing's Residence.

Fan Shuang exhaled, exclaiming, "Thirty-eight thousand taels!"

He knew He Lingchuan's villa wouldn't be cheap, but this price made his heart pound a dozen times over.

Fan Shuang came from a minor official's family; his father's official salary was only about three to four hundred taels a year.

"Brother He is truly incredible! In just a few days in Tianshui City, he's earned money that others couldn't in several lifetimes!" This remark was genuinely heartfelt, without a hint of insincerity.

He Lingchuan chuckled, "It's not that I'm incredible. It's clearly the King's infallible planning."

The King? What does that have to do with the King? Fan Shuang was puzzled, but Yuwen Xu, standing nearby, seemed to be deep in thought.

"Brother He, when will the other villas in Youhu Villa Complex be put up for sale?"

"Soon," He Lingchuan smiled, "Perhaps in a few more days."

"Please reserve one for me. You set the price." Yuwen Xu didn't even haggle. "My family must have one!"

He Lingchuan suddenly changed the subject, leaving Fan Shuang a little confused: "I heard your brother also got a promotion?"

Yuwen Xu was slightly surprised but replied, "Yes, along with General Chongwu."

Because of his special status, General Chongwu's promotion had absorbed most people's attention. In fact, Yuwen Xu's elder brother had also filled the void left by Xue Zongwu's death and was likewise transferred to the northern frontier.

It was also a rapid ascent, so the Yuwen family had been very happy these past two days.

He Lingchuan immediately demonstrated his consistent generosity: "For the first phase of the complex, there are only three villas in the first row by the lake, and the Prince Qing's Residence has already acquired one. Since Brother Yuwen has asked, I will reserve a lakeside residence with excellent views for your family, guaranteed to have a spectacular vista!"

Yuwen Xu was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Brother He, your generosity is boundless! The silver will be delivered tomorrow, I guarantee it."

He hadn't intended to buy anything today and hadn't brought much money with him.

So urgent? Fan Shuang listened, utterly bewildered.

The Prince Qing's Residence was willing to spend ten thousand more taels of silver to secure the first villa; Yuwen Xu was also eager to reserve a room with He Lingchuan, fearing he might be too slow.

He Lingchuan was willing to accept tens of thousands of taels from him, and Yuwen Xu still had to look grateful?

How had the world changed again? What was the trick, and why couldn't Fan Shuang figure it out?

Two out of three were gone. This left only one villa in the first row by the lake.

With the grand finale over, tonight's Chibao auction concluded successfully.

The event dispersed, and everyone returned home.

Yuwen Xu also introduced He Lingchuan to Zhang Zhan. Zhang Zhan's furrowed brows relaxed, "So it's Island Lord He! I've heard much about you. When do you plan to start construction on your Youhu Villa Complex? I hope to be the first to move in."

"In just a few days," He Lingchuan smiled. "I hope everything goes smoothly."

After a few more pleasantries, Zhang Zhan found an excuse and departed.

At that moment, Gu Xuan also strode over, approaching He Lingchuan. "Brother He, my family wants to reserve one too!"

Fan Shuang glanced sideways.

Something significant must have happened that he didn't know about!

He Lingchuan seemed unsurprised by Gu Xuan's inquiry, merely asking, "You haven't seen the floor plans yet, have you?"

"No, it doesn't matter," Gu Xuan chuckled. "I heard Brother Yuwen has already made a deposit for one, so I can't fall behind."

"Alright, then I recommend a villa in the second row for the Gu family. Although it's not in the front row facing the lake, it offers a charming view of the winding stream and lotus bridge within the complex, which also has a unique appeal."

"The second row?" Gu Xuan was startled. "Are there no more lakeside villas in the first row?"

"There's still one, but—" He Lingchuan said meaningfully, "Brother Gu, your family primarily focuses on business, usually dealing with official circles. Taking a villa in the first row by the lake would do more harm than good. I think the second or third villa is more suitable for the Gu family."

"Is that so? Hmm—" Gu Xuan was moved.

He pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, my family will take one in the second row."

"Brother Gu, you're a smart man!" He Lingchuan patted his shoulder. "Trust me, you won't regret it."

Gu Xuan immediately took a soft folder from his pocket, pulled out a banknote, and handed it over.

He Lingchuan, in turn, gave him a wooden plaque inscribed with the words "Youhu Villa Complex, Cloud Immortal."

"What is this?" Gu Xuan turned it over in his hand. The wood was brownish with gold accents, and it glinted slightly in the light.

He recognized it as Jinbiao wood.

"It's the plaque for the Cloud Immortal building, or you could call it a house ticket. Each building has a unique name," He Lingchuan smiled. "You can claim the residence with this plaque once it's built. If Brother Gu no longer wants it, you can also sell it."

Gu Xuan put away the plaque, a happy smile on his face as he left.

Holding the newly acquired banknotes, He Lingchuan left Chibao. Before boarding his carriage, he saw people leaving the Chibao auction in groups, all discussing the fierce competition of the evening.

Excellent, this was precisely the effect he wanted.

Fan Shuang was in the same carriage as him and tentatively asked:

"Brother He, what exactly is going on?"

Everyone seemed to be speaking in riddles, and he was the only one kept in the dark. This feeling was quite unpleasant.

He Lingchuan poured a cup of warm water and handed it to him. "Brother Fan, it's best you don't get involved in these matters for now."

The luxurious carriage was equipped with thermos flasks and multi-tiered shelves, ensuring guests had hot water, fine wine, and snacks available at all times.

Fan Shuang instinctively took it with both hands. "But I still have some spare money..."

If the Prince Qing's Residence, the Yuwen family, and the Gu family were all scrambling for it, it must be something good.

He still couldn't understand why, but he had the advantage of being in a prime position.

He Lingchuan smiled, looked at him intently, and remained silent.

Fan Shuang stopped being reserved and spoke frankly, "Brother He, can I also buy a villa?"

The first phase of Youhu Villa Complex only had twelve villas. Three had already been reserved, leaving nine.

Fan Shuang believed that if he didn't act now, those nine might all be gone by tomorrow morning.

He Lingchuan immediately took out a wooden plaque. "My good brother, I must look after you."

Fan Shuang took it and saw the words "Youhu Villa Complex, Hanqing" inscribed on it.

The name had very auspicious connotations, and Fan Shuang held it fondly.

Seeing this, He Lingchuan said, "This is a small building in the fourth row of the complex. The view isn't as good as the front rows, but it's much cheaper. I'll give you a rock-bottom price, only two thousand taels of silver."

Two thousand taels was two million coins, which wasn't a small sum by rights. Three days ago, Fan Shuang would have thought He Lingchuan was being extortionate. But considering that the previous three families acquired their villas for no less than twenty thousand, two thousand taels now sounded like a steal.

"Brother He, give me three days!" Fan Shuang was overjoyed, clutching the plaque. "Within three days, I'll definitely give you the silver."

"No worries, the bill is with me. You take the plaque for now. Just pay me whenever you have the money," He Lingchuan smiled. "I'll give Brother Fan one more piece of advice: strike when the iron is hot; no need to hesitate."

"Strike when the iron is hot?" Fan Shuang was taken aback. "Brother He, what do you mean?"

He Lingchuan smiled slightly. "When the time comes, you'll know."