Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 332, Section 331: Auction of the Delivery Company
Within the city of Xianyang, undercurrents were swirling.

After listening to Zhou Ju's report, Ji Heng pondered for a moment, and his expression gradually became satisfied.

Most of the talismans examined in the city recently belong to wealthy merchants and powerful figures from various regions. This shows that with the Queen's auction, many people want to speculate and further expand their families' influence.

Then there were lists from various places forwarded to the Queen—fields, mansions, jewels, and treasures.

Thinking of this, his expression gradually darkened again, his fingers stroking the short sword in his sleeve, and a murderous intent rose in his heart.

The Qin treasury was empty, and even as the ruler of Qin, he had to hesitate to bestow titles and rewards upon the queen due to insufficient funds.

These wealthy merchants owned countless acres of land, and in some cases, up to 70% of the city's land was concentrated in the hands of a single clan.

The people of Qin were hidden from the household registration system and became slaves, servants, or tenant farmers. If they were not careful, their entire families would be reduced to commodities to be consumed by others due to usury.

This world should have belonged to Ji Heng.

Zhou Ju stood to the side with his head bowed, not daring to breathe. But then a eunuch came to report: "Your Majesty, the Queen has arrived."

Zhou Ju was overjoyed!
Looking at the king again, he saw that when he looked up, he saw a maid lift the curtain and the queen emerge from behind the tent with a smile.

Ji Heng's murderous intent gradually eased, and he released the short sword from his sleeve, instead reaching out to the Queen.

The queen was devoted to him and to the Qin state, and her affection for him was deep and profound. Therefore, these somewhat improper intimate actions pleased her, and although Ji Heng felt they were inappropriate, it did not stop him from doing them.

Sure enough, when the queen saw him extend his hand, she was filled with joy and also extended her soft palm to shake his before sitting down next to him.

"Your Majesty, do you find these lists of land properties pleasing to the eye?"

Having said that, without waiting for Ji Heng's reply, Qin Shi also picked up the lists on the table, glanced at them hastily, and said with a hint of melancholy:

"What a pity, why aren't these state-owned?"

The list often mentions thousands of acres of fertile land and tens of thousands of acres of rich fields. Even if the family dares to write it on the list, they have not suffered any serious damage yet!
How could one not feel moved?

The Queen was indeed a kindred spirit.

Ji Heng's frustration vanished instantly, and he sighed as well, "Yes, why isn't it from my Qin state?"

"It's alright." The Queen, always quick to respond, smiled again.
"After this auction, much of the land will be added to the national treasury—oh, and the king's private treasury as well."

She played with Ji Heng's large hand, then praised:

"Your Majesty will soon become my extremely wealthy husband."

This is not flattery, but rather because so many wealthy merchants have come to Xianyang City, this auction is sure to be fruitful.

She was clear about the categories of the items she was going to auction: the salt and sugar business would be incorporated into the national treasury, while desserts, glass, and lime and cement would be kept in the king's private coffers.

Oh no.

Because the King had bestowed upon him the glass workshop outside Xianyang Palace, the money from the glass trade had to go into the Queen's private treasury.

Well, after this auction, not only will the king become an extremely wealthy king, but the queen will also become a very wealthy queen.

However, she was somewhat curious:

These people so generously brought this list of land properties to the palace, placing these things in front of the penniless Ji Heng. Aren't they afraid that he will follow the example of Emperor Wu of Han and directly find an excuse to confiscate their property?
My neighbor has grain, and I have guns; my neighbor is my granary.

This statement has been consistent since the dawn of human civilization.

Her question stemmed purely from a lack of experience in the political arena.

If you were to ask Ji Heng if he harbored murderous intent, the answer would be yes.

But unless there is absolutely no other way out, they would never resort to such a desperate measure.

Firstly, it will cause public panic.

Secondly, these merchants were all backed by powerful and noble families.

After Qin unified the six states, its attempts to grant fiefdoms were repeatedly rejected, leading to widespread discontent among the people due to the unequal distribution of benefits.

If such a situation were to occur again, rebellions would break out in various places, and the Rong and Di tribes on the borders would be eyeing the country covetously, and the Baiyue people would harbor wolfish ambitions... At that time, although he was confident that he could suppress them, he would inevitably be overwhelmed and it would only make matters worse for the already impoverished national treasury.

It should be understood that the movement of soldiers and the transport of provisions, even the suppression of a rebellion involving only a thousand or so people, would cost millions of strings of cash.

Thinking of this, Ji Heng frowned. He wondered which other founding emperor had ever faced such poverty and hardship.

……

Grand Astrologer Yuan Xin, now an old man, is barely able to shoulder various heavy responsibilities, and he has yet to select a successor for himself...

Ugh!
Divination with yarrow stalks isn't difficult!
Observing stars, celestial phenomena, and weather is not difficult!
How come we couldn't find even one person with a little talent?

So much so that even this old man had to carefully observe the weather, make records, and perform data calculations while also worrying about various auspicious sacrificial ceremonies, including the upcoming spring sacrifice and the ancestral worship in the old capital of Yongcheng...

In the midst of all the chaos, I heard that the Queen had requested an auspicious date for the auction...

The old man's vision went black.

If only I had known this would happen... Oh well, if only I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have been willing to follow the late king!
You need an auspicious day, right? Since it's going to be auctioned off, just pick one that brings good fortune and send it to us!
Oh dear, my watch!

Such exquisite and intricate objects, given how casually the Queen handles them, could it be that everyone in Kunlun Ruins possesses them?

It would be even better if it could also show the weather for tomorrow.

The old man sighed and began to calculate again, referring to the star chart he had observed the day before.

...

When Qin Shi received the auspicious date in Ganquan Palace, he was also taken aback:
"The day after tomorrow?"

She had intended to ask if there were any in three to five days, as these powerful figures needed more time to prepare.

But considering that many merchants from all over the country have gathered in Xianyang City, there aren't that many items up for auction. With this number of people coming, it's about right.

not to mention……

Qin Shi, who had already conducted an on-site inspection, sighed: There was no large screen to magnify the image, and even the speakers were simply made.

If there are too many people, those in the back rows won't be able to see what's in front, and they'll just be shouting blindly, which is not conducive to healthy bidding.

If that's the case—

"Tell the princess that an auction will be held the day after tomorrow."

"Also, set up a separate area at the auction so that all the sensible princes and princesses can come and take a look."

She recalled the various displays at the auction house and felt a sense of anticipation.
"It all depends on whether the princess's aesthetic sense can completely impress them."

Thinking of this, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration:
“Chi Nu, go to Zhangtai Palace and ask the King to bestow a piece of calligraphy for the auction house.”

Time is tight, and there's no time to engrave the lettering. However, we should be able to finish the glass mold-making process.

……

Inside the Zhangtai Palace, Ji Heng pondered for a moment, then picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote two characters on the snow-white, delicate paper—

[Lifang]

The most prized items at auction are all made from materials derived from nature. Wearing round shoes and square footwear reflects the principles of nature; this is the essence of it all.

The Queen possesses the virtues of the earth, and is upright and loving.

The auction house that is established should also practice authenticity.

This is called "Li Fang".

[Please see the author's note; many explanations and extensions of this book can be found here.]

　I have something to do this afternoon!
　　The founding emperor, who faced even greater poverty and hardship... Everyone knows who I'm talking about, right? Truly remarkable.

　　On a side note unrelated to this chapter, the political landscape of the Han Dynasty was actually quite complex. Policies such as the enfeoffment of states, the White Horse Alliance, and the Edict of Grace were not entirely applicable to the Qin Dynasty. Similarly, the Huang-Lao philosophy of governance could not be perpetually neglected. While Emperor Wen of Han, Liu Heng, is universally praised, some of his policies, from the perspective of the ruling class, were actually inferior to those of Liu Ying (Emperor Wen of Han). Liu Ying truly implemented Liu Bang's philosophy of using the west to control the east. Although Liu Bang was forced to grant over fifty fiefdoms, their locations were carefully chosen.

　　When it came to Liu Heng… well! Over a hundred, and their locations were a complete mess, plus some defense policies were cancelled…

　　In short, our advantage is that we can look through historical records and extract different perspectives and ideas. What I say may not be correct, so please just take it as some unnecessary little bits of knowledge to add.

　　(End of this chapter)