Free Web NovelChapter 554: Chapter 554: Auction
"276 bolts of Sichuan Brocade, starting bid at 3,000 silver!"
On the tall auction platform, a middle-aged man in a blue robe held a wooden hammer, his bright eyes staring at the merchants below, loudly asking, "Raise in increments of 100 silver, does anyone want it?"
His voice was somewhat hoarse, but the excitement in his words kept rising.
Although it was the first time for this middle-aged man to act as an auctioneer and host such a large auction, he quickly mastered the relevant skills after overcoming the initial awkwardness.
And every successful sale filled him with joy and made his spirit even more vigorous.
Making his words all the more stimulating!
"3,500 silver!"
A corpulent man in luxurious clothing raised his placard and looked around, seemingly wanting to see who dared to bid against him.
However, few bidders on site were intimidated, and someone immediately raised a placard, "3,800 silver!"
"4,000 silver!"
"4,500 silver!"
In just a short moment, the competition reached a fever pitch.
Being in it, even the most calculating wealthy merchants could not help but be influenced by the atmosphere.
Unable to resist raising their placards to join the bidding.
In fact, the starting prices of these auction items were very low.
For instance, the Sichuan Brocade piled up on the auction platform had a market value of at least 100 silver per bolt. If transported to the Western Regions, the value could increase fivefold or even higher.
Now, the starting bid was just over ten silver per bolt. Who could remain unmoved? ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
"10,000 silver!"
A tall and broad wealthy merchant, after several rounds of bidding, was driven to the peak of excitement, suddenly stood up and raised his placard high, his round face flushed red.
He doubled the price to the ten thousand level, shaking many of the competitors.
The entire hall fell silent.
Seizing the moment, the auctioneer loudly proclaimed, "10,000 silver, first call, 10,000 silver, second call, 10,000 silver, third call, sold!"
Bam!
The crisp and bright sound of the gavel woke the bidders in attendance suddenly.
The successful purchaser laughed heartily and said with satisfaction, "Well done, well done!"
He was delighted, while many other bidders regretted bitterly, even feeling a bit of resentment.
Because the auctioneer shouted too quickly, hammering down before everyone could react.
Letting this fellow pick up a bargain.
Meanwhile, sitting backstage, Mo Yanchang asked thoughtfully, "Master, why is this?"
The auctioneer had no secret dealings with the wealthy merchant who won the brocade, no deliberate collusion.
This was specially instructed by Zhang Yuan beforehand.
Mo Yanchang knew the inside story but did not understand the purpose—shouldn’t the auction drive the price as high as possible?
"We’re auctioning stolen goods."
Reclining in the tiger-pattern chair, Zhang Yuan answered indifferently, "Selling stolen goods requires a hefty discount. Though we are holding a public auction, the price must not exceed 80% of the normal value."
"We must let these merchants taste the benefits so that such auctions can continue in the future."
A live auction easily makes people passionate, especially amidst fierce competition, where it’s not uncommon to bid excessively.
If one were greedy, they would hope the bidders would fight on the spot.
However, Zhang Yuan had no such desires and would not underestimate the intelligence and emotional intelligence of these wealthy merchants.
Otherwise, even if you gain a temporary advantage, how can you make up for future losses?
Slow but steady is the ultimate path!
For this auction, Zhang Yuan put in a lot of effort.
First creating buzz and publicity, then setting up a venue in the Dao Camp, and widely sending invitations to businesses and post houses in the city.
Only then did he manage to gather dozens of bidders.
Creating the scene before us.
Zhang Yuan did not intend to do a one-time deal!
Mo Yanchang, skilled in calculation but unfamiliar with business strategies.
Yet once Zhang Yuan pointed out the key, he immediately understood.
Unable to help but admire!
The auction inside continued.
As batch after batch of goods was auctioned off, the bidders in attendance gradually grasped the essence.
The highest bid price was usually 70-80% of the normal market price, sometimes even as low as 40-50%. frёewebηovel.cѳm
This meant that as long as they won the bid, they wouldn’t lose, the only question was about earning more or less.
Thus, the bidding from the wealthy merchants became less intense and impulsive, turning more rational.
Increasing calculations and evaluations.
Precisely the outcome Zhang Yuan aimed for.
As the atmosphere inside the auction cooled, the excitement outside only grew.
The Martial Arts Arena of Dao Camp was originally strictly off-limits to outsiders. Anyone who intruded was executed, without exception.
But now the Martial Arts Arena was completely open to the public, ordinary people could come to tour and visit.
Moreover, many stalls were set up in the arena, where attendants of the Tudah Commerce Association shouted enthusiastically.
Selling a variety of goods.
The goods on these stalls also came from the loot of bandit suppression, though of lower quality, and were sold off in a stall format.
Many items were priced at a third of the market value or even lower, marked clearly with prices, ensuring fair trade.
Even women who like to haggle couldn’t resist pulling out their wallets.
For a while, the inside and outside of Dao Camp turned into an open-air bazaar, the noise even reached the Daoist Government Office, drawing the attention of many officials.
The contrasting quiet and deserted Daoist Government Office juxtaposed sharply with the bustling Dao Camp!
And the excitement at the Dao Camp lasted until nightfall before ending.
"Master."
Inside the brightly lit White Tiger Hall, having just finished accounting, Mo Yanchang put down his brush, joyfully said to Zhang Yuan, "Today’s auction coupled with stall sales, we took in a total of 1,167,953 silver and six coins."
"Around 90% of the stock in the warehouse has been cleared, the remainder..."
"The remainder will all go to the Tudah Commerce Association."
Zhang Yuan made a sweeping gesture, directly interrupting Mo Yanchang, "Consider it a fee for their hard work."
Mo Yanchang paused, then cupped his hands in response, "I understand, sir."
"Hm."
Zhang Yuan nodded, sighed, "This West Plain Dao City is truly wealthy, over a million silver auctioned in a day."
Though this was a result generated under specific conditions, impossible to replicate daily.
But the prosperity of West Plain was evident.
Simultaneously revealing the narrow vision of the Daoist Government Office.
Thinking of Fei Hongming who sat at the Daoist Government Office, Zhang Yuan smirked coldly and instructed, "Captain Mo, please count out a million silver notes, then invite Deputy General Mo Wei over."
"I have an important task for him!"
