512: Chapter 512 Zhao Fusu Raises the Auction Price

After seeing A-yi-mu off, Zhang Qian invited the nobles of Qianni City for meetings one after another.

After being shown the Glass Horse, every single one of them was captivated by it.

Immediately after, Zhang Qian told them about the auction.

They all patted their chests and promised they would attend the auction.

News of the auction spread through Qianni City as if it had wings, causing a massive sensation.

Naturally, this was inseparable from the meticulous planning of Zhang Qian and Zhao Fusu.

They specifically arranged for people to move about the city, intentionally guiding public opinion so that the auction soon became common knowledge.

Zhao Fusu knew well that for the nobles of Qianni City, this auction was not just a transaction, but a perfect opportunity to "show off."

If someone could win the bid for that exquisitely crafted Glass Horse, it would undoubtedly demonstrate their immense wealth to everyone while greatly satisfying their vanity.

And he intended to exploit this very point, fueling the fire from the shadows to prompt the nobles to outbid each other to display their strength before the common folk, thereby driving the price of the Glass Horse even higher.

For a time, in every street and alley of Qianni City, people were heatedly discussing the upcoming auction, especially who would eventually end up with the much-anticipated Glass Horse.

In the eyes of the crowd, whoever could win the Glass Horse was equivalent to announcing their extraordinary status to the world.

Consequently, the city's nobles were all eager and ready, each thinking of competing in this auction to both obtain the Glass Horse and take the opportunity to reveal their own formidable strength.

Three days later, the front of the Merchant House was bustling with traffic.

The nobles of the Kingdom of Loulan arrived one after another in magnificent carriages; as they exchanged greetings, their gazes held hints of wariness and rivalry.

The auction was held in the main hall of the Merchant House.

Zhang Qian specifically ordered the hall to be brightly lit, with dozens of bronze lamps illuminating the entire space as if it were broad daylight.

A high platform was set up in the very center of the hall, covered with deep red silk.

When Zhang Qian carried the Glass Horse onto the platform, the entire venue fell silent. Under the reflection of the lights, the Glass Horse shimmered with flowing colors, looking as if it might take flight at any moment.

"Starting price: one thousand dan of grain."

Zhang Qian stood on the stage and announced in a loud voice that echoed through the ornately decorated auction hall, causing the audience below to whisper among themselves.

"One thousand five hundred dan!"

Almost the instant Zhang Qian finished speaking, A-yi-mu shouted out his price impatiently. His round, chubby face was filled with a look of determination, and his small eyes were fixed on the Glass Horse displayed on the stage as if it were an indispensable treasure of his life.

"Two thousand dan!"

Another obese noble was not to be outdone and slowly raised his hand. He tilted his chin slightly, a hint of defiance in his eyes as he looked at A-yi-mu, seemingly declaring his own resolve to win this bidding war.

Zhao Fusu was currently hidden among the crowd, observing A-yi-mu's every move.

He intended to pull strings from the shadows to drive up the auction price.

In Zhao Fusu's view, he saw A-yi-mu's brow furrow slightly upon hearing the bid of two thousand dan. A flash of displeasure crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

Zhao Fusu thought to himself that it seemed A-yi-mu had not yet reached his limit.

Thus, he gave a wink to the shill he had arranged.

The shill immediately understood and calmly raised his sign, shouting, "Two thousand five hundred dan!"