Chapter 57: The Struggle for the Precious Jade

The attendant walked to the window and announced in a loud voice, "Number seven, eleven hundred taels."

Zhang Juntai was surprised. "Manager, isn't it forbidden for private individuals to trade jade in the Great Sui?"

"That's precisely why I want to acquire this piece of jade," Li Wenyuan replied. Seeing Zhang Juntai still somewhat puzzled, he leaned in and whispered, "If I obtain the right to manufacture arms for the eight Western provinces, then the place we're investigating—the site of military equipment production—Li Gui can use this as an excuse, claiming he's not trying to build a private army. So we need to give him some help, to firmly establish evidence of his rebellion."

Realization dawned on Zhang Juntai. "Manager, you mean to find a craftsman to carve it?"

Li Wenyuan nodded. "Exactly. I recall Old Jin brought us a craftsman before. We'll ask him when we return."

Zhang Juntai frowned. "What if Li Gui argues that this was a setup by someone else?"

Li Wenyuan replied gravely, "Then he'll have to talk his way out of it. If he senses danger and chooses to fight to the death, and we can't capture him alive, then we'll just have to send his head back to the capital."

Just then, the attendant stepped forward and said, "Sir, the price for the jade has reached three thousand five hundred taels."

Li Wenyuan nodded. "Round it up—four thousand taels."

The attendant nodded, returned to the window, and called out, "Number seven, four thousand taels."

Four thousand taels far exceeded the actual value of the jade, and the hall fell silent. Even the competitors in the private rooms said no more. Wen Niang was momentarily stunned, then softly asked, "Is there no other lord who wishes to compete?"

After waiting a while and seeing no further bids, she wasted no time and directly announced, "Congratulations to Number Seven private room for winning this precious jade." She then ordered another item to be brought up for auction and arranged for Li Wenyuan to receive the jade.

Private rooms had the advantage of minimizing the risk of swaps. Wen Niang sealed the box with hot wax on stage, selected a seal and stamped it, then sent the sealed wooden box over.

Li Wenyuan was entirely focused on the jade, anxiously awaiting its arrival, with no interest in the subsequent auction items. Soon, the door thudded open and a man entered, carrying the wax-sealed box in both hands.

Li Wenyuan took the box, examining it repeatedly to ensure there were no signs of tampering. The seal on the lock ring, marked with a prominent number seven, was particularly eye-catching. Li Wenyuan signaled for the scout to pay, and because of the numbered tag, the total payment was three thousand six hundred taels. The man received the silver, left the room, and closed the door behind him.

Li Wenyuan drew his short dagger from his waist, scraped off the wax seal, opened the box, and found the familiar silk inside. He removed the silk, setting the box aside on the table. Layer by layer, he unfolded the silk until an oval, lustrous jade lay in his palm.

The jade was cool to the touch, with a thick, gelatinous feel. Held up to the lamp, its interior showed faint rippling patterns, like silver ear soup, shimmering gently. Not jade from Qinghai or the northern deserts, but fine white jade from the nation of Qusadanna, usually reserved as tribute for the imperial family. Today, he had finally obtained a piece for himself.

After holding the jade for a while, it warmed slightly, its comfortable texture making it hard to let go, as if his whole body floated, refreshed and clear-headed. Li Wenyuan forced himself to resist the urge to keep it, wrapped the jade in silk, and placed it back in the wooden box.

Zhang Juntai sighed. "Such a pity for this excellent white jade."

Li Wenyuan smiled and comforted him. "No pity at all. White jade traded for the Western regions—such a deal surpasses even the He Shi Bi."

Zhang Juntai nodded resignedly. Though the jade was priceless, it paled in comparison to Li Wenyuan’s ambitions. With no other options, he had to part with the treasure, and so put the matter aside, watching the ongoing auction downstairs.

One item after another was brought to the stage and swiftly bought by various merchants. Among them were rare horses from the Central Plains, exquisite Qin dynasty handicrafts, all manner of rare beasts and curiosities Li Wenyuan had never heard of, even two forbidden ballistae from the Central Plains, bought by some men who looked Turkic. There were also Turkic wolf banners, purchased by others. Li Wenyuan surmised these buyers intended to sell the banners to noble youths gilding themselves at the border, hoping to earn military merit and return to the capital for high office.

The auction items were numerous and varied, yet under Wen Niang’s skilled guidance and eloquence, not a single lot went unsold; all were purchased. Li Wenyuan mused to himself that this woman truly had the knack for convincing a monk to buy a comb.

At that moment, the hall quieted. Li Wenyuan quickly refocused, gazing at the stage below. Four burly men carried a massive, domed object resembling a birdcage. Judging by their gait, this cage was anything but light. Suddenly, Li Wenyuan felt parched, raised his teacup to drink, but his eyes never left the stage.

Wen Niang circled the cage, announcing, "I trust all the lords present know that tonight we have a grand finale. As it’s getting late, let me show you this marvel." With a wave of her hand, the burly men who had been waiting stepped forward and removed the cloth covering the cage.

Li Wenyuan stared, eyes wide. Beneath the cloth was indeed a large birdcage, but it held no rare bird or beast, only a graceful woman with red hair. Her violet eyes glimmered with shifting light. For a moment, Li Wenyuan forgot he was drinking, simply gazing, entranced, at the woman inside the cage.

"This is a slave girl brought by merchants from the Great Qin, hailing from the distant far west—she is a Gaul, and her name is Ellie," Wen Niang announced from the stage.

Li Wenyuan was caught off guard by the name, choking and spraying his tea. Ellie—a name that called forth endless associations. In the future, which gentleman on the internet wouldn't know what that name implied? Now, it was solemnly bestowed upon a Gaulish girl, spoken without care, and the feeling was truly peculiar.

A scout beside Li Wenyuan saw him coughing hard and hurried over to help him catch his breath, finally easing the pain caused by the tea. The room had been silent, but Li Wenyuan’s coughing drew attention toward the private room. Thankfully, aside from Wen Niang, no one could see inside, sparing him from public embarrassment.

Wen Niang, understanding what had happened, covered her mouth and laughed coyly. "It seems some lord can hardly restrain himself."