Chapter 1516: Lord Wang is incorruptible

In this high-end game, ordinary people had no money to participate, but watching the fun was also comfortable.

Gossip, melons—they are all good when they belong to others; if they really fell on one's own head, they wouldn't be fragrant anymore.

Tianshui City hadn't traded such expensive real estate for a long time, not to mention that it wasn't in the center of the city at all, but in the countryside several miles away from Tianshui City!

And this was just a residence in the second-to-last row.

Tonight's Red Fortress auction ended in a lively atmosphere. Fan Shuang first sent He Lingchuan to the Sanmentou Post House before walking home himself.

Following He Lingchuan, Fan Shuang was busy every day—He Xiao's activities were truly too many: meeting the monarch in the palace, visiting dignitaries, coordinating logistics, inspecting construction sites, dining with other foreign envoys, etc. Fan Shuang gritted his teeth and accompanied him the whole way, only then realizing that the status of this red man in front of His Majesty didn't come for nothing. He himself was almost exhausted, while He Xiao was still like nothing had happened.

And He Xiao also had to manage the affairs of the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce. His energy was truly extraordinarily abundant.

Walking past the corner, Fan Shuang saw the two familiar lanterns at his door, and couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart.

Finally home, another exhausting day. At this moment, he just wanted to wash off the sweat, sit down, and eat a few bites of icy watermelon—before leaving this morning, his mother seemed to have hung two watermelons in the well.

But before he could enter, a servant hurried up to meet him: "Young Master, you're finally back! There are distinguished guests."

"Ah? Who?"

As soon as he entered the living room, Fan's father was entertaining guests. Seeing Fan Shuang, he stood up and said: "Shuang'er, come quickly, this is Lord Mi from the Secretariat!"

Opposite him sat a man, nearly fifty, slightly plump, who smiled at Fan Shuang.

Fan Shuang hurriedly saluted: "Lord Mi."

The Secretariat was Fan's father's superior department, mainly assessing the political achievements and integrity of officials.

Such an official suddenly appearing in the Fan family made Fan Shuang feel terrified. Had his father or he himself committed a crime? "I am an old acquaintance of your father for many years, when you were this big—" Lord Mi smiled very warmly, and even gestured at his side, "—I even held you."

He also said to Fan's father: "This child is promising. He was received by His Majesty a few days ago, and now he is by Island Master He's side, busy back and forth, and everyone sees it."

Fan's father nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, Island Master He appreciates him, and he himself has become promising."

So what exactly did this Lord Mi come for? The fatherly tone was really strong.

Fan Shuang was muttering in his heart when Lord Mi continued to ask: "Oh right, did you just return from the Red Fortress?"

Red Fortress? So this was the main point. Fan Shuang saw his father winking at him, so he nodded: "That's right, the Red Fortress auction just ended, and I sent Island Master He back to the post house. Lord Mi, you came today, did my family encounter any trouble...?"

"Oh no, no, your father just asked this sentence too." Lord Mi smiled, "You are all overthinking. I came today to bring good news."

"Lord Mi, please speak."

Lord Mi put the teacup on the table: "I heard you have a gold label?"

"Yes, the building plate for the Hanqing Building in Youhu Villa." Fan Shuang understood immediately and immediately continued: "Island Master He is a person of love and righteousness. The Hanqing Building is a reward for my companionship and contribution over the past few months."

Having witnessed the crazy price hikes of the second phase of Youhu Villa at the Red Fortress, Fan Shuang already understood that He Lingchuan only charged him 2,000 taels of silver to sell him the Hanqing Building; this price was equivalent to giving it away.

Fan's father added on the side: "At noon today, the Office of Works announced the purchase list for the first phase of Youhu Villa, and we are also on it."

Fan Shuang said "Ah."

This move was extremely powerful, equivalent to announcing the first batch of officials who stood with the Yao King.

Those listed were all loyal and devoted!

The Fan family was also on the list. Although they bought the last row and were at the bottom, the bottom was still a seat, and this immediately hung under everyone's eyes.

Lord Mi rubbed his hands: "I'll open the skylight and speak clearly. A certain lord wants to buy the Hanqing Building and delegated me to come and discuss it with you father and son."

The Fan father and son looked at each other: "This..."

Fan Shuang noticed that Lord Mi used the word "delegated."

Someone sent him.

"Last night at the Red Fortress auction, the lowest price for a residence in the second-to-last row of the second phase of Youhu Villa was 31,000 taels, and the highest transaction price was 41,700 taels. This lord took a middle number and offered 34,000 taels."

Fan Shuang couldn't help but ask: "May I ask, which lord is it?"

"Censor-in-Chief, Lord Wang." Lord Mi didn't hide it from him; anyway, the buyer would definitely be announced.

Fan Shuang choked.

It was actually the chief official of the Censorate!

Lord Wang's power was "major matters are decided by the monarch, minor matters are decided on the spot," and he could impeach officials at any time.

Needless to say, all officials respected and feared him.

No wonder Lord Mi had to use the word "delegated"; this person was the superior of his superior!

Such a big shot actually wanted to buy the Youhu residence in the Fan family's hands?

Oh right, he seemed to have seen Lord Wang in the front row of the Red Fortress auction just now. Could it be that Lord Wang didn't win the bid?

The second phase of Youhu Villa residences used a "dark auction" method. Buyers only had one chance to bid for the residence they liked. If the price wasn't higher than others, the house belonged to someone else.

Fan Shuang whispered: "Only the last two rows were auctioned today, there is still..."

Lord Mi waved his hand: "Lord Wang is incorruptible and cannot take out so much money. This price is already doing his best. Can Brother Fan part with it?"

He was speaking to Fan's father.

"This..." Fan's father's eyes flickered, extremely embarrassed.

Fan Shuang persuaded him to raise money to take down Youhu Villa, and he was still looking forward to being neighbors with the officials and nobles of the court. The dignitaries he couldn't see once a year would live near his house in the future, and he could bump into them when he went out.

If he could get familiar, it would be easy to do things in the future. After all, how did that saying go? Meeting is three parts affection.

If Fan Shuang could meet one or two more nobles, his official career would be bright.

Suddenly someone intervened, and Fan's father was a little unwilling. If his son could soar in the future, the family fortune he could earn would be more than just 34,000 taels?

Fan Shuang didn't want to sell either.

Once he moved into Youhu Villa, his status would be immediately different from now.

But what kind of person was Lord Wang? They couldn't afford to offend him either.

Lord Mi saw the father and son speechless, and continued: "Youhu residences are limited, and each one is very popular. Today the list was announced, and others will come to find Brother Fan later. As far as I know, the Liu family of Xining didn't buy one tonight either, and they are trying everywhere. I estimate that they will come to the door by tomorrow night at the latest."

Fan's father's face changed slightly.

The Liu family? The two little bullies of the Liu family relied on their status as relatives of the emperor to run rampant in Tianshui City for many years, and the Fan family absolutely didn't want to offend them!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1517 =====