Chapter 314

First Volume_Chapter 314 Liu Li Wine Set

At that moment, a curious Noble Youth shouted loudly: "Qin Feng, you said there was a big gift package—what else is in it?"

Qin Feng didn't hide anything—he announced right then and there: "Besides the Yanyi, there's one dagger forged by my Tianji Camp, and one jin of White Sugar!"

His words fell.

The number of people in the courtyard remained exactly the same as before.

Those young masters who had been furious and preparing to leave suddenly sat back down on their stools, one hand gripping dried fruit, the other smiling broadly as they chatted casually, as if the earlier exit had never happened.

"Hehe, I've long heard the weapons forged by the Tianji Camp's Zhu Zha Diao Bing are top-quality—this dagger would be perfect to keep as a collectible."

"The Tianji Camp's weapons have all been tested in battle! They've made the Beidi Elite flee, dropping their helmets and armor—I've long wanted to buy something from the Tianji Camp, but their secrecy is too tight; I could never get inside."

"I've seen the waist sabers of Tianji Camp Guards! Their material is vastly different from the garrison army's swords—supposedly they cut through iron like mud! Short blades normally lack armor-piercing power, yet the Tianji Camp's waist sabers can cleave through Heavy Armor—truly astonishing."

"Getting one jin of White Sugar to take home isn't bad either—its price has been rising steadily, reportedly due to the cost of Raw Sugarcane."

"That's right—the price of White Sugar has risen at least thirty percent, and demand still outstrips supply."

"By the way! What were we here for again?"

The Noble Youth finally snapped back to reality and began shouting at Qin Feng, urging him to start the Auction immediately—so they could finish quickly, either to meet Shen Qingci at Qingya Pavilion or claim their White Sugar and dagger—anything was better than sitting here idle.

Qin Feng chuckled, instructed his servants to bring up the first auction item, and took on the role of auctioneer, calmly introducing: "In this world, only three things truly reflect the noble status of you young masters. Gold Vessels are valuable but clichéd; Jade Vessels are elegant but too common. In my view, the first is the Four Treasures of the Study, which reflect scholarly refinement; the second is the Sword, which reflects martial valor; and the third—both literary and martial—is the Wine Vessel."

Under the gaze of all, Qin Feng yanked the red cloth off the tray, revealing a set of wine vessels—crude in craftsmanship but crystal-clear and translucent.

The set consisted of one Wine Pot and six Wine Cups.

They were blown directly with a Blowpipe, then slightly trimmed.

There was virtually no craftsmanship involved.

But "one transparency hides a hundred flaws."

The previously noisy scene fell instantly silent—all eyes were drawn to the wine vessels on stage.

"Did I see that right?! That's… Liu Li Wine Set?"

A well-traveled Noble Youth swallowed hard, awestruck: "Diamonds are transparent, but too hard to carve into vessels. There's an ultra-transparent jade, but its clarity can't compare to this—and it's extremely rare. So… this set must be made of Glass!"

A nearby Young Master stared, dumbfounded: "I've only heard that the Western Regions once sent Glass as tribute—mostly beads. The few Glass vessels that existed were all stored in the National Treasury. Even the Western Regions themselves struggle to carve Glass—how could Qin Feng have carved an entire Liu Li Wine Set?!"

At that moment, someone in the crowd shouted: "Qin Feng, where did you throw the leftover Glass from carving this set? Could you sell it to me?"

Leftover Glass?

Qin Feng nearly burst out laughing.

In these people's minds, Glass was like Jade—naturally occurring.

They assumed this Liu Li Wine Set must have been painstakingly carved from a single massive "natural Glass" block.

This misunderstanding was, for Qin Feng, entirely beneficial.

Qin Feng continued the auction: "Glass itself is priceless; Glass vessels are unattainable. Even our Shedynasty's National Treasury holds only one or two."

"This Liu Li Wine Set goes to the highest bidder."

"Starting bid… one liang of Silver!"

The crowd erupted.

One liang of Silver?

Everyone thought their ears had betrayed them—they stared at Qin Feng as if he were an idiot.

Even Xie Yun'er backstage was startled, several times nearly rushing forward to stop Qin Feng.

This Liu Li Wine Set was priceless—yet he was starting the bid at one liang of Silver?

Qin Feng must be ill!

The Noble Youth had only come for fun, or to spare Ningguo Duke's face—they never expected to win anything.

Now, seeing the Liu Li Wine Set and the cabbage-like starting price of one liang of silver, they all grew eager.

One Noble Youth couldn't wait to bid: "I'll give two taels of Silver—heehee, this Liu Li Wine Set is mine!"

Qin Feng picked up the Wooden Hammer with mock solemnity, smiling at the crowd: "Any further bids? If no one offers more, this Liu Li Wine Set goes to this Young Master for two taels of Silver."

At first, many assumed Qin Feng was digging another DugTrenches.

After all, his reputation was known throughout Beijing.

The Noble Youth of Jingzhong had walked the longest path—Qin Feng's tricks.

But as Qin Feng genuinely prepared to hand over the priceless Liu Li Wine Set for two taels of Silver—nearly giving it away—the crowd could no longer sit still.

Even two hundred taels, two thousand taels—wasn't it practically free?

"Who says no one else bids? I offer twenty taels of Silver!"

"Young Master Zhou, the auction rule is highest bid wins—meaning guests bid freely. You don't seriously think twenty taels will win, do you? No need to beat around the bush—just name your real price! Qin Feng, I bid five hundred taels of Silver!"

A Six Ministries Zidi, dripping in jewels, sneered: "Even a Glass bead the size of a bean sells for three hundred taels. Young Master Zhang, you think five hundred taels will buy this one-of-a-kind Liu Li Wine Set? That's pure fantasy."

As he spoke, the Six Ministries Zidi raised his hand grandly: "Qin Feng, I bid one thousand taels."

Though the noble youths here were all wealthy or noble, the current social climate of the She dynasty forbade extravagance and demanded frugality.

One thousand taels of Silver meant little to them—but they feared the Ministry of Personnel inspecting their conduct.

For a moment, over half the crowd fell silent.

The remaining Noble Youth came from powerful families—at least their fathers were Six Ministries' Secretaries—and weren't afraid of Ministry inspections—but even among them, few dared to bid.

The Six Ministries Zidi stood tall, smug, certain he had won.

Qin Feng internally cursed.

"What the hell is going on? I spent ages crafting this damn Glass pot—and now it's selling for one thousand taels of Silver?"