Time passed slowly, and in a blink of an eye, it was time for the official auction to be held.

Beijing, Yanfu.

At this moment, Yan Shifan's face was full of worry that could not be concealed, and he saw him look at Yan Song on the side, and admonished: "Father, your illness has not yet recovered, so let's rest for a while!" ”

"Just let me go, you can rest at home!"

When Yan Song heard this, he shook his head imperceptibly, and immediately rejected Yan Shifan's request: "It's okay, since I took the new medicine prescribed by Imperial Doctor Li, my body has improved a lot, cough cough!" ”

"Besides, today is the official day of the auction, and Your Majesty has entrusted this matter to me, so how can I not be there in person?"

After perceiving the irrefutable meaning in Yan Song's words, Yan Shifan had no choice but to give up the exhortation for the time being.

After telling the sedan chair bearer to lift the sedan chair a little slower, Yan Shifan also immediately got on the sedan chair and marched towards the location of the auction.

……

At this moment, the scene of the auction has long been full of people.

In this auction, all the merchants in the capital participated in it.

After all, at the moment, the newspapers issued by the imperial court are visibly popular with the naked eye, and if you can get lucky enough to bid for the qualification to sponsor the newspaper, maybe you will be able to reproduce the miracle of Liuxinju!

Compared with the huge profits that can be grabbed in the future, what is the money paid to auction the qualification to sponsor the newspaper at the moment?

Since there was news before this that Yan Song, the first assistant of the cabinet of the current dynasty, was personally responsible for the whole matter, the defense of the scene was extremely tight, and from time to time a team of officials passed by.

At this moment, Yin Ding Shichang of Shuntian Mansion looked at the long queue in the distance holding gilt invitations, one by one checking their identities, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Alas, it's really the world is declining, and people's hearts are not ancient, when will those three sects and nine streams also be able to participate!"

As soon as Ding Shichang's words fell, the subordinates on the side followed closely with Ying Hedao.

"Yes, my lord, I heard that the newly opened Chunfeng Tower in the city has also participated in this auction!"

When Ding Shichang heard this, after glancing at the subordinate, he immediately explained.

"People are just taking this opportunity to make a name for themselves!"

"This newly opened Chunfeng Building, the official has been there, but it has a unique flavor, its interior decoration is quite elegant, and the girls inside are also very ......."

Ding Shichang suddenly came back to his senses when he said this, and then ignored the expectant gazes of those subordinates on the side, and immediately diverted the topic.

"Alright, you guys go around and see if there's anyone suspicious around!"

"Yes, sir!"

When those subordinates heard this, their faces were full of regret, and they immediately reluctantly responded.

Soon after the subordinates left, a large number of guards approached the place where the auction was held, and along with them, there were two palanquins of different colors.

Seeing this, Ding Shichang couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief, and said to himself silently: "Whew~ It's finally here!" ”

After this, Ding Shichang hurriedly called back his subordinates and greeted him respectfully.

After a while, I saw these two sedan chairs of different colors stopped, and the first to come out of the sedan chair was Yan Shifan, who went straight to the sedan chair that Yan Song was riding after getting down from the sedan chair.

"Father, slow down!"

Yan Shifan carefully helped Yan Song down from the sedan chair and reminded.

Seeing this, Ding Shichang saw this, immediately stepped forward, bowed down and said: "Xiaguan Shuntianfu Yin Ding Shichang, I have seen Yan Ge Lao, I have seen Xiao Ge Lao!" ”

Hearing this, Yan Song observed the surrounding situation with cloudy eyes before speaking unhurriedly.

"Well, thank you!"

When Ding Shichang heard this, a grateful look appeared on his face at the right time, and he said humbly: "Yan Ge Lao praised it, this is what the lower officials should do!" ”

After that, the two conveniences did not have too many greetings, and Yan Shifan also supported Yan Song and entered the auction venue.

The auction venue, like the previous one, is not only very large, but also divided into two floors, the lower one is used for ordinary merchants, and the upper one is closed to the public.

As soon as Yan Song and Yan Shifan entered the auction venue, a maid immediately stepped forward to greet them.

At the same time, they were also taken to the second floor with the best view, where they could have an unobstructed view of the entire auction site.

After Yan Song and Yan Shifan sat down on their seats, a maid stepped forward and poured hot tea for the two of them with great eagerness.

Without waiting for Yan Song to speak, Yan Shifan took the first step to ask Yan Song.

"Father, how much silver do you think you can auction this time?"

When Yan Song heard this, after thinking for a while, he immediately responded, and his tone was full of firmness.

"I think, it's about four million taels!"

As the merchants took their seats one after another, the old man who was in charge of presiding over the auction also appeared, and behind him, followed by the maid who had a good appearance and temperament last time.

The old man coughed lightly twice, and after shifting the attention of everyone present to himself, he said in a deep voice.

"Ahem, I've kept everyone waiting!"

"This auction is mainly to auction the qualifications for the newspaper issued by the imperial court, starting at five thousand taels of silver, there is no upper limit, due to the limited number of places, if you miss this opportunity, you don't know when the next one will be!"

The old man's understatement brought up the atmosphere of the scene, and for those merchants who came to participate in this auction, no matter what, they must also bid for the qualification to sponsor the newspaper!

After all, there is a successful example of Six Hearts in front of them, and no one can resist the temptation in it.

Seeing that the atmosphere at the scene was almost rendered, the old man immediately let go of a position and said in a deep voice.

"Now I announce that the auction has officially begun, with a reserve price of five thousand, and there is no upper limit!"

As soon as the old man's words fell, a merchant raised the sign in his hand and called for the price.

"I'll give 10,000!"

Seeing this, the expression on the old man's face suddenly became excited, and he turned his gaze to these merchants in the audience, and said in a deep voice.

"No. 6 offered 10,000 yuan, is there a higher bid?"

As soon as the old man's words fell, a dull voice came from the corner: "I'll give you 12,000!" ”

When the old man heard this, he immediately shifted his gaze to the merchant who was bidding in the corner, and said loudly: "The bid on the twelfth is 12,000, is there any more ......?"

"I'll give you sixteen!"

"I'll give you twenty-one!"

……

Just as the auction was still in full swing in the capital, the notice issued by the Ministry of Officials was also issued to the local authorities step by step.

Quanzhou, in the government office.

At this moment, I saw Yang Zongtai, the prefect of Quanzhou, sighing helplessly, and put down the official document that had been processed in half of his hand.

Ever since Yang Zongtai handed over the official document, he had often been worried about it, because he was really unsure about it, and he didn't know if the imperial court would deal with these officials of the Maritime Trade Division.

Yang Zongtai's original plan was to submit this official document to Tan Lun, the governor of Fujian, and Tan Lun would come forward to persuade those officials of the Maritime Trade Department.

Who knew that Tan Lun didn't say a word, and directly handed over the official document to the cabinet, and Yang Zongtai became even more worried after hearing the news.

In recent days, in order to guard against possible retaliation, Yang Zongtai has repeatedly told his wife and children to try not to leave the palace if there is nothing to do.

At this moment, I heard a rush of footsteps outside the door, and a guard pushed the door in, excited.

"My lord, here is the notice issued by the officials from the higher levels, and the order given to you by the governor!"

When Yang Zongtai heard this, his face was full of incredulity, and he immediately got up from his seat suddenly, came to the front of the guard, and asked questions.

"What did you just say, say it again!"

"Yes. My lord! ”

The guard had no choice but to repeat the previous words again, and then took the opportunity to hand over the notices issued by the officials and the orders given by Tan Lun to Yang Zongtai in front of Yang Zongtai.

Yang Zongtai took it and began to browse carefully.

The notice issued by the Ministry of Officials reads: "All those involved in the list will be relieved of all their duties from now on and escorted to the capital for trial!" ”

After Yang Zongtai finished browsing the notice issued by the Ministry of Officials, he couldn't help but feel extremely surprised, because the list above almost included all the officials of the Maritime Trade Department in Quanzhou.

The order issued by Tan Lun was much simpler, Tan Lun ordered Yang Zongtai in the letter to arrest all the people involved in the list.

Yang Zongtai put the letter in his hand aside, and said to himself silently: "It seems that it is a pot!" ”

After a while, I saw Yang Zongtai come back to his senses and command his subordinates on the side.

"You immediately gather all the servants in the government and go to the Maritime Trade Division with this official!"

Although the subordinate was a little confused by Yang Zongtai's order, he still answered in a deep voice.

"Yes, sir!"

The servants in the government were quickly assembled, and after that, Yang Zongtai did not hesitate, and immediately took these officers in person and went straight to the Maritime Trade Division.

When Yang Zongtai came to the Maritime Trade Division with the servants in the palace, it happened that several merchants came out of the Maritime Trade Division.

"Alas, how can I live these days, I can't make any money in the first place, but I still have to pay these harsh taxes and miscellaneous taxes!"

"Yes, these guys are really a group of people who eat people and don't spit out bones, and they don't do anything serious, so they know how to make money from us!"

"Bah, what a bunch of dog officers!"

One of the merchants had just finished cursing with righteous indignation when he ran into Yang Zongtai and a large number of his officers.

Seeing this, the businessman suddenly turned pale with fright, and immediately fell to his knees with a 'plop' and sobbed.

"Adult, you misunderstood, the little one is not talking about you, the little one is just ......"

However, Yang Zongtai ignored the businessman, just looked up and down at the Maritime Trade Division in front of him, and after a while, he retracted his gaze and commanded his subordinates on the side in a deep voice.

"Surround this place, don't let anyone go!"

"Yes, sir!"

Yang Zongtai's words fell, and the officers under his command immediately received the order, and they all pulled out their weapons on their waists and surrounded the Maritime Trade Division.

Seeing this, the official in charge of guarding the security of the Maritime Trade Division immediately reprimanded.

"Bold, what are you going to do, this is the Department of Maritime Trade, don't you want to die?"

"Take it all down to this official!"

"Yes!"

With an order, these servants were all controlled by Yang Zongtai's subordinates.

After completely surrounding the entire Maritime Trade Division, Yang Zongtai immediately took the rest of the people and went straight into the Maritime Trade Division.

At first, they thought that someone had a dispute outside the Department of Maritime Trade and quarrels, after all, this kind of thing happens from time to time.

Because of this, they did not take this matter to heart, but sent a few guards to inquire about the situation.

When none of the guards sent out returned, Xue Bin keenly sensed that something was wrong.

After this, I saw Xue Bin turn his gaze to his colleagues around him and said in a deep voice.

"Why didn't the guards who were sent out to inquire about the news come back for so long, could it be that something happened?"

The colleagues on the side scoffed at Xue Bin's idea, and responded with disdain: "What can happen, there are no widows or anything here, is it possible, and there are still people who dare to openly attack the Maritime Trade Division?" ”

Before the official could finish his words, he saw the messenger with a long knife rushing in, and Yang Zongtai walked in leisurely with his hands behind his back.

Seeing this, an official of the Maritime Trade Department immediately got up from his seat, turned his gaze to Yang Zongtai, and reprimanded: "Yang Zongtai, what do you mean by this, trespassing on the Maritime Trade Division is a capital crime!" ”

Before the official finished speaking, he was coldly interrupted by Yang Zongtai: "Shut up to this official, who gave you the courage to talk to this official!" ”

When the official heard this, he immediately laughed angrily, looked directly into Yang Zongtai's eyes, and said word by word: "This sentence should be said by this official, in the end, you are just a small prefect, and this official is an official of the Maritime Trade Department!" ”

When Yang Zongtai heard this, an inexplicable smile appeared on his face, he withdrew his gaze, and said unhurriedly: "Since this is the case, then aren't you adults curious, why do you dare to treat you like this with a small prefect?" ”

After Yang Zongtai finished speaking, after looking around, he immediately said to himself: "Because you insects and pigs have all died and don't know it!" ”

"The notice from the Ministry has come down, and it says that you will all be dismissed from your posts, and then escorted to the capital for punishment!"

When the words fell, the officials of the Maritime Trade Division suddenly panicked, as if they had been hit hard, and kept muttering: "No, this can't be ......"

At this moment, I saw Xue Bin pluck up his courage and ask Yang Zongtai: "Since you said that the notice from the Ministry of Officials has come down, you might as well show it to us!" ”

When Yang Zongtai heard this, he sneered, then turned to look at his subordinates beside him, and ordered, "Show it to him!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

Xue Bin took the notice from the subordinate and took the notice from the ministry, just by glancing at it, he confirmed the authenticity of the notice, this is really the notice from the household department!

After this, Xue Bin seemed to have been hit hard, and sat on the ground weakly, and kept muttering: "No, this is not true, Your Majesty, Weichen has been wronged......"

After Yang Zongtai looked around, he did not hide the disgust in his eyes at all, waved his hand violently, and commanded in a deep voice.

"Take them all down to the official!"

"Yes, sir!"

(End of chapter)