Chapter 38: I bid twenty million...

Real estate, pre-sales, and now auctions.

If anyone had dared to pull such a scheme back in the era before Lu Chuan transmigrated, they would have been torn to shreds by public outcry. But here in the twilight of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Lu Chuan found that this approach faced absolutely no obstacles.

Zhen Jiang, Miss Mi, and everyone else present wore expressions of fervent eagerness. This was not a short-term lease or a seventy-year property right; this was a fixed asset that one could buy once and enjoy forever. The old saying, "A shop passed down for three generations remains standing long after the owner is gone," was no longer just a wishful dream.

Lu Chuan had made his stance clear: as long as Lu County stood and the county magistrate's office remained, the contracts they signed would be honored in perpetuity. In other words, the fixed assets they purchased from Lu Chuan—provided they carried permanent ownership rights—would truly coexist with the fate of Lu County itself.

Was this temptation not enough?

Under the current circumstances, the passions of those gathered had been fully ignited, and no one seemed willing to yield. Although the Zhen and Mi families possessed immense power, Lu Chuan had stipulated that each party could purchase at most two commercial storefronts and one residential property. Combined, the two families could only acquire four storefronts and two residences. That left eighteen residential properties and six storefronts remaining—these were the true targets of their frantic competition.

Lu Chuan wasted no time. Once he stepped onto the stage, he immediately declared the auction open.

The residential properties were auctioned first. The twenty properties Lu Chuan had selected were all located in prime areas. These were not mere single three-story villas; each consisted of three successive courtyards housing three separate three-story buildings. Each unit boasted a construction area exceeding one thousand square meters. Anyone who laid eyes on such a residence would immediately recognize it as the home of a wealthy and powerful family.

In contrast, the eighty properties Lu Chuan had previously released were merely single three-story villas with small yards. Compared to these twenty premium properties, the earlier ones were like comparing the heavens to the earth. While Lu Chuan estimated the average price of those earlier eighty properties to be around two hundred thousand coins, he believed these twenty premium estates should start at one million coins, with no upper limit.

However, to stoke the enthusiasm of the crowd, he set the starting bid at a mere five hundred thousand coins.

The moment he announced the price, nearly everyone in the room raised their bidding paddles. Before the auction began, Lu Chuan had instructed Lu Shui to distribute bidding paddles to everyone and clarify the rules, turning the scene into a lively spectacle.

Zhen Jiang and Miss Mi, however, remained composed and did not participate, as they held themselves to a higher standard—if they were going to buy, they would only buy the best.

As the auction for the first property began, the bidding intensified. It climbed steadily from the initial five hundred thousand to one million coins before the crowd finally settled down. It was clear that the attendees valued this property at around one million coins; beyond that, they had to be cautious, as nineteen more properties remained.

In the end, the first property sold for 1.25 million coins. Lu Shui signed the contract on the spot and collected a deposit of two hundred thousand coins.

The subsequent dozen or so properties followed a similar rhythm, with closing prices ranging from 1.2 million to 1.5 million coins. The reason prices rose toward the end was that people realized the remaining properties were dwindling, and the Zhen and Mi families had yet to make a move. If they didn't hurry to secure a property now, they might lose their chance entirely.

The first eighteen properties alone fetched over twenty million coins.

Only two properties remained. Although many had failed to secure a purchase, they understood upon seeing these last two that they were never meant for them—they were reserved for the Zhen and Mi families. While it was discouraging, there was nothing to be done; after all, who could compete with the wealth of the Zhen and Mi clans?

The scale of these two properties far exceeded the previous eighteen. Although they maintained the layout of three successive courtyards, the total area was more than doubled, and they each contained three three-story buildings and one four-story building. In an era where building three-story structures was a monumental challenge, Lu Chuan’s use of red bricks to create even more stable four-story buildings was a powerful selling point.

Anyone with a shred of self-awareness knew these properties were not for them to covet. When Lu Chuan announced a starting bid of one million coins for these two, no one thought it unreasonable. Miss Mi was the first to raise her paddle, accepting the one-million-coin offer.

But before her paddle could even descend, Zhen Jiang raised hers as well, immediately raising the stakes.

"Five million coins!"

At the sound of her voice, everyone turned to look at Zhen Jiang. Was the Zhen family really that indifferent to money? Starting at one million, and she jumped straight to five million? Was that any way to play? Even if the property was truly exceptional, could it really be worth five million coins? During the reign of Emperor Ling, one could purchase the position of a county magistrate for just a few million coins. In the eyes of the Zhen family, was this property from Lu Chuan already worth the value of a county magistrate's post? Was that not a bit hyperbolic?

Zhen Jiang’s expression remained unchanged as she gently lowered her paddle, signaling her firm commitment to the price.

Others were wise enough not to raise their paddles. On one hand, they lacked such audacity; on the other, they dared not drive up the price against the Zhen family. Not to mention the risk of being stuck with the property, simply offending Zhen Jiang was a consequence they could not bear. The Zhen family was a behemoth that no individual could challenge. Even if all the merchants present united, they might not be able to go toe-to-toe with the Zhen clan.

Seeing Zhen Jiang grab the spotlight, Miss Mi felt a surge of irritation and decisively raised her paddle.

"Six million!"

Do not think that only your Zhen family has money!

By this point, she and Zhen Jiang were no longer simply competing for a piece of real estate; they were competing over which family was more powerful, which family held more influence. Although everyone recognized the Zhen family as the number one merchant family of the late Eastern Han, the Mi family was truly unconvinced.

Zhen Jiang’s lips curled into a smile. Unfazed by Miss Mi’s bid, she raised her paddle once more.

"Ten million coins!"

*Hiss!*

The crowd gasped in unison. What had they just heard? Ten million coins! Was Zhen Jiang joking? Was it truly worth that much for a house?

Miss Mi’s face began to darken, as ten million coins had exceeded her limit. It wasn't that the Mi family couldn't afford more, but that it wasn't worth it. Furthermore, Lu Chuan had stated that each person could purchase at most one property. It would be better to concede now, let Zhen Jiang pay ten million for this one, and then, when the final property went up for auction, Zhen Jiang would be unable to bid. Miss Mi could then secure the last one at a lower price. Was that not better than a pointless battle of pride?

With that thought, Miss Mi lowered her paddle, signaling that she would bid no further.

Seeing this, the crowd breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, no one would challenge their inner limits again.

Lu Chuan also noticed Miss Mi’s gesture and gave Lu Shui a look, signaling that ten million was a more than satisfactory price and to bring the gavel down.

But!

Just as Lu Shui lifted the gavel, Zhen Mi, who had been sitting beside Zhen Jiang, raised her own bidding paddle.

"I bid... twenty million coins..."