When the place gradually became quiet, everyone's eyes turned to the only ink painting.
When the shopkeeper's messenger unfolded the canvas, everyone's eyes lit up.
"Good painting, good painting, the scenery in the painting can give people an immersive and lifelike feeling even from a long distance."
Zhu Zhiye was a little distraught and quickly urged: "Shopkeeper, please bid."
This time, the shopkeeper stood in the store in person and said with a smile: "As you all know, this painting is the second painting that the evil god of swords and pens has appeared in this world so far. Five or six years have passed since the first painting.
I really don’t know what year or month I will have to wait for the next time. Today, you all came here because of the reputation of the evil god of swords and pens. Therefore, the starting price of this final ink painting is only the price that Mr. Wang’s masterpiece was sold for back then, one thousand gold.
.”
"A thousand gold coins?"
There was an uproar on the field.
For people who are short of money, this is naturally a sky-high price, but for wealthy people, money is just a number, and being able to win this painting is the most important thing.
Someone immediately responded: "I will pay two thousand gold."
"Two thousand gold?"
Everyone's eyes turned to the person bidding.
"The third master of the Zhuo family offered two thousand gold."
Hearing the name of the Zhuo family, Hua Rujin also looked over.
Wu Muning complained dissatisfiedly in the ears of the two of them: "Why are the Zhuo family members here to join in the fun?"
Then he reminded Zhu Zhiye: "Your Highness, the Zhuo family is as rich as the country. I'm afraid you will have to give in this time."
"Why."
Zhu Zhiye glared at the third master of the Zhuo family without showing any signs of weakness: "I will pay five thousand gold."
The people on the field did not know the identity of Prince Ning, and some people followed him and shouted: "I will pay six thousand gold."
Mr. Zhuo glanced at the two of them angrily. One of them appeared out of nowhere and was understandable, but the other one was a nouveau riche born and raised in Jiangxia County. He just felt it in his hands.
He dares to challenge himself even if he only has a few coins, and he is simply desperate.
He immediately waved his hand and shouted: "I will pay 10,000 gold."
"I will pay twenty thousand gold."
Zhu Zhiye counted the money in his hand and spoke carefully.
"Thirty thousand gold."
Mr. Zhuo shouted again.
"Fifty thousand gold."
Zhu Zhiye gritted his teeth.
Upon hearing this price, everyone's eyes widened and they did not dare to speak again. Even Mr. Zhuo became cautious.
Looking at the entire provincial capital, there are only a handful of people who can spend so much money to buy a painting.
Some officials in plainclothes hidden in the crowd recognized His Highness Prince Ning, and quickly whispered in Mr. Zhuo's ear: "This is a nobleman from the capital, His Highness Prince Ning."
Hearing Prince Ning's name, Mr. Zhuo did not dare to look down upon him. Although he was not as noble and prominent as Prince Fu, he was the emperor's son after all. How could he dare to compete with him, so he could only grit his teeth secretly and prepare to part ways with pain.
It was not easy to reveal his identity, so he stood up quickly and said with enthusiasm: "It is rare to meet someone who cherishes each other. How about I buy this painting and give it to my brother?"
"Who cares about you? The Zhuo family is a well-known imperial merchant in the Daye Dynasty. I don't dare to climb high. I really don't dare to take the title of brother. If Mr. Zhuo cherishes money, then I will have to reluctantly take this painting.
.”
Zhu Zhiye already had a dislike for the Zhuo family. This person dared to call him a brother. He really thought that he was a big shot because of the support of King Fu. He simply didn't know how high the sky was.
Furthermore, the two of them had no friendship, so he used the painting to bribe him, didn't he want to make him the target of conversation?
Mr. Zhuo wanted to give in, but he didn't appreciate it. He even used money to humiliate himself and refused to let him down at all.
This not only does not give face to the Zhuo family, but also does not give face to Prince Fu. Mr. Zhuo did not care about the looks of others and said directly:
"To tell you the truth, I am a rough man. Just because my cousin His Highness Prince Fu likes Mr. Daobi's calligraphy and painting, I want to buy this painting so that His Highness Prince Fu in Beijing can feast his eyes on it. Since your Excellency is unwilling to accept this from me,
I have good intentions, so I have no choice but to face the difficulties."
As soon as he finished speaking, he gestured with his finger in an unrestrained manner and shouted in a loud voice: "I will offer you one hundred thousand gold."
Although Prince Ning is a prince, he is naturally not so wealthy.
But he couldn't bear this tone, and was about to continue bidding higher, when Hua Rujin stopped him immediately: "Your Highness, this is the thing that Prince Fu loves, why do you have to fight with it."
Prince Ning didn't know what he meant, and he became even more angry when he heard it. Hua Rujin whispered in his ear: "The Zhuo family's financial resources are indeed extraordinary, but they dedicated such a precious thing to His Royal Highness Prince Fu. What should His Majesty do if he finds out?"
?”
King Ning suddenly realized: "My father has always been frugal, and Brother Fu Wang has always boasted that the Zhuo family is the clear leader among the royal merchants, so he has given many important errands to the Zhuo family. But what I saw and heard when I came out this time shows that
What Brother Fu Wang said is not true. One hundred thousand gold can be spent to buy a painting. I am afraid that the Zhuo family has really enriched their own pockets and squandered a lot of money from the court."
"In this case, why does Your Highness care about the gain or loss of a painting?"
Hua Rujin said with a smile: "Although today's events are not enough to prove that there is something wrong with the Zhuo family, many things have accumulated over time, and one day they will completely explode. The Zhuo family is now on the cusp of the storm, but Mr. Zhuo doesn't know how to restrain himself. He only works for the Zhuo family."
Even King Fu attracted more suspicion."
Although Wu Muning liked the calligraphy and painting of the Evil God of Swords and Pens, her heart became unusually calm at this time, and she echoed:
"Your Highness, what Shopkeeper Hua said is true. Not to mention the Zhuo family, even if you spend so much money to buy a painting, Your Majesty will probably be dissatisfied when he learns that the "Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains" by Mr. Menglong of the previous dynasty was not worth it.
The auction price of 50,000 gold was a deliberate move by Grandfather Taizu to appease the elders of the previous dynasty. Although Mr. Daobi's paintings are precious, spending 100,000 gold to purchase them somewhat contains an element of anger."
Zhu Zhiye knew his father's temper very well. After some careful consideration, he stood up straight and smiled calmly at the two of them: "I listen to you."
Afterwards, he led the two of them straight out of the auction house.
On the way to the residence of the Inspector General, looking at the calligraphy and painting in Wu Mu Ning's hand, Zhu Zhiye felt somewhat unwilling. He secretly clenched his fists and said with anguish, "The damn Zhuo family, how dare you rob me.
My beloved, little Hua'er, you must investigate the Zhuo family thoroughly this time, I don't believe that the Zhuo family is a clean family."
"Don't worry, Your Highness, if there is really something fishy in the Zhuo family, Mr. Ye will not ignore it."
Hua Rujin comforted softly.
It's just that Prince Ning's words contained some personal grudges, so she would not be biased against the Zhuo family because of today's incident.
Mr. Wei's six-character motto of "Be careful with words and attach importance to evidence" reminded her all the time. If she wanted to exonerate her cousin Mu Ran, she still had to find a way to prove that the murdered Mr. Zhuo was not a criminal.
There is madness.
Even though the Zhuo family is so powerful, how should she thoroughly investigate this person?
For a moment, she also fell into confusion and silence.