These people never expected that they would be able to participate. However, Yuan Shao, the Hedong Wei family, and Wen Nu suddenly had their monastic status improved by several points, making them hesitate for a moment.
But soon Zhang Rang's voice sounded: "I wonder if any of you here have a higher price than the three of them."
"I think you don't know the benefits of this county's governor, right?"
Seeing that everyone present was hesitant, Zhang Rang added fuel to the fire here. After all, he is well aware of human weakness and greed. The fact that these businessmen can come here has already proved their extraordinaryness.
And behind them they often represent not only themselves, but also other noble families. There was a very huge interest territory involved, and even Zhang Rang did not dare to offend him too much.
What's more, behind these people are the shadows of their colleagues.
When the merchants heard Zhang Rang's voice, they gathered together in twos and threes to discuss. Finally, a merchant said: "I will pay 3.7 billion for the position of Jizhou Governor."
At this time, another voice continued: "We will pay 3.6 billion for the position of the governor of Hedong County."
Only the position of the governor of Zhuo County was not involved by any of them. It must be due to insufficient funds.
Although they have all united, they will not spend so much money here together. After all, the money required for the business operation of his family is not a small amount every year, and the most important thing is that these merchants unite to bid for the positions of the governor of a county just to make it easier for their family to do business.
There is no need to spend extra money to bribe those corrupt officials, but if they have to go to great lengths to win the position of a prefect, it is not worth it in their eyes.
After all, these real losses may not be recovered in three to five years. For businessmen, their work in these ten years is probably in vain.
Moreover, a huge chamber of commerce has not made any money for ten years, so it will not be long before it collapses and goes bankrupt. Compared with the position of the governor of a county, they value their immediate interests more.
While they were bidding, Yuan Shu himself was just drinking tea and watching the show. For Yuan Shu, the next position of state pastor is his primary goal.
Yuan Shao was also shocked when he saw that someone was actually willing to pay 3.7 billion to bid for the position of Jizhou prefect. After all, in Yuan Shu's eyes, this auction is a completely loss-making business for these businessmen who can't afford to be early.
But Yuan Shao quickly pursued the price and said: "I, Yuan Shao, have offered four billion yuan, and I am determined to win the position of Jizhou Prefect!"
Even Cao Cao didn't expect that Yuan Shao would suddenly raise the price to four billion yuan to bid for the position of Jizhou Prefect.
This also made Cao Cao re-examine Yuan Shao's status in the Yuan family. You must know that Yuan Shao's origin was just a concubine.
A person with a status similar to that of a domestic slave can actually command billions of dollars, which already illustrates Yuan Shao's status.
But what he was puzzled about was why Yuan Shu never made a bid from beginning to end. Is there a bigger official position in the future?
Of course, these are just Cao Cao's conjectures now.
But Cao Cao didn't know that his guess this time was so accurate. It also made him feel scared for the first time that Yuan Shu, who was older than him, was no longer the Yuan Gonglu who had studied with him at Cai Yong's house.
Before these businessmen could decide whether to bid or not, the Hedong Wei family also followed Yuan Shao's voice and said: "We, the Hedong Wei family, also bid 4 billion for the position of the governor of Hedong County."
And Zhang Rang could hardly conceal the joy in his heart. He didn't expect that they would suddenly be so willing. But no businessman was willing to take over the position of governor of Zhuojun.
It seems that the complicated gentry forces in Zhuo County are not generally difficult to deal with, and even these merchants are not willing to take over.
Zhang Rang: "Wen Nu, the governor of Zhuo County, offered three billion yuan. Is there anyone who wants to continue bidding?"
After Zhang Rang finished speaking, he looked around. It was indeed found that no one was willing to continue bidding for the position of Zhuojun Prefect, so he had no choice but to reluctantly sell the position to Wen Nu.
Moreover, Wen Nu himself was also the former governor of Zhuo County, so perhaps he was also the most suitable person.
Cao Cao: "Brother Benchu, this Wen Nu is really lucky."
"Because the noble clans in Zhuojun are very mixed, and no one is willing to take over this mess. Now he was just captured, and in the blink of an eye he became the governor of Zhuojun."
"I have to say, this is quite enviable."
Yuan Shao: "Not to mention the geographical location, that place has been one of the counties with the lowest tax revenue for the imperial court over the years."
"If they are not rich enough, no one will be willing to chew on this hard, rotten and smelly bone."
"Furthermore, the area of Zhuojun is not as large as that of Jizhou and Hedong, so it is even more unworthy of those businessmen to continue bidding."
After waiting for a long time, Zhang Rang saw that no one was willing to bid for this position. He could only say: "Since no one is willing to continue bidding for the position of Zhuojun Prefect, then Wen Nu will be the one."
"Stay after the auction to receive the imperial edict and the appointment edict."
After Zhang Rang finished speaking, Wen Nu's heart, which had been hanging at the beginning, finally relaxed. He took a deep breath. For him, the position of Zhuojun Prefect was no longer just a position of prefect.
It was also related to the life safety of his family. To be on the safe side, I sold all the family property when he came here, just because I was afraid that someone would bid against him.
But fortunately, no one took a fancy to this relatively remote area, so I let myself miss it.
Wen Nu: "Thank you, Mr. Zhang Rang!"
Zhang Rang: "No one bids, this is your own blessing. There is no need to thank our family, just remember to keep the imperial edict after having a good time."
After Zhang Rang finished speaking, he continued: "For the position of the governor of Jizhou, the Yuan family and Yuan Shao have offered four billion yuan. Is there anyone else willing to bid?"
"If not, then this position belongs to Yuan Shao of the Yuan family."
Only this time, when Zhang Rang had just finished speaking, one of the two groups of businessmen in the audience immediately said: "Sir Zhang Rang, we are bidding 4.3 billion for the position of Jizhou Prefect."
It seems that they have already discussed it in a short period of time. Cooperate separately to win the position of a governor, so that the interests between them can be maximized.
After Yuan Shao heard the quotation, he was already a little nervous. Because he only had enough money to bid for 4.5 billion, which would have been more than enough before.
After all, the position of a prefect only has a salary of 2,500 shi, and basically 4 billion yuan is enough. But now the problem is beyond his control, and he is definitely no match for these merchants in terms of money.
But Yuan Shao had no intention of giving up and said, "I, Yuan Shao, offer 4.5 billion."
But this time, his confidence was obviously not that strong.
Cao Cao also heard that Yuan Shao's lack of confidence was no surprise. This will be Yuan Shao's last round of bidding. After all, if these merchants unite, four to five billion dollars will only be a few years' profit for them.
With so many people sharing the burden, there is absolutely no problem.
Yuan Shu thought in his heart: After seeing this, he could only trick the Hedong Wei family. After all, he would also take action against them in the future.
Moreover, the competition for the last position is definitely the fiercest. Not only that, if Yuan Shu helps himself now, he can also consume the other party's money.
It was also a good choice to save himself a lot of violent troops. Yuan Shu, who had made up his mind, felt that it was very necessary for him to help Yuan Shao win this position.
After all, Yuan Shao is his family member and his eldest brother no matter what. They are not enemies yet, so there is no reason to ignore them.
It's just that Yuan Shao has just completed the quotation. How smart these businessmen are, how could they not know that Yuan Shao is almost at the end of his rope.
So a businessman said loudly: "Sir Zhang Rang, let's jointly invest five billion yuan."
Sure enough, the businessman felt that their guess was correct. Because when he just reported the bidding price, Yuan Shao suddenly collapsed and leaned on his chair.
If Cao Cao hadn't been holding him up, he might have fallen to the ground.
When they saw that Yuan Shao was no longer qualified to compete, these businessmen showed proud expressions.
Zhang Rang: "Do the Yuan family still want to bid? If not, then the position of Jizhou governor will be theirs."
Zhang Rang felt in his heart that although he had made enough, but based on the premise that who would dislike having more money, he still asked Yuan Shao again, although he also saw that Yuan Shao had no capital to bid. You won't lose anything just by asking, and you might gain something unexpected.
Although they are enemies above the court, it does not prevent him from making money now.
Just when Yuan Shao was about to give up, Yuan Shu's calm voice came out: "The Yuan family is offering six billion."
This was the first sentence Yuan Shu said after entering the auction house, but it was also the most surprising sentence. When everyone thought he was just going through the motions, he spent six billion in one sentence.
This is such a courage, even those merchants think that he, Yuan Shu, is the last resort of the Yuan family. Yuan Shao himself suddenly felt a little unwilling, but he didn't expect that his last position would be taken away by Yuan Shu.
But he couldn't resent anyone, after all, the family gave him all the bidding money. The inability to win the position of Jizhou governor also showed his incompetence in another way.
Therefore, the last trace of unwillingness in Yuan Shao's heart disappeared with this thought.
Cao Cao looked at Yuan Shao, as if he wanted to say something, but he hesitated.
After all, it was not said out loud.
