Chapter Thirty-two: The Glass Auction (Part One)

  Zhou Yu's trusted officer, the Colonel, arrived with a large cavalry contingent. The Colonel paid his respects to Sun Shangxiang and asked: "Princess, where is Master Zhuge?"

  Sun Shangxiang said: "Just now on the road, someone came to take him away, saying that Zhou Dudu had an urgent military situation. I couldn't do anything about it, so I let him go. I'm not happy about this."

  The lieutenant saw Sun Shangxiang open her eyes and talk nonsense, but there was no way to deal with it. Knowing that Zhuge Liang had already left, he could only make another courtesy call and leave with his troops.

  Returning to the Inviting Moon Manor, Huang Yueying learned that Zhuge Liang had safely returned to Jiangxia and was overjoyed. The whole family gathered together for a lively dinner.

  Second daughter said: "Yueying, Xiaojun, Ling'er are all 15 years old, it's time to find a husband's family, don't you care about this?"

  "Second sister, what are you talking about? I haven't had enough fun yet."

  Zhuge thought to himself, he had been too busy with his own affairs and hadn't shown enough care for her. She spent her days within this small scope, it was suffocating enough. He needed to create a social environment for her.

  "Sorry, Ling'er. Third Brother has been busy with his own affairs and hasn't taken good care of you. I've thought of a solution. Let's set up a poetry club in the city for you. We'll attract young ladies and gentlemen to join, expand your social circle. You're sure to meet someone you like."

  Ling'er thought of the lively scene in the poetry society and looked forward to it very much. She said, "Thank you, Third Brother."

  Everyone thinks this is a good idea.

  The elder sister-in-law was not interested in such things, but the second daughter-in-law was eager to try. Zhuge Jian sensed the loneliness of the second daughter-in-law over the years and recommended her to take charge, with Sun Shangxiang and Ling'er as deputies. The second daughter-in-law was very happy and pulled the two to plan together.

  The news of the Battle of Red Cliffs finally arrived. According to Zhou Yu's plan, Huang Gai led the troops pretending to surrender, loaded with flammable materials on the ships, taking advantage of the strong southeast wind, charged into Cao Jun's linked fleet, and set a big fire that made Cao Jun's army scorched and exhausted. The allied forces of Sun and Liu took advantage of the situation and launched a surprise attack, resulting in a crushing defeat for Cao Jun's army.

  Cao Cao followed Sima Yi's advice, fully rectifying the rear and stabilizing the foundation to make future progress. Liu Bei occupied four counties of Jingzhou, while Sun Quan occupied two counties of Jingzhou. The war came to an end, ushering in a period of peace.

  Zhuge Jian saw that the war was going smoothly, and it was a good time to develop business vigorously. He discussed with Huang Yueying and decided to launch glass products in the market. In order to quickly gather funds, he decided to sell them through auctions.

  He told Huang Yueying about the auction method, and Huang Yueying thought it was a good idea. She couldn't help but reach out and touch his head, saying: "Xiao Jun, how did your brain grow? Why do you always have such good ideas?"

  Sun Shangxiang gazed adoringly at her lover, her almond-shaped eyes fixed unblinkingly on him. He waved his hand in front of her face and asked, "Xiang'er, Xiang'er? Don't stare like that, it's making me feel hairy all over, I feel like a wolf is coming."

  She ignored his joking words and stretched out her jade-like hand to touch his head. He took advantage of the situation, grasped her hand, and pressed it against his face. The jade-like hand was warm, smooth, and slippery, feeling extremely comfortable.

  Huang Yueying couldn't bear it anymore and said: "Let's be affectionate later when there's no one around, first let's finish talking about the matter."

  Zhuge Jun came to his senses and smiled awkwardly: "I've lost my composure, let's discuss business first."

  He let go of Sun Shangxiang's hand and continued to say: "I will write a detailed plan for the specific details, sister you arrange. Glass products are special, this matter has too much impact, don't let the government have an opinion. Let's do it this way, Xiang'er you go find your second brother, just say..."

  Sun Shangxiang met with Sun Quan, after introducing the auction event, said: "Second brother, Jian Ge said that in order to show support for you, he has decided to donate 20% of the income from the auction to you."

  Sun Quan laughed and said: "Little sister, I don't want it anymore, let's use it as your dowry instead."

  She said: "Second brother, I appreciate your kindness. However, don't regret it later."

  He heard something in his sister's words and asked: "What? Will there be many?"

  She said: "Brother Jun said that there will probably be about this much." She leaned in close to his ear and whispered.

  Sun Quan's eyes widened in disbelief, saying: "What, so much? Little sister, what I said earlier doesn't count, it's too much after all. Now that the war has just ended and everything is in ruins, money is needed everywhere, you have to help your brother out. How about this, add one more percent for your brother, what do you need so much money for?"

  She smiled and said: "Alright, Brother Jian said it, from now on we're a family. If I don't help you, who will?"

  Sun Quan said with some concern: "But these things are too expensive, and it's not good for Eastern Wu."

  She said, "Second brother, this point has been thought of by Brother Jian long ago. We can open up to merchants outside of Dongwu and earn their money. As for worrying about spies infiltrating, as long as we strengthen our supervision, they won't be able to do anything. At the same time, secretly monitoring the people providing guarantees may yield unexpected gains and uncover hidden spies."

  Sun Quan thought this was a good idea and thought to himself: "My future brother-in-law is formidable. He's quite the character." So he issued an order, having Zhang Zhao send someone to assist the princess in handling this matter.

  Under Huang Yueying's command, swift horses galloped from Wu County to various places in Eastern Wu.

  Soon, the merchants of Eastern Wu saw the notice, which was also stamped with the official seal of approval. The content was that Wu Prefecture would sell glass products, and those who intended to purchase could visit Wu Prefecture to view the exhibits and receive an invitation letter. Non-merchants under the rule of Eastern Wu could also come to buy as long as they had a guarantor from the residents of Eastern Wu. The border defense army would grant them freedom to enter and exit.

  The first people to see glass products were amazed by their clarity and transparency, smoothness and brilliance. After being rendered by them, owning it had become a symbol of noble status. Merchants sensed the business opportunity in this. So a large number of merchants began to rush to Wu County.

  Inside the main gate of the Yuèyuè Mountain Villa factory, a spacious exhibition hall was set up with a tiered platform covered in red velvet cloth, on which various handicrafts of different colors were displayed. Surrounding it were over a dozen horse-head lanterns, illuminating the crystal-clear glass that sparkled dazzlingly, making one feel as if they had entered an immortal realm.

  The businessmen who came to visit were all stunned and envied.

  The merchants each paid a deposit of ten taels of gold and received an invitation to the auction, which was scheduled for the 10th day of two months later.