Chapter 358: 74: Wang Family Expansion! Shou Zhe's Ambition is Huge_2
Chapter 358: Chapter 74: Wang Family Expansion! Shou Zhe’s Ambition is Huge_2
He always dealt with matters quickly and decisively, detesting bureaucracy.
Immediately, an accompanying official stepped forward, carrying a square purplewood tray. On it was stacked a hefty mound of paper – deeds for houses and properties, along with contracts for household servants andslaves.
The official stepped forward and declared loudly, “The auction of Qianma Town’s properties officially begins. The first item is a residential compound covering three hundred acres, with an estimated value of forty thousand Qian Gold.”
“The second item is Tianhong Pasture, including eight hundred farming households, thirty thousand acres of pasture, over five thousand bovine livestock, thirty thousand sheep, a thousand horses, eighty acres of inferior-grade Spirit Fields, and ten Spirit Horned Yaks. The total estimated value is one hundred and seventy thousand Qian Gold.”
“The third item is Qianma Farmstead, incorporating five hundred tenant farming households, twenty thousand acres of bean fields, seventy acres of inferior-grade Spirit Fields. Livestock is not included in the count. The total estimated value is eighty thousand Qian Gold.”
“The fourth item is Xingwang Pasture, comprising five hundred farming households, forty thousand acres of pasture, a hundred acres of inferior-grade Spirit Fields. Livestock is not included in the count. The total estimated value is ninety thousand Qian Gold.”
Subsequently, there are some small estates producing food crops, Changning Guard City’s residences, shops, and so on; they are long-term fixed assets.
The primary assets of the Qianma Huangfu Family are these four large farms, with a total estimated value of over three hundred thousand.
If one were to purchase all the assets of the Qianma Huangfu Family, including the main residence, it would possibly cost at least over five hundred thousand Qian Gold.
This is just their fixed assets; some liquid funds, easily transported property resources, or antiques and famous paintings, were probably all confiscated.
As they are a Grade Eight Prominent Family, their foundation is indeed very robust.
At the same time, Wang Shouzhe identifies something unusual from the report; the output from the three massive ranches and farms in Qianma is mostly supplies for pastures and farms. However, the number of cattle and sheep bred by the Qianma Huangfu Family is not particularly high.
It’s very evident that most of the output from the ranches has been supplied to the Celestial Huangfu Family.
This kind of simple industry chain is common among prominent families. Ping’an Wang Family’s Silkworm Manor has been providing raw silk materials for Changning’s Xu family. It’s entirely normal for Qianma Huangfu Family to take on the job of feed cultivation; it’s not exploitative in any way.
However, if these feed production bases fell into the hands of outsiders, or enemies, it would cause the Celestial Huangfu Family severe discomfort. For a while, they would struggle to find replacements.
Wang Shouzhe had long mastered this information and, naturally, came prepared today to wrestle with the Celestial Huangfu Family.
“The auction officially begins,” the official declared aloud, “The first item to be auctioned is…”
“Wait!”
Wang Shouzhe raised his hand, cutting him off directly, “Sir, I have a suggestion.”
The official looked somewhat taken aback, seemingly displeased. However, after seeing that it was Wang Shouzhe, the head of the premier Grade Eight family, who interrupted him, he beamed, “Turns out it’s the Family Head of the Ping’an Wang family. May I ask what suggestions Master Shouzhe might have?”
If it were a Clan Leader from a Rank 9 Prominent Family, he would have scolded them. Even if replaced by an ordinary Grade Eight Prominent Family, he wouldn’t be so friendly.
Not only did the Ping’an Wang Family become the premier Grade Eight family, but their momentum was also unmatched. They were bold enough to confront even the Celestial Families. This was someone he couldn’t afford to offend.
“Everyone’s time is precious; auctioning off items one by one is somewhat a waste of time.” Wang Shouzhe suggested politely, “Why not auction it all off in one go, with the highest bidder winning.”
Auction it all off?
The official was taken aback, Qianma Huangfu Clan was a prestigious Grade Eight family, the total value of the clan estate was enormous. Even if it had been discounted, the combined total value would be at least five hundred and forty thousand!
This was an astronomical amount of money.
Five hundred and forty thousand!
Even if buying a Rank Six “Ascension Pill,” there would be plenty left over.
As one might know, the “Ascension Pill” is the treasure pill used by advanced-stage Spirit Platform Realm Cultivators to aid their breakthrough to the Heavenly Human Realm. It’s not just rare but also extremely expensive.
Many Spirit Platform Realm Cultivators dream of obtaining an Ascension Pill in their lifetime. But in reality, the vast majority of Spirit Platform Realm cultivators on this world will never even have the chance to smell one before they die.
As one can see,
Five hundred thousand Qian Gold is an immense amount. Most Celestial Families wouldn’t be able to produce so much cash in one go.
“This…” The official could not decide on his own, so he turned to City Lord Xiahou Hongde, “City Lord, what do you think?”
Xiahou Hongde was also looking sideways, eyeing Wang Shouzhe from a distance. This young man’s ability and ambition far exceeded his expectations.
Did he actually intend to gulp down all fixed assets of the Qianma Huangfu Family in one go?
“City Lord Xiahou.” Huangfu Jinhuan immediately stood up and said, “This violates the rules. It would be more fair to auction off items one by one as originally planned.”
This disaster happened too suddenly. Even if he desired to acquire all assets of the Qianma Huangfu Family, he wouldn’t be able to afford it immediately. He had painstakingly made arrangements to borrow against various loans in order to hastily raise four hundred thousand Qian Gold, prepared to secure at least two of three significantly important pastures.
If they auction it all in one go, the money he prepared would be far from sufficient.
“Rules?” Wang Shouzhe responded with a light chuckle, “Master Jinhuan, you jest. Which law or regulation in the Daqian law states that when auctioning off a criminal’s family property, each item must be auctioned off individually?”
“Indeed, Family Head Shouzhe is right, everyone’s time is indeed precious.” Lei Yangyu from the Lei Family chimed in, “What ‘each item must be auctioned off individually’? Why don’t you auction off every single head of cattle next? If you can’t afford to bid, then don’t. Just stand aside and watch the show.”