Chapter 64 Auction Rules

"Yet that fellow's father is the Mayor of Jingzhao, a fourth-rank official. Since Manager Shen beat his son, will the Mayor of Jingzhao simply let him go?"

A middle-aged man spoke, his expression rather grave, clearly disapproving of Shen Xuan's actions.

"Take your men and get out of here right now!"

Shen Xuan raised a hand to point in a certain direction, his voice calm.

"Young master! A wise man knows better than to fight when the odds are against him. Let's fall back first and discuss our next move once we return!"

The retainer crawled up from the ground, clutching his aching chest and casting a wary glance at Shen Xuan. Limping over to the side of the corpulent man, he whispered urgently into his ear.

"Brat, you had better remember this! This young master's name is Zhang Guang!"

The stout young man glared fixedly at Shen Xuan for a moment before reluctantly rising from the ground. Supported by his servant, he tossed out a fierce threat and turned to stride away into the distance.

Seeing the two figures vanish down the end of the street, Shen Xuan withdrew his gaze, entirely unconcerned by Zhang Guang's threat.

"My apologies for causing a disturbance to everyone here. Shen wishes to offer his sincere regrets!"

Shen Xuan turned back, cupping his fists in a salute to the patrons still waiting in line.

"Manager Shen is too polite. It was merely a trivial matter."

"Indeed, Manager Shen. Just some arrogant young scoundrel; none of us paid him any mind."

Noticing Shen Xuan's sincere demeanor, the crowd readily assured him that no offense was taken.

A smile bloomed once more on Shen Xuan's face as he turned and led An Miaoyu and the others back into the tavern.

"Wow! Young Master Shen, you turned out to be so formidable! You sent that fellow flying with a single kick!"

Along the way back, An Miaoyu gazed at Shen Xuan with sparkling eyes, unable to contain her praise.

"It is nothing much."

Shen Xuan shook his head, instinctively responding with modesty.

"You call that nothing much? Little Ying thinks Young Master Shen's move was even more impressive than some of the imperial guards in the palace!"

Little Ying, standing beside them, opened her wide eyes and spoke in astonished admiration.

"Many thanks, Young Master!"

Lin Gui hurried over after briefly tending to his wounds, speaking with a look of deep gratitude toward Shen Xuan.

Turning his head and seeing that Lin Gui had suffered only superficial injuries, Shen Xuan waved a hand dismissively.

"Think nothing of it. As a worker here in the tavern, you were bullied, and as the proprietor, it is naturally my duty to stand up for you!"

Hearing these words from Shen Xuan, Lin Gui's face was flooded with gratitude, and his gaze carried even a hint of adoration.

After a moment of thought, Shen Xuan offered a word of instruction.

"Right, you must remember to practice the martial arts and stances I taught you every day. Once you have achieved some initial results, I will teach you something more profound."

"Rest assured, Young Master, this one will certainly not let you down."

Lin Gui nodded vigorously, his tone resolute.

"What kind of martial arts did you teach him, Young Master Shen? Can you teach me as well?"

Overhearing their conversation, An Miaoyu could not resist asking with keen curiosity.

"Certainly. If Miss An wishes to learn, I am more than happy to teach."

Shen Xuan did not refuse, replying instead with a smile.

"Really? I knew Young Master Shen is the best!"

An Miaoyu's eyes lit up as she spoke with evident delight.

Following this brief interlude, a long queue formed once more outside the tavern doors. Patrons collected their numbered wooden tallies in turn, led by Xiaohu, Tang Wu, and the others to find vacant seats. The scene was bustling beyond description.

After the space of another incense stick's burning, the tavern's seating was largely filled.

A young man clad in a long gown walked with broad strides onto a temporarily erected high platform. After clearing his throat with a theatrical cough, he spoke into the simple megaphone before him.

"Ahem! Welcome everyone to our Jun You Lai Tavern. I am today's auctioneer, Liu Ruifeng!"

"Clatter-clatter-clatter!"

Upon hearing these words from Liu Ruifeng, the crowd fell silent for a brief moment, immediately followed by waves of enthusiastic applause.

"So he is the one in charge of the auction today! Young Master Shen is truly something else—what was even the point of keeping a secret like this?"

From a private room on the second floor, An Miaoyu watched the figure standing on the stage, rolling her eyes with a playful huff as she spoke indignantly to Shen Xuan.

Shen Xuan merely smiled; he had simply wanted to indulge in a bit of mischievous humor. It was by chance that Liu Ruifeng ended up hosting. Shen Xuan had originally intended to take the stage himself, but when Liu Ruifeng dropped by that day and caught wind of the news, seized by some sudden impulse, he had insisted on acting as the host.

Shen Xuan saw no harm in it and simply briefed him thoroughly on all the matters regarding the upcoming auction.

"I imagine everyone is already aware that our primary auction items today are twenty portions of medicinal cuisine. Each portion starts at a base price of fifty taels of silver, and we shall auction them one by one."

Liu Ruifeng stood straight, his face wreathed in smiles as he spoke in a resonant voice.

Most of the people in the hall listened while continuing to enjoy their food without missing a beat.

Liu Ruifeng did not mind this in the least and continued speaking.

"I must clarify to everyone beforehand that for the first fifteen portions of today's medicinal cuisine, anyone is free to bid without restriction. However, as for the remaining five portions, once someone purchases one, they will not be permitted to bid again."

The patrons paused mid-bite, confusion flashing in their eyes, and someone promptly voiced a question.

"I wonder why that is? We are actively delivering money to your door, yet your tavern is unwilling to take it?"

A man holding a folding fan sat in a second-floor private alcove, speaking in a slightly teasing tone.

"Hahahaha, exactly, exactly! Could it be that you lot no longer even like silver?"

A burly man in the hall also chimed in with a hearty laugh.

With someone taking the lead, scattered noises of chatter and amusement rippled through the hall.

Liu Ruifeng was in no rush to explain. He waited until quiet was restored in the hall before speaking with a smile.

"Please remain calm, everyone. The reason is this: while the medicinal cuisine of our tavern is exceptionally effective and carries no side effects even when consumed frequently—"

Liu Ruifeng paused here, intentionally whetting the crowd's appetite before continuing unhurriedly.

"—our tavern's purpose is not merely to turn a profit; we genuinely hope to extend a helping hand to those in genuine need."

Hearing Liu Ruifeng's words, the playful smiles on the patrons' faces gradually faded, replaced by expressions of rapt attention.

"From now on, while the medicinal cuisine of our tavern will always be put up for auction, the tradition of selecting fortunate patrons each day to receive five complimentary portions of medicinal cuisine will never be canceled."

Liu Ruifeng smiled, his voice earnest and sincere.

"Clatter!"

As his voice trailed off, another wave of applause erupted through the hall.

"As expected of Manager Shen! He always does things with such grand style!"

A youth dressed in white stood up, applauding as he spoke in open admiration.

"Indeed! Even if it's only five portions, given how precious this medicinal cuisine is, who knows how much revenue they are giving up? This fellow surnamed Shen is truly magnanimous."

Another middle-aged man shook his head in wonder, deeply impressed by Shen Xuan's generosity.