Western-Style Auction

On the way back from the mountains to the Prince of Qin's Manor, Alexander Hayes was silent throughout the journey.

Lily Evans leaned against the carriage window, deep in thought. Both husband and wife wore grave expressions.

It wasn't until they returned to the Prince of Qin's Manor and entered their bedroom that Alexander Hayes finally took a deep breath. "Darling, you're right. For so long, the Jin Dynasty has believed itself to be the center of the world, looking down on foreign nations as barbarians. But now, it seems those so-called barbarians are surpassing us. If we continue to be complacent and refuse to improve, one day we'll be replaced."

"I don't know much about politics. For these industries to develop, they need support at the national level. It's not something the two of us alone can accomplish," Lily Evans replied.

The introduction of industrialization involved the entire country. It required support from the Emperor down to the bureaucrats and nobility. Lily Evans could foresee that it would be an uphill battle.

But no matter how difficult, they had to try. Otherwise, the fate of being left behind and bullied would repeat itself.

"Tomorrow, I'll try to gauge the Emperor's attitude," Alexander Hayes said. "We have to take things one step at a time..."

"Yes. Let's not mention our secret purchases, just in case it brings us trouble," Lily Evans said.

"Of course. I'll just sound out the Emperor and the ministers about their attitude toward foreign nations," Alexander Hayes said. "Darling, you're tired tonight. Get some sleep. You still have to teach at the academy tomorrow."

Lily Evans yawned and lay down to sleep fully clothed, while Alexander Hayes sat at the bedside, his expression grave. Clearly, what he had seen and heard today had deeply shaken him, nearly overturning his long-held beliefs.

When Lily Evans woke up, Alexander Hayes was already gone; he had left for court.

Lily Evans took her time washing up and disguising herself, then, as usual, picked up Danny Bell—disguised as a bookboy—and headed to the Royal Academy of Mathematics.

"Master, the secret spice has become the hottest topic in town. Our shipment has arrived—can we start selling it now?" Danny Bell asked.

Lily Evans put down her book and nodded, "It’s about time. We can start selling. But we can’t just sell it outright."

Danny Bell was puzzled. "Then how do you want to sell it, Master?"

Lily Evans blinked and smiled slyly. "An auction."

"Auction? What’s that?!" Danny Bell was utterly confused; it was the first time he’d heard of such a thing.

"An auction is a place where things can be bid up to sky-high prices," Lily Evans said, clicking her tongue. "When the time comes, as the manager of Eight Treasures Bistro, you’ll have to attend and help drive up the price."

Danny Bell blinked, full of anticipation. Then he glanced at the book in Lily Evans’s hands and, just from the cover, could tell it wasn’t a Jin Dynasty book. Curious, he asked, "Master, is that book one Edward brought from overseas?"

Lily Evans nodded. "That’s right. I want to learn more about foreign lands, and reading their books is the best way."

Danny Bell leaned in curiously, staring at the strange letters in the book until his eyes began to spin. He rubbed his eyes, exclaiming, "No way, no way! Their writing is so hard to read, it’s making me dizzy. Master, you’re amazing—you can even read foreign script!"

Lily Evans sighed. It was all very well that she could read it, but what use was that if no one else could? If only there were translators to convert all these books into Chinese—then more people could learn about advanced industrial civilization.