"It's called a steam engine."
Someone with a vague understanding of it could not help correcting the others.
"I heard it runs by using the steam from boiling water to push the carriage forward."
"Do you even hear yourself?"
A bystander who firmly believed Yun Shu was an immortal rolled his eyes nearly into the heavens.
"Have you never boiled water before, or have you simply never seen a carriage?
Does steam from your own kitchen send carts racing down the road?"
"…"
Well, that was certainly true.
None of them could fathom how Her Highness the Crown Princess had managed such a feat. It was simply too marvelous.
The common folk remained full of curiosity, though none truly believed they might ever lay eyes on such a thing themselves.
After all, it had been gifted directly to His Majesty.
But the head of the various regional Merchants' Associations were not so easily satisfied.
Ever since reading last month's special preview article in the Capital Weekly, every one of them had been eagerly awaiting news of this so-called divine vehicle. Upon reviewing their own tax reports, many were alarmed by how much their associations had paid.
Some even began to suspect that theirs might just be the top contributor this year.
So, at the end of the month, most had personally brought their ledgers to the capital.
Later, after the Ministry of Revenue had reviewed all the submissions, no announcement was made regarding which association had contributed the most in taxes. Rumor had it this too was at the Crown Princess's instruction.
Since the Wanshou Festival was fast approaching, many chairmen simply stayed on in the capital, waiting.
Then today, when word spread that the grand prize would be none other than the method to construct the divine vehicle itself, calmness gave way to chaos.
The Crown Princess's words in that Capital Weekly article had clearly not been empty talk.
Whoever obtained the method to make the divine vehicle was practically guaranteed to become obscenely wealthy.
In no time at all, every chairman had begun sending their people out to gather news.
"Well? Did you hear anything? Which Merchants' Association came in first?"
"Sir… sir!"
A young attendant, breathless and red-faced from running all the way back, braced himself on his knees and panted for a moment before looking up to report.
"I did not manage to find out which association ranked first… but I did manage to buy today's latest issue of the Capital Daily!"
"…Do I look like I'm lacking a newspaper?"
The head of the Pengzhou Merchants' Association was so irritated he nearly exploded.
"Look at you, panting like a dying dog. I thought you were bringing back some earth-shattering news."
"No, no, this is very important!"
The servant hastily handed over the Capital Daily, explaining anxiously.
"I overheard someone speaking in a teahouse. It seems Her Highness the Crown Princess has published another article, saying she's going to sell the divine vehicle!"
"Sell the divine vehicle?!"
Was that not supposed to be the prize awarded to the Merchants' Association with the highest tax contribution?
Why was it now being sold?
The chairman of the Pengzhou Merchants' Association hurriedly unfolded the newspaper and quickly found the article the servant mentioned.
A Thousand Li in a Day Is No Longer a Dream!
The Divine Carriage Auction – Your Chance to Make History!
Do you wish to become the second or third person in the world to own a divine vehicle?
On the twenty-seventh of the twelfth month, at one quarter past Shen Hour, the third floor of Tian Waitian Restaurant will host a special pre-sale auction of the divine carriage.
Only two units will be available.
Experts will be present to explain the carriage's wondrous mechanisms.
Her Highness the Crown Princess will also attend personally to announce the name of the association that ranked first in annual tax contributions, along with the top three individual contributors.
"A pre-sale auction? Limited to two units?"
The chairman murmured thoughtfully.
"So that is her plan. With so many powerful merchants gathered in the capital, these two divine carriages will surely fetch an astronomical price.
Through this auction, Her Highness is not only showcasing the carriage but also clearly communicating its value.
After the sale, she will reveal which association came in first and grant them the vehicle's construction method.
Those who failed to acquire one at the auction will rush to negotiate with the winning association to place future orders.
With those first wave of orders in hand, the victorious association will fully grasp the fortune they have stumbled upon.
As for the rest, those who missed this chance will be motivated to compete more fiercely next year, submitting even more tax to the empire…"
Step by step, it was a masterful arrangement.
The Crown Princess truly knew how to plan.
And the worst part was, they all knew it was a trap—and still walked willingly into it.
It was almost laughable.
The head of the Pengzhou Merchants' Association shook his head with helpless admiration. He set the newspaper down and turned to give a firm command.
"Go summon Mister Ma. Tell him to calculate how much silver we can mobilize at present."
"You plan to bid on the divine carriage?"
The servant, who had served the chairman for many years, could not help asking.
"But did you not just say that the two divine carriages are certain to be sold at sky-high prices?
If it will cost so much, is it still worth joining the fray?"
"You still see things too simply."
The head chuckled coldly.
"Do you really think Her Highness would go to all this trouble merely to announce the top taxpayer? That could have been done by any official with a few words.
If she is going to appear in person… then something else must be happening."
"But the Capital Daily says nothing else."
The servant was thoroughly puzzled.
"Then what else might Her Highness be planning?"
"That… I do not know."
The chairman replied, deep in thought.
"I do indeed intend to buy the carriage, but I will not spend every coin we have just to win the bid.
I asked Mister Ma to calculate our available funds in case Her Highness reveals something unexpected.
Of course, I may be overthinking.
But even so, it is always better to be prepared."
"Oh… as expected of you, Master!"
Though the servant did not fully grasp the strategy, praise was always the right response. Beaming, he patted his master's shoulder and quickly ran off to find Mister Ma.
Merchants who had risen to the rank of association chairman were, without exception, shrewd and farsighted individuals.
Similar discussions and preparations were unfolding all across the capital.
Several days later, on the twenty-seventh of the twelfth month…
From the moment he heard Yun Shu was hosting an auction, Yun Chuhuan had been pestering nonstop to go along.
Driven nearly mad by the noise, Emperor Xuanwu had finally granted him leave in advance and handed the troublemaker directly over to Yun Shu.
What Yun Chuhuan expected was merely a one-day outing to join Fifth Sister and see something novel.
What he received instead was an eleven-day festival leave spanning the New Year.
The boy was over the moon.
To his delight, he had even received a considerable sum of freely spendable funds from Prime Minister Liu.
"Fifth Sister, can we discuss something real quick?"
"…Why are you sneaking around like that?"
After spending so much time with him, Yun Shu saw through Yun Chuhuan's expression immediately.
"What scheme are you trying to rope me into now?"