On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The cold terms on the contract—"For 30 years, enjoy exclusive development and management rights to the land," "Construction must strictly follow the unified planning of the Special Zone," "Land ownership belongs to the imperial court," "If development is not completed within the deadline or construction is carried out in violation of regulations, the government has the right to reclaim the land without compensation"...

At this moment, after the frenzy subsided, it was like a cold needle tip, starting to slightly prick their nerves that had been numbed by greed.

They paid with the wealth accumulated by several generations of their family, and even borrowed huge amounts of usurious money, but in return, all they got was a piece of paper and the right to develop a "sacred land" which is still a barren mudflat and has an uncertain future!

A huge sense of gap and an indescribable sense of emptiness, like a cold tide, began to quietly drown the previous enthusiasm.

Wang Youde stood on the high platform, as if he had just been pulled out of the water. His whole body was soaked in cold sweat, and the heavy ceremonial clothes were clinging to his body, outlining his hunched and trembling figure.

His face was as pale as a death, his lips were trembling, and he could hardly stand. He had to rely on two personal guards from the palace to support him from behind.

His eyes were dazed as he looked at the mess in the audience and the faces that were either ecstatic or dazed. His heart was filled with a huge sense of absurdity and fear that penetrated deep into his bones.

He knew that this raging fire, which he had started with his own hands and which ultimately burned tens of millions of taels of silver, had completely drained away his last bit of usefulness.

His life, along with the "ordinary people" status of his wives, concubines and children, were just leftovers that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince casually gave away.

The immense fatigue and exhaustion overwhelmed him like a tide. His vision went dark and he almost fainted on the spot.

"Dear guests!" A clear and steady voice broke the eerie silence.

Xiao Hanzhou was seen wearing a brand new indigo Confucian robe, his posture as straight as a pine tree. Under the protection of two Jinwu Guards, he walked calmly onto the platform.

He replaced the nearly paralyzed Wang Youde and stood in the center of the auction table. His appearance was like a breath of fresh air, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"The auction has concluded successfully!" Xiao Hanzhou's voice was clear and powerful, carrying a soothing force. "His Royal Highness is grateful for all of you who have come from afar and generously donated to this grand event! I have been ordered to make several important announcements on his behalf!"

He looked around the stage, his eyes calm and filled with an unquestionable majesty:

"First, all distinguished guests who have won land in the auction are requested to proceed immediately to the 'Contract Signing Office' on the east side. A palace clerk will verify your identity and the terms of the contract, and you will then pay the remaining balance (after deducting the deposit). Once signed, the contract will take effect immediately!"

"Secondly, within thirty days of signing this contract, please submit a detailed development plan for the land parcel in accordance with the 'Provisional Regulations on Special Zone Development' attached to the contract. This plan will be reviewed and approved by the General Administration's Planning and Construction Department (headed by Chu Xiling). Failure to submit the plan within the deadline or if the plan does not meet the requirements will be deemed as automatic waiver of the development rights, and any payment will not be refunded!"

"Third," Xiao Hanzhou's voice suddenly turned cold, with a hint of the iron-blooded aura unique to the Jinwu Guards.

"From now on, the entire Chongming Shazhou area is designated as a special military control zone! General Mao Mengji of the Jinwu Guard will lead his troops to take over! No one is allowed to land on the island without the permission of the General Administration! Anyone who violates this order will be killed without mercy!"

The last four words were like an icicle falling down, instantly making all the merchants in the audience, who were still immersed in complicated emotions, shudder!

Kill without mercy! ?

They had just spent millions of taels of silver to buy this "land", and they couldn't even take a look at it?!

Huge dissatisfaction and doubts suddenly surged into my heart!

"Master Xiao!" Zhao Sihai, the Yangzhou salt smuggler who had bid 4.8 million taels for the "Heart of the Sacred Land," suddenly stood up. He was a burly man with a face full of flesh, and his face was flushed with excitement and pain. "We spent real money to buy this land! We can't even go up and take a look?! What...what's the logic?! What if...what if that land..."

"Boss Zhao!" Xiao Hanzhou's eyes flashed like lightning, instantly locking onto Zhao Sihai. His voice was low, yet it carried a power that could penetrate a person's heart. "Your Highness, the Crown Prince's command is as firm as a mountain! 'Xirang' is a divine object of heaven and earth, and it concerns the fate of the nation! How can we allow outsiders to trample on it and spy on it at will?!"

He paused, his tone carrying an undeniable soothing (or warning) tone:

"As for the details of the land parcel, the attached map is clearly marked. The water depth, soil quality, and expansion direction were all personally surveyed by Master Chu of Wenchang Pavilion. There is absolutely no falsehood! If you have any questions about the land parcel, please feel free to consult the contract! But landing on the island..."

The corners of his mouth curled up in a cold arc. "Unless you have obtained the 'Construction Permit' and 'Island Survey Order' issued by the General Administration, the Jinwu Guards' crossbows will not recognize anyone who trespasses!"

Zhao Sihai felt a chill in his heart when he saw Xiao Hanzhou's cold eyes. Thinking of the wolf-like and tiger-like murderous aura of the Jinwu Guards, his anger and doubts were instantly suppressed. He could only sit down in dismay, his face ashen.

Xiao Hanzhou ignored him, his eyes swept across the entire audience, and his voice became clear again:

"Fourthly, this is also His Royal Highness's compassion for you all! The General Administration has established a Special Zone Investment Service Center on the west side of the county! Madam Zhang Li will be personally in charge! It will be dedicated to assisting you with development matters, including recruiting craftsmen, procuring building materials, and even consulting on small construction loans!"

"Fifth," he said, a faint, official smile on his face. "To celebrate the successful auction and thank all of you distinguished guests, the General Administration will host a banquet at Wangjiang Tower tomorrow night! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be in attendance! We will discuss the development of the Special Zone with you all! We hope you will honor us with your presence!"

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is here in person?!"

"Discuss the big plan together?!"

This news was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a huge commotion among merchants!

The dissatisfaction and doubts just now were instantly replaced by great surprise and expectation!

I can meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!

This is such a great honor and opportunity!

If I can get the favor or guidance of His Highness, then these millions of taels of silver will be well worth it!

For a moment, the previous dejection and emptiness were replaced by a new enthusiasm. Merchants stood up one after another and rushed to the contract signing place on the east side, fearing that they would miss the opportunity to meet the prince if they were too late.

Xiao Hanzhou looked at the crowd surging again below the stage, a barely perceptible sneer flashing in his eyes.

He turned around and whispered to the two soldiers holding Wang Youde, "Take him down and find a doctor to see him. Don't let him die here."

His tone was indifferent, as if he was handling a discarded tool.

Wang Youde was dragged down like mud and disappeared into the shadows.

Xiao Hanzhou stood with his hands behind his back, on the edge of the platform, like a young commander, calmly overlooking the finale of the capital drama that had just ended and was directed by his master.

The firelight illuminated his young and resolute profile, and his deep eyes sparkled with deep awe for his master's unpredictable methods and infinite longing for his future great achievements.

(Scene: County Government Treasury, Flood of Silver)