章節 954: Chapter 954: The shocking dark horse
Some local Hong Kong tycoons who had not participated in the auction in the previous three days also appeared at the auction on this day.
The gathering of bigwigs resulted in only one thing: a lower unsold rate and a higher transaction price.
After the four sessions in the morning were over, the total turnover reached 31.2 million Hong Kong dollars!
At 3:45 pm, the penultimate auction session ended, and there was a 15-minute intermission.
Xia Yu came down from upstairs from Decheng's office to the auction hall on the second floor.
The large auction hall was densely packed with 500 stools with backs, and as far as the eye could see there were heads everywhere.
There was nothing to be done about it. In general, for an ordinary auction, it would be considered quite a lot to have more than 100 people attend, but the number of people for this rare books auction had increased three to four times, so the auction venue, which had originally seemed spacious, now seemed rather crowded.
However, those who came to the auction were all wealthy and powerful people, and they were there for the auctioned treasures, not concerned about these minor flaws.
In addition to the seats provided by the hall for the bidders, there was also a special circle around the periphery, with some stools placed for dozens of media reporters.
Seeing the tycoons who were rarely seen in person, the reporters who were lucky enough to be there were all excited, and they were already clicking their shutters even though the last auction had not yet begun.
Xia Yu wore sunglasses and followed the crowd into the hall. He scanned the crowd and spotted quite a few acquaintances, such as Bao Yugang, Li Zhaoji and Zheng Yutong in the front row.
Perhaps it was because he was wearing sunglasses and was therefore harder to recognise, only a few people noticed Xia Yu had entered. They smiled and nodded at Xia Yu, who smiled back.
Later, Xia Yu went next to Hua Shengshi.
For this auction, Hua Shengshi's seat number was 65, while Xia Yu's was 66.
Originally, Ren Decheng wanted to arrange for Xia Yu to sit in the middle of the front row in seat 8, but Xia Yu stopped him and chose seat 66, which was located in the front part of the venue but not particularly conspicuous.
As the time gradually approached the start, all the videographers who had gone out for some fresh air or to use the bathroom returned to the venue.
Sotheby's Chinese auctioneer Cai Keming, dressed in a black tuxedo, arrived at the auction table in high spirits and began to warm up the crowd with humorous remarks.
Once 4 o'clock arrived, the final ancient books auction officially began.
The first lot is generally chosen carefully, as the high or low price will affect the following series of lots, so it must be both attractive and significant.
Considering the superstitious atmosphere in Hong Kong, especially among the wealthy, who believe in Buddhism and Taoism,
Sotheby's offered the first lot, a carved copy of the 'Sutra of the Vajra' from the Liang Dynasty, as the perfect choice.
After briefly introducing the item with a humorous anecdote, Cai Keming announced, 'The carved copy of the "Sutra of the Vajra" from the Liang Dynasty, starting bid 100,000 Hong Kong dollars, bidding starts!'
As soon as Cai Keming finished speaking, many people in the venue raised their bidding cards, some to guarantee a minimum price, while others shouted bids of 300,000 directly.
The sound of bidding was unceasing!
'310,000!'
'350,000!'
'370,000!'
...
'880,000!'
'Any higher bids?'
'880,000 going once... Okay, this gentleman is offering 900,000!'
Cai Keming, with a smile on his face, suddenly raised his voice to get everyone's attention.
The wealthy man who had just bid 880,000 yuan accelerated the speed at which he was pulling the prayer beads in his hands. He seemed determined to win the Sutra of the Vajra King Praised by Fu Da Shi of the Liang Dynasty, and with a determined expression, he raised his paddle again and shouted out a value that raised the atmosphere in the venue.
'One million yuan!'
'The first lot of this special auction has exceeded one million...'
...
'1.2 million...third time!'
'Ding!'
With the sound of the hammer landing, the price was set, and the engraved copy of the 'Sutra of the Vajra King Praised by Great Monk Fu from the Liang Dynasty' from the Five Dynasties period was sold for 1.2 million.
The transaction price was twice the minimum estimate, which greatly excited Ren Decheng, who was watching from behind the scenes.
If anyone was more excited than him, it was undoubtedly the collector who offered the engraved version of the 'Sutra of the Vajra King Praised by the Great Monk Fu from the Liang Dynasty' from the Five Dynasties period. The collector shook Ren Decheng's hand in thanks, and said bluntly that choosing Sotheby's auction house had been the wisest choice he had ever made, and that Sotheby's auctions would be his first choice for future auctions.
...
The fact that the first lot sold for twice the minimum estimate changed the mentality of all the wealthy people participating in the auction.
Sure enough, the second lot, 'Yi Benyi Appendix Annotations 15 Volumes', the third lot, 'Sakyamuni Maitreya Sutra', the fourth lot... none of them failed to sell, and the hammer prices all far exceeded the minimum estimates.
This situation made the auction atmosphere even more enthusiastic.
Before they knew it, the auction was coming to an end, and the atmosphere in the venue reached a climax, with many people looking forward to it.
Cai Keming's voice became agitated, and he said loudly, 'Next, it's the moment everyone has been waiting for. I know that all the distinguished guests here have come for it. Over the past few days, everyone has learned more about it than I have, so I won't waste your time!'
'The Yongle Encyclopedia, Jiajing edition, a total of 122 volumes, starting bid of 2 million Hong Kong dollars, minimum bid increase of 50,000 Hong Kong dollars, bidding starts now!'
'Dong!'
It was just the hammer coming down, but the room fell silent.
When the price of two million Hong Kong dollars was announced, many people's faces changed, as they obviously hadn't expected the price to be so high. The psychological plans of all those who intended to bid were disrupted.
For example, Liu Shaoquan, who had come with Zhuang Siping, looked very uncomfortable. He didn't expect that the two million Hong Kong dollars that the ministry had specially approved for him would just barely be enough to reach the minimum starting price. Even if he participated, he would only have one chance to bid, and he would have to bid before everyone else.
Fortunately, he had powerful help.
He looked at Zhuang Siping, Bao Yugang and the others next to him, feeling a little scared but secretly glad.
Now he could only hope in these people!
The moment of silence was ultimately just because it was too unexpected. Fortunately, the people present were no ordinary people, and they quickly reacted.
Just the first bidder made many people present look unpleasant.
I saw a Japanese person in the sixth row holding up a sign high, and using a thick Japanese accent, he announced a price: 'Five million!'
There was a little commotion in the venue, and some people were talking about it. It was learned that this little devil was a representative of the East Asia Library of the island country.
A local Hong Kong tycoon could not bear to see the islanders being arrogant in Hong Kong, so he brazenly raised his paddle and loudly quoted the price: '6 million!'
'7 million!'
The representative of the East Asia Library of the island country looked determined, and immediately bid in broken Mandarin, his determination to win the bid exposed.
At this time, the representative of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York also raised his paddle and quoted the price in English: '7.5 million!'
'7.6 million!'
'7.8 million!'
...
The bidding suddenly heated up, with many wealthy people bidding. Although it was a bit chaotic, it was undeniable that it made many people excited.
This was evident from the surprised expressions on the faces of the reporters around them, who kept clicking their shutters.
The price quickly exceeded 10 million Hong Kong dollars.
Some people with insufficient strength could only clench their fists with reluctance.
At this point, some of the really wealthy people in the room finally moved!
'10.5 million!' This price was quoted by Malaysia's richest man, Robert Kuok.
'11 million!' The richest man in Singapore, Robert Kuok, raised his bidding paddle.
'11.5 million!' The representative from the island country of East Asia Library.
'12 million!' Ma Jincan of Dasheng Bank raised his bidding paddle.
...
'Mr. Zhuang, aren't we going to bid?'
As the price gradually rose, and Zhuang Siping next to him remained unmoved, Liu Shaoquan became impatient. He looked nervous and asked,
'Zhuang Siping, don't worry, Dean Liu. It's only half way there. The price will soon exceed 20 million. We can bid then. Don't worry, we have a good chance.'
Zhuang Siping's calm and composed manner influenced Liu Shaoquan. He calmed down a little inside and nodded, saying, 'Okay, we'll leave it to you.'
Time passed quickly during the intense bidding, and the auction price reached 19 million Hong Kong dollars.
This price had scared off most people, and they could only watch the big shots perform.
The only ones who continued to bid were the East Asian Library of the island country and the Metropolitan Museum of New York in the United States. The remaining four were all Chinese.
'19.5 million!'
The representative of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA, held up the bidding card again with a grave expression on his face. He felt a lot of pressure after bidding to this extent.
Their bottom line was five million US dollars, which is equivalent to just over 22 million Hong Kong dollars.
This price is already very high!
What's more, they prefer old European artworks and modern paintings, and they don't really value Chinese cultural relics that much. If it weren't for the reputation of the Yongle Encyclopedia as the largest encyclopedia in world history, they wouldn't have bid even half a million US dollars, let alone the five million US dollar budget. They wouldn't even come.
'Twenty million!'
Ma Jincan of Dasheng Bank grit his teeth and made his final offer, then watched as Guo Hearn quoted 20.5 million. He shook his head, smiled wryly, and lowered his paddle. He was not going to match the bid.
Seeing the big collector Ma Jincan give up, many people sighed that the competition was too fierce for even the big players to bear. Zhuang Siping finally joined in, decisively raising his paddle.
'Twenty-one million!'
'That's Mr. Chong Sze Ping from Nanyang Commercial Bank. I didn't expect him to bid at this point. I've never heard that he likes collecting antiques.'
'Who knows the mind of a big shot? Let's keep watching. I wonder if there are any other big shots who haven't bid yet.'
'Isn't the one next to him the shipping magnate? His wealth is obvious to all. He seems to be even richer than Mr. Chong. He hasn't bid yet, has he?'
'Hey, it's already 22.5 million. Judging from the American's expression, it seems like he's not going to continue bidding.'
...
Many people at the venue had already turned into onlookers and started whispering about it.
When the price reached 28 million, De Beers also gave up on bidding.
The competition was only between the representative of the East Asian Library of the Island Country and Zhuang Siping.
'28.5 million!' The representative of the East Asian Library of the Island Country quoted the price with a grave face.
'29 million!' Zhuang Siping kept his cool and immediately followed suit with a bid.
'30 million!'
The representative of the East Asian Library of the Island Country gritted his teeth, his face showing a fierce expression, and he once again raised his bidding card defiantly.
'Thirty million and five hundred thousand!' Zhuang Siping remained unmoved, still only raising the price by five hundred thousand, much to the annoyance of the representative of the East Asian Library of the Island Country.
However, the island nation belongs to the Chinese cultural sphere and is deeply influenced by Chinese culture. The pursuit of Chinese cultural relics in the island nation is not comparable to that of Americans, not to mention that in this era, the islanders are not short of money, so even though the price is already so high, the representative of the East Asian Library of the island nation can still afford it and continue to bid.
'Thirty-one million!'
At this time, from seat 65, Hua Shengshi, who could no longer hold back his impatience, nudged Xia Yu and asked in a low voice, 'Mr Xia, aren't we going to bid?'
Xia Yu glanced at Zhuang Siping and nodded slightly at Hua Shengshi.
The latter immediately understood.
When the representative of the East Asian Library of the island country once again raised the price by 500,000, it exceeded Zhuang Siping's at 32 million.
Hua Shengshi suddenly stood up and shouted loudly with his bidding paddle in the air, '35 million!'
'Wow!'
There was only a flurry of commotion in the room, and everyone's attention was focused on Hua Shengshi.
When they realised that it wasn't the already wealthy man, but an elderly stranger, many people whispered to each other, trying to find out who this old man was who had suddenly barged in, and who had even gone so far as to raise the price by three million.
Didn't they see that the representative of the East Asian Library of the island country was fuming?
Even Zhuang Siping, who had always been calm, frowned.
'Mr Zhuang, who is this person?'
Liu Shaoquan's palms were sweating with nervousness as he asked Zhuang Siping and Bao Yugang.
Neither of them answered Liu Shaoquan, but continued to look back at Hua Shengshi.
However, unlike Zhuang Siping, who was looking at Hua Shengshi, Bao Yugang's gaze was fixed on the face of the young man wearing sunglasses sitting next to Hua Shengshi.
He hadn't noticed Xia Yu when he entered the door just now, but now, with his familiarity with Xia Yu, even though Xia Yu was wearing sunglasses, he still recognised him at first glance.
He looked at Hua Shengshi again, feeling that he looked familiar, as if he had seen him once at Xia Yu's home.
So, in fact, Hua Shengshi's offer was given at Xia Yu's behest?
This is troublesome!
He knew about Xia Yu's financial resources, which were definitely the best in Xiangjiang, and if Xia Yu wanted something, no one could compete with him.
But Xia Yu doesn't know their plan, and they are separated from Xia Yu, so they can't communicate. What can they do?
Bao Yugang recognised it, and so did Huo Yingdong, who was sitting next to him. He tugged Bao Yugang's sleeve, and the two of them locked eyes, both of them seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.
'35 million, going once!'
'Any higher bids?'
Seeing that the venue was in a bit of a mess, but no one had bid higher for a long time, Cai Keming immediately raised his voice and said:
'36 million!'
The representative of the East Asian Library of the island country broke out in a sweat on his forehead and shouted again, raising his paddle.
Most of the people in the venue turned their attention back to Hua Shengshi, while some looked at Zhuang Siping.
Before Zhuang Siping could make a bid, Hua Shengshi, expressionless, raised his paddle again and shouted resoundingly and powerfully, '40 million!'
'Er...' The representative of the Island East Asia Library, who had intended to continue raising the price, was like someone whose neck had been grabbed, and he was unable to speak due to Hua Shengshi's offer.
'Mr. Zhuang!'
From the first row, Liu Shaoquan's face was anxious, and he whispered to Zhuang Siping.
Zhuang Siping, who had come back to his senses, noticed the difference between Bao Yugang and Huo Yingdong. He patted Liu Shaoquan's hand and then asked Bao Yugang in a low voice, 'Mr. Bao, do you know this person? What is his background and why is he bidding so fiercely?'
Bao Yugang said with a wry smile, 'Mr. Zhuang, his background is really not small. Look at the one wearing sunglasses on the right hand side of the old man. That's Xia Yu. He should be bidding for Xia Yu.'
Zhuang Siping's eyes flashed with shock as he looked next to Hua Shengshi. Sure enough, there was a young man wearing sunglasses sitting there. Upon closer inspection, he really looked a bit like Xia Yu.
XIA YU noticed someone looking at him, and followed the feeling to see that it was BAO Yugang, HUO Yingdong, and ZHUANG Siping. XIA YU smiled and nodded at them.
'It really is him, this...'
ZHUANG Siping also felt a headache coming on.
'40 million Hong Kong dollars, going once!'
At this time, CAI Keming saw that no one had bid for a long time, so he began to repeat the bid.
'Mr. Zhuang, are we not bidding anymore?'
'Who is that Xia Yu? Is he very rich?'
Liu Shaoquan asked nervously.
'Not just rich!'
Zhuang Siping gave Liu Shaoquan a wry smile.
Then he looked at Bao Yugang, Huo Yingdong and Wang Kuancheng. The meaning in his eyes was clear: what should be done? Should they bid more?
If it were anyone else, he would not be afraid, but when the opponent was Xia Yu, it was a different story.
Xia Yu was able to build Jinding University and donate 100 million Hong Kong dollars twice, and he also donated 30 million Hong Kong dollars each to Xiangjiang University and Xiangjiang Chinese University. His generosity and extravagance were extraordinary.
Even banks that were comparable to or even stronger than his Nanyang Commercial Bank were acquired one after the other by Xia Yu. British conglomerates were also swallowed up by Xia Yu one after the other. Xia Yu's financial power was obvious to all of Xiangjiang.
Now Xia Yu is unflinchingly raising the price massively, clearly showing his determination to win. He has no idea where Xia Yu's bottom line is, or if there is one.
'If the little devil doesn't continue to compete, I think we should just give up. After the auction, it would be best to approach him privately,'
Bao Yugang suggested.
'I agree with Lao Bao's suggestion. We don't know Xia Yu's intentions, and he doesn't know that we are together. If we continue to compete, there is no telling when it will end. The only ones who will benefit are outsiders,'
Huo Yingdong agreed.
Zhuang Siping looked at Wang Kuancheng again.
Wang Kuancheng was the weakest, and he shook his head and smiled bitterly, 'Let's communicate privately after the auction. If Xia Yu is willing, then it can be resolved privately. We can pay him the difference. If he is unwilling even privately, then we will end up losing after fighting like crazy.'
Zhuang Siping was silent. Indeed, this was the truth.
Competing with Xia Yu would only be a pointless competition.
'40 million, going for the second time!'
'Any higher bids?'
Cai Keming's voice rang out once again.
The atmosphere was tense, and most people were looking at the people from the East Asian Library and Zhuang Siping.
The people from the East Asian Library were sitting with dark faces, having obviously given up.
Liu Shaoquan had also heard the low voices of Zhuang Siping and the others, and he knew that things had become very complicated.
He looked back and gave Hua Shengshi and Xia Yu, who was wearing sunglasses, a deep look, before looking at Zhuang Siping again.
In response, Zhuang Siping gave him an apologetic smile and words of comfort: 'President Liu, don't worry, after the auction is over, we'll go find him in private.'
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