Buffett got tonight’s auction list and handed a copy to Yang Chen.
According to the list, this auction has a total of five ancient artifacts from Dragon Country, including two Zodiac heads of the rabbit and rat, a gilded bronze Buddha from the Yongle Period of the Ming Dynasty, and the remaining two items are Yuan Blue-and-White Porcelain and Tang Sancai.
Yang Chen flashed a slight cold smile.
To foreigners, the Zodiac signs are just ordinary items since they don’t have the concept of the Zodiac.
Thus, the rat and rabbit heads are aimed at the Dragon Country people; only the Dragon Country people would bid for these two items.
The gilded bronze Buddha might still attract foreign bids due to its craftsmanship and the value of precious metals, but it’s likely that only people from Dragon Country will bid.
The historical issue cannot be solved by the country, and Yang Chen doesn’t want to say much about it.
Now that he’s encountered them, he should try to bring them all back.
Marshall Kennedy, who focuses on Dragon Country antique artworks, certainly knows what the rabbit head, rat head, and the gilded bronze Buddha mean to the people of Dragon Country.
If he can win these three artifacts, it would be best if he could also win the Tang Sancai and Yuan Blue-and-White Porcelain; with a little maneuver, he could send them to Dragon Country to sell at a higher price.
Because the rabbit and rat heads are not merely relics to Dragon Country—they represent national dignity.
Jenny Hathaway, who grew up in Dragon Country, shares the same values and perspectives as a pure Dragon Country native, except for her appearance.
Thus, she also understands the value of the rabbit and rat heads.
Jenny asked, "President Yang, do you plan to bid for these two Zodiac heads?"
Yang Chen: "Let’s see. If the price is right, I’ll bid."
Buffett: "I’ve gathered that the target price for these two items is around 20 to 25 million US dollars. Converted to your Dragon Country currency, that’s about 150 million. If you win both, you should prepare at least 300 million. It’s quite the cost; you need to think carefully."
Gates: "That’s just the auction house’s expected minimum price. If there’s competition, the price could be even higher."
Yang Chen: "Let’s see. Like I said, if the price is right, I’ll definitely bid. To you foreigners, these items are of no value. But to Dragon Country, they are extraordinarily significant."
Buffett and Gates nodded in understanding.
Phillips Hathaway said, "Your biggest competitors are from Dragon Country, and then there’s him."
Everyone followed his gaze toward Marshall Kennedy at the next table.
Phillips Hathaway explained, "Marshall specializes in antiques and artworks from Dragon Country and neighboring regions. He definitely knows the value of these two items and will certainly bid on them with the intent to resell at a higher price or sell them to people from Dragon Country."
Yang Chen nodded with a smile, saying, "Thanks for the heads up. I only look at the price, not the opponent. Whoever the opponent is won’t affect my price judgment on these two items."
Phillips Hathaway smiled and elaborated, "I understand. What I mean is, if Mr. Yang needs, I can try to talk to Marshall, perhaps letting you have one, so you don’t have to spend so much. Though you might not lack money, nor mind spending a bit more, spending less is always better, right?"
That makes perfect sense.
Originally, these were Dragon Country’s items. It’s absurd that they ended up here due to historical reasons, and spending money to buy back their things is ridiculous. If you can spend less, of course that’s better.
Yang Chen has money, and the system said he could spend freely, but saving money from foreigners is certainly best.
So, Yang Chen nodded and said, "Then thank you, Mr. Hathaway."
Phillips Hathaway also wanted to please his daughter by helping Yang Chen, which is why he was so proactive and enthusiastic.
"Ha ha... no need to thank me. You’re Jenny’s boss; we’re on the same side. This small favor is nothing. Wait here, I’ll go have a talk with him." Phillips Hathaway said with a smile, then went over to the neighboring table to communicate with Marshall.
Marshall laughed immediately upon hearing that Yang Chen wanted to bid for those two Zodiac heads.
He came over to Yang Chen and said, "Hello, I’m Marshall Kennedy. How should I address you?"
Yang Chen: "Hello, my name is Yang Chen."
Marshall Kennedy: "I heard from Mr. Hathaway that you want to bid for those two Zodiac heads, is that right?"
Yang Chen nodded.
Marshall Kennedy confidently said, "I urge you to give up. It’s not that I’m disrespecting Mr. Hathaway’s request, but I’m determined to get these two items, and the gilded bronze Buddha too. You can bid on the Tang Sancai and Yuan Blue-and-White Porcelain; I can let you have those."
Phillips Hathaway quickly said, "Marshall, don’t be like this. He’s my daughter’s boss; just let him have one."
Marshall Kennedy: "Mr. Hathaway, you’re making things difficult. This is business, real money business. How can I just give them away? If he has money, let him bid against me. If not, sit back and keep quiet. Miss Jenny, isn’t that right?"
Jenny Hathaway smirked coldly, saying, "You’re right. It all comes down to personal capability."
Marshall Kennedy: "Exactly! Well said. Winning or losing depends on personal capability. Even if I wanted to concede, Mr. Yang wouldn’t want it, right?"