Yang Chen smiled and nodded, saying, "Mr. Kennedy is right, so let’s each rely on our own abilities."
Marshall Kennedy: "Alright! Then we’ll rely on our own abilities. If Miss Jenny sees any auction items she likes, we can team up to bid, and we can split the profits evenly. I have a complete industrial chain here, absolutely ensuring maximum benefits."
Jenny Hathaway shook her head and said, "Thanks, but no need."
Marshall Kennedy: "Then after the auction, can I invite Miss Jenny for a late-night snack?"
Jenny Hathaway shook her head and said, "I don’t have the habit of eating late at night, sorry."
Marshall Kennedy wanted to say more, but at this moment, the host already took the stage to warm up the event.
He had to return to his seat.
It seemed Jenny Hathaway wasn’t easy to deal with, not giving any chance at all.
Marshall thought of a plan, through Phillips Hathaway, to pursue Jenny.
Phillips Hathaway always wanted to invest in Marshall’s antique trading company, but such a profitable company, of course, Marshall wasn’t willing to share equity.
But if that person were the future father-in-law and also a governor father-in-law, it would be different; giving away some shares would definitely gain more in the future.
Businesspeople are shrewd, as long as they can get an N-times return in the future, they can invest now.
Marshall sent a message to Phillips.
"I like your daughter. Help me pursue her; our families can be stronger together and make more money in the future. I can transfer 15% of the antique trading company shares to you, you don’t have to give me any money, just help me pursue your daughter."
After reading the message, Phillips quickly tucked his phone away.
To be honest, Marshall’s conditions were very good; the son of the governor of New York State, with just his own antique trading company, was already very profitable, and he himself was quite good-looking and well-rounded, indeed a good choice.
But Jenny grew up in Dragon Country, so whether she likes American men or not is uncertain.
Therefore, Phillips dared not bring it up hastily, waiting to establish a closer relationship with Jenny first.
Soon, the bidding began.
The first few auction items were artworks by some foreigners. Despite featuring masterpieces by Van Gogh and the like, Yang Chen didn’t place any bids.
He absolutely wouldn’t collect foreign items; he only wanted treasures from Dragon Country.
Soon, a gilt-bronze Buddha statue from the Yongle Period of the Ming Dynasty took the stage.
Auctioneer: "This auction item is amazing, from the Ming Dynasty of Dragon Country, specifically 1403-1424. If this were in Dragon Country, it would be a national treasure. Those who recognize its value should bid; I won’t say much else. The starting bid for this item is 8 million US dollars, with each increment at 100,000 US dollars. Now, let’s start bidding!"
The Dragon Country people at the scene began bidding.
"10 million US dollars!"
"11 million US dollars!"
"12 million US dollars!"
...
Watching the Dragon Country people bidding against each other, Yang Chen helplessly shook his head.
Our own people driving the price up, isn’t this internal competition?
Even in bidding, there’s strategy; as long as no foreigners are bidding, our people don’t need to raise the price so much at once.
This reflects a different mindset.
Yang Chen thought that all the Dragon Country people present today were on the same side; it was good no matter who won the bid because the items would return to Dragon Country.
But others didn’t think that way; from their perspective, it’s all about profit. Their bidding aim was to resell at a higher price, not for any sense of national pride or dignity.
So, they not only had to compete with foreigners but also with their own people, striving to secure the win for themselves.
When the price reached 15 million US dollars, the other Dragon Country people fell silent.
For Yang Chen, this item wasn’t that attractive; as long as a Dragon Country person won it, he wouldn’t bid, avoiding letting foreigners earn more.
However, at this point, Marshall placed a bid of 18 million US dollars.
He deliberately raised the price so high, firstly to make more profit in the future, and secondly to scare off other competitors.
The 18 million-dollar price exceeded other Dragon Country bidders’ psychological limit; they dared not bid further.
Marshall boasted confidently, "What I want, I will get it!"
"I bid 18.1 million US dollars!" Yang Chen said loudly.
Everyone looked over.
Marshall Kennedy laughed and said, "Mr. Yang, are you sure you want to compete with me?"
Yang Chen replied with a smile, "Bidding is about using one’s own abilities, isn’t it?"
Marshall Kennedy laughed heartily and said, "That’s right, I like opponents like you. If no one else bids, I would find it boring. I bid 20 million US dollars, are you still in?"
"20.1 million US dollars!" Yang Chen said.
As long as each increment is only 100,000 US dollars, I definitely won’t let foreigners earn more.
Marshall Kennedy wasn’t willing to lose and continued to bid against Yang Chen.
Finally, the price reached 22.1 million, and Yang Chen won.
Marshall Kennedy, looking displeased, said, "Now you’re competing like this, let’s see how you can secure the other two animal heads later!"
Yang Chen: "As long as the price is right, I will definitely continue bidding."
The auctioneer enthusiastically dropped the hammer, declaring the Yongle Period gilt-bronze Buddha statue belonged to Yang Chen.
Next came the auction for the Tang Sancai and Yuan Blue-and-White Porcelain, ultimately sold to Dragon Country buyers for 3.5 million US dollars and 8.2 million US dollars, respectively.
Then came the highlight in the eyes of Dragon Country people, the heads of the rabbit and rat from the twelve zodiac statues.