Financial freedom starts with smiling at life

Chapter 424 A Scam by Capital

A Cartier fruit necklace sold for 5560 million RMB.

The Pagani Zonda F Coupe sold for 7866 million RMB.

A legendary 1964 Ferrari 250LM Scaglietti race car sold for 1.93 million RMB.

A Qing Dynasty jadeite bead necklace from the Cartier Jewelry Museum collection sold for 1.98 million RMB.

...Exciting news kept coming from the Grand Palais in Paris.

This was the largest auction in Sotheby's history.

Jiang Beicheng sat in the room, watching these collectors and tycoons speak with great confidence and arrogance.

The entire Grand Palais in Paris is filled with the strong smell of money.

He wasn't the richest person present today, nor was he a seasoned collector, but when lot number 1139 was displayed on the big screen, his bloodline was awakened.

This national treasure must be put into the hands of the Chinese people; the best outcome would be for him to take it back to China.

Tonight, the item with the highest estimated price and the most attention from collectors worldwide, the "Qianlong Jade Seal," has appeared at the Sotheby's auction.

The starting bid is 1080 million euros.

"1200 euros!"

"1280 euros!"

"1300 euros!"

The bidding was intense, with paddles being raised very quickly.

Telephone orders, online orders, VIP rooms... multiple channels followed closely behind.

1500 euros.

Jiangbei City was only momentarily stunned before it was auctioned off for 1500 million euros.

The collection and investment value of "Treasure of Emperor Qianlong's Imperial Brush" is highly regarded.

"1600 euros!"

The first time Jiangbei City raised a sign.

It didn't cause a big stir.

Only a few guests glanced at him probingly.

The bidding continued and remained fierce.

"1680 euros!"

"...1800 million euros!"

It has exceeded the price estimated by the expert review panel.

Sotheby's CEO Smith was watching from backstage, his face beaming with joy.

The auction house charges a commission of 27% of the final sale price.

Many items sold for prices exceeding their estimates tonight.

Sotheby's made a fortune tonight.

The top-tier marketing campaign with LV and Bugatti once again demonstrated a promotional effect that exceeded expectations.

"President Smith, the final price for this Qianlong jade seal should exceed 2000 million euros." Sotheby's experts are optimistic about the bidding trend.

Smith smiled, his gaze fixed on Jiang Beicheng, the wealthy Oriental businessman bidding at the auction. "He's still waiting."

Sotheby's had prepared a VIP room for Jiang Beicheng, but he didn't go there and chose to bid at the main venue instead.

The intention is obvious: to deliberately expose one's identity and be active in the media spotlight.

Smith guessed that Jiang Beicheng was preparing to showcase his wealth and power to Western media and high society.

At the same time, it's also to show their domestic society and win them a good reputation, because of the Bugatti incident, he is now being smeared by some media with ulterior motives in China.

He greatly admired Jiang Beicheng's approach of solving problems with wealth and money.

Sotheby's experts followed his gaze and looked toward Jiangbei City.

"2000 euros!"

The auctioneer exclaimed excitedly, "Sir, 2000 million euros, OK?"

Jiang Beicheng smiled and nodded.

The bidding of 20 million attracted everyone's attention.

Tonight's first bid of 20 million euros has emerged, and it may be the only one.

Previously, the jade bead necklace from Cartier's collection and the Ferrari racing car, even with a 27% commission, only approached 2 million euros, and the on-site auction price did not reach 2000 million euros.

2000 million euros is a hurdle.

For most investors and business capitalists, investments exceeding 2000 million euros should be carefully evaluated for their value.

This means that the stage will now belong to collectors and hardcore enthusiasts.

"2060 million!"

A wealthy businessman from the United States joined the bidding.

“2100 million euros!” Western financial institutions also made offers.

Jiang Beicheng frowned slightly.

The situation has changed.

This means they're preparing to embarrass him in front of the international media.

To some extent, the face of Jiangbei City is actually tied to the face of the nation.

Before the auction even ended, many domestic media outlets obtained firsthand information and immediately began reporting on the situation.

Some mainstream media outlets even started live text updates with eye-catching headlines.

The battle between Chinese tycoons and Western capital at the auction.

Will the national treasure, the "Qianlong Jade Seal," remain abroad, or will it embark on its journey home? The choice now rests on the shoulders of this young, wealthy businessman in Jiangbei City.

The national level is also paying attention.

Shen Jun had already communicated with the leaders of the National Museum in advance and made it clear that if he could win the bid for this national treasure, he would donate it to the National Museum free of charge.

In auction situations, the government cannot easily intervene using administrative power.

It's even more inappropriate to participate directly in the auction.

Western capital and political circles would love for you to participate directly in the bidding.

They sold you something that originally belonged to you at a high price.

They not only make money off you, but they also embarrass you.

Many state-owned enterprises and central enterprises have had a deep understanding of this issue when they welcomed back the twelve zodiac animal heads.

As soon as you get involved, the other party will set a trap and drive the price up to the sky.

From then on, the state stopped using auctions to bring back national treasures.

Communicate through diplomatic channels.

After a country becomes powerful, it naturally gains a voice, and cultural relics are gradually returned to the country.

However, the "Qianlong Jade Seal" is a cultural relic with a high market value and extraordinary historical significance, and capitalists and politicians value its practical value.

Jiang Beicheng vaguely sensed that someone was setting him up, deliberately making him uncomfortable.

But we cannot back down now.

Otherwise, before they can regain their reputation domestically, they'll lose face internationally again.

Jiangbei City raised its paddle again: "2180 million euros".

The scene was boiling.

Discussions arose.

All eyes were focused on Jiang Beicheng.

“I’ve met this Mr. Jiang before. He was the one who bought the last gas-powered Bugatti.”

"Yes, he is the most high-profile Eastern tycoon I have ever met."

"Is he going to continue bidding? I feel like there are shills trying to disgust him."

"Buddy, you're wrong. They're not shills. They're probably people planted by capitalists and politicians to embarrass this young tycoon and then make a fuss about it in international public opinion, targeting their country's reputation."

“I agree with your opinion. I really dislike this kind of political auction, and I hope Mr. Jiang can stick to it.”

"..."

While a well-known Western collector was hesitating, he received a message from a powerful investment company, urging him to continue bidding.

The old man realized that Western politicians had begun to take action.

Today's auction has turned into a "battleground for cultural relics".

"2200 million!"

All eyes turned to him again.

"Has Laszlo made a move?"

“Oh no, this is the last thing I wanted to see. László is the greatest collector in Europe.”

"He has a conglomerate backing him."

Will Mr. Jiang continue bidding?

"..."

While everyone was shocked by László's actions, the auctioneer once again inquired about prices from Jiangbei City.

Jiang Beicheng smiled, unmoved.

"Sir, should we follow up?"

Jiangbei City did not reply.

As the auctioneer began the countdown, and everyone thought the auctioneer was about to bring down the hammer, the online consignor suddenly offered "2250 million euros".

(End of this chapter)