Chapter 490 - 296: Liszt

Chapter 490: Chapter 296: Liszt

At the auction house.

After Ma Teng won the seventh collectible, the atmosphere in the auction house grew increasingly strange.

Although different people had bid on the items, the winners were all highly concentrated in the central area.

They even exchanged glances, making it obvious they all knew each other and seemed to be from the same group.

’Who are these people?’

’So arrogant?’

Even though there were only nine collectibles up for auction in total, you couldn’t just play like this, could you?

’Is everyone else here just a prop for you?’

Everyone present was a prominent figure. For a perfectly good auction to turn out like this was a real buzzkill and a waste of time.

The two auctioneers on stage also seemed to sense the strange atmosphere and quickly moved to regain control of the room.

Their voices instantly rose several notches.

"Next up for auction is the penultimate collectible of the evening, the grand finale piece: a Yuan Dynasty Cyan Flower Jade Pottery Spring Bottle."

"The Jade Pottery Spring Bottle was a popular shape during the Yuan Dynasty. It largely followed the Song Dynasty style but appears thicker and fuller."

"This piece features rich, well-defined patterns. It is lustrous and translucent, and the glaze is moist and rich. It is an exceptionally rare shape, considered a world-class treasure in past auctions."

"This item has a clear and complete provenance. Ten years ago, at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, it was acquired by the internationally renowned collector Mr. Liszt for thirty-two million US Dollars. This year, Mr. Liszt has returned it to the market. The starting bid is only half of its previous price: sixteen million US Dollars."

"Please, place your bids!"

Besides the shape itself and the cultural background, the story behind an antique is often what makes it valuable.

Liszt?

Lin Chu had never heard of the man, but a quiet buzz now filled the auction house. Many people were whispering to each other, discussing the name.

’Who is he?’

Lin Chu was curious.

This seemed to be a huge selling point, but it hadn’t been mentioned in the auction catalog. They’d saved it until now, giving everyone a surprise.

Curious, Lin Chu immediately pulled out his phone to search.

He found it quickly.

Liszt, male, born in 1969 in Chicago. Before the age of thirty, he was a futures trader who founded the Chicago Futures Trading Clearing House. He shot to fame during the financial crisis, earning 4.2 billion US Dollars and shocking the world.

He later became an avid collector and served as a board member for several museums.

Tsk.

’This... is pretty legendary.’

Lin Chu clicked his tongue in amazement.

’A badass is a badass. There’s no denying it.’

There were many heavy hitters like him in the world of finance.

After all, those who succeeded were definitely the smartest minds in human society. They also had perfect timing, making money faster than he could even farm it.

’I don’t even have 4.2 billion US Dollars right now!’

’And that was 4.2 billion US Dollars from thirty years ago!’

’Who knows how rich he is now.’

"Brother Chu, should I keep bidding?"

This auction item had reignited the passion in the room. Lu Ming had already raised the bid once, but now bids were flying back and forth, and the price quickly soared past thirty million US Dollars.

A rough calculation put that at nearly two hundred million yuan.

Lu Ming’s palms began to sweat.

He was also puzzled. ’What kind of legendary figure is this Liszt? Why is everyone bidding like mad the moment they hear his name?’

’Is there some hidden catch?’

’I’m not a rich man. I really don’t get it.’

"Keep bidding! We’re taking it!"

Lin Chu said nonchalantly. ’We’ve come this far, you’re going to get cold feet now?’

Lu Ming glanced at him, nodded, and found an opportunity to raise the bid again.

But the people in the room were in a complete frenzy. They kept bidding, and bidding, and after dozens more rounds, the price quickly soared past fifty million US Dollars.

When it reached that level, even Lin Chu was a little surprised.

’What’s going on?’

’Something’s wrong!’

’Something is definitely wrong!’

No matter how famous he was—even if it were Buffett himself—an antique he once owned couldn’t possibly fetch this much of a premium, right?

There had to be something fishy going on.

"Keep raising it."

"Slowly."

"No rush. Let me observe."

Lin Chu said softly, nonchalantly watching the people who were still bidding.

As for the white-robed men from the Middle East, although Rashid and his group had left, there were still quite a few present. However, they had hardly placed any bids.

The most intense competition was between the Caucasians and the Asians, with one black man among them.

There were few black people at the event to begin with; for various reasons, there aren’t many tycoons in that demographic.

Right now, he was the only one.

But he was the most aggressive bidder.

Several times, just as the bidding was about to hit its ceiling, he would raise his paddle again, and the price would soar once more.

In just a short while, the price had already reached sixty million US Dollars.

Beads of sweat appeared on Lu Ming’s forehead.

Sixty million US Dollars!

’Four hundred million yuan!’

’Damn, a deal this big... Even my take from a whole night’s business isn’t this much.’

’These people are insane!’

’And Brother Chu is insane too!’

’They’re all seeing red!’

Without a doubt, the collectible’s price had now far exceeded its actual value. But as for why it was fetching such a high price, Lu Ming still had no idea.

’Brother Chu told me to bid!’

Even now, at this exorbitant price, there were still five or six bidders in the room, clinging on and refusing to let go.

"Bid!"

"Damn it. Whatever the reason, the original goal must be achieved!"

Lin Chu gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening. This was like a knife fight, and they had reached the most critical moment. Having come this far, there was no way he could give up now.