readsfreenovel Chapter 298 Getting rich
Chapter 298 Getting rich
Chapter 298 Getting Rich
The auction continued. Qiu Huoming observed the scene, especially the guests sitting in the first row, all of whom were holding number plates with very small numbers.
Sitting in the middle was a middle-aged man with an imposing manner. The number plate in his hand was "1". In the previous auction, he did not raise his sign once.
With his limited knowledge of auctions, Qiu Huoming knew that this man must be either rich or noble. The first few numbers in the auction house were not something that ordinary people could get.
For example, in the case of the gold ornament just now, the number that won the bid was '34'.
With the help of the staff, Anna displayed the second auction item. She spoke eloquently and explained the background of the auction item.
The steps are the same as before.
Qiu Huoming was not interested in this auction item. He was still looking at the guests in the first row. These people knew each other and greeted each other during the breaks in the auction.
There were two foreigners, whispering to each other, and the number on the license plate of one of them was '3'.
Qiu Huoming had a hunch that these two people were probably coming for his bowl.
"410 million, first time..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jin Chaopu's hands clenched unconsciously. He knew the price a long time ago, but when the time came, he was still a little nervous.
After a moment of silence, the bidding continued to be deadlocked.
(Pretty, huh?)
He loosened his hands, wiped the sweat from his palms, relaxed back in his chair, his eyes relaxed, and he began to look at the guests who frequently raised signs, just like Qiu Huoming.
Anna's voice continued, "...410 million, is there anyone who can offer a higher price?"
No. 1 raised the sign again.
Qiu Huoming's heart was beating so fast that it almost reached his throat. After deducting the handling fees, commissions, and the commission for his uncle, he would get at least 350 million+.
"500 million for the first time!" Anna's voice finally became excited. This auction was a small auction that was added temporarily, not an orthodox spring auction. She didn't expect that it could fetch such a high price.
Qiu Huoming then discovered that the first auctioneer who came over to talk to him also straightened his back and stared fixedly at the 'Enamel Yellow Ground Rouge Red Landscape Pattern Bowl' that the staff was displaying.
He is not easily surprised by praise or criticism, and this kind of personality is suitable for doing great things.
"No. 15 offers 230 million..."
The atmosphere at the scene was lukewarm until the final auction item appeared, when people began to get excited.
“In addition, the picture on the bowl itself is of great artistic value. No matter from which angle you look at it, the colors and patterns are pleasing to the eye.”
Jin Chaopu took a deep breath. He was also born into a wealthy family. If his family had not fallen into poverty in his early years, he would have been like those people in front of him, holding a number plate in his hand and raising it in a cool manner...
Many people in the audience began to move.
Anna had already raised the gavel in her hand.
No matter what, I can't lose the skill of cultivating my energy.
Jin Chaopu withdrew his gaze and stared at the stage intently.
Anna quickly scanned the people holding up placards and announced, "Number 1 bids 210 million..."
"510 million..." Anna's eyes were burning, and No. 1 and No. 3 in the first row seemed to be arguing with each other.
Anna's voice was soft and infectious as she introduced the auction item in English.
He glanced at Qiu Huoming. This guy seemed very calm and his eyes were always observing the guests in the first few rows.
No. 1 finally raised the sign.
You know, you can buy a house for tens of thousands of dollars now.
"No. 3 offers 220 million..."
"Okay, number 3 bids 420 million..."
"This is a rare rouge-red porcelain from the Qianlong period. After investigation, it was found that this bowl was a royal item, a vessel that only the emperor or the empress dowager or queen could use..."
"As we all know, rouge-red porcelain did not become popular until the Republic of China period. This bowl from the Qianlong period was almost judged to be a replica. This kind of craftsmanship was extremely rare at the time, and things are valuable because they are rare..."
Her eyes were fixed on the guests in the first row who were holding on tight.
Anna's eyes swept over Qiu Huoming from a distance. Qiu Huoming didn't have a number plate in his hand, so he must have come in with someone else.
The value of this bowl was estimated by professionals at 380 million yuan at the time, but it is now clearly exceeded.
Anna's voice remained calm, "Number 1's offer... 250 million!"
Jin Chuopu's palms were sweaty. This amount of money was already a huge sum for him.
On the other hand, Qiu Huoming still looked calm and composed, with handsome eyebrows and clear eyes...
She smiled slightly, "Next, it's the auction..."
As an auctioneer, Anna naturally knew the twists and turns involved. No matter what, these were considered her achievements. The higher the sale price, the better for her reputation.
Subsequent inflation has caused money to gradually depreciate, and the stupidest thing to do at the moment is to deposit money in the bank... So when you get the money, you must invest it.
"The starting price for this bowl is 200 million Hong Kong dollars..."
This was definitely a huge sum of money. His brain was working quickly, thinking about how to make money.
"500 million for the second time..."
Qiu Huoming covered his mouth and coughed lightly. He was already a little numb.
As a typical poor man, 500 million is just a number to him. In this era, 500 million is not something that everyone can come up with.
No. 3 frowned, glanced sideways at No. 1, resisted the urge, and finally did not raise the sign again.
"510 million for the first time..."
Seeing that No. 3 didn't move, Anna continued, "510 million for the second time..."
"510 million for the third time..."
"Bang" the hammer hit.
"Congratulations to No. 1 for winning this precious enamel yellow ground rouge red landscape pattern bowl..."
Qiu Huoming heard the guest next to him sigh: "It's Mr. Xu who won again..."
"Even Joseph couldn't beat him..."
Qiu Huoming's heart moved. He looked at Mr. Xu who was signing in front of him with his head down. This face, combined with the surname, a name jumped into his mind.
It turned out to be him.
He is a patriotic businessman, and it would be great if the cultural relics fell into his hands.
Qiu Huoming suddenly had so much money that he couldn't hide the joy on his face.
Jin Chuopu's anger was in vain. He slapped Qiu Huoming on the shoulder and said, "Huoming, did you hear that?"
Qiu Huoming nodded.
Jin Chaopu recalled that Qiu Huoming was determined to buy this bowl, and he told Qiu Huoming not to dream about it. Unexpectedly, he succeeded. It was a good thing that Qiu Huoming did not listen to him.
The corners of his mouth curled up. Since he had contributed manpower and effort this time, he must get some benefits. Just a token of his appreciation would be enough. In business, there must be give and take, otherwise he would make enemies.
The last item of auction finally arrived at the venue.
It is a painting by Qi Baishi.
The starting price is still 1 yuan. The popularity of calligraphy and painting has not yet risen, so even for famous artists, the price will not be that high.
This painting of shrimps playing together was finally sold for 3 yuan, and the person who bought it was the one who had chatted with Qiu Huoming before.
Even though today's auction is over, those who bought things still have to stay and make the transaction.
Jin Chuopu and Qiu Huoming were invited into the VIP room.
The auction house staff patiently explained the rules, then took out the document and asked Jin Chaopu to sign.
After Jin Chuopu signed, he reminded Qiu Huoming, "This amount is too large. I will open an account for you in Gangcheng later, and you can keep the money yourself."
The amount was too high. He took a deep breath and looked away.
Qiu Huoming looked at Jin Chaopu with admiration. Not everyone could be as honest as him. You know, for the item he sold in Gangcheng, there was no evidence to prove that he was the original owner of the item.
Jin Chaopu could have completely left himself alone.
"Thank you, uncle. When the payment is received, you can take your share of the commission."
Jin Chaopu smiled and slapped him, "I was waiting for you to say this. You eat the meat and I can drink some soup."
"Come on, I'll take you to open an account first, and then I'll take you to Hollywood Road for a look. You'd better be more discerning this time. I'll buy whatever you like."
Qiu Huoming smiled and responded, "Okay."
The most famous antique street in Hong Kong is the famous "Hollywood Road". Many of the Chinese porcelains that were first introduced to the West were sold from here.
Many Western aristocrats at that time would be looked down upon if they did not have a decent piece of Chinese porcelain in their homes.
The antique shops here are like Panjiayuan in the capital, and have become very popular. They sell not only porcelain, but also cultural relics, calligraphy and paintings.
This is also a favorite place for foreigners and collectors.
The two went out, hailed a taxi outside the hotel, and headed straight towards the bank in Central.
The port city is indeed a free port, with easy entry and strict exit.
Qiu Huoming quickly completed the relevant procedures and obtained his first account in Gangcheng.
Then the two of them walked towards Hollywood Road.
This time he planned to buy some calligraphy and paintings, and wait until after 84 when calligraphy and paintings became popular, and then sell them. He would definitely make a fortune.
As for Jin Chaopu, choosing a good thing for him can be considered as a way of repaying him.
Hollywood Road is a winding road that is not very wide. There are almost antique shops on both sides of the road. Even on the open space on the road, some people set up stalls.
As soon as I walked into the intersection, a few foreigners came towards me. They all had smiles on their faces and carried large and small bags of things in their hands. It was obvious that they had found good stuff.
It was lunch time and there were not many people on the street.
Jin Chuopu smiled and said, "Let's go through first. After we pass this road, we will go eat something."
Qiu Huoming nodded. He had eaten a lot in the morning and was not hungry now.
The two men walked in leisurely. They had just auctioned off the items, and even though the money had not yet arrived, they already had the illusion of being wealthy, and even their backs straightened a little.
The two of them went into every store they came across. Qiu Huoming didn't know much about antiques, but he had a good memory. As long as the items inside were authentic and expensive, he would always remember them.
Not long after, Jin Chaopu had a 'Green Dragon Bowl from the Zhengde Period of the Ming Dynasty' in his hand. The price of this thing was 1 Hong Kong dollars, and he bargained for 2 dollars to buy it.
After walking a long way, Jin Chaopu dared to ask, "Huo Ming, can this be sold at a high price?"
As far as Qiu Huoming remembers, this piece of porcelain was sold for more than 87 million yuan in 400. Now it is 83, which means that in just four years, its value has increased several times, which is indeed a good deal.
Qiu Huoming stretched out four fingers and waved them in front of him.
"40?" Jin Chaopu's hand holding the bowl trembled slightly.
"Four million." Qiu Huoming's tone was so calm and calm that Jin Chuopu's heart almost jumped out.
She immediately and carefully stuffed the box into her handbag together with the documents.
"Let's go back and have dinner at home. It's not safe outside..."
Jin Chaopu originally planned to take him around, but the things in his hands were too valuable, so he decided to take them home early and put them in a safe for peace of mind.
Qiu Huoming nodded, "Okay, let's go back first."
The two continued walking forward, "Uncle, didn't they say that Lawyer Wen would come today? Why don't I see him?" Qiu Huoming suddenly remembered and asked.
Jin Chaopu smiled and said, "I told him not to go. I thought about it yesterday and it's better for him not to come. The fewer people know about your affairs, the better."
"Thank you, uncle."
"Hey, I have to thank you, Huo Ming. Stay at my house for a few more days. I'll give you a motorcycle tomorrow so you can go around on your own."
Qiu Huoming did not refuse, "Okay, I can ride a motorcycle, and when I return to the mainland, you can return the motorcycle to me..."
"When you return to the mainland, I'll find someone to send it to you."
As the two were talking, a painting hanging on the wall of a street stall attracted Qiu Huoming's attention.
He came closer and stopped.
The person selling paintings was a somewhat sloppy young man, squatting behind a stall covered with plastic sheeting.
There were four paintings hanging on the wall behind him, and the third one was the one that caught Qiu Huoming's attention.
This is Wang Ximeng's "A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains". Of course, this is not the original, but a replica.
Qiu Huoming stared at the seal next to it. It was Zhang Daqian's seal.
Zhang Daqian imitated many famous paintings in his early years, and Qiu Huoming happened to know this painting.
He suppressed his inner ecstasy, pointed at the four paintings and asked, "How much are these paintings for?"
The young vendor looked up and said, "A painting is 200 Hong Kong dollars. If you take them all, I'll give you 700."
Qiu Huoming pondered for a moment, and finally nodded, "Okay, my family's hall just happens to be short of a few paintings, can you help me pack them up?"
The young vendor was overjoyed and immediately stood up and took down the four paintings behind him.
Jin Chuopu had given Qiu Huoming a sum of 1000 yuan before. He paid the money and walked out of the street holding the four rolled-up paintings when he heard a commotion behind him.
He turned his head and looked over...
The young vendor was arguing with a foreigner.
The vendor was cursing at the other person in his broken English.
The other party was furious, "I want those paintings as agreed, you didn't keep your word."
The vendor retorted: "One hand pays the other hand delivers the goods. Since you didn't bring the money, I can sell it to anyone. Please don't mess with me. Go away..."
Jin Chuopu heard it clearly, and immediately pulled Qiu Huoming a few quick steps. When they reached the main road, he stretched out his hand to hail a taxi.
This road is busy and there are many taxis on the street. After a while, a car stopped by.
Qiu Huoming and Jin Chaopu got into the car. They had not driven a few dozen meters when they saw through the rear window of the car that the hawker at the street corner came out with the foreigner.
Perhaps the vendor was so annoyed by him that he pretended to bring him over to look for him.
When we got to the street, there was no one there.
The vendor spread his hands and said, "The person is gone. You and that painting are not meant to be together..."
The foreigner looked around and indeed couldn't find the person holding the calligraphy and painting, so he returned to the vendor's stall angrily and began to look through other items.
In the moving car, Jin Chuopu glanced at Qiu Huoming and asked, "Is it genuine?"
Qiu Huoming shook his head. "It's a replica."