UPWR1BY **Chapter 607: Ye Xiu: "My Good Brothers, After This Auction, Drinks Are On Me"**
**Chapter 607: Ye Xiu: "My Good Brothers, After This Auction, Drinks Are On Me"**
"Alright, let's not waste any more time. Next up, we have the third auction item!" Ye Xiu announced, his calm demeanor unable to hide the slight smile on his lips.
The first item, a Qing Dynasty Qianlong period green-glazed dragon vase, was valued at around 150 million yuan. However, thanks to the enthusiastic bidding led by Xu Zhiming, it sold for 300 million yuan, doubling its expected price. The second item, a Ru Kiln sky-blue glazed sunflower wash basin, with an estimated value of 300 million yuan, was pushed to 500 million yuan by Dong Pingwei's spirited bidding. This was a significant profit and quite common in the auction world, where prices can skyrocket due to competitive bidding.
"Now, everyone, please look at the third auction item," Ye Xiu said as another elegantly dressed woman in a cheongsam brought a wooden tray onto the stage. Ye Xiu unveiled the item, revealing a scroll. "This is the 'Pine and Cypress Landscape with Calligraphic Couplet in Seal Script' by the modern master Qi Baishi. It is the largest piece of calligraphy and painting by Qi Baishi, measuring 266 cm in height and 100 cm in width. The matching seal script couplet, which reads 'Longevity for humanity, peace under heaven,' measures 264.5 cm by 65.8 cm."
Ye Xiu elaborated, "The painting and the couplet convey a profound wish for peace and prosperity, depicting a majestic eagle perched on a pine branch, symbolizing resilience and hope. The piece is a masterpiece, showcasing Qi Baishi's profound artistic skills and his hope for a stable and prosperous world. In 2011, this painting was auctioned in a 'Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Treasures Night' in Beijing, with a starting bid of 88 million yuan. It sold for approximately 425 million yuan after nearly fifty rounds of bidding, demonstrating its immense value."
"Alright, enough talking. Those who know, know. Just state the price!" someone impatiently interrupted, eager to bid.
Ye Xiu glanced around, seeing the eager expressions of the crowd. This was an original Qi Baishi, and the largest work he'd ever created. Many attendees had come specifically for this piece, which had been on display at the Yuanwen Museum for over two years. The starting bid was set at 400 million yuan, with minimum increments of 10 million yuan.
"Starting bid: 400 million yuan! The bidding begins now!" Ye Xiu announced.
The room buzzed with excitement. "What? The starting bid is only 400 million?" someone exclaimed. Another added, "It was worth 400 million in 2011, and now the starting bid is still 400 million? Is this real?"
The bidding war quickly escalated. "I'll bid 500 million!" shouted one bidder, and soon the offers kept coming: "600 million!" "700 million!" "800 million!" "One billion!" "Twelve billion!" "Thirteen billion..."
The scene was intense, with bids flying in from all sides. However, a closer look revealed that Xu Zhiming, Tian Yuanliang, Dong Pingwei, Liu Yanrou, and others were deliberately driving up the price. Whenever they bid, they raised the stakes by at least two billion yuan.
Meanwhile, Liu Zhennan, sitting in the back rows, was growing anxious. He knew this painting was the one his father had sent him to buy. But the price had already soared from 400 million to 18 billion yuan, with no signs of stopping. Panicked, he called home, shouting, "Dad, I can't keep up! These guys are bidding too high! Send me another ten billion!"
The auction was a frenzy, with Xu Zhiming and others playing their roles perfectly as shill bidders. Ye Xiu pretended not to notice, occasionally exchanging knowing smiles with them.
Inwardly, Ye Xiu thought, "My good brothers, after this auction, drinks are on me."
Xu Zhiming and the others: "Sounds good!"