Chapter 767: Chapter 766: A Glance Over
As the words were spoken, a thunderous round of applause erupted from the crowd, revealing the explosive atmosphere of the event.
After finishing his speech, the auctioneer handed the microphone over to Liu Zheng.
Seeing this, Liu Zheng stretched out his hand and took hold of the microphone.
As he took the microphone, he didn’t forget to sweep his gaze over the people beneath the stage.
He then snorted coldly and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, our auction for tonight ends here. I hope everyone continues to work hard and strive to bring out new items for auction."
After saying this, he did not pay any attention to the group of people below the steps and turned to walk outside.
Seeing this, the people underneath the steps were momentarily stunned, then they all turned their gazes to Liu Zheng.
However, Liu Zheng paid no heed to their stares and left the auction house directly.
As they watched Liu Zheng depart, the crowd couldn’t help but sigh in relief, and then they all dispersed.
Nonetheless, they remained on-site, ready to continue admiring the porcelains they had just seen.
Shortly after, as the lights of the auction house were turned back on, the auctioneer spoke up again.
"Next, we will showcase a set of exquisitely beautiful porcelain, a famous work of art from the Tang Dynasty, the Yuhuchun Vase from the Song Dynasty. Its creator was the famous Emperor Li Shimin of the Song Dynasty."
While speaking, he picked up the microphone and said to the people below, "Alright, the auction price for this set of porcelain is..."
However, just as he was about to announce the auction price for the porcelain set, Liu Zheng had already reached the door.
Seeing this, a cold smile appeared on the corner of Liu Zheng’s mouth.
"Heh, if that’s the case, then I’ll help raise the price a bit!"
"Eight hundred and seventy-five thousand!"
"Eight hundred and ninety-six thousand!"
"Eight hundred and ninety-eight thousand!"
...
When Liu Zheng called out the high price of eight hundred and ninety thousand again, the people down below couldn’t help but gasp.
Eight hundred and ninety-five thousand was nearly equivalent to their annual income.
Although such an income was but a drop in the bucket for Liu Zheng, under these circumstances, it still surprised these people.
However, as surprised as they were, none of them showed any unusual expressions on their faces, instead maintaining an indifferent demeanor.
Seeing this scene, Liu Zheng smiled satisfactorily.
No wonder the Zhao Group, one of the four major financial conglomerates in Capital City, although unsure what had happened, he was certain something fishy was going on.
Otherwise, how could the Zhao Group, with all its power, lose to him three times within a short half-hour?
So now, he just wanted to see how much longer these people could hold on.
In Liu Zheng’s eyes, these people were his playthings; he could play with them for as long as he wanted—all within his control.
Not just these people, even the staff of the auction house were astounded and shocked.
Because they did not understand where Liu Zheng got such confidence to brazenly challenge the Zhao Group—it was madness.
However, they were well aware of the power of the Zhao Group.
In the city of Capital City, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, the influence of the Zhao Group was said to be even more terrifying than these business giants.
Therefore, even if Liu Zheng was truly formidable, he shouldn’t have taken such a rash action.
But now, they had no choice but to acquiesce to Liu Zheng’s actions.
After all, his status was there to be seen, and indeed, he did have the capability.
"The final highlight of our auction today is this set of ancient famous paintings, the Tang Yuanbao. I believe everyone is well aware of the value of Tang Yuanbao."
"Not to hide from you all, at this year’s charity dinner, our company will introduce the second set of auction items, that is this Tang Yuanbao."
"The starting bid for the Tang Yuanbao is one million, with each increment not less than twenty thousand!"
At this point, a hint of a smile appeared on the auctioneer’s face.
Because anyone with discernment understood the value of Tang Yuanbao.
Therefore, he believed that many people present were here for the Tang Yuanbao, not for Liu Zheng.
True to expectation, after his words were spoken, the crowd below also began to whisper to one another, all seeming eager to try their luck.
However, the auctioneer did not interrupt their discussions, just smiling faintly and standing there quietly.
He knew that if he didn’t allow them to discuss it, they would never be at peace.
"Eight hundred and ninety-five thousand!"
At the moment the auctioneer’s voice fell, a deep voice also followed, entering his ears.
Hearing this voice, the auctioneer couldn’t help but turn his head to look towards the staircase.
There, a middle-aged man was standing.
The man was slightly overweight, but his face was remarkably handsome, especially the brilliance that shone from his eyes made one feel that his body was bursting with explosive energy.
His clothing was also very splendid, appearing as if he was a wealthy gentleman.
At his waist, he wore a treasured sword; clearly, he was a martial artist.
Upon seeing this man, the auctioneer’s complexion subtly changed, for he recognized him—this man was none other than Zhao Tianming, the young master of the Capital City Zhao Family!
His father, Zhao Zhengyang, was a formidable figure.
As far as he knew, Zhao Zhengyang had mentioned his own father more than once, even telling him that if he ever encountered Zhao Zhengyang, he must show him due respect.
One could imagine that in Capital City, Zhao Zhengyang wielded tremendous influence.
And in Capital City, who dared to offend Zhao Zhengyang?
Therefore, although Zhao Tianming was the young master of the Capital City Zhao Family, he always strutted around arrogantly.
But now, seeing Zhao Tianming, he couldn’t help feeling some trepidation.
He was well aware that Zhao Tianming was a tyrant in Capital City, while he was just a minor character in the Zhao Family.
Hence, all he could do now was pray that Zhao Tianming would not take issue with him.
After all, Zhao Tianming had no need to make things difficult for him here; he was in no position to pick a fight with someone like Zhao Tianming!
At this thought, the auctioneer hurriedly bowed and apologized, "Sorry, sorry, I got a bit carried away just now! Please continue, I’ll exit the stage!"
After speaking, he quickly fled the scene.
Seeing the auctioneer escape, a sneer of cold amusement flickered across Zhao Tianming’s face.
Although he was a person of status in Capital City, compared to those super and top-tier families, his status was but a speck of sesame.
However, he was far from intimidated by those families, and instead, with a tone laced with mockery, he sneered, "A country bumpkin dares to compete with me, truly seeking death!"
Towards Zhao Tianming’s words, Liu Zheng’s face revealed a hint of disdain as he looked at him contemptuously and then turned his gaze directly towards the Tang Yuanbao on the auction stage.
He had been coveting this item for a long time but had always been unsuccessful in acquiring it.
After all, the bodyguards around him were not for show—to snatch the set of Tang Yuanbao from their hands was as difficult as reaching for the heavens.
Seeing that Liu Zheng remained unfazed, anger surged on Zhao Tianming’s face. Not wanting to waste words with Liu Zheng anymore, he directly said, "The starting bid for this ancient painting is three hundred thousand."
"Three hundred thousand!"
"Four hundred thousand!"
"Four hundred and fifty thousand!"
....
A chorus of bids started ringing out.
However, these bidding voices grew weaker and weaker.
Originally, the figure of three hundred thousand had been thrilling.
But now, they only wanted to get a hold of an ordinary antique and would need to spend so much money to buy it, so their interest in bidding for the antique waned.
Of course, Liu Zheng saw all of the other people’s reactions.
However, he simply didn’t care; he believed that once those guys won the painting, they would surely regret it till their guts turned green.
By then, those people would surely be crying and begging to present the painting to him themselves.
"Six hundred thousand!"
Suddenly, an indifferent voice once again echoed through the entire auction hall.
