Chapter 1024 Suzuki Consortium VS Black Organization
"I will pay 400 million."
The owner of this voice was not as aggressive as Suzuki Jirokichi, but when he spoke it, it was like thunder on the ground, and the whole place fell into silence.
Faced with Suzuki Jirokichi's "crazy" behavior of increasing his price by 200 million, any sane person would not dare to follow suit.
Even if you want to follow, you should first check if your wallet allows it.
The transaction price of US$300 million is unprecedented in the entire history of famous painting auctions, and it is unlikely that there will be anyone else in the future.
However, someone casually broke the price again.
Everyone turned their heads in the direction of the sound, which was another VIP box also located on the second floor.
"That one is..."
"The largest art collector on the East Coast, Mr. Carl!"
The blond rich man who had previously bid 50 million recognized the owner of the box.
Qin Zhibo looked slightly outside and saw a slightly remote location on the ring box level.
The man sitting on the chair in a black suit and a top hat is none other than Carl Sandford, the head of the Arkham Achievement Club.
He actually came too?
Qin Zhibo couldn't believe that he could meet this old face here.
Since the last time I left the United States and infiltrated the black organization, I haven't seen Carl Sandford again for a long time.
But if you think about it carefully, this person's public identity is an antique dealer, so there is no reason why he should not appear at this top art auction show.
"400 million~!"
"VIP No. 709 bids US$400 million!"
Having already reached the critical point, the price broke through the limit again, and even the well-informed auctioneer's voice trembled.
"Is there any buyer here who wants to continue bidding?"
Although the auctioneer asked all the bidders present, his eyes only fell on Suzuki Jirokichi on the second floor.
At a price of US$400 million, it is far beyond the reach of ordinary seat buyers below.
Everyone below also wisely put the number plates in their hands on their knees and concentrated on watching the money game between the big guys.
In VIP room 705, Suzuki Jirokichi stood up angrily, thought for a second, then immediately raised his palm and stretched out five fingers.
"I'll pay 500 million!"
As soon as he said this, the whole audience immediately responded with a uniform "Oh——".
As expected of the wealthy Suzuki consortium, US$500 million is enough to cover all the bids in the auction before today.
"500 million!"
The auctioneer's pupils were trembling with excitement and his head was buzzing. Just as he was about to ask if anyone else would continue to raise the price, a loud yet loud voice came from the other side.
"600 million."
"VIP No. 709 has bid 600 million U.S. dollars——!"
As soon as the price was announced, the hearts of everyone present stopped for a moment.
600 million yuan, even more than the total net worth of 90% of the buyers present!
But in front of the real boss, it was just to buy a painting that was of no use at all!
Although world-famous paintings are said to be priceless treasures, they still have a price. Even Van Gogh's most representative work has a market price of about US$200 million.
The current price of this painting "Sunflowers" has exceeded the highest value of Van Gogh's famous painting by a full three times!
Now it is no longer a rational competition that matches the price of the lot itself, but two big guys bidding against each other as if they are angry.
All the photographers in the audience looked back. This price was completely out of reach for them. They could only look up as if they were watching a "fight between gods".
In the VIP room of Box 705, the root of Suzuki Jirokichi's neck turned slightly red, and the rushing blood in his body began to get hot.
Suzuki Sonoko who was standing next to her saw this and quickly advised: "Uncle, if it doesn't work, just give up..."
In response, Suzuki Jirokichi did not respond, his eyebrows furrowed angrily, still thinking in his mind.
Although Suzuki Jiroyoshi seems to spend money lavishly, sponsoring competitions all over the world, and attending auctions in a high-profile manner, in fact, there are subtleties in the rough and the subtle, and it is not just for "spreading money."
The role allocation between him and his younger brother Suzuki Shiro is more like the relationship between face and sato.
Jiroyoshi Suzuki is the face of the Suzuki Foundation and is responsible for expanding the international reputation of the Suzuki Foundation and promoting projects.
Shiro Suzuki is the head of the Suzuki Foundation and is responsible for the actual development of various projects.
If we take a mature commercial film as an example, production and promotion are indispensable, and the two Suzuki brothers play exactly these two roles.
Including this time, Suzuki Jiroji dared to shout "300 million" without hesitation. This was not an act of a wealthy man throwing away money, but his follow-up package plan.
Just like the 2-yuan stir-fry guy, you don’t make money by stir-frying. What you make is network traffic and popularity.
But just the price of 2 yuan can force the peers to do nothing.
According to analysts from the Suzuki Foundation, the second "Sunflower" painting is worth at most more than $200 million due to market and historical reasons.
But if this painting can be successfully photographed and the exhibition of seven "Sunflowers" can be successfully held, the subsequent revenue will exceed US$300 million.
2+3=500 million U.S. dollars. In other words, Suzuki Jiroyoshi will make money if he wins "Sunflower" within 500 million U.S. dollars.
We can also take this opportunity to promote the Suzuki Consortium internationally. Who wouldn’t like such a wealthy business partner?
However, for insurance purposes, Suzuki Jirokichi has prepared a total of US$600 million for this auction.
US$600 million is exactly three times the market price of "Sunflower", and it is also the breakeven line for Sunflower Exhibition.
Beyond this price, it becomes a pure loss and gain.
Now, the VIP No. 709 has just raised the price to Suzuki Jirokichi's psychological critical point.
US$600 million is not a small amount. If we add another US$100 million...
Suzuki Jirokichi, who is a businessman rather than a real art lover, thought quickly in his mind, along with the relevant people in the backstage lounge.
If Jirokichi Suzuki had not been able to film "Sunflowers", the subsequent Sunflower Exhibition would have been impossible, and the professional treasure protection team would have fallen down and scattered the hozens.
Especially Miyadai Natsumi, watching the auction scene on the TV screen, clasping her hands together nervously.
Kumiko Kishi, who was in charge of planning the exhibition venue, stood next to him and comforted him: "Don't worry, Suzuki consultant will definitely be able to take the photo..."
"Um."
Natsumi Miyadai nodded.
…
"600 million U.S. dollars. The current price of this painting "Sunflower" is 600 million U.S. dollars, bid by VIP No. 709."
"Are there any price increases on site? Is there anyone else bidding?"
No one in the audience responded, their hands even left the sign, and they didn't dare to move.
"Okay, then let's see if any outside buyers continue to bid..."
At this juncture, the auctioneer slowed down the pace of the auction, repeating, repeating, and repeating classic techniques.
Because he has already seen that Suzuki Jiroyoshi is still hesitating whether to continue bidding, and there is still room for continued increase at US$600 million.
The most taboo thing in the auction house is acting on impulse.
Obviously, Suzuki Jirokichi is on the verge of being impulsive.
Qin Zhibo glanced at Suzuki Jirokichi who was still thinking ahead. Even if his money ability failed this time, it would not have a big impact on his plan.
Just looking at Carl Sandford in box 709, Qin Zhibo didn't understand what he was planning.
Suzuki Jiroyoshi bought "Sunflowers" to increase the value of the sunflower exhibition next week.
What does Carl have next week? Not even a hair.
So he must have made a loss when he bought "Sunflower" for 600 million.
Suddenly, Qin Zhibo's eyes tightened and he noticed that Karl had maintained the same sitting posture for a long time.
Since noticing him at the scene, Carl has been leaning against the chair, holding the right side of his head with one hand, and not even moving when bidding.
Qin Zhibo noticed something was wrong, opened his telescope, and finally saw some clues.
There is a translucent crystal signal line on the edge of Carl's neck, which connects a pocket headset to his right ear.
If you don't look carefully, you really can't tell that he uses technological equipment.
This is……
Qin Zhibo immediately realized that the real bidder was not Carl Sandford, he was also being manipulated!
And it should be controlled remotely, because if it is at a close distance, the pocket headset does not need to be connected to a crystal signal line.
Someone who can remotely control Carl Sandford...
Qin Zhibo couldn't help but think of that person, who was the boss behind the black organization!
Carl Sandford's relationship with the black organization started from helping the black organization recruit new people, and later Qin Zhibo discovered more and more secrets.
Judging from the history spread in the past and the display of the Twilight Annex, the tycoon Renya Karasuma was a person who loved collecting and collected many works of art and precious collectibles.
Since he likes to collect, an old man who is over 100 years old will definitely not go around the world to collect these things himself, which would arouse suspicion.
And Carl Sandford happens to be a famous antique buyer on the east coast of the United States.
In addition, there is evidence that he is deeply trusted by the boss of the black organization and colludes with him.
Karl's fake Paneste fragment is the same as the fragments of Belmod and his predecessor Rum, both given by the boss.
In the abyss of Enkai, even if he did not plan to deceive Mr. Clock in advance, Mr. Clock would be deceived by the boss's trap and die in the mouth of Tsathogya.
This is enough to prove that Carl Sandford is the minion of the boss of the black organization.
If you put it this way, the person who really wants "Sunflower" is the Black Organization boss?
Suzuki Consortium VS Black Organization, who has the better financial resources?
"I'll add 50 million!"
"650 million!"
After more than ten seconds of thinking, Suzuki Jirokichi finally called out the price again.
It's just that this time the price increase is not as bold as before, and the price increase is in units of "hundred million", which proves that his psychological critical point has been reached.
As long as No. 709 Carl Sandford dares to raise the price, Suzuki Jirokichi will give up without hesitation.
Only when you can stretch and contract sometimes can you become a husband.
"650 million! VIP No. 705 bids 650 million!"
"Then VIP No. 709, you..."
The auctioneer looked directly at the VIP room No. 709, and his words directly incited the antagonism, trying to raise the price again.
But just when his eyes fell on the remote VIP room, Carl Sandford had already stood up and walked back.
Carl Sandford actually left the game!
"oh……"
The photographers at the scene were in an uproar, because anyone could see that Suzuki Jirokichi was almost at his limit, and if he tried to increase the price, he could win "Sunflower".
Although even if you get this price, it will still be a loss, but isn’t this feeling of about to win the most exciting moment in the auction?
600 million has been spent, is there still 60 million left?
But Carl Sandford chose to stop when he was about to achieve a huge victory.
Has this person ever quit smoking?
As Carl, No. 709, left the venue, the auctioneer stopped hesitating and excitedly raised his hammer in the air and announced as fast as he could.
"First time for 650 million!"
"650 million for the second time!"
"650 million for the third time, deal done!"
Bang bang bang...
The audience burst into thunderous applause to congratulate the "winner".
…
"I'm so angry Rui!"
"Go and find out the origin of that 709? Isn't it here to cause trouble?"
As soon as Suzuki Jirokichi returned to the lounge, he angrily ordered his subordinates, obviously a little angry.
Next to him, Suzuki Sonoko quickly comforted his uncle to sit down, poured tea and fanned him like a serving girl.
Suzuki Jiroyoshi has been in the auction house for so many years, and he has always been able to "make miracles with great force", but today he suffered a defeat in the hands of a person who did not know the details.
US$300 million, for Van Gogh's "Sunflowers", is already a high price among high prices, and it is even suspected of being a hype.
It can be said that apart from Jirokichi Suzuki, there is no other person in the world who can pay this price for this painting.
But now he has spent a full 500 million more, more than double the original budget.
This is the US dollar, not the devalued yen after the bubble burst!
Suzuki Jiroyoshi was not a fool. He knew that this unknown and mysterious figure had offered 600 million yuan to buy "Sunflower" and he would lose money no matter what.
So what is this if it's not causing trouble?
Soon, the subordinates of the Suzuki Consortium brought news, indicating that the other party was Carl Sandford of Arkham, a famous art and antique collector on the east coast of the United States.
"Antique collector? Why does such a person come to join in the fun?"
Suzuki Jiroyoshi was very puzzled. Since he was a businessman, he must mainly make money through reselling.
"Did he think that after buying "Sunflower" for 600 million, he could resell it at a higher price?"
"It's really impossible..."
Suddenly, Qin Zhibo, who was standing aside, analyzed: "But what if this person came specifically to raise the bid under the instruction of the seller?"
As soon as these words came out, Suzuki Jiroyoshi was startled, and his head seemed to wake up.
"Mr. Suzuki, do you know the seller information of this "Sunflower"?"
Suzuki Jirokichi shook his head, "The seller's information is absolutely confidential. I only heard that the other party is a seller in Japan."
Japanese seller…
Qin Zhibo had the same idea in his mind. The seller of "Sunflower" should be the boss of the black organization.
The boss of the black organization was reduced to selling paintings?
No, maybe this is just a reasonable pastime for the organization boss.
After all, for a supercentenarian who has seen alien technology, gods, and may even have achieved immortality, the value of human art is nothing more than a time-killing thing.