After listening to my explanation, Lin Jianghao smiled and said, "Head bruised and bloodied? The fact that you can use that word means you haven't been following Xiao Liu for very long, right? Do you know how many items worth hundreds of millions have each of us acquired at those international auctions? You were able to spot the problem with that doucai jar, so your eye is pretty good, but your cultivation level is really lacking. When it comes to antiques, you have to have an air of dominance and confidence! What does money matter?"

I cut to the chase: "I admit that you make money relatively easily, but if you keep going like this, it will only lead to mutual destruction. I'm here to advise you to stop as soon as possible and not to continue investing money in this gamble that you can't win!"

Upon hearing my words, Lin Jianghao's gaze suddenly turned sharp: "Do you know what the consequences will be if you talk to me like that?"

I smiled and said, "Of course I know, but I don't think this will offend you. At least it will reduce some of your losses."

Although Lin Jianghao's words were sharp, he did not use his status to intimidate me: "It seems that you are very confident in today's auction. Could it be that Xiao Liu has prepared something that is beyond my reach?"

"It wasn't Mr. Leng who prepared it, but I."

As I spoke, I placed the travel bag on the table, opened it, and took out the jade seal from inside.

Lin Jianghao's pupils shrank sharply when he saw the jade seal: "Can I handle this thing and take a look?"

I nodded: "Of course, Mr. Lin, please go ahead."

Lin Jianghao picked up the jade seal and examined it for a moment. He then squinted and asked me, "This jade seal is not from the Qing Dynasty and is very old. Where did you get it?"

I shook my head: "I can't tell you its origin, but I'd like to ask Mr. Lin, what do you think the value of this jade seal is?"

“A few years ago, a company in Beijing auctioned a Qianlong jade seal made of Tianhuang stone. The estimated price was 85 million RMB, and the final price was 130 million RMB. Even the Yongzheng Emperor’s white jade square seal with nine dragons on the knob was estimated at 40 million RMB. Your jade seal must be from the Yuan or Ming Dynasty at least.”

Lin Jianghao pondered for a moment, then placed the jade seal back on the table: "This thing is priceless and has no market. There are very few people in the country who dare to play with it. If I had to estimate its value, it would be worth at least two hundred million!"

I continued, "So, do you think Mr. Leng can come up with two hundred million?"

Lin Jianghao stubbed out his cigarette: "I don't like beating around the bush, just say what you want to say."

I got straight to the point: "Mr. Leng must win this bet today, and I will definitely help him win! So if what he brought can't beat yours, I will put this jade seal on the table as Mr. Leng's bargaining chip."

When Lin Jianghao heard me say that, he looked at me with great interest: "I want to know who you are and why you are helping him so much."

“I’m not helping him, but repaying a debt of gratitude. Mr. Leng saved my life. What use is money if you lose your life?”

I tried to keep my expression calm: "If things get to that point, not only will I lose this jade seal, but you, Mr. Lin, will also lose face. You will not only lose the treasure contest, but you will also lose completely. If you can't produce something of equal value to the jade seal, it will be like being trampled on by Mr. Leng. I believe you are not short of two hundred million, but I don't think you would bring something worth two hundred million here."

Lin Jianghao remained silent.

“You were quite interested in that painting at my booth before. If you’re willing to back out, I can give it to you as a gift. That way, you save face, and I keep my treasured possession.”

To be frank, the reason I came to see Lin Jianghao was to trick him.

When Mr. Leng first saw this jade seal of mine, he was amazed by its beauty. So I am certain that what can shock Mr. Leng will also shock Lin Jianghao.

Even if he had something of that caliber, it would only be a treasure kept hidden away, and he would never use it as a bargaining chip in an auction like this.

Of course, even if I failed to intimidate Lin Jianghao, I wouldn't actually take the jade seal out for trading, since that wouldn't result in any real loss for me.

After listening to what I said, Lin Jianghao laughed and said, "The auction has entered a critical moment, and you want to bribe me with a painting? You've got a good plan."

"That's not quite right. After all, you've already beaten Mr. Leng once before, so he absolutely won't let himself lose to you again today. Mr. Leng has made ample preparations for this auction, and to repay his kindness, I will do my best to help Mr. Leng win."

I paused for a moment: "For you, even if you back down today, it's just a draw. I won't stay by Mr. Leng's side forever, so I only hope that Mr. Leng will be safe this time. Strictly speaking, I didn't come for Mr. Leng. I just hope that we won't fight to the death. Rather than being resented by you after the things are taken out, I'd rather make things clear in advance."

Lin Jianghao raised an eyebrow: "According to you, shouldn't I thank you?"

I sensed Lin Jianghao's sarcasm and lowered my stance: "Mr. Lin, I came here not to threaten you, but to ask you to be lenient. Of course, I am only representing myself, not Mr. Leng."

Lin Jianghao stared at me for a few seconds, then nodded: "Fine, I agree to your conditions."

Although I came here to persuade Lin Jianghao to withdraw, I couldn't help but feel a surge of joy when he actually agreed: "You really agree to withdraw from the competition?"

“You’re right. I have indeed made ample preparations today, but if you really hand over this jade seal, I have nothing to contend with it today. In that case, I will lose face. If I withdraw now, others will naturally think that I am humble and deliberately lost to Xiao Liuzi to save face for him.”

Lin Jianghao picked up the teapot and said lightly, "Xiao Liuzi is a vindictive person. Since I have already seen the tide turning in this game, it is not necessarily a bad thing to cut our losses in time. If we really push you to the point of handing over the imperial seal, it will be easy to incur his hatred... However, I am not feeling sorry for you, but for this item. Giving this thing to those ordinary merchants would be a waste of a precious resource."

I immediately stood up, my face full of gratitude: "Mr. Lin, thank you for your kindness! I will pack up the painting and bring it to you right away."

"No need! I said I cherish things, not that I covet your painting."

Lin Jianghao gently stroked the jade seal on the table with his fingers: "Or rather, compared to the painting in your booth, I prefer you as a person."