A sandalwood box was respectfully presented, presumably containing Su Shi's calligraphy scroll. The sandalwood box was intricately carved and exquisitely patterned, instantly making one understand the foolish man who had been ridiculed for a thousand years for buying the box and returning the pearl.
The auctioneer, still wearing white silk gloves, opened the wooden box, took out a yellowed piece of paper, and held it up slightly at an angle. "This is a calligraphy piece written by Su Dongpo himself, cough... an IOU."
"This calligraphy copybook by Su Dongpo contains 55 characters, and it's guaranteed by the joint signatures of Huang Tingjian, Su Zhe, and Foyin. Huang Tingjian is a master calligrapher, needless to say. While Su Zhe and Foyin are renowned, none of their calligraphy works survive. These few characters are probably their only surviving works, and they even bear Su Dongpo's handprint! This is unheard of; there's no precedent for this in the entire history of calligraphy! Moreover, this is an IOU written by Su Dongpo himself! Starting bid: 3 million. Ladies and gentlemen—please proceed!"
This starting price is already extremely high. It should be noted that ordinary calligraphy works by Su Shi are usually only worth between two and three million.
Perhaps it was because this calligraphy copybook was so special that even the auctioneer's tone became more enthusiastic, less indifferent. Even when auctioning the Qing Dynasty enamel porcelain worth 34 million, his voice hadn't been this warm…
"3 million!" It's that foreigner again. He's never given up on his thieving ways, always trying to get a bargain. He deserves to be trampled on!
"3.5 million!" someone exclaimed.
"4.2 million!" Someone exclaimed, both from within and outside the region.
Duanmu Ci sat motionless, observing coldly. He was determined to obtain this calligraphy scroll. The people bidding hundreds of thousands at a time were merely warming up the crowd, trying to make their presence known. Once the noise subsided and the price settled, he would deliver the final blow!
While we were having tea, the price had already soared to 8.7 million, nearing everyone's limit. This calligraphy piece is indeed remarkable, but unfortunately, it's too short. It's important to understand that ancient calligraphy and paintings are priced according to their size; the larger the piece, the higher its value. This piece, however, only contains a few dozen characters. Frankly speaking, paying 9.5 million for this piece would be a complete loss.
The tea was almost ready. Duanmu Ci put down his teacup and was about to speak when he heard someone next to him raise a fan and shout, "10 million!"
The price increased by over a million in one go—that's quite audacious! The guests all turned their attention to it.
Duanmu Ci didn't need to look closely; he knew it was Tang Ke just by hearing the voice!
What a coincidence!
Duanmu Ci rubbed his temples. The other party had just done him a favor in the previous round of bidding, and he was going to throw it back. He felt a little unfair, even though he didn't necessarily need the other party to do him that favor...
"11 million!" Just as Duanmu Ci was pondering, an extremely arrogant voice came from behind him. Just like Tang Ke, the voice also raised the price by one million!
Someone stealing your love is a big deal, let alone doing it so arrogantly! How could the wealthy and powerful young master Duanmu not hurry up and find out who this monster is courting death?
Before Duanmu Ci could speak, Tang Ke stood up first, "Tang Rui, don't go too far!"
“Excessive? Where am I being excessive?” Tang Rui raised an eyebrow. “This is an auction house! A place of wealth! If you don’t have enough money, don’t come here to fool around! Otherwise, you’ll be looked down upon—my dear brother.”
"Brother?" Duanmu Ci, who was watching from the side, was somewhat surprised.
“They are all from the Tang family.” Bu Tongxun began to provide targeted education. “The Tang family is the most influential surname in Haishan, with a history dating back to the last century. Tang Ke and Tang Rui are both third-generation descendants of the Tang family. Apart from their father’s generation, the future leader of the Tang family will be chosen from among them, so the competition is very fierce.”
Duanmu Ci nodded, and this time he understood. The struggle for the throne between two princes, for the inheritance of their ancestors. For thousands of years, from the imperial court to the humblest families, this drama has been played out countless times, yet it has never faded, simply because of greed.
Tang Ke sneered, "It seems that Second Uncle's subsidiary has made quite a bit of money recently, 11 million, what a huge sum! I'm afraid he's embezzled a considerable amount from the Tang family, hasn't he?"
Tang Rui said, "Stop talking nonsense, Uncle isn't much better! I've also taken a liking to this calligraphy copybook, so why don't you make an offer and compete for it, brother!"
"Clang—" The auctioneer on the high platform gently tapped the jade chime, "Please be quiet, gentlemen, and do not disrupt the auction!"
Crane Garden was no ordinary place, and even though Tang Ke and Tang Rui were members of the Tang family, they didn't dare to act recklessly there. So, the two sides temporarily ceased hostilities, and Tang Rui went to find a seat on his own. This greatly disappointed the distinguished guests who had been watching the spectacle, and they secretly blamed the auctioneer for meddling.
Despite his initial rage, Tang Ke calmed down and once again raised the white paper fan that had been closed. "11.2 million!"
Tang Rui said dismissively, "Only 200,000 more? It seems my brother isn't very confident—12 million!"
At this moment, only the voices of the two brothers echoed alternately in this space, while the others sat there watching the Tang family's internal strife. They had completely lost interest in the calligraphy scroll; the money was secondary, the main issue being that it simply wasn't worth offending two factions of the Tang family over a single scroll!
Tang Ke's hand, gripping the vermilion wooden fan handle, suddenly bulged with veins. Things had escalated to the point where it was no longer a simple matter of personal feelings, but a question of the strength of the two factions within the Tang family.
Both Tang Ke's and Tang Rui's factions are at the core of the Tang family's power. These two groups are irreconcilable enemies, vying for control of the Tang family ten years from now. Now is a crucial moment for winning hearts and minds. If Tang Ke is suppressed by Tang Rui with overwhelming force here, it will undoubtedly send a signal of weakness to the outside world, with potentially fatal consequences.
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