Mr. Zhang of Longguo Communications Company, standing nearby, said, "Mr. Yan, it seems you intend to groom Hongyun as your successor."
Mr. Li of Longguo Telecom Company chimed in, "I think so too. Otherwise, why would he bring his son around to personally instruct him?"
Mr. Zhang of Longguo Mobile Communications Company added, "He wants his son to learn well. It appears the future president of Yuanyuanweicom will be from Hongyun Company."
The three state-owned telecommunications operators in Longguo were Longguo Communications Company, Longguo Telecom Company, and Longguo Mobile Communications Company. Their businesses covered all civilian mobile networks and phone services. In Longguo, anyone using a phone or the internet was inseparable from these three companies.
Yuanyuanweicom was primarily engaged in manufacturing communication equipment and various electronic products. In communication equipment and 5G communication, they were the best on Blue Star. Furthermore, their self-developed phones, leveraging their proprietary technology, also ranked first on Blue Star. Yuanyuanweicom was the top private enterprise on Blue Star.
Although General Manager Yan felt pleased by the remarks from the three state-owned telecommunications companies, he still said, "Alas, please don't speculate. Our Yuanyuanweicom is not a family business. How could my son possibly become the president of Yuanyuanweicom? Our company does not rely on hereditary succession. Companies that rely on inheritance have difficulty developing. I only hope that after my son becomes a director, he can contribute to the company's development."
However, the other three company leaders, Manager Zhang, Manager Li, and Manager Zhao, found it hard to believe Mr. Yan's words. They simply smiled and indicated they understood.
Mr. Yan had no choice but to let it be.
Unable to do anything else, Mr. Yan changed the subject, "Alright, why don't we discuss our upcoming auction? This is quite significant for our telecommunications industry, allowing us to bid for the qualification to enter the Dinosaur World. There are four slots, so we can each take one."
Managers Zhang, Zhao, and Li nodded in agreement, consenting to this informal alliance.
Manager Zhang added, "Since the higher authorities have allowed us to bid, we can't just stand by. At the very least, we need to participate in the bidding and drive up the price to show our sincerity."
Manager Li concurred, "Indeed, we must demonstrate our sincerity to the higher authorities. They are allowing us these four slots precisely because they need us. We must perform well here."
General Manager Yan of Yuanyuanweicom readily agreed.
As the auctioneer continued, after all ten iron ore mining rights were sold, the total auction amount reached 130 billion yuan. Eleventh Steel Company did not secure any iron ore mining rights. The representative from Eleventh Steel Company dared not bid such large sums, fearing for his position. His reasoning was simple: this auction was confidential. The senior management of Eleventh Steel Company would only learn about today's auction when they were able to enter the Dinosaur World, at which point his position would be in jeopardy. If he had bid twenty billion for the next iron ore mining right, he would face immediate repercussions upon his return and be removed from his post.
He had a choice between losing his position later or immediately. Naturally, he chose later.
Next, the auction for aluminum ore mining rights commenced.
The aluminum ore companies experienced a similar situation to the steel companies.
This was a transparent ploy: if you wanted to bid, you had to enter this game.
Su Han also reviewed the auction catalog. After reading it, his enthusiasm waned.
Li Chengfu noticed Su Han's state and asked, "Vice Minister Su Han, what's wrong? Are the items in the auction catalog not good?"
Su Han shook his head and said, "They are good. But I can't bid on any of them."
Indeed, the items listed were essentially Su Han's and Longguo's property. How could one bid on their own possessions? This was Su Han's line of thought. However, Li Chengfu immediately came up with a clever idea.
Li Chengfu suggested, "You can't say that. You can still bid on the items."
Su Han replied, "Wouldn't that be considered malicious price inflation?"
Li Chengfu countered, "How can that be considered malicious price inflation? You just need to pay if you win the bid. Of course, you'd best not bid. If you really intend to develop them, you don't have the companies that do."
In reality, sellers sometimes acted as stooges to intentionally inflate the prices of their own auction items. To achieve this, one needed substantial funds. Therefore, this typically occurred in situations with low security deposits.
This auction did not require a security deposit, as the executives present would not dare to bid and then refuse to pay.
Su Han did not act on Li Chengfu's suggestion.
Instead, Su Han asked, "By the way, I don't think I needed to attend this auction, right? Why was I asked to be here? It's quite strange. Am I here just to watch this boring auction?"
Li Chengfu quickly replied, "Your presence here is certainly useful. In fact, your role here is that of a stabilizing force."
Su Han was speechless. A stabilizing force? No one here knew him; how could he serve as a stabilizing force?
After the auction for aluminum ore mining rights concluded, the auction continued with manganese ore, copper ore, tin ore...
Two hours later, after the mining rights for various ores were all auctioned off, it was time for the entry permits.
The auctioneer announced, "Next, we will auction the entry permits for the telecommunications industry. Once purchased, one can enter the Dinosaur World to conduct business. Of course, bidders for this auction must possess relevant technical expertise. The starting bid for the first slot is 1 billion yuan."
One billion yuan was a trivial amount for the three major state-owned telecommunications companies.
Manager Zhang of Longguo Communications Company raised his paddle to bid.
Manager Li of Longguo Telecom Company also raised his paddle to bid.
"1.1 billion"
"1.2 billion"
In their friendly bidding, the auction price rose to 2.3 billion yuan.
At this point, both men stopped.
They decided to give the first opportunity to Longguo Telecom Company.
"2.3 billion, first call."
"2.3 billion, second call."
Just as most people thought it was over, a voice suddenly rang out.
"2.4 billion."
Everyone looked in confusion towards the source of the voice.
This voice did not come from the area where the four telecommunications company executives were located. It originated from the section for other industries.
"Which group is that from?"
"They're not in the telecommunications industry!"
"..."