This man was none other than Zhang Liunian.
He had long since estimated the value of these two department stores. Although they were currently worth at most four million, their future value would be much higher, and he needed the department store itself.
*Boom!*
Zhang Liunian, who had remained silent, immediately drew countless eyes with his bid.
Old Man Zhu was particularly enraged. This scoundrel, showing up just as he was about to succeed, was it deliberate?
"Are you fucking deliberately opposing me?" Zhu Laosan, unable to accept the psychological blow of Zhang Liunian appearing just as he thought it was over, burst into crude language.
"The principle of the auction is highest bidder wins. Stop the nonsense," Zhang Liunian wouldn't explain.
Zhu Laosan gnashed his teeth in hatred, but he had brought less than nine million in funds this time.
He had thought that in such a small place, it would be more than enough for him to acquire the provincial capital's department store, but he hadn't expected this unforeseen complication.
"Let's settle this with our capabilities. I don't believe you're stronger than me." Zhu Laosan knew Zhang Liunian's business was good, but not so good that he could casually spend eight or nine million!
At this moment, Zhu Laosan was unaware that Zhang Liunian had successfully sold the grain to the grain collection team.
If he had known, he would have understood that Zhang Liunian had at least over eight million in his hands.
This was not including what he had earned from the pickled vegetables, nor the money he had obtained from Zhu Laosan in Jiangcheng.
"Come on!" Zhang Liunian was not afraid. After all, his money had already exceeded ten million. As long as it didn't go beyond ten million, he could accept it. This was the highest price he could afford.
"8.02 million."
"8.03 million."
"..."
Thus, the two began their final duel.
Zhu Laosan was the first to concede, as his funds only reached 8.5 million, not a cent more.
When Zhang Liunian bid 8.51 million, Zhu Laosan fell silent, his expression extremely unpleasant.
But this did not mean he would let Zhang Liunian smoothly acquire the department store. Zhu Laosan's eyes rolled, and he had an idea. He then sidled up to the overseas Chinese who had expressed interest in the ironwood, whispered a few words, and then watched Zhang Liunian with schadenfreude.
On stage, Yan Guoguo was proceeding with the final confirmation. "8.51 million, once. 8.51 million, twice. 8.51..."
But before he could finish, another person came forward to participate in the bidding. This was the overseas Chinese who had spoken with Zhu Laosan about the ironwood.
"8.52 million."
Zhang Liunian was slightly surprised by this newcomer but merely glanced at the person and continued bidding. "8.53 million."
"8.54 million."
"..."
This overseas Chinese appeared to have very strong financial backing. Even when Zhang Liunian reached 9.99 million, he bid ten million without batting an eye.
"Ten million. Are there any higher bids?" Yan Guoguo was very excited at this moment, but he felt sad for Zhang Liunian, thinking he might miss out on this department store. However, he was fulfilling his duty and could not help Zhang Liunian.
Zhang Liunian did not want his help either, as he chose to withdraw.
Finally, this overseas Chinese acquired the provincial capital department store for ten million.
Seeing Zhang Liunian fail, Zhu Laosan was extremely smug. "Heh, dared to go against me. Now you've tasted the consequences!"
"Just a basic move," Zhang Liunian said dismissively, not taking Zhu Laosan seriously at all.
Many who watched them expressed surprise. Zhang Liunian's attitude truly astonished them.
After all, Zhu Laosan was a ruthless individual. Anyone who offended him rarely escaped his clutches.
Therefore, those who knew him would avoid him.
But this small boss from a small town dared to confront Zhu Laosan head-on. His courage was truly admirable.
"Hmph, my mountain pigs and factory, all ended up in your hands. They aren't burning your hands, so it seems you were prepared. I won't be polite either." His words were a clear threat that everyone understood.
Zhang Liunian remained unmoved. "I wonder how you got out. It seems the detention center in Jiangcheng treated you well. Even a white powder dealer can get out. I'll go ask sometime about the reason for your release."
Threatening him? Then he would reveal his true colors and leave him with nothing.
*Boom!*
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Zhu Laosan in shock.
Many people knew Zhu Laosan was involved in illicit activities, but they didn't know he was also dealing white powder, a serious crime.
However, it was undeniable that Zhu Laosan had considerable ability to be arrested and then released.
"I think you want your whole family to sell themselves."
Zhu Laosan was furious. Zhang Liunian dared to call him a white powder dealer in front of so many people. He didn't mind sending his entire family, men and women, to sell themselves.
Zhang Liunian's face instantly turned ashen. "Matters shouldn't involve family. Don't you understand this principle? As expected, you're a shameless, bottomless, three-no person."
"Are you scared?"
"..."
"No talking. We are still in an auction. If you continue to argue, I will have you escorted out," Yan Guoguo said immediately, interrupting them as they were about to erupt into a fight.
His words had an effect. Zhu Laosan stopped speaking, and Zhang Liunian no longer needed to counter.
The auction resumed.
"What we are auctioning next is the South City Department Store. It also has four floors and forty shop spaces. The starting bid is two million. Each bid must be no less than ten thousand. The auction begins."
Unlike the provincial capital department store, the competition for the South City Department Store was much less intense.
Zhang Liunian soon joined the bidding. Zhu Laosan had not intended to bid, but seeing Zhang Liunian's interest, he joined in and kept driving up the price, eventually pushing it to eight million.
"9 million," Zhu Laosan declared the highest price provocatively, then looked at Zhang Liunian, silently challenging him to go higher.
Zhang Liunian's expression was grim, seemingly accepting the provocation. He gritted his teeth and increased the bid. "8.01 million."
As soon as he bid, Zhu Laosan immediately followed. "8.02 million."
"8.03 million."
"8.04 million."
"..."
"9 million." Zhu Laosan provocatively looked at Zhang Liunian, who, at this moment, smiled and offered his congratulations. "Congratulations, Boss Zhu."
He then mouthed the words "Garment Factory, Printing Factory," making Zhu Laosan feel he had been tricked.
"Are there any higher bids? If not, the South City Department Store belongs to Mr. Zhu." Yan Guoguo hadn't expected that both department stores would fetch such high prices, far exceeding their highest valuations.
Zhu Laosan was in a panic. His eyes darted left and right, and he spotted the overseas Chinese he had brought this time. He sidled over and whispered a few words to him, then persuaded this person to participate in the bidding again, getting him to acquire the South City Department Store for 9.01 million.
Having resolved this matter, Zhu Laosan was extremely smug. He glanced at Zhang Liunian from head to toe, as if to say, "I'm just better than you. You want to trick me? No way."
Zhang Liunian ignored Zhu Laosan's expression and looked at Yan Guoguo on the stage.
"Next up is the factory auction. Factory Number One is our South City Garment Factory. This factory has an area of nine hundred square meters... The bare bid is one million. Each bid must not be less than ten thousand. The auction begins."