Although Lin Xiao Tian did not seem like he was lying, Liang Xu still did not dare to believe him.
Moreover, for large auction houses like this, the appraisals were of world-class standard, and the possibility of error was extremely small.
Of course, if an error did occur, it was not the responsibility of the auction house.
According to the rules of the jade industry, when purchasing raw stones, one inherently bore such risks. If, as Lin Xiao Tian claimed, this raw stone contained only a tiny bit of red jade, then Hu Tao could only consider himself unlucky.
Following the red jade raw stone, many other precious items were presented one after another. Almost every item on auction was priced at over ten million.
But after so long an auction, Lin Xiao Tian had still not seen his wild ginseng appear.
Clearly, compared to his wild ginseng, these items were still inferior.
Lin Xiao Tian also observed the movements around him. He noticed that Fang Wen Hua and Jiang Li had not moved from the beginning, and it was evident they were waiting for something.
After several more items were auctioned, Lin Xiao Tian finally saw his wild ginseng appear.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next item on auction is a hundred-year-old wild ginseng. According to the auction house's appraisal, this wild ginseng is a full three hundred and ten years old. Furthermore, a rare feat, its weight reaches an astonishing one hundred grams!"
"According to the seller, this wild ginseng was unearthed only a day or two ago. Those of you with experience should know how potent freshly unearthed wild ginseng is!"
The host introduced it patiently on stage, and below, hearing about the three-hundred-year-old wild ginseng, many began to get excited.
Especially the general managers of some pharmaceutical companies, their eyes lit up at this moment.
The global reserves of wild ginseng combined were less than fifty kilograms, and only about two to three kilograms circulated in the market annually. In recent years, the output of wild ginseng had become exceedingly scarce, with the market circulation last year being less than half a kilogram!
Such wild ginseng, over a hundred years old, had not appeared for decades. One could imagine how precious this three-hundred-year-old wild ginseng before them was!
"The starting bid is fifteen million. Let the bidding commence!" As the host's words fell, the auction house erupted.
"Fifteen point five million."
"Sixteen million."
"Seventeen million."
...
In just a few minutes, the price of the wild ginseng had soared to seventeen million!
And the bidding was still escalating rapidly!
"Eighteen million!" At this moment, Jiang Li, who had been silent all along, finally raised his paddle.
Lin Xiao Tian was surprised. He had not expected that Jiang Li had been waiting precisely for his item.
"Eighteen point five million!" A general manager from a pharmaceutical company immediately bid.
"Nineteen million!" Jiang Li bid again.
"Nineteen point five million!" The general manager gritted his teeth and continued to bid.
This already far exceeded his budget, but this wild ginseng was extremely important to him.
"Twenty million!" Jiang Li glared fiercely at the general manager and bid again.
Seeing Jiang Li's threatening gaze, the general manager's heart was filled with conflict.
As the host confirmed the bid again, the general manager, bracing himself, still raised his paddle.
"Twenty point five million!"
Seeing someone vying with him, Jiang Li became furious!
He snatched the paddle and quickly raised it.
"Twenty-one million!"
"Twenty-one point five million!"
"Twenty-two million!"
"Sir, please calm down, do not bid recklessly!"
The host immediately stopped Jiang Li's actions.
Seeing Jiang Li's persistence, the general manager realized that the Jiang Group was determined to acquire this wild ginseng and could only give up.
"Twenty-two million, once!"
"Twenty-two million, twice!"
Jiang Li, listening to the host's voice from below, felt incredibly triumphant. It seemed this wild ginseng was his.
Although buying a three-hundred-year-old wild ginseng for over twenty million was indeed a loss, if he could use it to please the Lin family matriarch, it would not be a loss at all for the Jiang Group.
After all, the old matriarch's eightieth birthday was approaching. Presenting her with a life-extending hundred-year-old wild ginseng, and sparing no expense, there was no gift that could be more pleasing.
Just as Jiang Li was indulging in his smug thoughts, a sudden bid interrupted his daydreaming.
"Twenty-two point five million!"
Jiang Li angrily looked towards the person who bid, wondering who had the audacity to oppose him.
Not until he saw Fang Wen Hua's figure!
"Fang Wen Hua! This damned eunuch, daring to contend with me!"
Jiang Li gnashed his teeth in anger.
The next moment, he raised his paddle again.
Fang Wen Hua smiled and followed suit, raising his paddle.
The scene immediately devolved into a stalemate between the two!
Unknowingly, Lin Xiao Tian's wild ginseng had been bid up to thirty million!
"Young Master Jiang, you cannot bid any higher. We have already far exceeded the budget." The young man next to Jiang Li, holding data on his computer, continuously reminded Jiang Li.
"Shut up!" Jiang Li cursed.
But at the price of thirty million, he too felt hesitant.
The Jiang Group's assets were roughly around one billion yuan. Compared to the Fang Group's hundred-billion-yuan assets, there was no comparison.
Even if he mortgaged the entire Jiang Group, Fang Wen Hua could calmly continue to bid.
"Thirty point five million!" Jiang Li laboriously raised his paddle.
"Thirty-one million!" Fang Wen Hua raised the bid calmly, without even looking at him.
The scene fell silent. Jiang Li dared not bid further.
Seeing that no one continued to bid, the host announced that Fang Wen Hua had won the bid.
Over thirty million?
At this moment, it was undoubtedly Lin Xiao Tian who was the happiest.
Fang Wen Hua and Jiang Li's mutual refusal to yield had instead benefited Lin Xiao Tian. While three-hundred-year-old wild ginseng was precious, it was certainly not worth this much. Lin Xiao Tian had made a massive profit!
In the following period, several more valuable items were auctioned, the majority being antiques. Among them was a building that was bid up to the level of ten billion!
After the auction concluded, the organizers hosted a reception for the attendees. Lin Xiao Tian stayed behind as well. However, he was not a businessman and knew few people in the business world, so he could only wander aimlessly with Liang Xu at the reception.
Fang Wen Hua walked over at this time and took Lin Xiao Tian along to introduce him to various businessmen. Because of Fang Wen Hua, Lin Xiao Tian immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.
Gradually, more people gathered around Lin Xiao Tian, including Hu Tao, who had bought the red jade raw stone.
Hu Tao chatted with Lin Xiao Tian for a while, mostly exchanging pleasantries. Just as he was about to probe Lin Xiao Tian further, his expression suddenly changed.
"Excuse me, I need to step away for a moment." Hu Tao said, then walked towards a certain direction.
Lin Xiao Tian followed his gaze and saw a man and a woman appearing ahead. The woman was the blonde beauty Jessica, and the man was none other than Jiang Li.
Moreover, Jiang Li at this moment appeared somewhat drunk, his hand making unruly advances towards Jessica, while Jessica continuously resisted.
"Xiao Tian, shall I introduce you? Your future nemesis," Fang Wen Hua suddenly said.