Chapter 156: Treasure Auction

Seeing him land, the others also found seats and sat down.

Beside Xiao Ming sat Meng Xiongwei, the CEO of Duowei; Liu Weibo is also a formidable figure, ranked among the top ten on the rich list, an influential figure.

Next to him is Sun Ji, the executive CEO of Jinwei Meishizhiyuan; his company's products are used in almost every household.

Moreover, given the current development trend, his company still has tremendous room for growth.

This person's net worth exceeds hundreds of billions.

Further over is Jingdong's Meng Xiongwei, with a net worth of over a hundred billion.

Yi Qi of the Yuneng Apparel Group is the only woman among these tycoons, and she is seated on Xiao Ming's other side.

After the group chatted for a while, a servant came to report that lunch was ready, and the group moved from the living room to the Restaurant.

Yi Qi remained seated beside Xiao Ming, and everything felt completely natural.

But Xiao Ming had long sensed her intention; Yi Qi was deliberately getting close to him.

"Come on, let's all raise our glasses together to welcome Mr. Xiao Ming to our gathering," Zhao Dequan said, being the first to lift his cup and stand up.

"Mr. Xiao, please look after me in the future."

"Mr. Xiao, thank you for giving us face by coming to our gathering..."

The other tycoons also rose one after another, saying various flattering words to Xiao Ming.

While they spoke sweet words on the surface, inside they were secretly calculating, having heard that Xiao Ming is very rich—just how rich is he?

Everyone present knew about Xiao Ming's previous big-spending incidents; they used to think they were quite wealthy themselves, occasionally splurging on things like charity or buying yachts.

But compared to Xiao Ming, their big expenditures are nothing—like a younger brother, not worth mentioning.

No one knows exactly how wealthy Xiao Ming is, but just the few companies he currently has on the surface—Minghui, Inscribe Joy, New Prosperity—combined are enough to leave them far behind.

But just a few days ago, Xiao Ming's holdings also came to light—Hangjia, Fengqi, Weiyuan—making them even less comparable.

Moreover, Xiao Ming is the largest shareholder of the world-renowned AT Aviation Technology Company.

This is what has been exposed; what about those that haven't been?

Just thinking about it makes one's scalp tingle; such a height is something they could never reach even after lifetimes of effort.

"No need to be so polite," Xiao Ming replied with a light smile.

The faint fragrance of the woman beside him occasionally drifted into his nose, making Xiao Ming inexplicably feel a little warm.

"Come on, everyone, dig in and try the cooking of the new chef I hired."

Zhao Dequan is someone who cares about face and knows how to enjoy life, so the chef he invited is naturally excellent; after tasting, the tycoons all nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad, not bad—truly a master chef; you can't find food this good outside."

Xiao Ming also nodded in satisfaction; if we were to dig up Zhao Dequan's wall foot, those kids would surely be overjoyed.

But he merely thought that; he had no real intention of acting on it.

Better not be too hard on this old man Zhao Dequan, or it would look like he's bullying people.

As they ate and drank, everyone's attitude gradually became more relaxed.

"Manager Liu, during Double Twelve, your company's enjoyment—I find it impressive; I'm jealous."

"Thanks, thanks—though this year's results are indeed much better than before."

"Meng's company has also been doing quite well recently; its rising stock price makes me envious."

Everyone chatted back and forth.

As they chatted, Yi Qi, who had hardly spoken, suddenly said: "In a few days, the Cherry Blossom Country will hold the Shifudi auction gala; this auction is called by the world an extremely impressive auction session."

"Because the main items for auction this time are cultural relics from Wuxingguo."

As soon as Yi Qi finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent.

Everyone slightly lowered their chopsticks, all wearing an expression of indifference toward the food.

Afterwards, they simply put down their chopsticks, each letting out a faint sigh.

The atmosphere became solemn to the extreme at that moment.

Xiao Ming had just returned from Yun Cheng and hadn't had a chance to pay attention to these matters, but Yi Qi's words instantly made him understand.

Yi Qi continued: "In this Shifudi auction, the items from our Wuxingguo's cultural relics that will be auctioned include the Dragon-Phoenix Crown, the Celestial Green Goat Cauldron, and the Blood-Jade Buddha Statue."

"These were all taken during that turbulent period; I never expected they would now be put up for auction."

The Five Star Country Citizens, upon hearing this news, were furious.

"They looted our Wuxingguo's treasures and now they're putting them up for auction—isn't that a slap in our face?"

Everyone present heard it and was furious.

During that period, many treasures of Wuxingguo were seized by foreign powers.

The Wuxingguo government strongly demanded those countries return our nation's treasures, but all were refused by other nations.

The treasures auctioned by the Cherry Blossom Country this time are extremely valuable heirlooms of Wuxingguo; upon hearing the news, business tycoons from all countries are itching to act!

Upon hearing this, Liu Weibo was the first to speak: "These are Wuxingguo's treasures that have drifted abroad—already a disgrace; now the Cherry Blossom Country openly puts them up for auction, which is practically a slap in our face."

"Those past days are unbearable to recall; now we absolutely cannot suffer this humiliation again!"

Zhao Dequan also sighed: "Exactly, our Wuxingguo has developed to this point and absolutely cannot endure this humiliation again; I've received accurate information that many people are interested in this auction of Wuxingguo's cultural relics, including a wealthy merchant from Mi Guo who has declared that he must obtain the Blood-Jade Buddha Statue in this auction."

"I also heard that this Mi Guo merchant has even received support from the Mi Guo government!"

"That Mi Guo merchant had previously expressed great interest in the Celestial Green Goat Cauldron of Wuxingguo!"

"Celestial Green Goat Cauldron? Damn it, these bastards!"

"Moreover, that Blood-Jade Buddha Statue represents the faith of our Wuxingguo citizens; upon hearing the news, many compatriots said they would offer generous rewards. Please, which wealthy merchant should act as representative to bring our nation's treasures back home?"

After the topic was opened, everyone began chatting back and forth!

"I heard that the Wuxingguo Qingqu side has also sent their Eldest Miss, intending to bring that Buddha Statue back."

"In short, the items up for auction are all heavyweight, the treasures are extremely valuable, and this concerns the face of Wuxingguo."