Rebirth: My 80s

Chapter 1207 One Dollar
Early in the morning, at an institutional building in Kiev, Mou Qizhong and other bidders arrived early.

The first round of silent bidding was completed yesterday. At nine o'clock this morning, the Ukrainian side will announce the results of the first round of bidding here. Naturally, everyone is very concerned.

In a conference room, Mou Qizhong sat alone in a corner with a female translator who was "captured" from the university. During the waiting time, other bidders hardly took their seats but chatted with each other. Among them, Asan's people were the most active. Di Rang was very enthusiastic to everyone and was very humble.

"Mr. Dijan, your bid must be quite high."

"Hey, no, no, it's just the normal price after our calculation."

"If we had known that you had the same intention, we would not have come. You are obviously determined to win."

"That's too serious. Since it's an open auction, everyone is eligible to compete. If... I mean if, by some chance, we win the bid, we have to thank you all for your generosity."

...

Mou Qi thought to himself, these officials are really cunning.

The only person in Ah San's face was looking at him with undisguised mockery.

Why is there such a huge difference in treatment? In the final analysis, there are two reasons. One is the hostility towards us as a whole, and the other is that he is not taken seriously. It would be a lie to say that I am not angry. Mou Qi thought to himself, among all those present, who can compare with him in terms of personal wealth?

Using public money to act like a big shot is nothing.

He comforted himself in this way in his heart, and thus he was happy to have some free time.

The Ukrainian people stepped into the conference room almost on time. After the bidders found their seats, the leader of the Ukrainian side raised a white envelope in his hand, glanced at the bidders, and said with a smile:

"Thank you all for your enthusiastic participation and active cooperation. The results of the first round of silent auctions are already in my hands. I believe everyone can't wait to know who bid the highest in the first round and how much the highest bid was. Then I won't keep you in suspense. Now, let me announce the results of the first round of silent auctions..."

The few people from the Ukrainian side all had happy expressions on their faces, and seemed to be very satisfied with the results of the first round of silent bidding.

The bidders seated below all felt their hearts tighten, staring with bated breath and pricked up their ears.

"The highest bid in the first round is 10 million US dollars..."

As the bid was announced, most bidders' faces changed drastically.

It's too cruel.

No one present was a fool, and the forces that sent them here were even less stupid. They all knew that the Varyag was not only worthless to Ukraine, but also a nuisance. Ukraine initially planned to dismantle the aircraft carrier, whose main body had already been built, into pieces. However, after calculations, it was discovered that it would have to pay a considerable amount of dismantling fees.

Only then was it put up for auction.

Theoretically speaking, if someone is willing to take it away at their own expense, Ukraine will make a profit.

In this case, this is only the first round of bidding, and the bid is 10 million US dollars?
Even if the Varyag is successfully captured, it is still unknown whether it will make a profit or a loss if it is towed back. This large ship is almost just an empty shell, and many equipment have not yet been installed. Those that have been installed have also been dismantled under the interference of the Americans. The difficulty of researching a semi-finished product is extremely high, and on the contrary, the manpower and material resources required will increase exponentially, and it is very likely that no valuable technology will be researched in the end.

Like a gamble.

Many people sighed and even considered giving up because their budgets could not afford the price.

This is only the first round of bidding.

"The bidder is from India."

After the Ukrainian side made the announcement, the scene was very quiet, both unexpected and not surprising.

No matter what, India is one of the few great powers in the world. In addition, people like them are naturally well aware of India's dream of aircraft carriers and its ambition to dominate the Indian Ocean.

Ah San's men were happy, but they did not forget themselves. Di Rang stood up, smiled, looked at the other bidders and said apologetically, "Thank you for letting me win."

It makes people lose their temper.

The Ukrainian spokesman continued: "Congratulations to the Indian side for temporarily becoming the highest bidder. If no one continues to bid higher within three days, then the Indian side will be the successful bidder."

"At this point, the first round of silent bidding is complete, so we will immediately enter the next process. Bidders can contact us to bid again at any time. After the deposit is in place, we will refresh and announce the current highest price..."

Of course, Ukraine is hoping that someone will come out and bid now.

It’s just a pity that it doesn’t.

So after the Ukrainian people finished explaining their affairs, they said goodbye and left. The meeting was over and everyone was free to move around, but the bidders were not in a hurry to leave. People were coming in and out of the conference hall, and some of them surrounded Ah San's people.

Mou Qizhong originally wanted to leave immediately after learning the result, but seeing this, he sat still and put his ear to the female translator's mouth. He naturally wanted to know where the bottom line of each party was, and I believe that even Li Jiankun would definitely want to know.

"Mr. Dijang, why don't you tell us what the highest price you can offer is? If we can't beat you, we won't waste our time, nor yours."

"Yeah, yeah, we think so too. We're all very busy."

"How about this, Mr. Dijang, let's be clear first, 12 million US dollars, can you offer more?"

...

A group of people gathered together to discuss things in a friendly manner, but in Mou Qizhong's eyes, this scene was more like looking at a group of ghosts, each with their own ulterior motives.

As the spokesperson for the biggest competitor of all bidders, Di Rang was amiable and answered every question with ease. He told the bidders who were already thinking of withdrawing that everyone was qualified to compete and they might as well bid again and not miss the opportunity. When facing the bidders who had not given up, he showed great self-confidence in his conversation and laughter, and there was a strong sense of invisible oppression.

At this time, some people who had just left returned to the conference room one after another. Someone "borrowed" Di Rang and whispered something in his ear. As he listened, Di Rang suddenly burst out laughing and said, "One hundred thousand US dollars?"

"Oh my god, what are you thinking?"

Di Rang did not cover his eyes, and his gaze fell on Mou Qizhong.

Others in the conference room also looked at Mou Qizhong. The people sent by various forces to inquire about the news had more or less gained something. The Ukrainian side did not say that the bids of other bidders in the silent auction would be kept confidential afterwards, right? Now that they are here, who has not established some connections here? In addition, the corruption here is also known to the world.

Those who already knew what was going on were also amused, just like Ah San's men.

Mou Qizhong's female translator said in English: "We think that since the big ship is worthless to Ukraine and is still a nuisance, why not one hundred thousand US dollars?"

A female student studying in the Soviet Union, she brought with her the passion of college students in the 1980s from China. She participated in it from the very beginning and did not think there was anything wrong with it.

The Ukrainian side initially showed an attitude that they would sell the product if they were paid, but as they saw more and more interested parties, their appetite gradually grew.

"Yes, yes, no problem, no problem..." Ah San almost laughed to death.

Di Rang walked towards Mou Qizhong and said with a smile: "Mr. Mou, I told you last time, go back, this is not something you can get involved in."

I won't mention what he felt for now. Mou Qizhong didn't show it on his face. He just smiled and said, "What if I insist on getting involved?"

Li Jiankun asked him to decide on his own and try to estimate the lowest price possible, so he thought that he would be embarrassed anyway, so he silently filled in the information, vertically and horizontally, and was too lazy to write more. He thought that the more embarrassed he was now, the more comfortable he would be when he was proud of himself.

Dirang would not pretend to be nice to him. Who was he? If other bidders got angry and deliberately raised the price, that would not be good. Would he have any impact on his side?
Damn Chinese!

What many people don’t know is that the word “China” originated from the name that Ah San used to refer to us, not “devils”.

Dirang laughed and said, "How shameless you are. But it's a common practice. I understand. It's okay. Please continue your monkey show."

After that, he turned around and left.

The female translator did not translate this, but glared at Di Rang and said, "Hey, why are you swearing at me?" Di Rang simply ignored her. Someone next to Di Rang responded in English, which roughly meant "What's wrong with me swearing at you?"

The female translator was very angry.

Mou Qizhong stood up, patted her arm, and said in Chinese: "Let's go, there's no need to be angry, let them be arrogant for a few days."

The female translator hesitated and asked, "Mr. Mou, are you sure?"

Even she didn't know that Li Jiankun was behind her.

Mou Qizhong nodded and said nothing more. Although he comforted the female translator in that way, he was actually more angry than the female translator.

After leaving the building and parting ways with the female translator, Mou Qizhong came to the Kiev Hotel and met Li Jiankun. He told him the results of the first round of silent filming and some information that was captured that was difficult to distinguish between true and false.

He did not hide his grievances from Li Jiankun, who comforted him, "Don't worry, we will get you back on track."

This is what Mou Qizhong was expecting. He thought about it and said, "Why don't we not bid for now and wait until the end."

Li Jiankun shook his head and said, "Do you know when the last time is? What if you run into some unexpected situation at the last minute, such as not getting through on the phone or getting stuck in traffic and missing Ukraine's working time? There will definitely be unexpected events, and this unnecessary risk is not worth taking. The bidding still has to go on. I don't know how many forces will bid in the second round. If you don't want to stand out... Actually, if you bid in the second round, you've already stood out. Anyway, as usual, bid as low as possible."

After the second round of bidding, it would be best if the two people did not meet each other.

Mou Qizhong grinned and said, "Then I will add one more dollar, and it will be the same in the future. Every time I add one more dollar than the Indian side!"

Li Jiankun was stunned and said, "Oh my god, is it so cruel?"

Mou Qizhong shrugged and said, "Doing this doesn't conflict with what you mean, right?"

"Conflict, but not really..." Okay, let him do whatever he wants. He's suffered a lot lately and he needs to vent, Li Jiankun thought.

The most disgusting thing to do in this kind of bidding is to offer one dollar more than the other party every time, just one dollar more.

Mou Qizhong laughed and said, "If we only bid one dollar more than the Indian side, won't they be so angry that they die?"

Li Jiankun laughed and waved his hands, saying, "It's impossible for this to happen. They still have one dollar."

Since the next bidding model had already been negotiated, Mou Qizhong could not wait and contacted the special bidding team temporarily formed by the Ukrainian side that afternoon and bid again, US$10 million and one.

The current auction will no longer be conducted in silence, and the Ukrainian side will ensure that other bidders are informed first. After the news spreads, it will cause quite a stir in the bidder circle.

The other bidders were astonished that the Chinese businessman could actually come up with 10 million US dollars!

The Ukrainian bidding task force will confirm the success of the bidding and issue a message only after the deposit is in place, which means that the Chinese businessman has paid one million US dollars to the Ukrainian side as a deposit.

Asan's team was also staying at the Kiev Hotel. After hearing the news, several key personnel came to Dijan's room and talked about it. They were also slightly surprised, but only slightly.

Dirang sneered, "One dollar, as shabby as ever, shameful!"

Someone laughed: "I'm afraid they'll have to sell everything they have."

Someone else echoed, "He can only show off his wealth with this dollar."

...

After a few words, no one took it seriously and agreed that it was just the Chinese businessman's stubborn struggle.

But in the face of absolute strength, stubbornness is useless.

Someone asked: "Now someone is bidding, no matter what, they have surpassed us, so what about us?"

Everyone looked at Dirang.

Di Rang thought for a while and said, "Don't move for now. Let that Chinese idiot have fun for a few days. He is not the one we need to worry about."

Everyone had no opinion.

The next two days were very quiet, with no one bidding.

No one was in a hurry, but the Ukrainian side was a little anxious. They held a dinner party. Their real purpose was not to drink, but to find out the situation and urge everyone to bid quickly.

Nearing noon on the third day, news came from the bidding team that a delegation from a country along the Persian Gulf had bid 11 million U.S. dollars.

Then there was another few hours of silence.

At around 4:00 p.m., the Indian side came forward and made another bid, raising the price to US$15 million.

In a hotel room in the south of Kiev, a group of people gathered together. One of them spoke in his native language and cursed: "As expected, I knew that bidding was useless. The Indian side must be behind the scenes."

"So...what should we do now?" someone asked.

"What to do? Pack your bags!"

Their bottom line is 12.5 million US dollars. Now there is no need to ask for it, and they cannot ask for it.

In Dijan's guest room at the Kiev Hotel, several key members of Asan's team were leisurely lying on the sofa, smoking cigars and sipping champagne. It was a scene of early celebration.

“No one will bid again.”

"The budgets of all parties are actually pretty much the same. They are all estimates made by professionals based on the actual situation of the Varyag. How different can they be? The only difference is the premium that can be generated by the determination to win the Varyag. Now, our determination is enough to shock everyone."

"Director Di Rang is really smart. It seems like the money is not worth the money, and the bidding is a bit ridiculous, but in fact, in this way, the price we need to pay in the end is much lower than the budget."

"With a one-time increase of four million US dollars, who wouldn't be scared? Some bidders originally had a budget of tens of millions, but now they may have to back off."

...

Facing the flattery from everyone, Di Rang modestly waved his hands, raised his champagne glass and said, "Come on, cheers. This matter can be quickly resolved, thanks to your cooperation. I will definitely celebrate for you when I return."

Everyone was delighted and raised their glasses.

Just then, the phone rang.

The person closest to him stood up to answer the phone. It was a call from someone from the team who stayed behind in the auction group.

"What? What did you say?!" The person who answered the phone was stunned.

Dirang frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"

The man looked at him and said in astonishment: "That Chinese businessman is bidding again."

Ok?
Di Rang raised his eyebrows and asked in a deep voice, "How much?"

"Fifteen million and one dollars."

Dirang: “…”

(End of this chapter)