That year the flowers bloomed 1981

Chapter 1358 Third-Class Citizen
"Four million, four million five hundred thousand. Four million five hundred thousand once. Five million."

"Eight million once, eight million twice, eight million and there's still no higher bid, someone offered eight million five hundred thousand."

"."

The bidding meeting organized by Motor Aero Industries had only a few participating companies, giving it a somewhat makeshift feel. However, once the bidding officially started, the competition became extremely fierce.

Because Lu Zixue's company, Keshi, is at odds with Baixiang. The two sides are locked in a fierce battle, neither willing to back down. It seems that because Baixiang also provided some assistance to Sofia in the matter of the Kamaz car factory, Keshi has come to hate them as well.

At auctions, the most annoying thing is encountering this kind of competitive situation where there's absolutely no chance of finding a bargain.

But as the auction price exceeded ten million US dollars, Li Ye felt that things were becoming somewhat surreal.

The large ship that China bought from Ukraine in later generations cost only 20 million US dollars. Although it was a slow-moving commodity that would be sold as scrap metal if not sold, the production line that the Motor Company is auctioning off today is not a "take it or leave it" best-selling commodity either!

Furthermore, while it's true that White Elephant was one of the first countries to import the MiG-29 and therefore had a need for its imitation, why was Kosh Company so irrational? Aren't Jewish financial groups supposed to be the best at doing business?

Seeing Lu Zixue's face flushed red as if he'd been injected with chicken blood, and his provocative gaze constantly turning towards Li Ye, Li Ye couldn't help but wonder, "Is this guy a plant?"

If he's a shill, then who is the cash cow?

China (the land of flowers)?
But pull it down!

Commander Zhou, who thought he would "try it out with his own strength first," only bid twice before giving up completely.

This is simply not their preferred trading style.

Commander Zhou and his team also reached agreements on several projects with Da'e, which were basically "barter" or "goods + cash" transaction models.

But Ukraine only wants money.

Even if a country is short of supplies, it will not lack the upper class; what they lack is money, which is the easiest thing to carry.

As for whether ordinary people are lacking clothes or food, they don't care.

So compared to Goose, Ukrainian is more open about selling its assets and has less scruples.

"Eleven million once, twelve million twice, is there any price increase? Is there any price increase? This is an entire jet engine blade production line, with advanced technology and excellent maintenance."

Seeing the auctioneer constantly encouraging the people in the audience to raise the bids, and the intervals between bids getting longer and longer, Li Ye knew that he was almost at his limit.

So he squeezed Wen Leyu's hand.

Two unknown small companies arrived at the site today to participate in the bidding. In fact, they were Li Ye's "plants". As long as Li Ye gave them a signal, they would participate in the bidding and buy the production line first.

Li Ye had Fu Guiru and Pei Wencong prepare two years in advance, of course, with a white glove waiting to be used.

However, Wen Leyu shook her head slightly.

Without clear information from the capital, Wen Leyu will resolutely not make a move, not even spending a single penny.

Wen Leyu is no longer a young woman in her early twenties. Approaching thirty, she is now the de facto "mistress of the house" in the Li family and must represent the Li family to reach an agreement with the elders.

"Twelve million five hundred thousand twice; twelve million five hundred thousand three times, all sold."

"Bang~"

With the auctioneer's gavel falling, the final winner was White Elephant.

Li Ye suddenly found it interesting.

It wasn't because the wealthy and powerful Kosh Company lost to White Elephant, but because the people from White Elephant didn't seem that happy after winning the auction; there weren't even many people clapping and celebrating.

Wen Leyu whispered to Li Ye, "I don't think this play is over yet."

Li Ye pursed his lips and smiled, "My wife has sharp eyes; she really sees things clearly."

Wen Leyu lightly punched Li Ye, scolding him playfully, "Who has piercing eyes? Are you calling me a monkey?"

"Cough cough."

Li Ye coughed a few times to stop his "unsteady" wife, because Commander Zhou and the others were turning around and walking over, their expressions not very pleasant.

In this situation, it's no wonder he looks pale.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

After everyone returned to their temporary hotel, Commander Zhou convened a meeting to emphasize the importance of intelligence and encouraged everyone to use their unique skills to contribute to the common cause.

Li Ye kept his head down and didn't say a word. Now that his wife was in charge, it was no use talking to me.

However, interesting news arrived just the next day.

The white elephant man regretted taking the picture.

"I now believe the auction deposit was negotiated by the White Elephant people. It turns out they already planned to back out of the bid! They're damn clever."

"I think Ukraine is the smart one! They make $200,000 by backing out of a bid once. It would be even better if they could back out of bids ten or eight times!"

Since the White Elephant Man reneged on the bid, the auction result was naturally invalid. The people from Motor Aviation Industry Company urgently notified the Chinese side that a new auction would be held the day after tomorrow.

So Commander Zhou convened another meeting to discuss strategies for the auction the day after tomorrow.

Li Ye had no choice but to lower his head and listen to the "chanting" for several more hours.

It's not that he doesn't want to put in the effort, it's just that in this kind of thing, "you can't do anything without money." If you don't spend money, even the best solutions are just empty talk.

However, the very next afternoon, Wen Leyu was summoned by Commander Zhou to receive a long-distance phone call.

When Wen Leyu returned, his eyes were already burning with the flames of battle.

"I received a call from home saying that we can handle this as a special case."

"."

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Li Ye and Sun Xianjin met with Pavlov again.

Upon meeting, the other party coldly stated, "If you're here to coerce us into lowering prices, then say nothing more. We know the value of this production line to you."

Sun Xianjin also said unhappily, "Because it's valuable to us, we are the real buyers. As you can see, the White Elephant people have no intention of buying this production line at all. No one else will buy these things except us."

"Then you don't have to buy it."

"Pavlov, if you continue with this attitude, we really won't buy it."

"If I don't want to buy, then I won't buy."

"Don't think we don't know. Those companies you hired were just trying to inflate prices. You're all scammers."

"You bastard, how dare you call me a liar!"

"What, you want to fight me again? Look at you, you've been drinking so much you've gone bald. Do you think you can beat me?"

"."

Pavlov and Sun Xianjin actually started arguing, chattering away like two children fighting.

Li Ye waited until the two had finished arguing before interjecting.

"If we reduce the price by 30%, we are guaranteed to win the bid, and then we can fulfill the agreement."

"."

Pavlov suddenly turned to look at Li Ye, glaring at him with a fierce, sullen expression.

Li Yeming is clearly taking advantage of the situation, cutting the price down by 30%. Do you think this is like buying a cabbage at a farmers' market?
But after a long silence, Pavlov gritted his teeth and said, "How can I be sure you will keep your promise?"

Li Ye countered, "Then how can you guarantee that we will definitely win the bid?"

Pavlov gave a cold laugh: "Don't worry, once you've paid, you'll get what you want."

"."

. . . . . . . . . . . .

On the third day, Li Ye and others arrived at the bidding site as scheduled, but when the bidding started, the site was empty, with only a few people participating.

【Wow? Is it this dark?】

In his previous life, when housing prices were rising, Li Ye often saw "auction notices," but by the time he saw them, the auction period had usually already passed.

You know there's something fishy about this thing, but you just can't bring yourself to say it.

But now this situation has actually happened to me.

When the Chinese delegation won the auction with a "victory before the battle," many people found it unbelievable.

Due to excessive curiosity, Commander Zhou and his group asked the auctioneer why White Elephant and Keshi Company had not come.
"The White Elephant was disqualified from further bidding due to reneging on the bid, and the Kosh Company was kidnapped, so they left Ukraine yesterday."

Li Ye: "."

[A kidnapping? Is Pavlov really that barbaric?]

Commander Zhou was also shocked, and then couldn't help but ask, "So, was anyone injured in the kidnapping?"

"No one was injured; only one British citizen was kidnapped and went missing."

That's it?

Why is that all?

Oh, a citizen of British Dependent Territories? Isn't that just a third-class citizen of Britain? So nobody cares?

(End of this chapter)