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Upon hearing this, Jiang Wenxi's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. After a moment of silence, she slowly spoke, her tone carrying an undisguised sarcasm: "Return? What return? These cultural relics were all acquired by me through legal channels and proper procedures. Ownership rightfully belongs to me. Now that I'm willing to put them up for public auction, what does that have to do with the word 'return'?"

Upon hearing this, Ambassador Yuan's heart leaped into his throat. He quickly interrupted, trying to ease the tension: "Ambassador Jiang, you can't say that... It was representatives from various countries who came to us personally, and their attitude was quite sincere. They promised that if any more Chinese cultural relics were found scattered within their borders, they would return them immediately. They only ask that you return the cultural relics belonging to their countries this time to show your sincerity."

His words were sincere and heartfelt, as if Jiang Wenxi's nod would signify friendship between the two countries and peace throughout the world.

Jiang Wenxi remained silent.

This brief silence, however, was more agonizing for the diplomatic representatives inside the embassy than any reprimand. Their hearts were in their throats, and they wished they could stomp their feet and urge the officials on.

Finally, she spoke again, her voice as cold as ice, each word clear and distinct: "Return it? On what grounds?"

"A few days ago, I went overseas and spent over 3 billion yuan to acquire a batch of Chinese national treasures that had been scattered abroad and bring them back to the motherland. Now, a mere 'return' is enough to make me hand over these cultural relics? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

These words carried weight, and the expressions of everyone in the embassy changed instantly, as they all turned their gazes toward the Swiss diplomatic representative standing to the side.

The representative, feeling uneasy under his gaze, could only force a smile and say into the microphone, "Ambassador Jiang, we understand that it was indeed inappropriate for Chinese cultural relics to appear at our previous auctions without being returned. We are willing to compensate you with two-thirds of the auction price in exchange for our cultural relics. Is that satisfactory?"

Jiang Wenxi let out a cold laugh, her disdain almost overflowing: "Two-thirds? And then you expect me to return the artifacts with both hands? You've got all the benefits in the world?"

The other party did not expect her to be so tough and ruthless, and immediately used high-sounding principles to pressure her: "Ambassador Jiang, this matter concerns the diplomatic relations between our two countries and international friendship. Is it appropriate for you to seize other countries' cultural relics in such a tough manner? Even if our country has offended you in the past, you should not involve other innocent countries."

This person is shrewd. Seeing that lobbying alone was ineffective, he immediately stirred up trouble by dragging other countries into the mess, attempting to force Jiang Wenxi to compromise through public opinion and diplomatic pressure.

Many people inside the embassy echoed this sentiment, chattering amongst themselves and subtly suggesting a united effort to exert pressure.

Jiang Wenxi could easily see through his little scheme, but she was too lazy to beat around the bush with him. Her tone suddenly turned serious as she interrupted him directly: "No need for nonsense."

"I'm sure you're not the only one listening on the other end of the phone right now. So I'll make things clear at once, so I don't have to repeat myself later."

"I know exactly which countries' cultural relics I possess. There's absolutely no way I'll return them unconditionally."

"Cultural relics should be returned to their country of origin, but you seized and plundered them and refused to return them. Now you come to me to talk about morality and return? Since you are unreasonable, then don't blame me for doing things my way."

"Furthermore, do you really think I, Jiang Wenxi, am short of money?"

She paused, her voice suddenly becoming firm and sharp: "If you truly want your family's cultural relics back, then prepare the funds and come to my auction. My auction, Jiang Wenxi's auction, is open to the world, with fair bidding; the highest bidder wins. If you can win, that's your skill; if you can't, you can't blame anyone else."

After he finished speaking, there was a deathly silence on both ends of the phone.

The crowd looked at each other, speechless, and could only turn to Ambassador Yuan for help once again.

Ambassador Yuan, left with no other option, had to bite the bullet and try again: "Ambassador Jiang, how about... we make an exception and go through some internal channels to give these countries priority access to the cultural relics at a relatively favorable price? So you won't have worked for nothing; they're willing to offer compensation, what do you think..."

Upon hearing this, the diplomatic representatives in the embassy immediately brightened up, as if they had seen a glimmer of hope.

Jiang Wenxi merely scoffed, her tone indifferent yet undeniable: "I'm not short of money."

"I only accept auctions. Whoever has the ability to win the bid can take it; those who don't should just stay put. That's all, I still have things to take care of."

She paused, then added casually, "By the way, I've already drafted the invitation letters for the various countries involved, and I'll send them to the embassies later. Please pass them on to the representatives of each country."

Before the other party could respond, Jiang Wenxi hung up the phone.

"Beep—beep—beep—"

The busy signal came through clearly, and everyone inside the embassy turned ashen-faced, their last glimmer of hope shattered.

It seems that it is absolutely impossible to retrieve the cultural relics without spending a single penny and relying solely on diplomatic rhetoric.

If cultural relics are to be returned to the country, there is only one way—to put them in the market and auction them off.

Ambassador Yuan put down the phone, looked at the group of diplomatic representatives with varying expressions, shrugged, and said helplessly, "As you all have heard and seen, it's not that I don't want to help, nor that I don't care about diplomatic relations. It's just that Ambassador Jiang's attitude is firm, and I can't force her to make a decision, can I?"

In truth, he knew better than anyone else.

Jiang Wenxi's move, seemingly forceful and ruthless, was in fact a calculated step.

If we easily give in today and unconditionally return the cultural relics, those countries will only think that China is weak and easy to bully. In the future, it will be even more difficult for national treasures scattered overseas to return.

However, if we can use this auction to establish rules and uphold the bottom line, making them understand that cultural relics cannot come and go as they please, and that if they want them, they must pay an equivalent price.

From now on, the repatriation of overseas cultural relics will actually be much easier.

Sure enough, not long after, embassy staff came in carrying a stack of formally bound invitations bearing the auction logo.

"Ambassador Yuan, this was sent by Ambassador Jiang."

Ambassador Yuan took the papers and looked through them one by one, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

Jiang Wenxi included every single country involved in this incident on the invitation list, leaving no one out.

This was no spur-of-the-moment auction; it was clearly a well-planned and meticulously orchestrated event.

He sighed softly and handed out the invitations to everyone: "The invitations have been delivered. The rest is up to you."

The diplomatic representatives looked at the gold-embossed invitations in their hands with complicated expressions, and in the end, they could only silently get up and leave one after another.

A silent battle over overseas cultural relics has only just begun.