Chapter 17: The Auction I

Li Changhai was constantly using his peripheral vision to glance at Su Pingnan, and he was slightly startled when he saw Su Pingnan raise his paddle. He already had the most professional appraisers evaluate all of Li Ruming’s auction assets. Building 00031 was classified as an inferior asset and not part of the cake they intended to divide.

Li Changhai couldn’t believe Su Pingnan’s aim would be that building. He stared hard at Su Pingnan’s calm face, trying to find any clue.

Su Pingnan remained composed. With his left hand he discreetly patted Zhang Lihua’s full thigh, signaling her to stay calm.

“2.6 million, third time, sold!”

The gavel came down heavily. Su Pingnan quietly clenched his fist—this hidden gem was now in his hands. It would become the second leg of his enterprise.

Zhang Lihua’s face flushed. Her efforts over these days hadn’t been in vain, and the feeling of millions with every gesture made her a little intoxicated.

Since the most nerve-wrecking part was over, Su Pingnan gave Li Changhai a slight smile, since the young man had been watching him all this while. A small greeting.

The auction proceeded in an orderly fashion. Most of Li Ruming’s prime assets were methodically picked up by the others in the room at suppressed prices, and Li Changhai, Wu Yan and the others felt reassured.

Li Changhai even felt he still lacked the stature of a tycoon. Although Su Pingnan had impressive momentum, he seemed sensible—Li Changhai felt a bit jumpy compared to him. He smiled inwardly. Once this was over, he’d invite Jiang Qingsheng to have a drink with this rising star—more friends meant more avenues, after all.

After successfully securing his target, Su Pingnan was satisfied and closed his eyes to rest. He had noticed the collusion among some bidders in the hall.

When all the lots were finished and Su Pingnan was already rising to leave, the auctioneer said something that surprised him.

“Next is the final lot. Those who haven’t bid yet should cherish this opportunity.”

The auctioneer gushed with excitement. Today’s high-value auction he presided over was about to conclude successfully—what a credential. In all of Tiannan Province, he was the most senior auctioneer.

What’s going on? Su Pingnan shot a long glance at Zhang Lihua, who had gathered the preliminary information, a trace of displeasure in his eyes.

Zhang Lihua felt wronged. She had spent a lot to get information about the auction items, yet she had still missed one out.

“Apologies, esteemed ladies and gentlemen. This company is not an asset under Li Ruming, but a subsidiary of the Economic Committee, so it’s normal that all of you are unaware.” The head of the management department saw the stir below, took the host’s microphone, and hurriedly explained the situation.

“A taxi company with independent operational qualifications—it owns these 360 taxi operation permits.”

When those words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

Su Pingnan’s breathing grew heavy. Nobody else knew what this meant, but he did. Before his rebirth, Wucheng had only three taxi management companies, two of which belonged to the Taxi Management Bureau—meaning there was only this one with independent qualification and no branches.

He remembered clearly that the number of taxi operation permits never increased from this time all the way till he died. A single permit ended up surging to 650,000 yuan and became scarce on the market. Over the next few decades, these permits would prove to be profit-laying golden geese.

The management department’s sudden decision to auction was actually tied to internal squabbling. In 1993, Wucheng began taxi reform and set up taxi management companies, requiring the management department to split off. The department didn’t want that, so they schemed to sell it off during this auction, which would allow them to develop other subordinate industries—thus this little drama unfolded.

“Starting bid: 2 million.”

Before people could make sense of it, the auctioneer, prompted by his boss, began calling bids.

“2.5 million.” Li Changhai’s far-sightedness, worthy of his father’s years of training and grooming, immediately understood the profit. His first raise added 500,000.

Old merchants like Wu Yan were less eager. Although they saw the potential in it, they saw that the Li family’s eldest son was determined to win, so they all shook their heads.

“2.6 million, 2.7 million, 4 million, 5 million—this gentleman is already at 5 million. Any other bids?”

The auction had been rather uneventful, since everyone had already agreed on who would take which item beforehand. An unexpected lot broke that tacit understanding, and the auctioneer’s excited tone sharpened.

Several big bidders hesitated under Li Changhai’s momentum—the Li family had entrenched itself in Wucheng for years and was not an opponent to offend lightly.

“How much can we mobilize now, and in a month?” Su Pingnan asked Zhang Lihua in a low voice.

“After deducting the 2.6 million you just used, and the 1.5 million reserved for investing in and building the storage center in Ertai Town which can’t be touched, we only have 6 million.”

“And in a month?”

Su Pingnan thought it a bit little. He wanted the enormous pie before him, and he was not afraid of any challenge.

“Based on current transport volume, we could have 11 million.”

There was a hint of admiration in Zhang Lihua’s tone. She had watched this man before her rise to this point step by step.

“Alright, raise the paddle—6 million.”

There was a domineering air in Su Pingnan’s words.