100 Cooperation Conditions

After transferring the funds to the accounts of Qin Huali and Ding Songqing, Xiao Dao finally felt as light as a person without any debts.

Now he still owed Qin Huali 7.5 billion yuan in exchange money for that building on Jingdu Financial Street, but the payment deadline for this sum was very long, due only in three years, so there was no need to be anxious about it yet.

Now he needed to consider how to earn a quick sum of money and gather the 10.5 billion yuan in loans owed to the bank within one year.

Although he had secured the most favorable loan interest rate from Huahui Bank, with a 7 percent loan interest rate, the annual interest over one year was still not a small sum, and earning 73.5 billion was no small task.

After settling the debts, Xiao Dao continued to stay indoors every day, wholeheartedly merging and absorbing the memories of his previous life.

Lu Yahong, who had not contacted him for some time, suddenly called and wanted to come visit at home.

After escorting Lu Yahong into the living room, Butler Lu had prepared a cup of tea for him. Lu Yahong got straight to the point and said, "It's been a long time since I've known Mr. Xiao, and I haven't been able to help Mr. Xiao with anything. Today, I've come with a request instead, which is indeed a bit difficult to express, but since someone has entrusted it to me, I have no choice but to come seeking your help at your door."

"Whatever the matter is, just tell me. We've been friends for a while now. If I can help, I will definitely do so willingly." Lu Yahong was a person with good judgment who knew when to advance and retreat. Xiao Dao believed he would not make excessive demands.

"The matter is this: My investments are somewhat scattered. No matter the industry, I often take a stake when an opportunity arises. I also hold 8 percent shares in Yiyun Auction House and usually don't manage anything. But these past few days, Yiyun's chairman Wang Xiaoxian has approached me. He heard that my relationship with Mr. Xiao is good and insisted on assigning me a task, so today I've come to seek your help."

Lu Yahong chose his words with great care, fearing that any word he said might be wrong and make Xiao Dao displeased.

Although Lu Yahong hadn't yet made the matter clear, Xiao Dao had already guessed his intention. "The autumn auction is approaching, so is Chairman Wang of Yiyun intending to have you come here to collect a few auction pieces?"

Being able to voice this sentence proactively showed that Xiao Dao was not averse to his intention, and only then did Lu Yahong feel relieved and say it plainly.

"Still, Mr. Xiao is straightforward. Yes, that's the idea. Chairman Wang doesn't know where he learned that Mr. Xiao recently transferred several priceless jade treasures, and specially asked me to inquire if Mr. Xiao still has similar treasures in hand that he wishes to transfer."

"The information from Chairman Wang of Yiyun Auction House is indeed quite well-informed. Recently, I did transfer a few jade treasures to two friends."

This was no secret, and Wang Xiaoxian not finding this news surprising. Xiao Dao wanted to know the specific way Chairman Wang Xiaoxian wanted to cooperate with him.

Although he had paid off the money for the three investments, this money was borrowed from the bank with a one-year loan period. Although after the expiration he could continue mortgaging the gold, repay the interest, and continue borrowing without issue, he did not want to do so.

Although the interest on this loan was not high, the annual interest was still 73.5 billion. If there was indeed such a need, this interest would not be a major issue. But Xiao Dao clearly had boundless wealth in hand, kept in the Qiankun Ring to grow mold and could not spend it. His own property was largely idle, so there was truly no need to generate more profit for the bank.

Yiyun Auction House is the foremost auction house in the country. If the cooperation conditions could satisfy him, it would also be possible to consider exchanging a sum of wealth through the auction house.

"The few pieces of jade jewelry you transferred, I heard they are not as simple as mere jade treasures. It is said that each one is a top-grade jade ornament, each one priceless. If it weren't for the fact that the jade ornaments you transferred were too precious, it wouldn't have made Chairman Wang so envious that he had to send me here to run this errand."

Since the matter had been brought into the open, Lu Yahong no longer needed to be secretive.

"Cooperating with Mr. Xiao, Chairman Wang's sincerity is still very full. As long as Mr. Xiao is willing to put the collected items into Yiyun's autumn auction on Hong Kong Island this time, Chairman Wang promised me that he can waive your entire commission. I think he still has sincerity, and this middleman work, I will take it."

The cooperation conditions offered by Yiyun made Xiao Dao quite surprised.

It wasn't that the conditions were low, but too high!

The auction house collects commissions in two aspects, and the ratios are high. Based on the hammer price on the auction floor, deduct 15 percent as the consignment commission; add 15 percent on this standard as the bidder's commission.

The bidder's commission is definitely not waivable, but the consignor's commission has a certain discount range.

The competition among major auction houses is still quite fierce. The collection of auction items is the most critical, and the competition is particularly intense. For some rare and precious auction items, auction houses often offer preferential treatments by reducing the commission standards.

But situations where commissions are completely waived basically do not exist. No matter how precious and rare the auction items are, they will definitely charge a symbolic portion of the commission.

Before the cooperation had even begun, Chairman Wang had already given the condition of waiving the commission, obviously for a reason.

Xiao Dao guessed that this reason probably stemmed from Lu Yahong or Tang Tianhao.

"Such sincere cooperation conditions, if I still refuse, it would be too greedy. I accept the cooperation with Yiyun."

Xiao Dao gave a firm affirmative answer.

"This is really wonderful, it finally did not disappoint Chairman Wang's trust." Xiao Dao's quick agreement made Lu Yahong quite pleased.

No matter from the perspective of interests or further pulling closer the relationship, the ability to reach a cooperation between Yiyun and Xiao Dao was a happy event.

"Although the prices of antiques and art pieces are currently rising, and it is precisely because of this that the competition among major auction houses is becoming increasingly fierce. The work of collecting auction items is like a chaotic battle; even the slightest wind or grass in the market causes the major auction houses to flock in. To collect auction items of substance, the difficulty is getting larger and larger."

After laying the groundwork with so much, Lu Yahong finally said, "Chairman Wang's meaning is, if Mr. Xiao has jewelry or antique art pieces in hand that are prepared for transfer, can they be prioritized for Yiyun's this autumn auction? Up until now, Yiyun has not yet collected any substantial closing auction items. Now, they can only pin their hopes on Mr. Xiao."

Regarding whether Xiao Dao had auction items sufficient to be the closing piece, Lu Yahong was not worried at all. His eyes were not blind, and anything picked from this reception room would be enough to close the auction.

Lu Yahong knew that Xiao Dao definitely had this capability. The only question was whether he was willing.