Yin Xi asked again, “You mentioned that when a superior person hears about the Dao, they diligently practice it. So why do you also advocate for ‘doing nothing’?”
Laozi replied, “The Dao is always to conform to nature and not act, yet there is nothing that it does not accomplish. If rulers can govern the people according to the principles of the Dao, everything will naturally develop and flourish, self-generating and self-perishing.”
Yin Xi still had many doubts after listening and wanted to ask further, but Laozi said, “The great Dao and its answers are all contained within these five thousand words. Let everything go with the flow and take your time to read and understand.”
With that, Laozi mounted the bull and continued on his journey westward.
Yin Xi bid farewell to Laozi and immersed himself in studying the Dao. He wrote numerous reflections after reading, and after organizing them, he left behind a book titled “Guan Yinzi.” Yin Xi’s philosophical thoughts and observance of rules were mostly developed along the lines of Laozi’s teachings. He continued to pursue the freedom of individuality and “peaceful inaction” and became one of the Ten Great Scholars of the Pre-Qin period.
Meanwhile, the “tao te ching” left behind by Laozi became one of the greatest literary classics in Chinese history and gained renown both China and internationally.
After Coral finished listening to the story of Laozi passing through the Hangu Pass, the auctioneer raised the gavel in his hand.
“Everyone, please calm down. Now, we will begin the auction for this legendary treasure, starting at 30 million. Each bid must increase by at least 1 million. Let the auction begin!”
“35 million!”
“40 million!”
“45 million!”
The wealthy elites in the room raised their bidder paddles, and the price quickly skyrocketed.
Mr. Tyler and Mr. Kipling had returned to their seats.
“This item is rare and hard to come by. No matter what, we must compete for it; otherwise, we’ll regret it,” Mr. Tyler raised his bidder paddle, “50 million!”
“Tyler, why don’t you let me have it? I’ll reluctantly lend it to you for a few minutes if you want to admire it after I get it,” Mr. Kipling chuckled and raised his bidder paddle, “55 million!”
These two experts joining in the bidding ignited the frenzy among the wealthy attendees.
“60 million!”
“70 million!”
As expected, the auctioneer was delighted. He pointed at the man who bid 70 million, “Bidder number 12, with a bid of 70 million!”
“75 million!”
“Bidder number 44, with a bid of 75 million!”
“These guys are throwing money around like buying cabbages,” Coral chuckled and looked at Leo, “Don’t you want to participate?”
“No, I’m not interested.” He had observed that Laozi statue when it entered the gate. It lacked the spiritual energy, and he was not a collector, so he had no intention of bidding.
“You’re a strange person,” Coral muttered to herself.
By the time it reached 75 million, the bidding became less frequent, and the increments decreased. Several bidders were increasing by only 1 million on top of the 75 million base.
Mr. Tyler raised his paddle again, “80 million!”
Mr. Kipling didn’t want to fall behind, “81 million!”
Leo couldn’t help but glance at the two interesting old men. It was true what they say, don’t judge a book by its cover. Who would have known that these ordinary-looking old men were so wealthy?
“If you’re so wealthy, Mr. Tyler, why don’t you give up? I’ll invite you to my house for the best tea. How about that?” Mr. Kipling tried to bribe him.
“Your tea doesn’t taste good. I prefer to drink my own,” Mr. Tyler shook his head decisively. “I suggest you give up. I won’t compete with you for the next good item. How about that?”
“You’re overthinking it,” Mr. Tyler raised his paddle, “83 million!”
The plump man gave up.
Mr. Kipling raised his paddle, “84 million!”
“84 million! Mr. Kipling, the president of Langstel Antique Jade Collection Association, with a bid of 84 million. Mr. Kipling, you’re truly extraordinary!” The auctioneer started to flatter him.
Mr. Kipling forced a smile. That auctioneer was really good at promotion.
“86 million!” Mr. Tyler clenched his teeth and directly added 2 million.
“86 million! Mr. Tyler, the esteemed expert in antique jade, with a bid of 86 million!” The auctioneer’s skills of incitement were top-notch.
“87 million!” Mr. Kipling raised his paddle.
“88 million!” Mr. Tyler was unwilling to give up.
The room fell silent, with only Mr. Tyler and Mr. Kipling competing against each other.
“Mr. Tyler, it seems you have a lot of money,” Mr. Kipling announced his bid, “90 million!”
A muscle twitched on Mr. Tyler’s face. 88 million was already close to his limit. If he continued like this, his funds wouldn’t be able to keep up.
“91 million!” Mr. Tyler decided to hold on for one last attempt.
“92 million!” Mr. Kipling had already seen that Mr. Tyler couldn’t hold on any longer and looked at him with a victorious posture.
“Mr. Kipling, you win!” Mr. Tyler gave up on bidding.
After waiting for half a minute and seeing no further competition, the auctioneer raised the gavel in his hand.
“92 million, going once!”
“92 million, going twice!”
“Sold!” The auctioneer struck the gavel, “Congratulations to Mr. Kipling for acquiring this legendary treasure.”
Applause filled the room.
Mr. Kipling let out a long breath and sat down. He thought to himself, “It wasn’t easy.”
“Mr. Kipling, you can enjoy your victory quietly. You can only get it at such a price in Langstel. If it were auctioned internationally, don’t even think about it, you’d have to take out 200 million,” Mr. Tyler’s words had a tinge of sourness.
In fact, he was just speaking casually. After all, their industry adhered to an unwritten rule: national treasures don’t leave the country.
This Laozi statue could undoubtedly be classified as a national treasure.
“Mr. Tyler, I appreciate your gesture. I’ll invite you to dinner another day,” although Mr. Kipling had spent a large sum of money, he was still happy. For someone passionate about antiques, nothing brought more joy than obtaining a legendary artifact.
After the applause subsided, the auctioneer’s voice continued, “The auction for antiques concludes here. Next up, we have three items that will set our hormones on fire!”
The audience already knew what would be auctioned next-the highly anticipated stone gambling!
Most of the attendees at the auction were jade merchants. While they also appreciated antiques, their business nature was to make money, and only “stones” could truly earn them a profit.
“Now, please welcome our lovely hostesses to bring out the three auction items.” The auctioneer announced loudly.
As the auctioneer finished speaking, three hostesses walked out from the corner of the stage. Each of them pushed a small cart, covered with red cloth.
The three hostesses stood beside the auction stage, and the auctioneer continued, “Next, let’s unveil the red cloth!”
Simultaneously, the three hostesses removed the red cloth, revealing the items beneath.