Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Charity Auction in Shanghai (3)

The Chinese artist Zeng Fanzhi is famous for depicting the internal thoughts of the Chinese people
who are living entangled in capitalism and communism.
No, he is more than famous. His paintings are extremely expensive. So, of course, Wang Huiyang
was worried as he looked at the screen in front.
It wasn’t his, but it had been donated by someone else…
“This painting has been donated by Vice Premier Lee Yang. It has surprised the world, and I also
wonder at how much it will be sold,” Dojin covered his mouth with his hand and asked quietly, “What
price do you think it will be sold at?”
“I don’t know. However, judging from the tendency of Chinese people, it should go over ten billion.”
One of Zeng Fanzhi’s painting was sold at 2.7 million dollars in Hong Kong’s Christie’s Auction in
So, objectively thinking about the Chinese art market that was getting bigger and bigger, Haejin was
sure the price would go over ten billion today.
“Hmm… that’s impressive. I’ve heard that Zeng Fanzhi is a great artist, but I never thought his
painting would be sold at ten billion.
“That painting looks strange to me. Why is it so expensive? There are many other beautiful paintings.”
Dojin wasn’t an expert of contemporary art so, of course, he had that question.
“The most important feature of contemporary art is painting the mental and philosophical belief. Each
line and touch of the brush has a meaning. So, without knowing that meaning, it’s just a weird painting
with no pleasure and beauty. For example, I can draw a blue line on a dark background and say, ‘I
depicted the energy of the dusk blooming in the darkness’. You don’t know that meaning, so of
course, you would think it is strange. That’s only right.”
“Then, what do Zeng Fanzhi’s painting have that everyone is so enthusiastic about them?”
Haejin pointed at the screen and started to explain.
“Zeng Fanzhi’s paintings have a bright background that gives a cheerful feeling. And the characters
are mostly wearing smiling masks. However, it looks weird because of the unnaturally huge hands
and the red shadows that look like blood. Doesn’t that give anxiety to you?”
“Hmm… I think so.”
“It shows how Chinese people are being forced to smile without showing their own thoughts. And the
handkerchiefs mean that they are members of the communist party, but those smiling masks say
there is another true feeling under them. In a way, Zeng Fanzhi’s paintings are not that hospitable
toward the Chinese government… but I don’t know why they are letting him do that.”
Dojin faintly smiled.
“I think I can tell you that. Even if that painting has this kind of message, the Chinese government
does not have full control over the art market. As you know, that matter is directly linked to secret
funds of billionaires and taxes. If they start messing up with the paintings of famous artists, they would
be diminishing the value of their own paintings, so it wouldn’t be easy. Especially when that artist is
also internationally famous.”
“It’s all about money.”
“Of course. If they try to capture one artist and kills Chinese contemporary art, they would be losing
billions and trillions. And, because of the anti-corruption policies of the Communist Party that were
created a few years ago, money is not coming in through luxurious goods. Things are the same in the
art market. So, they have to be even more careful.”
“Hearing that makes me think that this event itself might have been planned. A sudden charity
auction…”
“Of course, it was planned. Politicians and businessmen donated works of art to this auction, but
that’s not all they have. So, if they donate some of what they have and liven the market itself, the
value of the other artifacts they own would soar up.”
“They are trying to affect the art market with a charity auction? This is… this is practically investing
through politics.”
“That happens in every country. It’s like making a road within the land.”
“Well, it makes sense.”
Dojin smiled at seeing Haejin agree.
“Anyway, that simple painting has that kind of meaning. It is amazing, it certainly is different from the
eastern painting before the 19 th century.”
“Right?”
Eastern paintings also have hidden meanings, but Haejin didn’t bother to explain. He wasn’t there to
lecture about eastern paintings but was there to work, so he thought there was no need to explain all
that.
“10 million yuan again!”
Just as Haejin had predicted, the price soared up and up and was settled at 71.2 million yuan.
“Ten billion won for that painting… I’ve read reports about it in advance, but seeing it get sold at such
a price doesn’t feel real.”
Dojin shook his head as if he couldn’t understand.
“An auction is always like that.”
“But isn’t this bad for us? Do you think one of Wang Huiyang’s artifacts can be sold at over 70 million
yuan?”
“Well, we should wait and see.”
“You’ve seen the catalog I gave you, so you must know.”
“There are a few promising artifacts, but I need to see them with my own eyes.”
Dojin couldn’t understand that.
People who participate in auction select the things they will bid for and determine the highest bid they
can afford in advance.
Even Dojin, who didn’t know much about auctions, had read reports about it, so he knew this.
“You mean something will change if you see it with your own eyes?”
He asked, half-joking, but that was the point.
“I would rather say I would be able to see more accurately.”
“See more accurately…”
After Zeng Fanzhi’s painting, people calmed down a little. The artifacts that came after were all sold at
under five million yuan.
About 30 minutes later, people moved around to meet each other.
This auction would last at least three hours, so they were using it as a chance to befriend each other.
But Wang Huiyang, who was sitting in the middle of the hall, stood up and started to come toward the
front.
Dojin was about to stand up, but Wang Mingwan, who was sitting opposite to Haejin, waved her hand.
“Why are you here when you are so busy?”
Wang Huiyang was on his way to meet his cousin. Dojin thought for a moment, but he exhaled deeply
and sat down again. He thought it wasn’t a good time to chime in.
“Are you tired today? Your paddle isn’t going up.”
Mingwan smiled.
“That’s because Lee Shian isn’t with me now. Someone has promised to help instead, but he isn’t
talking.”
Haejin instinctively looked away. It was because Mingwan was looking at him, and he couldn’t decide
if he should pretend to be close to her or not.
“Who is he…”
However, hearing Wang Mingwan’s answer, Wang Huiyang looked at Haejin. Dojin stood up and
introduced Haejin in Chinese.
“Hello, sir. I couldn’t go to meet you earlier as you were busy.”
“Oh… ambassador Yang Dojin. I heard that you would be here.”
Wang Huiyang greeted Dojin, but Haejin could see that he wasn’t that happy to see Dojin. He looked
rather bothered.
“This is Mr. Park Haejin, who owns an art museum in Korea and also works as an antiquity appraiser.”
“Oh… you own an art museum?”
Both Wang Huiyang and Wang Mingwan were surprised.
“You have an art museum? You didn’t tell me that when we met in Hong Kong… what kind of art
museum is it?”
Haejin had no choice but to answer.
“I’ve opened a small art museum in Seoul. It doesn’t have many artifacts, but there are a few good
ones including Picasso’s painting. I will send you an invitation.”
Haejin mentioned Picasso’s painting on purpose. He thought it wasn’t the time to be humble.
“Picasso? Yes, I remember. I read it on the internet about an art museum with Picasso’s painting
opening in Korea, and it is yours? I thought you were a poor appraiser, to think that you were quite
important! I’m sorry, I used to think you were an appraiser who worked for that rude little girl.”
“It’s okay, I know it looked that way.”
Wang Huiyang waited for his cousin to finish and asked Haejin, “What do you think about today’s
artifacts?”
That was a tricky question. Was he asking because he wanted to know if his artifacts were great, or
was he just trying to boast about Chinese artifacts?
“They are all impressive. Especially Zeng Fanzhi’s painting.”
Haejin couldn’t be sure, so he provoked him on purpose. Then, he laughed out loud.
“Hahaha! You have a discerning eye. Zeng Fanzhi is the pride of China, the master of contemporary
art.”
However, Haejin didn’t miss the anger that silently appeared in his eyes.
“Yes. I must acknowledge him. But…”
“But?”
“I don’t want to believe the most important work of art came out so early. I have a feeling that there
would be something even better among those I haven’t seen yet.”
“Really?”
Wang Huiyang’s gaze was strange. He looked like he was curious about Haejin, but he also looked
like he was scolding him.
“I believe so. The star always appears later.”
Then, another artifact appeared on the screen.
“A Blue Flower White Porcelain stole the heart of everyone, not just us Chinese. I am personally
honored to introduce this beautiful artifact today.”
Regardless of the auctioneer’s grand explanation, the people didn’t get excited. Everyone knew about
the beauty and greatness of the Blue Flower White Porcelain, but they were so used to it at the same
time.
Only Wang Huiyang looked at the dais with excitement: it was one of the artifacts he had donated.
On the other hand, Haejin had decided that if he got one chance to use magic today, it would be now.
Haejin stood up, went to the huge porcelain at the front and used magic. Then, he came back and sat
down again as if nothing was wrong.
“Why did you go there?”
Dojin asked in Chinese for everyone who was surprised.
“I wanted to know if that’s what I am thinking it is.”
“What is it?”
Haejin glanced at Wang Mingwan and replied.
“Do you know the Zhan Guo Ce (Strategies of the Warring States)?”
“Zhan Guo Ce? Are you talking about the book that contains the anecdotes of political manipulation
and warfare during the Warring States period?”
“Yes, that book.”
At that moment, Wang Mingwan raised her paddle as if she was possessed by something.