Chapter 121: 120, Treasure Auction, Profit Sharing Wealth, Return To Asia
After a night of long flight, the Ford Trimotor returned to Paris.
Before landing, treasure hunting team members covered the cross with a cloth cover.
After the airplane landed and taxied into the hangar, Fang Wen drove over the truck that was parked at the aircraft manufacturing plant.
The truck’s rear faced the fuselage, a Weimar officer went to close the hangar, observing outside through the door crack.
The others began to get busy, wrapping the arm again with cloth, carefully lifting it out of the cabin and placing it into the truck carriage.
There were also three bags of jewelry, 7 Weimar soldiers, two American agents, all squeezed into the carriage, pulling down the canvas curtain.
Lin Shuiwang then went to open the hangar door, then sat in the co-pilot seat.
Fang Wen started the truck, drove out of the hangar, and left the aircraft manufacturing plant.
After leaving the manufacturing plant, the carriage immediately became lively.
“Yo ho, we’re going to get rich.”
“Yeah, after going back, I’m going to buy a large piece of land and become a farm owner.”
“I’m going to the snow mountain in my hometown to build a ski club.”
“Me, buy a ship and go around the world.”
Lin Shuiwang listened with great interest, translating the German of the Weimar officer to Fang Wen.
Fang Wen asked: “Shuiwang, after you get your share of the money, what do you plan to do?”
Lin Shuiwang thought for a moment and replied: “Buy a fishing boat to catch fish, the kind that’s very big, burns fuel. I can catch a lot of fish and earn more money.”
This suggestion wasn’t good; during wartime, the ocean was a must-contend area, fishing boats would either be requisitioned or face various threats like shelling, fish, submarines, etc.
Fang Wen tactfully reminded: “Better not buy a ship, haven’t you seen the situation of the Weimar Republic? If war breaks out, your money will be wasted again.”
“Then what can I do?” Lin Shuiwang said worriedly; he hadn’t thought of using the money to enjoy life, but considered his undertaking.
Fang Wen quite admired this person, bold and multilingual, a good contact person for foreign dealings.
Actually, he could have a broader sky.
Thinking of this, Fang Wen made a suggestion: “How about you become the development manager of our Taishan Airlines overseas department.”
“What’s a development manager?” Lin Shuiwang asked puzzled.
“After I return to China this time, I plan to open routes from south of China to the Mediterranean Sea overseas, but I don’t have anyone under me who is fluent in foreign languages and good at socializing. I think you’re very suitable, how about it, consider it.”
Hearing Fang Wen’s proposal, Lin Shuiwang fell into contemplation.
After a while, he replied: “Mr. Fang, actually there’s a hurdle in my heart I can’t get over, it’s that wife who ran away after two months of marriage. If I don’t find her and ask, I won’t be content. Once I find her, I’ll bring Mother back to China, what do you think?”
So it was for this.
Fang Wen remembered, he had stayed in Lin Shuiwang’s new house in London.
Perhaps Lin Shuiwang no longer liked that woman, but he had to find her and ask to be content.
He reached out and patted Lin Shuiwang’s shoulder: “Indeed, you should find her and ask, I support you doing so. After you find her and talk, send me a telegram.”
“Okay.” Lin Shuiwang returned to his carefree demeanor.
At this time, Indiana knocked on the cockpit window from the carriage.
Lin Shuiwang opened the inner car window, and heard Indiana ask: “Where is the cross being transported to?”
“We rented a warehouse in advance, originally for storing treasure, now other things are put in the safe, the cross will be placed there.” Lin Shuiwang replied.
Fang Wen added: “To the outside, we’ll say we’re a performance group, the cross is a stage prop. It’s so big, no one should suspect.”
Indiana nodded: “That can work. After the auction, I’ll discuss with them how to proceed.”
The “them” he referred to were the Weimar officers. In five more days, after the auction ended, Fang Wen would leave this small group, and the remaining matters would be between the German officers and American agents.
Five days’ time.
Everyone stayed in the warehouse. To live better, they bought various utensils, and for food, they solved it at nearby restaurants, no problem.
Meanwhile in Paris city, the publicity for an auction named “Byzantine and Armenian Symphony” attracted a lot of collectors’ attention.
As the owner of this auction’s items, Fang Wen requested three admission tickets: one for himself, one for the Weimar officer group, one for the American agent.
On the day of the auction, the three changed into formal attire and took a taxi there.
Arriving at that auction house in Ile-de-France, many private cars were parked nearby, people in formal attire greeting each other by doffing hats.
They entered the auction venue one after another, looking forward to appreciating the artistic treasures from 1000 years ago.
Fang Wen and the other two followed the crowd in and sat in the middle seats.
The first auction item came on stage.
The auctioneer wearing gloves held up a dark red coin and introduced:
“Many collectors studying Byzantine civilization know that the solidus gold coin was one of the main currencies circulating in the Byzantine Empire for a long time. This gold coin was renowned for its stable weight and purity, becoming an important currency in international trade. But during Emperor Basil II’s reign, a gold coin with his portrait was also minted, which is very rare and hard to find in perfect condition. The one in my hand now is.”
Under his description, many gold coin collectors went on stage to view it.
Everyone agreed that from craftsmanship and material, the gold coin was genuine.
Many people were interested in acquiring it for collection.
Originally thought it would require fierce bidding to obtain, who knew the auction house provided over twelve hundred of them.
The whole audience was in an uproar.
Someone shouted loudly: “Impossible to have so many, unless a treasure was discovered.”
The auctioneer smiled without speaking, silence louder than words.
It really was a treasure auction!
All participants couldn’t help breathing heavily; that meant more good items coming next.
After ten minutes of bidding, a total of 1230 gold coins were all auctioned off.
Only then did the auctioneer begin the formal introduction of the auction.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this auction will be the grandest of my career, 1230 ancient gold coins are just the beginning. Let me solemnly introduce the two historical figures of today’s auction.”
“The first is Emperor Basil II, Byzantine emperor, titled: Bulgar-Slayer. During his reign, he destroyed the once powerful First Bulgarian Empire and conquered Armenia.”
“The second historical figure of our auction, perhaps not well-known to everyone, is the Vaspurakan Kingdom established by Armenia’s Artsruni family.”
“We estimate that Emperor Basil II gave a large amount of wealth to the Vaspurakan Kingdom, then annexed it. The Vaspurakan Kingdom, unwilling to accept destruction, buried the treasure to rise again. So this batch of treasure includes royal items from Emperor Basil II’s period, as well as precious jewelry and craftsmanship from the Vaspurakan Kingdom.”
Through the auctioneer’s introduction, everyone understood the preciousness of this auction’s items.
These weren’t ancient folk items, but represented royal collections of two kingdoms, even higher value.
Just as the auctioneer hinted, various exquisite collectibles appeared next, finely crafted, superior materials, rare collectibles.
For the auction items they fancied, collectors bid one after another, pushing the auction to climaxes.
Fang Wen, Indiana, and the English-speaking Weimar officer greatly enjoyed this atmosphere.
The more intense the auction, the more profit sharing they would get.
The auction house too, for more commission, the auctioneers were highly excited, guiding bidders to keep raising prices.
From 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The first auction session ended.
Too many treasures, impossible to auction all in one day.
But the effect of this day quickly spread in Paris’s collector circle, bringing more guests to the second day’s auction.
After three consecutive days of auction, all collectibles were sold, none unsold. All participants understood that the items from these three auctions wouldn’t appear again. Getting one would definitely appreciate in value in the future.
After the auction ended, Fang Wen and the other two went to the auction company, requesting immediate settlement.
The person in charge of the auction house was very surprised at this.
“Sorry, gentlemen, we are an intermediary company and need to wait for bidders to pay in full before we can give you.”
Fang Wen asked: “Your company takes 5% of the auction proceeds as commission, right?”
The other nodded.
“Then now, we give you an extra 2%, can you settle early?”
Tempted by the extra 2%, the person in charge was moved.
This batch of auction items was astonishingly valuable, actually no risk; even if someone abandoned payment, the auction company could keep them and earn more.
The other was willing to give extra 2%, definitely needing money urgently; this opportunity was rare.
Thus, this plan was accepted by the auction company.
Based on total auction amount of 42.1 million francs, deducting 7% commission and 2% artwork auction tax, the auction house confirmed the net auction income as: 38.3 million francs.
Equivalent to 1.74 million US dollars, 435,000 British pounds.
Worthy of France with a quarter of the world’s gold reserves; before German occupation, its wealth was astonishing, bidders were all generous.
But this sum of money, converting to cash would be inconvenient to bring back to China.
Fang Wen thought of his father-in-law’s method, immediately requesting 20% converted to US Treasury bonds.
The rest, all exchanged into large denomination francs to take away.
The three returned to the warehouse fully loaded.
Carrying out the final treasure hunting action profit sharing.
Fang Wen placed a stack of $1000 denomination US bonds and two large suitcases of francs on the table.
“Here is 30.64 million francs, and US Treasury bonds worth 7.66 million francs. The bonds are my share, already deducted 10% church construction donation. The rest is yours. Our cooperation ends here.”
He picked up the bonds, and was about to leave with Lin Shuiwang.
“Fang, wait.”
Indiana and the English-speaking Weimar officer came over.
Both had something to say; Indiana went first, taking out a notebook: “New contact method is on it. If you want to find me later, contact me as per the method above. Also, no need to find Boeing Company; I’ve arranged airport pickups for your flight back to Asia.”
After explaining, Indiana wanted to open his arms for a hug, but was rejected by Fang Wen.
“Handshake instead.”
After shaking hands with Fang Wen, Indiana stepped away, leaving space for private talk with the Weimar officer.
“Fang, thank you very much for giving us this opportunity. No casualties, yet gained great wealth and welcomed back the True Cross.”
“This was cooperation itself. I needed action personnel, and you were just right.” Fang Wen replied.
“There are many suitable for action, yet you didn’t abandon us afterward. You’re the best organizer, thank you.” The officer was still grateful.
Fang Wen shook hands with him: “After the church is built, best not return to China. Take the money and enjoy life. Just like you said.”
“We’ll consider it.” The Weimar officer let go, watching Fang Wen and Lin Shuiwang leave.
Out of the warehouse, Fang Wen and Lin Shuiwang inexplicably felt fully relaxed.
After all, not the same kind of people, everyone mutually guarded; now out, no need to worry about leaving their backs to them.
Fang Wen pulled out fifty bonds and handed them to Lin Shuiwang.
“This is fifty thousand US dollars, your reward and dividend.”
“No no, I don’t want it. These days I thought about it, take the money back for that penicillin and shells.” Lin Shuiwang refused.
Fang Wen was somewhat moved, but couldn’t let Lin Shuiwang work for nothing, so made another proposal.
“How about this, our Taishan Airlines has a pension system. Consider this money deposited in the company, you’ll get monthly payments for a total of 30 years.”
“I really can’t take it.” Lin Shuiwang still shook his head in refusal.
“Don’t you think of your Mother? Even if it’s for her. Bring your Mother back to China, with monthly pension, you won’t worry about her retirement life.”
Hearing this from Fang Wen, Lin Shuiwang could no longer refuse; he nodded vigorously in agreement and made a promise.
“Mr. Fang, I will definitely bring Mother back.”
March 12.
Farman Company flew the F.220 to Marseille airport, then loaded onto a ship from there.
This way, it could go Marseille—Mediterranean Sea—Suez Canal—Red Sea—Gulf of Aden—Arabian Sea—Bay of Bengal to reach Kolkata.
Also the shortest route, taking less than a week.
Flying from Paris to Marseille was piloted personally by Fang Wen.
After watching the airplane loaded onto the ship, he took a ship from Marseille straight to Istanbul.
Two days later, the cruise ship docked at the west bank of the Bosphorus Strait.
Fang Wen got off with a group of European tourists.
He chatted with tourists familiar with the local situation, took a tram straight to the airport.
In the airport hangar, Fang Wen took out the telegraph machine and sent a telegram home reporting safety.
Telegram sent.
Reply came quickly.
【I’m already waiting for you in Kolkata, Mingzhu.】
Fang Wen was stunned; his wife had actually gone to Kolkata.
He couldn’t help worrying; Kolkata was hot, full of mosquitoes, poor environment—could his wife’s body handle it?
With this thought, he wanted to go back even sooner.
Immediately, he began checking the airplane, adding water, refueling, then buying food and drinking water needed for the flight, and incidentally filling the air bottle with fresh Mediterranean air.
After doing these, another day passed.
On the morning of the second day, the hangar opened, Shrike Hao drove out of the hangar, entered the runway to accelerate and take off into the sky.
Long time without such exhilarating flight.
The Ford Trimotor’s 150 km/h speed was like an old ox pulling a trailer.
Fang Wen entered mechanical perception state, boosting the airplane speed to 380 km/h, turning into a swift aerial bird.
3 hours later, the airplane landed on the road by Lake Van dock.
This place was still within the treasure hunting team’s rental period, temporarily undisturbed. Fang Wen took fuel from the room, refueled the airplane, and took off again.
Before leaving, he specially looked at the small island in the lake; now the island was full of blooming red flowers, tourists strolling on the island, completely unaware the secret beneath their feet had been discovered.
Fang Wen reached into his collar and took out that truly most valuable treasure.
