164: Chapter 164 Historical Relics Along the Silk Road

What was even rarer was that this censer was of moderate size and perfect weight, making it a top-tier piece whether for display or practical use.

The bidding was exceptionally intense from the very beginning.

"38 million."

"42 million."

"45 million."

"48 million."

The price climbed all the way up, with almost no room for pause.

In the end, after a standoff between two buyers, the bronze censer was sold for 67 million, becoming one of the highest-priced domestic lots of the evening.

Hu Tian sat in his seat, his expression calm, but he was already silently calculating his earnings in his mind.

The total transaction price for the three lots exceeded 130 million; after deducting commissions and taxes, he would likely take home around 125 million.

This sum of money was enough to fund him for a long time to come.

Elder Qin whispered from the side: "These three items of yours are all top-quality pieces. Especially that bronze censer—the fact that it could fetch such a price shows that the market's recognition of ming dynasty Official Kiln artifacts is still rising."

Hu Tian nodded without saying much.

He knew that these items were able to fetch high prices partly because their quality was truly excellent, and partly because of the auction house's effective packaging and promotion.

But in the final analysis, it was because these items were worth that price to begin with.

The auction continued.

Time slipped away bit by bit, and the lots were sold one by one.

About an hour later, the auction entered its second stage—the "Dispersed Relics: Historical Artifacts Along the Silk Road Special Session."

This special session was a featured segment of the evening's auction, specifically dedicated to auctioning historical artifacts unearthed or circulated along the Silk Road.

The lots included Sogdiana silverware, Persian glassware, Central Asian textiles, Western Regions Buddhist statues, and more. The variety was extensive, with a chronological span ranging from the Han Dynasty to the Tang and song dynasty.

Auctioneer Li Ming's voice rang out again: "Distinguished collectors, we will now enter the evening's second special segment—the 'Dispersed Relics: Historical Artifacts Along the Silk Road Special Session.' The lots in this segment are all historical artifacts that have undergone strict authentication and provenance research; each one carries the cultural exchange and historical memories of the Silk Road."

He paused, then continued: "The first lot: a Tang Dynasty sancai camel figurine, 42 centimeters tall, with a vivid form, bright glaze, and in excellent condition. The starting bid is 6.8 million."

The lights in the auction hall focused once again on the exhibition stage.

A sancai camel figurine stood quietly there, its head held high, carrying cargo on its back, its expression lifelike.

The glaze on the figurine was primarily yellow, green, and brown; the colors were vivid yet retained an archaic charm, clearly marking it as a top-quality piece among Tang Dynasty sancai.

Bidding began quickly.

"7 million."

"8.2 million."

"8.5 million."

In the end, this camel figurine was sold for 9.2 million.

The next few lots were also sold successfully.

A Han Dynasty bronze mirror, starting bid 3.8 million, was sold for 6.5 million.

A Tang Dynasty Persian glass bowl, starting bid 4.2 million, was sold for 7.8 million.

A song dynasty Central Asian textile fragment, starting bid 2.6 million, was sold for 5.1 million.

Hu Tian sat quietly in his seat, flipping through the catalog, his gaze lingering for a moment on the description of each lot before continuing to flip through.

The Sogdiana silverware he intended to bid on was ranked number 30.

They were only at number 15, so there was still some time.

Elder Qin whispered from the side: "The items in this special segment are all representatives of Western Regions culture; they are rarely seen on the market, and their prices are generally not low."

Hu Tian nodded without speaking.

He knew that Sogdiana silverware was indeed scarce on the market, especially those in excellent condition with exquisite patterns—they were even harder to come by.

The auction continued.

Lot 16, a Tang Dynasty Western Regions Buddhist statue, starting bid 5 million, sold for 9.8 million.

Lot 17, a Persian silver coin, starting bid 500,000, sold for 1.95 million.

Lot 18, a Tang Dynasty silk fragment, starting bid 700,000, sold for 1.3 million.

Time slipped away bit by bit, and the lots were sold one by one.

Hu Tian's gaze remained calm, but in his mind, he was silently calculating his bidding strategy.

He knew that the estimated price range for the Sogdiana silverware was between 3 million and 6 million, but the actual transaction price would likely exceed this range.

After all, such artifacts were too rare on the market; once they appeared, they would inevitably trigger competition from multiple parties.

He had set his own psychological price limit at 6 million.

If it exceeded this price, he would give up.

After all, for him, the Sogdiana silverware was just a thought, merely related to Genghis Khan, and there was no need to be stubborn over a single lot.

The auction continued.

Lot 25, a Tang Dynasty gold and silver artifact, starting bid 4 million, sold for 7.2 million.

Lot 26, a Persian bronze mirror, starting bid 1.5 million, sold for 2.8 million.

Lot 27, a Tang Dynasty jade belt hook, starting bid 1.8 million, sold for 3.5 million.

Hu Tian's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, the rhythm steady, his expression remaining calm.

Elder Qin glanced at him from the side, said nothing, and simply picked up his teacup for a sip.

Lot 28, a Tang Dynasty bronze mirror, starting bid 1.2 million, sold for 5.3 million.

Lot 29, a Persian glass bottle, starting bid 2.8 million, sold for 6.4 million.

Finally, it was time for lot number 30.

Auctioneer Li Ming's voice rang out again: "Next is lot number 30, Sogdiana silverware—a gilded silver plate, 28 centimeters in diameter, weighing about 1.2 kilograms, dating from the 7th to 8th century AD, which is the Sui and Tang period."

He paused, then continued: "This silver plate is gilded all over. The center of the plate is chiseled with hunting motifs; the human figures are vivid, the animal forms are lifelike, the craftsmanship is exquisite, and it is well-preserved. There is an inscription in Sogdiana script on the bottom of the plate. According to expert appraisal, it was an artifact used by ancient Sogdiana nobility. The starting bid is 1.3 million."

The lights in the auction hall focused once again on the exhibition stage.

A silver plate stood quietly there, its surface shimmering with a soft golden luster under the lights.

The motifs in the center of the plate were clearly visible: a knight holding a long spear was chasing a running deer, surrounded by a few flying birds and plant patterns; the entire scene was full of movement and vitality.

Hu Tian's gaze fell upon that silver plate, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Elder Qin whispered from the side: "Sogdiana silverware is rarely seen on the market, and one in such good condition is even rarer."

He paused and added, "Young friend Hu Tian, are you interested in Western Regions culture?"

Hu Tian nodded and said indifferently: "A little."

Elder Qin did not ask further, only glancing at him thoughtfully.

The bidding began.

"1.3 million." A middle-aged man raised his bidding paddle.

"1.5 million." Another female buyer followed up.

"1.8 million." Yet another buyer joined the competition.

Hu Tian was not in a hurry to raise his paddle; he just watched the stage quietly.

He knew that at such times, the more eager one was to make a move, the easier it was to be targeted by others.

"4.2 million."

"4.5 million."

"4.8 million."

The price climbed all the way up, quickly breaking through the upper limit of the estimated price range.

Hu Tian glanced at the situation in the room and found that there were four buyers bidding, two of whom had already started to hesitate.

He picked up his teacup for a sip, then put it down and gently raised the bidding paddle in his hand.

"5.2 million."

His voice was not loud, but his tone was steady, without the slightest hesitation.

The eyes in the auction hall instantly focused on him.

Elder Qin glanced at him from the side, his eyes carrying a hint of surprise, but he quickly returned to calmness.

The middle-aged man frowned, hesitated for a few seconds, and then raised his bidding paddle: "5.5 million."

The female buyer shook her head and put down her paddle.

The other two buyers also gave up one after another.

Now, only Hu Tian and the middle-aged man were left competing.

Auctioneer Li Ming announced the price at the appropriate moment: "5.5 million, going once."

Hu Tian did not hesitate and raised his paddle again: "5.7 million."

The middle-aged man's expression changed slightly; he lowered his head to say a few words to the assistant beside him, then looked up and raised the paddle again: "5.8 million."

Hu Tian's gaze fell upon that silver plate, his mind calculating rapidly.

5.8 million was already about to exceed the upper limit of the estimated price range, but it was still within his psychological price limit.

He raised the paddle again: "6 million."

The middle-aged man fell silent.

He stared at the silver plate on the stage, his gaze complex, as if making a final trade-off.

Auctioneer Li Ming announced in a deep voice: "6 million, going once."

Pause.

"6 million, going twice."

The middle-aged man finally shook his head and put down his paddle.

"6 million, going three times. Sold!"

Li Ming's gavel fell, the sound crisp.

Applause rang out in the auction hall.

Hu Tian exhaled gently, a slight curve appearing at the corners of his mouth.

6 million.

But this silver plate was worth that price.

Elder Qin whispered from the side: "You are very confident in this silver plate?"

Hu Tian nodded and said indifferently: "Sogdiana silverware is rarely seen on the market, and one in such good condition is even rarer."

Elder Qin glanced at him thoughtfully and said nothing more.

The auction continued.

For the subsequent lots, Hu Tian did not make any more bids.

He sat quietly in his seat, flipping through the catalog, occasionally picking up his teacup for a sip, his expression calm, as if nothing had happened.

Elder Qin, sitting beside him, also said nothing more, only glancing at him occasionally.

The auction continued until past seven in the evening before it ended.

After the final lot was sold, Auctioneer Li Ming stood on the stage and said with a smile: "Thank you for the support of all collectors; tonight's auction ends here. Please complete the payment procedures within two working days, and we will arrange the delivery matters as soon as possible. Thank you, everyone."

Applause rang out again.

People in the auction hall began to leave one after another.

Hu Tian stood up, straightened his clothes, and prepared to leave.

Elder Qin also stood up, looked at him, and said: "Little Hu, your performance tonight was very good."

Hu Tian smiled and said: "Elder Qin, you flatter me."

Elder Qin shook his head and said: "It is not flattery, it is the truth. The five items you submitted for auction tonight were all top-quality pieces, and when you bid on that Sogdiana silverware, your move was decisive and your eye was unique—this is not something an ordinary person could do."

He paused and added, "Do you have research on Western Regions culture?"