The young man asked, "Auctioneer, if a group does not win the mining rights for any mineral deposit, can this group still enter the dinosaur world?"
This question startled all the group representatives. That was right. If they didn't win the mining rights for any mineral deposit, could they still enter the dinosaur world? All the group representatives waited for an answer.
The auctioneer fell silent after hearing the question. After all, he didn't know how to answer.
At this moment, the host who had spoken at the beginning returned to the stage and picked up the microphone. "Everyone, please don't worry. In addition to the mining rights, there are other operating rights this time. Any group that wins any of the other operating rights can enter the dinosaur world. Furthermore, the dinosaur world will be open to all citizens of Dragon Country in the future."
After he finished speaking, the host stepped down again.
At this time, the expressions of the group representatives below changed completely. They were filled with a determined resolve to win. Those who had been lounging around sat up straight.
Yan Hongyun said, "Huh? Why do I feel like the atmosphere in the auction hall has changed? Am I mistaken?"
Old Master Yan said, "You are not mistaken. The atmosphere of the auction has changed. That host really understands human nature. Look at the young man who asked the question just now. That young man was arranged by the host to ask at this time. This was a good move."
Yan Hongyun asked in confusion, "What's going on? I don't understand."
Old Master Yan said, "Think carefully about what the host just said. His words are very clear. To enter the dinosaur world, one only needs to bid for something at this auction. If they don't bid, then the group cannot enter the dinosaur world."
Yan Hongyun asked, "Didn't that host say that the dinosaur world will be open to all Dragon Country citizens in the future? It should be fine then."
Old Master Yan said, "In the future? How long is 'in the future'? By then, will the major groups that enter later still have a chance? We must seize the opportunity. Son, try asking this..."
Old Master Yan whispered a few words into Yan Hongyun's ear.
Yan Hongyun nodded, then stood up and asked, "Since this is an auction, there should be an auction catalog. I hope a catalog can be provided."
Other group representatives chimed in their agreement.
"That's right. This auction is missing a catalog."
"At least let us know what items are being auctioned."
"..."
The host looked around. When his gaze fell on the young man he had arranged, the young man made a helpless gesture. There was indeed an auction catalog. The host had intended to release it after a few more auctions. Given the current situation, it was better to release it now.
The host said, "Please don't be anxious. Here is the auction catalog."
Immediately, a staff member brought in a stack of auction catalogs from outside. Each participant with a number plate received one.
At this time, the auctioneer above continued the bidding.
"Very good, let's continue with the auction. The price has reached 3.2 billion. Are there any companies willing to bid higher?"
"3.2 billion, first call."
Someone immediately raised a paddle to bid.
"3.3 billion."
"..."
During this bidding, everyone began to flip through the auction catalog.
Su Han opened the catalog to browse. The first item for auction was this iron ore deposit. The second item was also an iron mine. The first ten auction items were all mining rights for iron ore. Starting from the eleventh auction item, there were other mineral deposits.
He continued to look through the first hundred or so items, all of which were mining rights.
After the first hundred, there were various other items.
The representatives of the steel mills saw that there were still so many iron ore deposits and immediately had ideas.
"Since there are so many iron ores, we don't need to fight over them."
"That's right. One company can bid for one iron mine, and that will be fine."
"But there are eleven companies, and only ten iron mines. Doesn't that mean one company won't be able to bid?"
"This must be for your steel companies. After all, your steel company is the smallest among us. When it comes to entering the dinosaur world, it should be for the top ten steel companies."
"Impossible. Our company will not give up this opportunity."
"Then let's decide based on strength!"
The organizers had anticipated that the company representatives might collude. Therefore, it was natural for there to be more iron ore deposits than steel companies.
The mining rights for the first iron ore were auctioned for 12.9 billion yuan.
Then, the auction for the second iron ore mining rights began.
These ten iron ore deposits were all easily accessible open-pit mines with high iron content.
The estimated reserves of the second iron ore deposit reached 8.7 billion tons.
The starting bid for this one was directly from 5 billion.
The representative of the eleventh-ranked steel company quickly raised his paddle.
"5.1 billion."
After looking at each other, the representative of the tenth-ranked steel company said, "Let my company have this one this time."
The representative of the tenth steel company began to bid against the representative of the eleventh steel company.
"5.2 billion."
"..."
Su Han could also see the friction between the eleven steel companies over the ten iron ore deposits. Therefore, Su Han was not too surprised. After all, the competition between these steel companies was a good thing for Su Han and the entire Otherworld Development Department.
In the end, under the siege of the top ten steel companies, the eleventh company did not obtain the mining rights for any iron ore deposit.
At this time, Yan Hongyun, who was at the back, asked, "That's strange. Why didn't the representative of that eleventh steel company be more aggressive and bid directly above twenty billion? If they doubled the price, wouldn't they be afraid of not getting the mining rights for one of the iron mines?"
Old Master Yan continued to explain, "Even state-owned steel companies need to be profitable. If the people from that eleventh steel company spent so much money, when they returned, they would be removed from their general manager positions. After all, even their steel company cannot mine so much iron ore within five years. The iron ore reserves are large, but even for a steel company, it is impossible to mine so much iron ore within five years. This also includes the time required for road construction, and so on."
"Road construction? Does this require steel companies to build it? Won't Dragon Country build it?" Yan Hongyun continued to be confused.
Old Master Yan continued to explain, "There are no residential areas at the iron ore sites, so Dragon Country cannot immediately start construction. It would take a few more years. It's better for the steel companies to build the roads themselves. You'll understand if you think about it!"