The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 160



< Christie’s & Sotheby’s (2) >

“Your Majesty.”

“Walter?”

Huh?

What’s Walter doing at this hour?

I heard that the private auction will definitely be held tomorrow evening.

“What’s going on?”

“The actual auction will start tomorrow but the items that will be up for auction will be shown to VVIPs who have applied in advance today.”

“Oh! Really?”

“Yes. Would you like to move with me?”

It’s a hundred times better to see the actual product in person than to just glance through a pre-made catalog.

“Let’s do that.”

“This way.”

I took a car ride into downtown London with Walter.

The car we were in stopped in front of the huge music hall where opera performances were usually held as if the auction was being held there.

“Before we enter I would like to inform the prince of some relevant rules in advance.”

The auction format varies slightly depending on the organizer of each event.

The last event I attended was hosted by New York City and Morgan.

At that time it was a donation auction for children with sick children so everyone wrote down a large amount with good intentions.

“So this auction hosted by Christie’s is a secret auction where you can hide your identity?”

“yes.”

Being able to hide your identity has many benefits.

There is no need to disclose to the public the source of the money going to the auction.

At the same time antiquities that were smuggled into the UK without due process will also be available for shopping.

“I brought a few masks for your majesty. Which one would you like to wear tomorrow?”

Walter said that among the many masks he would wear he would wear a mask full of peacock feathers.

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I smiled at Walter choosing a simple white mask with pearls embedded in it.

‘If I dress up and attend the auction tomorrow… people won’t know my true identity.’

When wearing masks it is not easy to distinguish between white people and yellow people.

further.

If you wear gloves it becomes even more difficult to tell the difference.

The purpose of this event is to be able to properly hide my identity.

“Your Majesty.”

“Tell me.”

“I would like to make a suggestion to your Majesty.”

Looking at Walter I raised the corners of my lips slightly and smirked.

“What kind of proposal is it that makes you look so solemn?”

“Hasn’t there been some uncomfortable issues between the prince and our family recently?”

“Yes. There was a very minor misunderstanding.”

I shrugged my shoulders and made a face that showed no trace of regret.

“But I have resolved that grudge thanks to your father’s apology in the past. So don’t worry too much.”

Walter unlike the Baron had a considerable fondness for me.

further.

Unlike my father he had a keen interest in Israeli independence.

Because you almost died with me in San Francisco.

He seemed to sense some inexplicable kinship with me.

“I think yesterday’s apology was a little insufficient. So I would like to suggest something to the prince.”

I tilted my head and listened to Walter’s suggestion.

It was quite an interesting suggestion so I looked slightly surprised.

“So… you’re going to gift me one of the items being auctioned this time?”

“yes.”

“What if I suddenly choose an expensive painting?”

I don’t know what will come out today though.

How would they handle it if an extremely expensive artifact worth over a million dollars appeared?

‘For example what if the Egyptian Tutankhamun mask came out? That would be a huge hit.’

Ancient relics made of gold were quite expensive both then and now.

Especially Westerners.

When it came to the treasures of Egypt they would compete with each other their eyes burning with excitement trying to get hold of them.

“It is my family’s karma so there is nothing I can do about it. I just hope that the prince will have mercy on me.”

“Hmm I see.”

I have a conscience so I wouldn’t do something like that.

You should ask them to buy you one within a reasonable range.

“I will let you know once I find what I really want.”

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After getting out of the car with Walter I headed to the event venue.

since.

He gave them another invitation different from the one the Baron had given them.

“Confirmed. Please come in.”

“Okay.”

* * *

“This is the catalog that will be distributed tomorrow. Please refer to it before visiting today.”

After receiving a booklet containing brief information about the artifacts I headed into the event hall where the auction items were on display.

“Hello. Are you interested in this cultural property? This artifact is a treasure from Egypt….”

The venue was filled with staff guarding and guiding the relics.

I’m worried that I might get robbed.

It seemed like they were having a pre-opening run event even suggesting the number of spectators.

‘oh!’

You can also see Pharaoh’s belongings excavated from the Great Pyramid of Egypt.

Several stone statues that were secretly taken from Greek temples also stand out.

‘These are cultural assets of considerable high quality.’

Most of them came from British colonies.

The most hateful country among hateful nations is the United Kingdom which seems to have not been able to shake off its old habit of piracy and is collecting cultural assets from all over the world.

As I was admiring the various items I stopped for a moment.

Because one painting caught my eye and caught my attention.

“It’s difficult.”

Among ancient cultural assets.

Relatively modern jewels are on display.

‘A self-portrait by the 17th century Dutch painter Rembrandt!’

Next to it there was also a work by Paul Gauguin who had died seven years ago.

‘This is here?’

18th century.

There are also works by Goethe the famous author of ‘The Sorrows of Young Berber’.

Another famous work ‘Faust.’

It is said that the original manuscript will be up for auction this time.

I gulped when I saw this.

‘There are only national treasures here.’

Although some of them have already gone up in price by a huge amount.

Many of them are still unknown to collectors for their true value.

That’s probably why the price was much cheaper than expected.

It was a great opportunity to create a Lee Kang collection so I smiled inwardly and looked at each item one by one.

“Sir this piece of art is from far away Joseon.”

While admiring the numerous cultural assets Walter stopped for a moment in the distance.

A loud-voiced curator began to explain something earnestly to Walter.

“This work is commonly called Seokparan.”

I was explaining to Walter but his voice was so loud.

It sounded very good to my ears too.

That’s why the explanation was conveyed to me very clearly.

“You probably know that Prince Lee Kang… Isn’t his name being talked about a lot these days?”

The grandfather of this body.

Heungseon Daewongun’s works are in England.

I opened my eyes wide and stared at Walter for a while in silence.

“This is a work of art drawn by Prince Lee Kang’s grandfather. Rumor has it that there are so many works by Seokparan that the investment value is not that high but if you wish to have a conversation with Prince Lee Kang….”

The curator explained the value of the work in front of me suggesting that I buy it and present it to him.

“omg.”

The curator looks dumbfounded at my surprise appearance.

I don’t care whether it’s like that or not.

I quickly looked around Daewongun’s Seokparan.

‘This is… not the common stone orchid that you see on the market.’

There are Chinese characters written on one side of the orchid painting.

Thanks to possessing Lee Kang’s body I was able to interpret this easily.

『The Martial Arts Masterpiece of the Seventy-Nine-Year-Old Seokpa』

to the letter.

It means ‘On the day of Eulmi in early 1898 Seokpa (Daewongun) started a rebellion while he was 79 years old and sick.’

This work can almost be considered as Heungseon Daewongun’s last work as he died in February 1898.

‘This is….’

This is a work that you cannot help but enjoy.

no way.

Did the Rothschild family know in advance that this piece would be up for auction?

‘The Baron is a big shot in this business so he might have heard this information first.’

I understand why Walter so boldly declared that he wanted to give me a gift.

It’s the legacy of a blood relative.

How can I just let it go?

“The answer has been decided.”

“Is this what you want?”

“okay.”

Walter smiled at my answer.

Tch.

I wanted to ask for something more expensive.

It’s not like I don’t have money.

He planned to entrust it to the Rothschilds so that they could have it for sure.

‘ah!’

A slightly amusing idea occurred to me.

Walter oblivious to my thoughts hurried to the other exhibits to view other artifacts.

“This… is probably my grandfather’s last will and testament.”

“yes?”

“It’s written here. Martial Arts Teacher. It was three weeks before my grandfather passed away.”

“ah….”

After whispering softly she gave a small wink.

‘Go to sleep. Go to work.’

The curator after I left.

When explaining this work I’ll expand on the part you just mentioned right?

‘Well it’s not like I’m buying it with my own money.’

It’s the same stone orchid so how much will the price go up?

They said they came across the sea.

But with the added bonus the estimated value is a thousand pounds.

Wow.

I happily wandered through the exhibition anticipating the Baron’s face crumpling.

There were still many interesting works so I enjoyed them without realizing the passage of time.

* * *

The stone was sold for 20000 pounds.

Its value had increased by a whopping 20 times compared to the initial estimate.

‘There are fewer leaked Korean cultural assets than I thought.’

There must be several reasons.

First of all most of the cultural assets that were taken overseas are currently in Japan.

Moreover yet.

It is only a protectorate not an annexation.

Thanks to that it seems that our country’s cultural assets were not smuggled out of the country.

‘Here we find another reason why we should not be annexed and should remain a protectorate.’

Two more days passed since then.

Not long after Christie’s Secret Private Auction ended another auction was held nearby.

The next auction was held by Sotheby’s another major auction house in the world.

“Hello Your Highness.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Although it was a private auction in which the general public could not participate it was a little different from before.

“Please give me the invitation you have.”

“Here it is.”

“I confirmed it. Then please follow me this way.”

The auction hosted by Sotheby’s was different from previous auctions in that it was not a secret auction with masks or anything like that.

Those who participated in a more open manner were able to see each other’s sides.

“It’s been a while Representative Hearst.”

“Oh the prince also attended this auction.”

“then.”

These days many regular members of the Bohemian Club who attend meetings less frequently are seen.

Thanks to you.

I heard regretful words from all of them.

I felt pressured to attend the meeting.

“This prince.”

“You?”

“Michael Gantry Sotheby’s. He is a descendant of the founder of Sotheby’s Auction House which hosted this event today. He currently serves as the vice president.”

“ah!”

“Nice to meet you.”

Michael kept bowing to me and asking me to take care of him today.

“I never thought I would meet the prince here. What kind of painters are you supporting these days prince?”

“Well I don’t have a specific person in mind I just buy the paintings as I please… so it’s hard to pinpoint one person in particular.”

“Aha I see. You are inspiring and supporting new writers today.”

Over the past five years I have become a prominent collector occasionally pouring money into the art world.

Moreover I am the third richest man in America after Morgan and Rockefeller.

There is also the financial power to fully support rising writers.

Unlike other people I have a good appreciation for art so when people tell me that they bought a piece of art I get a bonus.

Is that why?

The descendant of the founder of Sotheby’s kept bowing down to me and asking me to buy more works this time.

That’s probably because it will help your business too.

“Okay I understand. I’ll take a look around and chat for a bit.”

This year’s Sotheby’s auction was a bit unusual.

It is said that living artists will attend the auction in person today.

It is said that he personally explains and promotes his works even those that have already left his hands.

‘Is the price for promoting a new work?’

It’s an auction and an exhibition at the same time.

It’s a really interesting method.

‘All the major painters gathered in one place.’

further.

It’s amazing to be able to hear explanations about their works directly from the artists themselves.

It was a really great opportunity.

“Are you by any chance the prince?”

“who?”

“Nice to meet you. My name is Munch.”

< Christie’s & Sotheby’s (2) > End