After the market price is inflated, they then control the artist to launder money.
For example,
in 2014, a regular piece by young rising star concept artist Richard Toff from New York sold for 5.6 million Pounds.
This was just the starting point of the transaction value for his work.
In the subsequent months, his works were insanely hyped. By March 2015, any of his paintings was auctioned for the astronomical price of 25 million US Dollars.
In just a few months, his works stepped into the ranks of top-tier artists. Then, rumors spread that Richard was involved in money laundering for Latin Arican drug lords and was being investigated by international anti-money laundering organizations.
"Mr. Xiao Gu, I understand you are a principled person, but there is no need to be overly rigid. Following the straight path, how much money can you make in a lifeti?"
Putting moral judgnts aside,
many in the art industry seek such opportunities in vain.
If you want money, there’s money, if you want fa, there’s fa.
In transactions that often reach tens of millions of US dollars, even if the major share goes to people like Brother Hao, you could easily take a small percentage and live a comfortable life.
Bald also understands Brother Hao’s appreciation for Gu Weijing.
To gain Elder Cao’s appreciation and endorsent, especially being a local in Yangon, is like having a gold mine with lots of potential, easily branding as a national painting genius.
"With such talent, it’s normal for Mr. Xiao Gu to look down on those few million Myanmar Kyat. This is a gift from Brother Hao to you as a eting present. If there was any previous offense, please bear with it."
While speaking,
Bald took a car key from his belt, placed it on the table, and pushed it over.
Under the sunlight,
the brown genuine leather key with chro-plated silver letter B shone brightly, exuding a tempting glow.
Bald pressed the button on the key twice.
Gu Weijing turned his head, across the street parking space, a silver streamlined touring sports car’s lights flickered twice.
He didn’t know cars,
but he could still tell it was a very expensive driving machine.
Among the luxury cars parked by those international school parents waiting to pick up their children, it stood out remarkably.
Many boys and girls passing by the car looked at the pearl-silver body with reverence and longing.
"Bentley Continental GT, not a frequently seen counterfeit smuggled luxury car in Myanmar, it has legitimate procedures, airlifted from the United Kingdom just last week. I just got the car a few days ago, and initially planned to personally deliver it to Mr. Xiao Gu next week."
Bald stared at Gu Weijing with a tempting tone like the Devil expecting to sign a contract with humans in "Faust".
Brother Hao is always generous to talented subordinates,
but giving a Bentley as a eting gift is an exceptionally large gesture.
Boys love nothing more than girls and cars, in Myanmar if you have money, you can have girls.
And when such a symbol of wealth, a super-luxury sports car, is right in front of you, no one can easily refuse.
Brother Hao always liked the movie "The Godfather", during the making of "The Godfather 2," the big director was so stubborn, reluctant to make the sequel.
The executives at Paramount Pictures slapped a luxury rcedes-Benz car key on the table as a signing fee; even the big director yielded imdiately to the allure of money.
Bald didn’t know if Brother Hao got his inspiration from the movie.
But just like that classic movie line,
it’s an offer you can’t refuse.
Looking at Bald’s eager eyes on him, Gu Weijing suddenly found it amusing.
He thought life is indeed unpredictable.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Sakai was still worried about whether she could sell a painting for ten thousand dollars in the future.
After school in the afternoon,
first witnessed a shooting incident.
Then soone ca up to him, offering to help hype his artwork to astronomical prices, and generously wanting to gift him a super-luxury car.
And he himself doesn’t even have a driver’s license.
"I refuse."
Gu Weijing’s smile faded, and he spoke softly.
"Art is just art, whether it sells for one dollar or one billion dollars, collaborating with a money-laundering black market like you is a disgrace to an artist. If I listen, you may give a luxury car, and if I don’t, you wouldn’t hesitate to send a bullet into my head." Gu Weijing’s gaze turned to the window.
"Mr. Xiao Gu, I think you have a prejudice against us."
Bald’s smile faded, clearly a bit upset: "Do you think that just shot dead person was a good guy? A degenerate gambler owing high-interest debts, a bullet, Brother Hao was already very rciful, do you know what other bosses would do in this situation? In Myanmar, a healthy body in the black market can..."
"Sir, no need to tell how you do things, I’m not interested."
Gu Weijing shook his head with disgust, "I just hope you won’t disturb , let Brother Hao earn his fortune, and let be my little artist, is that okay?"
Bald stared at Gu Weijing, his facial expressions changing several tis, for a mont, Gu Weijing was almost prepared for the other party to flare up at his ungratefulness.
But in the end,
Bald just sighed.
"Still the sa saying, I’m not the one calling the shots. I need to inform Brother Hao, hear what he thinks."
Bald took out his phone, dialed a number, "Brother Hao, Mr. Xiao Gu didn’t agree to your proposal... Yes, he refused. He said art is just art..."
Gu Weijing watched Bald having a brief and respectful conversation with the person on the other end, then put down the receiver.
"I don’t get it, but Brother Hao isn’t angry... he seems to really admire you, he likes young people with ambition."
He clapped his hands.
A young follower waiting outside the café entered, Bald whispered a few words in the follower’s ear.
A few minutes later,
the follower brought a new phone from a nearby shop.
Bald unboxed the phone in front of Gu Weijing, operated it for a while, then handed it to Gu Weijing.
"Brother Hao asked to save his private number in here."
Bald said. "If you change your mind, please feel free to call him. If you have any other requests, also, Brother Hao is keen to make friends with you. Really, in Myanmar, even senior police inspectors feel honored to have Brother Hao’s phone number."
He pushed the phone over.
"Having a friend like Brother Hao, you won’t regret it."
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