Chapter 219: Chapter 216 Authentic Huaxia Koi Chapter 219: Chapter 216 Authentic Huaxia Koi Hattori Masano’s eyes flashed with a glint of resolve.
He knew this appraisal event was a civilian activity, and the two red and white koi must have been raised by ordinary people.
Perhaps the person who raised the fish wasn’t aware of the significance these two koi represented, but he was very clear about it.
Decades of research by the corporation had become futile in front of these two fish.
Hattori Masano did not know whether the success of these red and white koi was accidental or inevitable, nor did he know what methods the breeder had used to cultivate such exquisite specimens, but he could no longer concern himself with that. He had only one thought in his heart, and that was that he must acquire these two fish today.
He had long been dissatisfied with his current position as the vice president, but with the president blocking his way, he feared he might have to remain in this position for another seven or eight, maybe ten years.
Now that an opportunity to replace the president had presented itself, how could he not seize it?
As long as he could buy these two fish, the future koi market would truly belong to Dongyang. By that time, he would be Dongyang’s great hero, and the position of president of the corporation would be his for sure!
In just a few dozen seconds, Hattori Masano had thought through so much, and a beautiful blueprint for the future had been constructed in his mind. The joy in his heart was churning like raging waves.
“Zhou Zhen, I really like these two koi. Could you please help me buy them? Rest assured, Zhen, once I return to our country, I will definitely bring Zhou Family’s cooperative project to my sister, so she can discuss and negotiate with you,” Hattori Masano said cautiously.
Previously, when Hattori Masano heard that Zhou Zhen wanted to cooperate with his sister, the old fox pretended not to understand, always playing Tai Chi. He hadn’t expected that just by attending a koi competition, Zhou Zhen would give in so quickly!
The moment Zhou Zhen heard this, he felt a burst of joy in his heart, thinking that Ah Xin’s idea was indeed effective. Without giving it much thought, he did not wonder why Hattori Masano would want to buy two red and white koi in Huaxia Country; weren’t they more plentiful and better in Dongyang?
Having received Zhou Zhen’s affirmative response, Hattori Masano relaxed slightly, and his expression was no longer as tense. He feigned ease and smiled as if he was not particularly concerned about the two koi, but in reality, he was more anxious than anyone.
At four o’clock in the afternoon, the koi fighting competition officially began the voting tally, and the results of the appraisal event were determined by half public votes and half by an expert panel.
The selection results were announced swiftly. The secret ballot showed Qin Shaoyou’s Huadiao short snapper in the lead, followed closely by Huo Sining’s red and white koi. Seeing the voting results, Huo Sining felt relief and a smile appeared on his face.
Next were the expert votes. The experts began their critiques, and a large group of fish enthusiasts sat in the hall listening intently.
When it came to Huo Sining’s two koi, a Professor Zhu with a microphone started a long speech, praising Dongyang koi lavishly. His excessively flattering words irritated Huo Sining deeply.
“What a rubbish professor, can’t even tell the difference between local and Dongyang koi, and dares to make a fool of himself in front of so many people!”
Huo Sining felt gloomy, while Professor Zhu continued his speech at a comfortable pace. However, at that moment, a man on the stage abruptly stood up and interrupted Professor Zhu’s critique.
“Professor, I have a slightly different opinion.”
This was a young man in his mid-twenties, wearing a faded blue flannel coat, with fair skin and slightly curly chestnut short hair. His features were delicate, and a standard set of eight teeth flashed whenever he smiled.
However, as soon as he opened his mouth, it caused Professor Zhu’s face to instantly flush with anger. Being interrupted for no reason was obviously a sign of disrespect, but upon glancing at the man, Professor Zhu swallowed his words and nodded begrudgingly, “Mr. Fujiwara, please, speak.”
Mr. Fujiwara? Huo Sining was stunned, and Old Fish quickly explained, “This is the owner of Qingping Pavilion, Fujiwara Seiho.”
Huo Sining realized who it was, yet he looked at Fujiwara Seiho with confusion, unsure of why he had interrupted Professor Zhu’s commentary.
The others also looked puzzled toward the podium. Fujiwara Seiho, with a shy smile on his face, leaned forward slightly. His gaze swept across the audience with subtle scrutiny as he took the microphone and began to speak:
“I believe that Professor Zhu’s statement just now is incorrect. Those two koi are not Japanese koi but genuine red and white koi, belonging to an indigenous Huaxia variety.”
These words immediately provoked a tumult in the venue.
Hattori Masano, who was standing below the stage, was dumbfounded. By the time he regained his composure, his complexion had darkened, and his temples throbbed violently. He glared at the man on the stage with venomous eyes, wishing he could charge up there and drive the disruptive speaker off.
Huo Sining was also shocked. She had not expected that an issue none of the so-called ornamental fish enthusiasts had noticed after hours of observation would be pointed out by the owner of Qingping Pavilion.
“Koi originated in Huaxia, but as it is widely known, the features of indigenous Huaxia koi aren’t very distinct and have many flaws. However, these two koi indeed possess the distinct characteristics of Huaxia koi, but their colors are more vibrant, the segmentation more defined, and there are differences in their body shapes, leading everyone to mistake them for foreign species from Dongyang.”
“If I am not mistaken, these two koi are not only local varieties but also of pure bloodline. That is why I say they’re genuine red and white koi. Although Japanese koi might look beautiful, their genes have long been found to be mutated and have departed from purebred koi. They cannot truly be classified as koi in the real sense anymore.”
“Nature’s gift is the true treasure. I think these two koi are more precious than the colorful short-bodied parrotfish because of their pure bloodline. In my heart, these two koi are truly priceless treasures, and they are indeed the deserved Fish Kings of today!”
The venue fell into silence. The judges on the panel exchanged glances, and Qin Shaoyou and Tian Yuan caught each other’s eyes, each seeing a trace of seriousness in the other.
Qin Shaoyou and Tian Yuan specialized in aquatic biology research, so naturally, they saw the issue from a more long-term perspective.
If these were indeed indigenous purebred koi capable of breeding red and white segmentations, it would be a very important research project. Once successful and utilized, the future market for red and white koi was bound to undergo a drastic change!
Thus, this Koi Fighting Tournament was no longer just a simple ornamental fish appraisal, it might become an important turning point in the development of domestic ornamental koi!
Qin Shaoyou understood the implications and immediately informed Gan Lijun, who quickly contacted and organized professionals from the research institute to head to Qingping Mountain.
After receiving Gan Lijun’s affirming response, Qin Shaoyou immediately briefed Huo Sining, insisting that she must stabilize the situation no matter what and not sell the fish just for the small benefits at hand.
Qin Shaoyou spoke very earnestly, and upon hearing his words, Huo Sining’s head buzzed, and she felt faint.