It's important to know that hiring an expert to conduct an appraisal costs a considerable amount of money. If an appraisal certificate is required, the price will be even higher, ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of yuan. Most people are unwilling to spend that money. Now that there is a free expert in front of them, no one is willing to give up this opportunity.
Seeing that he couldn't squeeze out, Manager Zhang simply climbed onto a counter and shouted loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, we're all in the same business, we're into culture, so don't let Teacher Zhuang laugh at us. How about this, if anyone has any items at home, go home and get them right now. Teacher Zhuang is a guest at our antique market, he definitely won't be leaving anytime soon. Everyone line up later, and we'll invite Teacher Zhuang to do a live appraisal. What do you say?"
"Okay, I wonder if Teacher Zhuang would be willing?"
"That's right? Manager Zhang, if Teacher Zhuang leaves, will you be the one to make the assessment?"
"Yes, let Teacher Zhuang say if it's okay. If it is (Henan dialect, meaning whether it's acceptable or not), I'll go home to get my things..."
To Zhang Li's surprise, this tenant, whom he was usually quite familiar with, was now refusing to cooperate. Manager Zhang, standing at the counter, was turning red and white in turns, unsure whether Zhuang Rui would agree.
Seeing Manager Zhang's pleading expression, Zhuang Rui felt a little helpless. Even browsing the antique market could lead to trouble. However, considering the great bargain he'd found today, and since he had nothing else to do in the afternoon, Zhuang Rui nodded and said, "Let's do as Manager Zhang says. But don't bring too many things. I'll only look at one item per person. Friends, bring some good quality, more refined pieces..."
Zhuang Rui fears that if everyone brings all their ceramic jars without thinking twice, they might not be able to finish looking at them in an afternoon, or even a week.
The number of collectors in Zhengzhou is not necessarily less than in Beijing, because the surrounding cities have a much deeper cultural heritage. Luoyang and Kaifeng, for example, have histories that are longer than those of Beijing.
"Okay, everyone make way. Teacher Zhuang has agreed, so let Teacher Zhuang go and rest for a bit..."
"Yes...yes, make way, make way quickly..."
Upon hearing Zhuang Rui's agreement, cheers erupted from the crowd. The demands of the masses are actually quite easy to meet, and some people had already begun to take the initiative to maintain order.
Some shrewd people turned around and left. The sooner they got their things back, the sooner Zhuang Rui could see them. Otherwise, with at least several hundred people in the venue, how long would it take to get in line?
In an instant, those with cars drove, and those without hailed taxis. Whether they were stall owners or regular customers browsing, they all flocked out of the antique market. Anyone who didn't know better might have thought the antique market had been bombed.
"Old Li, are you still selling the rest of your jade?"
The people who hadn't yet left the antique market were now eyeing Old Li, who was standing there dumbfounded. Among these unwashed items were two pieces of ancient jade from the Shang Dynasty; who knew there might be some good stuff inside.
"Hey, the guy next door selling Mahle, this money shouldn't belong to me, Old Li. But these leftovers, 500 yuan each, take them if you want..."
Old Li was pondering how this, which was clearly a "landmine" scam, could produce two genuine victims. After thinking for a long time, Old Li concluded that it was because his fate was unlucky and money never seemed to stick with him.
Old Li had sold the items in full view of everyone, so he didn't have the face to go back on his word. He was just being stubborn. Hundreds of thousands of yuan worth of goods had already been picked up by someone else, so he didn't care about the remaining thirty or so yuan. However, the price had increased tenfold, from fifty to five hundred.
"Hey, Lao Li, you're fucking heartless!"
"Yeah, Lao Li, give me a discount, 100 yuan each, I'll buy a few to play with..."
Those who remained were mostly stall owners whose stalls were unattended. Upon hearing Old Li's words, they all laughed and cursed.
"500 each, take it or leave it. I, Old Li, don't have that kind of luck. Who knows, maybe one of you will win the grand prize..."
Old Li refused to budge.
"Okay, give me one..."
"I want one too..."
"Old Li, you're a damn skinflint! I want four, wait, I'll pick them myself..."
Although everyone was cursing loudly, they didn't stop. In the blink of an eye, Old Li's remaining thirty-odd "ancient jade" pieces, covered in mud, were all sold out.
Chapter 693 Mountain Dwelling Picture (Part 1)
Old Li had 36 pieces of "ancient jade" left, but in less than five minutes, they were all snatched up by tourists and other stall owners.
500 yuan each, to be honest, is not expensive at all. Let alone ancient jade, even good quality new jade would cost thousands of yuan. If you find something like the one that Teacher Zhuang found, you'll make a fortune.
Old Li counted the stack of banknotes in his hand and found that it amounted to 18,000 yuan. He had almost earned back the money he had been cheated out of by the "farmer" and the "landmine" scam.
Now, Old Li is also a little confused about whether he has been scammed or whether the person was really just an honest farmer. Logically speaking, the person who set this trap should have some discernment, so as not to mix the ancient jade from the Shang Dynasty with these fakes, right?
This can only mean that Old Li was incredibly unlucky, while Zhuang Rui was incredibly lucky. The ancient jade from the Yin Shang Dynasty that originally belonged to him was somehow snatched away by Zhuang Rui.
The "props" used by the swindler were actually bought in bulk from an antique market in another city. Some of the jade was actually wrapped in clods of earth.
The "farmer's" profession was swindling, not jade appraisal. He was busy mixing these items together to make them look fake, and didn't realize that these "props" actually contained two pieces of ancient jade from the Shang Dynasty.
Although the probability of such things is relatively low, they are still heard of from time to time in the antique market. In places where wealthy families have lived or where ancient tombs are concentrated, people often go there to hunt for items. Over time, the locals have become shrewd and know how to buy some fakes to fool those city dwellers who think they are smart.
There was once a guy from Beijing who went to Hebei to search for old houses. He had a good eye and picked out seven or eight arrows with inscriptions from a pile of dilapidated modern bronze artifacts. When he returned to Beijing, they were identified as Qin Dynasty arrows, and he made a profit of seventy or eighty thousand yuan by reselling them.
Therefore, in the antique trade, what matters most is having a discerning eye; otherwise, even if a treasure is placed in front of you, you might just miss it and not recognize it.
"Old Zhao, why are you wrapping it up so tightly? If you bought something good, you should share it with the brothers..." After counting the money, Old Li turned around and saw Old Zhao, who had been the most vocal critic but had bought the most, returning from the restroom. Without asking, he must have used the tap there to clean the jade.
"Get lost, you son of a bitch! It's just a piece of Kunlun jade, worthless! Damn it, are you doing this on purpose?"
When Lao Zhao heard Lao Li's words, he was furious. He had just spent 2,000 yuan to buy four pieces of jade. However, after careful selection, he found that one piece of jade was genuine, but the workmanship was rough and the quality was poor. It was worth at most 20 yuan. In the blink of an eye, he lost 1,980 yuan. How could Lao Zhao be in a good mood?
"Yeah, Lao Li, are you doing this on purpose?"
"Old Li, this isn't jade at all! It's just plastic..."
"Old Li, you owe me money! Damn it, I spent 1500 yuan on three pieces of glass, and I don't know what my wife will do when I get home..."
The people who went to clean the jade have all returned, each with an unfriendly expression. They originally wanted to try their luck and get a bargain, but who knew that apart from Old Zhao having a piece of jade, the others had absolutely nothing to do with jade.
This inevitably raises suspicions that Lao Li is shifting the risk, using everyone's money to cover the 20,000 yuan he lost. Indeed, the amount of cash Lao Li holds in his hand is enough to prove that he has basically not lost much money now.
"Hey...hey, everyone, I haven't touched any of these things. Think about it, I can't possibly throw two pieces of ancient jade worth hundreds of thousands in here to set a trap, can I? Besides, do I have that much influence to hire Teacher Zhuang to set a trap for you all? Damn it, if I were just a little more diligent, those two pieces of jade would be mine..."
Old Li originally wanted to explain, but as he spoke, his temper flared up, and he wanted to slap himself a few times. He said, "I've already spent forty or fifty yuan wiping and cleaning it. Why couldn't I have kept going?"
Hearing what Old Li said, everyone felt relieved. They had only spent a thousand or two thousand yuan on a fake, while Old Li had personally thrown away tens of thousands. If anyone felt aggrieved, it was Old Li more aggrieved than anyone else.
By comparing themselves to Old Li's misfortune, everyone easily found a balance. Several "kind-hearted" people even offered words of comfort to Old Li. Of course, whether they were sincere or gloating was another matter.
"Teacher Zhuang, you see, I made this decision without your permission, I'm really sorry..." "It's alright, it's alright, Manager Zhang, just call me Xiao Zhuang. I'd also like to see the collections of collectors in Zhengzhou, it would be good for us to exchange experiences..."
Zhuang Rui took the water poured by Manager Zhang and politely said a few words of humility. He was going to open a museum in the future, and he would inevitably have to communicate with collectors from all over the country. He would just consider Zhengzhou as the first stop.
Besides, given the situation just now, if he hadn't agreed, he'd probably still be stuck on the first floor of the antique market.
Upon hearing Zhuang Rui's words, Manager Zhang waved his hands repeatedly and said, "I wouldn't dare accept that. You are a nationally renowned expert, you must call me 'Teacher Zhuang.' Please have a seat, I'll be right back..."
Zhuang Rui smiled and said, "Manager Zhang, please make yourself at home..."
After leaving the manager's office, Zhang Li immediately took out his phone and made a call.
"Hey, big brother, hurry up and bring that Kangxi blue and white porcelain piece from home, and that little box I hid under the bed, bring them both here too. Yes, yes, to the antique market..."
It turns out that Manager Zhang also had his own selfish motives. His brother, Zhang Feng, is also a well-known collector in Zhengzhou. His family has acquired many old items over the years, but given their expertise, they cannot determine the age of many of these items.
Zhuang Rui is currently sitting in his own office, so Manager Zhang naturally has the advantage of being in a good position.
While Zhang Li was on the phone outside, Zhuang Rui in the office also received a call.
"Mr. Ren, didn't you say you were going to look at things tomorrow? What? Now? Mr. Ren, I really can't leave right now. I'm at the Zhengzhou Antique City. I was just surrounded by a group of people who wanted to appraise some items. Why don't you come over and we can have lunch together?"
The call was from Yu Zhenping. For some reason, he suddenly wanted to meet with Zhuang Rui. Zhuang Rui didn't understand Yu Zhenping's intentions, but he still told him the truth and explained his situation.
"Oh, never mind then, I'll call Mr. Zhuang again tomorrow..."
Yu Zhenping licked his lips. He hadn't eaten meat for almost half a month. He wanted to accept Zhuang Rui's invitation, but after thinking it over, he decided that safety came first and declined Zhuang Rui's invitation.
However, after hanging up the phone, Yu Zhenping immediately stood up, dressed himself up, and hurriedly left his hiding place.
Sitting in the manager's office, Zhuang Rui thought for a moment, then took out another phone and sent a text message to Jiang Hao, explaining the situation and assuring him that he wouldn't act on his own this time, and that Jiang Hao shouldn't try to pin any problems on his friend. ...
"Manager Zhang, Manager Zhang, is Teacher Zhuang here? Hey, I'm the first one here!" Zhuang Rui was drinking tea and chatting in his office when the door to the manager's office was pushed open from the outside. Old Qi, who had just arrived, rushed in like the wind, holding a scroll in his hand. His clothes were completely soaked with sweat.
"Hey, Lao Qi, you're into ancient jade, how come you've got a painting here? You must have a lot of good stuff hidden away at home..."
Zhang Li was familiar with all the tenants in the antique market, and he immediately started joking with Lao Qi.
"Manager Zhang, don't mention it. I'm afraid your boss will be here soon, right?"
Old Qi was no longer the same person who had made things difficult for Zhuang Rui at the antique market. He realized that others had already opened private museums, which he couldn't compare to at all. He should just honestly save on the appraisal fee.
However, Lao Qi is no pushover either. If Zhuang Rui wants to be convinced, he'll need to demonstrate some real skill. At the very least, the painting he brought for appraisal today is rather obscure.
Zhang Li's office was rather modern, with a glass coffee table and a large executive desk, which wasn't really suitable for appraising objects. So he called a few security guards and they brought over an antique-style imitation rosewood long table from the wood crafts area on the first floor. They moved the large executive desk over and placed it in the center of the room.
"Old Qi, you're really fast, aren't you..."
"Old Yu, you're not slow either. What are you holding in your hand?"
"Hey, you guys are all here?"
As they spoke, the people who had just left the antique market gathered together again. Not only was the office full of people, but the corridor outside was also crowded with collectors who came for appraisal.
Moreover, this number is far greater than the number of people who just left. These days, who doesn't have a few relatives and friends?
Especially among collectors, almost everyone has their own small circle. The news of experts providing free appraisals has long been known throughout Zhengzhou's antique circles, and everyone in Zhengzhou is eagerly rushing over there.
"Ahem, everyone, please be quiet for a moment. We are fortunate to have Mr. Zhuang as our guest today, so shouldn't we give him a warm welcome?"
Zhang Li suddenly found a megaphone from somewhere, stood at the door of the room, and started shouting loudly. Although there were many people, those who entered the room were all well-known figures in Zhengzhou's antique world.
Other collectors, however, "voluntarily" formed long queues. There was no way around it; for those who didn't, the security guards immediately pointed their electric batons at them.
"Alright, I won't take up any more of your time. Now, let's invite Teacher Zhuang to begin the appraisal..."
After the applause, Manager Zhang wisely put away the megaphone and plopped down next to Zhuang Rui. Being able to observe an expert appraising treasures was a learning opportunity for him.
Chapter 694 Mountain Dwelling Picture (Part 2)
"Mr. Zhuang, could you please take a look at this painting?"
"Where did you get this item from?"
Zhuang Rui had already used his spiritual energy to observe the scroll in Lao Qi's hand when Lao Qi entered the room. He discovered that it contained extremely rich white spiritual energy, indicating that it was the work of a modern master.
"Hehe, I traded it for an old friend in Shanghai a few years ago. I don't know much about landscape paintings, so I'm showing it to Teacher Zhuang to see if it's an authentic work by Mr. Xiao Junxian?"
Old Qi smiled and took out the painting. Firstly, he had bought it for 20,000 yuan and wanted to verify its authenticity. Secondly, he also wanted to use the painting to investigate Zhuang Rui's intentions.
Although Xiao Junxian was a famous painter in modern times, his name was not as well-known as Zhang Daqian, Xu Beihong and Qi Baishi. People who are not professional painters or calligraphers may not have even heard of him.
After hearing Lao Qi's words, Zhuang Rui nodded, his face expressionless, but he smiled inwardly. Zhuang Rui knew his weakness was that he knew relatively little about the origins and history of artifacts, so he came up with a clumsy method: he memorized the biographies and artistic styles of many famous people from ancient and modern times.
Combining his discerning eye with his knowledge of artists throughout history, Zhuang Rui now absolutely deserves the title of "expert."
Zhuang Rui still remembered Xiao Junxian, and without even opening the scroll, he was already convinced that the painting was undoubtedly an authentic work by Xiao Junxian.
Although Xiao Junxian was from Hunan, he lived in Shanghai in his later years and made a living by selling paintings. The fact that Lao Qi acquired this painting from Shanghai already illustrates part of the issue.