Han no longer had any intention of mocking anyone, but instead all looked on with envy.
Just based on this tiny piece of jade, no bigger than a palm, this stone has already soared to great heights!
The color and texture of this jadeite were so impressive that, apart from Zhao Lao Er, Zheng Bing (the four soldiers), Fujimoto Sai, and Ito Bu Dong, the others present were all Zhou Bo's jeweler clients. While not top-tier experts, they were certainly far more knowledgeable than someone like Zhou Xuan, who only had a superficial understanding. Judging from the surface of this palm-sized piece of jadeite, it was an excellent glassy type with excellent translucency. The surface looked as if water had dripped on it, seemingly damp, but a touch revealed it wasn't water; it had a very smooth feel. It was truly good jade. However, there was one drawback: after the jadeite appeared, the remaining stone was only about ten centimeters thick—on the other side, the left side. Logically, the thickness of this jadeite was likely only four or five centimeters. Therefore, the piece wasn't very large. Although the texture and translucency were good, the small size naturally resulted in a lower price.
Zhou Bo's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Although the piece wasn't large, its quality was top-grade glass. Even for a piece of that size, it would be worth at least five million. Everyone thought it was just a piece of junk, but it turned out to be worth millions!
Zhou Bo felt a sudden, agonizing pain, as if something was tearing at his guts. He'd given away something worth millions for a mere thousand dollars—and that was Zhou Xuanqiang offering it to him. He'd initially thought it was a free gift, but what good was a thousand dollars?
Master Zhou was both surprised and delighted. He was surprised that even with his extensive experience, he had still made a mistake, but that's not uncommon in the world of jade gambling. He was delighted, of course, because he had cut out such a bright-colored jade. Although Tengchong is a distribution center for raw jade, very few stones can actually yield top-quality jade.
This is related to the rampant jade mining in Myanmar over the past decade. Jadeite is becoming increasingly scarce due to mining; it's a mineral, not something that grows organically, and its formation requires very specific conditions. According to scientists, jadeite forms under pressures of around 10,000 atmospheres and relatively low temperatures, at least below -200 to -300 degrees Celsius. We know that the Earth's temperature and pressure increase with depth. However, since jadeite crystallizes under such low temperature and high pressure conditions, it's unlikely to be located at such depths. So, where does this high pressure come from?
This high pressure is formed by the squeezing force caused by crustal movement. Areas where jade deposits are distributed are all zones with relatively strong crustal movement.
Another factor is that all existing jadeite formation sites contain sodium feldspar-bearing igneous intrusions, suggesting that jadeite was formed under low temperature and high pressure conditions through the demystification process of sodium feldspar-bearing rocks.
To become top-grade jadeite, the following conditions must be met: the surrounding rock must be high in phosphorus and calcium but low in iron. Jadeite produced in this environment is purer, and the low iron content prevents it from appearing grayish. Although low in iron, iron is still present. For jadeite to be truly pure and free of impurities, it must be formed under strong reducing conditions, i.e., in a reducing environment. Because in an oxygen-deficient environment, it will form magnetite and precipitate out instead of entering the jadeite's crystal lattice, making the jadeite's green color more vibrant. Furthermore, there must be geological processes and multiple intense hydrothermal activities after the formation of jadeite, transforming it into top-grade jadeite with a vibrant green color, good translucency, and a pure base. The coloring process of jadeite is accompanied by hydrothermal activity and is a multi-stage coloring process with varying intensities. Moreover, the coloring elements, which slowly decompose into ions, must be exposed to strong currents for a long time, with the optimal temperature being around 20°C. Only then can the ions enter the crystal lattice uniformly and continuously, resulting in a very uniform green color in jadeite formed under these conditions. After the formation of top-grade jadeite, there cannot be any major geological tectonic movements, otherwise, cracks of varying sizes and directions will appear, affecting the quality.
However, it's difficult to meet all these conditions simultaneously. This is why top-grade jadeite is extremely rare.
because.
Myanmar's scarcity of resources, being the only source of jade, is one reason for its high demand. In the last decade, jade has become extremely popular internationally, causing prices to skyrocket. Top-grade jade has reached terrifyingly high prices, leading Myanmar's jade merchants to mine even more frantically, nearly depleting resources. As a result, finding top-grade jade has become even more difficult!
Zhou Bo's factory doesn't deal with the old mines in Myanmar. The chances of finding jade are naturally lower, and the chances of finding top-quality jade are even lower. Like the piece of jade that was cut open today, although its size is estimated to be small, it's a glassy type. Even if it's small, it's still very valuable.
At this point, Master Zhou naturally wouldn't make another cut. Usually, once the green is revealed, the customer will be willing to pay a higher price. But with Zhao Lao Er's stone, Master Zhou's cut didn't reveal the green, but rather the surface of the jadeite. The net just barely touched it, without damaging the jadeite, revealing its true form perfectly. Luck aside, revealing its true form means a significant increase in price!
Zhao Lao Er scurried forward to take a look and asked, "Is this the jade?" He then turned to Zhou Xuan and laughed, "Brother, with this hand of mine, iron turns to gold, stone to jade, and a woman is the best of the best!"
Zhou Xuan chuckled and watched Zhao Lao Er remain silent. But out of the corner of his eye, he secretly glanced at Fujimoto, who was staring intently at the cut.
Just then, a businessman chuckled and said to Zhao Lao Er, "Brother, you've got some potential. Hehe, I reckon it won't be very big. Are you interested in making a move?" He added with a smile, "I'll offer four million!"
Old Zhao was about to joke with a grin, "If jade comes out so easily, we should bring a few more stones." But then he heard the merchant say, "Four million." He froze for a moment, then, realizing what four million meant and what it was, he tripped and fell flat on his face!
Zhou Xuan was both angry and amused. This Zhao Lao Er (Zhao the Second) was incredibly good at boasting and bragging when he didn't know the actual value of the jade, but once he heard someone offered four million, his true colors were finally revealed!
When had he ever seen four million before? Although he had gained some experience following Zhou Xuan, he had never actually dealt with the concept of millions. This windfall was too much for him to handle, and he stumbled.
However, Zhou Xuan wouldn't really be angry with Zhao Lao Er. If it were the old Zhou Xuan, during the period after he first obtained the ice energy, when he was counting his wealth, his expression was no different from Zhao Lao Er's.
Fujimoto Tsuyoshi and Ito Kinji were shocked! First, it wasn't all an act, or like a child guiding players. This was a genuine, albeit vulgar, affair. They were desperate for money. Although they had no experience with jade gambling, they could still tell from the cut surface that the jade was of good quality, just worth that much. It was truly unexpected; a thousand dollars had turned into four million in the blink of an eye. You see, he and Ito Kinji had swindled people in several places, and they'd only managed to get around four million, living in fear and anxiety for months. Yet this kid had just unintentionally picked up a worthless stone and made four million!
Fujimoto's heart suddenly swelled up. In the end, he and Ito Kinji were both gamblers. It was just that he was the loser before, he lost the bet. But now they saw a chance to make a comeback, to make a fortune with a small investment, and not to worry about being caught. How could he not be happy?
Zhou Xuan had been secretly observing the two Japanese soldiers, Fujimoto and I. Seeing their current state, he breathed a sigh of relief. He thought there was no chance left, but unexpectedly, Zhao Lao Er inadvertently brought out the only jade-containing stone, luring the two Japanese soldiers back into the trap. It was truly a case of "the flowers you plant with care don't bloom, the willows you plant without intention thrive!" Zhao Lao Er tripped and fell, but quickly scrambled to his feet. His face was flushed, but he tried to remain calm, staring at Zhou Xuan and saying, "Little brother, look..."
Zhou Xuan smiled slightly and said to Master Zhou, "Master Zhou, please continue cutting the stone."
Zhou Xuan's words undoubtedly indicated to everyone that this rough jade stone would only continue to be cut and would not be resold.
The merchant seemed a little disappointed, and said, "Brother, the remaining rough stone isn't very large, so the chances of finding a large jadeite are slim. It's good that you're making your move now. How about I add another million, making it five million?"
Zhao Lao Er gritted his teeth, almost desperate to agree. Five million! When in his lifetime would he ever earn five million? But the opportunity was right in front of him. "Brother, brother, just say yes!"
But Zhou Xuan remained unmoved, waving his hand and saying, "Master Zhou, let's polish the stone. Let's start by polishing the rough surface on the left."
Zhou Xuan knew that the remaining Mao Zhou jadeite had only a very thin outer layer and was round in shape. No matter how he cut it or how he moved the knife, it would damage the jadeite. He could only continue by rubbing the stone.
He didn't comment on the merchant's words, because he understood that most people at this point would estimate the jadeite to be small, and five million was indeed not a low price. The merchant wasn't entirely offering an inflated price; he planned to take it back and have skilled craftsmen make some jade pieces, which he estimated would be worth around six or seven million. So, the profit wasn't actually that large.
Of course, it was Zhou Xuan. If it were anyone else, they would never risk rubbing the stone again. If it were even more beautiful than the shape that appeared on the outside, it wouldn't be worth five million. Making a move when it's worth five million is something only a smart person would do.
However, Zhou Xuan is no ordinary person. His icy aura is an anomaly in this world. He detected early on that the jadeite inside the rough stone was all solid jadeite except for the outer layer of stone. Only the bottom section was of slightly lower quality. It was of the icy type, and the piece was more than twice the size shown at the cut on the outside!
Fujimoto was incredibly excited. On one hand, he thought the merchant who made the offer was a fool, and on the other hand, he thought Zhao Lao Er and Zhou Xuan were fools. Both sides were fools. One side knew there was a risk, but still insisted on gambling. The other side could have easily made five million, but still refused to sell!
Ito Kinji was extremely uncomfortable, clenching his fists and glaring, but unfortunately, this piece of rough jade wasn't his.
of!
Although Zhao Lao Er's heart was pounding, he remained silent until Zhou Xuan agreed. No matter how much it was a pity, if his brother disagreed, he would let him have his way even if the price dropped later. Based on his knowledge of Zhou Xuan's wealth and character, Zhao Lao Er knew that Zhou Xuan would never go back on his word, and he wouldn't want the stone no matter how much it was worth.
To be honest, although Master Zhou misjudged the stone, he thought now would be the best time to make a move. However, Zhou Xuan insisted on continuing to cut the stone, and there was nothing that could be done if the stone's owner disagreed.
Fujimoto couldn't help but curse, "Madmen. They're all madmen!" However, he said this in Japanese, and apart from Ito Kinji, no one else could understand it.
Zhou Bo stared at the stone, filled with deep regret! He watched as a fortune worth millions flew into the hands of that foolish old man, who picked it up as if it were trash!
Master Zhou said nothing more, took the rough stone to the fine grinding wheel, and following Zhou Xuan's instructions, first used the fine grinding wheel to rub the stone from the outer circular surface on the left. With a hissing sound, the fine grinding wheel removed the thin outer layer, revealing a bright green color. Master Zhou slowly and carefully rubbed along the semi-circular surface.
About half an hour later, the surface on the left side was roughly polished out. Except for the outer shell on the front and back, the left side was polished out and the right side was cut out. The general shape of this piece of jade was revealed!
This was half again as much as everyone had initially estimated, even though the deal hadn't actually been completed. The merchant had been watching Old Zhou's every move closely, his heart pounding, his emotions indescribable.
On one hand, he was thinking that he had made the right bet on this rough stone. If the bet had really come true, he would still want it to rise even more and would never want it to fall. On the other hand, he was also thinking that he wanted to make Zhao Lao Er and Zhou Xuan regret not selling it when it was worth five million!
But the result left him both happy and disappointed. He was happy because his gamble had paid off; the jade inside was larger and more valuable than he had imagined. He was disappointed because the plan to make Zhou Xuan and Zhao Lao Er regret their actions was now impossible!
This is just a rough sketch. After cutting away the excess stone from the front and back, and then roughly polishing it, this process sounds simple, but it's time-consuming and laborious—a meticulous and tedious task that will take at least several hours. If you want it completely polished, it will take at least a week, and that's considered fast.
But there is no denying that no matter how much polishing is done, the value of this piece of jade has definitely doubled!
The merchant, his voice trembling, asked again, "Brother, I'll offer you ten million, will you sell?"
Upon hearing the merchant's bid, Fujimoto felt a pang of despair, yet he was even more eager to plunge into the jade gambling craze!