Chapter 663 The Castle (Part 1)
“No…no, Mr. Zhuang, I’m more interested in those Picasso sketches you have than these jewels…”
After seeing Zhuang Rui at the opening ceremony, Ezkena had been looking for him in the venue, but after wandering around for a while, he still couldn't find Zhuang Rui. Little did Ezkena know that Zhuang Rui had just taken Qin Xuanbing upstairs.
"However, this exhibition hall was set up by one of my arts and crafts companies. Mr. Zhuang, please take a look and see if there are any items you like. I'll have them put them away as a small token of my appreciation..."
“Oh? Mr. Ezkener, those Chinese bronzes you have here are quite valuable…”
After hearing Ezkener's words, Zhuang Rui deliberately said that he wanted to test Ezkener's character. If this guy admitted it without any explanation, then Zhuang Rui would not be so optimistic about the subsequent transaction. Who knows if this British gentleman would try to fool him with fake porcelain?
"Mr. Zhuang is joking. Those are just modern handicrafts, not really works of art, and they're not worth much..."
Ezkena spoke frankly, which greatly increased Zhuang Rui's goodwill towards him. At least in front of him, Ezkena did not have the idea of treating him as a "sucker".
"Hehe, I wonder if Mr. Ezkener has sorted out the items on the list you made earlier?"
Zhuang Rui changed the subject and returned to the exchange of goods that the two had discussed earlier. Since meeting Ezkener in Paris, the jewelry fair had become secondary. Zhuang Rui's main purpose for this trip was to facilitate a transaction with Ezkener.
"Of course, I have been eagerly awaiting Mr. Zhuang's arrival. If you have time today, you are welcome to visit my castle. There is an old Chinese saying that goes, 'When friends come from afar, one is overjoyed,' and that is exactly how I feel right now..."
To get closer to Zhuang Rui, Ezkena switched to speaking Chinese with him. However, the person who taught him Chinese was probably a bit of a simpleton, as he misrepresented Confucius's saying, making Zhuang Rui and Qin Xuanbing almost burst out laughing.
“I’m delighted. I’m also very happy to visit Mr. Ezkener’s home. I wonder when Mr. Ezkener will have some free time?”
Zhuang Rui had been excited ever since he saw Ezkena's list of antiques. Whether it was the Yuan blue-and-white porcelain jar depicting Guiguzi descending the mountain or the porcelain from the five famous kilns of the Southern Song Dynasty, they were all extremely rare in China. Even if he couldn't get his hands on them this time, being able to handle them personally would be something Zhuang Rui had always dreamed of.
"Hmm... how about tonight? To welcome you and this beautiful lady, I'm planning to host a party tonight, dear Zhuang, what do you think?"
After thinking for a moment, Ezkener decided to treat Zhuang Rui with the most formal hospitality. In British high society, a cocktail party held for a specific person is the most respectful way to express that person's feelings.
Of course, Ezkena's statement was not about respecting Zhuang Rui himself, but rather about respecting the Picasso works in Zhuang Rui's possession.
"A party?"
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Rui felt a headache coming on. He dreaded attending banquets hosted by so-called high society people.
Back in China, Ouyang Jun's social circle changed after Ouyang Zhenshan entered the central government. In the past six months, he had been asked to meet some young men in Beijing, but Zhuang Rui refused. Now that he was abroad, Zhuang Rui was even less inclined to seek the limelight.
Zhuang Rui glanced at Qin Xuanbing, who also shook her head slightly, then looked at Ezkenner and said, "Mr. Ezkenner, I am very grateful for your sincerity, but as you know, I am a collector, and for me, the greatest joy comes from a fine work of art..."
Although he didn't directly refuse, Zhuang Rui's meaning was very clear: "Dude, I'm only interested in the antiques in your house. As for the rest, forget about it."
"Well... Mr. Zhuang, do you have time to visit my castle at noon? I have a bottle of 1870 red wine there; I guarantee you'll be satisfied..."
Ezkener was very knowledgeable about Chinese culture, and he could tell that Zhuang Rui was speaking from the heart, not just making polite remarks like some people do. He also hoped that Zhuang Rui could select a few items from his collection so that he could exchange them for some of Picasso's sketches.
Although Ezkener specializes in collecting Chinese antiques, he also pays close attention to Western art, because the value of top-quality Western art far exceeds that of Eastern antiques, a fact that has long been proven in international auctions.
As an antique dealer, Ezkener would certainly not let go of this opportunity to exchange Picasso's works with Zhuang Rui, because if a European owned Picasso's works, it would be absolutely a pipe dream for Ezkener to exchange them for Chinese antiques.
Otherwise, let alone the 1870 vintage, even the 2005 vintage would probably not be offered by Ezkena.
"Of course, I'm very happy to receive your invitation..."
Zhuang Rui nodded in agreement, but he was quite uncomfortable with the way Ezkenard, a British gentleman, spoke.
"Oh, that's great, Mr. Zhuang. I need to make some arrangements first. A car will come to pick you both up around noon..."
When Ezkena saw that Zhuang Rui had agreed, he was delighted. After setting a time with Zhuang Rui, he left the exhibition hall, presumably to arrange the lunch banquet.
"I want the freshest foie gras, oh, and the best caviar, have it delivered to my castle immediately; it has to be done by noon..."
As soon as Ezkena left the expo, he pulled out his phone and made a call. If Zhuang Rui overheard this, he would definitely berate those who only receive salad platters abroad: Who says foreigners aren't hospitable?
When visiting someone's home abroad, it's customary to bring a gift. Of course, the value of the gift isn't important; it's the thought that counts. Zhuang Rui rummaged through his room for a long time but couldn't find anything suitable.
Finally, Zhuang Rui went to the room where the crew members were staying and took a bottle of red wine that He Shuang had bought in Paris. Although it wasn't from 1870, it was still about 10 years old. Wasn't Ezkener a China expert? He must understand the principle of "a small gift conveys a great sentiment."
At 11 a.m., Zhuang Rui received a call from Ezkena, who had already sent a car to wait at the hotel entrance. Zhuang Rui, along with Peng Fei, Qin Xuanbing, and Bai Shi, arrived at the hotel entrance.
This trip abroad really made White Lion feel cooped up; it was far less comfortable than staying in the courtyard house in Beijing. Zhuang Rui had only thought of taking White Lion out for a stroll after hearing Ezkena say that his house was a castle.
“Mr. Zhuang, I am Mr. Ezkener’s butler. I’m here to meet you. Please get in the car…”
Ezkena sent a two-door, extended Rolls-Royce, which was eight or nine meters long. A middle-aged white man stood at the door. After seeing Zhuang Rui, he opened the door. The middle-aged man was very calm about the appearance of the white lion and did not seem afraid.
Zhuang Rui had often heard of Rolls-Royce, but this was his first time sitting in one. The interior was very spacious; the three of them, plus the white lion, didn't feel cramped at all. There was also a wine cabinet and a sound system between the two rows of sofas.
The white butler sat in the passenger seat, and the car drove out of the hotel and headed towards the outskirts of London. It was quite a long drive, taking about forty minutes, until they reached the lower reaches of the Thames.
"Mr. Zhuang, Mr. Ezkener's castle is just ahead. Welcome to visit us..."
Ahead of the car, Zhuang Rui could see a magnificent ancient castle standing tall. Compared to it, all the villas and manors Zhuang Rui had seen before seemed so small and insignificant.
Zhuang Rui knew that castles were everywhere in England. Although they were not as numerous as churches, their long history, beautiful scenery, and rich cultural connotations were unmatched by churches.
It can be said that castles are a great spectacle of Britain. The years of war between England and Scotland, strategic relations with various European countries, and the long-standing monarchical system have resulted in countless castles of all sizes scattered across the island of Great Britain.
The construction of castles serves two purposes: firstly, as the residence of the owner, which includes living spaces such as bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and banquet halls. Nobles and royalty would try their best to decorate them in a magnificent and comfortable manner, and also to ensure that the scenery is beautiful.
Another function was defense. Castles were self-sufficient and could resist foreign invasions. Therefore, castles were often built in strategic locations, utilizing natural defenses and equipped with strong walls and military equipment.
However, after entering the 20th century, most of the castles in Britain were taken back by the British Royal Family and managed, protected, maintained and introduced to the public by special foundations.
However, some castles are private property, but the huge inheritance tax makes the descendants of various title heirs happy to open the castles to the public, which is not only a good way to raise funds, but also to show tourists from all over the world the rich collections they have collected over the years.
Only the truly super-rich live in these historic castles and spend huge sums of money on their maintenance every year. Ezkena is clearly one of them.
What you read in books is different from what you see with your own eyes. Looking at this private castle belonging to Ezkena from afar still left Zhuang Rui deeply shocked.
There was a special road leading to the castle. According to the butler, the area from that road onwards belonged to Ezkena's private property. After passing through several iron gates, the car stopped directly in the open space in front of the castle gate.
Chapter 664 The Castle (Part 2)
As they passed through the first few iron gates, Zhuang Rui understood why the butler and driver weren't afraid of the white lion. Each gate was guarded by large dogs and other ferocious beasts. At the last gate, a black cheetah was chained up. As the car passed, the cheetah seemed to sense a threat, arching its back. The white lion in the car also bristled, its neck fur standing on end, and let out a low growl.
Tibetan mastiffs are warriors of the snow-capped mountains, and the white lion is the king of Tibetan mastiffs. After Zhuang Rui's repeated attempts to calm it down, the restless white lion finally quieted down.
Although the white lion had never experienced the trials of wild battles since birth, Zhuang Rui had no doubt that it would not back down if it faced the cheetah. Its kingly pride and Tibetan mastiff bloodline would make it brave enough to face any powerful opponent.
However, Zhuang Rui obviously wouldn't let the white lion fight wild beasts. Although this would make the white lion more courageous, would you let your friend or brother show their strength in this way?
Ezkena Castle is very quiet and beautiful. In April, London is already full of flowers, and everywhere in the castle, the grass is green and flowers are everywhere.
The car was about a hundred meters from the castle gate. In between, there was a maze-like garden. After getting out of the Rolls-Royce, the straight path leading to the entrance was sandwiched between the gently sloping, maze-like geometric gardens on both sides. The view was unobstructed, making every step toward the castle a salute to be admired.
As the distance decreases, all the details, lines, and material textures enrich your visual experience layer by layer, making Zhuang Rui...
I couldn't help but admire the castle's ingenious design and the harmony that has been refined over the years.
The castle is backed by the Thames River and faces a large garden, with green trees, flowers, sculptures and clear lake water, providing a wonderful visual experience.
Compared to the castle in Ezkena, Zhuang Rui felt that his courtyard house seemed so shabby. If the White Lion lived here, he would definitely be more free. However, looking at the size of the house, it seemed that he couldn't afford it now.
"Dear Zhuang, it's a pleasure to have you visit my home. What do you think of my castle? Isn't it quite nice? It's nearly a thousand years old..."
As the host, Ezkener stood at the castle gate early in the morning. Behind him stood more than a dozen servants. Upon seeing Zhuang Rui and the others, they all placed their right hands on their chests, bowed slightly, and performed a British gentleman's salute.
To show his affection for Zhuang Rui, Ezkena went up and hugged him. However, this action was almost misinterpreted by the White Lion as unfriendly. If Peng Fei hadn't quickly grabbed the White Lion's neck, Ezkena would probably have been tackled to the ground by the White Lion.
"Thank you so much for the invitation. Your castle is the best building I've ever seen. To be honest, I'd love to try living here and see what it would be like..."
Zhuang Rui handed the gift to the servant beside him, praising Ezkena Castle highly. He was telling the truth; British castles were like Chinese imperial palaces, inspiring much contemplation.
If you were to ask what the most famous building in Britain is, many people would probably say Buckingham Palace. But when it comes to culture, it would be Britain's vampire culture, and the earliest origins of vampire culture are these historic old castles.
In Europe, especially in Britain, the legend of vampires has been spreading since the beginning of history, with hundreds of thousands of people believing in it and trembling in the dark because of it.
Legendary vampires are an ancient and mysterious race. They have no heartbeat or pulse, no breath or body temperature, but they have some thoughts of their own. They can think, talk, and move around. Moreover, they are immortal and are a group of creatures that like to lurk in the night.
To this day, many people believe that some of the owners of castles in England were vampire dukes who had lived for thousands of years. As a result, castles are not only a symbol of wealth, but also represent mystery, much like temples in China, and have many different meanings.
Many vampire fans from all over the world make a special trip to England to stay in castles that have been converted into hotels, in order to experience the vampire culture.
Although Zhuang Rui doesn't have this hobby, he is an antique collector and has a heartfelt love for ancient things. Of course, this love is directed towards the castle itself; as for vampires... well, forget about them.
"Oh, dear Zhuang, you can stay here tonight. I promise, it will be much more comfortable than a hotel..."
When Ezkena heard Zhuang Rui's words, he smiled broadly. No one dislikes guests praising their residence, especially such a historic castle. If it is not used to entertain guests often, wouldn't it be a waste of its existence, like wearing fine clothes in the dark?
Greeted by a group of servants, Zhuang Rui and Qin Xuanbing walked ahead and entered the castle, whose gates were wide open.
Upon entering the castle, you are greeted by a spacious banquet hall, with intricately carved Genoese chandeliers containing 39 candles, and antique furniture of simple elegance. The walnut armchairs and Venetian and Victorian-style dining tables and chairs showcase the owner's luxury.
On the walls of the castle hang many Western-style oil paintings, mostly portraits of people, including men wearing captain's hats and sporting upturned mustaches, and some women wearing corset dresses.
"Could Ezkena's ancestor have been a pirate captain back in the day?"
Zhuang Rui secretly wondered to himself, because after entering this place, he felt as if time had suddenly returned to the Middle Ages.
A waiter approached Ezkenard and whispered, "Sir, everything is ready..."
"Zhuang, we can eat now..."
Ezkena extended an invitation to Zhuang Rui and Qin Xuanbing, while Peng Fei was kept behind by the butler and took the white lion to another restaurant for a meal, where the dishes were also very sumptuous.
The restaurant was next to the banquet hall. After Zhuang Rui and the others sat down, various prepared dishes were served one by one, while the waiters wrapped a bottle of red wine in a towel and poured it into the glasses in front of Ezkena and Zhuang Rui.
"Dear Zhuang, beautiful Miss Qin, you are the first Asian guests to visit my castle. Cheers to our friendship..."
Ezkena raised his glass to Zhuang Rui, who followed suit, picking up the surprisingly large glass, swirling it around, sniffing it, and then taking a small sip.
Zhuang Rui just couldn't sense any difference between this so-called 1870 red wine and the red wine he bought for 10 yuan in the supermarket when he was in college, just to appear cultured.
"Thank you very much for your hospitality. I think that if Mr. Ezkena ever comes to Beijing in the future, he must give me the opportunity to extend his hospitality..."
Regardless of Ezkena's purpose in entertaining him, Zhuang Rui felt very comfortable with the other party's behavior. This was true nobility, showing sufficient respect in a dignified yet humble manner.
The auction house owner, Richard, was as vulgar as a pig-feeding man in the English countryside compared to Ezkenard.
"Hehe, then thank you in advance. Beijing is an ancient city, I think there will be an opportunity. Here, Miss Qin, please try this, it's the freshest caviar..."
Ezkener was definitely a British gentleman. While entertaining Zhuang Rui, he didn't neglect Qin Xuanbing either. The three of them enjoyed their food and chatted about the customs and culture of England and Beijing. The atmosphere was very harmonious.
"Mr. Ezkener, how much does your castle cost each year for maintenance and management?"
Zhuang Rui was genuinely curious. With all the miscellaneous expenses in his courtyard house plus the salaries of Li Sao and others, his annual income should be around 400,000 to 500,000 RMB.
This castle is many times larger than Zhuang Rui's courtyard house, and with so many professional managers and servants hired, I really don't know how much it must have cost.
There are specialized butler training schools in the UK, and British butlers are world-renowned.
Moreover, even the servants in the castle were trained in those specialized schools, and of course, their status was extremely high. To enjoy medieval treatment in the 21st century was an extremely luxurious thing.