Chapter 536 Requirements
Although the price of this gilded Buddha statue at 8 million RMB is not low, high investment and high risk are necessary for high returns.
With 8 million in hand, and after a little promotion from the auction house, the auction price would be at least 12 million. In this way, his net profit would be more than 4 million, which is almost equivalent to Lao Zhao's total net worth from doing business all these years.
Moreover, his previous successful finds of bronze artifacts had given Mr. Zhao a lot of confidence, and once he made his decision, he immediately started raising money.
It just so happens that the Chinese New Year is approaching, and everyone is relatively well-off. They've almost finished making money throughout the year. Old Zhao usually has good interpersonal relationships, so borrowing money went very smoothly. He lent each person 100,000 to 200,000 yuan, and in half a day, he actually managed to raise 8 million yuan.
Private antique transactions don't involve contracts or notarization, and of course, no taxes are paid. After Old Zhao took the man to the bank to transfer the money, the official gilded Buddha statue from the Yongzheng era was considered his property.
After acquiring the gilded Buddha statue, Old Zhao secretly rejoiced at home. Of course, before he started celebrating, he treated Nangong to a big meal and promised him 200,000 yuan as commission after the statue was auctioned off.
Nangong naturally thanked him profusely, but after the meal, he told Lao Zhao that he was going back to his hometown in the south for the New Year. Lao Zhao didn't think much of it at the time, drove Nangong to the mall, and bought a lot of gifts, saying that he should take them back to show respect to his elders.
After Nangong left, Lao Zhao started looking around. There was no point in keeping this thing, and besides, he still had several hundred yuan in debt, so he should hurry up and sell it.
Having decided to sell it, Old Zhao took the item to a familiar auction house. As per regulations, the item needed to be appraised by the auctioneer first. Upon examination, a problem arose: this thing… was a fake.
Old Zhao felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He couldn't believe it at all. After leaving the auction house in a daze, he went through a series of connections and found a master appraiser of bronzes living in Beijing. After the master appraised it, his conclusion was the same as that of the auction house: five words: modern crafts!
This expert's expertise in bronze ware authentication is nationally recognized. During the authentication process, he pointed out the forgery, explaining that the gilding was actually just molten copper, and the design differed significantly from that of the Yongzheng period pieces, making it a genuine modern imitation.
Old Zhao had given up hope, but for the time being, he didn't think of Nangong. He thought Nangong had also misjudged him. However, after calling Nangong's phone for several days, it was always switched off. When he checked the address Nangong left with his friend at the police station, there was no such place at all.
By this point, if Old Zhao still didn't understand what was going on, he might as well just kill himself. Thinking back to their first meeting two years ago and their interactions over the past two years, he finally came to a conclusion: this whole thing was a trap that had been set up for two years!
From the moment he met Nangong to the several bargain-hunting incidents at the store, it was all a carefully planned scheme. After thinking through the whole story, Lao Zhao couldn't help but admire how flawlessly the whole thing was done.
Moreover, the people who set this trap were really willing to invest. The bronze artifacts they brought out were worth over 300,000 yuan. This is like fishing by first setting up a baiting spot and then adding bait. Once you smell the aroma of the baiting spot and come over to eat the bait, they have basically scammed you without any hesitation.
It's said that good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. The news of Lao Zhao being scammed quickly spread throughout the antique circles in Beijing. With the New Year just around the corner, no one's money comes easily, and the creditors who lent Lao Zhao money all came knocking on his door.
To raise this money, Lao Zhao used all the working capital from his shop, even the money he had saved for restocking, and his family's savings. Now, he's practically penniless. His car and house are still worth some money, but if he sells them, will his whole family have to sleep on the streets?
Helpless, not only did the shop in Panjiayuan close down, but Old Zhao also took his whole family and went into hiding, thinking that he would sell the shop and come back to pay back the money. Moreover, he entrusted the shop owner to help him consign some of his antique collection.
After Lao Zhao finished recounting the whole story, Zhuang Rui and the others were dumbfounded. Even the boss was hearing such details for the first time, and his face was full of astonishment. These days, scammers really will stop at nothing.
The boss quickly recalled the friends he had made over the past two years. He was afraid that he might have fallen into a trap like Old Zhao's. It was truly impossible to guard against such a thing. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a thousand days of thievery, but there is no such thing as a thousand days of guarding against thieves.
The trap was set two years ago, meaning that someone has been plotting against you every moment for the past two years, and there's really no way to escape it.
Moreover, Nangong had thoroughly investigated Lao Zhao's financial situation. He even calculated exactly how much money Lao Zhao could borrow. Didn't you hear that Nangong helped negotiate down the final price of 8 million?
The scheme that was set up over two years meant that even if Lao Zhao didn't buy the bronze artifact, there would definitely be other tricks up his sleeve. Lao Zhao realized that even if he didn't fall for it this time, he wouldn't be able to avoid it next time.
"This...this really is not unjust..."
Even the boss, who frequents Panjiayuan Market every day, was shocked by this story. These swindlers really have perseverance. But making a fortune of 8 million yuan in just two years, they didn't exactly lose out.
And there's no way to get revenge, no way to call the police, there's no contract or witnesses, plus the rules of the antique trade are there, so even if you spent 80 million, you'd still have to swallow your pride and bear the loss. "I've really learned something new..."
Ouyang Jun was also captivated, and then said, "Wu'er, now that we've taken over this shop, I'll be here to keep watch for you. Let's see who dares to cheat me!"
"Come on, Fourth Brother, I'm not trying to be mean, but someone like you wouldn't last three days. They'd probably steal your underwear..."
Zhuang Rui scoffed at Ouyang Jun's words, showing him no respect whatsoever, which made everyone laugh. Even Old Zhao smiled slightly. If an expert could be fooled like this, then an amateur could be easily fooled by a fabricated story.
"However, Mr. Zhao, the price you're asking for this shop is indeed a bit high. If it were more reasonable, I'd like to consider..."
Zhuang Rui changed the subject and looked at Lao Zhao. He genuinely sympathized with Lao Zhao's experience, but he wasn't a philanthropist, so naturally he wanted to take over the shop at the lowest possible price.
"Boss Zhuang, you're an expert in this business, and we're in front of that guy. I can't just lie, can I?"
There isn't a single vacant shop in Panjiayuan now, let alone one in such a good location like mine, even though it should normally be worth 450,000 yuan a year.
However, the goods in my shop are still worth about a million. I earned 600,000 a year, and I'm transferring the shop and all the goods. This price is really not high..."
After listening to Lao Zhao's words, Zhuang Rui fell into deep thought. 600,000 a year, with seven years left on the lease, that's 4.2 million. Zhuang Rui didn't really care about the money, but there was one problem: he didn't have a suitable master to sit in. He certainly couldn't stay there all day by himself.
"Mr. Zhao, to be honest, I don't plan to continue selling stationery. I don't know anything about that stuff, and I don't have the right people to manage it..."
As soon as Zhuang Rui spoke, a look of disappointment appeared on Old Zhao's face. This wasn't the first time someone had said this to him; so far, no deal had been reached with any of them.
"It's not impossible for me to buy all your goods as well, and the price is what you said. But I have one condition. If you can agree to that, Mr. Zhao, then our deal is done!"
Zhuang Rui's next words surprised and delighted Old Zhao. He was delighted that Zhuang Rui was actually willing to take over, which meant his urgent problem was solved. He was surprised because he didn't know what demands Zhuang Rui would make, and if he couldn't meet them, the matter would fall through again.
Old Zhao took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and said, "Boss Zhuang, please tell me..."
Zhuang Rui lowered his head to organize his thoughts, and after a minute or so, he raised his head and said, "After I take over this shop, I will divide it into two parts. One half will sell stationery and other items, and the other half will sell antique jade and other jadeite items. As for the requirements, Mr. Zhao, you must work as my resident chef for a full year."
I will arrange two people to assist you. After a year, these two people should be proficient in the sourcing channels for stationery and in the basic identification of related items. In other words, you need to train two resident tutors for me.
"Of course, I'll offer you a salary of 30,000 yuan a month. While it's much less than what you'd earn running your own business, it's not low for a resident manager at Panjiayuan, is it?"
Zhuang Rui made this request out of necessity. He knew nothing about stationery and writing implements. If he didn't let Lao Zhao continue to control the business, he wouldn't be able to figure it out at all, let alone open a business.
As for the jadeite, Zhuang Rui plans to display the jadeite he brought back from Myanmar in the shop to sell. There are many antique jadeite pieces there, and just a few pieces would be worth more than the 4 million yuan transfer fee.
"Well... Mr. Zhuang, I need to think about this carefully. I can't give you an answer right now. Could you give me a day?"
After thinking for a while, Lao Zhao said to Zhuang Rui that he originally had other plans for selling the shop, but he did not expect that Zhuang Rui's request would tie him down.
"Okay, take your time to think it over. I'm not in a hurry. Just give me a call when the time is right..."
Zhuang Rui wasn't in a hurry about this. Even if he paid to take over the shop, he would first hand it over to Lao Zhao to manage. He didn't have time to deal with these things this month.
Chapter 537 A Joyful New Year (Part 1)
"Huh? What's going on?"
After Zhuang Rui and Ouyang Jun returned to the courtyard house, they discovered that it wasn't Peng Fei who opened the door, but a stranger. They couldn't help but call out loudly, "Peng Fei, Peng Fei..."
Hao Long went home for the New Year, leaving Peng Fei as the only security guard at the house. How could they let strangers in during the New Year? Zhuang Rui couldn't help but feel a little angry.
"Alright, stop calling. Look, the old man's coming to stay..."
Ouyang Jun pulled Zhuang Rui along. He had lived with his grandfather since he was a child and was familiar with the man in the black leather jacket in front of him. Although he did not know the man, Ouyang Jun could tell from his demeanor and expression that he was from the security bureau.
Hearing Ouyang Jun say this, Zhuang Rui remembered that his mother had told him a few days ago that his maternal grandparents would be coming to spend the Spring Festival here, and his second and youngest uncles would also be coming. As for his eldest uncle, he wouldn't have time. At his level, the Spring Festival holiday was the busiest time.
This year, Zhao Guodong and Zhuang Min will also be coming to Beijing for the Spring Festival. Along with several cousins, the advantage of Zhuang Rui's large yard is fully demonstrated. All of the dozen or so bedrooms are occupied. These past few days, Ouyang Wan and Li Sao have been tidying up the rooms.
Zhuang Rui was happy to hear that his maternal grandparents had come to stay. In his memory, the Spring Festival was just the three of them: his mother, his sister, and himself. Although they could wear new clothes and set off firecrackers, he always felt a little lonely and envied other families with seven or eight members together.
"Brother Zhuang, they've given me a day off..."
Peng Fei, who lives in the front yard, ran over after hearing Zhuang Rui's shout. He said helplessly, followed by a snow-white figure. It was Bai Shi who had run over after hearing Zhuang Rui's voice. The guard standing next to him was very wary of Bai Shi, fearing that the Tibetan Mastiff might suddenly attack and hurt someone.
"Hey, you're having a snowball fight with those little devils again?"
Since the beginning of winter, the white lion has been much more active than before. Now it is covered in snow, which must have been done by those two little girls.
The white lion shook its long fur, instantly smearing Zhuang Rui's face with snow. After playing with the white lion for a while, Zhuang Rui saw Peng Fei still standing there and said, "If you're on holiday, then enjoy the New Year. By the way, did you go to Zhang Qian's house?"
As Zhuang Rui spoke, he led Bai Shi and Ouyang Jun into the house. The guards knew the composition of the family and did not stop the two.
"I went there, I had lunch there..."
Peng Fei smiled sheepishly. Zhuang Rui pursed his lips upon hearing this. These days, raising a girl is really worthless. It's all about getting pregnant first and buying a ticket later. Then you have to go to your mother-in-law's house to eat and drink for free. You'll definitely have to have a son later.
"Wu'er, go inside and call your sister-in-law out. We're going home..."
When Ouyang Jun saw the old man there, he didn't want to go in at all. It wasn't that he was disrespectful to his grandfather, but rather that he had been afraid of him since childhood. Standing in front of the old man made him feel like ants were crawling all over his body; he just couldn't stand it.
"Fourth Brother, Grandpa has already eaten. Let's go to the restaurant for a few drinks. You can have your wife drive you home tonight..."
Ouyang Gang has a very regular schedule. He eats dinner at 6 p.m. every day, then exercises for a while, watches the news at 7 p.m. sharp, and goes to bed at 9 p.m. sharp.
Because we spent quite a while in Panjiayuan today, it was almost 7 o'clock when we got home, so Zhuang Rui said that the old man was definitely not in the restaurant.
Ouyang Jun thought about it and agreed. He followed Zhuang Rui toward the central courtyard, but as soon as he stepped through the hanging flower gate, he saw his aunt helping his grandparents take a stroll in the yard. Ouyang Jun's face immediately fell.
"Grandpa and Grandma, you two have such good legs and can walk on your own, why do you always make my mom help you?"
Zhuang Rui wasn't afraid of the old man. He went over and joked around, patting the white lion's head and letting it play by itself. The white lion didn't have a good chemistry with Ouyang Gang and would bare its teeth whenever it saw him. The old man, however, liked to tease the white lion. If Zhuang Rui hadn't told it beforehand, the white lion wouldn't know what a grandfather was.
"How can this child talk to his grandparents like that..."
Ouyang Wan raised her right hand and slapped Zhuang Rui. Her face was full of smiles. Everyone said that the elderly had a hard time in winter, but her father's health was getting better and better, which made all of them, his children, very happy.
"You little rascal, you're never home. Come here, help me to the pavilion for a walk..."
Ouyang Gang stood up straight, and he felt that he was in good spirits over the past few months, so he spent more time outdoors.
"Exactly, you should settle down and start a family soon, instead of going out and having fun all the time..."
The old lady chimed in.
"What do you know? A good man should have ambitions beyond his hometown. Besides, this kid isn't just going out to mess around. He's much more promising than that scoundrel..."
The old man could scold his grandson, but he wouldn't let his wife say it, and he even dragged Ouyang Jun into the scolding.
But after scolding his grandson, the old lady wouldn't have it. The old couple glared at each other, which made Zhuang Rui chuckle to himself. Only when his mother glared at him did Zhuang Rui help his grandfather walk towards the pavilion over the pond.
"You did a good job with what happened a few days ago..."
"What's up?"
Zhuang Rui was taken aback by the old man's sudden words.
"Regarding the gold, although our country's gold reserves rank among the top in the world, the gap is still too large compared to the two countries ahead of us. It's good that you're thinking of the country..."
Ouyang Gang was very satisfied with his grandson. Besides Ouyang Lei, he thought Zhuang Rui was the best. The boy was smart but not pedantic, and he handled things with great tact. Moreover, since they had been reunited as family, he had never used his name to do anything. He was much better than his own grandson.
Unfortunately, Zhuang Rui did not pursue a career in politics; otherwise, with his abilities, he was fully confident that his grandson would be in charge of a region by the age of thirty.
"Grandpa, the Japanese stole so much from our country back then, this is like getting some interest back. Did Brother Lei tell you about this?"
Although the old man was praising him, Zhuang Rui was still a little uneasy. He didn't know what Ouyang Lei had said. But judging from the situation, Ouyang Lei didn't seem to have mentioned his past. Otherwise, if the old man knew that there were a total of 10 tons of gold, he probably wouldn't be praising him anymore, but would start hitting him with his cane.
"Yes, the country will not forget what you have done for it. I heard you're going to pursue a master's degree next year. How about finding a job in a government department? We have Xiaojun, who runs a business, and that's enough for us..."
Although the old man lectured Ouyang Jun all day long, he knew very well that the younger generation in the family were able to avoid making financial mistakes entirely thanks to Ouyang Jun's financial support. His attitude towards Ouyang Jun was mainly because he was used to scolding him and couldn't change his ways.
"Working in a government department?"
Zhuang Rui was stunned for a moment after hearing his grandfather's words. Two or three years ago, being a civil servant would have been exactly what Zhuang Rui longed for—high salary and a leisurely life. But now he didn't want to get involved in that mess. He saw those officials who were accused of corruption when they had money and were called incompetent when they didn't. He wasn't going to suffer that kind of fate.
"Grandpa, I think I'll just start a small business. By the way, I'm going to open a shop in Panjiayuan soon. From now on, I'll just sit and do business, open and closed, and won't have to run around anymore. As for getting a regular job, forget about it..."