Chapter 370: Got the Cricket Jar

Two days later, Ding Li replied to me,

He said that Qiao San had stolen the cricket jar from Young Master Li.

Upon hearing this, I was very happy,

I had Ding Li bring it over and let He Zuming examine it.

Ding Li and Shi Yong returned,

Ding Li pulled out a dirty blue-and-white jar from his pocket.

I took it and glanced at it,

It was quite an ordinary cricket jar.

I couldn't see anything special about it.

I quickly had He Zuming come over to check its authenticity.

He Zuming carefully took the jar from my hands,

He put on his reading glasses, added a magnifying glass, and examined the jar inside and out.

We all watched He Zuming from the side.

After about five or six minutes,

He Zuming exclaimed, "This is truly a cricket jar left by the Xuande Emperor.

Look at the treasure: the body is thick and heavy, the glaze is rich and lustrous, white with a blue tint—fully displaying the characteristics of Xuande ware.

This piece feels especially comfortable in the hand; its size and weight are just right.

The ones I've seen in museums are all patched-together fragments; it's said that fewer than five complete Xuande cricket jars exist in the world today.

From this you can see how precious it is."

"How much is this worth, Mr. He?" Shi Yong asked.

"Its value is immeasurable," He Zuming said.

"Could it be worth a million?" Ding Li asked again.

He Zuming chuckled,

"I'd estimate it's worth more than ten million."

"What? This broken jar is worth ten million.

"Damn. Let me have a look." After hearing He Zuming finish, Shi Yong squeezed forward to get a good look at the jar.

I said, "Shi Yong, what are you looking at? You wouldn't understand anyway.

"Mr. He, as long as it's genuine, that's fine."

Shi Yong glanced at the jar twice and gave it a touch,

"Damn, Sijiucheng is damn rich—one jar worth ten million, it's insane. Just touching it could be worth tens of thousands."

"Shi Yong, you've made a fortune," I laughed.

"Sigh, this is all the sediment of history. Look at this jar—how many years it took to form such a beautiful patina.

"Sigh, countless scholars and refined gentlemen have played with it." He Zuming sighed while holding the jar.

I occasionally asked Ding Li, "How did Qiao San get hold of this jar?"

Ding Li said, "Qiao San didn't go into detail with us,

we followed him to his home and introduced ourselves to his wife,

then he arranged for me and Shi Yong to stay there.

Then he contacted Li Tian.

He told Li Tian about the cricket fighting.

That Li Tian had been looking for him.

He told Li Tian that there was nothing going on now.

And he begged Li Tian not to take revenge on us.

Winning or losing in cricket fights is normal.

After hanging up, in the evening he told us he was going to drink and sing with Li Tian, and asked us to wait at home.

So Shi Yong and I let him go.

He was gone all night and only came back this morning.

After returning, he handed the jar over to us.

He said he'd exchanged it with Li Tian.

As for how exactly the exchange went, he didn't elaborate."

I nodded,

"Since Qiao San stole the jar out, we must also keep our word.

That is, he owed the boss ten million, which we paid off for him. It looks like we can still make use of Qiao San in the future.

Next, Mr. He, go contact Qiu Xi and say that my friend has purchased a Xuande cricket jar from outside.

Have him pass the message to Wen Han.

But I cannot give this cricket jar to Qiu Xi.

Do you understand?"

"Of course I understand," He Zuming said. "First, to prevent substitution; second, Qiu Xi wouldn't mention us to Second Master Wen, so we'd be giving it away for nothing. But I'll show Qiu Xi photos of the jar so he knows we really have it."

"That's simple," he continued. "Have Ding Li take a few photos, you take them with you. Show them to them first, then we'll talk."

After I said that, I had Ding Li go photograph the jar for He Zuming to take away.

I pulled out my phone,

First, I called that boss.

The call connected quickly.

"Hello, Zhao Laoban, is it about money? How much, I'll send it over."

"First send me 5 million cash, boss, and there's one more thing: Qiao San owes you 10 million."

"Consider that 10 million as mine; I'll repay it for him."

"You repay for him—aren't you at odds? I haven't seen Zhao Laoban these two days; why did you think of repaying Qiao San's money?" the boss asked, puzzled.

"Boss, after I took Qiao San that day, we drank and chatted and became friends. We're both in Sijiucheng, seeing each other everywhere."

"You say, is it more important to gain a friend or to offend someone?"

"Zhao Laoban is right; an extra friend opens another path. Everyone has difficulties. Qiao San is also a decent person. He has a good reputation in Sijiucheng. Since Zhao Laoban settled this account, I'll erase it."

"I'll tell Qiao San that Zhao Laoban repaid the 10 million for him," the boss said.

"Then that's a favor to you. Thanks, boss," I said.

I hung up.

I took out a cigarette and lit it.

After a while, my phone rang,

I looked; it was an unknown number,

but the number looked good; I thought it must be Qiao San calling.

I pressed the answer button,

and Qiao San's voice came through,

"Hello, Zhao Ge, this is Qiao San."

I said, "Hello, brother."

"Zhao Ge, that boss just called me, you repaid the 10 million—so loyal.

He gave me your number,

so I specifically called you back, thank you. I, Qiao San, will forever remember your great kindness."

"No need for courtesy, brother. It's a small matter; I always keep my word. Bring the jar over, I said I'd give you 10 million, so I give you 10 million, and I won't let you waste your effort."

"Zhao Ge, you're too meticulous. I didn't expect our first cooperation to be so pleasant."

"Zhao Ge, as long as you need a brother, it's a matter of a single sentence," Qiao San said on the phone.

"Brother, we both mingle with people. When they say something, we have to support it, and if trouble arises, we bear it.

In these times, who doesn't want to live,

and who wants to die.

Brother, between us we should communicate more.

Let them quarrel among themselves; we don't need to be ruthless, right?"

"Right, Zhao Ge, you're right. That statement is spot on. We fight to the death—what's the point.

This time we went to the cricket‑fighting tournament; honestly, I didn't want any trouble. Li Tian ordered me; he wants to shut down the fighting arena.

Then he'll take over the business," Qiao San kept telling me over the phone.

"So that's what's going on, brother, I understand. Li Tian also wants to get into this line of work," I said.

"Yeah, investing in any business now can't earn as much as this thing.

Second Master Wen has been dealing with these insects in the capital for only a few years and has already made a fortune.

Who wouldn't be tempted.

Besides, Li Tian has ready resources to use here.

Li Tian lost several tens of millions to Second Master Wen.

He hates Second Master Wen to death. He wants to knock down Wen's fighting arena so he can take it over. Wen's strength is not to be underestimated.

We both know what position his father holds. Sigh, the obvious ones don't dare to come, only the covert ones, so I can find trouble repeatedly.

"Zhao Ge, I've offended you these two times, please forgive me. Once we open up the conversation between us, things will be easy to handle."