Chapter 34: The Nine Gates Commander Reluctantly Gives Up His Beloved

Lin Shengli said humbly, "My neighbor helped people make a lot of furniture; I remember he used many different kinds of wood. I think I should be able to tell a few kinds, but certainly not as much as my master knows."

His appraisal skill is only intermediate now, so it's better to honestly study with Guan Yushan and keep a low profile.

Just then, a middle-aged man wearing glasses walked over.

"Old Guan is here."

"Hey, Manager Wang, this is my brother Yi Zhonghai, and this is my disciple Lin Shengli."

After Guan Yushan introduced Lin Shengli and Yi Zhonghai to Manager Wang, he asked:

"Is my treasure still here?"

Manager Wang pretended to be angry and said, "You say that, but I wouldn't dare give away something you've taken a liking to."

Guan Yushan laughed and said, "Good, Manager Wang, you're indeed broad-minded."

"Let's go, let's have a look, to see whether my disciple likes it or not."

"This is the welcome gift I prepared for him."

Having said that.

Guan Yushan and Manager Wang walked inside together.

Yi Zhonghai followed close behind.

Lin Shengli walked at the back, strolling slowly while stroking the furniture along the way......

【Made of pine wood.】

【Made of rubber wood.】

【Made of beech wood.】

【Made of birch wood.】

【Made of ash wood.】

In the corner.

Guan Yushan squatted in front of a chair, lovingly stroking it.

He loved this chair too much.

If he didn't still have two better chairs at home, he would be reluctant to give this one to Lin Shengli as a welcome gift.

He is quite obsessed with antique items.

Lin Shengli walked over while watching Guan Yushan.

Seeing him like that, Lin Shengli immediately felt that this chair must be extraordinary.

His eyes were shining.

Even before getting close, he already knew the chair was made of huanghuali.

He also knew the chair had smooth lines and an elegant shape.

Just that its condition is a bit lacking.

Of course, he couldn't tell which era this chair is from.

Even so, he knew it was a good thing.

"Shengli, this is the welcome gift your master prepared for you."

"See if you like it."

When he approached, Guan Yushan stroked the chair and asked:

Lin Shengli gave an "uh" and placed his hand on the chair to stroke it.

【Made of huanghuali.】

"Manager Wang, Manager Yang is calling for you." Suddenly, a shout came.

Manager Wang shouted "Got it," then said to Guan Yushan:

"Old Guan, you keep watch; I'll be right back."

Guan Yushan nodded.

After Manager Wang left, Guan Yushan began to speak freely.

"Shengli, do you know what kind of chair this is? Do you know what material it's made of?"

Lin Shengli now possesses 【Intermediate Appraisal Skill】; this is child's play for him.

He merely smiled slightly and said:

"Master, the lower part of the chair is cross-shaped; it must be a chair."

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be made of huanghuali."

Guan Yushan: "Correct, this is a chair made of high-quality huanghuali."

"The chair originated from ancient stools; it can also be called a stool with a backrest. Because it's portable, in ancient times it was used by people of high status during military marches, outings, and hunts."

"Look at the carving on this chair, its overall shape and lines—what do you think? Do you like it?"

【Ding, the host listened attentively, appraisal points +10.】

Lin Shengli: "I think it's great; of course I like it."

Guan Yushan: "Then that's good."

"Although the master also likes this chair very much."

"But the master said that since he promised to give it to you as a welcome gift, he will follow through."

Lin Shengli: "Thank you, master."

Guan Yushan stood up and sighed, "Ancient rulers cherished chairs greatly, so later generations made them ever more exquisite."

Speaking, he glanced around, saw no one, lowered his voice, and continued:

"Next, master will tell you the past and present life of this chair."

Before the Han and Wei dynasties, ancient people sat on the floor, so naturally there were no chairs.

As for the 'bed', in ancient times it was a seating device, not a sleeping device.

During Emperor Ling of Han's reign, the 'Hu bed' was introduced from the north, which is similar to today's small stool.

At the same time, a rope bed was also introduced, with ropes crossing the legs, foldable, which is today's horse stool; this kind of rope bed was later also called a Hu bed.

During the Sui dynasty, due to the taboo on saying the character 'Hu', it was renamed the 'cross-legged bed'.

By the Southern Song, it was renamed the 'cross-legged chair'.

The Song dynasty can be said to be the era when the cross-legged chair prevailed.

The Song dynasty's cross-legged chair absorbed the upper part's characteristics of the round-backed chair, adding a backrest and armrests, thus forming the template for later cross-legged chairs.

In the strictly hierarchical feudal society, not just anyone could sit in a cross-legged chair.

Sitting in a cross-legged chair was a symbol of noble status and rank.

The leader sits in the first cross-legged chair.

【Ding, the host listened attentively, appraisal points +50.】

Guan Yushan paused, then continued speaking:

Next, I'll explain the differences between Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty cross-legged chairs.

Before the Ming dynasty, there were few cross-legged chairs made of yellow-flowered rosewood.

By the Ming dynasty, the artistic style and shape of the cross-legged chair, etc., had already tended toward full maturity.

The overall shape became more graceful and smooth.

That is, it was only in the Ming dynasty that cross-legged chairs made of yellow-flowered rosewood began to appear.

However, they were all for imperial court use.

This also served to display the imperial family's status and rank.

By the Qing dynasty, the cross-legged chair became increasingly perfect.

The characteristics of Ming dynasty cross-legged chairs are smooth and warm, with seats that are thick and short; Qing dynasty ones are sturdy and robust, with seats that are thin and tall.

Moreover, the backrests of Ming dynasty cross-legged chairs are usually plain and unadorned, while those of the Qing dynasty are mostly carved panels, with plain panels being quite rare.

Master has said about enough; now Master wants to ask you, which era is this cross-legged chair from?

【Ding, the host listened attentively, appraisal points +120.】

Lin Shengli smiled lightly and said:

Master, you've explained so thoroughly and still ask such a question—aren't you looking down on your disciple?

Yi Zhonghai also laughed: 'Old brother, not to mention someone as smart as Shengli, even I can tell this cross-legged chair is from the Ming dynasty.'

Guan Yushan and Lin Shengli exchanged a glance and burst into hearty laughter.

That's right, it's from the Ming dynasty.

Disciple, this cross-legged chair has great collectible value.

Master hopes you will preserve it well.

This is a national treasure of cultural relics, you know.

Lin Shengli: 'Hmm, Master, rest assured, I will definitely preserve it well.'

Thank you, Master.

Guan Yushan looked around and said: 'Nowadays, Ming and Qing dynasty furniture is relatively common on the market.'

Let me now briefly explain the characteristics of Ming and Qing dynasty furniture.

Firstly, in terms of form, the varieties and shapes of Ming and Qing dynasty furniture both have very obvious era characteristics.

For example, furniture such as wine tables and round-backrest cross-legged chairs were gradually phased out in the Qing Chao.

Therefore, these tables and chairs have even greater collectible value.

Furthermore, items like folding chairs, folding incense stands, etc., did not exist before the Yongzheng Ye of the Qing dynasty.

Qing dynasty furniture, compared to Ming dynasty, is a bit more complex and also a bit more solemn.

For example, as I just said, Qing dynasty furniture usually has very exquisite carving work.

Of course, Ming dynasty furniture also has it, but it's much simpler.