Chapter 35

Guan Yushan spoke at length, and also explained how to identify furniture made of huanghuali and zitan wood....

Lin Shengli's appraisal points also crept up accordingly.

Seeing that he was about to reach the advanced level, Lin Shengli asked a few more questions.

Only after he had reached the advanced level did he stop.

Then.

He stroked the chair briefly.

【Ding, Ming dynasty chair, made of huanghuali.】

【The Hongwu Emperor's exclusive seat, personally made by Empress Ma in 1383, now over five hundred years old.】

【It has great collectible value.】

We've struck it rich!

This is actually the seat personally made by Empress Ma, the exclusive seat of the Hongwu Emperor!

It's probably worth over a hundred million by later standards.

I suppose my master couldn't tell it was the Hongwu Emperor's exclusive seat; otherwise he might not have been willing to give it to me.

Next, Lin Shengli began to walk around the house.

After his appraisal skill reached advanced level, he only needed to touch a piece of furniture for three seconds to know its age and whether it had collectible value.

However, the furniture here has already been screened by Guan Yushan, so there's nothing good left.

Following his suggestion, they went to a nearby consignment shop.

As they walked, he didn't forget to ask Guan Yushan for advice.

After arriving at the consignment shop, his appraisal points increased again by quite a bit.

"Master, I'll have a look first, see if I can find something good using the knowledge you taught me."

"You stay behind and keep watch, trying not to miss any good item, okay?"

"Alright, go boldly; I'm behind you, with me here, we won't miss any good item."

"But Master came here yesterday, so there's hardly anything good left."

"You take a look first; maybe some good stuff arrived today."

"Hmm, I'll take a look first."

Although Lin Shengli was a bit disappointed, he still decided to touch each piece of furniture to see if he could find a good one.

【Ding, 1956 chair, made of birch, low collectible value.】

【Ding, 1953 bookshelf, made of oak, low collectible value.】

【Ding, 1623 Ming dynasty Arhat bed, made of huanghuali, bed surface with woven frame inlaid with rush core, ice-plate edge decorated with waist binding, chi dragon pattern body coiled and vigorous, mighty and lifelike, rare among surviving Ming furniture, high collectible value.】

After touching a dozen or so pieces of furniture, Lin Shengli finally 'found' a good one.

"Disciple, have you taken a liking to this one?"

Guan Yushan actually also liked it, but he thought Lin Shengli would miss it.

Who would have thought Lin Shengli didn't just glance over it like before, but examined it carefully.

His heart also gave an involuntary 'thump'.

If Lin Shengli missed it, then he would have to make a move.

Lin Shengli looked around, saw no one nearby, then lowered his voice and said:

"Master, if I'm not mistaken, this is a huanghuali-made Arhat bed; as for the date, it should be from the mid-to-late Ming."

Guan Yushan nodded satisfied and said:

"Sure enough, you have talent."

"That's right, it's a Ming Arhat bed; as for the exact period, Master couldn't tell."

Yi Zhonghai happily said: "Then I'll call someone; we'll buy this Arhat bed."

Soon, Yi Zhonghai called over the manager of the consignment shop.

"Master Guan, do you like this Arhat bed?" This manager also knew Guan Yushan.

Guan Yushan shook his head and said:

"No, I've looked at all the furniture here, and there isn't a single piece I fancy."

"This Arhat bed is rather ordinary in condition, and its age isn't that far back; it was probably made before liberation."

"Manager: 'Master Guan, you're joking!'"

"This Arhat bed isn't pre-liberation; it's Ming dynasty, several hundred years old to this day."

Guan Yushan gave an embarrassed laugh and asked: "Looks like this is on consignment?"

The manager nodded: "That's right."

"Last night we were about to close, and he just dropped this off."

Looks like we've run into someone who knows the goods.

Guan Yushan also guessed that this Arhat bed was on consignment.

Because he knows this manager doesn't understand furniture at all; at most he can tell it's huanghuali, but can't tell other woods.

As for the age, he can't tell that either.

Guan Yushan: "Alright, since it's on consignment, then tell me the price."

"Manager: 'One hundred bucks; you also know this price is what we negotiated with the consignor.'"

"In the absence of the consignor, this price is set; we have no right to raise or lower it."

"If you want to haggle, you need to call the consignor."

"You can negotiate with him."

However, he just left, saying he had to go on a business trip to the south and would need a few days before returning.

He might be moving house; anyway, just now he had a rack bed and an incense stand delivered—why don't you go take a look?

He said they're all huanghuali, all from the Ming dynasty.

But we need to haggle, so we have to wait for him to return.

It seems this consignment seller is not simple.

There are actually several Ming-dynasty huanghuali items; perhaps he's also a collector of old things.

I don't know if he encountered some major setback, desperately needing money.

Guan Yushan nodded, just about to speak, when Lin Shengli's voice came through:

No need to wait, I'll take them all.

A Ming-dynasty huanghuali luohan bed for a hundred bucks—quite a bargain.

His monthly salary is enough, with some left over.

I don't know how much that rack bed and incense stand cost.

He still has over three hundred bucks; that should be enough, right?

Manager: "All right, then follow me to have a look."

Guan Yushan looked at Lin Shengli, speechless.

He also secretly blamed himself for thinking about all that nonsense.

He's not usually like that.

This line of work has an unwritten rule.

No matter who spots something first, once someone makes an offer, you can't compete with them.

Just a moment ago he was still saying that to Lin Shengli.

Lin Shengli chuckled and said:

"Master, what's with us master and disciple?"

"If you also like it, I can give it to you."

Upon hearing that, Guan Yushan's expression instantly brightened.

However.

The next second, Lin Shengli's voice came again:

"However, I've heard you have many, many treasures, Master."

"I, your disciple, don't have a single treasure at home—you wouldn't feel right asking me for one, would you?"

Yi Zhonghai cleared his throat twice and said:

"Exactly, old brother; we're elders, we don't compete with juniors."

"If Shengli likes it, just let him have it, ah."

Guan Yushan smiled and joked:

"Ah, you still need to be blood-related."

"Look, Shengli just arrived; you've only met him today."

"You and I have had decades of brotherly friendship."

"You're selling me out like this."

Yi Zhonghai: "Ah, what have I betrayed you of?"

Guan Yushan waved his hand and said:

"Forget it; since you're my brother, I don't hold it against you."

"All right, then we won't contend."

"However, Shengli, if you don't like it or don't want it, Master is willing to buy it from you at double the price."

Lin Shengli: "If I don't like it, I'll immediately give it to you, not taking a single penny."

Guan Yushan happily said: "This disciple of mine is really something."

"Come on, let's go see—let's check if it's really a treasure."