Chapter 161: The Panjiayuan of '82

In the Panjiayuan of '82, there wasn't really any antique market yet; it was just a few scattered second-hand merchants who had spontaneously formed a trading bazaar here.

There was more than one such bazaar in the Great Capital, each with its own characteristics, and it wasn't until later that most of them gathered here.

Because Panjiayuan used to be called "Pan Family Kiln," this place had many large mounds of dirt and big water pits left over from digging clay for brick kilns.

Many people, following the principle of "standing high to see far," would set up their stalls around the large dirt mounds and stand on top of them to keep watch; if plainclothes officers with red armbands came, they could easily run away.

That is why some people also called this place the Jinsong Dirt Slope.

Since they were always ready to run, Panjiayuan at this time didn't have many large items, focusing mainly on snuff bottles, porcelain, calligraphy and paintings, and small wooden trinkets.

So, the story of picking up a rosewood table and two sandalwood chairs for ten yuan was not something easy to come by here.

Guan Dasheng rode his bicycle at full speed, arriving at Panjiayuan covered in sweat, and then, following the location Old Song had mentioned, found that stall.

The stall owner was a young man in his twenties who looked at everyone as if they were thieves, his caution revealing a hidden shrewdness.

And on his stall sat a set of colorful bird-and-flower pots.

Having been influenced by his father, Guan Dasheng understood a thing or two about the tricks of the antique trade, so he first picked through a few nearby stalls before casually strolling over to the young man's stall.

He picked up a teacup, squinting as he examined it closely, and said in a devil-may-care tone, "How much for this set of imitation Ming bird-and-flower pots?"

The stall owner glanced at Guan Dasheng and said indifferently, "I don't have any imitation Ming pots here; this is a set of official Ming kiln pots. If you're looking for imitations, please go elsewhere."

"Official Ming kiln pots? Oh my, then your ancestors must have been at least Grade Three officials."

Guan Dasheng sneered, but his hands kept picking up the teacups and the teapot to examine them closely, his heart growing more and more surprised.

This set of pots was really, really similar to the one at his own home; there were some slight differences in the details, but if he weren't particularly familiar with his own set, he wouldn't have been able to tell.

And this also perfectly fit the "one-of-a-kind" characteristic of handicrafts.

Handicrafts would never appear identical; identical items were industrial products.

The young stall owner looked at Guan Dasheng, who was trying to put on the air of a "tough guy," and couldn't be bothered to waste words with him, simply waving his hand and saying, "One thousand yuan, no bargaining. If you think it's expensive, go look at another stall!"

"Hmph, if it really were a colorful Ming official kiln bird-and-flower pot set, one thousand yuan would be worth it, but what if it's fake? Wouldn't you be harming people?"

The young stall owner snatched the teacup from Guan Dasheng's hand, his face full of impatience as he said, "If you want to buy fakes, go to the stalls on the west side; don't come here looking for trouble."

"Hahaha~,"

The stall owner next to him laughed and explained to Guan Dasheng, "No need to go to the west side, brother, come take a look at mine: authentic Tang Sancai, eighty yuan a pair, and I'll even give you a rosewood box."

"That box of yours is yellow sandalwood, who are you trying to fool!"

Guan Dasheng cursed as he left the stall and then circled the area.

He discovered that there were very few items in the entire market worth several thousand yuan; most were only a hundred or eighty, and at most a few hundred. Even the few items that were clearly unearthed were only asking for one or two thousand yuan.

Could the Ming official kiln pot set at his home really not be worth that much money?

【No, this is a business, this is an opportunity.】

A flash of inspiration suddenly struck Guan Dasheng, and the idea of "buying low and selling high" immediately popped into his head.

For the same item, if you run into someone who truly likes it, you can sell it for several times the price.

【But where would the capital come from?】

Guan Dasheng rode his bike all the way home; dinner time had already passed, and the leftovers he ate had no taste at all.

【I'm going to eat at Donglaishun every day in the future.】

Guan Dasheng tossed and turned all night, and as expected, he got up late the next morning.

He decided to just rest another day and sleep until past noon.

By the afternoon, his mother, who couldn't hold back her nagging any longer, was just about to start when a guest arrived at the door.

It was the same man who bowed to everyone and, according to his father, was very likely a Chrysanthemum person, only this time he was accompanied by the young man who had been there once before.

"Eight thousand yuan, this is the final price, and this is the last time I will give you a chance."

Inoue Koji's face was grim, his low voice filled with deep resentment and anger.

Grandpa Guan Er said nonchalantly, "Sir, antiques are something that follow the market;

last year, let alone eight thousand, this set of pots might not have been worth eight hundred, but by next year, twenty thousand might even be considered cheap."

Inoue Koji was just about to speak again when Nakamura Naoto, who was beside him, suddenly stood up, turned around, and walked out.

Inoue Koji was suddenly in a panic, grabbing his leather bag and preparing to leave as well.

"Eight thousand yuan, deal!"

The decision Grandpa Guan Er suddenly shouted made Guan Dasheng, who was listening in, unable to believe his ears.

Why did his father suddenly lose his nerve? Didn't he say just a few days ago that the most important things in the antique business were to be calm, patient, and as steady as a mountain?

Nakamura Naoto, who had just walked out the door, smiled contemptuously.

Inoue Koji didn't bring enough cash, only paying a deposit, and both sides agreed to settle the money and goods tomorrow.

After the two left, Guan Dasheng asked his father anxiously, "Dad, why did you agree to eight thousand? Our item is worth one or two ten thousand!"

But Grandpa Guan Er said, "Whether it's worth it or not depends on who has the final say. Today, look at the people present, who had the final say?"

Guan Dasheng said, "Of course it's you, Dad! If you don't sell, can they just snatch it?"

"I didn't have the final say," Grandpa Guan Er smiled and said, "It was that young man who had the final say! If they had left today, they really wouldn't have come back."

Guan Dasheng said in surprise, "Then you still said twenty thousand that day."

Grandpa Guan Er waved his hand and said, "This set of pots isn't worth twenty thousand right now."

"."

Inoue Koji rushed to open the car door, serving Nakamura Naoto as he got into the car, and only then did he sit in himself.

"Nakamura-kun, your method is still effective; these people are too cunning."

"Inoue, when doing business with the Zhina people, you must be decisive and have the courage and confidence to bayonet them."

"Hai, I will work hard."

Inoue Koji nodded and accepted the instruction, but in his heart, he was cursing—you are the boss, of course you can give up at any time, but if I give up, won't you fire me?

Nakamura Naoto glanced at Inoue Koji and said softly, "Are you saying in your heart that the price I gave them was too high?"

Inoue Koji quickly shook his head, "No, if I had negotiated it myself, I might have paid even more."

Nakamura Naoto smiled coldly and then said, "Money is a catalyst for greed. They got eight thousand today, and the day after tomorrow they will want eighty thousand.

Today they sold us a set of porcelain, and the day after tomorrow, perhaps they will be able to bring out the things we hope to find."

"."

Inoue Koji looked at Nakamura Naoto in surprise, and for the first time, the thought occurred to him that "this turtle-like guy is somewhat like his grandfather."

After Grandpa Guan Er collected the deposit, he went out shopping with his nephew Guan Dacheng.

His eldest brother's family had lived a hard life all these years; now that they had money, he had to buy them some things. At the very least, the "three turns and one sound" had to be fully equipped, right?

Guan Dasheng watched his father take the money and go out, his heart aching uncontrollably.

Originally, the drop from twenty thousand to eight thousand was already a huge gap in his heart, and now he had to give four thousand to others; who could bear such heartache~

"Eight thousand, if I had known it was eight thousand, why didn't I sell it to that blockhead? Blockhead..."

Guan Dasheng suddenly thought of an idea, and it was a crazy thought he couldn't stop.

He hurried back to his room and found a crumpled piece of paper.

"If it becomes fifteen thousand, if not, it's still eight thousand; it's worth the risk."

After Wei Jiaxian received the news, he also rushed to a hotel in the west of the city.

This was the contact address he had left for Guan Dasheng, which could be considered a fishing rod, waiting for the willing to take the bait.

"Eight thousand yuan, not a penny less."

"Fine, but does your family agree to sell it to me?"

"Why are you so dawdling? Come with me, money and goods exchanged at the same time."

Wei Jiaxian looked at Guan Dasheng's flickering eyes, shook his head, and said, "Then I can't trade at your house. You have to bring the item to me. We'll settle the money and goods, and no one can pursue this later."

"Then you wait."

Guan Dasheng rode his bike home in a hurry, and while his father and mother were not at home, he stole the set of colorful bird-and-flower pots and gave them to Wei Jiaxian.

Wei Jiaxian didn't dawdle this time, counting out the eight thousand yuan to Guan Dasheng without missing a cent.

After Guan Dasheng left, Old Song quietly appeared.

"Uncle Song, do you think this Guan family is the people we are looking for?"

"That depends on the result later. Although Hua Erhan has the ability to make fakes look real, a fake is a fake and can never be real. One day, an expert will see through it.

At that time, according to the rules, the Guan family will have to compensate the other party with a real, good item. If he can compensate, he is very likely the person we are looking for. If he can't, then we found the wrong person."

Seeing Wei Jiaxian silent, Old Song comforted him, "Don't be anxious. The capital is so big, there are many people with the surname Gua. We have only been in the capital for a few months; look slowly, we will find them eventually."

Wei Jiaxian was silent for a few seconds and then said, "If this Guan family is not the person we are looking for, is what we are doing unethical?"

"What's unethical about this?" Old Song laughed and said, "Buying and selling antiques relies on one's eye. If that group of Eastern Ocean people were fooled, it's because their own skills weren't up to par.

If the Old Guan family is exposed, it's because their own minds aren't upright; who can they blame?"

Wei Jiaxian pondered for a long time, finally exhaled, and nodded silently.

However, he thought of something else and said, "But we spent eight thousand yuan, is that a bit high? Will Li Ye be unhappy?"

"Pfft~, haven't you noticed yet? Li Ye's thoughts are not much different from ours, otherwise I wouldn't be willing to work for him!"

Old Song chuckled and said, "Besides, we really did find him two good items these past two days; he won't care about that little bit of money."

Wei Jiaxian finally smiled and nodded, "Those were indeed two good items."

Guan Dasheng took the eight thousand yuan, got on his bicycle, and ran toward Panjiayuan. At this moment, his heart felt like it was burning, both excited and anxious.

When he arrived at the place and saw the stall owner from yesterday, as well as the same set of Ming colorful bird-and-flower pots on the stall, his heart finally settled down.

"Brother, your pot is interesting. Make it cheaper, sell it to me for six hundred and eighty!"

"Three thousand yuan, not a penny less."

"."

Guan Dasheng was stunned for a full ten seconds, then jumped up, glared, and cursed, "Are you playing tricks on me? You said one thousand yesterday, and today I brought the money and you raised it to three thousand? Do you believe I'll flip your stall?"

The young stall owner brushed his clothes, revealing the hilt of a knife at his waist.

"Go ahead and flip it, as long as you have the money to compensate. If you don't have money, your life will do."

"."

The next morning, the anxious Guan Dasheng watched Inoue Koji pack up the three-thousand-yuan pot as if it were a treasure, and only then did his hanging heart finally drop completely.

Of course, he wasn't one to suffer a loss for nothing; he planned to go out today to find a few old hands, spend a few hundred yuan, and he had to teach that kid a lesson.

If you dare to play tricks on a man from the capital, just wait to die!

But after Inoue Koji left, Grandpa Guan Er smiled and asked his son, "Dasheng, where did you get this set of items?"

Guan Dasheng was terrified, his face turning pale.

"Dad, you... you saw it?"

"It's our own family's item, how could I not see it? But that set of items is indeed hard to distinguish between real and fake."

"Then why didn't you say so just now?"

"The buyer didn't see it, so why should I say anything? Haven't I told you the rules of this trade?"

Guan Dasheng had already retreated to the corner of the wall before he felt that his father didn't intend to beat him.

But the next moment, Guan Dasheng felt it would have been better to just take a beating.

Guan Ciying said to him kindly, "How much money did you sell it for? Hand it over, I promise I won't beat you!"

(End of chapter)