Zhuo Yu Feng Yang Chapter 4
byChapter 4: Opening Day Encounter with a Difficult Customer, Keen Eye Determines the Outcome
Xianyunjai opened without a ceremony, without firecrackers, and without even a red banner wishing for good fortune.
Jiang Zhuo simply placed two solid wood benches outside the door and put a few trinkets he had salvaged from the flea market on the counter—a few Qing Dynasty copper coins, a pair of Republic-era famille rose small cups, and a blue-and-white brush washer with a chipped corner. These were all inexpensive, common goods, serving merely to fill the space.
He didn’t expect customers right away. His original intention was to let the shop sit for a while, gauge the surrounding foot traffic, and then slowly stock inventory.
But on the very first day of opening, an uninvited guest arrived.
Around ten in the morning, a middle-aged man wearing a silk Tang suit and fiddling with two walnuts in his hand strode in. The man was about fifty, his face full of arrogance. He entered the shop, hands clasped behind his back, and scanned the room, letting out a soft sneer through his nose: “Tsk, a new shop? You dare to set up on Antique Street with just this junk?”
Jiang Zhuo was wiping the counter. Hearing the comment, he looked up at the man but remained silent.
He recognized this person. His surname was Zhao, and his name was Zhao Sihai, the owner of “Suijin Pavilion” down the street. Suijin Pavilion mainly dealt in high-end jade and calligraphy. Zhao Sihai, relying on his early entry into the trade, often liked to criticize new shops on Antique Street. Many newly opened small shops had been targeted and squeezed out by him.
Jiang Zhuo knew clearly that Zhao Sihai wasn’t here to buy anything; he was here to establish dominance.
Seeing that Jiang Zhuo ignored him, Zhao Sihai felt even more slighted. He walked up to the counter, picked up the pair of Republic-era famille rose small cups, and rubbed the gilt rim with his finger, saying deliberately, “This broken cup, and it’s even gilded? Obviously a modern imitation. Ten yuan for three, they’re everywhere on the street stalls. Young man, I advise you to close up shop sooner rather than later. Don’t make a fool of yourself here.”
Jiang Zhuo put down the rag he was holding, his tone flat: “Is Boss Zhao here to buy something, or to offer instruction?”
“Instruction is too strong a word.” Zhao Sihai put down the small cup, letting out a crisp clinking sound. “I just see you’re young and worry you’ll lose everything you own.”
As he spoke, his eyes darted around, as if he had remembered something. He pulled a brocade box from his cloth bag and slapped it onto the counter with a loud crack: “Since you opened an antique shop, you must have an eye for things, right? Come on, help me take a look at this. If you get it right, I, Zhao Sihai, will respect you on this street from now on. If you get it wrong…”
He drew out the last word, a hint of mockery on his lips: “Then your Xianyunjai should just change its name to ‘Muddlehead Hall’.”
Jiang Zhuo’s gaze fell on the brocade box, but he didn’t move.
Zhao Sihai grew more smug. He reached out and opened the brocade box, revealing a porcelain vase lying inside. The vase was covered in celadon glaze, with scrolling lotus patterns painted on the body, and the base bore the mark “Made in the Great Qing Yongzheng Period.” It looked quite authentic.
A few passing stall owners had already gathered around, eager to watch the show. Someone whispered, “Isn’t that the celadon vase Zhao Sihai bought a few days ago? I heard he spent fifty thousand yuan on it!”
“He’s probably here to make trouble. That kid looks young, how could he possibly understand this?”
Zhao Sihai heard the murmurs and lifted his chin higher: “Well? Are you afraid to look?”
Only then did Jiang Zhuo slowly walk over and pick up the porcelain vase. The moment his fingertips touched the body of the vase, the system prompt in his mind sounded:
Ding—Item detected: Celadon Vase with Scrolling Lotus Design
Material: Modern kaolin clay, chemical celadon glaze
Era: 1990s imitation
Defects: Glaze surface is too bright, the ‘fire’ has not faded; the brushstrokes of the scrolling lotus design are stiff, lacking the vibrancy of the Yongzheng period; the base mark calligraphy is rigid, made by computer engraving and then artificially aged
Estimated Value: 300-500 yuan
Jiang Zhuo sneered inwardly.
Spending fifty thousand yuan on a 1990s imitation? Did Zhao Sihai’s eye for antiques qualify him to instruct others?
He held the vase, not rushing to speak. Instead, he carefully examined the patterns on the body, then flipped it over to look at the mark. His serious demeanor made Zhao Sihai’s heart skip a beat.
“What? Did you figure it out?” Zhao Sihai tried to maintain his composure. “If you can’t tell, just say so. I won’t laugh at you.”
Jiang Zhuo put down the porcelain vase and tapped the counter lightly with his fingertip. The sound was soft but clearly audible throughout the shop: “The glaze surface is blindingly bright. It was fired with chemical glaze, not the mineral glaze of the Yongzheng period. The petals of the scrolling lotus design are drawn crookedly, and the lines are stiff. The artisans of the Yongzheng imperial kiln did not have such poor craftsmanship. And the base mark.”
He paused, then looked up at Zhao Sihai, his gaze sharp: “The character ‘Yong’ in ‘Made in the Great Qing Yongzheng Period’—the Yongzheng era writing style has a slight curve on the last stroke of the left ‘zhui’ radical. Yours is straight. It’s the regular script from a computer font. Boss Zhao, this item you spent fifty thousand yuan on is a 1990s imitation. You can buy it for three hundred yuan at a street stall.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding crowd erupted in an uproar.
Zhao Sihai’s face instantly flushed red, then turned green, and finally became a dark purple. He pointed at Jiang Zhuo, his fingers trembling: “You… you’re talking nonsense! I commissioned a friend to collect this from the countryside. How could it be an imitation?”
“Whether it’s an imitation or not, Boss Zhao knows better than anyone.” Jiang Zhuo picked up the porcelain vase and held it up to the sunlight coming through the door. The glaze surface reflected a dazzling glare. “A genuine Yongzheng celadon vase has a warm, subtle glaze and natural patina. Why would it be this bright? If you don’t believe me, you can go ask Boss Wang at Debao Xuan. Surely his judgment won’t be wrong?”
The mention of Wang Youde instantly deflated Zhao Sihai’s arrogance by half.
Wang Youde’s status on Antique Street was undeniable, and his eye for antiques was notoriously sharp. If he really took the vase to him, his reputation would be completely ruined.
The surrounding stall owners’ gazes toward Zhao Sihai changed. Some were mocking, others were enjoying the spectacle, and some whispered with a chuckle, “Zhao Sihai shot himself in the foot!”
Zhao Sihai was shaking with anger but couldn’t utter a single word. He glared fiercely at Jiang Zhuo, snatched the brocade box, and almost stumbled as he rushed out of Xianyunjai, nearly tripping on the steps outside the door.
The onlookers, seeing that the show was over, gradually dispersed. Before leaving, several stall owners couldn’t help but take another look at Jiang Zhuo, their eyes now holding a hint of reverence.
Jiang Zhuo watched Zhao Sihai leave, his expression unchanged.
He had anticipated that someone would come to challenge him on opening day, but he hadn’t expected the first one to be Zhao Sihai.
The words he had just spoken were not just for Zhao Sihai, but for the surrounding stall owners as well. Although Xianyunjai was small and the owner was young, his eye for antiques was sharp, and he was not a pushover.
Just before closing in the evening, Wang Youde arrived.
He carried a pot of tea in his hand and smiled as he entered: “Kid, not bad. You made Zhao Sihai look like a complete fool on your first day.”
Jiang Zhuo poured Wang Youde a cup of water and remained silent.
“Zhao Sihai is the type who bullies the weak and fears the strong,” Wang Youde took a sip of tea. “You’ve crushed his spirit today. From now on, no one on this street will dare to casually mess with you.”
He paused, then changed the subject: “By the way, I have a friend who has an item he’s unsure about the authenticity of, and he wants to invite you to take a look. The price is negotiable. What do you say?”
Jiang Zhuo looked up, a flash of shrewdness in his eyes.
He knew this was Wang Youde extending an olive branch.
It was also the first step for Xianyunjai to truly establish itself on Antique Street.
“Alright,” Jiang Zhuo nodded. “When should I go?”
Wang Youde put down his teacup, his fingertip gently rubbing the rim. His tone was certain: “Tonight. That person is impatient and can’t wait. I’ll send the address to your phone later. It’s a private club with many rules, so dress formally.”
Jiang Zhuo acknowledged this and didn’t ask further questions.
In the antique world, private transactions relied on subtlety. Asking too many questions would be seen as uncouth.
Wang Youde sat for a while longer, chatting about the intricacies of Antique Street. Before leaving, he patted Jiang Zhuo’s shoulder: “The item that patron has is unusual. Look carefully, don’t stumble.”
Jiang Zhuo nodded: “I understand.”
After Wang Youde left, Jiang Zhuo locked the door of Xianyunjai and returned to his rented room. He rummaged through his belongings and found the only decent piece of clothing he owned: a black suit.
Dressed in the suit, the young man in the mirror was tall and straight, his features handsome. He had shed some of his youthful innocence and gained a sense of composure and sharpness.
In the evening, his phone rang. It was the address from Wang Youde and a text message: Bring your sharp eye, speak little, observe much.
Jiang Zhuo replied “Got it,” pocketed his phone, and hailed a taxi straight to the destination.
The club was hidden in a suburban villa area. Guards stood at the entrance, only allowing entry after verifying identity. Once inside, winding paths, rock gardens, and flowing water hinted at understated luxury everywhere.
Wang Youde was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing him arrive, he stepped forward and whispered, “The person is inside. His surname is Zhou, Elder Zhou. He’s a veteran in the collecting world, particularly fond of imperial kiln porcelain. Be mindful of your words later.”
Jiang Zhuo nodded and followed Wang Youde inside.
In the living room, a white-haired elder was sitting on a mahogany sofa, holding a blue-and-white bowl with a deep frown.
Hearing footsteps, Elder Zhou looked up. When his gaze landed on Jiang Zhuo, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes: “Little Wang, is this young man the appraisal expert you mentioned?”
Wang Youde smiled and introduced him: “Elder Zhou, this is Jiang Zhuo. Don’t let his age fool you; his eye for antiques is top-notch. The Qianlong mother-of-pearl inlaid ink paste box I acquired a few days ago was sourced through him.”
Elder Zhou’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. He pointed to the blue-and-white bowl on the table: “Then take a look at this.”
Jiang Zhuo stepped forward. He didn’t rush to pick up the bowl but first leaned in to observe.
The bowl had an open, rounded rim, and the body was painted with scrolling peony patterns. The blue-and-white color was rich and vibrant, and the base bore the six-character seal script mark “Made in the Great Qing Qianlong Period.” Based on appearance alone, it certainly had the style of the Qianlong imperial kiln.
He extended both hands and gently lifted the bowl from the bottom. It felt warm to the touch, and the porcelain body was fine and delicate. Almost simultaneously, the system prompt in his mind sounded:
Ding—Item detected: Blue-and-White Bowl with Scrolling Peony Design
Material: Jingdezhen kaolin clay, mid-Qing Dynasty body
Era: Jiaqing Period, Qing Dynasty
Characteristics: High-quality imitation of Qianlong imperial kiln style; the blue-and-white color is slightly lighter than the Qianlong period, the brushstrokes of the scrolling pattern are slightly clumsy, and the seal script on the base lacks strength
Estimated Value: 150,000-200,000 yuan
Note: The original owner paid 500,000 yuan for it at an overseas auction
Jiang Zhuo understood immediately.
This was a high-quality Jiaqing imitation of a Qianlong piece. Although it was an antique, the value difference compared to a genuine Qianlong imperial kiln piece was significant.
Elder Zhou watched his expression and asked in a deep voice, “Well?”
Jiang Zhuo put down the bowl, his tone unhurried: “It is a fine bowl, an antique from the mid-Qing Dynasty. The body is delicate, and the blue-and-white color is correct.”
Elder Zhou frowned tighter: “I asked if it is Qianlong imperial kiln.”
Jiang Zhuo didn’t answer directly. Instead, he pointed to the scrolling pattern on the bowl: “Elder Zhou, look at the outline of these peony petals. The brushstrokes of the Qianlong imperial kiln are rounded, full, and executed in one fluid motion. The petals on this bowl, however, have lines that are slightly hesitant at the ends. Also, the blue-and-white color. The ‘kingfisher blue’ of the Qianlong imperial kiln is intensely vibrant, penetrating deep into the porcelain. The color on this bowl is a bit too superficial, lacking depth.”
He paused, then flipped the bowl over to the base: “Look at the base mark again. The seal script mark of the Qianlong imperial kiln has uniform thickness in the strokes and a rigorous structure. The character ‘Qian’ on this bowl, specifically the ‘qi’ radical on the right, is weakly executed. This is a typical characteristic of Jiaqing imitations of Qianlong pieces.”
His explanation was logical and well-reasoned.
Elder Zhou’s face gradually darkened. He held the bowl, rubbing it repeatedly. After a long moment, he looked up at Jiang Zhuo, his eyes showing a hint of admiration: “Young man, to have such a sharp eye at your age is rare.”
Wang Youde chuckled on the side: “I told you, finding Little Jiang is the right choice.”
Elder Zhou waved his hand, signaling a servant to bring a red envelope, which he handed to Jiang Zhuo: “A small token of appreciation, thank you for being frank. Otherwise, I would still be carrying this imitation around and embarrassing myself.”
Jiang Zhuo didn’t take it, looking at Wang Youde.
Wang Youde gave him a look, signaling him to accept it.
Only then did Jiang Zhuo take the red envelope and say, “Thank you, Elder Zhou.”
The red envelope was heavy, and he knew without looking that the amount was substantial.
After sitting for a while longer, Elder Zhou engaged Jiang Zhuo in conversation about the intricacies of antiques. They found they had much in common. Before Jiang Zhuo left, Elder Zhou took his contact information: “If you come across any good items in the future, or encounter anything you’re unsure about, feel free to call me anytime.”
Jiang Zhuo agreed.
Outside the club, Wang Youde patted his shoulder, laughing and scolding him: “You nearly gave me a heart attack just now, kid. I thought you were going to call it an imitation directly, but you were so tactful.”
Jiang Zhuo said calmly, “Elder Zhou is a senior. We should preserve his dignity.”
Wang Youde’s gaze became even more approving: “Your temperament is more stable than those old foxes.”
The two stood by the roadside waiting for a car, the evening breeze blowing gently.
Wang Youde suddenly said, “Elder Zhou wanted to test your ability and your character.”
Jiang Zhuo’s brow furrowed slightly. He had sensed that Elder Zhou wanted to test his measure. But what did he possess that was worth Elder Zhou’s scrutiny?
Back at his rented room, Jiang Zhuo opened the red envelope. Inside was a stack of crisp new banknotes. He counted them—a full twenty thousand yuan.
Coupled with his previous savings, his account finally held a considerable amount of liquid capital again.
He placed the money in the wooden box, alongside his previous cash.
Then he took out his phone, deliberated for a moment, and sent a text message to Elder Zhou: Elder Zhou, is there anything you need me to do?
Not long after, Elder Zhou replied with a text message: Smart kid, you’re perceptive.
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a block of text: A few years ago, I made a mistake and authenticated a fake item. Initially, I thought I was just getting old and my eyes were failing. Later, I investigated and found that the issue might involve more than just me. There might be cultural relic smuggling behind it. I haven’t found a breakthrough point for years. Zhao Sihai, who came to your shop to cause trouble, might be one of them. I want you to follow the lead of Zhao Sihai and investigate. Since Zhao Sihai has already targeted you, he won’t let it go. You have no choice but to get involved in this murky situation. You can name your conditions.
Jiang Zhuo thought for a moment. Elder Zhou was right. Since Zhao Sihai and his group had noticed him, his life wouldn’t be peaceful afterward. He might as well accept Elder Zhou’s favor.
Moreover, the antique world relies not only on a keen eye but also on human nature. The schemes these people were involved in would eventually backfire.
Jiang Zhuo tapped the screen lightly with his fingertip and sent a message: I will visit you when you have time.
The next morning, just as Jiang Zhuo opened the door of Xianyunjai, a customer arrived.
It was one of the stall owners who had watched the spectacle yesterday. He held a brocade box in his hand and smiled as he entered: “Boss Jiang, I have an item here, and I’d like you to take a look.”