Year: I had a good time when I was young

Chapter 199 The 30 Pound White Tiger
Chu Xiangqian remembers that in the decade from 60 to 70, the highest auction record for Picasso's oil painting was only 5.5 US dollars.

By 1970, the price had even dropped a bit, to $5.32.

But a few years later, Picasso died, and in just five or six years, the highest price rose to 330 million US dollars.

In the next 20 years, the price rose again, and then remained stable at around 5 million US dollars.

That is to say, if you buy a Picasso rare oil painting for 5 U.S. dollars at this time, it will increase by 30 times in about 1000 years.

With such a high rate of return, Chu Xiangqian couldn't convince himself to give up without getting involved.

Thinking of this, Chu Xiangqian looked at Norton again, "Help me buy a few Picasso oil paintings, and I'll exchange the skin of a white tiger with you, how about it?"

Norton couldn't help being surprised when he heard the white tiger skin.

After repeatedly confirming with Chu Xiangqian that it was the white tiger skin, Norton breathed heavily in surprise.

Whether you buy it back as a gift to Mountbatten or as a gift to the royal family, it will definitely help your status in the family and your future prospects in the future.

"Master, can I have a look at the white tiger skin? Otherwise, when I meet a collector of Picasso oil paintings, I don't know how to explain to him what happened when the white tiger skin fell to the ground."

Chu Qiang glanced at the track, secretly thinking that if he comes here to play in the future, he should just watch the excitement and relax.

The ability of the Jockey Club on Hong Kong Island is greater than most people imagine.

If you often guess correctly, you will definitely be targeted by the Mahui.

Of course, death as a horse owner is another matter.

Looking at Norton, he said, "Let's go back to Kowloon. I'll treat you to a grilled deer steak. As for the steak you owe me. Treat me when the antiques arrive on Hong Kong Island."

Norton nodded hurriedly, and walked side by side with Chu Qianqian while chatting to find the car.

And the actions of the two of them have actually been seen by interested people a long time ago.

Most people guessed that Norton was attracted by kung fu.Then he became envious and jealous of Chu Xiangqian.

Even though many English people strongly oppose it and even advocate the abolition of the royal family, but if there is a chance to obtain a knighthood appointed by the royal family, [-]% of the English people will not hesitate at all.

Even after the new millennium, there are not many people who refuse.

It's not just about a huge boost in status, but money and power as well.

Even get directly involved in politics.

It's strange not to accept it.

Moreover, although the nobles have declined, they were kicked off the stage, just because they are getting poorer and poorer.

But for the big nobles, their influence is still there, so there are naturally people who fawn on them.

Now that Chu Xiangqian knew this, of course he would think about how to use Norton and his grandfather to increase his influence in Hong Kong Island.

When Duan Hongchun heard that Norton was a nobleman with a title when he arrived at the Backbone Restaurant, and this noble boy treated Chu Xiangqian very respectfully, he looked at Chu Xiangqian in a different way.

Busily invited Chu Xiangqian and Norton into the best private room.

Hearing that Chu Xiangqian said to have deer chops and some special delicacies, Duan Hongchun hastily reported the names of more than a dozen dishes.

Chu Xiangqian gave Lao Duan a white look, "Okay, just two dishes and one soup, and don't make those time-consuming things."

Duan Hongchun glanced at Norton, seeing that he had no intention of objecting, he hurriedly nodded and went out to prepare.

But I thought in my heart, this master Chu is really capable, even the nobles are so obedient to him.

He secretly wondered if he sent his son to Chu Xiangqian as an apprentice?
Back in the back kitchen, I personally watched one of the best chefs and cooked a large charcoal-grilled deer steak.

I first tasted a piece with bowls, plates and chopsticks, and after I was satisfied, I asked someone to divide the dishes and carry them into the private room.

Seeing that Chu Xiangqian used chopsticks instead of knives and forks, Duan Hongchun thought he didn't know how to use them, so he explained.

Chu threw his chopsticks forward, stared at Duan Hongchun a few times, and immediately surprised Duan Hongchun and Norton, who felt that the grilled deer steak was very good, his eyelids twitched.

After a while, Chu Xiangqian asked Duan Hongchun, "Is the restaurant Chinese or Western?"

Duan Hongchun immediately understood, and saw Chu Xiangqian smiled and said to Norton, "This is a Chinese restaurant, you can try using chopsticks, this is also an experience for you."

Norton was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, picked up a pair of red and black chopsticks, picked up a deer steak lamely and started to eat.

Chu Xiangqian looked at Duan Hongchun, "Old Duan, hospitality is a good thing, but if you are too enthusiastic, it is flattery. Besides, there are many dining etiquettes in Chinese food, and even extravagance will make customers feel that they can't afford it. I understand." Is it gone?"

Duan Hongchun nodded quickly, "Understood, I understand, don't worry, Master Chu, from now on, our restaurant will strictly abide by Chinese etiquette and rules."

"That's good," Chu Xiangqian said with a smile to Duan Hongchun, "Think about it, there are many dishes in Chinese food, and it's not suitable to use a knife and fork at all.

Also, for foreigners, eating with chopsticks is actually a kind of fun.

Maybe after returning to China, I can brag and show off with my friends and relatives. "

Duan Hongchun can understand this psychologically after a little thought. Being in the limelight is the same no matter whether it is Chinese or foreign.

Seeing that he had listened, Chu Xiangqian waved his hand, and Duan Hongchun immediately nodded and left the private room.

I thought silently in my heart, looking at it like this, this new partner is a strong conservative.

Then he thought about what needs to be improved in the restaurant, so as not to be caught by Chu Xiangqian in the future.

After all, I am almost 40, and a young man who is as old as his nephew pointed his nose and preached, just thinking about Duan Hongchun makes him blush.

Moreover, Chu Xiangqian said that Chinese food has become extravagant and unaffordable, which also inspired Duan Hongchun.

Secretly, those troublesome dining etiquettes are really not suitable for the current pace of life, even Europe and the United States don't pay much attention to it.

But you can definitely learn more about the presentation of Western food. As long as it is well-made, not only will the dishes use less ingredients, but the price will also be more expensive.

In addition, there are many noodles in Cantonese cuisine, which should be quite attractive to foreigners.

Of course, if you have the backbone, you can't raise the price at will, but when you open another restaurant, it will focus on high-end.

Clients also target those foreign tourists.

Just thinking about it, Duan Hongchun felt that something was wrong.

I am busy and record it in my portable notebook. I plan to call the chef and my father to discuss it when I am not busy.

If possible, it would not cost much to hire an expert in western food as a consultant.

Once it is recognized by foreign tourists on Hong Kong Island, it may be possible to open restaurants in London and New York in the future.

Thinking that he would become a tycoon in the catering industry in the future, Duan Hongchun was instantly full of energy.
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After lunch, Chu Xiangqian was planning to walk home with Norton and his bodyguards.

But he didn't want to be held back by Duan Hongchun, and he talked about the branch he had discussed with the chef, and the idea of ​​Chinese food in Western style.

After hearing this, Chu Xiangqian's eyes lit up.

For me, I don’t need to think about this style at all. In the future, there will be Chinese restaurant owners who will continue to explore new models according to the tastes and habits of Westerners while operating abroad, which is very popular among Westerners.

Even in the next few decades, Chinese food will always be quite expensive and popular abroad.

After eating too much Chinese food, some foreigners go out to find real Chinese food instead of improved Western-style Chinese food.

Of course, you can also focus on fast food.

Panda Restaurant even went public, with a market value of tens of billions of dollars.

Thinking of this, Chu Xiangqian immediately approved of Duan Hongchun's idea, telling him not to be afraid of spending money, and to experiment first if he has the backbone.

Then go to the next store in Central to try.

But I was thinking in my heart, let Duan Hongchun focus on high-end Western-style Chinese food, and go to London to open a panda restaurant?
Thinking of the scale of tens of billions of dollars, Chu Xiangqian was instantly moved.

The attitude towards Norton has also changed.

With the help of this kid, doing business in London will be much easier.
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After returning home, I greeted my master, wife and uncle, and entered the martial arts training room on the second floor.

Signaling Norton to drag his suit jacket, Chu Xiangqian drove the wooden dummy around the wooden dummy.

The wooden dummy is not unique to Wing Chun. Level [-] and Wudang boxing also use wooden dummy as props for practicing Kung Fu.

Even Chu Xiangqian felt that maybe it was Wudang who used it first.

Norton looked unremarkable at first, and his bodyguard even frowned.

He didn't doubt Chu Xiangqian's ability, that day in the arena, watching Chu Xiangqian fight a tornado was obvious.

Seeing Chu Xiangqian hitting the wooden dummy now, he only thought that Chu Xiangqian was perfunctory Norton.

Just hitting and hitting, Chu Qianqian's speed became faster and faster, until ghost images appeared on both hands, and the bodyguard was shocked.

Norton stared excitedly at Chu Qianqian's hands and wooden dummy.

Now he was really sure that Chu Xiangqian was not only a master in fighting, but also knew how to teach his apprentices.

And seeing how young he was, if he really taught himself, maybe he could be as good as Chu Xiangqian.

After Chu Xiangqian finished fighting, he smiled and said to Norton, "Come here and try?"

Norton nodded hurriedly, his hands trembling with excitement, standing in the position where Chu moved forward.

According to Chu Xiangqian's instructions, practice slowly.

Just after a while, I felt pain in my wrist and arm.

Chu Xiangqian immediately stopped, and deliberately said ironically, "Forget it, you can't learn kung fu if you are like this. I will teach you some self-defense skills. If you meet ordinary people, you can knock them down with a few surprises.

And with your agility, rather than practicing martial arts for the purpose of knocking down opponents, you might as well think of practicing martial arts to exercise your body first. "

Norton was anxious, "Master, I can endure pain, please don't jump to conclusions so early."

Chu shrugged forward, "Regardless of kung fu or other fighting skills, to put it bluntly, the prerequisite for defeating an opponent is that you must have a good body first.

Strength, speed, and responsiveness are indispensable.

Otherwise, no matter how well the skills are practiced, a punch will only hurt the opponent.

And if you fall down after being punched, then I advise you not to learn fighting, but to practice marksmanship instead.

After all, no matter how good your kung fu is, you can't stop bullets. "

Norton and the bodyguard were dumbfounded at the same time, but after thinking about it carefully, what Chu Xiangqian said was absolutely correct.

Norton couldn't help feeling a little discouraged.

Chu Xiangqian thought he would give up, but he didn't want Norton to calm down, looked up at him and said, "Master, I will make a strict exercise plan.

The next time you see me, it will definitely be different. "

Chu Xiangqian could only give a few words of encouragement, and Norton immediately said with a smile as if resurrected on the spot, "Master, I will do what I promised you.

A batch of antiques from the Celestial Dynasty will be shipped over in a few days.As for Picasso's oil paintings, it may take a week or two.No more than one month at the latest. "

Only then did Chu Xiangqian feel relieved, "Wait a minute, I'll get the white tiger skin."

After finishing speaking, I went downstairs and went out.

After a while, I came back in a rickshaw with a big burden.

Doing this is nothing more than a precautionary measure, lest people feel that things are at home and cause unnecessary thoughts.

When I went up to the second floor, I opened the bag and spread out a huge white tiger skin. Just looking at it made my scalp tingle.

This is the same as going to the zoo and looking at a tiger through thick glass, always feeling numb in the back.

After getting Chu Xiangqian's permission, the bodyguard leaned forward and took a closer look.

After a while, he looked at Chu Xiangqian and nodded, "Sir, this white tiger is not only huge enough, but you also handled it very well, even better than any handling technique I have ever seen.

If it were to be auctioned in London, I believe the starting price would be £1.

If you meet someone you like, [-] to [-] pounds will not be a problem.

We can buy Mr. Picasso's oil painting of the same value for you according to the valuation of 4 pounds.

How many paintings there are, depends on luck. "

Chu Xiangqian thought about it and nodded. Both the white tiger and the white lion are wildly sought after by Europeans and Americans.

Some people are even willing to spend millions of dollars just to kill a white lion with their own hands.

Of course, that was three to 40 years later.

Chu Xiangqian was moved, looked at the bodyguard and asked, "How much will the nobles and rich people in London pay for a living white tiger, or kill it with their own hands?"

"No, no, master," Norton said eagerly, "Such a precious animal must be caught alive. If it is shipped to London, someone will ask for 30 or [-] pounds."

Although Chu Xiangqian knew that there were many rich people in Europe and America these days, when he heard 30 pounds, he was still stunned for a few seconds.

Converting 30 pounds into Hong Kong dollars is 480 million.

You can buy several sets of villas in the middle of the mountain.

If you go to Repulse Bay to buy land and build a villa, you can build a huge manor.

After a few decades, it will be several billion at least.

After calming down, Chu Xiangqian thought silently that the place to catch the white tiger must not be placed in the mainland.

To avoid being scolded by the Chinese after the news is released.

The only good thing is that the protection of animals these days is not as strict as in the future.

You just need to find a country where hunting is not illegal, and after the white tigers that are refreshed at the end of each month in Xinshou Village come out, go to that country by yourself.

Put the tiger in a cage and transport it to the sea to be traded.

After thinking about it, Chu Xiangqian immediately thought of the Philippines.

Just thinking about it again, the tigers that appear in the game all weigh four to five hundred catties, and Asian tigers can't grow so big.

If you put it in the country, the money will definitely be taken away by the superiors, but if you think about it carefully, you can also take the opportunity to ask for antiques.

Or jade.

If all of them were replaced with suet white jade from Hotan, it would be another great investment.

Just get a boat and put the white tiger in an iron cage at sea. If the buyer asks where it was caught, he will keep it a secret.

Looking at Norton and his bodyguards, "Give me a month, and I will send a white tiger weighing four to five hundred catties to the sea.

30 pounds, I don't care how much you can sell in the future. "

Norton didn't know much about business, he hadn't even been in business.

But his bodyguard is also an assistant. Although he is not familiar with business matters, he knows a lot about many rumors and things in the London aristocratic circle.

He bowed his head and thought for a while, and soon felt that, let alone other great nobles, maybe Mountbatten himself would be willing to buy this white tiger for 30 pounds.

After all, compared with a thoroughbred horse, 30 pounds can't even buy the legs of a champion horse.

And for those wealthy and nobles who are curious, the white tiger is the only one in England.

Maybe you can double your profit if you change hands, or even more.

"No problem." After the bodyguard finished speaking, his heart moved. The cash of 30 pounds was not difficult for Mountbatten, but it was not so easy to get it out.

If it is an antique from the Celestial Dynasty, or an oil painting by an unknown European or American artist, even if it is already very famous, the price of the work is not high.

Even if Picasso's oil paintings are used to offset the 30 pounds, it is good to earn part of the agency fee.

"Sir, can you use the antiques from the Chinese Dynasty and the oil paintings of painters like Picasso as you said to offset part of the purchase price?"

These words were said to Chu Xiangqian's heart.

But his expression pretended to be hesitant, and he nodded after thinking for a while, "I will find someone to appraise and value the cultural relics and oil paintings you brought."

The bodyguard nodded quickly, "No problem, SIR, the Mountbatten family is worthy of your trust. At the same time, you only need to pay something of value, and we will serve you wholeheartedly."

Chu Xiangqian knew more about the virtues of capitalists than most people in the Celestial Dynasty these days.

As long as it does not involve their interests and can provide them with benefits, not to mention nobles, even the royal family can put down their dignity.

Even the president of the United States can be a broker, and maybe he will award you a medal because the benefits are large enough.

One month after the agreement was made, Chu Xiangqian sent Norton and his bodyguards away. After thinking about it, he also needed to find an excuse to go back to the mainland.

Otherwise, if a transaction involving 30 pounds is involved, it would be unreasonable to pretend to confirm the goods in person without leaving Hong Kong Island.

But before we leave, we have to deal with things here.

I went out and found a building material store, bought a lot of steel, shipped it to a small rented warehouse, and waited for the people to leave, put it in the game, and built three iron cages in the blacksmith shop.

After the game is refreshed at night, lure the newly spawned tigers into a three-connected, 9-meter-long iron cage that can be opened at both ends.

Chu Xiangqian escaped from the iron cage by himself, and closed the iron cage with his backhand. The tit was at the other end, bumped against the mechanism, and the iron door closed with a bang, and the two small mechanisms were easily stuck.

Then at the joint of the iron cage, the raised iron gate was lowered, and the tiger was driven into an iron cage.

Chu Xiangqian silently watched the tiger rampage in the cage, but failed to break through the steel bar as thick as a thumb, so he felt relieved.

(End of this chapter)