Jianbao life

Chapter 934
Everyone followed Lao Chang into his collection room, and saw that there were only a few scattered things left in the huge collection room, and some tables and chairs were missing arms and legs, although they seemed to be quite old , but based on the damage of the tables and chairs and the materials used, it is known that these furniture in the house are not valuable things.

Xiang Facai looked around, curled his lips, and asked, "Old Chang, are you all this rags?"

Old Chang smiled and said: "That's all, why don't you take a look at it casually first, and talk about the specifics later?"

"Okay, okay, let's choose and have a look." Xiang Facai waved his hand, and then signaled for everyone to move freely.

Chu Chen looked around and saw that the shelf was empty, and he was not interested in other large pieces of furniture. When he saw two boxes next to the shelf, his mind moved slightly, and he took Wu But he walked straight over.

One box is a cardboard box and the other is a wooden box. When Chu Chen opened the wooden box, it turned out that there was a box of copper ink cartridges inside. He estimated that, counting the upper and lower floors, it should cost at least five or sixty yuan. It is a good portion, no wonder it is packed in a wooden box.

Wu Ke picked up one of the ink cartridges, looked at it, and said: "This copper ink cartridge is really rare, and the emerald bamboo pattern on the lid looks very tasteful, it must be made by a famous artist?"

Chu Chen took a look at the ink box, and said, "It's a painting created by Chen Shizeng, and it can be regarded as a famous work. It's a very good thing."

Wu Kewen said with some joy: "Since it is made by a famous artist, this ink cartridge should be quite valuable, right?"

Chu Chen smiled slightly and said, "Isn't that right? Based on the current market conditions, it should be worth two to 3000 yuan."

"Ah? Two to 3000 yuan? Why is it so cheap?" Wu Ke was surprised when he heard the price Chu Chen offered.

"Of course there's a reason for that."

Chu Chen explained: "The collectors have always paid little attention to copper ink cartridges. In many articles about collections, the word 'copper ink cartridges' cannot be found at all. Although Zhao Ruzhen's "Guide to Antiques" It is mentioned, but it is only a few words, and the words are vague."

"When the copper ink box was produced, his book is evasive, but when the copper ink box was carved is more certain. It began with Chen Yinsheng, a scholar in the Tongguang period of the Qing Dynasty. Then, the copper ink box was carved from the Qing Dynasty. Counting from the first year of Tongzhi, it has only 140 years of history, but in fact, as early as the end of the 40s, ink cartridges have declined. Then the real prosperity period of engraved copper ink cartridges is only 90 years.”

Hearing this, Wu Ke interjected and asked, "That is to say, it's because the time is too short, so the collectors don't pay attention?"

Chu Chen nodded and said: "There are reasons for this, as you know, the mainstream in the market is Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing official kiln porcelain, and calligraphy and painting are all liked by famous masters. It was invented at the end of the nineteenth century, and it was only brilliant for 90 years. Of course, it is normal that the copper ink cartridges of the year are not valued by the collectors."

"Secondly, there is a lack of famous artists in the production of copper ink cartridges. Except for Chen Yinsheng, it seems difficult to find other famous copper makers who are praised by people, which cannot stimulate people's interest in collecting..."

"Hey, that's not right!" Wu Ke said, "Ah Chen, didn't you just say that Chen Shizeng is also a famous artist!"

Chu Chen chuckled and said, "I'm sorry I didn't make it clear. Chen Shizeng is indeed a famous artist, but he is a famous artist and art educator. Like this copper ink box, Chen Shizeng created the painting, and then let the copper ink box artist do it." If it is made by Chen Shizeng himself, of course it cannot be bought for thousands of dollars."

"Moreover, at the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, there were many calligraphers and painters like Chen Shizeng who participated in the production of copper ink boxes, such as Qi Baishi, Chen Banding, Yao Hua, Hu Peiheng, etc., and there were many works. Calligraphy and painting are done on ink cartridges, while engraving is done by artisans.”

"Oh, so that's what happened." Wu Ke looked stunned, and then asked: "Apart from the short year and the fact that there are relatively few famous producers, what else is not valued about this copper ink cartridge?" ?”

Chu Chen said with a smile: "If you have to say it, there is indeed another reason, that is, the copper ink cartridge is too small, and it is inconspicuous when placed, unlike bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and paintings, which can be placed and hung there. Show the master's identity and style."

Wu Ke curled his lips and said, "Those who think so are all vain people."

Chu Chen smiled and said, "For some people, buying antiques is just to increase their cultural literacy. It's really normal to think so."

Wu Ke said: "I don't care what other people think, anyway, I think this kind of box is pretty pretty, Ah Chen, how about we choose a few?"

Chu Chen replied: "Let me take a look first. If the copper ink cartridges below have the same quality as the top layer, it's okay to buy them all."

"Ah? Buy them all?" Wu Ke was very surprised when he heard this, and his voice became a little louder, which attracted other people's attention.

Old Chang walked over in two or three steps, and asked with a smile, "Boss Chu, do you want to buy all these copper ink cartridges?"

When he said this, he also murmured in his heart, is there any good stuff among these copper ink cartridges?

Chu Chen smiled at the apologetic Wu Ke, indicating that he was fine, and then said with a smile: "If you can have the level of the copper ink cartridge above, and if you are willing to give up, as long as the price is right, I will definitely buy it. , but, let me have a look at these copper ink cartridges underneath."

Hearing what Chu Chen said, Lao Chang immediately realized that the ink cartridges on the upper layer were just ordinary things. As for the lower ones, although he didn't look carefully at the beginning, Chu Chen never looked at them. How could he know? Will there be good stuff in there?
So, the reason why Chu Chen wants to buy these ink cartridges is definitely not because there are any treasures in them, but what is that for?

Seeing the more or less puzzled expressions on everyone's faces, Chu Chen explained with a smile: "You may not know that my private museum is already under preparation, and I bought these ink cartridges to serve as exhibits. Yes. And to tell you the truth, yesterday I bought more than a hundred pieces of light crimson colored porcelain."

Hearing what Chu Chen said, everyone reacted. It turned out that this was the case. Since it was for museum exhibits, it would be normal to buy these copper ink cartridges whose market value is not high now, but still have a certain collection value. But that's all.

Old Chang secretly laughed at his own misgivings, so he laughed and said: "Boss Chu, I didn't know that you were preparing a private museum, but now that I know, I have to support it no matter what. I promise to transfer these copper ink cartridges to you." You."

"Thank you so much."

Chu Chen hugged Lao Chang with a smile, and said, "Then let me have a look first."

Lao Chang nodded, and said intentionally or unintentionally: "Speaking of which, I collected these from the home of a senior who just passed away. The value of each floor is basically not too different."

Chu Chen smiled secretly when he heard the words. What Lao Chang wanted to express in these words was nothing more than saying that the value of each layer of copper ink cartridges was almost the same as the top layer.That said, it suits my own mind, of course, I have to put on a show no matter what, otherwise Lao Chang will definitely have a murmur in his heart.

So, Chu Chen smiled, then put the copper ink cartridge on the top layer aside, and began to appreciate the things placed below.

Chu Chen looked carefully at the beginning, but the more he got to the back, the more sloppy he acted, because these ink cartridges were indeed the same as the old saying, the value of each layer of ink cartridges was basically the same, his behavior , It didn't make everyone feel strange.

When he saw the last layer, Chu Chen lazily took out the ink cartridge, just glanced at it briefly, and then said with a smile: "Okay, that's it."

Lao Chang smiled and reminded: "Boss Chu, don't you take a closer look?"

Chu Chen chuckled and said, "Old Chang, you said that just now. I still don't believe it. Besides, the newly made copper ink cartridges are easier to identify. They look dull and dull, without the familiarity of old utensils." And patina, and the copper is generally rough, with sand holes. Compared with these old copper ink cartridges, it can be seen immediately."

Lao Chang nodded with a smile, sneered in his heart, and said to himself: "You little fox, it's no wonder you believe me so easily. The following sentence is the truth."

Thinking of this, he asked with a smile: "Boss Chu, do you want all of these?"

"Yes, both, but don't know the price?"

"Your Boss Chu wants me to give you a discount, so let's count it as this..."

"Old Chang, your price is really unkind..."

The two bargained for a while, and in the end, because Lao Chang wanted to get rid of the things in a hurry, it was Chu Chen who won the victory on the surface. Of course, it was also Chu Chen who took advantage of it secretly.

While Chu Chen and Lao Chang were haggling over the price, Xiang Facai opened the cardboard box next to him, which contained volumes of thread-bound books.

The collection of ancient books has a long history in our country. As early as the Spring and Autumn Period, there were already collections of books, and there have been many great collectors of ancient books in the past dynasties.Moreover, some out-of-print and rare ancient books are also very valuable.

Therefore, when Xiang Facai saw a box of thread-bound ancient books in the box, his eyes lit up immediately, and he looked through it quickly. However, after reading for a long time, he only found some popular editions of ancient books, and the earliest ones were also in the late Qing Dynasty. Some of them are printed copies of the Republic of China period.

Xiang Facai became impatient the more he looked at it, and said, "Old Chang, why did you just collect all this junk, don't you have anything better to buy?"

Originally, Lao Chang was very happy because these copper ink cartridges were sold, but when he heard Xiang Facai's voice, he immediately gave a wry smile in his heart. There is still this creditor, and I don't know if the money from the ink cartridges just sold can be paid for. Fill in the big mouth of Xiang Fa Cai.

"Mr. Xiang, I did have some good ones before, but they have been sold to others. Now there is only this box of ordinary goods left."

Xiang Facai snorted, and just as he was about to speak, his eyes were suddenly attracted by an ancient book in his hand. After reading a few pages, he said with a smile: "This manuscript introducing the incision is very important. Quite fun……"

As he said that, he read a few incision comparisons, because the vocabulary used was more interesting, which made everyone laugh out loud.

Chu Chen laughed a few times, and suddenly felt that these incisions were very familiar. After thinking about it carefully, he was suddenly excited, and thought to himself, isn't this the word recorded on the treasure map?Could it be that the ancient book in Xiang Facai's hand was the one he had been looking for?

Thinking of this, Chu Chen hurriedly walked over to Xiang Facai, and the more he looked at it, the more pleasantly surprised he was. This manuscript explaining the incision must be what he was looking for.

With excitement, Chu Chen waited for Xiang Facai to read it, then asked for the manuscript again, and read the contents carefully.The speed at which he watched was very impressive, and everyone thought he was just out of curiosity, so he read it again. Except for Wu Ke, no one expected that he had already firmly remembered every word in his mind.

After a while, Chu Chen had already translated the location of the treasure, but because the above address was an old place name, he couldn't think of where it was for a while, but it was very simple, as long as he went back and looked for it, there was no rush at all.

While Chu Chen was browsing there, Xiang Facai said to Lao Chang: "I said Lao Chang, you don't have anything I like at all, what do you think should I do?"

Lao Chang thought for a while, made up his mind, and said with a bitter face: "Mr. Xiang, I really can't afford anything else. How about this? I'll give you back part of the funds you bought for jade before. You see How about it?"

Based on Lao Chang's character, being able to come up with money shows that he really can't think of a way out. In this case, Xiang Facai just nodded and said: "Okay, just tell me how much you are going to pay me back."

"What do you think of this number?" Old Chang gestured.

"You are going to send off beggars! At least this amount..."

"Hey, Mr. Xiang, I'm losing money with your numbers, so please show mercy..."

Xiang Facai was strong, and Lao Chang was at a loss, so after some bargaining, Lao Chang could only agree to the number Xiang Facai said with a bitter face, feeling so depressed that he wanted to vomit blood.

In fact, Chu Chen is also a little depressed now, because he never found a chance to hint to Xiang Facai that he wanted to buy the "Picture of Song and Crane", and Xiang Facai ended the matter.

Although he can also buy it directly from Lao Chang Hua now, but Lao Chang is already red-eyed, and it is definitely not a wise move to make such a request at this time.Now that the matter has come to this point, he can only put it aside for a while.

At this time, because Lao Chang had lost his money, he was thinking about finding some books to bring back. Except for Yidao who ordered "Songhe Tu" before he was going to be slaughtered later, he saw the box of books next to him, and his eyes rolled. After turning around, he smiled and said, "Boss Chu, I wonder if you are interested in these ancient books?"

Because he has been in contact with weird people like Zhang Huoni, Chu Chen is also afraid that there is some mystery hidden in this manuscript, and he really wants to buy it in his heart, but if he speaks, it will definitely make Lao Changxin suspicious, and Even if Lao Chang said so, he couldn't immediately agree.

So, he waved his hand and said, "Old Chang, I'm not a junk collector, why do I need these things?"

Lao Chang said with a smile: "You can't say that. After all, these are ancient books, and they have some collection value. They can add some exhibits to your museum."

Chu Chen said with a half-smile, "Which museum do you think will exhibit such things?"

Lao Chang smiled and said: "Boss Chu, you think these ancient books are ordinary because they are too short. If you keep them for another five or sixty years, they will be quite precious. And it's cheap to buy now. You can give them to someone directly. Three thousand will do."

After hearing this, Chu Chen smiled and said, "Okay, you've already talked about this, I want all these things, but the price..."

"Boss Chu, 3000 yuan is already very cheap. If you sell it in the market now, you won't lose money. Besides, what is 3000 yuan worth to a big boss like you..."

Lao Chang's mouth was like a machine gun, and Chu Chen's head grew dizzy when he heard it. He didn't want to listen anymore, so he waved his hand and said:
"Okay, okay! Three thousand is three thousand..."

(End of this chapter)