Chapter 306 A Good News and a Bad News
After flipping through them, Lin Sicheng found that the remaining books were not of high value, so he only picked three: "Gu Wang Yan", "Yu Sui Zhen Jing", and "Hu Ji Fan Xiang Tu", also known as "Yuan Gong Wu Xi Tu Pu".
They huddled together: "Boss, name your price!"
"We're all from the same hometown, I won't overcharge you." The stall owner smiled broadly. "Two thousand a book!"
Lin Sicheng sighed: You call this not wanting things?
The saying goes, "When fellow villagers meet, they see each other," but you're the one who rips off your fellow villagers...
Without a doubt, the stall owner was thinking: "You gave me two thousand for that boxing manual last time, which was so tattered. These three are in such good condition, I can't possibly give you less than that, can I?"
Lin Sicheng flipped through the pages: "The last one was Ji Jike's handwritten copy, could these three also be?"
The stall owner was stunned: "Ah!"
"Don't believe me? You yourself said that the boxing manual is no ordinary book, and its value is not low. Why not be bolder and think about it more: could it be a handwritten copy by Ji Jike himself?"
Lin Sicheng pointed to the three books in front of him: "Then compare them again. How different are these three books from the last one? How much should they be worth?"
The stall owner was filled with doubt and uncertainty, his face shifting between gloom and joy.
He had collected the item, specifically in Ji Jike's hometown of Yongji, so he had always suspected that the boxing manual was a relic of the Ji family. But he never imagined it would actually be the original manual of Xin Yi Quan (Heart-Mind Boxing).
Antiques, by definition, are old objects with a history or provenance that are guaranteed to see their prices skyrocket. If they can be linked to a famous person from ancient times, their value can increase a hundredfold, or even tens of thousands of times.
Sometimes, even a single page of paper can be sold for the price of gold.
Based on that calculation, that tattered boxing manual alone is worth at least forty or fifty thousand, and might even fetch eighty, ninety, or one hundred thousand. But he only paid thirty yuan for it. When he parted ways with Liu Dongzi, he negotiated a price of two hundred.
How many times is that difference?
Despite this thought, the shop owner was more suspicious: the book had been on the stall for more than three years, and Liu Dongzi had staged accidents with it seven or eight times, one of whom was a well-known appraisal expert in Beijing.
If it were truly the original score by Ji Jike, it would be unlikely to be available today, right?
Nine times out of ten, this is a psychological tactic used to drive down the price...
In a flash, the stall owner smiled and said, "Boss, you're lucky to find a bargain. I won't go into the boxing manuals, let's just talk about these three: practice makes perfect, and I'm in this for the long haul. If you think it's too high, I'll lower the price: one thousand each!"
What kind of long-term business can you expect in this place?
Lin Sicheng shook his head: "Three books for 1000 yuan, that's fine, if not, we'll look into it again!"
The shopkeeper paused for a moment, then looked pained, as if he had a toothache: "Add some more, add some more... Didn't you just say that these three books are quite valuable?"
Yes, he did say that it is quite valuable, but it depends on what kind of value it is.
The first two books, for example, have absolutely nothing to do with being rare, unique, or precious editions. While they are not commonly seen, they are far from being uncommon or rare. With a little effort, you can definitely find them.
If I were to estimate its value, one hundred yuan would be the maximum.
His goal was the last book: the one titled "Illustrations of Foreign Performers and Buddhist Images," which was actually the lost "Illustrations of Yuan Dynasty Palace Dances."
This is a truly rare and valuable book: it is not only a historical artifact and an academic resource, but also an artistic masterpiece.
Moreover, it is a rare book: a genuine "rare document with historical and artistic value," whose value is not limited to "precious," but rather rare.
If given to the Palace Museum, it could at least be exchanged for a piece of blue-and-white underglaze red porcelain from the Kangxi and Qianlong periods.
So let alone two thousand, even one hundred thousand, Lin Sicheng would be willing to give.
But business isn't done this way here, and antiques aren't found this way either. Anyone who can set up a stall here needs to be adept at catering to different customers and being unpredictable—that's just the basic skill.
Moreover, this boss is exceptionally meticulous. I don't know how high his appraisal skills are, but his ability to read people's expressions is definitely top-notch.
He wants two thousand, but if you don't haggle at all, he'll immediately raise the price to twenty thousand before you even have time to empty your wallet.
Therefore, let's keep things separate.
More importantly, very few people know about this book or its true value.
Lin Sicheng is not boasting: unless you are a Yuan Dynasty historian, a scholar specializing in Yuan Dynasty court music and dance, or a researcher at the Dunhuang Academy specializing in ancient music and dance art.
Apart from these two, even a professor who teaches classical music at the Central Conservatory of Music wouldn't recognize what these are. They would simply assume they are foreign music and dances that flowed into China from Central Asia during the Qing Dynasty.
The reason is simple: China has a history of five thousand years, which, even if we start counting from the Spring and Autumn Period when history began to be compiled, still accounts for more than half of that period—nearly two thousand eight hundred years.
The Yuan Dynasty lasted only about ninety years and was a minority regime. Therefore, most research institutions focus on politics, culture, science, and technology.
Even when studying art, the focus is on Mongolian ethnic art. If you want to study court music, there are Song and Ming dynasties above and below, which is more cost-effective than the Yuan dynasty?
Lin Sicheng was too lazy to argue with him, so he stood up and said, "Alright, I wish you a prosperous business, boss."
Oh, you're leaving already?
Is this a case of feigned indifference to lure someone in?
The shop owner also subconsciously stood up and watched Lin Sicheng leave the stall.
With three books costing a thousand, he could easily make nine hundred. However, he suspected Lin Sicheng was an expert and was afraid of missing out, so he wanted to try and negotiate the price.
So Lin Sicheng was absolutely right: as long as he didn't bargain, the stall owner would dare to raise the price on the spot.
It was precisely because Lin Sicheng got up without the slightest hesitation and left resolutely, without the slightest lingering, that the stall owner began to feel conflicted again:
These books have been put on the stall before, and it's not like nobody has read them.
The dance manual was from the late Qing Dynasty, and the feng shui manual was from the Republic of China era; both were ordinary local editions, so their value was only average.
The remaining erotic novel was a Taiwanese edition from ten years ago, and it was even less valuable.
So, anything is possible, but taking the treasure... it just doesn't seem like an option.
No, we can't hold out on the price anymore. Making nine hundred isn't a small amount...
Thinking to themselves, the group walked further and further away.
The stall owner paused for a moment, then picked up three books and chased after him.
But as soon as he caught up, before he could even open his mouth, Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "Eight hundred!"
After a moment of surprise, the stall owner forced a smile and said, "Please be lenient, look, it'll be the agreed-upon one thousand?"
Lin Sicheng pretended to hesitate: "No matter what, we're from the same hometown!"
He reluctantly took out his wallet and counted the bills one by one.
After the money and goods were exchanged, the stall owner cupped his hands in greeting and said a few more polite words like "Please come again next time."
Lin Sicheng gave the book to Fang Jin and told him to put it in his bag.
Xu Qin thought that, just as Lin Sicheng said, the three books were of average value, so she didn't pay much attention to them.
Fang Jin and Jing Zeyang were different; one was beaming with joy, while the other's eyes darted around.
Fang Jin was, after all, an assistant. No matter how shrewd Lin Sicheng was, or how composed he was, his style of doing things couldn't change overnight. Fang Jin basically knew when to say what and how to handle things.
And how many times has Lin Sicheng been so long-winded and verbose, going through so much trouble with others?
It's no exaggeration; he could count them on one hand. And every single time, wasn't Lin Sicheng the one who stumbled upon a huge bargain, making hundreds of thousands or even millions in one go?
Jing Zeyang was the opposite: he didn't know how to appreciate art, had only had a short contact with Lin Sicheng, and didn't know him very well. But he was good at judging people and even better at reading their expressions.
He couldn't tell Lin Sicheng's true nature, but Fang Jin's personality was as plain as a sheet of paper, his emotions written all over his face. Like now: if Lin Sicheng hadn't stumbled upon such a great opportunity, why would his eyes be shining with excitement?
Jing Zeyang's heart pounded with excitement as he recalled what his cousin had told him about the bargains Lin Sicheng had picked up: there were three imperial seals alone.
What about this book?
But both of them kept their distance and neither of them said a word.
Only Tang Nanyan followed at the very back, occasionally looking down to think, and sometimes glancing at the bag hanging on Fang Jin's chest.
Noticing her distracted expression, Xu Qin poked her with her finger: "What's wrong?"
Tang Nanyan looked at the back of Lin Sicheng's head: "That boxing manual, the one that Teacher Lin was studying in the lounge that day, the original of those photocopies, seems to really be the original manual of Xingyi Quan?"
Xu Qin asked, puzzled, "And then?"
After all, Xu Qin doesn't practice martial arts, so she definitely wouldn't understand just because it's an ancient manual.
After thinking for a moment, Tang Nanqin had a sudden inspiration: "It's just like the 'Records of Injustice Rectified' handwritten by Song Ci (the chief judge of the Song Dynasty)."
Xu Qin froze, her eyes bulging outwards.
Criminal investigation, trace evidence examination, physical evidence, and forensic medicine can all be considered disciples and grand-disciples of Song Ci. Although she didn't know much about antiques, Xu Qin at least knew how she would feel if she were given a handwritten copy of "The Washing Away of Wrongs" by Song Ci.
The sect's treasure manual, the founding patriarch's notes.
Xu Qin composed herself: "You want it?"
“I don’t collect things, what would I do with this? But I know a lot of people want it… including the Wushu Association, and even the General Administration of Sport…”
Tang Nanyan thought for a moment, "So, it must be very valuable, maybe tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands!"
Xu Qin silently calculated for a moment, her gaze freezing.
Hundreds of thousands?
How much does a house within the Third Ring Road cost?
Just as she was stunned, Tang Nanyan gestured forward with her chin and lowered her voice, "Sister Xu, look at Assistant Fang, and then look at Jing Zeyang..."
Xu Qin paused for a moment and looked closely: Fang Jin's hands were tightly gripping the bag, his eyes darting left and right as if he were looking at a thief.
His eyes were full of vigilance, his body was slightly stiff, and his hand holding the bag would clench it every now and then, as if afraid that the contents would fly away.
Then look at Jing Zeyang; his eyes kept darting around, glancing at the bag Fang Jin was holding. Then he'd glance at the bag again.
Having been a policeman for so many years, I may never have eaten pork, but I've at least seen a pig run.
Xu Qin suddenly realized: one was afraid of being robbed, and the other was as curious as a thief...
Lin Sicheng said that the boxing manual was the original manual, and it really was the original manual.
He also said that the three books he bought today were very valuable, and it turns out they really were.
And it's definitely worth much more than that boxing manual, otherwise his assistant wouldn't be so nervous, looking at everyone as if they were thieves.
And then there's Jing Zeyang. He's a member of a privileged family, so if he hadn't been so shocked, why would he have shown such an "unworldly" expression?
So, those three books should be worth several hundred thousand?
For a moment, Xu Qin felt her throat go dry.
Suddenly she turned around, stared at Tang Nanyan, and was about to say something, but swallowed the words back.
I used to think that while Lin Sicheng was excellent, there was indeed a gap between them. But now it seems that the gap isn't insurmountable?
But this girl is very straightforward, so saying anything would be pointless and might even backfire.
It would be better to just talk to his mother.
Looking at Lin Sicheng's retreating figure, Xu Qin secretly began to make plans.
Tang Nanyan was still pondering which of the three books was missing, or perhaps all three were.
The two of them just followed forward instinctively, barely paying attention to the road conditions, and didn't see a woman carrying a box coming from the opposite direction.
The woman seemed to be in a hurry, walking quickly and glancing back every now and then, but hardly looking at what was in front of her.
As the two drew closer, Lin Sicheng, quick to react, made a quick move to give way.
Jing Zeyang was quick-witted and also yielded a little, not forgetting to help Fang Jin.
The two passed each other, and just then, the woman glanced back again.
Even more coincidentally, Tang Nanyan was still lost in thought. Then, unsurprisingly, the woman buried her face in Tang Nanyan's arms.
Having practiced martial arts, Tang Nanyan reacted instinctively just before the attack, suddenly dodging to the side.
The woman was startled by her quick reaction, and the wooden box slipped from her hand, crashing heavily onto the hard cement floor.
Then: "Bang..."
"Splash..."
"Clang clang clang clang..."
The copper coins inside poured out and scattered all over the ground.
Some are covered in rust, some are shiny black, some are gleaming yellow... Kangxi, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, Xianfeng, Tongzhi, Guangxu, Xuantong... Except for Shunzhi and Yongzheng, almost all the square-holed coins of the Qing Dynasty are available.
Jing Zeyang craned his neck: "Holy crap, did I fall into a money pit?"
The woman finally realized what was happening, exclaimed "Ah!" and used both hands to quickly grab into the box.
Tang Nanyan was stunned for a moment, then quickly said "I'm sorry," and she and Xu Qin bent down to pick them up.
Fang Jin's mind was filled with those three books. He wouldn't have blinked even if it were a piece of gold falling from the sky, let alone copper coins. He held onto the bag tightly and didn't dare to move.
Lin Sicheng didn't move either, his gaze sweeping back and forth like a hawk's.
If this woman is faking an accident, then she definitely has accomplices around. If not, then we need to be wary of someone trying to take advantage of the situation.
Most Qing Dynasty copper coins are not very valuable, ranging from a dozen to a few hundred yuan. But the sheer number of coins that have fallen out is staggering. Losing ten or so coins worth several hundred yuan is equivalent to three months' salary for Tang Nanyan…
He quickly gave Jing Zeyang a wink.
The latter immediately understood, and with a flash of inspiration, he spread his hands into a megaphone: "Everyone, make way! There are gold coins in here. Those who can go around can go around, and those who can wait can wait a little longer!"
Passersby abruptly stopped in their tracks. Those who had intended to help pick it up immediately straightened up. Those who were closer took two steps back as if to avoid suspicion.
Believe it or not: in other places, the mere mention of "gold coins" would make your heart skip a beat: Wow, I'm rich?
They might even swarm in.
But here, the first reaction of 99 out of 100 people would definitely be: This bastard is trying to scam me, get away from me!
And so, in this small area, the three women kept picking up coins. Many customers came and went, but as soon as they heard that there were copper coins scattered among them, and even gold coins, they all stopped in their tracks.
They neither argued nor made a fuss; they simply watched the spectacle.
After about two or three minutes, the woman cleaned up the mess on the ground, closed the lid of the box, locked the buckle, and thanked Tang Nanyan and Xu Qin again.
It was a minor accident. Just as the woman was about to leave, Lin Sicheng pointed and said, "There's another one over there!"
The group turned around and searched carefully.
It wasn't far, just next to the nearest stall. It happened to roll under the stall cloth, so none of them saw it.
Tang Nanyan quickly walked over and picked it up. Just as she was about to hand it over, the woman shook her head: "Young lady, thank you for helping me, but you can have this one. It's not worth much anyway..."
It's a Qianlong Tongbao coin, and it's really not worth much.
Tang Nanyan said thank you and was about to put it in her pocket when Lin Sicheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
It was just a quick glance, only two or three seconds. He looked at Tang Nanyan and smiled:
"I humbly submit that the money falls to the ground and the precious horse soars into the air (from the Complete Perfection Qingxuan Jilian Flame Mouth Iron Pot Food Offering)... This is an auspicious sign. It cannot be taken for free; money must be given, thirty or fifty is fine."
"ah?"
The woman was stunned for a moment, and Tang Nanyan was also stunned for a moment.
Does Lin Sicheng still believe in this?
Just as she was thinking about it, she saw Jing Zeyang giving her a meaningful look, and she paused for a moment before her eyes lit up again.
In a flash, Tang Nanyan pulled out his wallet and quickly stuffed a fifty-yuan note into the woman's hand.
She even smiled and said, "Thank you, big sister!"
The woman was puzzled, but said nothing and left with the box.
With nothing exciting to see, the tourists gradually dispersed. Tang Nanyan held the copper coin, her face full of curiosity.
At first, she was thinking: Why does Lin Sicheng also believe in superstition? It wasn't until Jing Zeyang gave her a wink that Tang Nanyan realized: She might have gotten a lucky break.
Looking at this copper coin again: Qianlong Tongbao, it seems quite ordinary.
She quickly realized what was going on, and with a hint of excitement, she handed over the copper coin: "Teacher Lin, look!"
Lin Sicheng took it, examined it carefully, and then said half-jokingly, "Officer Tang, I have good news and bad news."
Tang Nanyan was stunned: "Huh?"
Lin Sicheng chuckled again: "The good news is, this is a XJ red coin. It's a pretty good deal, worth several times the value of Brother Jing's bronze mirror..."
"The bad news is, that woman must have just struck gold; it must be the box of copper coins she's carrying. But I reckon the seller has changed his mind and is searching the whole market for him..."
Tang Nanyan was first surprised, then half-believing and half-doubting.
Surprisingly, Jing Zeyang's bronze mirror was worth at least 10,000 to 20,000 yuan, and this copper coin was worth several bronze mirrors. How much should it be worth?
What I found hard to believe was how Lin Sicheng knew all this so clearly.
The woman was indeed in a hurry and a bit flustered, but how could Lin Sicheng be so sure that she had gotten a bargain and the seller had changed their mind?
Just as he was pondering this, Lin Sicheng pointed and said, "Look!"
Several people craned their necks and stood on tiptoe.
Not far away, about ten meters away, there were eight or nine stalls, and several men walked hurriedly, asking questions as they went.
A passing tourist pointed in this direction.
At the same time, faint sounds drifted over: woman, box, copper coins...
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