Chapter 160: How much is the store's treasure?
Chapter 160
Lin Mujin and her cousin Lin went to several state-owned antique shops outside Moxuan Pavilion.
This time I didn't just rush through the tour, but spent some time there.
Of course, they will ask the price.
I also tried to bargain, but the staff gave me some words of advice, telling me to go to Beihai North Gate or Chaoyang Gate, where you can bargain in the antique markets.
Lin Mujin was not angry, and even wrote down these two places.
"Sister, the products in these shops are cheaper." Cousin Lin didn't go shopping for nothing.
Lin Mujin nodded. After all, it was state-owned, so they couldn't be too haphazard with their pricing. "Let's go to Moxuan Pavilion."
Moxuan Pavilion is also a big store and has a lot of things in it.
There are all kinds of old items on the antique shelves and in the glass counters.
"What do you two want to buy?" a young staff member asked while sweeping the dust with a feather duster.
Lin Mujin replied, "Just looking around. Is Master Qin here?"
The staff member put down the duster and asked, "What do you want to see our chef?"
"Who's looking for me?"
A gray-haired old man walked over slowly with a small teapot in his hand.
"Who are you?"
Lin Mujin smiled and said, "Hello, Master Qin. We are here because we admire your reputation."
Master Qin asked, "Are you buying or selling?"
Lin Mujin glanced at her cousin Lin and replied, "Yes. I want to buy quite a lot. I want a beautiful porcelain vase for flower arrangements, preferably one of official kiln quality. I also want some calligraphy and paintings, perhaps from a few modern artists. I also want to buy a stove, a brush washer, a teapot, and other things."
Master Qin gasped, "Are you here to buy some goods? I'm serious."
Lin Mujin told the truth, "We are from Hong Kong."
Master Qin immediately stopped asking questions, as everyone knew that Hong Kong people were rich.
Lin Mujin explained, "I'm planning to open a restaurant with a traditional Chinese design style. The porcelain vases are for arranging flowers, and the calligraphy and paintings are also for decoration, so I have a large number of them."
The young staff member also came over and looked them up and down with curiosity in his eyes. "Are you from Hong Kong?"
Lin Mujin was speechless. "We are also yellow people, authentic descendants of Yan and Huang."
Is it really that strange?
Master Qin put the teapot down and slapped the young man. "You have no self-control at all. I'm sorry, both of you."
Lin Mujin waved her hand. "It's okay. I know he means no harm. Master Qin, could you hire us for a day to help us look after the situation?"
The young man quickly said, "We have what you want in our store. If you buy more, we can give you a discount, right, Master?"
Lin Mujin said, "I heard Chaoyangmen is cheaper."
The young man immediately said, "There are a lot of fakes over there."
Lin Mujin looked at Master Qin and said, "That's why I wanted Master Qin to give me some advice."
Master Qin said modestly, "I can't guarantee that I won't miss out. Besides, I have a bit of a reputation. Once I confirm it's genuine, the owner won't lower the price, so it's hard to find a bargain."
Cousin Lin pulled Lin Mujin's sleeve.
Lin Mujin could only tell him again in Cantonese.
Cousin Lin said, "Then just buy it here and give it a cheaper price."
Lin Mujin said, "Every store has a limited supply of high-quality goods."
Cousin Lin continued, "It seems he's quite well-known in this business. We can contact other shops through him. How much do you want to buy it for?"
Lin Mujin replied, "Originally, I was planning to buy less, after all, the money should be saved for decoration. But if you do traditional Chinese style decoration, it actually doesn't cost that much, on the contrary, these 'accessories' are the biggest expense."
The two major items in the restaurant now are porcelain and calligraphy and painting.
The second is various kitchen appliances.
However, she has the income from Huimei and the food truck, so she is not afraid even if she spends all the money she brings.
"If the item is good enough, you can spend all the money you bring in."
She still has Qin Zheng to back her up, so what is there to be afraid of?
"You are really from Hong Kong. I can't understand what you are saying." The young man was slapped again by Master Qin.
Lin Mujin said to Master Qin, "Master Qin, we came here specifically because we trust you. Let's do as this gentleman said and look around in this store first."
The young man clapped his hands happily and said, "I'll go close the door."
Master Qin did not object, as big clients deserve this kind of display.
He began by introducing, "There are many types of porcelain vases suitable for flower arrangement. This type is called a gallbladder vase, named for its shape, which resembles a hanging gallbladder. It has a straight mouth, a slender neck, and a tapering shoulder... It was first produced from the Tang Dynasty to the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty. This one was produced in the official kiln during the Qianlong period."
Lin Mujin didn't understand and asked, "Isn't this official kiln used by the emperor?"
Master Qin shook his head. "They're not the same thing. The imperial kilns are divided into 'imperial limited' and 'ministerial limited' wares. Imperial limited wares are reserved for the emperor, while ministers and diplomatic guests are given away. This gallbladder vase is a small, exquisite piece from the imperial kilns, probably given by the emperor to reward his ministers."
Lin Mujin asked quietly, "Does your store have anything used by the emperor?"
Let’s talk about whether to buy it or not. Since I’m here, I have to open my eyes.
The young man ran over and said, "Who are you looking down on? It was just used by the emperor. Master, please open your eyes."
Master Qin glared at him and told him to shut up. "I'll go get it from the back. It's not here. Please wait a moment, my dear guests."
The young man continued, "Let me continue. There are many porcelain vases that can be used for flower arrangement. My master just introduced you to the gallbladder vase. This is a plum vase. Just from the name, you know it can be used for flower arrangement. It has a small mouth, short neck, plump shoulders, a thin bottom, and a ring foot. Isn't it beautiful! The plum vase also originated in the Tang Dynasty, but each dynasty has its own changes. This one is from the Qing Dynasty. It has a plump and straight shoulder and an inward-drawn neck, which is more practical. This one is a jade pot spring vase. It has a lipped mouth, a thin neck, a drooping belly, and a ring foot. The shape is beautiful and soft..."
Master Qin came out holding a beautiful red-glazed bottle.
Place it firmly on the counter.
The young man was too busy introducing anything else. "This is a Qianlong underglaze red moon-shaped vase with a ruyi handle and a happy eyebrow pattern. It's an absolute masterpiece from the imperial kiln. It has a straight mouth, a thin neck, a flat round belly, and an oval ring foot. The neck is decorated with bamboo leaf patterns, and the handles have double string patterns... Isn't it absolutely beautiful?"
Lin Mujin also admitted that she was beautiful and very eye-catching, making people want to look at her again and again. "She is very unique and charming!"
The young man said with an expression that said, "You have good taste." "This is our store's most valuable treasure."
What Lin Mujin was more concerned about was, "How much is this?"
Forgive her for being such a tacky person.
Master Qin looked reluctant and said, "You won't sell it abroad, will you?"
Lin Mujin shook her head. "Of course not. I'm not an antique dealer, you should be able to tell. But this is considered a national treasure, right? You wouldn't forbid us from taking it out of the mainland, right?"
In that case, she would still buy it as long as it was cheap.
As long as porcelain of this grade is genuine, you will make a lot of money in the future.
If you don't take what heaven gives you, you will suffer the consequences!
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