Soon, everyone discussed and decided who should go first.
Gu Wei pretended to look at them one by one.
Besides silver dollars and copper coins, there were various plates and bowls, old abacuses, wine jars, seals, incense burners, silver ornaments, and so on.
A wide variety of things, you name it.
He selectively accepted items from only a few people.
Those who received the money were all overjoyed.
Those who didn't succeed are bound to feel a little frustrated.
After all, some items might not fetch a good price even if sent to antique shops in the city.
People have come to our doorstep to collect the goods; it's a rare opportunity, and we're not willing to miss it.
Some, unwilling to give up, ran back home.
Then it was the turn of a man who was probably in his forties or fifties.
He was dressed like a farmer, with messy hair and a flushed face.
“Young man, look at this painting. It’s been passed down from my ancestors. Someone came to the village to buy it before, but I couldn’t bear to take it out…”
When he spoke, a strong smell of alcohol mixed with his unpleasant breath hit me.
Gu Wei took a small half-step back.
My feelings are a bit complicated.
This man was Gu Jianzhang's eldest son, Gu Honghe.
Gu Wei had seen him a few times at home before; he was a man who loved alcohol and drank three times a day.
I never imagined that I would be like this in my forties.
"Okay, let me take a look first."
Gu Wei took the scroll, gently unfurled it, and discovered it was a landscape painting.
The villagers nearby were all talking at once:
“Young man, this painting is definitely genuine. Their family has been wealthy for generations.”
"Yes, if it weren't for gambling and opium addiction, he would have been ruined. He would have been a landlord by now."
"..."
Gu Honghe also spoke animatedly about the glory days of his ancestors.
Gu Wei listened silently, but in his heart he thought to himself that his grandfather had talked to him about those things quite a bit.
However, since everyone has their own version of events, and the time period is too long, and it wasn't witnessed firsthand, there are bound to be fabrications and discrepancies.
"I'll take this painting for two yuan."
Gu Honghe was overjoyed: "Two yuan, that's great! That's enough for several meals of drinks. I also have some large old items at home, would you like to buy them?"
Gu Wei's eyes flickered slightly. "We'll go to your house later and see what happens."
He appeared calm, but his inner thoughts were quite different.
Upon hearing this, the others eagerly expressed that they had old items such as large jars and antique furniture.
Gu Wei said he would go and take a look later.
Everyone immediately felt relieved and began to look forward to it.
After they had collected most of the goods, Gu Wei suggested that they go with Gu Honghe to his house to take a look.
Besides Old Master Gu and a few others who had possessions at home, some people who enjoyed watching the excitement also followed.
On the way, everyone kept talking.
Gu Wei also learned more about Gu Honghe's family.
The older generation has all passed away.
Gu Jianzhang and Gu Honghe's family now live together.
Gu Honghe's family has two sons and two daughters.
The eldest brother, Gu Bin, is already married.
When they arrived at the place, Gu Wei noticed that Gu Honghe's courtyard was smaller than that of Old Master Gu's house, and it also had a main house and side rooms.
Gu Honghe's wife is named Liang Min, a rural woman with the qualities of a virtuous wife and loving mother.
Seeing her husband, beaming with pride, bring back people from the same village, as well as the young man who collects old items, she immediately put down her needlework to make tea and pour water.
"Young man, please have a seat. I'll go find the things."
"OK."
Gu Wei and his group were ushered into the main room by Gu Honghe.
The interior of the house was even more rudimentary than he had imagined.
The adobe walls and the uneven, muddy ground had a musty, old, and mixed smell that was hard to describe.
In the very center of the main room hangs the character "福" (fortune) and a large photo frame.
Inside, there were many photos of different sizes neatly arranged.
Gu Wei casually approached and looked at the photos inside.
Grandpa was nowhere to be seen.
At this moment, Gu Honghe appeared at the entrance of the main room.
“Young man, look at this chair, it’s from the Qing Dynasty, and this big jar is also quite old.”
Gu Wei went outside and began to observe carefully.
The chair is generally well preserved; no parts are missing and there is no corrosion or perforation.
He wasn't sure if it was from the Qing Dynasty.
As for that jar, it looked like a large jar used for pickling vegetables at home; it seemed quite ordinary.
"This chair looks alright, but I'll pass on the jar."
Gu Honghe wasn't too disappointed, after all, other families also had that jar. "So how much money can you offer?"
"Five yuan, please."
Gu Wei felt that the price he offered was not low.
Because many people go to antique shops to sell porcelain and the like, which only costs five or ten yuan, or at most a few dozen yuan.
"Okay, five yuan it is."
Gu Honghe was very satisfied with the price. In such a short time, seven yuan had arrived in his account. It was a good thing that he never dreamed of.
Gu Wei thought for a moment and said, "But I can't take it now. I'll leave it at your house first. How about I give you a one-yuan deposit?"
Gu Honghe hesitated for a moment, then said, "That's fine too."
After paying one yuan, Gu Wei was about to follow the others out.
An old man wearing a straw hat returned carrying farm tools.
Gu Wei immediately recognized the old man wearing a tank top with large holes and small eyelets as Gu Jianzhang.
Gu Jianzhang was in his sixties, but still very healthy, with bronze skin and long eyebrows.
He took off his straw hat, his face stern, and demanded, "I heard you sold the painting?"
Even though Gu Honghe was over forty, he still looked at his father with some fear. "Dad, it's only worth two yuan! That thing is just sitting there unused. What if a rat eats it one day? It's better to sell it for money."
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