“Hutongs are the roots of Yanjing people and their deepest memories!”
There is a popular saying in Yanjing, "There are three thousand and six famous alleys, and the nameless alleys are like a race of cattle." They surround the Forbidden City, like folk customs museums, showing the lives of ordinary people in Yanjing, and also recording The historical changes of Yanjing.
There is an alley about 200 meters west from Meishi Street, called Chuideng Hutong, and it is one of them.
There are many explanations for "taking lanterns" in Yanjing dialect, including matches (matches) and lanterns (cage). It was originally called "taking stirrup Hutong".
Chuideng Hutong is the birthplace of the original matches. At that time, there were people in Yanjing City who specialized in making lanterns. After more people produced and sold matches, a gathering business district was formed, so it was simply named "Quideng Hutong". "Deng'er Hutong".
From the outside, the courtyard house in Chudeng Hutong is clean and tidy with gray walls and gray tiles. Street gates in alleys are also very particular. The door of a house can reveal a lot of information.
On Saturday, Jiang Yuanchao rode a three-wheeler and broke in from the outside world. He was wearing a green long-sleeved jacket and a pair of liberation shoes. He was holding a second-hand loudspeaker he didn't know where he got and shouted from time to time. last sentence:
"Collecting old furniture, old porcelain, old stamps, all kinds of antiques!"
With this voice, he didn't shout loudly, but seemed a little guilty.
Also, a few months ago, he was not even considered a commoner in Yanjing. He was at best a dirtbag. Now he has taken advantage of his younger brother and moved to Yanjing. Not only that, he also lives in a courtyard that is unimaginable. , these days are like a dream.
Now, although he wanted to help his younger brother, he listened to the big man's words and rode a broken tricycle to collect antiques in the streets of Yanjing.
Oh, Mr. Ma wouldn’t let me buy antiques. When I asked, he said he was collecting second-hand goods.
It sounded just like the rag collectors he had heard of in the alleys, but he still felt inexplicably guilty.
Although Mr. Ma also said that even if he received the wrong one, he wouldn't be able to compensate much, but he was still worried.
However, in order to improve the success rate, he did not go everywhere.
After all, Ma Dudu is a local, and he has also learned some skills in distinguishing rich from poor through the door.
For example, the courtyard on his left has four hairpins on the door and not a single tile. The door leaf is installed between the outer eaves and pillars, and the door sill grip adopts the form of a Guangliang door.
People in Yanjing call this kind of gate "Manzi Gate" because it was mostly built by southern merchants and has a relatively subtle and restrained style.
This kind of family is generally richer than ordinary people. Regardless of how sophisticated they are, they are more likely to have good things. Of course, since you are a businessman, you may not be able to find good products.
After the tricycle stood in front of the door for a while, Jiang Yuanchao smacked his lips and decided to change his target.
Jiang Yuanchao rode slowly, and the wheels rolled slowly. Just as the tricycle was about to leave, the resident of the Manzi Gate opened the door. An aunt stuck her head out and shouted to him: "Hey, the rag collector! Do you want some paper ornaments?"
"A paper-pressing ornament? A paperweight, right? I want it, but I have to see the product first!"
He rode over crookedly. He had already decided on this place just now. He originally wanted to leave, but he didn't expect to be called back. What a fate.
The former merchant's house has now been transformed into a large courtyard, housing at least four families.
The aunt led him into the house and took out three small ornaments.
One is a snuff bottle, one is a pen pillow, which is a shelf for holding pens, and the other is what aunt calls a paperweight.
Jiang Yuanchao did not take it, but asked the aunt to put it on the table first, and then looked at each one calmly.
The first one is a snuff bottle made of porcelain. It has a small mouth, an oval flat belly, and an oval ring foot. Two crabs, reeds and algae are painted in pastel on both sides of the abdomen. The outer sole is signed with the four characters "Daoguang Year System" in alum red color seal script from right to left.
The other is a pen pillow made of bamboo, with no trace of period craftsmanship.
As for the third one, it’s the paperweight.
Jiang Yuanchao became energetic after seeing the paperweight.
It is carved from a piece of light green jade and has an oval shape. A landscape painting is carved on the surface of the paperweight. The mountains, trees, streams and other elements in the picture are lifelike, as if you are in nature.
In addition, the edges of the paperweight are also engraved with exquisite flower and plant patterns, adding a touch of elegance.
"Hey, Auntie, this paperweight in your house is quite interesting."
"Yeah, my old man used to like this paper pressing thing the most. He would just hold it in his hand and play with it."
"Since it is my beloved thing, are you willing to sell it?"
Mentioning her wife, the aunt's expression suddenly became much more lonely, "My old man got seriously ill at the beginning of the year and didn't survive."
"Sorry." Jiang Yuanchao looked apologetic.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's been so long, and I've recovered. It's just that my son doesn't like these old man's ornaments. If they keep them at home, they are afraid that I will miss him after seeing them, so they persuade me to sell them. . I also thought about it for a long time before making up my mind to sell it.”
"Sell all three? How much do you want?"
"Hey, I am an old woman and I don't understand this. As long as the price is not too low, I will sell it to you."
People nowadays have no awareness of antiques and sell them as scraps. The larger the size, the more valuable they are. On the contrary, truly valuable jade ornaments are unlikely to be sold at high prices.
Jiang Yuanchao gritted his teeth. He actually didn't understand this business and didn't know how to value it. But he remembered Ma Dudu's words. The price of small ornaments like this was astronomical, and they would cost only 50 cents each. If the seller is not satisfied, then ask for another fifty cents.
He glanced at the three small ornaments and gave his price, "Auntie, do you think it costs two yuan a piece?"
"Two dollars, after all, it is the old man's favorite thing, this..."
"Then three yuan. I also considered that these three ornaments have some meaning to you, otherwise I wouldn't be able to give you such a high price."
"Okay, just three yuan. If you sell it, you won't have to think about it." As she said that, the aunt's eyes were red.
The two paid with one hand and delivered the goods with the other. But before leaving, Jiang Yuanchao didn't feel very good when he looked at his aunt's reluctant eyes.
After leaving the yard, his mood improved a lot.
Jiang Yuanchao took out today's harvest and smiled on his face. Finally, I found three treasures. Although I don’t know the specific price, I guess I won’t lose my money.
Ever since, he continued to ride the old tricycle through the alley. Taking advantage of the good start, he wanted to go shopping again. Maybe he could gain something from it?
Besides, he also quite likes this line of work. It would be great if I could find a master and learn the basics seriously.
