"Master Li, when are we going to take a look at those porcelain calligraphy and paintings? I'll call the appraisal consultants to come to the Magic City immediately."
Niu Sanpang was a little anxious. After all, New Century Auction House ranked low and its strength could not be compared with those time-honored brands, so he thought of broadening the sources of auction items.
"There's no hurry. I know an elder in Kyoto. He also likes porcelain calligraphy and painting. I promised to leave one for him and wait until he has finished selecting it before entrusting it to you for auction."
"Okay." Niu Sanpang rubbed his hands, which temporarily solved the problem for him and made him breathe a sigh of relief.
"Nowadays, all those who engage in real estate are wealthy families. You, the heir, have a bit of a different temperament."
Niu Yingjun smiled awkwardly and said with a little difficulty: "I'm not afraid of Mr. Li's jokes. My mother is not the first wife, and my two half-sisters are so outstanding. I'm not really taken seriously at home. Is it possible?" No, that’s why I am eager to start a career on my own.”
This fat man truly regarded him as his friend and even revealed such family matters to him. Li Mo was a little touched and wanted to support him no matter what.
"I'll introduce you to a few antique shop owners I know later. They don't have a lot of good stuff, but together they can support the scene."
"Auction houses are all about resources and connections. If Mr. Li puts the amphora in your hand into our auction house, every other auction house will stop selling immediately."
"Of course this is just a thought."
Niu Sanpang added.
The two chatted and drank tea. About half an hour later, Yanagawa Kei and his wife returned. Judging from their expressions, they must be very satisfied.
"Brother Lu, go prepare the contract."
After completing a series of procedures, the 50% discount on the total price was reduced to a fraction, and Li Mo only paid the round figure of 10 million.
"Mr. Niu, you are a guest from afar. Let's have dinner together at noon. Please treat me with kindness." Yanagawa Qing was not stingy this time. After all, he saved him tens of millions of house payments as soon as he opened his mouth. This was a huge favor.
"Mr. Liu, you're welcome, but I already have an appointment at noon today. Next time I will be the host and we can all get together."
"Mr. Niu, things are urgent. Let's make an appointment next time."
"If Mr. Li is free, come with me to meet an elder."
Li Mo gave him a confused look, is it appropriate for you to take me with you when you go to see your elders?
Niu Sanpang showed a bitter look on his face and said: "That elder is also a collector. I feel confident that you stay with me. I can't help it. The old man at home has always had a good relationship with him. I will definitely be the one when I come to Magic City." I want to visit his old man."
"It would be even more inappropriate for me to go for a private visit."
"Suitable, no one is more suitable than you. You are proficient in identifying treasures, and you can definitely suppress those people with your ability."
"Which people?"
Niu Sanpang said with a flattering smile: "There are a few guys who don't like me, and I don't like them either. They all joined forces to mess with me before, but this time, brothers, it's up to you to hold the line."
Li Mo stared into his eyes, trying to figure out something: "You didn't dig a hole for me, did you?"
"No one will dig a hole for you. Please help me. We will know when we get there."
Yanagawa Qing patted Li Mo on the shoulder and said, "I think Niu is always a real person, so don't be suspicious."
Niu Sanpang nodded gratefully, the fat on his face bumping up and down.
"Let's go."
The car Niu Sanpang drove was an imported Cadillac. The two of them ran all the way towards the city and parked at the entrance of a villa area about an hour later.
Li Mo looked through the car window and saw that the gate inspection was very strict. Niu Sanpang didn't go directly and made a phone call first to tell him that he was at the gate.
Within two minutes, the gate guard received a notification. One of the security guards walked towards the car, checked the license plate information, and registered the identity information of the two people in detail. Finally, he took out a square instrument from his waist and walked around the car. Nothing unusual happened. , and gave a final salute to indicate release.
"Your status as an elder is unusual."
"Those who have retired from above were comrades-in-arms with my grandfather when they were young. Most of the people who live here are retired people, so you just have to know what's going on."
Li Mo understood what he meant.
The car drove along the one-way street and finally stopped in a parking space in front of a single-family villa. There are eight parking spaces in total, and six luxury cars have been parked.
As soon as Niu Sanpang got off the bus, a female staff member in her forties came out to greet her and said respectfully: "Hello, Mr. Niu, Mr. Xu is meeting guests in the study. Let me take you to the living room first."
"Trouble."
Li Mo followed them calmly. The villa was built in a European style, but the decoration inside was simple. There were no gorgeous decorations. The black, white and gray tones showed a high-end feel.
Three young people in their twenties, one woman and two men, were already sitting in the living room. They were laughing and chatting quietly. When they saw someone coming in, they turned to look over.
"Hey, it turns out to be Young Master Niu. He seems to have lost a lot of weight after not seeing him for a few months."
"Master Niu, come and sit here. Let's have a taste of the freshly brewed tea."
"Niu Yingjun, do you still dare to come?"
The last person to speak was the woman. She was quite pretty, but she had a strong look of arrogance on her face.
"Why don't I dare to come? I haven't done anything wrong." Niu Sanpang's tone was obviously a bit weak. He pointed at Li Mo and introduced, "Li Mo, my partner, a master of treasure appraisal."
"Master Li, this is the eldest son Xu Jiajun, this is the second son Xu Jiameng, and this is the daughter of the Xu family."
"What do you mean, do I have no name?" Miss Xu stared.
Niu Sanpang ignored her and sat down on his own.
Li Mo clasped his fists generously and said, "Master Xu, Miss Xu."
"Master Li, please sit down. Just now Niu Yingjun said that you are a master of treasure appraisal. Are you also in the antique business?"
"It's a small business, just follow Mr. Niu and make a living."
Miss Xu looked at him and saw that he was a few years younger than her. She immediately lost interest. She guessed that this boy was Niu Yingjun's follower.
"Master Li, have some tea."
Niu Sanpang poured Li Mo a cup. The tea was light in color and the fragrance was lingering.
Li Mo took a sip from the cup, rolled his tongue to taste it and said, "Mingqian Dongting Biluochun, good tea."
"Master Li, this Miss Xu is in the famous tea business. You can buy anything you want from her."
"Niu Yingjun, I really don't like to hear you talk."
Miss Xu must have a grudge against him, her words are full of thorns.
"Young Master Niu, you came just in time today. I recently picked up a big leak. The old man and the others are admiring it in the study. You run an auction house business. You will help me estimate the price later. If it is suitable, you can make some pocket money by auctioning it."
The pride on Xu Jiameng's face was beyond words.
"What's the big leak?"
"Ming Yongle blue and white plum vase."
"Really or not, don't lie to me. If it's really a Yongle plum vase, it's worth a lot." Niu Sanpang was really surprised. If it was a fine product made by an official kiln, the auction price would start at 100 million.
Li Mo, who was sitting aside, glanced at the second son of the Xu family without leaving any trace, wondering if this guy was also a master of treasure appraisal?
No wonder Niu Sanpang wanted to bring him here to sit in charge, because he might have wanted to let him fight with him in the ring.
"Of course it's true, Mr. Niu, my pocket money depends on you."
"You have earned a lot from your foreign trade business over the years, and you always have a net profit of 10 million every year. Unlike me who holds the title of CEO of an auction house, I actually don't accomplish much."
"I heard that you were demoted to vice president? But it doesn't matter. With our support in the future, your career will eventually improve."
The eldest son of the Xu family smiled and said: "But the most important thing is that you have to live up to your own expectations. After all, the support of others is limited."
Li Mo sat aside and drank tea calmly. There must be something wrong between the children of the Xu family and the three fat men, otherwise their words would not be so thorny.
Li Mo put down his tea cup and said casually: "I have read a piece of news. At an auction in Xiangjiang more than ten years ago, a blue and white Ruyi plum vase with hanging shoulders, folded branches, flowers and fruits from the Ming Dynasty was sold for a high price of 149 million."
"Hahaha, you said that was the auction price more than ten years ago. If it goes up for auction now, it could be two to three hundred million."
Xu Jia laughed loudly, his face full of pride.
Niu Sanpang said in disbelief: "Could it be that the ones you picked up are the same style?"
"Of course, otherwise it would be called picking up big leaks."
"Master Xu, I would like to ask you, how much did you spend to pick up that Yongle plum vase?"
Li Mo was very curious about this matter.
Xu Jiameng raised the corners of his mouth, raised his eyebrows, raised a finger and said: "110 million, you can make more than 100 million by changing hands."
Li Mo was stunned for a moment, then picked up the tea cup and drank tea silently. He frowned and became suspicious.
Spending a huge amount of 110 million yuan to buy a plum vase is nothing like picking up a leak.
The more he thought about it, the more something was wrong. Since the seller could offer a price of 110 million, he must know the market situation of Mei Ping. How could he sell an antique worth two to three hundred million to others at a low price? If the plum vase is a genuine Yongle product, then it must have a source problem and be shady, so he sold it at a low price.
If the plum bottle is a fake, then... Li Mo didn't dare to continue guessing, maybe he was unfounded.
