Watching Liu Jingting's master on the stage pointing to the Xuande furnace held by Liu Jingting in a mellow tone, Feng Ziying felt more and more that she was creating a history. Well, it would be a Jiade or Poly autumn auction, or it could be changed to a Daguanlou autumn auction now. Will it also become an event that can be recorded in the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty?
"Okay, the little introduction is over. I would like to invite Zhou Yansheng, Zhou Laochao of Yangzhou Binyue Building, to make a judgment and introduction to this Xuande furnace..."
There was a whisper in the audience and in the private room.
Xuande incense burners are not uncommon. The reign of Xuande in the Ming Dynasty is less than 200 years ago. Although Xuande incense burners are highly praised by collectors today because of their exquisite workmanship and small collections. However, in less than 200 years, the batch of Xuande incense burners from the third year of Xuande's reign has survived. There are not too many copper stoves in the house. Which house of a truly wealthy and noble family doesn't have two or three of them?
This kind of object is just an appetizer, and people in the private room will naturally look down upon it, but it is a rare opportunity for people in the lobby who are watching the excitement or looking for familiar faces.
"..., this Xuande furnace was made by Zhu Zhanji, Xuanzong of the former Ming Dynasty, during the third year of Xuande. As you may know, Zhu Zhanji, Xuanzong of the former Ming Dynasty, did not reign long, only ten years, but this As for the emperor, he likes to appreciate and play with incense burners, but he is very particular about it, which is normal. When you are an emperor, it doesn’t matter if you are particular about it, so I just want to make something different..."
Feng Ziying and King Zhongshun both laughed. This was almost an antique popularization class, which was quite interesting.
"Ziying, you specially invited this person from Yangzhou. He is very good at speaking. I have some impressions of Binyue Building. It is the most famous antique shop in Yangzhou. Pawnbroking is just a side business. The big owner should be the general merchant of Yangzhou Salt Merchant. Ye Hong, Ye Qitai?" King Zhongshun had a faint smile on his lips.
Feng Ziying was stunned, but he didn't know this. He didn't expect that King Zhongshun even knew the backstage boss of Binyue Building. Of course he knew Ye Hong, and had even met him a few times. He was the largest salt merchant in Yangzhou and the current salt industry leader. Although his old father-in-law Lin Ruhai, the censor of salt inspection, had died and changed people, the chief salt merchant remained unchanged and remained seated, which shows his ability.
"Your Majesty, I just said a word about these people. I didn't ask who specifically invited them or who was behind them. They were just the most famous people invited by Jia Qiang in accordance with the rules. I didn't expect Ye Hong to be from Binyue Tower. The backstage boss."
"Haha, Ye Hong is not simple. He shops around and makes bets in all directions. He can pull any line. One of his nieces is married to Fang Congzhe's niece. I'm afraid not many people know about it, right?" Zhongshun Wang seemed careless, but Feng Ziying became more serious.
Although Yangzhou is geographically located in the north of the Yangtze River, in terms of culture and tradition, it is still part of the greater Jiangnan. Just like the prefectures of Southern Zhili, Anqing, Hezhou, Luzhou, Chuzhou and parts of Yingtianfu are all In the north of the Yangtze River, traditional customs are still because they are under the jurisdiction of Nanzhili and are close to the Yangtze River, so they are all regarded as part of the south of the Yangtze River. However, it is difficult for state capitals such as Fengyang, Huai'an and Xuzhou to be regarded as the south of the Yangtze River.
In a sense, Yangzhou is actually an economic center in the south of the Yangtze River, even more important than Suzhou and Jinling. Of course, Jinling, as the location of the Six Ministries of Nanjing, has greater political significance.
"Oh, so Mr. Ye is a sensible person." Feng Ziying responded calmly.
He couldn't pretend to know nothing. That would be to look down on King Zhongshun, and he was sorry for the position he held as Shuntian Prime Minister. But he couldn't say that he had seen everything clearly. Even the court and the emperor hadn't said anything yet. What do you see clearly?
"Of course he is an understanding person, but being too understanding or too smart may not be a good thing." King Zhongshun's lips suddenly turned down, "I heard a few days ago that he had engaged his son to Zhen Yingyu's daughter."
"Legendary son?" Feng Ziying was shocked.
"Legendary son." King Zhongshun's tone turned cold.
"How old are you?" Feng Ziying asked again.
"His youngest son is not yet a minor, right?" King Zhongshun hesitated.
Feng Ziying felt relieved and said calmly: "Oh, it's too early to get engaged. It will take at least three to five years to get engaged. Isn't it at least three to five years? There are inevitably some surprises here? Isn't it rare to regret an engagement? Merchants are more likely to do so. I don’t care about the face anymore.”
These few words, King Zhongshun and Feng Ziying were almost talking in secret. After saying these words, King Zhongshun burst out laughing, attracting those around him who had been attracted by the very exciting and moving explanation given by Zhou Chaofeng. The prince's consorts came back again.
"Ziying, after hearing your words, why do you feel so resentful? Why are you still not satisfied that you lost a concubine in vain? If you hold grudges like this, I think you get along well with your colleagues." King Zhongshun was happy.
King Zhongshun was very familiar with Feng Ziying, and he also knew that Feng Ziying's second wife married a sister from the Xue family. He even knew that Xue Baoqin was the daughter-in-law of Mei Zhiye who broke off the engagement in Shuntian Mansion. This connection was really embarrassing.
"The prince is joking, look at the lot, look at the lot." Feng Ziying also laughed.
"... In the third year of Xuande, Emperor Xuanzong of the former Ming Dynasty Zhu Zhanji purchased high-quality wind-milled copper from Siam and asked Lu Zhen, the palace craftsman of the former Ming Dynasty at that time, to follow the "Xuanhe Bogu Tu" written by Wang Fu, the prime minister of the former Song Dynasty. Come and make this incense burner. It is said that a total of three thousand incense burners were successfully made, but this is just a rumor. In fact, it is estimated that there are only more than a thousand incense burners circulating among the people..."
This week Yansheng is very eloquent and knows how to speak with appropriate heat. Although this Xuande stove is not of high value as an appetizer, what he said still aroused the interest of many people.
"A few years ago, there was a rumor that if you don't have one or two Xuande stoves in your home, then your family cannot be called a big family. As far as I know, not to mention the big families in Jiangnan and the state capital, which Everyone can probably bring out two or three Xuande stoves. It is not clear how old the situation in the north is, but I have to say that this Xuande stove has a beautiful shape and delicate texture. Although it is made of wind-milled copper, But gold, silver and other substances are also added inside, and after twelve refinements, the color and luster are completely different after hundreds of years, and there is a unique world..."
Zhou Yansheng shook his head, obviously very much entertained. Feng Ziying also sighed secretly in her heart. You get what you pay for. If you give me enough money, I can work hard for you. Please come and visit Zhou Yansheng. The silver is eight hundred taels. But now it seems that it’s worth it!
"This Xuande furnace is white and yellow with red like a Tang pear. It has obviously been influenced by many generations, and it has been played and raised by people, so it can achieve this state..." Zhou Yansheng paused and then said: "The old man gave it The value is eight hundred taels of silver. Of course, the judgment may not be consistent with other opinions, but the old man is very optimistic that this thing will be worth more as time goes by, and it will become even more rare and can be used as a rare utensil to be passed down from generation to generation,... "
Feng Ziying laughed. In fact, several people have discussed this Xuande furnace before. If it is pawned in a pawn shop, the living pawn will be worth at most 300 taels of silver. If it is pawned dead, it will be worth 350 to 400 taels. In a short period of time, I didn’t expect that this guy would double the price of this item with just one sentence.
Naturally, there are two or three Xuande incense burners in the Feng Mansion, and the quality is no worse than this one. Although it has never been pledged, Feng Ziying also knows that it will not exceed 500 taels of silver, but there are a few among the people here. Does anyone really understand what’s going on here? It’s not up to the judgment of these so-called experts, the experts of later generations.
This Xuande furnace was placed on a high table on the stage, and was covered with carpets to prevent it from accidentally falling and breaking. The light from the surrounding ram's horns illuminated it, making it even more even and delicate in color, which captivated people's hearts.
"After what this guy said, even Gu was a little tempted. Although there are a few Xuande furnaces in Gu's mansion, there are none of this color..." King Zhongshun smiled and said to King Zhonghui next to him.
"Haha, can Brother Ninth still like it? This Xuande furnace has been in use for two hundred years and has different colors. It is said that there are as many as twenty or thirty kinds. Among them, Tibetan scripture, crab shell green and amber are the best. This Tangli color is considered the best. It's just the top quality, even six hundred taels is too expensive..." King Zhonghui was obviously an expert and curled his lips, "It's far less than the few items you have in your house, Ninth Brother."
"It's just talk. I don't want to compete with others for the first dish..." King Zhongshun smiled and shook his head.
They are joking here, but many people below have been moved and are eager to give it a try.
"Okay, Zhou Lao Chaofeng's introduction is over. His price is eight hundred taels. However, as an antique auction item, the real value lies in the hearts of those who like it. Those who don't like it may think it is not worth three hundred taels, and those who like it may think it is not worth two thousand taels. It’s not expensive at all. It depends on your own preferences and interests. Start bidding now..."
In an instant, countless hands were raised under the stage, with wooden signs in their hands and numbers on the wooden signs.
"Okay, this guest, No. 12 B, bids 550 taels..., is there any other guest who wants to increase the price? ..., OK, guest No. 33 C bids 600 taels,..."
In just a few breaths, the price has been pushed up to 750 taels. It seems that everyone thinks that the value of 800 taels set by Zhou Laochao is a dividing line. If it is higher, it may not be worth it. After all, This is still the first item, and it is said that there will be more than a hundred items in the subsequent auctions. If you can't get this one, there are others to choose from.
"Okay, this gentleman's bid has reached 850 taels. I don't know if anyone else is interested in this exquisite piece of wind-milled copper Xuande furnace. I am personally very optimistic about this item. It costs less than 1,000 taels." You can take it home and treasure it as a family heirloom. Maybe in ten years, this item will be worth one thousand two hundred taels or even one thousand five hundred taels?..."
Mo Houguang bowed again and looked around, "Okay, finally we have it. This gentleman with the number A, No. 7, bids nine hundred taels. It seems that this gentleman is determined to win. Is there any other gentleman?" Interested,..., the second time of nine hundred taels,..., the third time of nine hundred taels,..., OK! This gentleman with the seventh number A, this weathered copper who lived in the Ming Dynasty palace for three years during Xuande The authentic Xuande furnace is yours..."
