Chapter 119: Jiajing Official Kiln Worry-Free

  "Old Hu"

  The two who were drinking suddenly stood up and shouted at Hu Boss, who looked at Li Yang and then at Liu Gang before suddenly smiling again.

  "I was afraid Li Can would run away with these things earlier, so I kept them. Now that the money has been returned, it's only natural to give you back your stuff."

  Li Can hugged the box and glared at Old Hu, he could feel that if it weren't for the fact that his side had a considerable number of people, it was still uncertain whether Old Hu would give it to him or not.

  "Let me see"

  Li Yang's heart suddenly moved, and he took the box from Li Can's hand, carefully examining the few pieces of porcelain inside. His eyes suddenly lit up.

  "Xiao Can, not bad, you lucky kid, this trip wasn't a waste"

  Li Yang took out a pair of celadon small bowls from inside and carefully looked at them outside, nodding continuously while looking.

  "Boss, what does it mean?" Li Can was a bit confused. He knew more about Li Yang's situation, but he didn't understand antiques.

  "Nothing much, you're taking this small bowl as a Qianlong-era folk kiln piece, right?"

  Li Yang shook his head and smiled, saying that the small bowl has four layers of light yellow halo, which is roughly equivalent to the Qianlong period. This period's folk kiln is a representative, with many fine pieces existing.

  "Yes, boss, how did you know?"

  Li Can stared at Li Yang in surprise, last time he saw Li Yang, he couldn't even tell that the stone carving was from the Republic of China era, this time he surprisingly recognized it as a Qianlong-era kiln at a glance, which really surprised Li Can.

  "Of course I know, and I also know you're wrong, this isn't a Qianlong-era folk kiln"

  "Not Qianlong's folk kiln, could it be fake?"

  Li Can was suddenly startled, he was scared by the fake thing and forgot what Li Yang said at the beginning. This small bowl is the most expensive thing he collected, and it cost him 200,000 yuan to collect it.

  Li Yang knocked Li Can's head and scolded: "Did I say it was fake? You're just lucky to have encountered a fake one! What did you learn from your usual teachings, really stupid?"

  Li Cang smiled foolishly, while Hu Lao Ban on the side looked at them coldly and didn't say a word.

  "Come, let me tell you, this thing is a Jiajing official kiln, and it's far from being a Qianlong civilian kiln. Luckily I came this time, otherwise if you were to sell this as a Qianlong civilian kiln, that would be a huge loss."

  Li Yang smiled slyly, while Li Can was surprised and even more foolish, unable to help but ask: "Boss, you said this is a Jiajing official kiln, how can it not have any pattern?"

  Old Hu also sneered on the side: "Right, why no payment?"

  Li Yang looked up and glanced at Old Hu faintly, ignoring him, and continued to say to Li Can: "You don't listen when I tell you to study hard every day, always thinking about making a fortune. Without knowledge, even if there's an opportunity to make a big fortune, you'll miss it. Let me tell you some basic common sense about official kilns. Who told you that official kilns must have patterns?"

  "It seems like there isn't?" Li Can furrowed his brow.

  "Of course not, because not all imperial kilns have marks. Some things won't have marks, such as items bestowed by the emperor to his ministers, and some ceramics with special meanings also won't have marks."

  Li Can's expression cleared up a bit as he said, "You mean this pair of small bowls are for appreciation?"

  "It's not just a vase, it has special meaning. I'm asking you, what is this pattern on it?" Li Yang shook his head and said.

  "Infant Play Picture", Li Can immediately replied that this pair of small bowls were his collection and he was very familiar with them.

  Li Yang asked again: "Then tell me, where did the baby play picture come from and what does it mean?"

  "This, I don't know," Li Can lowered his head, he only knew that the baby play diagram was a kind of decoration, how it came and what significance it had was really unclear.

  "You didn't learn when you had the chance, thinking you're so capable. Now that you know better, are you regretful? I'll teach you again, let's see if you'll learn your lesson this time." Li Yang scolded Li Can once more, straightening up the two small bowls and speaking slowly: "The 'Children at Play' design originated in the Xuande period, flourished during Chenghua, and after Jiajing ascended to the throne, he ordered the imperial kilns to produce a batch of 'Children at Play' decorated official porcelain, symbolizing a house full of children, wealth, and good fortune."

  Li Yang picked up a small bowl and pointed to the bottom of it, saying: "The emperor's is definitely branded, but this pair was given as a gift to high-ranking officials, so there is no brand. Take a closer look at the shape of this vessel, it's elegant and majestic, with fine texture."

  As he spoke, Li Yang gently tapped the small bowl with his finger, producing a pleasant and clear ringing sound. He stroked the bowl, and exclaimed: "The sound is like that of gold and jade, the glaze color is rich and moist, the pattern is smooth and elegant, the style is refined and not common, which folk kiln can produce such porcelain?"

  Li Can nodded in agreement, and after listening to Li Yang's words, he also felt that this thing was indeed a Jiajing official kiln.

  "Also, take a look at the bottom, it's also glazed. The emperor's tables are all made of high-grade Huanghuali wood. If they were exposed, wouldn't the surface be scratched?"

  Li Yang glanced at Hu Lao Ban, then suddenly leaned in close to Li Can's ear and whispered: "I'll let you in on a little secret, this is also one of the ways to distinguish between official kilns and private kilns, remember"

  Li Yang's voice was very small, but Old Hu did hear a bit of it. He roughly understood what Li Yang meant.

  Mr. Hu looked at Li Yang and suddenly sneered: "Mr. Li, you don't need to set me up, I'm the ancestor of being set up, this setup is useless against me."

  Although Mr. Hu said so, his eyes were fixed on the small bowl in Li Yang's hand, it seemed that he was also moved, but still didn't believe what Li Yang had just said.

  Li Yang glanced at Old Hu and shook his head with a smile, then turned to Li Can and asked: "Did you collect this pair of small bowls here?"

  Li Can nodded immediately and replied: "Yes, what's wrong, boss?"

  "The problem is that this thing is actually from an official kiln, but it has nothing to do with the Ming dynasty's official kiln. How can something like this exist?"

  Li Yang shook his head as he spoke, holding two small bowls and taking another look before preparing to put them away.

  Wait

  Old Hu's face suddenly changed, and he shouted loudly, quickly walking to Li Yang's front, greedily staring at the small bowls in Li Yang's hands.

  "Mr. Hu, sorry about this, we should get going, but thanks again for everything this time."

  Li Yang smiled faintly and walked out with a small bowl without looking back.

  Li Can and Liu Gang hurriedly followed up, catching up with Li Yang. Li Can's expression had already changed to excitement, and he asked Li Yang: "Boss, how much can this pair of Jiajing official kiln small bowls be worth?"

  "One million yuan is almost enough, and this pair will cost three million yuan. It just so happens that I have a friend who wants to start an auction company, so I'll let them put it up for sale later and get a good price."

  Li Yang smiled and nodded his head, speaking as he walked, without stopping at all.

  These words were all heard by Old Hu who was following behind, his face constantly changing expressions, finally saying fiercely: "Chase, quickly chase back"

  The two people who were drinking immediately stood up and ran out, Hu boss also chased after them. Earlier he had been suspecting that this was a trap for him, but after hearing Li Yang's doubts and seeing Li Yang's resolute departure, Hu boss could no longer hold on, he also believed what Li Yang said earlier.

  Li Yang suspected the origin of the small bowls, and Li Can didn't know either, but Old Hu was very clear that this place was called Gaojiazhuang, and during the Jiajing period, a prime minister really emerged, who later retired to his hometown. It is said that the emperor rewarded him with many treasures, so it's possible that the small bowls were from the official kiln of the Jiajing period.

  In addition to Li Yang's previous analysis, at this time Hu boss had completely believed in Li Yang.

  "What do you want to do?"

  Li Yang and the others hadn't gone far when they were stopped by those two fierce-looking men. Liu Gang looked at them warily, slowly shielding Li Yang behind him.

  "Sorry, Mr. Li, you've come all the way here and we haven't treated you well, why don't you take a rest before leaving, it's also a way for us to show our hospitality."

  Old Hu ran over with a smile on his face, still panting slightly. Li Yang and Liu Gang looked at him, while Li Can was very vigilant.

  "What does it mean?" Li Yang asked calmly.

  "No, really, what's the point? Mr. Li should at least have a cup of tea, otherwise people will say that old Hu is slow to entertain guests, and who will dare come in the future?"

  Old Hu hastily waved his hand, and those two fierce-looking men blocked the way, taking another step forward.

  Liu was about to move when Li Yang quietly pulled him back and, taking advantage of the fact that no one else had noticed, gave Liu a signal with his eyes. Liu hesitated for a moment before standing still.

  "Alright then, I'd like to see what tricks you've got up your sleeves. Let me tell you, the brother next to me is skilled in martial arts, so don't try any funny business."

  Li Yang slowly nodded and pointed at Liu Gang. Old Hu was slightly taken aback, but then smiled again, though his smile seemed a bit unnatural.

  Back in the courtyard, Mr. Hu personally busied himself moving chairs for Li Yang and his group, and had someone brew tea. After they were seated, Mr. Hu smiled and said to Li Yang, "Mr. Li, to be honest, I've only seen a few imperial kilns in my life. Can you let me take another look at that pair of Jiajing imperial kiln blue-and-white bowls?"

  "Look, isn't this something you've seen many times before?"

  Li Yang secretly smiled in his heart, but on his face he showed a very surprised expression.

  "Sorry, I'm just a novice, Mr. Li's words earlier were worth more than ten years of reading. I had seen it before but never thought it was Jiajing imperial kiln, now I really want to take another look and learn from you, sorry to trouble you."

  Mr. Hu looked embarrassed, and those who didn't know him might really think he was a quick learner.

  "Xiao Can, you should learn from Old Hu on this point. If you could be like him, I probably wouldn't have to make a special trip here myself."

  Li Yang nodded in satisfaction and then instructed Li Can beside him, with an air of brotherly affection, which made Hu the boss even more unsuspecting.

  "Look, but can only observe from a distance, cannot take a closer look. To be honest, I really don't feel at ease putting things in your hands."

  Li Yang picked up a small bowl, but didn't let Old Hu get close. Old Hu kept saying "that is" with his mouth, staring straight at the pair of small bowls.

  With the knowledge that Li Yang had previously mentioned, Boss Hu felt that the small bowls were more exquisite the more he looked at them, and they didn't seem like Qianlong civilian kiln products anymore. They really seemed like imperial kiln porcelain, even if they weren't from Jiajing's imperial kiln, they were close enough.

  ………………

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