Chapter 225 Crafts

Before Grandpa Lu went to Hong Kong, he did something big.

He sold all his personal collections at once to his good brothers in the group.

Including the "real" Mona Lisa.

The purpose was just to collect enough money to go to the auction.

"Grandpa, isn't Grandma Xue quite rich? Now that you are married, are you still living separately?"

While waiting for the plane, Zhang Yang was bored and gossiped a little.

Grandpa Lu gave a bitter smile, glanced at Li Zi beside Zhang Yang, and whispered in his ear from the perspective of a person who had experienced it:
"Whether you are with Yiyi or Miss Li in the future, I will teach you an important experience, which is..."

"If a man wants to have his own hobbies, he has to spend his own money."

“This is a bloody lesson.”

"When I just retired, I used the money that Yiyi's mother gave me as a gift to buy fake antiques. I have been criticized for so many years that I can't even stand up straight."

"I suspected that they had set me up. They had to give me money so that I could buy whatever I wanted, and then they caught me."

"Grandpa, what nonsense are you talking about!" Shen Yiyi overheard the conversation, walked over and exposed it, "Didn't you want to buy a bronze mirror at that time, but you were short of money, so you asked my mother to support you?"

"Then I paid back the money later, but your mother didn't want it!" Grandpa Lu said aggrievedly.

"Of course not!"

"How can I stand on the moral high ground and condemn you even if I took it? If it were me, I wouldn't want that money either."

Shen Yiyi smiled slyly.

Grandpa sighed with a depressed look on his face and said to Zhang Yang:
"Did you see that? This girl's true thoughts have been exposed. If you have to suffer in the future, don't say I didn't warn you."

"As expected of you, you are a senior. I am grateful for your teachings."

Zhang Yang bowed to the master.

Respect! This is the value of a married old man!
"Don't just talk about respect!"

Grandpa Lu winked at Zhang Yang and smiled, raising his eyebrows and said:

"When we get to Hong Kong, will you accompany me to buy some real antiques? I still trust your eyesight."

"Forget it!" Li Zi interrupted and said, "Grandpa, if you want the real thing, can't you just buy it at the auction?"

"Rather than relying on Zhang Yang's eye for picking things, why not just ask him to buy a few genuine items and give them to you? Why bother with that?"

"Right? Zhang Yang. This is the most efficient way."

"Indeed, what Sister Li Zi said makes sense. Instead of relying on your senior brother's eyes to buy things, you might as well let him buy them and give them to you directly." Shen Yiyi also echoed from the side.

The two "hostile" girls have reached the same idea, what can Zhang Yang say?

He could only look at Grandpa Lu helplessly, lowering his head and spreading his hands.

"Alas, my granddaughter backstabbed me." Grandpa Lu sighed, feeling depressed and not wanting to talk. He took out his cell phone and played Landlord silently.

Seeing that Zhang Yang had made some room, Shen Yiyi and Li Zi finally showed their fangs and sat down next to Zhang Yang, one on each side.

We eagerly discussed the itinerary for the next few days.

They did not reject Grandpa Lu's idea together for no reason.

In fact, they had already arranged their itinerary privately and had no intention of leaving Zhang Yang.

Not even for an hour.

On the first morning, we had dim sum in Mong Kok, then took a ferry to Victoria Harbour, then visited some attractions in Tsim Sha Tsui, and in the evening went to Victoria Peak to see the wax figures and night view.

the next day……

Day N...

Except for the day of the antique preview, the two girls had their schedules full for the rest of the day.

Zhang Yang felt tired just by listening.

This is treating him like a workhorse, and he needs to walk at least 30,000 steps a day.

But it was rare for the two girls to reach an agreement, and it was difficult for Zhang Yang to refuse.

I can only hope that there will be some changes when I really go to Hong Kong, otherwise my legs will really be broken.

……

The result was just as Zhang Yang expected, the changes came quickly.

And it was the kind that he had to show up for.

The antiques that Li Zi asked someone to ship to Hong Kong had problems and were rejected when they were sent to China Guardian for auction.

The reason is that "the authenticity of some collections is in doubt."

Not only Li Zi, but even Zhang Yang couldn't accept this statement.

Because he personally looked at each item and made sure there was no problem and that it did not violate domestic regulations on cultural relics transactions, he sent them to Hong Kong.

Doubtful?

Either the person who appraised it didn't have good eyesight, or the item was swapped.

After receiving the news, Zhang Yang and his companions hurriedly got off the cruise ship and headed straight to the auction company.

The antiques were placed in a small conference room, each one arranged very neatly.

Although the people at the auction house may not speak very pleasantly, their attitude towards the items on auction is impeccable. After all, they make money from these items.

After Zhang Yang arrived, he was introduced by his account manager to meet the expert in charge of identifying this batch of goods - Guo Wujing.

He claims to be a senior treasure appraiser employed by an auction house.

We don’t know how good this Master Guo is yet, but he looks very impressive.

When Zhang Yang greeted him, he just hummed a few times to show that he was still alive.

There was no handshake or nod of greeting.

Maybe this is why the account manager is so polite. Some people play the good cop and some people play the bad cop. Zhang Yang saw this and stopped wasting time and asked directly:

"Which of these are problematic? Could you please point them out?"

“All those with problems are on the list.”

The account manager smiled and handed over a blue folder containing the serial number of the questionable item and the specific details.

"Mr. Zhang, Ms. Li, we generally don't accept questionable items like this. You can choose to temporarily give it to us for safekeeping. After the [Emperor Heaven Brahma] Buddha statue special sale is over, we will send it back with the other unsold items."

"You can also choose to pick up the goods now and try your luck at other auction houses."

"What are you two going to choose?"

"Only children make choices, adults don't choose anything." Zhang Yang smiled at Guo Wujing and said, "Teacher Guo, if there is anything you don't understand, I will help you explain it."

"That's not necessary!" Guo Wujing finally spoke the first sentence, and then told Zhang Yang: "I am an appraiser. I only believe in my own eyes. What I see is what I get."

"Even if you say something ridiculous, I won't change my opinion."

"Really?"

Zhang Yang's tone was a little sarcastic this time. He pointed at a golden statue on the table and said:

"If you know, why do you say this statue of the Third Changkya Hutuktu Lobi Dorje is fabricated?"

"Like what?"

"The statue of the third Changkya Hutuktu, Rolpi Dorje, one of the leaders of Tibetan Buddhism confirmed in the 59th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign, and also a great master during the Qianlong period."

"You actually said that the statue of such a famous person was fabricated?"

Zhang Yang looked directly at the account manager next to him:
"Manager, the person you are looking for doesn't know anything about Tibetan Buddhist relics, right?"

"Mr. Guo?" The account manager looked at Guo Wujing for help. As a manager who was only responsible for receiving customers, he had no idea what Zhang Yang was talking about.

I didn't even remember the name of the Buddha statue, so I couldn't continue the conversation.

"You...say that, but what evidence do you have?" Guo Wujing said reluctantly.

In fact, he was already 60% convinced of Zhang Yang's statement.

The remaining 40% is because the face of this Buddha statue is so large that it has a bit of the flavor of Ming Dynasty Buddha statues, but the craftsmanship is that of the mid-Qing Dynasty. It is really hard to believe that it is a thing from the Qianlong period.

As for the Third Zhangjia, that’s it, it’s not the key point.

"Evidence? Why not ask the experts who study Tibetan Buddhist statues at the Palace Museum?"

"Teacher Guo, if you don't have their contact information, I can make the call for you."

Zhang Yang showed a harmless smile, but the situation on the scene had actually reversed.

Now Guo Wujing's thoughts are completely following what he said.

"You know an expert from the Palace Museum? Who are you trying to fool?" Guo Wujing curled his lips with disdain: "Who knows if it was someone you hired?"

"I don't know the expert you're talking about, so don't try to trick me."

"Let's talk about the matter now, these Buddha statues."

"Okay, let's talk about Buddha statues."

This is exactly what Zhang Yang wanted. He has basically seen through the depth of Guo Wujing's abilities.

He should know something about Buddha statues.

But I don’t know much about Tibetan Buddhism.

When it comes to slightly less popular Buddha statues, he looks completely confused and can't even pronounce their names.

"Let's talk about this, Buddha statue No. 145."

"You said this is a modern artifact?"

"Yes." Manager Guo Wu said confidently, "Don't try to trick me about this."

"Although I don't know much about the domestic situation, have you forgotten why Hong Kong is in its current state?"

“It’s because of this person.”

"Who?"

Zhang Yang really didn’t understand this time. Who did Teacher Guo mistake the Buddha statue for?
"Still pretending? You even recognized that unpopular Buddha statue just now, how could you not recognize this one?"

Guo Wujing smiled, walked forward, and drew two circles around the eyes of the Buddha statue:

"Imagine him wearing black-framed glasses. Now you can tell, right?"

"..."

Zhang Yang and Li Zi smiled at each other.

Wow, Mr. Guo, could you think a little more creatively?

Is it time to recite poetry next?

"If the character you mentioned is made into a handicraft, even if you dare to sell it, we dare not declare it to the customs!" Li Zi said while suppressing a laugh.

"is it?"

"Yes." Zhang Yang shook his head and told Guo Wujing helplessly: "This is a monk and translator of Tibetan Buddhism in the 10th century AD. His name is Tongzhuomi Shakyayi."

"Don't disbelieve me. I'll search for it and show it to you. This person is a very important figure in the history of Tibetan Buddhism."

"Legend has it that he took the gold to India and exchanged it for scriptures."

"Are you kidding? You think I haven't read Journey to the West? Wasn't it Tang Monk who sought the scriptures?" Guo Wujing arched his nose, smiling with a hint of sarcasm.

But when he saw the webpage Zhang Yang searched for, and the pictures of the characters...

Take another look at the Buddha's face.

"No, who are you, buddy? How do you know everything?"

(End of this chapter)