"What? A high-quality imitation from the Qing Dynasty?"

"Oh, I thought it was a real bronze ware. The Qing Dynasty was only a hundred years ago. What's so good about it?"

"It's boring. Hurry up and buy the next one. Don't waste time. We didn't come to the UK to buy fake goods..."

The old men and women below heard the disappointed tone and it was obvious that their previous intention to buy was instantly extinguished.

While everyone was talking, Zhang Yang quietly walked to the front of the stage.

The Double-Ram Zun is said to have been the favorite of Emperor Qianlong, so Master Li said that this piece is a replica from the Qing Dynasty and theoretically there is no problem.

The emperor liked the double-ram vases, and other ordinary people at that time followed suit. Since they could not afford the real thing, they bought imitations. This explanation is reasonable.

But Zhang Yang looked at the patterns on the bronze ware from afar and always felt that this thing was not up to the level of Qing Dynasty imitation bronze ware.

Anyone who has seen Qing Dynasty imitations knows that the main purpose of the craftsmen who imitated Shang and Zhou bronzes was not to pass them off as genuine products to deceive people, but rather to create works of art.

Therefore, most of the patterns on the imitations at that time were carved very delicately, even more delicately than the originals.

Qianlong even said that to appreciate bronze ware one must look at the exquisite patterns on it, which contain the great principles of the universe.

This imitation in front of me obviously doesn't make any sense.

The patterns on the surface look like real unearthed bronze artifacts, but many parts have been worn out and cannot be seen in their original form.

It is somewhat hasty to judge that it is an imitation of the Qing Dynasty at this time.

Zhang Yang still had to come and see for himself.

……

When they saw Zhang Yang coming on stage, quite a number of the noisy uncles and aunts who had been making so much noise stopped consciously.

They now feel that Zhang Yang is capable. Regardless of whether it is just a blind cat catching a dead mouse or not, what he said just now is quite accurate.

Plus it doesn’t cost any money…

What such people say is equivalent to free reference opinions in the stock market. Regardless of how valuable they are, whether you believe them or not is another matter, but it is always a good idea to listen to them.

"Um, everyone don't need to look at me like that. Actually, I don't know much about bronze ware. I just came here to take a look." Zhang Yang waved his hand, signaling everyone to continue.

Don’t let the atmosphere of the vegetable market just now dissipate.

But the uncles and aunts don't think so. Some of them said generously:

"It's okay, young man. Just say whatever you think. Don't feel burdened. We are just taking your opinion into consideration. We won't blame you even if we are wrong."

"Yes, yes, even if you don't understand, you still understand more than the rest of us, don't you agree?"

"Yes, handsome boy, just tell me about it. It just happens to be in contrast with Master Li..."

Is it a contrast? Zhang Yang turned his head and glanced at Master Li next to him, who gave him an awkward smile with some helplessness.

Obviously, the failure of the first Hutian Kiln not only made the master lose some of everyone's trust, but Master Li himself also felt a little embarrassed.

"Since everyone is saying this, it would be a bit disrespectful if I don't say something."

"Yes, that's what I mean, young man, go ahead and tell us, we are all listening!"

"Well, that's good." Zhang Yang turned around and said to the host next to him, "I'll bid two hundred thousand."

The host did not react when he heard the bid. He had never expected that Zhang Yang would suddenly bid, and directly double the starting price.

By the time the host reacted, the scene had turned into a vegetable market again.

Everyone is discussing: What does this handsome guy mean by offering 20 yuan? Is it worth spending yuan to buy an antique bronze ware from the Qing Dynasty?
Zhang Yang ignored what everyone was discussing. After he made his offer, he returned to Li Zi in a casual manner, patted Li Zi's arm gently and said:

"It's up to you now. You won't lose money on this item if it's less than 20 million. How much you can earn today depends entirely on your bidding skills."

"Only 20 million? That's not enough." Li Zi pouted and pretended to be unhappy, but she was actually very happy in her heart.

After waiting for so long, it was finally her turn to perform. "Everyone, be quiet. I have something to announce - this bronze artifact is wanted by my husband and I. If you want to bid, please bid quickly. Don't regret it if I buy it later."

"Host? Hey, I'm calling you. Stop picking your fingers and get everyone to bid!"

"Oh, okay, okay."

At Li Zi's reminder, the host walked to the center of the stage and said according to what was written on the script card:

"Someone is bidding 20 yuan for this Shang Dynasty Double Sheep Zun. If no one bids more in 30 seconds, the item will be sold."

As soon as the host finished speaking, a middle-aged woman in the first row closest to the stage suddenly stood up and said:
"I'll pay 25!"

Seeing someone offer a price, Li Zi's face lit up and she immediately added:

"I'll pay 30!"

"Auntie, please don't quote me. I'm determined to get this thing. We are all family. There's no need to give money to the British."

Unexpectedly, the aunt sneered and replied: "It's okay, I, Shen Jiayi, like to give money, you have no right to control it."

"Auntie, your last name is Shen?"

"Why, can't I just be named Shen? Host, I'll give you 35!"

"It's okay, it's okay." Li Zi said through gritted teeth.

She didn't know which little devil surnamed Shen she was thinking of, and raised her hand angrily: "You must continue to follow me, Auntie surnamed Shen."

"I'll pay 50!"

"55!" The aunt raised the price in one second.

"60 million!"

"65 million!"

"70 million!"

"75 million..."

If it were someone else, Li Zi might have advised the other person not to follow, saying there was no need to waste each other's time.

But when she heard that the other party's surname was Shen, and Zhang Yang told her that the bottom line was 20 million, Li Zi didn't want to care about it anymore.

She didn't want to be defeated by the man named Shen in the field of spending money.

Keep raising the price, don’t stop!
……

Zhang Yang, who was standing by, saw Li Zi's red face, just like a gambler in a casino who had gone mad with rage. He had no idea what was going on.

But he did not stop it, because 20 million was still the conservative price he said. If it was really sold, it would be worth at least several hundred million.

Because the one on the stage might be a real double-ram zun from the Shang Dynasty!

Zhang Yang is 80% sure of his judgment, and as for the remaining 20%, only if there is another him in the world can imitate him so closely.

So, let Li Zi have some fun, just think of it as taking her to the vegetable market to learn how to quarrel.

Perhaps noticing Li Zi's somewhat irrational behavior and Zhang Yang's slightly embarrassed expression, Master Li came over and asked Zhang Yang in a low voice:

"Young man, is your girlfriend okay? Do you want me to help you?"

"Although this item is a replica from the Qing Dynasty, the bronze artifacts produced by the Qing Dynasty itself are not worth so much money. The higher the price you bid, the greater the loss!"

"It's okay, thank you Master Li, she's fine." Zhang Yang patiently explained, "My girlfriend's family is rich, and she has long wanted to buy a double-ram statue to put at home as a decoration. She came across it today, which means we are destined to be together, so she must buy it."

"She can't control herself now."

"If you really want to help, go and talk to that old lady over there who was arguing with my girlfriend. I just saw her take out her blood pressure medication." (End of this chapter)