"What! This is what Emperor Yongzheng used!" Expert Cai's face changed drastically, and he said disbelievingly, "Where did you see Emperor Yongzheng's personal inscription?"
"Heh, it's on this dragon pattern." Lü Fang smiled and showed him the porcelain plate.
Expert Cai peered at the dragon pattern on the porcelain plate with suspicion. As Lü Fang rotated his finger, a faint pattern emerged within the dragon pattern. "This is? Wait!"
He quickly grabbed Lü Fang's hand and stared intently at the pattern. Soon, he understood, "This isn't a pattern, it's Manchu!"
"That's right, this is Manchu written by Emperor Yongzheng himself. Translated into Chinese, it means, 'I am the Son of Heaven, I am the Mandate of Heaven!'"
"Hiss~" Expert Cai gasped, feeling a chill run down his spine!
This plate originally belonged to him!
He looked at Li Yang, his mouth filled with bitterness, and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Mr. Li. I was blind and couldn't recognize true value before. My eyesight is poor, and I said some things I shouldn't have. Please forgive me."
"You're too kind, Mr. Cai. Antique dealings are like this; it's all about fate. When your eyesight isn't good enough, you miss out on good items. When your eyesight is good enough, you can't find good items. It's hard to say throughout history." Li Yang said with a smile.
Expert Cai gave a wry smile. While what was said was true, anyone who knew they had missed an opportunity to get a bargain would usually feel regret and annoyance.
This was also why discerning buyers would never boast about a bargain in front of the seller, and smart sellers would never be foolish enough to mock a buyer for overpaying in public.
Doing so would only worsen the relationship between the two parties.
Seeing the dining plate Li Yang bought from him being sold for a high price of eighty thousand yuan, the stall owner's smug face turned pale, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.
Many of the onlookers, who had laughed at Li Yang for being foolish earlier, felt their faces burn with shame and were too embarrassed to stay.
However, some quick-witted individuals immediately thought of his previous purchase of the stone slab. "You know, you mentioning it, I almost forgot. If this young man made eighty thousand yuan by selling it back, that stone slab he bought earlier must have also earned him a lot, right?"
"Definitely. Only fools like us would think he was stupid."
"Haha," Lü Fang was a man who loved to laugh, and his laughter was loud. He glanced at the onlookers and then said to Li Yang, "Mr. Li, it seems some people have finally realized that they are the biggest fools!"
"Mr. Lü, you have excellent eyesight." Li Yang applauded and laughed, his words having a double meaning.
Lü Fang chuckled, "Mr. Li, you jest. Your eyesight is even better."
"To be honest, I passed by that stall earlier and stopped to examine it carefully, but I still couldn't discern anything special about this plate. It wasn't until you bought it that I realized something was amiss."
"Speaking of which, if it weren't for you, Mr. Li, I would have forever missed my chance with this Doucai dining plate. So, I'd like to get your contact information. Would that be convenient?"
"Of course, it's very convenient." Li Yang smiled and gave him his phone number, adding, "If you have time, you can visit Li Hao Antique Shop. That's my store. If you go there and mention my name, the entire shop will treat you very well."
"So, Mr. Li is the owner of Li Hao Antique Shop! I've heard your name for a long time. My apologies!" Lü Fang exclaimed in surprise. He quickly took out a business card from his pocket and said formally, "Lü Fang, current owner of Ruili Lü Zhai. This is my first time in Jiangcheng, and I will inevitably travel between Jiangcheng and Ruili. Please guide me, Mr. Li."
"Oh, Mr. Lü is also in the antique business?" Li Yang asked, taking the business card with a smile.
Lü Fang smiled, "Compared to an antique master like you, Mr. Li, who is learned and has a well-established heritage, I am far inferior."
"Although my grandfather's generation was also involved in antiques, he was only a shopkeeper. My father was even less accomplished, only an appraiser, not even a shopkeeper."
"It wasn't until my generation that I accumulated enough confidence to open a small antique shop. If you have the opportunity, please guide me, Mr. Li."
"If I have the ability, I will not be stingy with friends," Li Yang said, smiling as he put away the business card.
Lü Fang said joyfully, "You consider me a friend?"
"You have good character and discerning eyesight. What else could you be if not a friend?" Li Yang smiled and extended a hand.
Lü Fang grasped his hand excitedly, "Thank you, thank you!"
"After I handle this matter, I will definitely visit you."
"You are always welcome. Goodbye." Li Yang slightly lifted the food bag in his hand, indicating he had other matters to attend to, and started to walk away.
Lü Fang immediately bowed slightly and said, "Mr. Li, please take care."
Watching his retreating back, Lü Fang's eyes were filled with admiration. He had never expected that on his first visit to Jiangcheng, before even visiting Li Hao Antique Shop, he would meet this legendary figure!
Li Yang might not yet know how famous he was.
The live broadcast of his treasure appraisal with Zheng Beidou that day had already informed many industry bigwigs. Lü Fang, who was visiting an old appraisal master in his hometown of Ruili at the time, was greatly excited upon hearing about it.
Meanwhile, Expert Cai, also watching Li Yang's receding figure, was filled with bitterness and slapped himself hard. "I am truly blind! I didn't recognize him as Li Yang, the boss with the 'Double Pupils Sacred Eyes'!"
"Double Pupils Sacred Eyes?" Lü Fang blinked in surprise. "Is that a nickname the industry gave Mr. Li?"
"Yes. This nickname existed before Boss Li's treasure appraisal with Old Zheng. It's because he is very skilled at seeing the hidden treasures within things, beyond their surface." Expert Cai said, slapping himself again. "I am truly stupid! A great opportunity was ruined by my own suspicion and distrust."
"Don't be discouraged, Mr. Cai. Fate is hard to explain," Lü Fang consoled him a few times, then looked in the direction Li Yang had gone.
Seeing beyond the surface?
Perhaps he could ask Mr. Li for help with that matter.
Thinking of that matter, Lü Fang's face immediately became serious, appearing preoccupied.
At Li Yang's home.
Looking at the table full of dishes, Shui Xiang smiled happily and leaned on Li Yang's shoulder, saying, "You are so good to me, how can I repay you?"