The room was filled with players, and who among them, skilled in ceramics, hadn't heard of the Baofu bottle?
Instantly, everyone's eyes lit up, their mouths watering.
No one had expected Zhu Tongren to carry such a valuable item with him.
And to even wear it as a waist pendant.
Wasn't he afraid of it breaking?
"Old Zhu, why didn't you show us such a treasure earlier?"
"You're no friend, hoarding it just to show off. I know you too well..."
"That kid is finished now. Bowing and becoming his disciple, hehe, wouldn't that mean he'll be at his mercy for scolding and beatings?"
...
For a moment, some joked with Zhu Tongren, while others gloated over Li Chonglou.
Seeing this, Zhu Tongren looked smug.
This Baofu bottle, of course, didn't cost over twenty million. He had personally watched a digger driver at his construction site unearth it, and he had acquired it at a low price.
It only cost fifty thousand, yet it was worth tens of millions. It was truly a colossal bargain.
He had originally intended to impress everyone with this bottle today.
Now, using it to teach Li Chonglou, that arrogant young man a lesson, was also making good use of it.
"Chonglou, let's go!" Ning Lang's face turned ashen, and he said in a low voice, "I'd rather abandon my reputation in this circle than let you become a nobody."
As he spoke, he tried to pull Li Chonglou out of the villa.
Although they had a written agreement, Zhu Tongren was a leader of thugs and ruffians.
Rules and regulations were irrelevant to him. He absolutely couldn't let Li Chonglou be controlled by others.
Otherwise, wouldn't he also be demoted in status, and how would he be able to hold his head up in the future?
"No need." Li Chonglou remained unmoved no matter how Ning Lang pulled him.
Not only was there no anxiety on his face, but a cold sneer also emerged.
He said faintly, "Zhu Tongren, you people often mock the National Treasure Gang, but with your eyesight, how are you any better than them?"
"Arrogant and self-important, counterfeiters specifically study people like you, creating targeted exquisite imitations."
"You've been fooled but you're still smug, thinking you've found a great bargain."
"I think the bargain found you!"
These words caused many to sneer.
Still trying to turn the tables when facing doom?
Zhu Tongren's Baofu bottle looked flawless.
This kid was shamelessly slandering others.
"You're saying my bottle is fake?" Zhu Tongren, of course, understood, his face darkened, and he snorted, "Kid, you can eat anything, but don't talk nonsense."
"We have a written agreement. You've already lost. Why aren't you kneeling and bowing to me as your master!"
He wouldn't believe Li Chonglou's words.
No one believed that their own found bargain would be fake.
Especially not an expert like him, who believed he had studied ceramics for many years.
Unfortunately, the person standing opposite him was Li Chonglou.
The foremost treasure appraiser in the world, unsurpassed.
A supreme treasure appraiser who surpassed his master.
This bluffing demeanor was worthless in Li Chonglou's eyes.
His expression remained unchanged as he spoke calmly, "The Baofu bottle, also known as the Budai bottle, takes its name from the homophone 'Bao Fu,' signifying good fortune."
"It originated in the late Kangxi and Yongzheng periods of the Qing Dynasty. Due to its unique shape and auspicious meaning, it was widely imitated by later generations and became a commonly used item in the imperial court."
"The one in your hand, judging by its mark, shape, and pattern, imitates the Qianlong mark."
"However, the Baofu bottle was not very popular in the mid-Qing Dynasty, but it became popular again in the late Qing Dynasty."
"In the Republic of China period, there were even more imitations."
"This was because people at that time thought that drawing ribbons and shawls on bottles was fashionable and trendy."
"Most of them were exquisite imitations from Juren Hall, but they didn't bear the Hongxian mark or the Juren Hall mark at the bottom; instead, they bore the mark of 'Qianlong Nian Zhi' in imitation of antiquity."
"Look at the base and see if I'm right."
After speaking, Li Chonglou raised his chin to remind him.
At this moment, those who thought Li Chonglou was talking nonsense, trying to wiggle out of kneeling and becoming a disciple, began to hesitate.
From Li Chonglou's words, anyone could tell that he had researched ceramics.
But no one could accurately gauge the depth of his knowledge.
However, he was at least more knowledgeable than many who didn't even know basic facts about the Baofu bottle.
After all, there were numerous categories of antiques, especially countless kiln types of ceramics. Mastering the famous kilns of history was already a great achievement.
Let alone such niche imperial artifacts.
Even Zhu Tongren's disdainful expression softened slightly, but he still scoffed, "Don't try to confuse the issue."
"My bottle does indeed have the Qianlong mark at the bottom, without a doubt."
"I also admit that Juren Hall imitated many pieces, but what evidence do you have to say that my bottle is an exquisite imitation?"
At this moment, he also felt uncertain.
His previous confidence had been significantly eroded by Li Chonglou's few words.
Although he didn't believe Li Chonglou truly possessed such skill, people were like this; the more they cared about something, the more anxious they became.
Moreover, what Li Chonglou said was not wrong.
The imitations from Juren Hall often used the Qianlong period mark and style, especially for Baofu bottles.
However, he believed his bottle was authentic.
If Li Chonglou wanted to say it was fake, he would need to provide proof.
Otherwise, it would just be empty talk, worthy of ridicule.
"Since Chonglou says it's an exquisite imitation, it must be one. Trying to trick people with a fake, only to end up embarrassing yourself." Ning Lang instantly regained his confidence and attacked with his words.
He was wholeheartedly convinced of Li Chonglou's abilities.
He had thought Li Chonglou had made a mistake, but he didn't expect a twist.
His heart immediately felt at ease.
"Ning Lang!" Zhu Tongren's face twitched, and he said angrily, "Others might fear you, but I don't."
"You're slandering me. That kid hasn't even said anything conclusive yet. Why are you claiming my bottle is fake?"
"Careful, or I'll sue you for defamation!"
In his agitation, he even resorted to the tactics of the Hong Kong triads.
Li Chonglou observed this and calmly pointed out, "Your bottle, though its clay body, glaze, painting, and gilding have reached the highest standards of the Republic of China period."
"One thing remains undeniable. You must know that as tools advanced, ceramics became increasingly exquisite."
"Especially in the Republic of China period, a time that produced countless masters."
"Your bottle appears quite good at first glance, thin and light as if nonexistent, with exquisite paintings."
"But precisely because it is too exquisite and detailed, it lacks the unique solemnity and grandeur of imperial pieces."
"This is its fatal flaw!"
With his eyesight, as soon as he entered and saw Zhu Tongren, he had noticed the Baofu bottle at his waist. Although only half of the bottle was visible at the time, it did not affect his judgment.
He had handled too many of these items to be mistaken.
Meanwhile, Zhu Tongren's expression twitched after hearing these words, and he cursed, "Nonsense!"
"The more exquisite it is, the more it becomes a fake? What kind of logic is that?"
"I think you're just quibbling!"
Although his scolding was harsh, his gaze was a little unfocused.
In fact, the moment Li Chonglou finished speaking, he realized it was over.
After all, he had experience with antiques and knew that each era had its unique imprint. Many Qing Dynasty artworks could not compare to later periods.
But why were they priceless?
Because the cultural and social value they contained was immeasurable.
Antiques were never judged solely by their exquisiteness.
Otherwise, wouldn't the glass products on the market today, which were all exquisitely beautiful, be worth fortunes?
He understood this principle, of course, but how could he admit it now?
He could only brace himself and continue to resist.
Li Chonglou saw that he was stubbornly refusing to admit defeat, but he wasn't angry. He continued, "It seems you won't rest until you reach the Yellow River, and you won't shed tears until you see the coffin."
"If I were to judge the authenticity based solely on what I saw just now, you would surely not be convinced."
"Then I will make sure you understand why you've lost!"
"Does anyone have an endoscope? Insert it into the concave bottom of the bottle and take a good look."
"There's a small character there, which is the character 'Ju'."
Wow...
This time, everyone erupted.
They loved to watch a good spectacle, and some even took out the LED endoscopes they carried in their bags. These were usually used for inspecting teeth.
They never expected to use it on ceramics.
Upon activating the endoscope, a strong and compact "Ju" character indeed appeared before their eyes.
This caused a wave of gasps and sighs from the crowd.
Zhu Tongren's face turned deathly pale, and he felt as if his bones had been drained. He immediately slumped onto the sofa, unable to stand.
The hand holding the bottle trembled uncontrollably.
This item was something he had personally seen the excavator driver unearth from the construction site.
This was also one of the sources of his confidence.
But now, thinking about it, couldn't Republic of China era pieces also be unearthed?
He couldn't distinguish between the Republic of China era and the early Qing Dynasty based on the patina and crackle. But now that the fact was laid bare, there was no room for denial.
He had been fooled!
He had been thoroughly fooled, and in front of so many fellow enthusiasts.
Li Chonglou's slap had left him dizzy and his mind blank.
"A bet is a bet. We have an agreement. Are you going to give me your most valuable possession now?" Li Chonglou asked, his eyes showing no pity.
Zhu Tongren dared not look at him. Bowing his head, he silently removed the jade thumb ring he was wearing.
He prepared to hand it over to Li Chonglou.
But at that moment, Li Chonglou continued, "I don't care for your thumb ring; it's all greasy from you wearing it."
"In consideration of us being fellow enthusiasts, I'll let you off this time. Give me your Baofu bottle."
"From now on, when you see me, you must steer clear, do you understand?"
This statement left the crowd dumbfounded.
This kid was too arrogant, and too foolish.
Zhu Tongren's thumb ring was worth millions, why wouldn't he want it?
Instead, he wanted that imitation Baofu bottle from Juren Hall.
Although items from Juren Hall were also quite famous, they were worth at most a few hundred thousand.
Wasn't this choosing the less valuable option, like returning the jewel and keeping the box?
"You... are you serious?" Zhu Tongren asked excitedly, with disbelief on his face.
He hadn't expected Li Chonglou to change his mind.
He had worn this thumb ring for many years; it was passed down from his father. He truly hated to give it to someone else.
But if he didn't, he wouldn't be able to show his face in Yong'an anymore.
Who would have thought Li Chonglou would willingly give it up?
"What? Do you wish I'd go back on my word?" Li Chonglou smiled faintly.
Zhu Tongren, as if granted amnesty, quickly handed over the Baofu bottle with both hands.
A trace of gratitude arose in his eyes.
At the same time, he apologized publicly, "I was blind and ignorant, unable to recognize true talent. Please don't take offense..."
"This time, Old Zhu concedes defeat wholeheartedly. You're even more capable than Ning Lang; I admit it!"
"Wherever you are in the future, Old Zhu will stay far away and never show himself."
"Farewell!"
With that, he strode away under the gaze of the others.
Li Chonglou tightly grasped the Baofu bottle in his palm, a mysterious smile appearing on his face.
No one knew that he had been after this Baofu bottle from the very beginning.