Mao Jieming's antique shop primarily dealt in porcelain, though it also stocked other items, albeit not in large quantities.
Along Nanxing Road, there were quite a few antique shops, but establishments with such a prominent storefront were fewer than three.
Standing at the entrance, the胖子 eyed the scroll in my hand and said, "Xiang Ye, it's not that I don't trust your skills, I'm just wondering, if they see through this painting as fake, shouldn't we consider our retreat?"
"What retreat?" I asked.
"Of course, a way to withdraw. For instance, I could claim I have a stomachache and need to use the restroom, or you could say..."
"Enough," I cut him off. "Stop worrying. Didn't Fu Honglang say he'd handle anything? What's there to fear?"
"That's true, but we can't entrust our safety to others. What if... I say, what if, in the antique trade, a斗口 isn't a small matter? If they demand you leave some part of yourself behind, what then?"
This fatty, if he hadn't said that, even I would have started to panic.
A斗口 could be a minor or major affair. At its least, losing might only mean offering apologies.
At its most, being asked to leave a hand or something similar was entirely possible.
After all, would anyone be happy if you barged into their establishment?
"If we truly lose, we'll just give them Fu Honglang's name. I refuse to believe his brother-in-law could do anything to us," I said.
The胖子 sighed. "How about this, if things go south, we'll run. We'll split up and run, and meet back at the hotel tonight."
"Alright, stop dawdling," I said. "You're scared now? You were the one bragging earlier."
The胖子 gave a sheepish smile. "I'm just being prepared... Xiang Ye, slow down, wait for me..."
Antique shops generally had similar decor, and Mao Jieming's was no exception.
As soon as one entered, there were various antique wooden shelves adorned with many items encased in glass boxes. It was hard to tell their authenticity.
However, they certainly looked impressive.
Before I could take a closer look, a middle-aged man in a brown suit approached. "Gentlemen, what item are you interested in?"
I had intended to observe further and test the waters, but the胖子 blurted out, "We're here for a斗口!"
When he said this, his voice wasn't low; it was full of conviction.
It caused everyone in the hall to turn their heads towards us.
In the antique trade, a斗口 was the kind of spectacle insiders loved to watch. As soon as people heard about someone engaging in a斗口, many would flock to witness it.
As expected, as soon as the胖子 finished speaking, even those at the entrance crowded in.
The middle-aged man who greeted us was stunned and didn't react for a while.
With things having reached this point, I could only play along. "I have an item, and I'm not sure if you'd be interested in it."
The man looked at me for a moment before responding, "Are you two here for a斗口?"
As the saying goes, to appraise a treasure, first appraise the person. From his demeanor and attitude, I could tell he was at least the second-in-command here.
"We're here for some exchange of ideas. Do you have any masters who understand calligraphy and paintings?" I asked.
The man sized up the胖子 and me, seemingly finding us too young. He quickly regained his composure and said, "A guest is a guest. Regardless of why you've come today, since you're here, please come in for a cup of tea."
"Who has the time for tea with you?"
The胖子, who had been timid at the entrance, was now as bold as if he'd swallowed a leopard's gall. His tone was aggressive.
"Hurry up and call out your boss," the胖子 demanded.
The middle-aged man chuckled dismissively. "For the two of you to want to see the boss, it's likely impossible..."
"What do you mean?" the胖子 asked.
"If you want to see the boss, you'll have to get past me first. My name is Wu Zhuang. In this area of Nanxing Road, others call me 'Zhuang Yi Shou' (One-Handed Zhuang)."
"Zhuang Yi Shou?" the胖子 teased. "It seems you're quite good at putting on an act."
Seeing that Wu Zhuang's expression was turning unpleasant, I quickly winked at the胖子, signaling him to shut up.
"Shopkeeper Wu, is that right?" I took the scroll out of my bag. "Since you've said that, please cast your discerning eye upon this."
"Wait. Since you two are here for a斗口, shouldn't we set the stakes first?" Wu Zhuang asked.
"Naturally," I replied.
"Good! Why have you two come to our establishment?" Wu Zhuang inquired.
I said, "To inquire about someone from your boss."
"Inquire about someone?"
"Yes, that's the stake I desire. As for what stake you want, Shopkeeper Wu, please say so."
Wu Zhuang hesitated for a moment. "My stake will be this: if you lose later, I want you to kneel at our shop's entrance and kowtow to apologize!"
"No problem!"
I agreed and then took the scroll out of my bag.
Wu Zhuang glanced at the scroll in my hand but didn't take it. Instead, he made a "please" gesture, indicating for me to place the painting on the rosewood table beside them.
I placed the scroll on the table and slowly unfurled it.
As the scroll was revealed, a clamor arose from the surrounding crowd.
"Whoa! Good heavens, it's a painting by Tang Bohu!"
"Is it real or fake?"
"Nonsense, of course, it's fake. Didn't you hear that fatty say they were here for a斗口?"
"But it doesn't look fake."
...
The onlookers crowded closer. I noticed Wu Zhuang's expression also changed drastically upon seeing the painting.
"Please, Shopkeeper Wu," I said.
Wu Zhuang had someone fetch a magnifying glass and then leaned in to examine it closely.
He first looked at the paper. After examining the paper, he then inspected the brushwork.
Before long, Wu Zhuang's forehead was beaded with fine sweat, and his expression had become grave.
A斗口 wasn't about determining authenticity but about being unable to spot flaws in something you knew was fake.
This was the most agonizing state for an antique appraiser.
After examining the brushwork, he sniffed it and then scrutinized the seal.
This entire process took over ten minutes. During this time, the胖子's lips curved upwards, looking exceptionally pleased.
The people around also joined the ranks of those searching for flaws.
"Is this painting a genuine work? It's too real; I can't find any flaws!" someone exclaimed.
"Could this be a replica by Zhang Daqian?"
"Impossible. Haven't you noticed the paper used? It's basically identical to Tang Bohu's original works..."
Amidst the babel of voices, Wu Zhuang grew increasingly anxious. I noticed his hand, holding the magnifying glass, began to tremble.
Another ten minutes passed. The胖子 yawned and said, "Are you capable or not? If not, call your boss."
Wu Zhuang ignored the胖子 and began examining it from the beginning again...