Chapter 188

Chapter 188

It was a pair of well-preserved Dingyao white porcelain plates, placed in a wooden box with silk padding underneath.

When the landlady handed them to Lu Mingzhu, she said, "Miss Mingzhu, don’t bother trying to return them. Their family has already left the capital to work elsewhere, and I don’t know their whereabouts."

She was just passing them along.

Lu Mingzhu bit back her words, "Thank you for handing them to me."

After carefully examining them, she handed them to her bodyguards, "Take these back to the hotel and keep them safe."

Mr. Zhang wanted them, but parting with them was hard for her, and keeping them felt like a breach of the teacher-student bond.

Lu Mingzhu decided not to let him see them.

A great disaster was looming in the future, and those little soldiers and generals might damage these antiques. She’d take them out now and figure out what to do with them later if she lost interest.

She didn’t need the money and wouldn’t sell them.

After leaving the restaurant, Lu Mingzhu headed to Mr. Zhang’s place.

She found two older men having breakfast, one was Mr. Zhang, and the other was Zhang Huaizhi.

Seeing Lu Mingzhu enter, Zhang Huaizhi jumped up.

He was holding a golden, half-eaten deep-fried dough stick (youtiao) in his hand and exclaimed with delight, "Little Mingzhu, when did you arrive in the capital? Long time no see, long time no see, sit down, sit down."

Playing host, he urged her to sit.

Mr. Zhang, sipping soy milk, asked Lu Mingzhu, "Do you have any important business here?"

"I missed you, so I came by to see you!" Lu Mingzhu didn’t plan to reveal the real reason. She washed her hands, sat down, poured herself a bowl of soy milk, and took a deep-fried dough stick.

Mr. Zhang couldn’t help but smile, "You’re such a sweet-talker, little girl."

"Don’t you like it?" Lu Mingzhu asked him.

"I do. You used to be so quiet and stubborn, but now you’ve blossomed into a proper young lady." Mr. Zhang liked it all, his gaze on Lu Mingzhu’s face very gentle, "Huaizhi and I are going to work later, would you like to visit the Forbidden City Museum to see our working environment? There are many antique calligraphy and paintings there that you won’t find elsewhere."

Lu Mingzhu happily replied, "Absolutely!"

After a pause, she asked, "Can we go inside?"

"Yes, I’ll set it up, but you’ll need to cut down on the bodyguards." Mr. Zhang was astonished by the number of bodyguards behind her, "Back then, you only had three or four bodyguards; now it’s over a dozen."

Lu Mingzhu pointed to her face, "With looks like mine, I need all the protection I can get."

Both Mr. Zhang and Zhang Huaizhi agreed with this statement.

She’d grown into her beauty, more radiant than ever.

Without her privileged background, an ordinary family couldn’t keep her safe.

After the meal, they rinsed their mouths. Mr. Zhang pointed to the study, "Huaizhi and I picked up a few modern masterpieces of calligraphy and paintings for you. They’re in the second porcelain jar on the left—go ahead and take them."

Lu Mingzhu exclaimed in surprise, "You’re both giving these to me?"

She was genuinely touched!

They’ve always been strapped for cash, yet they still went out of their way to buy her gifts.

Mr. Zhang cleared his throat, too sheepish to admit he and Zhang Huaizhi felt guilty about not repaying Lu Mingzhu, so they tried to make it up to her as best they could. "We went directly to the painters themselves and had them paint for you. I heard someone high up also commissioned them to paint for you? They earned enough for a year’s living expenses in a few months. What’s going on?"

Lu Mingzhu vaguely replied, "I just helped a little, didn’t charge any money. Elderly Comrade Zhenxing, knowing I liked these things, specially asked the masters to paint a few pieces for me."

Mr. Zhang knew that the Lu family was extremely wealthy and had seen reports in the newspapers about Lu’s father’s disownment letter and others detailing the Lu family’s contributions. He understood that this favor was no small matter and didn’t press further. "You must have quite the influence. Even the seventy or eighty-year-old painters are grateful to you for earning them a lot of commission. When they found out you were my student, they even treated me to a meal at Donglaishun."

"That’s only fair," Lu Mingzhu replied, never one to miss an opportunity.

Right now, they’re not worth much, but in the future, they’ll be worth a fortune.

Calculating carefully, their appreciation potential is greater than real estate investments, and they’re more elegant.

As long as she’s patient.

If she can’t, it’ll be a blessing for her descendants.

Tsk, it’s a steal for her and Xie Junyao’s future kids.

Lu Mingzhu went to the study to take the calligraphy and paintings Mr. Zhang had mentioned for her. She came out, had one bodyguard take them back to the hotel, and left the others behind. She only took two bodyguards with her as she followed Mr. Zhang and Zhang Huaizhi into the Forbidden City Museum.

All the treasures are right here!

Lu Mingzhu admired each piece, praising them as she went.

Mr. Zhang and Zhang Huaizhi didn’t take her into the storage rooms, just showed her the exhibited items.

Seeing a pair of emerald-green, full-colored lotus root bracelets, Lu Mingzhu compared them in her mind. They weren’t as clear and vibrant as the pair she’d gotten from her father, and she couldn’t help but smile smugly.

By future standards, these were ice jade, while hers were glass jade.

The clearer the texture and the more vivid the color, the more stunning the jade.

Old Master Lu—or Lu’s father—really had an eye for quality.

Mr. Zhang followed her gaze and said, "These were worn by Empress Dowager Cixi. Top-notch stuff, rarely seen by ordinary folks."

"Rare? I’ve got some too, even better than these," Lu Mingzhu thought to herself, knowing that these items would eventually be displayed in the Treasure Hall, admired by tens of thousands of visitors daily.

Mr. Zhang rubbed his forehead. "Hearing that, I’ll stop showing off."

Spotting a group of workers sorting through a pile of old items, the teacher and student headed over.

Lu Mingzhu pointed at a vibrant and intense Ming Dynasty multicolored goldfish and waterweed pattern jar, "You’re collecting fakes now?"

Everyone was stunned, "They’re not the real deal?"

Mr. Zhang put on his glasses and leaned in to inspect the jar. He called Zhang Huaizhi and several elderly comrades to help appraise it, finally sighing, "It’s a fake, made so well that it’s hard to tell at first glance. This was brought in from outside, right? Who was in charge? Didn’t they carefully appraise its authenticity when acquiring it?"

The staff shook their heads, "You said it’s hard to tell. How could an average person tell?"

Even experts slip up sometimes.

Mr. Zhang sighed again. "How did you know it’s a fake?" he asked Lu Mingzhu.

"Of course—I’ve seen the real thing!" In Lu Mingzhu’s own collection.

It was given to her by He Yun.

It was one of the antique calligraphy and paintings that He Yun brought back from abroad, one of a kind.

Mr. Zhang couldn’t hide his envy, "Where did you see it?"

Lu Mingzhu didn’t answer directly but instead talked about the porcelain jar, "It was looted during the Eight-Nation Alliance invasion, where do you think it would be?"

"Definitely abroad," an old man lamented, recalling this shameful chapter of history, "So many of our country’s cultural relics have been lost overseas, it’s truly heartbreaking."

"We must safeguard what remains and not let them be destroyed," Lu Mingzhu said.

Mr. Zhang sighed, "When ordinary people are struggling to make ends meet, how many care about the protection of these cultural relics? We must wait until our country is strong and the people are well-fed and clothed, then they will have the leisure to care about such things."

Lu Mingzhu knew he was right, "In chaos, gold reigns; in peace, antiques thrive."

So, collecting should begin now.

Though she claimed she wouldn’t buy, her actions betrayed her.

After leaving the Forbidden City Museum, Lu Mingzhu couldn’t resist and eventually met up with the bodyguards left at Mr. Zhang’s house and stepped into Liulichang.

As usual, the market was rather quiet.

There were plenty of goods, official kiln porcelain was everywhere, the stall owners were drenched in sweat, but few items were sold.

"The wealthy officials and merchants who could escape before liberation have mostly left, those who stayed are few, most don’t have the time or energy to buy antique calligraphy and paintings, it’s tough for us!" one stall owner said to his neighbor.

The neighbor agreed, "I’m planning to sell this batch and call it quits, any job is better than setting up a stall."

So, when Lu Mingzhu, who once swept through Liulichang, appeared, countless antique dealers scrambled to showcase their calligraphy and paintings, even lowering prices just to make a sale.

Lu Mingzhu was happy to play the fool.

If she didn’t buy, in a couple of years it would all be nationalized.

Although the prices after nationalization were unified and low, it wasn’t ideal for the original owners.

Moreover, many pre-Qianlong items would be nearly impossible to obtain.

Items from before Qianlong are considered cultural relics and are banned from sale; only items from after Qianlong can be bought and taken abroad, although they have high appreciation potential, they don’t hold the value of cultural relics.

While there’s still a chance to buy, better buy more.

The scorching, dry weather made Lu Mingzhu grow slightly impatient after appraising over a hundred antique calligraphy and paintings. She smiled at the group of dealers and said, "I’m staying at the International Hotel, you all can discuss and take turns bringing goods to me for inspection, then I’ll decide whether to buy or not. You sell in good faith, and I’ll buy in good faith, don’t try to pass off fakes on me."

Combining her skills with those of her original self, she could often determine authenticity at a glance or a touch, a true gift from the heavens.

An antique dealer laughed, "Don’t worry, we’ll definitely bring out genuine items."

Cheat her? They must have a death wish!

Of course, if they misjudged something, they couldn’t be held accountable.

He thought this and also said to Lu Mingzhu, "You know, our eyesight is limited, even your teacher Comrade Zhang has misjudged, let alone us. If among the items we bring to you there are such, we’ll take them back directly, just please be understanding, we definitely don’t intentionally sell you fakes."

Lu Mingzhu nodded, "I understand, as long as you’re not knowingly bringing fakes to deceive me, I won’t blame you."

Hearing this, everyone lauded her generosity.

They always enjoyed dealing with such customers—quick and to the point.

Some people would spot a piece of calligraphy or painting they fancied but couldn’t afford, and they would haggle relentlessly, not stopping until they got the lowest possible price.

That’s exactly how Zhang Huaizhi and Mr. Zhang operated.

A group of colleagues then worked out a schedule, deciding that Zhang San would deliver tomorrow, Li Si the day after, ensuring everyone had a chance.

Lu Mingzhu, with her bodyguards in tow, walked out of the Liulichang area, mopped her brow with a handkerchief, and waved a newly acquired silk fan, sighing, "I’m just too in demand."

The bodyguards all laughed.

Suddenly, one of the bodyguards turned and darted out, grabbing hold of an old woman, "You’ve been tailing us for ages, ever since we entered Liulichang, and now you’ve followed us this far. What do you want?"

"I don’t mean any harm," the old woman hurriedly said.

Lu Mingzhu turned around and saw an old woman in a blue traditional jacket and black trousers, with her feet bound, likely in her seventies or eighties, with silver hair, patches on her knees and elbows, and holding a blue cloth bundle.

Lu Mingzhu motioned for the bodyguard to release her and politely asked, "Granny, what’s with the tailing?"

The old woman replied, "I’ve got some antiques I’d like to sell you."

Lu Mingzhu was surprised, and the old woman continued, "I heard around Liulichang that you’re generous and don’t haggle much as long as the items are genuine and good."

Lu Mingzhu chuckled.

So, she’s being called a pushover!

"Why don’t you sell them to antique shops? There are many in Liulichang. If your items are good, they wouldn’t refuse," Lu Mingzhu said.

The old woman honestly replied, "They don’t offer enough."

Her honesty left Lu Mingzhu at a loss for words.

After a few seconds, she asked the old woman, "Can I see what you’ve got?"

The old woman opened her bundle and took out a pair of doucai chicken cups wrapped in a small cotton quilt, "I’m asking for 5 million, but they said it’s hard to confirm they’re real and only offered 500,000. Listen, dear, these are the real deal. They’ve been passed down in my family. If it weren’t for our family’s downfall and the urgent need for money for my great-grandson’s wedding, I wouldn’t sell them."

Lu Mingzhu said, "Put them on the ground, and I’ll have a look."

The old woman wasn’t familiar with the rules, but Lu Mingzhu was.

Whether it’s jade or porcelain, one should not directly hand it over. Usually, the seller places it on a table for the buyer to pick up, to avoid any damage during the handover and the difficulty of assigning responsibility.

The old woman placed them on the ground as instructed, and Lu Mingzhu squatted down to pick them up.

After a careful look, she concluded they were genuine.

These doucai chicken cups from the Ming Dynasty’s Chenghua period would be priceless in the future.

"Granny, I’ll take these cups," Lu Mingzhu turned and asked her bodyguards to take out 5 million in cash, all in 50,000 denominations, exchanged from Hong Kong dollars at the bank upon entry, totaling 100 bills.

The old woman was overjoyed, "I told you they were real. The antique shops were just trying to swindle me."

Lu Mingzhu smiled slightly, packed up the doucai chicken cups, and asked, "Do you have any more porcelain like this at home? I love colorful porcelain; it looks beautiful displayed in the house."

The old woman shook her head, "No, it’s all gone. I hid these in my pillow, or my heartless husband would have sold them off."

She knew her husband was a wastrel, addicted to opium, and many antique dealers had come to cheat him, buying many of their family heirlooms for just a few silver dollars each.

Reflecting on this, the girl before her seemed genuinely kind-hearted.

Lu Mingzhu felt a pang of regret.

However, her spirits lifted as she returned to the International Hotel with the pair of cups.

Her father had shelled out 40 gold bars for a pair of Doucai cups, whereas she had only spent 5 million in cash, equivalent to 500 silver dollars.

Next, Lu Mingzhu made a single visit to her godfather and godbrother. For the remainder of her stay at the International Hotel, aside from receiving bosses who eagerly brought her antique paintings and calligraphy works, she devoted her time to writing novels. Every ten days, she dispatched someone to Tianjin to mail copies of her completed manuscripts to Hong Kong.

She hardly had time to make copies.

In August, the 920,000-word "Kunlun Swordsman Chronicles" was finally completed, leaving only "Jianghu Chronicles." Lu Mingzhu felt a weight lifted and had more time to entertain the constant flow of antique dealers.

Aside from a few items that even the antique dealers couldn’t authenticate, everything else was genuine, with prices ranging widely.

Most were sold to Lu Mingzhu at market value or 10% below. Only a couple of antique dealers tried to gouge her, and Lu Mingzhu promptly had her bodyguards show them the door.

They weren’t sincere in the least—what kind of business were they running?

If they wanted to swindle her, they’d have to see if she was willing to play along.

By September, the weather began to cool, and fewer antique dealers came to deliver their wares. Lu Mingzhu finally carved out time to visit her family’s sprawling quadrangle courtyard in the capital.

It remained vacant, and without inhabitants, it felt eerily desolate, exuding an air of decay.

She decided that after her treasure hunt, she would lend the large quadrangle courtyard to the government for office use, along with two other three-courtyard residences.

However, Lu Mingzhu didn’t unearth any significant gold or silver.

Upon reflection, it seemed entirely plausible.

Before relocating to Shanghai, the Lu family had inhabited the large quadrangle courtyard for generations. Her father might have been unaware of any treasure, but the old master surely knew. It’s possible he had already excavated it to support his eldest grandson.

Besides, not everyone was as audacious as their ancestor Lu Hao, who laid gold and silver as the foundation.

After a fruitless search, Lu Mingzhu gave up and headed to the two three-courtyard houses.

These two houses had been purchased from others. In one, she unearthed several boxes of silver ingots, two jars of gold ingots, and tens of thousands of copper coins. In the other, she found no treasure.

The courtyards were impeccably preserved, adorned with intricately carved beams and painted rafters. Although the colors had faded, she sincerely hoped they wouldn’t be ruined.

Lu Mingzhu then went to find Zhang Zhenxing, "Our family has settled in Hong Kong and rarely returns to the capital. It’s a pity to leave these houses empty. How about lending them to you for office use for thirty years, without charging rent? The condition is that you protect our family’s houses, don’t build randomly, and don’t ruin them. What do you think?"

Zhang Zhenxing gladly replied, "That’s great, we’d be more than willing."

There was a housing shortage in Shanghai, and the capital was only slightly better. Having these large courtyards as office locations would save them from having to find other places.

After signing the contract, Zhang Zhenxing told Lu Mingzhu, "The mining equipment has arrived at the Tianjin port."

Lu Mingzhu was surprised, "So quickly?"

"Mining equipment isn’t as strictly controlled as other equipment. I suspect Mr. He directly transported old equipment from his family’s mines. His business is in Southeast Asia, right? It must have been faster than last time," Zhang Zhenxing said with joy in his eyes. "I’ve already sent someone to take over, and then it will be transported to the northwest. There are many mineral resources in that area, and it’s close to the Soviet Union, making transportation convenient."

Lu Mingzhu agreed, feeling it was Zhang Shuo’s idea.

Sure enough, Zhang Zhenxing brought up his proud son, "Because of the oil exploration incident, Zhang Shuo remembered the geologist he had talked to, who provided many useful clues. Based on these clues, within a month or two, many of our country’s geologists have discovered numerous mineral resources. Using minerals to repay debts doesn’t feel as painful."

"That’s good news," Lu Mingzhu said.

Compared to Zhang Shuo, she still knew too little.

With Zhang Shuo's guidance and his own capabilities, he could avoid many detours.

With this in mind, his rebirth didn’t seem so bad after all!

When it came to natural disasters or bad decisions, if Zhang Shuo climbed high enough, he could either issue early warnings or alter decisions, and Lu Mingzhu silently wished him success.

Because of him, Lu Mingzhu looked forward even more to her yearly meeting with her original body, like the Cowherd and Weaver Girl.