Chapter 5, Growth (Part 2)

Fortunately, the Baruch family is very old, and because of its antiquity, it possesses many items with a long history

Philip said with a smile

Is Hogg there

Then, Hogg squeezed out a faint smile and walked out of the living room.

It is a great honor, sir

The circle of stone carving is not one that ordinary people can enter. You only see those stone carving masters whose works are valued at tens of thousands of gold coins or even higher, but do you know that the vast majority of stone carving artisans earn only a few dozen gold coins in a year

600 gold coins, Hogg, you can count them

Hog raised his hand and shook it slightly; purely based on the weight and volume, he confirmed that it was indeed six bags of gold coins, with each bag containing 100 coins. Hog smiled and nodded, saying, "Philip, why not stay and have lunch with us?"

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, the clock in the living room struck eleven times, indicating that it was already eleven o'clock in the afternoon

Philip immediately apologized

On the Yulan Continent, 1 gold coin equals 10 silver coins, which equals 1,000 copper coins. Generally, an ordinary citizen can earn around 20 to 30 gold coins in a year. Even for soldiers in the army, a regular soldier's annual salary is only 100 gold coins

Beside him, Hogg chuckled and said, "Philip, stop teasing the child; the stone sculpture of the 'Mighty Lion' that you have been longing for has finally arrived"

"Truly a lovely child, just like a picture book"

Hog, you should also know that there are countless stone carvings on the entire Yulan Continent with a history of ten thousand years. The true value of stone carvings lies in their artistry. As for the artistry of your stone carving, well, it is merely something I personally appreciate. 500 gold coins is indeed my highest offer; if you do not agree, then so be it.

A stone sculpture weighing nearly a thousand pounds appears as a mere toy in the hands of Hillman, thus demonstrating his remarkable strength.

Philip smiled and said

500 gold coins

Philip squinted his eyes and then laughed: "Haha, Hogg, don't be angry. I'm not saying I don't want to buy it, I'm just stating a fact. How about this, I offer 500 gold coins for this stone sculpture, what do you think?"

Lin Lei placed his left hand on his chest and respectfully bowed in greeting

Yes, Father

Philip quickly said

Stone carving

Hogwarts is indeed straightforward

Lin Lei suddenly said

Philip's steward, an old man, arranged for two strong warriors to laboriously transport the stone sculpture

Hogger said coldly

Hog looked at Lin Lei, but sighed inwardly: "Stone carving? Child, do you know that I also studied stone carving for a full ten years? Unfortunately, my works are worth nothing."

The renowned stone sculptors, masters of the art, stand at the pinnacle of the pyramid; they hold esteemed positions, and a single piece of their work is valued at tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of gold coins

Philip observed Hogg carefully for a moment, then laughed: "Alright, Hogg, I will give you this favor, 600 gold coins. Steward, bring 600 gold coins over."

Philip smiled warmly and said to Lin Lei, "Lin Lei Baruch, is that correct? May I call you Lin Lei?"

If I become a master sculptor, then my father will not have to sell our household items

Hog raised his eyebrows and set down the thick book in his hands: "Lin Lei, that's enough for today."

This price is considerably lower than what Hogg had in mind, which was 800 gold coins

Hog looked at Lin Lei and said coldly

Yet countless stone carvers find themselves at the very bottom of the pyramid, their works deemed so lowly that it is disheartening, often purchased by ordinary people for just a few silver coins to be used as decoration

Six yellow small bags in total

Hogger once aspired to become a master in the field of stone sculpture, believing that it would significantly improve the family's financial situation

Oh, Hogg, my dear friend, that morning when I heard the call of the silkbird, I knew that something joyful was about to happen. Sure enough, by noon I received your letter, and seeing your message brought me immense joy

"Oh, 2000 gold coins is acceptable. This is the highest price."

Lin Lei was also taken aback; he had only mentioned that the stone carvings could improve the family's situation, not expecting his father to speak so much and in such a stern tone

The butler, who had been waiting outside the living room, immediately took the gold coins and ran over to present them.

Oh, this lovely boy must be your son, Hogg

Philip smiled as he spoke, yet the invitation implicit in his words to Hillman was exceedingly clear

Hogger frowned

Lin Lei knew that the stone sculpture 'Fierce Lion' was a favorite of his father's, but the Baruch family, which imposed heavy taxes on 'Wushan Town', is now facing significant financial difficulties

Mr. Hillman, your strength astonishes me. In my estate, there is no guard captain as formidable as you, even though I possess the territories of twelve towns

Lin Lei respectfully replied

Philip, if you do not wish to make a purchase, then so be it

Yet he feels quite helpless in his heart; after ten years of study, his works are worth nothing. The circle of stone carving masters resembles a pyramid.

As he spoke, Hillman casually entered the living room, holding a stone-carved lion with both hands, and then gently placed the sculpture and the book on the floor

After Philip and a group of people left, Hogg glanced at the six bags of gold coins in front of him, and a hint of melancholy appeared in his eyes. This time it was the sale of stone carvings; what about next time? Although there are many items at home, there will eventually come a time when everything is sold out.

Only then did Lin Lei see a middle-aged man with long golden hair and an air of nobility entering the living room alongside Hogg. Lin Lei immediately guessed that this golden-haired middle-aged man must be the one known as 'Philip'.

No, I have matters to attend to when I return

Lin Lei, do you know that among the hundreds of millions of people in the Holy Alliance, at least several million have studied stone carving? Yet, within the entire Holy Alliance, the number of true stone carving masters can be counted on one hand. Moreover, without good teachers in stone carving, it is fundamentally impossible to succeed on one's own

Philip turned with a smile to look at the clock in the living room, his eyes lighting up. "Hog, if you are willing to sell that clock, I would be willing to offer 1,000 gold coins"

Hogton's expression turned cold.

A clear voice rang out, and there was no gatekeeper at the Baruch family residence; it was evident that this guest had already arrived in the front yard of the estate

Unfortunately, no matter how many items there are, they cannot withstand years of being sold off. Now, the valuable items in the family have become very few. Lin Lei could not help but look at the clock in the living room: "I don't know when this clock will also be sold off."

Hog shook his head firmly and said: "This bell is not for sale! As for this stone sculpture, it is 600 gold coins; if you want it, take it away."

Dear Philip, I am also very pleased to see you. Hillman, please bring me the stone sculpture 'Mighty Lion' that I have prepared. Philip, come, let us go to the living room; the sculpture will arrive shortly.

Philip seems very happy

Lin Lei was well aware that throughout the Yulan Continent, those renowned stone carving masters had works that were worth at least tens of thousands of gold coins, with some famous pieces even reaching hundreds of thousands of gold coins. Not only in terms of monetary value, but also in status, those stone carving masters held a very high position.

Father, I want to learn stone carving

Hog shook his head

Lin Lei thought to himself in this manner

Hearing the sound of conversation, Lin Lei felt a pang of sadness in his heart

Hilman indifferently stated, "Wushan Town is my hometown, sir"

Philip turned to Hog and said, "Hog, I really like this stone sculpture of yours, but I must say that the carving technique of this stone sculpture 'Fierce Lion' is not top-notch, let alone comparable to those stone carving masters."

Hog's tone was very stern

Alright, the ancestral hall also needs to be tidied up. After lunch today, you should go and clean it.

I apologize

The price has decreased

Are you going to sell more things from the house again