Chapter 9: Find a Sucker

Before long, a group of people arrived with a clattering sound

Billionaire, today this goal is indeed the right one

"Isn't the price set at 500 taels?" Li Dachui asked in surprise

It is said that the property under his name amounts to no less than one million taels. Based on the current price on Earth, one tael of silver is worth two hundred yuan, so Zhang Dazui's assets would total one hundred million.

In the courtyard, small bridges and flowing water, pavilions and towers, golden fish swim leisurely, what a beautiful courtyard

"You... you actually don't use ointment?" Li Dachui was astonished

With a loud clap, Yan Qing placed thirty taels of gleaming silver on the table in the front office, exuding an air of authority that was strikingly evident.

"Where is the artist Li Mu?" Li Dachui glanced at the thin guard and asked. It is estimated that Yan Qing is too inexperienced and too naive, which led to Li Dachui directly ignoring him.

Of course, Yan Qing's psychological price is 3,000 taels. As for why it was doubled, it is naturally to lay the groundwork for the subsequent price negotiation

Your family, the Li family, is all a bunch of fools

There is no need to be subservient to these sycophants; otherwise, they will become increasingly arrogant, looking down on others with contempt.

Yan Qing discovered that these puzzle-like tiger fragments were all irregular in shape. Some pieces were only the size of a hair, while others had to be fitted into extremely small rings, for instance, there were also quite a few tiger hairs.

"Wait a moment, Master Li, we have not yet discussed the price for the illustrations, have we?" Yan Qing began to wave his hand dismissively.

Not long after, Yan Qing arrived at the Li family residence. Indeed, it was impressive; just the two bronze lions, each standing at a height of 2 zhang, squatting in front of the gate, were enough to intimidate the poor into not daring to approach.

You are mistaken, I am not a fool.

"Stickers, uncle, what stickers are you talking about?" Yan Qing instinctively asked.

"Listening to you ramble on, old fellow, this prince is not so idle as to be bored. Making money is important, five hundred taels!" Yan Qing hurriedly ran to Bazi Alley

In fact, this fellow had just dropped a stone to the ground. Initially, there was some concern about the outcome. He also braved his way into the residence.

In fact, this individual is merely playing the game of feigned indifference. If you were to seek out Li Dachui for a trial now, he would most likely perceive you as a fraud and dismiss you.

"Alright, I, Li Dachui, appreciate artists with ambition. The artists of the past lacked your boldness. Therefore, the tigers they crafted looked more like sickly cats. " Li Dachui slapped his large head and said, "Move the samples and let Master Yan have a go at it."

It seems that although Li Dachui has a stout figure and a butcher-like appearance, he is not coarse at heart; he is indeed a clever individual. No wonder he possesses such a vast fortune

The stone wall stands three zhang high and spans six zhang in width. It is carved from a massive block of inferior white jade, exuding an air of sophistication and grandeur. This single stone wall alone is enough to demonstrate the wealth of the Li family.

Because the artist has to carefully piece it together bit by bit with glue. Master Yan directly assembled it by hand, even skipping the glue.

Indeed, Master Zhang's name is well-known and resonates widely. Even I, a mere youth, often hear others speak of him. I hold him in the highest regard. However, Master Zhang, what is the story behind that Li Dachui?

"Please wait a moment, Master. I will report to the master right away." The tall, thin man, upon seeing the silver, immediately appeared to shrink a bit. He glanced at the other fat man and then quickly ran into the courtyard

"Six thousand taels, why don't you go rob the money shop? That is the salary I have earned over more than a decade as the chief steward" said a middle-aged man with a chubby face indignantly

Good! Let's get to work. Li Dachui was completely convinced, and with a clap of his hands, his subordinates hurriedly brought over the giant wall puzzle.

In order to maintain a low profile, Yan Qing changed out of his splendid and noble royal yellow robe before leaving the palace and donned a set of ordinary cloth garments

Because Yan Qing had already inquired thoroughly beforehand. The Li family had been deceived out of a considerable amount of money for this tiger wall.

"Is it just a bit of money? Li Dachui, how can you still complain that the paintings posted by this master are not professional enough? Nonsense! If this master says two, no one dares to claim the first..." At this moment, a middle-aged man with a red nose walked by, angrily spitting as he spoke.

"It's you, come here, throw him out for me!" Li Dachui glanced and without a second thought ordered his subordinates to beat the person up

Soon, a white jade wall measuring only half a meter was brought in by the subordinates, along with the already carved fragments of a tiger sculpture that had been prepared earlier.

"You brat, come back here, I haven't finished speaking yet," Master Zhang shouted angrily as he caught sight of Yan Qing's robe corner when he turned a corner.

Strange, where is everyone

Who in Beijing does not know that the paintings I, Zhang Dasan, have posted are the best? If I, a master at the Beijing Institute of Arts and Crafts, were to say I rank second, no one would dare to claim the first place

Yan Qing could not help but feel a bit despondent. He stood at the crossroad, imbued with an air of antiquity, feeling somewhat bewildered, as if he were absurdly contemplating a re-evaluation of his life's path

"Wait, are you serious?" Li Dachui's eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by Yan Qing's decisive actions.

However, there is a massive stone wall directly in front of the main entrance

"Without three points, I dare not go to the Li family; this is eighty taels of silver. If I, Yan Qing, am unable to do it, I will compensate you all." With a loud thud, Yan Qing threw the bag of silver onto the ground.

Hmph, why ask so many questions? If this master cannot produce a painting today that satisfies your master, then this thirty taels of silver will be spent on drinks for the two of you.

"Two gentlemen, I am here to apply for the position of poster artist," Yan Qing adjusted his robe

The man at the front had a scruffy beard and was wearing a gold-embroidered official's hat. He appeared somewhat out of place; this person was essentially dressed like a nouveau riche.

Some tiger hairs still need to be embedded individually. They are about the size of a needle's eye, and if not handled carefully, they can break immediately. No wonder so many artisans have failed.

Your sister is a fool, and so are your ancestors for eight generations. Zhang Dasan used the phrase 'your sister is a fool' three times in a row, which shows just how high his level of anger is.

This means that a complete sample should be presented for inspection first, and if it meets satisfaction, then formal work can commence

"Which craft institute in the capital are you from? What level of artisan are you, and who is your master?" The tall, thin guard looked at Yan Qing, finding him too young, and then glanced at his plain clothing, concluding that he did not appear to be a person of status. Therefore, he clearly looked down on him.

Hehe, this is the technique of this master. Ordinary people cannot do this. Are you at ease now? Yan Qing puffed out his chest, raised his head high, and with one hand behind him, he displayed the demeanor of a master once again

Master Zhang had just finished scolding when he turned around and saw that the young man who had just looked at him with an expression of utmost admiration had vanished without a trace

Upon inquiring, it is known that Li Dachui is extraordinarily wealthy, and even in the affluent Ba Zi Alley of the capital, where rich individuals are as numerous as dogs, he is quite renowned

The wealthy family in Bazixiang has some money. They asked me to go and paste a tiger painting for them, seeking help from all sides.

Yan Qing did not hesitate, after examining for a while, he began to work swiftly, his hands never stopping. It was as if he were performing a snake dance with great agility. Before long, utilizing Master Dong's wall painting skills, he pieced together a vividly lifelike image of a small tiger.

What a pair of dog servants

I am indeed the one." Yan Qing straightened his chest, wearing a calm expression.

Moreover, the two guards, who appeared arrogant and domineering, surprisingly possessed skills at the fourth level. Given that the gatekeeper had such abilities, the head of the guards must at least be a formidable expert at the eighth or ninth level, or even at the tenth level.

"That is the price of other artists; this master is different from them. Six thousand taels, and if it is even a single coin less, this master will turn and leave," Yan Qing said, adopting a posture that suggested he was ready to walk away at any moment.

It has been nearly two hours of wandering, and the visible wages for laborers will not exceed one hundred coins a day, with the highest being for corpse bearers

Not long after, that fellow, panting heavily, respectfully welcomed Yan Qing into the residence

"You may strike, but this tiger wall of yours will forever remain empty." Yan Qing let out a cold laugh and turned to leave.

After the result was assembled, they insisted they were not satisfied. 500 taels were reduced to 250 taels