Chapter 6: Earning a Fortune

However, this matter makes it difficult for me to speak, and I truly find it hard to open my mouth

As Zhang Heng spoke, the anxiety that had been lodged in his throat finally subsided

The shopkeeper picked up the jade Guanyin and examined it carefully under the sunlight: "This carving must have been done by a master craftsman, but such exquisite jade is beyond the skill of an ordinary master. At the very least, one would need to invite a jade master to do it. If a master cannot be invited, it is unwise to carve blindly. It is better to wait; for such a precious treasure, waiting three to five years is worth it! What a pity, what a pity.

The shopkeeper is somewhat hesitant, as both Da and Er Kui are armed, and they certainly do not appear to be good-natured individuals

This statue of the Jade Guanyin was custom-made by him at a jade shop for 30,000 yuan, and it is a high-quality imitation

You are just being picky; if you go elsewhere, there are probably not many that can exceed fifty thousand.

Mr. Heng, you must keep your word. When my younger brother finds someone he loves in the future, you cannot ignore him.

Hiss!

A rootless duckweed, it is at the mercy of several local ruffians who have taken a fancy to it

Good treasure, rare item

The shopkeeper did not dare to pick it up immediately; instead, he first took out a magnifying glass to observe it carefully and gently touched the jade body.

The shopkeeper first washed his hands, then carefully dried them, and only then did he cautiously open the box

It is merely a counterfeit, yet it is worth around 30,000 to 50,000.

Among those who can run a pawnshop, there are a few who are simple individuals

As soon as the box was opened, the shopkeeper gasped in shock

The shopkeeper said, "The water has arrived"

What is the reputation like, and what forces are behind it

Compared to the blushing Xiao Kui, this older brother, Da Kui, is much more astute

Xiao Kui appears to be around sixteen or seventeen years old

You were lucky the first time, what about the second, third, and fourth times

Then who are you

No problem, you can contact me then

He had long heard of the great name of Zhang Heng, knowing that he was a distinguished gentleman from the South Seas, and it was likely that the fortune of himself and his brother was tied to this esteemed Lord Heng

It is to say that it lacks fame; if it were during the time of the Empress Dowager, it would likely have been able to enter the palace

Zhang Zhentian clasped his hands in acknowledgment and accepted this identity

After all, in ancient times, clans were the closest relationships, known for their hundred-year dynasties and thousand-year families, relying on unity

Zhang Zhentian's tone paused slightly: "It is said that the old proprietor of the Lifa Pawnshop has a daughter who is the third concubine of Commander Qi stationed in Huizhou"

Flaws are not a concern; he is not afraid of imperfections, as long as no one can discern the truth from the falsehood.

The shopkeeper panicked upon hearing: "Bandits or soldiers?"

The only aspect that seems false is this large statue of the Jade Guanyin; if it were a rare item, it would undoubtedly be a national treasure. A discerning person would immediately recognize that something is amiss.

What is this number, three hundred, three thousand, or thirty thousand

Shopkeeper, you have seen the items; if you find them satisfactory, please make an offer

It is still better to rely on the clan, advancing steadily and surely.

Compared to others, Bandit Chief Qi's acceptance of amnesty did not make Zhang Heng feel particularly apprehensive

Zhang Heng pondered for a moment and then made a plan, instructing: "The rest of you wait at a teahouse on East Street. Huzi, you go inquire about the weapons. Zhang Daren, Da Kui, Xiao Kui, you all come with me to the Lifa Pawnshop."

Zhang Heng set down the teacup and said, "You are not trying to make fun of me, are you?"

What a good thing

When modern instruments are used for examination at that time, it will quickly be discerned that this is carved from large pieces of artificial sheep fat jade, and is therefore a counterfeit

Zhang Heng is also very happy

East Street, Lifa Pawnshop

The reputation is acceptable, but behind it...

This craftsmanship is clearly the work of a master; such an aura cannot be replicated by machines

Zhang Heng sat on the chair and took a sip from the teacup on the table

The shopkeeper immediately became anxious upon seeing it; the item was too good, too beloved, and he simply could not bear to let Zhang Heng leave: "If the master jade craftsman were to take action, this statue of Guanyin could be worth 100,000 silver dollars, but it is not, and the fool has ruined the treasure."

In the afternoon, everyone arrived at the county town, and the first question Zhang Heng asked was about the pawnshop

Team Leader Qi

Shopkeeper, something is wrong; armed men have surrounded our shop

None of them are.

Saying this, Zhang Heng took out a bamboo box and placed it on the table, indicating to the shopkeeper that he could take a look.

Zhang Heng watched anxiously from the side

Zhang Zhentian answered without a moment's thought

Zhang Heng replied: "Brought back from the South Seas"

Because Commander Qi has just joined the Guangdong Army, he is currently in a position where he must be cautious and cannot leave his station without permission. Moreover, Huizhou is eight hundred miles away from Yangjiang, so who the hell cares about a bandit leader eight hundred miles away

Armed with a gun

The young lad is an apprentice, appearing to be around fifteen or sixteen years old

You have also seen that the outside is currently in chaos, what is truly valuable are real gold and silver; antiques and jade are not very sought after, unless one encounters something they genuinely like, otherwise it cannot fetch that price

In the former case, you have no grounds to argue, while in the latter, one can only incur financial loss to avert disaster

The shopkeeper is a person of stature, so he certainly knows about the Zhang family in Daguo Town

Zhang Heng led everyone into the pawnshop

It has only been a few days since their return, and already there are five available individuals: Zhang Zhentian, Zhang Dadan, Zhang Zhenhu, Da Kui, and Xiao Kui

Lift the beaded curtain

Zhang Heng furrowed his brows and asked, "Which Team Leader Qi?"

However, in this era, at the age of sixteen or seventeen, one is already considered an adult and can marry a wife

They run a pawnshop and are not afraid of local thugs, but they fear armed officials and bandits

It is not difficult to find a bride; this time you two brothers have four dollars. If you have your eye on any girl from a family, just let me know, and I will act as your matchmaker

In view, there is a wooden box placed inside the case, and within the box is a statue of Guanyin made of fine white jade, standing at a height of 8 inches

Change the tea, go and exchange for good tea

The newly formed Second Army of the Guangdong Army, however, this Commander Qi comes from a bandit background and was appointed as a commander after being pacified. Zhang Zhentian paused and said: After Xu Zhichong established the Second Army of the Guangdong Army, he conferred an official title on him to win him over, which has only been the case in recent months

How could I dare!

The store claims that it is a high-quality imitation of Hetian mutton fat jade. Although the jade is artificially synthesized, it is virtually indistinguishable without modern instruments

My name is Zhang Heng, I hail from the Zhang family in Daguo Town, and I have just returned from the Nanyang region.

The shopkeeper, with a sidelong glance at the Jade Guanyin, reluctantly said: "In principle, I buy and you sell, so I should belittle you to the utmost, rendering you worthless, in order to make my offer."

The shopkeeper pondered for a moment and asserted, "How about this? I don't have much money in my shop, only 30,000. Why don't you wait for a while? I will go find and borrow some to make it up to 50,000 for you"

A bandit leader who has been subdued is still not in sight

The shopkeeper hurriedly waved his hand at the young assistant, and after the assistant left, he extended three fingers: "How about this number?"

After hearing the sound, I looked at the two brothers, Big and Small Kui, and then glanced at the four Zhang clan members standing at the door with their guns. I whispered, "Is Old Master Zhang Dahai doing well?"

That is my father

The item is of good quality, but unfortunately, the carving is not sufficient and it still lacks a bit of refinement

Inside the Li Fa Pawnshop, the shopkeeper was taking a nap at the table when he was awakened by a young assistant

In this day and age, it is fundamentally impossible to operate a pawnshop without connections to both the military and political spheres

Where is the largest pawnshop in the county town

Whether it is the fineness of the material itself or the tactile sensation after handling, it is indistinguishable from genuine Hetian mutton fat jade

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper felt a sense of relief and, while calling for the assistant to fetch a copper basin, he flattered, saying: "This precious item cannot be handled carelessly; otherwise, if it gets dirty or wrinkled, the visiting guests will not be forgiving."

The shopkeeper sighed repeatedly, then could not help but ask, "Where did this thing come from?"

Zhang Heng remained silent

Unless one is like certain protagonists in novels, who encounter trouble and are immediately aided by benefactors, experiencing various shocks and face-slapping moments, otherwise the level of danger is too high

In addition to the thirty individuals behind me, the framework for establishing the militia in the future is also in place. This is certainly more sensible than foolishly carrying a box of jewelry and trying to find a pawnshop on my own

I am currently in a bit of a financial bind. I have heard that Li Fa Pawnshop has the best reputation. Coincidentally, I have a valuable item on hand. Could you help me assess its worth?