Chapter 260 Antique Life

When Jia Sidao and Uncle Zhou sat upright and were about to continue waiting for Mr. Ma to say this, Mr. Ma turned his head and looked at the furnishings in his study. This time, his actions were obviously much more obvious than when he was squinting his eyes and checking. After a circle, he pointed to a stone inkstone alone and asked indifferently: "Xiao Jia, you mentioned just now that you are still a little interested in porcelain and the four treasures of the study. Then, I agree that you are a businessman. Since you have come to the old man's house, I guess I hope that this old guy, and those people from the antique street, will you make a squeak?"

Seeing that Jia Sidao and Uncle Zhou nodded seriously, Ma Ye didn't care and continued, "So, I'll follow the rules and ask, can you tell me the origin of this stone inkstone?"

Suddenly, Uncle Zhou's face became a little loose. Not only Uncle Zhou, but also Jia Sidao's expression was slightly stunned. Speaking of which, just as Ma Ye pointed at the square stone inkstone, a bad idea suddenly appeared in Jia Sidao's heart.

Sure enough, Jia Sidao here hadn't made any sense yet, so Mr. Ma asked directly.

Before coming here, Uncle Zhou guessed that Ma might ask questions and test Jia Sidao. After all, any words on his mouth are not as true as the actual questions and tests! Therefore, after Jia Sidao asked about Ma's interests and hobbies, Uncle Zhou suggested that Jia Sidao go and take a look at the information on this area. Jia Sidao did the same, and came to cram for a while and stayed at home to read the information about stationery supplies for a day.

Although it may not be useful, it is also a prudent and prepared for any trouble!

It's so good now that I really need to use this information and talk. Jia Sidao's heart is still very unsure.

Looking up at the place indicated by Ma Ye's hand, on the bookshelf near the wall, there was one of the dozen squares of inkstones, which looked very plain in comparison. It can be said that among so many inkstones, it was very conspicuous. Looking at that look, Jia Sidao compared the information he had viewed in his heart, and vaguely felt that he had seen something similar. However, the specific name was a bit indescribable. Not to mention the origin of this inkstone.

"Master Ma, there are quite a variety of things like inkstones. Moreover, there have been many stories about inkstones since ancient times." Uncle Zhou said in a joke, "If you really understand the tricks, it may be difficult to get started without three or five years, right?" However, as he spoke, even Uncle Zhou himself could not continue.

Just as Uncle Zhou was about to confess to Ma Ye, Jia Sidao slapped his forehead and shouted: "By the way, this should be a Chengni inkstone."

When Ma and Uncle Zhou heard this, their eyes lit up at the same time. Ma naturally couldn't imagine that Jia Sidao was really a little bit worthy and could say the name of the inkstone. At least it could not be said that Jia Sidao had no research on the inkstone, and naturally he could not assert that what Jia Sidao said before was quite interested in stationery equipment, which was a reckless word. Uncle Zhou was glad in his heart, and fortunately Jia Sidao knew a little. Looking at Ma's expression, the smile at the corner of Uncle Zhou's eyes became thicker. Thinking that this inkstone should be the so-called Chengni inkstone.

If Mr. Ma asks more details, Jia Sidao can completely shirk it, saying that he is a novice, and the specific details are not clear yet. I think that when Mr. Ma knew that Jia Sidao was still a novice a few months ago, and most of the past few months have been playing gambling stones, he should have been lucky enough to pass the test.

Thinking of this, Zhou Fugui felt a little happy.

This went from gradual disappointment to sudden joy, just because of the name of the inkstone, Zhou Fugui was a little scared, and he felt that the change in his mood in just a short time was no less than the stimulation of gambling stones!

"Haha, good, good. I have some vision..." Mr. Ma was generous. Since Jia Sidao could recognize him, he could pass the test in general. Although Mr. Ma's initial question asked the origin of the inkstone, for a young man, he was not a professional inkstone, so he naturally could not be treated with high standards.

Otherwise, if you talk about it, people will think that Ma Ye is bullying the newcomer with his seniority. This is not the situation Ma Ye wants to see.

However, Jia Sidao took this opportunity to explain: "That, Mr. Ma, I am ashamed. I actually started the research and study of inkstones in recent days. In the past, I thought that things like the Four Treasures of the Study were very profound, cultural and historical. I didn't know much about the others. To be honest, I didn't have much contact with them. I'm afraid that my understanding of inkstones can be traced back to when I was a child, when the teacher forced me to practice calligraphy...."

"Xiao Jia,..." After hearing Jia Sidao's words, Zhou Fugui next to him couldn't help but shout.

In Zhou Fugui's eyes, wouldn't Jia Sidao's words destroy the good advantages that were just not easy to create?

"Haha, Uncle Zhou, what I said is the truth." Jia Sidao stopped and continued, "The reason why I just said the name of this inkstone is mainly that it is such an inkstone, which is quite famous. I think, Mr. Ma, I just took this inkstone and asked me. It shouldn't be deliberately trying to make things difficult for me, right? You know, I may not have the luck to say their names for the other inkstones, let alone their respective origins."

"Oh, it seems that Xiao Jia, you know a lot. You actually know the reputation of this inkstone. You are really interested in and researched in inkstones." Listening to Jia Sidao's narration, Ma Ye took the initiative to divert the topic.

Seeing that Mr. Ma's face gradually filled with a warm smile at Jia Sidao, Uncle Zhou's heart suddenly realized the purpose of what Jia Sidao did, and for a moment, he looked at Jia Sidao with admiration.

Judging from Ma Master’s expression now, we have undoubtedly seen that Jia Sidao has long been interested in stationery equipment. The reason why he is a little interested in it is just to suit his preferences. It is no wonder that Ma Master has used a more famous and unique inkstone to examine Jia Sidao’s eyesight.

If Jia Sidao could see the origin of the inkstone at a glance, he would naturally be telling the truth.

But the surprise of saying the name of the inkstone undoubtedly means that Jia Sidao's basic skills are not solid enough. In this way, how much Jia Sidao's attention is in Ma Ye's eyes. I'm afraid Jia Sidao's heart is also very clear about this. So, it would be better to confess directly if he hides it.

Isn’t this retreat to advance just in line with what Zhou Fugui said himself, Mr. Ma’s personality? I like it more directly. Don’t do so many twists and turns!

This can be felt from the expression on Ma Ye’s face now. If Jia Sidao hadn’t admitted on the spot, I’m afraid that this matter would be really not easy to deal with. If he had the fame he is now, he could have been in the antique industry and with Ma Ye’s eyesight, wouldn’t he still see the tricks of Jia Sidao and Zhou Fugui?

Zhou Fugui couldn't help but smile embarrassedly and said, "Master Ma, it seems that you should have seen it a long time ago, right? In fact, I told Xiao Jia what you like."

Since Jia Sidao has confessed, Zhou Fugui is not good at swaying anymore.

"You kid, you just don't learn well. Old man, I'm not as old as my eyes are dizzy." Mr. Ma smiled "hehe" and said, "I looked at the inkstone I just told me, and said with some meaning, "But you kid is still not as good as Xiao Jia. Xiao Jia's temper is more in line with my wishes... Okay, old man, I will give you a word tomorrow."

"Thank you, Mr. Ma." Jia Sidao and Zhou Fugui couldn't help but feel happy. This is really a desperate situation. There is no way out. There is another village!

"But, you two, don't be too happy too early. You still need to master as much knowledge as possible, especially basic knowledge points." Ma Ye said, and shook his head with a smile and said, "Xiao Zhou, I won't say much. They are all such a big person. I've said too much, but it seems to be over. Moreover, the person in Wei's family is going to think that old man, I'm talking too much."

"How can it be?" Zhou Fugui immediately responded to the side. The people in Wei's family naturally refer to Zhou Fugui's master, Wei Erye.

"In this regard, you don't need to say that, I am still quite self-aware, old man." Mr. Ma turned to Jia Sidao and said, "Xiao Jia, if you don't understand anything in the future or are not sure about it, you can send it directly. Old man, I can help you check it out, and this little bit of vision will still be avoided. If you go out in the future, you will be too shocked and ruin your reputation as the recommender!"

"Yes!" Jia Sidao said respectfully.

As for what Ma Ye said last, even if Ma Ye didn't need to explain, Jia Sidao knew that it was impossible to be true. It was just a step that Ma Ye found for himself. To put it bluntly, Jia Sidao's "confession" behavior this time, just like Jia Sidao's helping young people in the antique street and dealing with the group of people who were fooling around, he won Ma Ye's favor.

Otherwise, everything will be useless!

"By the way, Mr. Ma, what is the origin of this inkstone?" Jia Sidao seemed to feel like he was hitting a snake and following the stick. When Mr. Ma heard this, he laughed happily, and muttered first, saying, "You know how to pick it up."

Even Uncle Zhou next to him looked at Jia Sidao happily and secretly made a gesture of appreciation. Jia Sidao knew that he was not interested in his favor. If he didn't take this opportunity, he would get a bargain and sell something good, and when would he wait?

"Xiao Jia, you said just now that this inkstone is quite famous. So, you should also know some other famous inkstones, right?" Mr. Ma was not in a hurry to explain, but instead asked in a temptation.

"Uh, I remember, this inkstone should be one of the five famous inkstones in China, and it seems to be ranked third. As for the specific ones, I am not very clear." Because I have passed the test of Ma Ye just now, Jia Sidao's answer has been much faster. And he has always done it and says whatever he understands. If he doesn't understand, he doesn't understand. The so-called knowledge is to know it, and not knowing it is to know it! It is to know it.

In this way, it will win a lot of favor from Mr. Ma!

When Ma Ye heard this, he nodded with relief. Then he turned his attention to the inkstone and said, "Xiao Jia is right. This inkstone is indeed ranked third among the five famous inkstones in China. The eldest Duan inkstone, the second She inkstone, and the third Tao inkstone, also known as Chengni inkstone. Specifically, Chengni inkstone was in the prototype of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. The Song people's "Si Pu" records that "the ruins of Wei Tongquetai were mostly made of ancient tiles, and they were very skillful in carving them into inkstones, and the amount of water storage is not dry." Later, in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the production level of Chengni inkstone was already quite clever, and people at that time called Chengni inkstone the 'king of inkstones'."

"In this way, this inkstone was from the prosperous Tang Dynasty?" Jia Sidao asked.

"Not this." Ma Ye smiled slightly, "This Chengni inkstone is a work from the Qing Dynasty, imitating the shape of the tile in the late Han Dynasty. The ink hall is flat and shallow and concave, and the ink pond is like a crescent moon standing on the word Pingtang. Look,..." Speaking of this, Ma Ye also took the inkstone from the bookshelf, pointing his finger to the specific place, and explained, "Let's not talk about the shape of this inkstone. The patina of this inkstone is very natural, with no trace of forgery. The whole stone inkstone, whether from a distance or a close look, shows a kind of elegance, and has a kind of time that modern people cannot imitate, which is extremely rare."

Maybe it was because he was proud. As Ma said, he sighed a few words. In his mind, he seemed to have returned to the long time when he made the inkstone!

At this moment, Uncle Zhou next to him seemed to be excited and asked: "Master Ma, how much value can this inkstone be?"

Although the content of the question was a little more secular, it did not cause Ma Ye’s displeasure. He just muttered: “Xiao Zhou, you are really a businessman. I think you have not made any great progress in identifying antiques, but you are becoming more and more slick in doing business.”

"Where are there," Uncle Zhou quickly said modestly, "It's all thanks to the support of his elders."

"However, you asked right. No matter how good the antique is, it would be fine if it is used to collect it yourself. But if it is put on the market, it should naturally have its corresponding value." Mr. Ma nodded, suddenly asked Jia Si and said, "Xiao Jia, come and guess how much is my inkstone worth?"

"This, Mr. Ma, seeing that you are quite proud now, I can only say that when you put it in, this inkstone will definitely not be too expensive." Jia Sidao replied and deliberately hit the edge ball.

"You boy,..." Mr. Ma smiled happily and said, "This is indeed my bargaining work. It was collected from a street stall about five years ago. It cost less than 1,000 yuan at that time, and it cost more than 900 yuan. The main reason is that the stall owner looked at the inkstone at that time, and looked at the inkstone, and felt that he could not sell it for a good price. It was cheaper, me, the old man."

"Actually, inkstones have good benefits," Jia Sidao responded. He added in his heart, if the inkstone performs well and is very outstanding, it will not be Ma's turn to find the bargain.

"Indeed." Mr. Ma nodded affirmatively and said, "This antique is actually the same as a human being. On the surface, it is a little simpler and more elegant. As long as it is not ragged, it is still acceptable. As long as its inner background is rich, its value will be full."

Jia Sidao and Zhou Fugui naturally said they had been taught. This kind of teaching by words and deeds from the older generation was quite touching. Especially in the antique industry, such word-of-mouth transmission is even more precious.

"Okay, you two don't have to be so serious." Mr. Ma said with a mercy, "On ordinary days, like Xiao Zhouzi, it doesn't matter if you are so sloppy. It's time to show a person's integrity... Let's talk about this Chengni Inkstone. If it is an antique, it is really worth a lot of money if it is placed in the hands of ordinary players. However, if it is placed in the hands of Aiyan Collectors, it will definitely not be too priced."

As the saying goes, antiques and antiques are about a kind of background, what they play is about an emotion, and what they play is about transcending some artificially given meanings that are given to the antiques themselves.

For example, the inheritance of an antique, the history it records, and the relevant personnel engraved are far beyond the value of the antique itself! This is also the reason why the antique industry pays great attention to anything and inherits it in an orderly manner. For example, the same two pieces of porcelain, one is unknown, the other is collected in the hands of a large collector, and even some small stories have occurred between them. Then, the prices contained in them are completely different.

The prices on the market are just a reference.

Only those who love antiques, who play a certain type of thing to the extreme, face what they like, can be truly priceless treasure.
Chapter completed!