Prodigal Son (Part 1)

For modern counterfeiting, they definitely wouldn't use bone to make holes. They use electric tools or small knives, which create spiral patterns. This certainly didn't exist during the Hongshan culture period.

As for polishing, people back then used animal hides or jade-cutting sand, rubbing repeatedly on the jade ware to polish it. During the rubbing process, fat from the animal hides would be released and adhere to the surface of the jade ware, making it brighter and more lustrous.

Nowadays, people use electric mechanical polishing methods. First, they use an electric plastic brush for the initial polish, also called rough polishing. Then, they use a "bristle" brush for the second polish, and finally, a cotton brush for fine polishing. Some counterfeiters also use animal hides or jade-cutting sand, rubbing repeatedly on the jade ware.

Even if these two methods are done well, they can't achieve the effect of genuine Hongshan jade ware. You can usually tell with a magnifying glass. Old Zhou, from beginning to end, didn't even take out a magnifying glass. The result is predictable.

Let's talk about "seeing more." If Old Zhou had researched more, he would have known that from the 1970s and 80s to the present, only three Jade pig dragons have been excavated. A few others were previously mistaken for beast-shaped jade ware from the Shang and Zhou dynasties and were collected by museums.

After the Niulianghe Hongshan Culture Site was excavated, these beast-shaped jade wares were finally confirmed as Hongshan culture Jade pig dragons. Additionally, a few others were collected from the public, bringing the total to about twenty. If we consider the number of stone cairn tombs discovered so far, a hundred Jade pig dragons would likely be the maximum.

With such a scarce quantity, to have one casually appear in the hands of a peasant "woman," anyone with even a little knowledge in this area would know that such a situation requires extreme caution.

The most crucial point is that if he had researched the market more, he would have known that the Jade pig dragon he bought was identical in shape to one sold at an autumn auction last year. Because of this, when he asked someone to appraise it, the master appraiser just laughed.

In fact, business people in the antiques trade are all shrewd. They can make the dead seem alive, and spin any story. Even Old Zhou has done this sort of thing many times.

So, for newcomers entering the antiques trade, making a mistake isn't scary, and stepping on a "landmine" is the same. But as long as you're not greedy, even if you make a mistake or step on a "landmine," the loss usually won't be much, and it won't cripple you. Moreover, you can learn from it. This is how one learns from experience in the antiques trade.

However, once greed sets in, losing your fortune might not be far off. And Old Zhou is a living example of this.

"Sigh, Old Zhou, that guy is really desperate for money!"

After hearing Boss Feng's account, Chu Chen couldn't help but sigh. However, he wasn't surprised by Old Zhou's end, as it was due to his personality. He valued money and profit too much, otherwise, he wouldn't have "taken advantage of a friend" back then.

"Young man, you're a bit late. Old Zhou's shop and all its merchandise were transferred yesterday by his prodigal son." Boss Feng shook his head and sighed.

Hearing this, Chu Chen was speechless. He had heard about Old Zhou's son; he was a complete prodigal son. His prodigality wasn't like others who indulge in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling, but rather in antiques.

Since Old Zhou was also in the antiques business, how could his son be a prodigal son in antiques? It's because Old Zhou's son insisted on collecting ancient jade instead of studying calligraphy and painting appraisal with Old Zhou. This wouldn't be a problem if he had studied diligently; he could have succeeded. However, he only learned a little, just the superficial aspects, and then thought he was very knowledgeable.

The ancient jade market, arguably the biggest area for fakes and counterfeits in the antiques trade, is where Old Zhou's son, with his superficial knowledge, not even a second-rate appraiser, plunged headfirst. The outcome is predictable.

Some newcomers in the antiques trade are good at summarizing their experiences. After making a mistake, they learn from it, and their knowledge improves. However, a small portion of them not only fail to learn from their mistakes but also believe everyone else is wrong and only trust their own opinions. Such people can be considered possessed; no matter how many mistakes they make, it won't be enough.

Old Zhou's son is exactly that kind of person. Because of this, many of Old Zhou's family assets were squandered by him, and even Old Zhou's wife was angered to death. Yet, Old Zhou's son remained stubborn. In anger, Old Zhou simply stopped caring and cut off his financial support.

In fact, Old Zhou's current predicament also has something to do with his son. After all, his son is no longer young, and parents always want their children to establish themselves. For his son, Old Zhou wanted to save more money so that his son's future life would be secure after he was gone.

However, Chu Chen felt that with Old Zhou's son's personality, any amount of money would be squandered. Look, it's only been a few days since Old Zhou died, and the shop and everything else have already been sold. The money he gets will likely be used to dabble in his ancient jade again.

"Sigh, even though his son is like this, he still had some friendship with Old Zhou, so I should still go pay my respects."

Thinking this, Chu Chen called Uncle Wu and told him about the matter again.

When Uncle Wu heard the news, he initially couldn't believe it. After hearing the whole story, he sighed with emotion. At the end of the call, he told Chu Chen to stay at Baoguo Temple and that he would rush over to meet him so they could go to Old Zhou's house together to pay their respects.

Seeing Chu Chen finish his call, Boss Feng asked him, "Young man, did you come to Old Zhou's to get some merchandise? Why don't you come and take a look at mine?"

Chu Chen smiled faintly. Boss Feng probably told him so much because he saw a potential business opportunity. However, it didn't matter where he got his merchandise from, as long as it met his requirements and the price was right. So, he smiled and said, "Boss Feng, my name is Chu Chen, you can call me Xiao Chu. I did come to Old Zhou's to get some merchandise, but my requirements are quite high. At least, it has to catch my eye, otherwise..."

"Heh, Xiao Chu, I understand what you mean. To be honest, Old Zhou's merchandise is indeed exquisite, but mine isn't bad either. Words are cheap, let's take a look. If you really don't like it, we can still be friends, right?" With that, Boss Feng led Chu Chen inside.

Boss Feng wasn't exaggerating. The calligraphy and painting in his shop were indeed not inferior to Old Zhou's. One corner was filled with works by teachers and students from the Beijing Academy of Fine Arts. He said that he collaborated with some teachers and students: he provided the space, and they provided the artworks. After selling them, they would split the profits proportionally.

After looking around, Chu Chen finally selected three artworks: a landscape, a Three Sheep Opening Prosperity, and a peony painting. They were all quite well done. The artists were also somewhat famous. He spent three thousand two hundred yuan, which was a reasonable price compared to the artworks. He should be able to make at least double the profit.

"Okay, Boss Feng's items are indeed good. Let's exchange ideas often in the future. If you have any good works, please let me know." Chu Chen said with a smile, handing him a business card.

Chu Chen's smooth transaction made Boss Feng very happy. Such customers are what business people like most. He exchanged business cards with Chu Chen and agreed, "Certainly!"

At this moment, Uncle Wu's call also came through. Chu Chen quickly said goodbye.

Old Zhou's family now lives in a house passed down from his ancestors, located near a bus station in the southern part of the city. Many freelancers live in this area, which is somewhat dirty and messy, giving it a slum-like feel.

Old Zhou lives here now because of his son's prodigality. Previously, besides this place, his family also had property on Uncle Wu's side. It was precisely because Old Zhou's son borrowed money to buy antiques and lost heavily that Old Zhou had to sell that property to pay off debts.

Given this situation, it's no wonder Old Zhou was so focused on money, leading to the previous tragedy.

"Knock, knock, knock."

It was only the third day after Old Zhou's death, but the door to Old Zhou's house was tightly shut. Uncle Wu went up and knocked.

"Who is it?!"

An impatient voice came from inside. After a while, the person inside opened the door.

The one who opened the door was a man in his early thirties, Old Zhou's son, Zhou Jude. Speaking of which, this name was quite ironic compared to his usual behavior. He was not only not gathering virtue but was scattering it. When he saw Uncle Wu and Chu Chen standing at the door, his impatient expression forced out a smile.

"Oh, it's Uncle Wu. Are you here to pay respects to my father?"

Uncle Wu looked at his expression and was displeased. "I say, Little Zhou, your father passed away, and you didn't even call me. If Xiao Chen hadn't gotten the news at your father's shop today, I wouldn't have known!"

Little Zhou led them into the house, saying as they walked, "Uncle Wu, I had no choice. My father passed away suddenly, and he didn't leave me anything. My aunt came when the cremation happened, dropped off a thousand yuan, and left. With just this money and a little from home, we could barely afford a grave, let alone a funeral!"

Hearing this, Chu Chen thought to himself, you angered your mother to death, would your aunt help you with the funeral? With you like this, it's good that he left you anything.

Uncle Wu listened and said somewhat irritably, "So you didn't notify anyone?"

The three walked through the courtyard and entered Old Zhou's former living quarters. Now, besides a simple mourning hall, it had been cleaned out completely. Seeing this, Chu Chen couldn't help but think to himself, truly a prodigal son!