Meng Haichuan pointed at the painting and said:
"Boss Li, I felt like we were old friends the moment we met, so I won't beat around the bush. This is a fine painting, something rare among Master Qi's works that have come to light.
"The only pity is that it's a little small. But that's understandable, since Master Qi rarely painted large pieces. As for the price, I'll offer you ten thousand per square chi. How does that sound?"
The painting was less than five square chi, so at Meng Haichuan's price, it would fetch a little over forty thousand yuan.
Li Long shook his head and said:
"Boss Meng, if this is how you're going to price everything else, we might as well forget the deal. By your own account, this Lotus Painting is one of Qi the Painter's finest works.
"We may live out on the northwestern frontier, but we know Qi the Painter's reputation. I won't discuss anything below three hundred thousand for this painting."
Li Long had named an exorbitant price. Meng Haichuan wasn't annoyed yet, but the two men beside him were unhappy.
Meng Haichuan didn't let them speak, however. Instead, he said unhurriedly:
"Boss Li, I understand how you feel, but let's be clear about this. The year before last, this painting could have sold for five hundred thousand, never mind three hundred thousand.
"Nineteen ninety-four was the peak year for Master Qi's paintings. His auctioned works averaged a hundred thousand yuan per square chi.
"But starting last year, large numbers of paintings flooded the market. Add to that collectors and investors becoming more rational, and prices began to fall. This year, the market has really entered a deep freeze, with the average below twenty thousand..."
Meng Haichuan spoke with great sincerity, and his