Volume One, Chapter 18: Genuine or Counterfeit

Chu Ming turned to the staff and instructed, “Please fetch a hair dryer, and also bring some alcohol.”

Hearing this, the staff member instinctively glanced at Fu Donghai.

Only after seeing Fu Donghai nod did the staff member quickly head backstage, soon returning with a hair dryer and some alcohol.

Chu Ming first used the hair dryer to remove the jade dust from the surface of the pendant, then carefully cleaned it with alcohol. Once the jade was thoroughly cleaned, a carved landscape of rivers and mountains emerged upon its surface.

Under the light, the patterns of majestic mountains and endless rivers became vividly clear; the overlapping peaks were exquisitely rendered—“masterpiece” would not be an exaggeration.

For a moment, everyone in the auction hall was utterly stunned. Tang Songyun, President of the Donghai Antique Dealers’ Association, even sprang to his feet in excitement.

“Could this... could this be the famed ‘Rivers and Mountains of Ten Thousand Miles’ jade carving, crafted by the Ming dynasty master Lu Zigang?”

“It’s rumored that this jade pendant was carved by Lu Zigang for the emperor himself. Though no bigger than a palm, it contains the whole realm within, its craftsmanship so astonishing it is said to be peerless—there’s only one such piece in existence, its value beyond measure!”

Tang Songyun’s renown in the world of antiquities was well-established; otherwise, he could never have attained his current position. His personal collection alone rivaled that of the Donghai City Museum.

With his assessment, the extraordinary nature of the jade pendant was confirmed beyond doubt.

Instantly, fervent discussions broke out across the auction hall—some envied, others regretted, and more than a few slapped their thighs in frustration, hating themselves for not bidding on the pendant.

As for Zhao Feng and Wang Qi, they looked as if they’d swallowed a fly. They cared little for the pendant’s value; what truly irked them was failing to trip up Chu Ming as planned.

Fu Donghai’s expression remained calm as he observed Chu Ming, though his thoughts were impossible to discern.

When the discussion finally died down, Fu Donghai coughed twice and said, “Everyone, please quiet down. I’m glad this gentleman has uncovered the pendant’s secret, but we must carry on with the auction. Sir, please return to your seat.”

Chu Ming nodded and, taking the pendant, returned to his seat.

Though the episode with the jade pendant had left everyone astounded, the auction had to continue. Under Fu Donghai’s guidance, the next item was soon brought onto the stage.

As Fu Donghai unveiled the red cloth, a Tang dynasty sancai-glazed horse appeared before the crowd.

At once, lively murmurs swept through the hall again.

Fu Donghai raised his hand slightly, and the noise gradually subsided. He then announced the starting bid for the sancai horse.

Chu Ming gazed at the sancai horse before Fu Donghai, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing at his lips.

There were many counterfeits of Tang sancai horses, and the one before him was just such a forgery. However, the craftsmanship was so refined that only a true expert could see through it. If Chu Ming hadn’t once examined an identical genuine piece, even he might not have been able to tell the difference.

Fu Donghai had barely announced the starting price when the bids for the sancai horse soared to ten million. The bidders’ enthusiasm only continued to build, promising an even higher final price.

Twenty million, thirty million...

The bids for the sancai horse climbed nearly vertically.

Glancing over at Zhao Feng and Wang Qi, Chu Ming suddenly had an idea.

A moment later, he raised his paddle and called out, “Thirty-one million.”

Zhao Feng and Wang Qi hadn’t been especially interested in the sancai horse—but seeing Chu Ming bidding, everything changed for them.

In their eyes, Chu Ming’s earlier success with the jade pendant proved he must possess exceptional skills in assessing antiquities—after all, even the president of the Donghai Antique Dealers’ Association had missed its value, yet Chu Ming dared to pay a high price and was adamant about its worth. Clearly, Chu Ming’s abilities surpassed even Tang Songyun’s.

Now that Chu Ming was bidding on the sancai horse, it likely meant this piece too was of extraordinary value.

In short, following Chu Ming’s lead in bidding seemed a sure path to success; perhaps the next great bargain would be theirs.

Without hesitation, Wang Qi raised his paddle and called, “Thirty-two million.”

Chu Ming immediately countered, “Thirty-five million.”

Having witnessed Chu Ming’s earlier windfall, Yun Xueyan didn’t try to stop him this time.

But Zhao Feng and Wang Qi, seeing Chu Ming continue to raise his bid without pause, quickly joined the fray.

Soon, the auction hall echoed only with the voices of Chu Ming, Zhao Feng, and Wang Qi; no one else could get a word in edgewise.

With their relentless bidding, the price of the sancai horse soared to one hundred million.

Yun Xueyan, furious at Zhao Feng and Wang Qi’s relentless price war, snapped, “Wang Qi, Zhao Feng, this is beneath you! Deliberately driving up the price—have you no shame as scions of great families?”

Wang Qi and Zhao Feng merely sneered in response.

Wang Qi replied, “The rule of auctions has always been that the highest bidder wins. What, didn’t you know? I’m free to bid however I please—how is that driving up the price?”

Zhao Feng echoed, “Wang’s right—this is how auctions work. If you can’t afford it, withdraw from the bidding. Don’t slander others.”

Yun Xueyan wanted to retort, but Chu Ming stopped her.

Lowering his voice, Chu Ming whispered in her ear, “Xueyan, since they want it so badly, let them have it. It’s not worth much anyway.”

Her eyes widened in surprise and confusion at Chu Ming’s words.

He offered no further explanation, but instead looked at Wang Qi and Zhao Feng, a meaningful smile on his lips. “If you want the sancai horse so much, I’ll leave it to you.”

Seeing this, Zhao Feng and Wang Qi were suddenly filled with a sense of foreboding.

But at that moment, Fu Donghai’s gavel fell.

One hundred million!

The highest price at the auction thus far.

Wang Qi cursed under his breath, then hurriedly turned to Tang Songyun and said respectfully, “President Tang, I know nothing of antiques—you’re the expert. Would you be so kind as to take a look?”

Tang Songyun nodded, “You flatter me, Young Master Wang. I know only a little myself.”

Despite his modest words, Tang Songyun approached the sancai horse.

After examining it for a while, his brows knit tightly. “Young Master Wang, in my experience, the provenance of this sancai horse still requires investigation, so...”

Though he left his sentence unfinished, the implication was clear enough—Wang Qi could not fail to grasp it.