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Chapter 73: Honesty
Chapter 73: Honesty
Antique calligraphy and paintings will definitely increase in value, especially ancient paintings. As long as they are authentic masterpieces, their value will increase by hundreds or even thousands of times in two to three decades!
Lu Jiaxin said, "If the other party refuses to sell their collection, it's fine if I can't buy it back. But if they want to sell, and I don't have enough money, I can help find a buyer at that time to ensure these treasures don't end up abroad."
Even if the price increases a thousandfold, she could afford to buy them back in the future. Foreseeing the future was her biggest trump card.
Xue Mao, who had been quiet all this time, interjected, "But if we sell them to Hong Kong merchants, and they take them back to Hong Kong, isn't that equivalent to losing our national treasures abroad?"
Lu Jiaxin rolled her eyes. "In the future, read more books. Otherwise, if people find out how ignorant you are, they won't want to associate with you either."
After saying that, she explained, "Hong Kong is part of our country. It was only leased to Britain eighty-something years ago, and we will take it back in another thirteen years. So, the people of Hong Kong are our compatriots, and selling to them is like passing it from the left hand to the right—it's still within our country."
Xue Mao regretted speaking up. Just the mention of reading made his head hurt, let alone having to attend classes.
Gu Wenfeng was quite satisfied, but he didn't immediately give a reply. "Miss Lu, this is a big matter, and I can't make the decision alone. I need to report it to my superiors first."
Lu Jiaxin secretly thought that it was a good thing she didn't plan to work within the system. There were too many rules, and many people were stubborn and difficult to work with, making it challenging to get things done.
After they had discussed everything, Gu Wenfeng started to take the ceramics downstairs, one by one. It was a hassle to transport ceramics; otherwise, she would have loved to take the double-eared porcelain vase home to use for flower arrangement.
Xue Mao asked, "Sister, when you go to Pengcheng to sell the paintings, what will you say if someone asks about them?"
Lu Jiaxin didn't think this was a problem at all. "Tomorrow, we'll go to the antique market and pick out some calligraphy, paintings, and porcelain vases for decoration. When buying the paintings, I'll pretend that I accidentally discovered a masterpiece by a famous artist. To make more money, I'll go to Pengcheng."
She planned to use the purchased crafts as decorations, while keeping the paintings hidden. Her house had a vegetable cellar, previously used by the previous owner for storing vegetables. For now, the ink sticks and inkstones would be stored there. She wasn't sure if the banks in Beijing currently offered safe deposit box services. If they did, she could store her valuables there once she earned more money. If not, she would have to find a hidden place to keep them safe.
After they had everything planned out, Gu Wenfeng offered another suggestion. "Miss Lu, after we leave, those two families will definitely sneak into the house. I think it's best if you find someone to help watch the house."
Lu Jiaxin indicated that she didn't know anyone reliable.
Gu Wenfeng quickly added, "If you trust me, I can help you find someone. No need to pay them a salary; just providing them with two rooms will be enough."
"Brother Gu, you're joking. If I can't even trust you, then I really don't know who to trust," Lu Jiaxin replied.
The next day, Gu Wenfeng left early. Lu Jiaxin wanted to go to the antique market with Xue Mao, but he disagreed, worried that thieves might break in and steal all their newfound treasures while they were away.
As she couldn't persuade him otherwise, Lu Jiaxin had no choice but to stay home.
Xue Mao curiously asked, "Sister, how much do you think you can sell a painting for?"
Knowing his poor mental fortitude, Lu Jiaxin replied, "At least 20,000 yuan."
This time, she planned to bring along the ink wash painting, the Longevity Celebration painting, and the five-clawed dragon ink block. Her asking price for each painting was 50,000 yuan. However, for a painting like the one by Zhao Ji, she wouldn't sell it even if someone offered her a million yuan right now. Once such a renowned masterpiece was sold, it would be impossible to buy it back.
Xue Mao stammered, "Th-that much?"
Twenty thousand yuan for one painting, and there were five paintings—that added up to a hundred thousand yuan! If these were stolen... With that thought, Xue Mao decided that he should guard these treasures at all times.
Seeing his reaction, Lu Jiaxin couldn't help but find it amusing. "Xue Mao, to those who don't understand, these items are no different from the cheap New Year paintings sold on the roadside for a few cents each. Don't be nervous. Just like me and Brother Gu, treat these things as ordinary objects. Your nervousness will only attract suspicion. If we draw the attention of those with ill intentions in Beijing, we won't be able to protect these treasures."
After a moment of silence, Xue Mao thought it over and said, "Sister, those two families aren't honest. It's better to be cautious. Before we return to Beijing, we must always have someone in the house."
Lu Jiaxin knew his temperament and reluctantly agreed. Fortunately, Gu Wenfeng had connections in the city, and this person seemed quite capable. Hopefully, they wouldn't have to wait too long for a ride.
Gu Wenfeng didn't return until after three in the afternoon, but he brought two pieces of good news. First, Xie Kaixiao agreed to let him accompany Lu Jiaxin to Pengcheng. Second, he had found a ride—a large cargo truck that would be delivering goods to Beijing in two days, and Xue Mao could hitch a ride back with them.
His efficiency was impressive.
"Miss Lu," Gu Wenfeng said, "I need to deliver those eight boxes of books to a designated location. However, I can't transport them in the large wooden boxes, as it might arouse suspicion. We'll put the books in gunny sacks and use a pushcart to move them out."
The reason he didn't directly move the camphorwood boxes was that the neighbors and the two branches of the Sun family knew about the various purchases they had made recently. Suddenly moving out several large camphorwood boxes would definitely raise suspicions. Once someone guessed the truth, who knew what crazy things these people might do.
Gu Wenfeng brought twenty gunny sacks. They first packed the books into the sacks, and the remaining sacks were used for trash. It was fortunate that there was a lot of trash from the house renovation, so it wouldn't arouse any suspicion.
Lu Jiaxin cooperated fully and also suggested putting the boxes back into the secret passageway. "Brother Gu, after we put the boxes into the secret passageway, we can rebuild the kang bed."
That afternoon, they finished rebuilding the kang bed. The next day, Gu Wenfeng and Xue Mao mixed the books and Xuan paper among the construction waste and transported them out. Two hours later, they returned with six baskets of fruit.
After the fruit was brought in, the three of them started working again. They first wrapped each ink block and inkstone tightly with oil paper and then took out most of the fruit to store these oil-paper packages among the fruit. As for the three paintings, Xue Mao kept them in a luggage bag, close to his body.
It was already past five o'clock by the time they finished preparing everything. Xue Mao went into the kitchen to cook, while Gu Wenfeng, who couldn't stay idle, started tidying up the courtyard.
Lu Jiaxin felt a bit guilty about resting, so she offered to help, but Gu Wenfeng stopped her. "No need. You can go inside and rest."
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "This work isn't heavy. I'm fine."
Gu Wenfeng was truly afraid that she might get hurt, as the wooden boards were quite heavy. "Go to the kitchen and help Xue Mao. I'm a bit hungry."
Lu Jiaxin was also feeling a bit hungry, so she turned and went to the kitchen to help.
After dinner, Gu Wenfeng moved the wood into the firewood room, as they could be used as fuel. The carved wooden boards were cleaned and stored inside the house.
Xue Mao, after cleaning up the kitchen, joined them in tidying up the courtyard. Lu Jiaxin sighed, feeling that people nowadays were so diligent. She, on the other hand, felt lazy and preferred to sit down and relax.
(End of Chapter)
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