Free Web NovelChapter 147: Chapter 147: Sell for Six Million or Not
"What’s so special about it? These days, as long as animal hides are minimally processed, they can last decades without spoiling, and you just write a few characters on it and pretend it’s an antique?"
"Unless this is an animal hide from the ancient primitive era, but looking at these circles and dots you’ve drawn, did you draw them yourself?"
Shopkeeper Yu grew impatient, urging Wang Hao to leave quickly.
"My esteemed guest will be arriving soon. Don’t waste my time here, get out!" freewebnøvel.com
As soon as his words fell, a luxurious car pulled up at the door and an elderly man dressed in traditional attire stepped out.
Although the old man’s temples were gray, he appeared very energetic, and upon seeing Shopkeeper Yu, he approached with a smile and shook hands, behaving very politely.
Nowadays, there are very few who still wear traditional attire; it seems this old man still holds onto the past.
"Ah, Uncle Wen, I’ve finally been graced by your presence!"
Seeing Uncle Wen dressed in traditional attire, Shopkeeper Yu immediately put on a different face, warmly welcoming him with a smile.
Uncle Wen just politely smiled back and followed Shopkeeper Yu into the house, casting an unintentional glance at Wang Hao as he passed by him.
"Uncle Wen, look, all of these are treasures. Each one has been carefully selected, unique, guaranteed to save face if given as a gift."
As soon as they entered the room, Shopkeeper Yu couldn’t wait to start showing off the antiques he had brought in earlier.
But Uncle Wen just glanced at them and kept shaking his head.
"What’s the matter, Uncle Wen? Don’t any of these catch your eye?"
Seeing Uncle Wen shaking his head, Shopkeeper Yu started to panic, quickly stepping forward to ask.
"The recipient of this gift is very important to me, and he knows his stuff. These things are too ordinary for him," Uncle Wen couldn’t help but sigh.
Hearing this, Shopkeeper Yu’s complexion darkened, thinking that he might have been busy for nothing.
True enough, after Uncle Wen finished speaking, he turned to leave Zhenbao Hall, and nothing Shopkeeper Yu did could make him stay.
Wang Hao saw everything and thought, serves you right for being so arrogant and underestimating others—now you’re getting your just deserts!
You were the one who disdained everything at the start; now it’s your turn to be disdained!
While Wang Hao was inwardly cursing, he prepared to leave.
"Young man, please wait a moment!"
Just as Wang Hao was about to leave, Uncle Wen suddenly caught sight of the piece of animal hide in Wang Hao’s hand and called out to him.
"Could I take a look at that piece of animal hide you have there?"
Wang Hao, having gleaned that Uncle Wen was also an expert from his earlier conversation with Shopkeeper Yu, handed the animal hide over for him to examine.
Shopkeeper Yu and the vendors watched with curiosity as Uncle Wen showed such interest in this inconspicuous item.
Upon inspection, Uncle Wen frowned, sighing and shaking his head from time to time.
Seeing Uncle Wen’s expression, Shopkeeper Yu thought that the animal hide wasn’t anything special, so he stepped forward to say,
"Uncle Wen, what’s there to look at? What good can a country bumpkin possibly have? Wait for me; I’ll find you the antiques you want by tomorrow," Shopkeeper Yu assured him, thumping his chest.
"No need to trouble yourself; I have found what I want. I’ll take this!" Uncle Wen said with a smile, holding the animal hide and then turning to Wang Hao.
"Young man, name your price. I want this piece of animal hide!"
Hearing Uncle Wen say this, everyone present became solemn.
With so many treasures in Zhenbao Hall not catching his interest, why was he fixed on the piece of animal hide that Shopkeeper Yu had rejected?
And yet, he seemed as happy as if he had discovered a precious treasure.
Shopkeeper Yu was even more dumbfounded, thinking he had made a huge mistake.
If he hadn’t stopped Wang Hao earlier, no matter what the selling price of the animal hide was, he could have taken a commission. Now, Uncle Wen hadn’t taken an interest in anything in his shop.
And, to his chagrin, Uncle Wen liked the very piece of animal hide that Shopkeeper Yu had turned away.
However, upon second thought, he realized that if he himself didn’t value the beast skin, it probably wasn’t worth much money. So, this wasn’t too much of a loss.
But he still felt somewhat uncomfortable, so he gave Wang Hao a vicious glare.
Wang Hao was just as shocked upon hearing this; he hadn’t expected to come across someone who knew their stuff.
When Uncle Wen saw that Wang Hao wasn’t speaking, he figured that Wang Hao didn’t know the market value and didn’t know how to set a price, so he looked at Wang Hao with a smile and said,
"Little brother, I see you don’t know the price, right? No worries, I, Old Yu, always do business in a fair and upright manner; I won’t cheat you. How does six million sound to you?" freēwēbnovel.com
"But, I think this piece of beast skin must only be part of the whole. If you have the complete piece, I’m willing to offer sixty million!"
Upon these words, everyone present was left gaping in astonishment.
Even more so was Boss Yu, who stood with his mouth wide open for a full three minutes.
Six million! Twenty percent of six million was one hundred twenty million.
Seeing that one hundred twenty million was slipping away right under his eyelids, Boss Yu almost pinched his thigh swollen with regret.
Wang Hao was also stunned when he heard it, but he knew that if he brought out the entire beast skin, its value couldn’t possibly be measured in money; what, then, was a mere sixty million?
Moreover, such a treasure could be deemed a national treasure, and would have to be handed over to the state sooner or later. Wang Hao didn’t want to pocket this windfall.
It wasn’t easy to get this money; he just wanted to figure out the contents recorded on the beast skin.
"Oh look, brother, why did you come so late? Come in, let’s talk. We’ll sit down and have some tea and chat at leisure."
Seeing the potential for profit, Boss Yu immediately switched his demeanor, pulling Wang Hao into the house as if he had seen the god of wealth.
"I think Boss Yu has a short memory with so many distinguished people around. I came early, it’s just that I’d rather not go in and embarrass you."
Wang Hao snorted coldly. As long as he didn’t want to go in, Boss Yu couldn’t possibly persuade him.
"I was shortsighted, not recognizing Mount Tai. Please be magnanimous and come inside to sit, just for a cup of tea!"
Boss Yu still didn’t give up, pleading with Wang Hao, thinking to himself that if Wang Hao had more goods in the future, he could bring them to Zhenbao Hall for trading.
"Little brother, let’s sit down and talk this through, shall we?"
That was what Uncle Wen also suggested.
Following them, Wang Hao entered Zhenbao Hall and sat down side by side with Uncle Wen.
Boss Yu presented his finest Tieguanyin tea, pouring it for them, while also serving them fruit.
"Young man, where did you get this piece of beast skin?"
Uncle Wen picked up his tea cup, his face full of curiosity as he asked Wang Hao.
"Dug it up while I was farming in the back mountains,"
Wang Hao casually fabricated an excuse.
Uncle Wen didn’t believe it, of course, but since Wang Hao was reluctant to elaborate, and Uncle Wen was very eager to obtain the complete beast skin manuscript, he didn’t press the matter further.
"Not sure if the price I just quoted was too low, and you are unwilling to sell it?"
Uncle Wen asked again.
"That’s not it. I’m just curious about what exactly is recorded on this beast skin."
Wang Hao answered truthfully.
"I just took a close look, and it seems this beast skin was originally an ancient medical book, recording some pharmacological knowledge of herbal medicine, but with only one piece left, I can’t say for sure which book it is."
Uncle Wen replied thoughtfully.
Wang Hao was overjoyed upon hearing this. It seemed Uncle Wen recognized the ancient text on it. Wang Hao thought that he definitely needed to cultivate a good relationship with Uncle Wen.
On the side, Boss Yu grew anxious as he listened to their talk veering towards medicine, thinking, can’t you agree on the deal first before chatting about these things?
"Young man, so are you willing to sell this piece of beast skin to me?"
Uncle Wen appeared to be particularly interested in this piece of beast skin, eager to acquire it.
"That’s possible, but before we make the trade, I’d like to ask Uncle Wen for a favor!"
Seeing Uncle Wen’s eagerness, Wang Hao boldly made a request...
