Chapter 133 Attitude

  After listening to Liu Lao's words, Liu Qin also nodded in agreement.

  It is now believed that Dong Yuan left behind about seven or eight works, but at the time painters generally did not sign their names to their work. Later attributions are based on related records and judgments, with only "Riverbank" bearing a signature.

  But the mountains and rocks in "A Riverside Scene" of the metropolis use the layered ink wash technique that has been used since the Tang Dynasty, without using Dong Yuan's characteristic "hemp fiber texture", which is also the main reason why people have debated for so many years whether "A Riverside Scene" is a work by Dong Yuan.

  A newly discovered "Stream Bank" painting using the hemp-fiber texture technique, although it can further prove that the previous "Stream Bank" was not created by Dong Yuan, but also cannot be completely considered as proof that the previous "Stream Bank" is definitely not a work of Dong Yuan. This is precisely because among the works of Dong Yuan that have been passed down to the present day, only this one has a signature.

  But as Liu Lao said, to prove that the previous "Stream Bank" was indeed a work by Dong Yuan, more ironclad evidence must be produced; otherwise, it's just wishful thinking.

  But even if the previous "Stream Bank" was a copy or imitation, it would not damage its value. After all, its artistic achievements are extremely high and do not lose much to the original work.

  It is just like the authenticity debate of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion" in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, which has been debated for a long time and no consensus has been reached among various parties. However, the artistic achievement of "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion" is extremely high, and it is not an exaggeration to call it "the best running script under heaven", on this point all parties have reached a consensus.

  However, compared to Liu Qingshu's slight skepticism towards this work, Chu Chen's inner conviction was firm that this piece must be a genuine work by Dong Yuan, and his extraordinary ability would not deceive him in terms of value estimation and age judgment.

  "Xiao Chu, your luck is really unbelievable. You can even find two big treasures when buying a house! This 'Stream Bank Painting' can be said to be a national treasure-level cultural relic. Its value doesn't need to be mentioned. The money for this house was earned back just like that. I've been playing with antiques for so many years, how come I've never encountered such good luck?"

  Liu Qinchu's face was filled with envy as she said to Chu Chen, "Chu Chen's luck is really good, it's really speechless. To be able to pick up such a big bargain when buying a house, and still get two of them, this kind of thing I've never seen from childhood to adulthood."

  Chu Chen scratched his head and said: "Hehe, maybe this is the blessing I accumulated in my previous lives."

  Liu Lao smiled and said, "It seems that Little Chu, you were a great philanthropist in your past lives. However, Xiao Shu, you said something wrong - can such a work be measured by money? Little Chu, would you be willing to exchange it for a villa?"

  Chu Chen hastily shook his head and said, "No exchange. Even if it's a good house, I won't exchange it. Houses and money are just part of life. As long as they meet one's living needs, that's enough. Besides, houses and money can be earned through hard work sooner or later. But such paintings, even if you encounter them normally, you can't get them easily. How could I do something like picking up sesame seeds but losing watermelon?"

  Liu Lao laughed and said, "Xiao Chu is right, Xiao Shu, you should learn from Xiao Chu's attitude. You are too utilitarian, measuring everything with money. If you don't change this, you will never become a collector in the future."

  Liu Qingshu heard this and couldn't help but retort: "Dad, I'm not as bad as you say, you don't even know how many treasures I have now."

  Liu Lao shook his head and said, "Do you think that having many collections makes one a collector? If so, then anyone with money can be a collector. Think about it, how much do you understand your own collection?"

  "Let's just say you've been thinking about taking advantage of this situation all along. I'll tell you a story that I heard from my friend."

  "One time, my friend was entrusted by someone to sell a bronze mirror, but he knew something about Han and Tang dynasty's bronze mirrors. However, the one in his hand happened to be from the Jin Dynasty, so in the end, he helped his friend sell it for 600,000 yuan."

  But not long after, the person who bought the copper mirror sold it to a friend in Beijing for 160,000 yuan, making a profit of 100,000 yuan. A few months later, my friend saw the copper mirror again at an auction, priced at 360,000 yuan, and was finally sold for 400,000 yuan.

  Liu Qingshu heard this and couldn't help but sneer: "That's his stupidity, if he doesn't know why didn't he go ask others?"

  Liu smiled and said: "Right, Xiao Shu, what you said is indeed a way, but have you ever thought about why he would sell it for 60,000 yuan?"

  "He should be referring to the price of Han and Tang Dynasty bronze mirrors."

  "Yes, he simply took the price of a Han Tang bronze mirror as a reference and sold that bronze mirror. Now I'll ask you again, do you know how much your Qianlong official kiln blue and white folded branch flower vase with six sides is worth now?"

  "This..."

  Liu Qinchu furrowed her brow and thought for a moment, saying somewhat hesitantly: "At the time I bought it for 4.1 million, now it should be worth around 6 million, right?"

  Liu Lao smiled and shook his head, saying: "Look at you, always talking about picking up bargains. Now, it seems that you didn't pick one up, but someone else did! Xiao Chu, let me test you, do you know the price of this six-sided bottle?" He then recited the data for the six-sided bottle to Chuchu.

  Chu Chen thought for a moment and said: "The price should be around 11.8 million yuan."

  "Oh? Why say that?"

  Chu Chen chuckled and said, "Last month during the Beijing Hanhai Spring Auction, there was a six-sided bottle that was almost identical to Liu's, and it was sold for over 11.8 million."

  "Huh?"

  Liu Qingshu exclaimed and then said somewhat discontentedly, "Dad, if I hadn't gone to Shanghai on a business trip that time, how would I have known the price of my six-square bottle?"

  Liu smiled and said, "Then you've been saying all day that you want to pick up bargains. What are bargains? To put it simply, they're treasures that can be bought back for several thousand yuan but are worth tens of thousands or even higher prices. The opportunity to pick up bargains is equal for everyone, but you must have sufficient knowledge and vision to seize the opportunity."

  "You don't even know the value of your own things, yet you're thinking of picking up bargains? You can say you were away on a business trip and weren't around, but if you had the heart to, couldn't you have found a way to inquire about the price? Even if you didn't have time back then, after returning for so many days, couldn't you have taken the initiative to understand?"

  "With an attitude like yours towards learning, how can you become a qualified collector?"

  One question after another left Liu Qingshu's expression stunned. Her father was right, her attitude towards antiques had been too casual, and she had indeed let down her father's years of teachings.

  "Dad, I'm sorry, I let you down. Thinking about it, my personality is too laid-back and doesn't really suit in-depth study of antiques."

  Liu smiled and shook his head, saying: "You, after all, have some self-awareness, but unfortunately, your eldest senior brother only knows how to study and is too rigid in his ways. Your second senior brother is agile, but he prioritizes making money and doesn't know who can inherit my legacy!"

  At this point, Liu Lao smiled and looked at Chu Chen, which made Chu Chen's heart beat wildly. Was Liu Lao going to take him as his apprentice? But if he asked if I was willing, how should I answer? Should I be tactful or directly agree?

  "Little Chu!"

  "I..."

  Chu Chen was still fantasizing that Liu Lao was going to take him on as an apprentice, when he suddenly heard Liu Lao calling out to him. He almost shouted out "I'm willing!" but fortunately reacted quickly and swallowed his words back, or else it would have been a huge embarrassment.

  Liu Lao couldn't help but ask with a smile: "Xiao Chu, what did you say?"

  Chu Chen's face turned slightly red as she said: "I have a stomachache, I want to go to the bathroom."

  Having said that, before Liu Lao and the others could respond, he hastily ran out, while running, his heart was wailing, this time it's really embarrassing, Chu Chen, how come you always falter at critical moments? And I don't know what Liu Lao and the others will think!

  Liu and his daughter couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight, never expecting that Chu Chen, who was always calm and composed in front of them, would also have such a moment.

  After a few minutes, Chu Chen walked back calmly, of course, he was just pretending to be calm, and his heart was actually very nervous. What he feared most now was that Liu Lao and the others would deduct points from their impression of him because of this matter.

  Actually, Chu Chen is just being overly concerned. Why would Liu Lao and the others be dissatisfied with him because of this small matter? On the contrary, they think that Chu Chen's behavior is more like what young people should have. In the past, Chu Chen's performance was too mature, lacking a bit of youthful vigor.

  Liu Lao saw Chu Chen enter and asked with a smile: "Little Chu, are you okay? Do you want Xiao Shu to find some medicine for you to take?"

  Chu Chen saw this situation and felt a sense of relief in his heart, so he quickly shook his head and said: "No need, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore, thank you for your concern."

  "Heh heh, as long as nothing's wrong, I'll ask you, what are you planning to do with this 'Stream Bank' painting?"

  Chu Chen didn't think much and replied, "I'm sure I want to collect it, but my place hasn't been renovated yet. Mr. Liu, would you mind taking care of it for me? But since the item is so valuable, I feel a bit uneasy about getting it for free!"

  This "Stream Bank" painting can be placed at Wu Shu's place, but since it is so valuable, placing it there would make Wu Shu lose sleep and appetite. To avoid worrying him, it's better to put it at Liu Lao's place instead.

  As soon as the words fell, Liu Lao understood Chu Chen's meaning and secretly thought that he had not misjudged the person. Xiao Chu did not feel at ease just because the thing was precious and belonged to himself.