บท 54: Desireless and Resolute
"Very well, Teacher. I shall go to learn about miscellaneous knowledge with Brother Zhao at noon, and then visit your home in the evening..."
Fang Yi felt no discontent with Sun Lianda's arrangement. Although his days would be busier, the opportunity to be mentored by the former and current directors of the Jinling Museum was a privilege others could only dream of. Beside him, Man Jun wore an expression of envy.
"Alright then, we've had enough to drink today. Let's clear the table and enjoy some tea to sober up..." Sun Lianda nodded with satisfaction. If Fang Yi's advanced certificate were applicable, it seemed he would be adding another graduate student to his roster next year.
Fang Yi had prepared the meal, and naturally, it was Fatty and San Pao who busied themselves with clearing the table. Sun Laoshi pulled Fang Yi onto the sofa to engage in conversation, while Man Jun busied himself pouring tea for everyone.
"By the way, Brother Zhao, when I come over every noon, may I bring Fatty or San Pao with me?" After settling down, Fang Yi spoke up, "This business involves the three of us, and they should also grasp some knowledge about cultural artifacts..."
According to Fang Yi's prior discussions with Fatty and San Pao, they would be responsible for the stall while he managed the supply channels. While this arrangement did not demand extensive expertise from Fatty and San Pao, they could not rely solely on persuasion during sales; a basic understanding was essential.
Thus, Fang Yi planned to rotate bringing Fatty and San Pao with him to learn from Zhao Hongtao, not expecting them to become experts, but hoping they could discern the quality of cultural materials after their studies.
"Of course, it's all about communication in this field. Bring them along..."
Zhao Hongtao readily agreed, noting that whether it was one sheep or a flock, the difference was negligible. He was responsible for teaching, and how much Fang Yi and his friends learned would depend on their own aptitude.
"By the way, Fang Yi, are you selling that string of old agarwood beads?"
Zhao Hongtao's gaze drifted to Fang Yi's wrist, unable to suppress his curiosity. Such ancient artifacts, centuries old, were revered treasures among cultural items, and Zhao Hongtao had a keen interest in acquiring them.
"Hongtao, you can forget about that string of beads..." Upon hearing Zhao Hongtao's inquiry, Sun Lianda chuckled and remarked, "Xiao Chao initially wanted to buy them, but Fang Yi refused to sell at any price. Do you know how much Xiao Chao offered?"
"Three hundred thousand?" Upon learning of Xiao Chao's interest, Zhao Hongtao's expression turned wry. "Xiao Ge is wealthy, but I cannot compete. If he were to bid, it would surely be no less than three hundred thousand."
The bond between a graduate student and their mentor is typically quite close, and given that both Zhao Hongtao and Sun Chao shared an enthusiasm for cultural artifacts, their relationship had always been amicable. Zhao Hongtao was also aware of the high value of Sun Chao's oil paintings, which could fetch millions abroad.
"Three hundred thousand? Xiao Chao offered one million, and Fang Yi still wouldn't part with them..." Sun Lianda glanced at Fang Yi, stating, "This child is unmoved by money and remains true to himself. You and Sun Chao should learn from Fang Yi in this regard..."
In truth, when Sun Lianda first met Fang Yi in the hospital, he had not considered taking him as a disciple. However, after hearing about his son's desire to purchase the agarwood beads, Sun Lianda's interest was piqued, primarily because Fang Yi was not swayed by financial temptation.
Resisting the allure of wealth is easy to articulate, yet exceedingly challenging to achieve.
Especially for someone like Fang Yi, a penniless youth, to flatly refuse such a substantial sum speaks volumes about his character. This kind of resolve is rare, even among those who have navigated the complexities of society for many years; it truly reflects a mindset where wealth is regarded as inconsequential.
Setting aside societal pressures, the temptations within the antique trade are abundant. Sun Lianda firmly believed that only someone with Fang Yi's ability to resist monetary temptation could thrive in this field and build a successful career.
"One million and he still wouldn't sell?" Upon hearing his teacher's words, Zhao Hongtao's eyes widened in disbelief. According to his estimation, even at auction, the beads would fetch at most seven to eight hundred thousand, certainly not exceeding a million.
What astonished Zhao Hongtao even more was that Fang Yi would refuse such a price. Although he had not interacted extensively with Fang Yi, his observations during their time together suggested that Fang Yi and his brothers were quite in need of money. Had Zhao Hongtao been in the same position, he would undoubtedly have sold the beads.
In fact, Zhao Hongtao engaged in high-end cultural artifact trading himself. He would periodically acquire items and sell them immediately upon receiving a reasonable offer from interested buyers. Without such supplementary income, Zhao Hongtao could hardly afford high-priced items like the Hai Huang.
"Brother Zhao, these beads are my master's legacy. I wish to keep them as a memento. If it were a gift from my teacher to you, I'm sure you would hesitate to part with it as well..."
Seeing Zhao Hongtao's astonishment, Fang Yi smiled as he explained. While he did need money, he was still young and capable of earning it. He would never exploit his master's relic for profit.
"Indeed, Teacher is correct. Your character far surpasses mine and Sun Chao's..."
Upon hearing Fang Yi's words, Zhao Hongtao sighed. In his view, whether it be antiques or cultural artifacts, he maintained a standard for valuation. Even if it were a gift from a mentor, should it exceed his personal valuation, Zhao Hongtao would not hesitate to sell it.
"It's not that my character is superior; perhaps I simply have yet to grasp the true value of money..." Fang Yi chuckled, shaking his head. As the saying goes, "Desireless, one is steadfast." During his time on the mountain, subsisting on wild vegetables, he felt no hardship. Now, surrounded by material abundance, Fang Yi felt a profound sense of contentment.
"Hongtao, do share your insights about cultural artifacts with Fang Yi and his companions. These young men know little and have plunged headlong into this field; as their senior, you cannot let them suffer losses..."
Sun Lianda could see that Fang Yi was not the type to accept money from others without merit. Even as his teacher, Fang Yi would not take advantage of Sun Lianda's generosity. Thus, the best assistance Sun Lianda could offer was to ensure Zhao Hongtao swiftly guided Fang Yi into the realm of cultural artifact trading.
As for the antique business, Sun Lianda had no intention of letting Fang Yi delve into it too soon, nor did he wish to take him along to seek out bargains. The allure of sudden wealth could easily lead one astray, and Sun Lianda was determined not to squander Fang Yi's promising potential.
"Very well, let us commence with our first lesson today..."
Having indulged in drink, Zhao Hongtao was in high spirits. He addressed Fatty and San Pao, who had just finished clearing the table, "You two come over as well. While it is said that the antique trade is fraught with depth, the same holds true for cultural artifacts. I have some experiences to share that may help you avoid pitfalls..."
"Ah, thank you, Brother Zhao!"
Upon hearing Zhao Hongtao's words, Fatty and San Pao hurried over, both having gained a painful understanding of the harshness of society after their military service. Naturally, they cherished the opportunity presented to them now.
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