章節 24: The Foundation of One's Existence
Old Sun, do you believe that pursuing this line of work is fundamental to one's standing in life?"
Fang Yi did not rush to a conclusion but instead turned to Sun Lianda. He recalled his master often saying that one should plan before acting. Although Fang Yi appeared somewhat slow in temperament, he was influenced by the old Taoist, leading him to contemplate matters thoroughly.
Together with Wei Jinhua and Peng Sanjun, they were still novices in the realms of antiques and cultural artifacts; even if they were to embark on this venture, it would be wise to heed the insights of the expert before them.
Moreover, Fang Yi approached the prospect of his first profession with great caution. He understood the wisdom of not biting off more than one can chew, and he recognized that transitioning between fields is akin to traversing a mountain range. Since he intended to engage in the antique trade, he knew he must fully immerse himself in it, treating it as the cornerstone of his existence, and that any future changes should not be taken lightly.
"With your calm demeanor, you are quite suited for this line of work..."
Upon hearing Fang Yi's inquiry, a smile spread across Sun Lianda's face. To succeed in the antique business, one must possess a steady temperament and deliberate actions; otherwise, one might easily fall prey to deception or make erroneous judgments.
"Old man, Yi Ge is asking whether we can sustain ourselves in this field," the portly man interjected, unable to contain his impatience as he noticed Sun Lianda's evasive response.
"Little fatty, your patience pales in comparison to Xiao Fang's..." Sun Lianda shot an exasperated glare at the portly man, recognizing that he was more suited to hawking goods than to making astute assessments. If entrusted with procurement, the portly man might very well end up losing even his undergarments.
"He apprenticed under an old Taoist; while he may not have mastered much, he certainly learned the art of cultivating energy..." The portly man muttered, feeling it unfair to compare himself to Fang Yi, who could meditate for hours on end.
"Taoist energy cultivation? That is quite distinct from merely nurturing one's vitality..."
Sun Lianda's expression shifted to one of astonishment upon hearing the portly man's words. With his extensive knowledge, he was aware of the decline of Taoism and that few truly understood the practice of energy cultivation. To his surprise, the young man before him possessed such skills.
Upon closer inspection, Sun Lianda discerned a certain aura about Fang Yi, one that seemed incongruous with his surroundings, an ethereal quality that suggested he was untouched by worldly concerns.
"Old Sun, it's merely some basic guiding exercises that I have been practicing since childhood..."
Fang Yi smiled, offering a brief explanation of his past life, yet he refrained from mentioning his years in the Taoist temple, where his master had facilitated his certification as a Taoist priest and his connection to the abbot of the Qing Dynasty Palace.
"To produce a disciple of your caliber, it seems your master must be quite remarkable..." Although their acquaintance was brief, Sun Lianda sensed a profound foundation in Chinese studies within Fang Yi, something not easily imparted by a mere itinerant Taoist.
"My master is exceptionally learned; what I have grasped is but a fraction of his knowledge..." Fang Yi humbly replied, though in truth, he had absorbed much of the old Taoist's teachings over the past decade, with the remaining challenge being the application of those theories in real life.
"Old Sun, let us return to the subject of antiques. What do you think about our suitability for this trade?" Noticing the conversation had veered off course, Fang Yi skillfully redirected it.
"Indeed, let us discuss antiques..."
Having lived a long life, Sun Lianda recognized Fang Yi's desire to avoid personal revelations. He remarked, "There is a saying in the antique world: 'In chaotic times, gold flourishes; in prosperous times, antiques thrive.' Do you believe we are in chaotic or prosperous times?"
"Certainly prosperous; the nation's economy is improving steadily..."
Without hesitation, Fang Yi responded. His daily routine included listening to the news on his small radio, and he had not missed a single broadcast, internalizing the concept of national strength and prosperity.
"Ha, my answer has already been provided, hasn't it?"
Sun Lianda chuckled at Fang Yi's response, saying, "The periods during which antiques flourish are often those when the nation is strong—such as during the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan era, the early and mid-Song Dynasty, the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, and the Five Emperors of the Qing Dynasty. Only when the populace is secure and content can there be a market for antiques. Though there remains some disparity between rich and poor in our society today, the lives of the common people are improving, and they now possess disposable income. Thus, I confidently assert that in the next twenty years, or even longer, the antique trade will undoubtedly experience a resurgence..."
As a professor at Jinling University, Sun Lianda had conducted considerable research on the ideological trends surrounding antiques. While the current interest in antiques was still in its infancy, he had observed a growing number of individuals drawn to the field, indicating that the antique market was on the verge of blossoming.
"Xiao Fang, I have a suggestion; I wonder if you would be open to it?" Sun Lianda pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Old Sun, please share; we currently lack experience..." Fang Yi replied eagerly.
"I have previously proposed this idea: the antique market is intertwined with the cultural artifact market. I recommend that you begin with the simplest and most affordable cultural artifacts, gradually learning about antiques in the process, thus transitioning from cultural artifacts to antiques. This approach will save you from many missteps and unnecessary expenses..."
Having shared so much with Fang Yi and his companions, Sun Lianda felt he had made an exception. In the antique community, everyone knew that Professor Sun was not fond of antique dealers; it was rare for him to even engage in conversation with them.
"Ah, old man, you think just like I do..." Upon hearing Sun Lianda's words, the portly man slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Yi Ge, what do you think? The old man believes we can make this work—are we in or out?"
"We shall proceed!"
Fang Yi pondered for a moment before stating, "Fatty, we need to secure accommodation in the city first. How about you and San Pao look for a place? It should be relatively close to that Chaotian Palace you mentioned, to facilitate our future stall setup..."
Although Fang Yi had never ventured down the mountain, he was not entirely ignorant. Taoist practice emphasizes the importance of law, companions, wealth, and location; even cultivating the Tao requires a suitable environment. After all, one cannot sleep on the streets, so finding a place to stay was their immediate priority.
Initially, Fang Yi thought the portly man and San Pao would have everything arranged upon entering the city. However, given the current situation, it was evident that the two had no plans whatsoever. Had it not been for the compensation from the accident involving that Boss Man, they might have found themselves homeless.
"Alright, I will head out with San Pao to find a place..." The portly man nodded. In truth, he was not as reckless as Fang Yi believed. Before arriving in the city, he had already discussed with San Pao the plan to crash at San Pao's living room for a few days until they secured work.
However, now that they had some funds, they no longer needed to squeeze into San Pao's place. The portly man had worked as a property security guard and knew that renting was not exorbitantly priced; in a large city like Shanghai, a well-furnished two-bedroom apartment could be rented for around a thousand yuan, and it would be even cheaper in Jinling.
"Fang Yi, you should engage in more discussions with the old man..." As they were about to leave, the portly man exchanged a knowing glance with Fang Yi. He recognized that he was not cut out for mastering antique knowledge and felt that such intellectual matters were best left to Fang Yi.
"Old Sun, my friend speaks rather bluntly; I hope you won't take offense..." After the portly man and San Pao departed, Fang Yi expressed his apologies to Sun Lianda.
"This little fatty is quite forthright, but Xiao Fang, when it comes to business, you may not be as adaptable as he is..." Sun Lianda chuckled, shaking his head. At over sixty years of age, how could he possibly be upset with a mere child?
"Ah, you two need your injections now..."
Just as Fang Yi was about to inquire further about cultural artifacts, a nurse entered pushing a cart. She glanced curiously at Fang Yi and remarked, "You're recovering quite rapidly; you were comatose when brought in this morning..."
"Nurse, is there any way I could forgo the injection?"
Watching as the nurse deftly prepared an IV for Sun Lianda, Fang Yi instinctively recoiled. After circulating his energy for a brief period, he understood his condition; the unconsciousness from the accident and the current stiffness in his body were merely protective responses.
Since childhood, Fang Yi had practiced energy cultivation with the old Taoist. By the time he was just over ten, he could already feel the sensations of energy within him. As his mastery deepened, this energy became more robust, heightening his sensitivity to the external world.
Over time, Fang Yi's body naturally developed protective mechanisms in response to danger, which explained why, despite the severity of the accident, he had not sustained any internal injuries.
"Well... the injection will expedite your recovery..." The nurse, appearing to be quite young and new to the profession, blushed slightly as she caught sight of Fang Yi's bare upper body, which was bandaged.
If Fang Yi were to don a shirt, he might appear somewhat leaner; however, without clothing, one could see that his muscles were well-defined and smooth, exuding a healthy aesthetic that surpassed that of many bodybuilders.
Fang Yi found the nurse's reaction somewhat amusing but chose not to dwell on it. He replied, "It's nothing to worry about; I have studied traditional Chinese medicine, and my condition is one of energy deficiency. With some time to recuperate, I will be fine..."
"Very well, but you must rest properly and refrain from speaking..."
The nurse met Fang Yi's gaze for a moment before quickly averting her eyes, feeling a bit flustered. Although she had taken anatomy classes and seen many male bodies, she was puzzled by her reaction to this particular patient.
"Alright, as long as I don't have to endure the injection, I shall comply..." Fang Yi eagerly agreed. In truth, if circumstances allowed, he could recover within two days with a nourishing chicken soup made from red dates and glutinous rice.
"Our duty room is right next door; if you speak again, I will have to come over and administer the injection..." The nurse warned with a smile before pushing her cart to another ward.
Once the nurse left, Sun Lianda spoke before Fang Yi could open his mouth, "Xiao Fang, you truly need to rest well. Please refrain from speaking and take a nap..."
"Very well, Old Sun, I shall rest for a while..."
Fang Yi nodded in agreement. He understood that not only was he energy deficient, but the bleeding from his chest wound had also contributed to a lack of blood vitality. Without medicinal herbs for proper nourishment, he could only rely on his internal energy to sustain his body.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票