"Three hundred and fifty thousand?!"
The crowd was astonished. Those who had previously mocked Li Yang for overpaying had faces change drastically, exclaiming, "Are you kidding me!"
"Expert Cai, you're not joking with this kid, are you?"
"I absolutely have no intention of joking with anyone," the middle-aged expert Cai immediately stated.
Then he looked at Li Yang and asked, "Mr. Li, is that acceptable?"
"One price, five hundred thousand. If you want it, I'll sell it to you. If not, we're done," Li Yang said.
"How much?"
Expert Cai's face changed. "Mr. Li, you're asking for the moon! Even if this plate is a royal artifact from the palace, or perhaps exclusively used by the Emperor, it's still just a plate. Three hundred and fifty thousand is already a lot."
"Five hundred thousand is absolutely impossible!"
Even for the currently popular plum vases among porcelain styles, a royal-grade one would only fetch around two hundred thousand. Only a matching pair might sell for around five hundred thousand.
Asking him for five hundred thousand for a single plate was too much!
Li Yang said no more. Seeing that he wouldn't agree, he turned to leave.
"Hey, Mr. Li, don't go. We can still discuss the price," Expert Cai said anxiously as he was about to leave.
He truly liked the item. "How about four hundred thousand? Five hundred thousand is really too expensive!"
"How about I let you take a look?" Li Yang saw his genuine desire and stopped. "But I must make it clear beforehand, after this look, the price will not be five hundred thousand, but eight hundred thousand."
"Ah?" Expert Cai was stunned.
An extra three hundred thousand for just a look? This wasn't a plate; it was like a heavenly fairy performing a striptease!
"You, you're joking, right?"
"You'll know when you see it," Li Yang didn't explain further, directly opening the food bag containing the spinach and gesturing for him to reach in himself.
Seeing that he understood the rule of "no touching," a hint of surprise flashed in Expert Cai's eyes. It seemed Mr. Li was indeed an expert.
However, an additional three hundred thousand for just a look still made it unacceptable, even incomprehensible.
Reaching out to take the plate, his first step was to check the bottom for any maker's mark and what it looked like.
The quality of the mark depended on the era, its authenticity, and clarity, all of which affected the value of a porcelain piece.
The mark on this plate was very clear, written in square Han characters: "Made in the Eighth Year of Yongzheng," and it also indicated the manufacturer. Beside the Han characters was a line of Manchu script, also very clear.
As the saying goes, one dynasty's emperor has one dynasty's officials. The products of each dynasty would differ. Among them, Yongzheng period porcelain was considered quite good in the entire history of Qing dynasty porcelain.
This type of plate was not blue and white porcelain but doucai.
The so-called doucai, also known as "dou cai" or "dou cai," referred to the colors. Naturally, it meant more than one color, and it was exceptionally vibrant.
Blue and white porcelain mostly had a single color, not as bright and striking as doucai porcelain. However, among literati and connoisseurs, blue and white porcelain was more popular and favored than doucai porcelain.
But among merchants and in the current market, doucai porcelain generally fetched a slightly higher price than blue and white porcelain and was easier to sell.
Expert Cai turned the doucai plate around, looking at the front. He saw the dragon patterns appearing and disappearing, which was quite unusual. He felt a pang of regret, wondering why he hadn't looked more closely at that stall earlier, perhaps he would have noticed its uniqueness.
He wouldn't have to pay a high price to buy it from Li Yang now.
One could only say that antiques truly found their owners. He had fate but lacked the opportunity.
Now that fate had presented itself, whether he could seize it was another matter.
But even with the unusual dragon patterns, he still felt it wasn't worth eight hundred thousand. He sighed and said, "Mr. Li, I cannot accept eight hundred thousand. At most, four hundred and fifty thousand. If you're willing to sell, I'll transfer the money immediately."
"It seems you are not the person this plate has been waiting for," Li Yang shook his head and opened the food bag. "Put it back."
"Mr. Li, is there really no room for negotiation?" Expert Cai was reluctant to put it back, but he genuinely felt eight hundred thousand was too expensive.
Li Yang shook his head. "Eight hundred thousand is already very low."
"And you call this low?" Expert Cai said with a wry smile. "Forget it, it seems Boss Li, you won't lower the price no matter what. Then I wish you luck in finding a suitable buyer."
Saying that, he placed the plate back into the food bag.
But at that moment, a voice came from the side, "Mr. Li, I'll take this plate for eight hundred thousand."
"What?"
Which reckless fool, with a screw loose, would buy this plate for eight hundred thousand?
Expert Cai turned his head suspiciously. The person who spoke was a young man, only a year or two older than Li Yang. However, this young man looked unfamiliar, with green eyes, slightly curly hair, and a prominent nose bridge, giving him a mixed-race appearance. He didn't seem to be from Jiangcheng.
"Who are you?"
"I am from Ruili, Lü Fang," the young man said with a smile as he walked over, staring at Li Yang. "Mr. Li, can you sell it to me?"
"Since you have good taste, of course, you can," Li Yang smiled. "Pay first, then take the goods."
"No problem." Lü Fang was very straightforward, immediately taking out his phone to pay.
Seeing this, Expert Cai became anxious. "No, can you wait a moment? Let me reconsider!"
He was truly captivated by the plate and found it hard to let go.
It was one thing when no one wanted it, but now a young man with distinguished demeanor and appearance suddenly appeared, buying it for eight hundred thousand without batting an eye. This greatly stimulated him.
Lü Fang, however, frowned and said sternly, "This gentleman is likely a fellow antique enthusiast and should understand one thing: 'Keep your hand on the treasure, and others shall not disturb. If your hand leaves the treasure, anyone can buy!'
When your hand was not leaving the treasure, I didn't say a word. Now that you have abandoned the transaction with Mr. Li, and I have clearly stated my intention to buy this plate, if you interfere now, you might be breaking the rules.
Or is it that the antique dealers of Jiangcheng no longer observe the old rules?"
"No, of course not," Expert Cai's face turned red, and he could only retreat with a wry smile.
Lü Fang smiled. "That's good. Mr. Li, I will transfer the money to you now."
"Alright," Li Yang nodded.
The transaction was quickly completed. The moment Lü Fang received the plate, his face lit up with joy, clearly having obtained a treasure.
Seeing this, Expert Cai felt a pang of jealousy. He gritted his teeth and said, "Mr. Lü, why does this plate make you so happy?"
"A doucai plate exclusively used by the Yongzheng Emperor and personally inscribed by him. It might not be obtainable for three million, yet I bought it for eight hundred thousand. If it were you, wouldn't you be happy?" Lü Fang laughed heartily.